FTSE

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.

The first day of the last week before Christmas started at the Greek stock market with a mixed session, that saw the benchmark and the majority of stocks post losses while mid-caps and banks eased the pressure on the main index. Turnover reverted to the typical level of this month, with traders mostly focusing on profit-taking.

The targeted profit-taking, the December "triple witching" and the FTSE index rebalancing led to a significant increase in turnover on Friday, which appears to be the exception in a significantly quiet month. Most stocks headed lower, with the benchmark coming off a 14-week high, though mid-caps headed higher.

The benchmark of the Greek stock market on Thursday built on the gains recorded in previous sessions to rise to another 14-week high, very close to the 1,300-point level, that it temporarily surmounted. The rotation of stocks in focus continued, as in this case it was non-banking blue chips and mid-caps that drew most of the buyers' attention.

The Greek stock market on Wednesday repeated its ascent of Tuesday, climbing to yet another 14-week high based on the second consecutive day of advance by banks.

Bank stocks gave the main index of the Greek stock market the boost it needed to rise to a new three-month high on Tuesday, on improved turnover too. The day saw the main index on a constant upswing, but it was only at the end of the session that the rising stocks outnumbered falling ones, by the smallest of margins too.

Traders at the Greek stock market stayed on the same path of caution they have been on throughout December to date, with reduced action at Athinon Avenue and a mixed picture for stock prices on Monday. 

However, despite a drop in the blue-chip and banks indexes, the benchmark managed to end up in the black for the day, albeit marginally.

The Helleniq Energy placement dominated proceedings at the Greek stock market on Friday, accounting for over two thirds of the day's trading. However, the small rise of the main index did not suffice to avert a weekly drop, with banks continuing their decline (with five sessions of losses in the last six) following their previous rally.

While the vast majority of stocks at the Greek bourse closed with gains Thursday, the benchmark of the market remained practically unchanged and banks suffered renewed pressure, losing some of the ground recently secured. Observers note the significant expansion of investor interest in mid- and small-caps at Athinon Avenue in recent days.