Index

By Dimitra Manifava

The mood regarding the economy in Greece is at its gloomiest in the last 18 months as the uncertainty over the future grows and fears of the worst are far from banished, according to a survey on economic sentiment by the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) published on Tuesday.

The last session of the Greek bourse for this month contained May gains to just 0.30 percent as various statements by eurozone and IMF officials confirmed that the market will have to wait for at least a few more days before a deal is reached with the Greek government.

Expectations that the long and arduous negotiations between the Greek government and the country?s creditors may be nearing completion sent Greek stocks soaring on Wednesday, with the market?s benchmark finally passing 850 points and trading volume getting close to 100 million euros.

Turkish economic confidence index increased by 1.5 percent to 80.1 percent in May, a second upward move after a plunge in March, according the data released by the Turkish Statistics Institute (TurkStat) on May 27. The index dived by 15.4 percent in March to 74.8 percent, the lowest level in its 15-month history.

The handful of traders who took an interest in the Athens stock market on Monday only did so to ease out of the bourse amid growing concerns that capital controls may be imposed as a deal between Greece and its creditors remains elusive. Trading was also at a record-low due to the public holiday in most European countries, on top of the prolonged uncertainty over the talks.

By Emma O?Brien & Nick Gentle

The euro weakened after Greece told creditors to lower demands that are holding up bailout funds. Emerging-market stocks fell as speculation grew the U.S. was moving closer to raising interest rates, while Poland?s zloty slid to a two-month low and Spanish markets dropped.

By Cecile Vannucci

Equity markets in Spain and Greece fell, while European stocks were little changed as holidays across the region curbed trading volume.

For the third time in the past few days the Greek bourse?s benchmark failed to stay above the 850-point level on Friday, as the EU summit in Riga gave traders an ambiguous picture of the course of debt talks.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 840.22 points, shedding 0.65 percent from Thursday?s 845.73 points, though on a weekly basis it rose 3.48 percent.

Reports about a possible compromise being reached in the Brussels Group talks as a goodwill gesture by the European Commission helped the local stock market rebound on Monday after morning losses led the benchmark to decline up to 2.70 percent.

Reserved trade saw turnover dip to less than 75 million euros at the Greek bourse on Thursday and although the banks index posted a marginal drop the benchmark managed to recover its morning losses to end up well in the green.