ATHEX: Bourse index grows nearly 50 pct in a year

The Greek stock market brought to a close on Tuesday its best year in the 21st century, as its benchmark posted annual gains of 49.47 percent - a performance unseen since the 1999 stock bubble. This historic record came in the year after the completion of the third bailout program and with a change in government in early July.

On Tuesday stocks had a mixed picture in thin trading, with their majority enjoying a rise while a few blue chips inflicted negligible losses on the main index.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index ended at 916.67 points, shedding 0.12 percent from Monday's 917.79 points. On a monthly basis it improved 1.67 percent, making December the 11th out of the year's 12 months in posting growth - with August being the sole exception.

The large-cap FTSE 25 index contracted 0.11 percent to 2,298.02 points, but mid-caps advanced 0.31 percent.