Index

Family budgets are burning and from the threat of a generalized wave of price increases that is beginning to be felt in the Greek market.

Turkey's services and retail trade sectors posted declines in confidence in May, while the construction sector saw an increase, the country's statistical authority reported on May 25. 

Turkey's economic confidence index surged to a 14-month high in March, according to the country's statistical institute on March 31. 

Driven by consumer, real sector (manufacturing industry), services, and retail trade indices, the main reading improved 3.3% from February to 98.9 this month, Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) data revealed.

Consumer confidence in the Turkish economy posted a rise in February, the country's statistical authority announced on Feb. 18. 

The consumer confidence index stood at 84.5 this month, up 1.5% from 83.3 in January, the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) said.

The fourth consecutive day of gains at the Athens bourse gave the the benchmark its biggest advance as it climbed close to the 800-point mark, in line with most other markets that were open on Monday. Turnover topped 50 million euros despite the fact that major markets such as those of the US, Hong Kong and China were closed due to holidays.

The Greek bourse benchmark edged up again on Friday after a mixed session with reduced activity, as bank stocks continued their ascent.

The only way was up on Thursday for most banks after Wednesday's decline, with the credit sector (although not Piraeus Bank) carrying the rest of the stock market to significant gains - albeit not as impressive as some highs recorded during the course of the session. Turnover also headed higher - another encouraging sign.

Despite the significant decline of the banks index, other stocks at Athinon Avenue welcomed back buyers on Wednesday, with trading volume remaining just above the 50-million-euro mark after the MSCI index restructuring produced no surprises for listed companies. A bank rebound could fuel a further rise over the rest of the week.

The prospect of a new Attica lockdown sent the Greek bourse tumbling on Tuesday, with severe losses for banks and the majority of other stocks also heading south, erasing the gains of previous days. All but two blue chips headed lower, but the decline is seen as temporary and not structural.

Greece's stock market matched the picture on most other eurozone bourses on Monday with gains secured on relatively thin trade. The Greek market will try to benefit from the desire of certain investors to take some calculated risks as Europe tries to emerge from the health crisis and Italy is close to forming a new government.