Traders stay focused on Tuesday’s vote

Posting the lowest trading volume in 15 sessions, it was clear at the Greek stock exchange on Monday that investors were waiting for Tuesday’s presidential vote in Parliament, while the small increases registered by the majority of stocks showed that the market is still keeping its collective cool.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 867.84 points, adding 0.63 percent to Friday’s 862.40 points. The large-cap FTSE/ATHEX 25 index expanded 1.45 percent to end at 279.64 points, as mid-caps slipped 0.19 percent.

Investors appeared rather unimpressed by the prime minister’s decision to propose an earlier date for the next general election, as they are not yet convinced this Parliament will be able to elect a president. It will also be interesting to see how the bourse responds on Tuesday to the parliamentary vote, given that it will take place during trading hours.

The majority of blue chips went down, but the gains recorded by OPAP (up 6.11 percent), OTE (4.31 percent) and National Bank (3.95 percent) sent the index higher. Aegean Air lost 5.19 percent and Hellenic Petroleum fell 3.67 percent.

In total 57 stocks registered gains, 54 sustained losses and 14 stayed unchanged. Turnover came to 63.5 million euros, against last Friday’s 103.6 million.