Galatsi

Non-bank blue chips helped the Greek bourse contain its decline on Tuesday, as it fared better than other stock markets in the eurozone. The political worries generated in the European Union after Sunday's European Parliament elections continue unabated in certain countries, unlike in Greece.

Unknown assailants attacked a Metro construction site in the northern Athenian suburb of Galatsi late Wednesday night with Molotov cocktails. 

According to police, two unidentified men entered the site on Parnithos Street just before midnight. After immobilizing the guard, they broke the windows of two excavators and threw Molotov cocktails inside, causing significant damage.

The first-quarter financial results National Bank released on Wednesday proved a boost for stock prices on Thursday, as the lender rallied to a new eight-year high that reversed the early losses of the benchmark. Trading action was moderate at Athinon Avenue ahead of the Easter weekend, with the bourse set to reopen on Wednesday, May 8.

After a tight session at Athinon Avenue, the main index of the Greek stock market closed on Friday with small losses that were not enough to offset all of the gains it had recorded over the course of the week.

The March triple witching sent the bourse's turnover soaring to over 350 million euros on Friday, while the benchmark grabbed some more ground, all but offsetting the major losses it had suffered on Monday. That meant the week closed with small losses, for the first time after seven weeks of growth.

Scottish comedian Daniel Sloss brings his new show "Can't" to the Christmas Theater (137 Veikou, Galatsi, ct.gr) on March 8, following two sold-out performances in Greece two years ago. Renowned for his unfiltered humor, Sloss is a top figure in modern comedy, captivating audiences worldwide. Adults only. Tickets range between 28 and 60 euros from Viva's more.com.

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Christos Staikouras and his deputy, Nikos Tachiaos, visited the Katechaki and Veikou tunnel boring sites on the under-construction Line 4 of the Athens Metro on Monday and confirmed that the first section of the extension is expected to be completed by 2030.

The rally continued at the Greek stock market on Wednesday, with the benchmark climbing to a new decade-high despite the fragmented picture among blue chips. Eventually the main index advanced thanks to specific buys made among non-bank large-caps. Mid-caps outperformed once again, as traders seek out investment opportunities in underbought stocks.

A year of glorious performances has come to a close at the Greek stock market, with the main index continuing its advance on Friday to end 2023 39.08% higher than its closing last December. The large-cap index grew 38.7% year-on-year, but it was banks that outperformed with their 65.73% annual advance.

As Christmas approaches, the action is slowing down at the Greek stock market, with the turnover dropping further on Thursday and the benchmark coming off Wednesday's 16-week high to settle for a point and a half below the 1,300 mark. Yet with five sessions left till the end of the December, 2023 is certain to be another particularly positive year for Athinon Avenue.