Greek stocks ended Tuesday’s session in positive territory, driven by strength in banking, construction and travel-related names. At the close in Athens the Athens General Composite rose 1.49%, marking a new five-year high.
Market breadth was mixed: 58 issues fell versus 56 that advanced, and 15 stocks finished unchanged on the Athens Stock Exchange. The session saw sharp moves among several headline names in both directions.
Top gainers
- National Bank of Greece SA (AT:NBGr) led the advance, jumping 6.66% or 0.99 points to finish at 15.77. The share price moved to a five-year high in the session.
- Eurobank Ergasias SA (AT:EURBr) gained 4.27% or 0.17 points to close at 4.22, also reaching a five-year high.
- Elvalhalcor Hellenic Copper and Aluminium Industry SA (AT:ELHA) rose 4.19% or 0.18 points to 4.35, another stock that traded at a five-year high during the day.
Notable decliners
- Jumbo SA (AT:BABr) was the weakest name among the major components, sliding 4.15% or 1.08 points to end at 24.92.
- Organization of Football Prognostics SA (AT:OPAr) fell 3.16% or 0.56 points to close at 17.14.
- Hellenic Telecommunications Organization SA (AT:OTEr) dropped 2.11% or 0.34 points to 15.80.
Outside equities, key commodity and currency moves accompanied the equity moves. Gold futures for April delivery were up 0.01% or 0.34 to $5,122.64 a troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for March delivery rose 1.45% or 0.88 to $61.51 a barrel, while the April Brent contract increased 1.28% or 0.83 to $65.60 a barrel.
Foreign exchange and dollar benchmarks also moved: EUR/USD climbed 0.63% to 1.20 and EUR/GBP was effectively unchanged, moving 0.07% to 0.87. The US Dollar Index Futures declined 0.65% to 96.23.
The session featured concentration of gains in a subset of sectors that propelled the index to its multi-year peak, while several large-cap names weakened, leaving breadth relatively even. Observers may note the simultaneous moves in commodities and currencies that accompanied the equity performance.
Data snapshot
- Athens General Composite: +1.49% (new five-year high)
- Advance/Decline: 56 up / 58 down / 15 unchanged
- Notable movers: NBGr +6.66% (15.77), EURBr +4.27% (4.22), ELHA +4.19% (4.35), BABr -4.15% (24.92), OPAr -3.16% (17.14), OTEr -2.11% (15.80)
- Commodities & FX: Gold Apr +0.01% ($5,122.64/oz), Crude Mar +1.45% ($61.51/bbl), Brent Apr +1.28% ($65.60/bbl), EUR/USD +0.63% (1.20), US Dollar Index Futures -0.65% (96.23)