Benchmark’s rising streak ends as stocks head lower

The benchmark’s seven-session rising streak came to an end at the Athens bourse on Thursday, as the news of Alpha Bank’s better-than-expected first-quarter results was tempered by the departure of the lender’s head, Yiannis Costopoulos.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 1.206.21 points, shedding 1.14 percent from Wednesday’s 1,220.16 points. The blue chip FTSE/ATHEX 25 contracted 0.89 percent to 389.56 points.

Alpha gave up 0.29 percent on the day, while Frigoglass declined 7.96 percent and Corinth Pipeworks fell 5.20 percent. Folli Follie outperformed with a 3.16 percent rise, followed by OPAP and National, which added 2.44 percent.

In total 59 stocks enjoyed gains, 66 sustained losses and 13 stayed unchanged.

Turnover came to 229 million euros, up from Wednesday’s 180.6 million.