Greek equities retreated at the close on Thursday, with the Athens General Composite registering a 0.40% decline as selling pressure in several cyclical sectors outweighed gains elsewhere.
The session's top performers on the benchmark included Metlen Energy & Metals (AT:MTLNr), which climbed 3.98% or 1.66 points to finish at 43.38. Qualco Group SA (AT:QLCOr) advanced 3.28% or 0.18 points to close at 5.67. Athens Medical (AT:AMCr) also posted a notable increase, rising 2.47% or 0.04 points to end the day at 1.66.
On the downside, Elvalhalcor Hellenic Copper and Aluminium Industry SA (AT:ELHA) led losses, slipping 4.73% or 0.22 points to close at 4.43. Gek Terna (AT:HRMr) fell 3.06% or 1.40 points to finish at 44.40, while Ekter (AT:EKTr) dropped 2.60% or 0.14 points to 5.25 at the close.
Market breadth on the Athens Stock Exchange favored decliners, with 83 stocks falling versus 33 rising; 16 issues ended unchanged. The report of sector leadership noted that Telecoms, Household and Basic Resources were the primary contributors to the downward move.
Commodity markets were mixed during the session. Gold futures for August delivery declined 1.17% or $47.35 to $4,004.45 a troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for August delivery rose 0.14% or $0.11 to $79.71 a barrel, while the September Brent contract increased 0.05% or $0.04 to $84.99 a barrel.
Currency and index moves were modest. The EUR/USD rate was reported unchanged at 1.14, and EUR/GBP was unchanged at 0.85. U.S. Dollar Index futures were up 0.23%, trading at 100.51.
The trading day underscored divergent forces for Greek equities: selective strength in a handful of small- and mid-cap names offset by broader weakness across several cyclical sectors. Investors monitoring the market will note the negative breadth and the commodity and currency moves that accompanied the session.
Market snapshot
- Athens General Composite: -0.40%
- Top gainers: Metlen Energy & Metals (AT:MTLNr) +3.98%, Qualco Group SA (AT:QLCOr) +3.28%, Athens Medical (AT:AMCr) +2.47%
- Top losers: Elvalhalcor (AT:ELHA) -4.73%, Gek Terna (AT:HRMr) -3.06%, Ekter (AT:EKTr) -2.60%
- Decliners vs advancers: 83 vs 33; unchanged: 16
- Gold (Aug): -1.17% to $4,004.45/oz; WTI Crude (Aug): +0.14% to $79.71/bbl; Brent (Sep): +0.05% to $84.99/bbl
- EUR/USD: 1.14 (unchanged); EUR/GBP: 0.85 (unchanged); U.S. Dollar Index futures: 100.51 (+0.23%)