On Wednesday, after six straight days of growth, the benchmark of the Greek stock market came off its highest point in 13.5 years to return to Monday’s closing level, mainly due to some profit taking on bank stocks. Still, the majority of stocks and the mid-cap index enjoyed fresh gains, and turnover returned to satisfactory levels.
The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 1,530.68 points, shedding 0.57% from Tuesday’s 1,539.48 points. The large-cap FTSE-25 index contracted 1.04%, ending at 3,719.42 points, while mid-caps expanded 0.72%.
The banks index dropped 2.38%, as Eurobank lost 3.39%, Alpha fell 2.80%, Piraeus conceded 2.41% and National eased 1.58%, though Optima fetched 0.46%. Prem Watsa’s placement of a 2.2% package in Eurobank late on Wednesday should affect the lender’s price on Thursday.
Athens International Airport added 3.73% and Aegean Airlines climbed 3.10%.
In total 58 stocks obtained gains, 35 showed losses and 29 remained unchanged.
Turnover amounted to 134.5 million euros, up from Tuesday’s €109.4 million.
In Nicosia, the general index of the Cyprus Stock Exchange decreased 1.18% to 224.89 points.