ECB, jobless data bolster bourse index

The European Central Bank’s decision to cut its main interest rate and positive local unemployment data gave the bourse benchmark the push required to clear the 1,280-point mark on increased turnover on Thursday, in what is evolving into one of the best weeks of the year for stock prices.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 1,285.97 points, adding 2.79 percent to Wednesday’s 1,251.05 points. The blue chip FTSE/ATHEX 25 expanded 2.96 percent to 414.80 points.

Jumbo outperformed among large-caps with 6.72 percent growth, ahead of banks National, which climbed 5.36 percent, and Piraeus, which posted a 4.97 percent rise. The only blue chip heading south was Coca-Cola HBC, which lost 0.53 percent.

In total 90 stocks posted gains, 50 took losses and 16 stayed put.

Turnover came to 297.7 million euros, compared with Wednesday’s 135.8 million.