ElvalHalcor

A rather subdued session at the Greek stock market on Monday saw most stocks yield ground for a second day in a row on the lowest daily trading of the last 11 sessions. Early gains gave way to some profit-taking by traders who believe the market has been overbought over the last few weeks, when the benchmark had climbed to its highest point since 2011.

Bank stocks and a number of other blue chips worked toward a significant increase of the main index at Athinon Avenue on Monday. The benchmark is returning close to its decade highs recorded earlier this month, helped also by mid-caps, which outperformed on the day.

Stock prices took a step back on Wednesday at Athinon Avenue, after the four-month high reached on Tuesday, with trading volume slowly picking up.

Stocks slid somewhat at the Greek bourse on Thursday, one day before the end of the trading year, with the benchmark closing near the day's low, which points to the appetite for some more profit-taking on Friday. The session started with gains over the first hour before sellers took the upper hand, leading the majority of stocks into the red.

The first day of the last week before Christmas started at the Greek stock market with a mixed session, that saw the benchmark and the majority of stocks post losses while mid-caps and banks eased the pressure on the main index. Turnover reverted to the typical level of this month, with traders mostly focusing on profit-taking.

Traders at the Greek stock market stayed on the same path of caution they have been on throughout December to date, with reduced action at Athinon Avenue and a mixed picture for stock prices on Monday. 

However, despite a drop in the blue-chip and banks indexes, the benchmark managed to end up in the black for the day, albeit marginally.

The benchmark of the Greek stock market staged an impressive rebound late in Friday's session to come back from 1% down and close with gains of almost 1%. Banks led the way for the recovery of the index, though that was not enough to offset all its weekly losses.

The majority of stocks at Athinon Avenue posted a moderate decline on Wednesday, as the bourse failed to build on its Tuesday recovery. There was little in the direction of selling but even less action among buyers, so most of the day's reduced turnover went toward bringing prices down.

The stock market could not hold on to early gains Wednesday after deteriorating Purchase Managers' Index (PMI) numbers soured the mood in European markets.

The general index closed at 1,293.73 points, down 0.52%, on a low turnover of €71.7 million. Blue chips dropped 0.61%, mid-caps 0.31% and banks 0.15%

The Athens stock market rebounded strongly Monday, on the back of bank shares' performance and positions on other blue chips.

The general index ended up 1.74%, at 1,285.27 points, on turnover of €108.5 million.