ATHEX: Utility stocks contain losses for bourse benchmark

The collapse of coalition talks in Germany and the ongoing concerns over Greece's banking sector saw sellers return to action at Athinon Avenue on Monday, although the benchmark contained its earlier losses toward the end of the session.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index ended at 710.27 points, shedding 0.31 percent from Friday's 712.46 points. The large-cap FTSE-26 index expanded 0.10 percent to close at 1,865.81 points while mid-caps contracted 0.28 percent.

Banks declined 0.44 percent, with Attica dropping 4.17 percent, Eurobank losing 2.50 percent and National giving up 1.25 percent, while Alpha rose 1.45 percent. Utilities boosted the blue-chip index, with OTE up 3.45 percent and PPC 2.04 percent.

In total 34 stocks posted gains, 52 took losses and 24 stayed unchanged.

Turnover was the lowest of the last 10 sessions, amounting to just 37.6...