After the rally of the previous days in the stock market, prices edged slightly higher on Thursday, as traders showed less enthusiasm and more caution in their purchases, while maintaining an optimistic take on the geopolitical developments, with the prospect of permanent peace in the Middle East and a decline in oil rates. The first quarter results season is well underway, affecting prices depending on performance as many blue chips issue their reports, like Coca-Cola HBC, Metlen, Eurobank and Titan Cement did on Thursday.
The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 2,305.74 points, adding 0.26% to Wednesday’s 2,299.87 points. The large-cap FTSE-25 index expanded 0.32%, ending at 5,860.71 points.
The banks index advanced 0.61%, on Optima jumping 3.47%, Bank of Cyprus rising 1.89%, Piraeus earning 0.93%, Eurobank grabbing 0.77% and Alpha improving 0.26%.
In total 56 stocks reported gains, 43 sustained losses and 25 remained unchanged.
Turnover amounted to €325.4 million, down from Wednesday’s €438.7 million.
In Nicosia, the general index of the Cyprus Stock Exchange increased 1.27% to 294.37 points.