ATHEX: Local stock index drops as trading volume rises

The start of the bond swap process on Wednesday only gave local stocks a temporary boost, as the majority racked up more losses. Trading volume was the highest in more than a month.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index ended at 718.80 points, shedding 0.19 percent from Tuesday's 720.18 points. The large-cap FTSE-26 index contracted 0.18 percent to close at 1,875.24 points, but small-caps expanded 1.82 percent.

Banks had a mixed day, with their index adding 0.21 percent as Eurobank rose 0.88 percent and Alpha improved 0.68 percent while National fell 0.82 percent and Attica slumped 1.96 percent. OPAP jumped 3.61 percent just as Lamda Development suffered a 4.44 percent drop.

In total 38 stocks registered gains, 62 posted losses and 19 closed unchanged.

Turnover was the highest of the last 34 sessions, at 69.1 million euros, up from 44.6 million on...