Benchmark posts rise after mixed session

The variety of ways in which the Eurogroup decisions on Monday were assessed led to a variety of trends among investors during yesterday’s bourse session at Athinon Avenue. Eventually the buyers outweighed the sellers, but only at the closing auctions.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 622.52 points, adding 0.36 percent to Monday’s 620.29 points. The large-cap FTSE 25 index expanded 0.20 percent to close at 1,682.30 points, while small-caps contracted 1.28 percent.

A number of non-banking blue chips outperformed, as Aegean Air rose 2.54 percent, Lamda Development increased 2.37 percent, Viohalco augmented 2.33 percent and Public Power Corporation jumped 2.30 percent. Hellenic Petroleum fell 2.10 percent and Ellaktor lost 1.72 percent.

The banks index presented a mixed picture, with National growing 2.27 percent on news it is moving ahead with the sale of Ethniki Insurance. Piraeus was up 1 percent and Alpha improved 0.54 percent, while Eurobank declined 1.13 percent.

In total 51 stocks registered gains, 45 posted losses and 21 remained unchanged.

Turnover amounted to 50.2 million euros, down from Monday’s 60.5 million.

In Nicosia the general index of the Cyprus Stock Exchange advanced 0.67 percent to close at 65.05 points.