Expectations reflected in bourse growth

Investors in the Greek stock market appeared to have seen enough in Wednesday?s Eurogroup meeting to convince them that an agreement between Athens and its eurozone peers on a support program is on its way, as the benchmark at Athinon Avenue soared 6.73 percent on Thursday.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 846.48 points, against Wednesday?s 793.09 points. The large-cap FTSE/ATHEX 25 index expanded 8.12 percent to end at 254.23 points.

Banks got an extra boost through the raising of the ELA ceiling by 5 billion euros, with their sectoral index growing 14.10 percent. National climbed 18 percent and Alpha increased 14.75 percent, while Grivalia Properties declined 0.77 percent.

In total 95 stocks went up, 27 dropped and 13 stayed put.

Turnover amounted to 127 million euros, up from Wednesday?s 82.6 million.