National Bank

Having already priced in the favorable fiscal figures for 2013, the local bourse saw significant losses on Wednesday after three days of growth, in line with most European stock markets.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 1,230.20 points, shedding 2.42 percent from Tuesday’s 1,260.72 points.

Greece's largest bank National Bank (NBG) will issue a 5-year, fixed-rate bond to raise up to 750 million euros ($1.04 billion) and boost its liquidity, the bank said in a stock market filing on Thursday.

 Share capital increase to be completed by May 10 for new shares to start trading by end of next month

By Yiannis Papadoyiannis

During a roadshow in London, National Bank officials have observed particularly strong investor interest in the lender’s 750-million-euro bond issue and the planned share capital increase of 2.5 billion euros.

The stock market slide over the last two weeks came to an impressive end on Wednesday, as the benchmark climbed back above the 1,200-point level with healthy gains, while turnover edged close to 400 million euros. Piraeus Bank again dominated the proceedings, garnering over three-quarters of trading.

The local stock market continued its slide unabated on Tuesday with the benchmark dropping below the 1,200-point mark for the first time in almost three months while it had been six years since the Greek bourse last chalked up nine consecutive sessions of losses.

Foreign direct investment in Bulgaria for January - February 2014 increased by EUR 114.1M or 0.3% of GDP, according to Bulgaria's National Bank preliminary data.

Foreign direct investment in Bulgaria for February 2014 increased by EUR 41.3M, compared to an increase of EUR 152.5M for February 2013 which is a drastic decline of 72.9% on an annual basis.

The local bourse benchmark’s seventh consecutive southbound session was also the hardest on local stocks, in line with the drops recorded on most European markets on Friday. It was the first time in two years that the main index posted seven days of losses in a row.

By Lefteris Papadimas & George Georgiopoulos

Greek banks that are majority-owned by the country's bank rescue fund HFSF will be allowed to issue new shares to boost their capital at market prices, according to a draft bill that also gives the rescue fund legal cover to see its stakes diluted.

Business loans increased in February on a monthly basis by BGN 320M to a total of BGN 35.22B, according to Bulgaria's National Bank data.

Compared to the same month of 2013, business loans rose by BGN 333M, Expert.bg reports.