ATHEX: Small gains for benchmark
The Greek stock market was unable to keep up with many of its European peers that saw a surge in share prices on Wednesday, but gains recorded during the closing auctions helped the benchmark to end the session in the black, for a second consecutive day. Fears that the European Union turmoil caused by the UK’s Brexit vote will not allow Greece to negotiate more flexibility on its borrowing terms are keeping investors away.
The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 541.88 points, up 0.60 percent from Tuesday’s 538.65 points. The large-cap FTSE 25 index expanded 1.06 percent to end at 1,464.60 points, while mid-caps contracted 0.90 percent.
Alpha was the only stock of the four core banks to head north on Wednesday, rising 2.98 percent, as Piraeus fell 5.49 percent, National dropped 0.51 percent and Eurobank lost 0.35 percent. OPAP grew 6 percent and Jumbo bagged 4.96 percent, while EYDAP gave up 3.93 percent.
In total 39 stocks posted gains, 46 took losses and 19 remained unchanged.
Turnover was the lowest of the last five sessions, amounting to 73 million euros, down from Tuesday’s 86.5 million.
In Nicosia the general index of the Cyprus Stock Exchange declined 1.15 percent to close at 65.39 points.
