Bank sector stocks ensured that the benchmark remained in positive territory by the closing on Thursday, despite the majority of stocks heading lower and the day’s turnover declining. The mixed session at Athinon Avenue contrasted with the strong gains in the main eurozone markets, some of which (such as Frankfurt) closed at historic highs.
The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 1,506.83 points, adding 0.24% to Wednesday’s 1,503.18 points. The large-cap FTSE-25 index expanded 0.25%, ending at 3,665.36 points, though mid-caps contracted 0.31%.
The banks index augmented 0.68%, as Eurobank earned 1.79%, Piraeus fetched 0.41% and National grew 0.39%, while Alpha stayed put and Optima gave up 0.47%.
Among the other blue chips, Cenergy Holdings dropped 2.42% and ElvalHalcor parted with 1.58%, whereas Coca-Cola HBC improved 1.68%.
In total 32 stocks recorded gains, 65 sustained losses and 28 remained unchanged.
Turnover amounted to 115.1 million euros, down from Wednesday’s €125.5 million.
In Nicosia, the general index of the Cyprus Stock Exchange increased 1.55% to close at 229.28 points.