ATHEX: Athens bourse extends gains

The benchmark of the Greek stock market continued its northbound course for a seventh day on Thursday, as buyers made their presence felt in the latter half of the session, taking the main index's gains to over 7 percent since December 12.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index ended at 793.12 points, adding 0.43 percent to Wednesday's 789.74 points. The large-cap FTSE-25 index expanded 0.24 percent to 2,054.47 points, while small-caps fell 0.48 percent.

The banks index advanced 0.39 percent, with Eurobank ascending 1.37 percent, Piraeus rising 0.63 percent and National edging 0.06 percent higher. Alpha was a non-mover.

Folli Follie outperformed, jumping 3.50 percent, followed by Hellenic Exchanges (up 3.01 percent) and Grivalia Properties (2.16 percent). Coca-Cola HBC contracted 1.18 percent.

In total 52 stocks recorded gains, 45 posted losses and 33...