ATHEX: Field day for credit sector

Investors gave a thumbs-up on Tuesday to news that notaries had ended their boycott of property auctions, as Greek bank stocks jumped 4.25 percent at Athinon Avenue. However, the rest of the market didn't see much of a knock-on effect.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index ended at 726.17 points, adding 0.25 percent to Monday's 724.39 points. The large-cap FTSE-26 index expanded 0.16 percent to close at 1,892.74 points.

Alpha ruled the roost with a 5.44 percent increase, ahead of Eurobank (up 3.65 percent), Piraeus (3.48 percent) and National (3.35 percent).

Among other blue chips, Jumbo declined 4.85 percent, Motor Oil dropped 2.39 percent, Hellenic Exchanges shrank 2.21 percent and PPC gave up 1.94 percent, while Folli Follie posted gains of 2.90 percent and Ellaktor advanced 2.01 percent.

In total 53 stocks ended higher, 44 registered losses and 17...