Fresh growth for banks buoys Athens benchmark higher

Greek stocks continued along the path toward recovery on Monday after the big sell-off observed last week, as banks appear increasingly confident ahead of the announcement of the stress tests by the European Central Bank later this week.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index ended at 941.93 points, adding 1.09 percent to Friday’s closing of 931.81 points.

The large-cap FTSE/ATHEX 25 index expanded 1.16 percent, ending at 306.84 points.

The banks index climbed 3.23 percent as Piraeus rose 7.55 percent, Alpha grew 3.52 percent and Eurobank gained 2.64 percent.

Intralot gave up 3.88 percent and Ellaktor lost 3.13 percent.

In total 75 stocks registered gains, 36 took losses and 20 stayed put.

Turnover amounted to 88 million euros, down from last Friday’s 228.8 million.