ATHEX: Stocks decline for fifth day in succession

The uncertainty over the ongoing negotiations between the Greek government and the creditors, which include measures with a heavy political cost, and the continued rise in state bond yields are weighing on local stock prices, as the bourse benchmark suffered a fifth consecutive session of losses on Wednesday. Trading volume remained low.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 554.12 points, shedding 1.27 percent from Tuesday’s 561.23 points. The large-cap FTSE 25 index contracted 1.70 percent to end at 150.66 points.

This time it was non-banking blue chips that posted the biggest declines: Ellaktor gave up 4.17 percent and OPAP slid 4.04 percent. Aegean Air led the five stocks that showed gains, advancing 2.14 percent.

In total 34 stocks recorded gains, 52 headed south and 15 remained unchanged.

Turnover amounted to 48 million euros, down from Tuesday’s 56.1 million.

In Nicosia the general index of the Cyprus Stock Exchange ended practically unchanged, adding just 0.01 percent to close at 68.03 points.

ATHEX statistical data showed on Wednesday that foreign investors accounted for 63.3 percent of Greek stock ownership in March, up from 62.3 percent in February.