Index

There was a slight reaction to the news of a snag in the course of the bailout review talks at Athinon Avenue on Friday, but that only put a small dent in the gains chalked up at the end of a week of significant growth.

The Greek bourse benchmark rose for a fourth consecutive session on Thursday, with most stocks posting gains, although not to the extent observed in recent days.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 670.42 points, adding 0.28 percent to Wednesday's 668.55 points.

Turkey's Economic Confidence Index improved for the second straight month in March, rising 5 percent to 96.1, data from the Turkish Statistics Institute (TÜİK) showed on March 30.

The increase in economic confidence index stemmed from the increase in construction, services, consumer and real sector confidence indices, according to TÜİK data. 

The prospect that the government and its creditors will reach a staff-level agreement by next week took the benchmark of the Greek bourse to a new high for 2017 on Wednesday and close to a 16-month high, while it was the third session in a row that most stocks posted gains and turnover rose.

In March, the total business climate index increased by 2.9%, compared to February due to the improved business climate in industry, construction and retail trade, showed data of the National Statistical Institute (NSI).

At long last the Greek bourse has shown some healthy growth in its prices, as more and more investors are feeling confident that the completion of the second bailout review is closer than ever.

Reports of a near-agreement between Athens and its creditors in Brussels on the majority of issues found at least a few investors in the Greek stock market willing to give them the benefit of the doubt on Monday. The benchmark posted a moderate rise, albeit on low trading volume.

Foreign traders appear to lose their patience with the endless talks between the government and its creditors while the economy's negative signs do not point to a return to growth any time soon. The Greek bourse felt the impact of this mood on Friday, ending the week in the red.

Another day of uncertainty over the bailout review talks brought another mixed day at the local bourse on Thursday, with the benchmark staying put at 640 points for a third consecutive day.

A late rally of bank stocks and a few other blue chips offset the losses the benchmark had incurred during most of Wednesday's session to end in the green, although losers outnumbered climbers. Reports of convergence between government ministers and creditors' representatives in Brussels played a major part in that late surge.