GEK Terna

The Greek stock market fell for a third day in a row on Friday as concerns about the state?s cash flow rose due to statements by ministers.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 880.48 points, shedding 2.67 percent from Thursday?s 904.59 points. On a weekly basis the benchmark added 3.08 percent, but February posted a 21.96 percent rise.

Growth in stock prices and trading volume on Friday confirmed widespread optimism about a deal will be achieved now that the government has restored contacts with the troika of Greece?s international creditors.

By Chryssa Liaggou

International concern is growing following the announcement of the government?s program in Parliament, with worries expressed and interest withdrawn in a number of instances concerning investment and privatization projects.

The stock market regained its composure somewhat after Parliament’s widely anticipated failure to elect a new president and Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’s announcement of general elections next month, as losses of up to 11 percent in afternoon trade were reduced to less than 4 percent by the end of the first session after Christmas.

The Greek bourse reacted calmly on Tuesday to the result of the presidential vote in Parliament, which while seeing a rise in support for the government’s candidate was still some way off the result required in next Monday’s third and final vote. The majority of stocks posted small losses on a day of poor turnover ahead of the Christmas recess.

 Bourse benchmark has lost 20 percent in the last three days

Greek securities sank afresh on Thursday as panic selling in stocks and bonds led the bourse benchmark’s total losses over the last three sessions to 20 percent, with 13 billion euros wiped off the value of Greek shares, while 10-year sovereign bond yields soared over 9 percent.

York Global Finance Offshore BDH (Luxembourg) S.a.r.I. announced the acquisition of another 5,133,174 shares in blue chip Terna Energy on Thursday in a non-bourse transaction amounting to a 4.70 percent stake in the Athens-listed company.

The share purchase has seen York Global’s stake in the Greek energy firm climb to 7.70 percent,corresponding to 8,412,606 shares.

As Greece draws closer to having its bailout support extended, the bourse enjoyed a fourth consecutive day of gains on Wednesday, with the benchmark climbing back over the 1,000-point mark to its highest point since October 9.

The Greek bourse continued rising on Thursday, albeit at a much slower pace due to investors exercising caution ahead of the results of Athens’s negotiations with its creditors and Fitch’s credit rating report.

The benchmark of the Greek stock exchange has added more than 8 percent in just two sessions, climbing almost 40 points on Wednesday on reports that the government is close to reaching a deal with its creditors and that international credit rating agencies are about to upgrade Greece.