ATHEX: Bourse ends week on a high

The growth streak of most bank stocks (with the exception of National) came to an end on Friday as the banks index contracted 2.61 percent, but the benchmark at Athinon Avenue ended both the day and the week in positive territory, with the blue chip index showing significant gains.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 712.49 points, adding 0.32 percent to Thursday’s 710.22 points. On a weekly basis it grew 3.87 percent.

The large-cap FTSE 25 index expanded 1.15 percent on Friday to end at 215.69 points.

Traders cashed in on the stocks of Eurobank (down 8.82 percent), Piraeus (7.92 percent) and Alpha (7.43 percent) at the end of a week when the banks index advanced 18.6 percent.

National rose 2.15 percent, while most non-bank blue chips were on the rise: OTE telecom climbed 3.55 percent, Coca-Cola HBC added 2.61 percent, Motor Oil gained 2.43 percent and OPAP increased 2.34 percent.

In total 41 stocks registered gains, 53 posted losses and 19 stayed unchanged.

Turnover amounted to 49.8 million euros, down from Thursday’s 52.2 million.