Index

Consumer confidence in the Turkish economy recovered this month, Turkey's statistical authority announced on May 20.

The consumer confidence index hit 59.5 this month, an 8.5% rise from April when the figure was 54.9, the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) said.

Bank stocks led the Greek bourse lower on Tuesday, in line with most European markets, as traders chose to cash in the gains recorded in the last couple of sessions at Athinon Avenue. The market is now awaiting Wednesday's new package of measures aimed at restarting the economy.

Greek traders seemed to respond to the heat wave on Monday, swimming well in shallow waters, as the local stock market posted significant gains on very limited turnover. Banks and a few select blue chips led the way, as international markets were boosted by news of a possible breakthrough in terms of a coronavirus vaccine.

The benchmark of the Greek stock market ended every session this week below the 600-point mark, as Friday's gains - largely driven by Wall Street's healthy rise on Thursday - were contained toward the end of the session.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index ended at 593.26 points, adding 0.87% to Thursday's 588.12 points. On a weekly basis it declined 1.79%.

Bank stocks came under fresh pressure on Thursday, with the benchmark yielding more ground at the close despite spending some time in the black during the day. Global pessimism regarding the economy and the World Health Organization's statement that the coronavirus may never go away weighed on most markets, with Athinon Avenue proving to be no exception.

Credit sector stocks led the benchmark of the Greek bourse further below the 600-point mark on Wednesday. It followed the relegation of the domestic banks' outlook from positive to stable by Moody's, and the restructuring of the MSCI index, which also sent trading volume to its highest point in 15 sessions.

The Greek bourse saw another mixed session with limited action on Tuesday, as turnover showed some improvement and the benchmark stayed afloat without managing to get a firm grip on the 600-point level it had reached during the day.

The S&P analysis on the banks sector, reporting that the progress recorded in reducing bad loans is being eroded, and the losses seen on most European markets led to sales at the end of Monday's session at Athinon Avenue, which saw particularly low turnover.

The Greek bourse had a very quiet Friday, recording the lowest turnover since early March, as traders waited for the Eurogroup decision and Moody's verdict on Greece. The benchmark managed to stay afloat even though it ended on the day's low, with the blue chip index turning red.

After a mixed session with gains for most stocks and banks leading the losers, the benchmark at Athinon Avenue reported marginal growth on Thursday, based on corporate developments.