ATHEX: Benchmark added 1.84% last month

The decline of bank stocks at Athinon Avenue on Tuesday dragged the rest of the market lower too for the day, but April closed with gains of 1.84% for the benchmark. Notably, a number of blue chips bucked the trend and notched up impressive growth on the day, pointing to the potential for a further advance in the days to come.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index closed at 1,448.48 points, shedding 0.48% from Monday's 1,455.48 points. The large-cap FTSE-25 index contracted 0.61%, ending at 3,512.98 points. 

The banks index declined 1.50%, as Piraeus slumped 3.30%, Alpha gave up 1.70% and National fell 1.43%, while Eurobank stayed put.

Helleniq Energy advanced 2.37% and Aegean Airlines rose 1.94%, as Quest Holdings parted with 2.19%.

In total 46 stocks secured gains, 54 sustained losses and 27 remained unchanged.

Turnover amounted to 196.3...