ATHEX: Stocks post gains of 1.23 percent on low turnover

Blue chip investors at Athinon Avenue saw no reason to sell on Tuesday, leaving buyers to dominate trade, although turnover remained particularly low while a large number of smaller stocks closed with losses. The optimists noted that this rise bucked the European trend.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 493.97 points, adding 1.23 percent to Monday’s 487.97 points. The large-cap FTSE 25 index expanded 1.65 percent to end at 132.68 points.

Alpha Bank accounted for nearly 30 percent of trading volume, but was the only systemic lender to suffer a price drop, shedding 1.52 percent. Piraeus Bank outperformed, advancing 11.57 percent, followed by Eurobank (up 5.56 percent), Ellaktor (5 percent) and National Bank (3.61 percent).

Hellenic Exchanges gave up 3.15 percent.

In total 47 stocks posted gains, 52 took losses and 18 closed unchanged.

Turnover amounted to 35.8 million euros, up from Monday’s 29.1 million.

In Nicosia the general index of the Cyprus Stock Exchange rose 0.26 percent to 65.52 points.