ATHEX: Developments draw investors back to bourse

The Greek bourse posted rather more convincing stock gains on Wednesday, with trading volume rising above the sub-50-million sums so frequent of late. The benchmark’s sixth consecutive day of growth was aided by the favorable sentiment across the continent generated by the rapid handover of the UK premiership to Theresa May.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 559.72 points, adding 1.41 percent to Tuesday’s 551.92 points. The large-cap FTSE 25 index expanded 1.87 percent to end at 1,517.03 points. Small-caps declined for a second day in a row, slipping 0.19 percent.

The banks index advanced 3.23 percent, taking its rising streak to six sessions, with total gains coming to 31.8 percent. Eurobank outperformed with its 7.24 percent increase, ahead of National (up 3.11 percent), Alpha (2.29 percent) and Piraeus (1.29 percent).

Also among large-caps, Folli Follie climbed 4.41 percent and GEK Terna rose 3.17 percent, while Viohalco gave up 2.31 percent.

In total 57 stocks registered gains, 33 reported losses and 15 remained unchanged.

Turnover was the highest of the last nine sessions, amounting to 78.2 million euros, up from Tuesday’s 44.3 million.

In Nicosia the general index of the Cyprus Stock Exchange decreased 0.27 percent to close at 65.44 points.