The main index at Athinon Avenue registered yet another 17-year high on Friday, while the banks index returned to levels unseen since November 2015, as local stocks maintained their upward trajectory. The easing of the Middle East tension and the upcoming share capital increases and corporate bond issues by several listed companies bolster trader sentiment and help mainly the blue chips outperform as the summer proceeds.
The Euronext Athens (ATHEX) general index closed at 2,537.23 points, adding 1.27% to Thursday’s 2,505.37 points. On a weekly basis it advanced 3.59%.
The large-cap FTSE-25 index expanded 1.32%, ending at 6,441.13 points and the banks index climbed 1.35%. Eurobank grew 2.36%, National earned 1.74%, Optima improved 1.49%, Alpha augmented 1.22% and Bank of Cyprus collected 1.02%.
In total, 67 stocks registered gains, 40 suffered losses and 14 remained unchanged.
Turnover amounted to €259.1 million, down from Thursday’s €300.8 million, mainly because of the Wall Street holiday ahead of July 4.
