Economic indicators

The imported worries about the impact of the new strain of the coronavirus, along with the impasse in the Brexit deal discussions, took a heavy toll on the local stock market too on Monday, although the benchmark almost halved the losses it had suffered mid-session.

Though few admitted to it, there was much anticipation that Friday's triple-witching session at the Greek bourse would be the one to take the benchmark above the psychologically significant level of 800 points.

The benchmark of the Greek stock market reverted to its northbound course on Wednesday, but once again it ducked back below the 800-point mark before the close, after testing the waters during the session. It will probably take one more final push for the index to reach that level, and with tomorrow seeing the last triple-witching session of the year, anything is possible.

The Greek stock market reversed its morning losses to end the day with some gains in the face of a mixed picture in European markets due to the Brexit-related turbulence. Foreign portfolios continue to take an interest in local stocks - after the net inflow of 14.7 million euros last month - with blue chips rebounding and trading volume topping €150 million.

The Greek bourse benchmark's 14-session rising streak - the first this century - came to an end on Thursday, with significant losses for the majority of stocks, although not all blue chips followed the bank stocks on their steep decline. At any rate, the benchmark demonstrated that it is not yet ready to conquer the 800-point mark.

The Greek stock market has not seen a streak of 14 northbound sessions in a row since 1997, or at least it hadn't until Wednesday, as news of the upcoming Covid-19 vaccine program - a light at the end of the tunnel for the economy too - sent shares higher again.

The Greek bourse benchmark advanced for a 10th consecutive session on Thursday, a streak unseen in almost four years, as stocks are now extending November's momentum into December. The index recorded a new ninth-month high - and without the help of bank stocks this time.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index ended at 766.82 points, adding 0.97% to Wednesday's 759.47 points.

The Greek stock market appears determined to stretch its November momentum through to the end of the month, as it enjoyed significant gains on Thursday that took its benchmark to a new eight-month high.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index ended at 726.92 points, adding 3.08% to Wednesday's 705.21 points. The large-cap FTSE 25 index expanded 3.34% to close at 1,725.52 points.

World markets were upbeat on Tuesday, following the announcement of bolstering measures by the central banks of the US and Japan, while expectations for an economic rebound starting in the second half of the year added to global stocks' upward swing. In Greece, Athinon Avenue enjoyed a day of significant gains that rose over the course of the day across the board.

After a session of ups and downs, buyers retained the upper hand in the closing auctions at the Greek stock market on Friday and pushed the benchmark into the black after three consecutive days of losses.

The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index ended at 646.80 points, adding 0.29% to Thursday's 644.90 points. On a weekly basis it declined 5.36%.