GEK Terna

The benchmark of the Greek stock market now has the 700-point level in its sights after its sixth day of gains in seven sessions. Construction blue chips led the way this time.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index ended at 658.35 points, adding 0.88% to Friday's 652.58 points. The large-cap FTSE 25 index expanded 0.52% to 1,579.70 points, while mid-caps contracted 0.25%.

Early profit-taking at Athinon Avenue gave way to a fresh wave of buying later on Thursday - although banks appeared to have fallen out of favor - taking the benchmark higher for the fifth session in a row. The market is now confidently looking toward more growth, boosted also by the significant increase in daily trading volumes.

The majority of stock prices recovered from early lows on Wednesday to end the session with gains. However, banks failed to stage a recovery, as buyers appeared more interested in specific blue chips outside the credit sector, such as energy stocks. 

The benchmark of the Greek stock market ended every session this week below the 600-point mark, as Friday's gains - largely driven by Wall Street's healthy rise on Thursday - were contained toward the end of the session.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index ended at 593.26 points, adding 0.87% to Thursday's 588.12 points. On a weekly basis it declined 1.79%.

The Greek bourse had a very quiet Friday, recording the lowest turnover since early March, as traders waited for the Eurogroup decision and Moody's verdict on Greece. The benchmark managed to stay afloat even though it ended on the day's low, with the blue chip index turning red.

After a mixed session with gains for most stocks and banks leading the losers, the benchmark at Athinon Avenue reported marginal growth on Thursday, based on corporate developments.

Greece's top administrative court, the Council of State, has for a second time rejected an appeal by Hard Rock International against its exclusion from the tender for the Elliniko casino permit. 

Greece's top administrative court, the Council of State, rejected for the second time an appeal by Hard Rock International against its exclusion from the tender for the Elliniko casino permit.

US casino operator Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment said on Monday it remains fully committed to opening a luxury casino resort in Athens as part of an 8 billion euro ($8.74 billion) redevelopment project despite the impact of the coronavirus.

The benchmark of the Greek stock market rose to a seven-week high on Tuesday as it continued its recovery in tandem with the easing of restrictions on economic activity announced. It appears the market will continue to ebb and flow according to the course of the pandemic even after the end of the lockdown next week.