Stock Markets July 23, 2026 10:50 AM

Athens bourse retreats as banking, telecoms and household names weigh on market

Athens General Composite slips 2.02% as oil jumps and gold declines; Motor Oil hits record high

By Derek Hwang
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Greek equities closed lower Thursday, led by losses in the Banking, Telecoms and Household sectors, leaving the Athens General Composite down 2.02%. Market breadth was tilted sharply toward decliners, even as select names including Motor Oil Hellas reached fresh highs. Commodities moved markedly, with gold falling and crude oil and Brent rising.

Athens bourse retreats as banking, telecoms and household names weigh on market
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Key Points

  • Athens General Composite fell 2.02% at Thursday's close, with Banking, Telecoms and Household sectors contributing to the decline.
  • Market breadth was negative: 90 stocks fell, 20 rose and 23 were unchanged, reflecting broad selling pressure.
  • Commodities diverged sharply - gold futures declined while crude oil and Brent contracts posted notable gains; Motor Oil Hellas reached an all-time high.

Greece's stock market ended Thursday's session in negative territory, with the Athens General Composite falling 2.02% at the close. Sector pressure came principally from Banking, Telecoms and Household groups, pushing the benchmark lower.

Among individual equities, Avax SA (AT:AVAr) was the session's top performer on the index, gaining 3.95% (an increase of 0.12 points) to finish at 3.16. Motor Oil Hellas Corinth Refineries SA (AT:MORr) added 2.30% (1.12 points) to close at 49.82, and Cenergy Holdings SA (AT:CENEr) rose 1.51% (0.32 points) to 21.48 by the end of trading.

On the downside, Thessaloniki Water and Sewage Co SA (AT:TWSr) led losses, declining 5.80% (0.28 points) to end at 4.47. Elvalhalcor Hellenic Copper and Aluminium Industry SA (AT:ELHA) slipped 5.36% (0.21 points) to close at 3.62, while Plastika Thrakis Plastics Holdings SA (AT:THRr) fell 4.33% (0.21 points) to 4.64.

Market breadth showed a clear skew toward falling names: 90 stocks closed lower, 20 advanced and 23 finished unchanged on the Athens Stock Exchange.

Motor Oil Hellas Corinth Refineries SA (AT:MORr) also registered a notable intraday milestone, with its shares moving to all-time highs as they rose 2.30% (1.12 points) to 49.82.

Commodities trading displayed divergent moves on the day. Gold futures for August delivery were down 2.16% (a drop of 89.63) to trade at $4,062.27 a troy ounce. In contrast, crude oil for September delivery climbed 6.03% (an increase of 5.24) to $92.07 a barrel, while the September Brent contract rose 7.27% (6.84) to $100.91 a barrel.

Currency markets and index futures also showed movement: the US Dollar Index Futures was up 0.40% at 101.36. EUR/USD was unchanged 0.40% to 1.14, while EUR/GBP was unchanged 0.08% to 0.85.


Session snapshot:

  • Athens General Composite -2.02% at the close.
  • Top performers: AVAr +3.95% to 3.16; MORr +2.30% to 49.82; CENEr +1.51% to 21.48.
  • Biggest decliners: TWSr -5.80% to 4.47; ELHA -5.36% to 3.62; THRr -4.33% to 4.64.
  • Market breadth: 90 decliners, 20 advancers, 23 unchanged.
  • Commodities: Gold (Aug) -2.16% to $4,062.27/oz; Crude (Sep) +6.03% to $92.07/bbl; Brent (Sep) +7.27% to $100.91/bbl.
  • FX and futures: US Dollar Index Futures +0.40% at 101.36; EUR/USD unchanged 0.40% at 1.14; EUR/GBP unchanged 0.08% at 0.85.

Risks

  • Broad market weakness - a large number of declining stocks suggests elevated downside risk for portfolios concentrated in Greek equities, particularly in Banking, Telecoms and Household sectors.
  • Commodity volatility - sharp moves in oil and gold prices could affect energy-related companies and cost structures for industrial and materials firms.
  • Single-stock risk - significant falls in names such as Elvalhalcor and Thessaloniki Water and Sewage indicate company-specific or sector-specific pressures that could increase volatility for holders of these shares.

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