Manos Hatzidakis

The Athens Stock Exchange followed global bearish trends and dropped nearly 3% Friday. Weak US economic results announced Thursday and Friday created a sense of panic among investors that inevitably spread to the ATHEX. 

The general index closed at 1,430.90 points, down 2.95%, near intraday lows. Turnover was €124.23 million.

Greek shares dropped 6 percent on Monday after a sharp rise in coronavirus cases in neighbouring Italy, analysts said.

"The country's proximity to Italy has clearly triggered some concern," Manos Hatzidakis, analyst at Athens-based Beta Securities, told Reuters.