Stocks resume decline, end 0.85% lower

The Athens Stock Exchange resumed its decline Thursday after a two-session rebound from Monday's mini-crash.

In this, it followed global markets, as investors wonder whether the stock sell-off will continue.

But good news from the US, in the form of better-than-expected unemployment figures, helped stem the fall a little before the ATHEX's closing.

The general index closed at 1,382.46 points, down 0.85%, having declined up to 1.4% midsession. Blue chips declined 0.88%, mid-caps gained 0.22% and banks were down 0.62%. Turnover was €99.71 million.

Toy retailer Jumbo was the loss leader among blue chips, ending down 5.33%, followed by oil refiner Motor Oil (3.68%) and Athens International Airport (2.09%).

Betting company OPAP and metals group ElvalHalcor gained over 1%.

Monday's global stock crash, which halted a months-long market rally, was...