Coca - Cola HBC

Banks stocks took it upon themselves Wednesday to get the Athens bourse to rebound after two days of profit taking by investors. In a rather narrow session, with little movement for the main index despite the rather high turnover, the closing auctions gave the final push that made rising stocks edge out the decliners.

The momentum from the ceasefire in Lebanon appeared to end on Wednesday, and the benchmark of the Greek stock market succumbed to its first losses after five consecutive days of growth during which it had grown by over 3%. Banks were at the center of the profit-taking process.

The Greek bourse recorded a third straight day of price decline on Wednesday, led by banks that suffered from the concerns reigning across Europe as the day of the US presidential election approaches and the prospect of a rapid decline in interest rates that could compromise banks' profits. Thursday will see the publication of the third-quarter data by Metlen.

Corporate developments regarding GEK Terna and Cenergy Holdings attracted investor interest at Athinon Avenue on Tuesday, but the negative mood from the relative disappointment of world markets about the Chinese economic stimulus affected trade too. Turnover declined but still managed to make the 100-million-euro level, once again having National Bank as the protagonist of the day.

National Bank remains the focus of attention for traders at the Greek stock market, with 62% of Monday's bourse session turnover concerning the lender's stock. The rest of the market did not show any particular buying activity, and only Coca-Cola HBC helped with its large capitalization containing the decline of the benchmark on the day.

The escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East into a regional war predictably sent stock prices tumbling across Europe, including Greece, on Wednesday. The fourth consecutive day of decline for the local bourse came on significantly increased turnover, which highlights that sellers mean business.

Greek stocks continued their decline on Tuesday, with the benchmark of the market containing its losses somewhat thanks to the reaction by Coca-Cola HBC (the stock with the highest capitalization on the bourse) and National Bank (following five straight southbound sessions).

Once more, the Athens Stock Exchange was unable to hold on to early gains, with selling pressure on banks and other blue chips prevailing in the end.

Turnover remained weak and investor interest low.

The general index closed at 1,425.36, down 0.50%, on turnover of €100 million.

Blue chips dropped 0.76%, while mid-caps rose 0.04%.

Once more, the Athens Stock Exchange was unable to hold on to early gains, with selling pressure on banks and other blue chips prevailing in the end.

Turnover remained weak and investor interest low. The general index closed at 1,425.36, down 0.50%, on turnover of €100 million. Blue chips dropped 0.76%, while mid-caps rose 0.04%.

The Athens stock market followed the same pattern Tuesday as previous sessions: trading within a narrow band on low turnover. Although it started positively, with the general index trying to breach 1,440 points, sellers prevailed toward the end.