Week ends in decline for most Greek stocks
Blue chips dragged the Athens Exchange (ATHEX) lower in the week’s last session, following the downward trend seen across Europe. However, small- and mid-cap stocks showed signs of strong resistance. The ATHEX general index declined by 1.17 percent to 5,058.86 points yesterday from 5,118.51 points on Thursday. The FTSE/ATHEX 20 blue chip index fell by a considerable 1.58 percent, but the FTSE/ATHEX Mid-40 advanced 0.08 percent. The FTSE/ATHEX 80 small-cap index dropped 0.05 percent and the FTSE/ATHEX International shed 1.28 percent to close at 7,245.31 points. The only blue chip to post gains yesterday was Motor Oil (up 0.21 percent), while the biggest losses were sustained by Viohalco (down 2.86 percent), Bank of Cyprus (2.67 percent), Public Power Corporation (2.65 percent), Piraeus Bank (2.55 percent), Cosmote (2.46 percent) and Hellenic Petroleum (2.21 percent). Mass media outperformed among sectoral indices, surging 6.67 percent, with Pegasus, Naftemboriki and Lambrakis Press posting the greatest gains. Commerce stocks also rose significantly (up 1.75 percent). In contrast, uitlities lost 2.49 percent, followed by telecommunications (down 1.80 percent) and banks (1.74 percent). Turnover came to -634.62 million, with -204.06 million concerning block trades.