athens exchange

Despite having spent most of the day in the red, the main index of the Greek stock market closed on Friday in the black - albeit marginally - through a push by buyers in last half-hour, to add to Thursday's growth and post a new four-month high.

After Wednesday's respite, the benchmark of the Greek stock market reverted to its upward course on Thursday to record a new four-month high, vindicating a large portion of observers who believe that, after Greece regained its investment-level credit rating, the only way is up for stocks at Athinon Avenue. The daily turnover figure is also gradually recovering.

Stock prices took a step back on Wednesday at Athinon Avenue, after the four-month high reached on Tuesday, with trading volume slowly picking up.

A year of glorious performances has come to a close at the Greek stock market, with the main index continuing its advance on Friday to end 2023 39.08% higher than its closing last December. The large-cap index grew 38.7% year-on-year, but it was banks that outperformed with their 65.73% annual advance.

Stocks slid somewhat at the Greek bourse on Thursday, one day before the end of the trading year, with the benchmark closing near the day's low, which points to the appetite for some more profit-taking on Friday. The session started with gains over the first hour before sellers took the upper hand, leading the majority of stocks into the red.

The year's final week started for the Greek stock market on Wednesday with a slight increase for the main index, mainly thanks to the growth of National Bank stock that also led to the banks index posting significant gains on the day. As things stand, the benchmark is heading for an annual growth rate of 40% for the entire year.

The stock market at Athinon Avenue closed for Christmas with losses for most stocks on Friday, as traders engaged in more profit-taking, which hit banks hardest. This wiped out almost all of the week's gains for the benchmark, with a relatively increased daily turnover, three sessions before the end of the year.

As Christmas approaches, the action is slowing down at the Greek stock market, with the turnover dropping further on Thursday and the benchmark coming off Wednesday's 16-week high to settle for a point and a half below the 1,300 mark. Yet with five sessions left till the end of the December, 2023 is certain to be another particularly positive year for Athinon Avenue.

Wednesday's mixed session at the Greek stock market may have seen the majority of stocks (including banks) decline and the daily turnover revert to more subdued seasonal levels, but the benchmark continued its ascent for a second straight day to climb to levels unseen in 16 weeks, above the 1,300-point mark.

Athinon Avenue returned to its rising course on Tuesday, with the benchmark climbing to a new 15-week high, on the verge of 1,300 points. Banks - especially Eurobank - outperformed, and alongside some other key blue chips lifted the main index to its highest point since September 1.