STOXX

The Athens Stock Exchange posted mild gains on low turnover Friday without venturing into negative territory. However, it ended lower for the week for a second consecutive time.

The general index closed at 1,319.52 points, a gain of 0.40%, on turnover of €76.1 million. Blue chips rose 0.41%, mid-caps 1.55% and banks 1.53%.

Ο πανευρωπαϊκός δείκτης STOXX 600 σημείωσε άνοδο 0,5% με τις μετοχές των τραπεζών

European stock markets are under new sales pressure, with US stock futures declining in view of indications of escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia.

European stocks tumbled as a new strain of the coronavirus in the U.K. caused chaos ahead of the Christmas holiday, with regional neighbors suspending travel with the nation following another missed deadline in Brexit talks.

Στην αρχή της συνεδρίασης, ο πανευρωπαϊκός δείκτης STOXX 600 υποχώρησε κατά 2,3% 

European shares fell for the second straight session on Monday, as fears about the economic hit from the coronavirus pandemic intensified with several nations extending near-total lockdowns to curtail the spread of the flu-like disease.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index was down 0.8 per cent at 07.14 GMT, with energy, industrials and travel and leisure stocks leading declines.

European shares were stuck near seven-year lows on Monday after several countries expanded measures to curtail the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, with Italy banning even domestic travel as the number of fatalities there topped 5,400.

The benchmark STOXX 600 index was down 4.6 percent at 0806 GMT, with bourses in Germany, Spain and London leading declines.

European stocks suffered a sharp sell-off at the open on Monday, tracking big drops in Asia as growing inflation expectations and rising bond yields took their toll on equity markets, reported Reuters. 

The exit of the stocks of Alpha, Eurobank and OTE telecom from the STOXX Europe 600 Index from Monday led to most (i.e. 72 percent) of Friday's sizable trade being centered around them. This, along with the September triple witching sent turnover soaring and gave the benchmark a much-needed boost at the end of another week of losses.

By Marcus Bensasson & Patrick Donahue

Greece and its creditors swapped recriminations over who was to blame for the breakdown of bailout talks, as each side hardened its position after a last- gasp attempt to bridge differences collapsed in acrimony.