Hellenic Petroleum

The Greek bourse benchmark advanced for a 10th consecutive session on Thursday, a streak unseen in almost four years, as stocks are now extending November's momentum into December. The index recorded a new ninth-month high - and without the help of bank stocks this time.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index ended at 766.82 points, adding 0.97% to Wednesday's 759.47 points.

The Greek stock market saw in the month of December with another session of robust growth on Tuesday, driven by the four systemic banks. The better-than-expected third-quarter results posted by National Bank gave the credit sector that extra push, which also took daily turnover well beyond the 100-million-euro mark.

The international buying spree that on Tuesday took the Dow Jones over 30,000 points in New York contributed to the Greek bourse's main index holding its ground and putting some distance between it and the 700-point mark, despite the profit-taking recorded by most bank stocks.

Greece's privatization agency (TAIPED) said on Tuesday that it has shortlisted seven investors for the purchase of a majority stake in the country's dominant gas supplier, DEPA Commercial.

Greece has short-listed six investors in the sale of its state-controlled gas distribution network DEPA Infrastructure, the country's privatization agency said on Tuesday.

Greek traders seemed to respond to the heat wave on Monday, swimming well in shallow waters, as the local stock market posted significant gains on very limited turnover. Banks and a few select blue chips led the way, as international markets were boosted by news of a possible breakthrough in terms of a coronavirus vaccine.

Greece's biggest oil refiner Hellenic Petroleum said on Wednesday its first-quarter core profit had topped estimates, rising 4% as it boosted production despite the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Greek bourse saw another mixed session with limited action on Tuesday, as turnover showed some improvement and the benchmark stayed afloat without managing to get a firm grip on the 600-point level it had reached during the day.

Traders' reaction on Tuesday to two sessions of significant losses for stocks was encouraging for the benchmark and blue chips, but rather disappointing in terms of turnover. The market appears to be waiting for Moody's verdict on the economy on Friday.

The country's oil refineries, which are directly linked to the global oil market, are having to manage an unprecedented situation as a result of the volatility created by the slump in demand due to travel restrictions enforced around the world to contain Covid-19 and which sector officials describe to Kathimerini as the absolute imbalance of supply and demand.