ATHEX: 2016 ends in the green

The moderate gains recorded in the Greek bourse's last session of the year meant that the benchmark finished 2016 in the green, adding 1.95 percent to its value at the end of 2015. This meant that after two years of decline (2014 and 2015), the main index at Athinon Avenue has recorded a small recovery.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed on Friday at 643.64 points, adding 1.09 percent to Thursday's 636.67 points. On a weekly basis it rose 2.12 percent, and has climbed 2.37 percent since end-November.

The large-cap FTSE 25 index expanded 1.36 percent on Friday to close at 1,740.86 points.

Despite the upward closing of the year for the benchmark, the banks index recorded an annual 29 percent drop, as the rise of last May after February's slump proved no more than a mere blip. All systemic banks had their stock prices drop below their recapitalization...