ECB rate cut bolsters Greek stock prices

News of the rate cut by the European Central Bank gave Greek stocks a boost on Thursday, with banks benefiting the most, while turnover continued to grow, rising above the 100-million-euro mark.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index ended at 1,181.41 points, adding 1.92 percent to Wednesday’s 1,159.13 points. The large-cap FTSE/ATHEX 25 index expanded by 2.21 percent to close at 384.15 points, but small-caps gave up 0.64 percent.

Eurobank added 5.44 percent, Piraeus followed with a 5 percent rise, National Bank went up 4.63 percent and Mytilineos climbed 4.41 percent. The biggest decline was for METKA, which descended 2.22 percent, while Jumbo contracted by 2 percent.

In total 59 stocks went up, 49 fell and 28 ended unchanged.

Turnover amounted to 108.7 million euros, up from Wednesday’s 77 million.