Viohalco

The Greek stock market showed on Tuesday the phenomenon described in bourse jargon as "sell in May and go away," with stocks suffering losses, turnover remaining below the 100-million-euro mark for a second day in row, and only Coca-Cola HBC, which is less affected by domestic trends, containing the losses of the main and the blue chip index.

Despite the drop of the blue chip index, the banks index, mid-caps, turnover and the majority of stocks on the Greek stock market on Thursday, the benchmark at Athinon Avenue managed to remain in positive territory by the closing, ending the short streak of the previous two days. That small rise is attributed mainly to energy stocks.

The Greek stock market took a step back on Tuesday after its Monday rally that had seen it register a new 13-year record high for its benchmark above 1,500 points. Non-bank blue chips appeared to suffer most of the pressure, while banks and the industrial stocks of the Viohalco group fared comparatively better on the day, which also saw increased turnover.

A multitude of blue chips cooperated on Wednesday at the Greek stock market to send the benchmark to highs unseen in more than 13 years. Led by National Bank of Greece, the banks index was the protagonist of a session that brought Athinon Avenue back onto the path toward the 1,500-point level that is now within striking distance for the main index.

The Greek stock market returned from its five-day holiday with a jump in prices that sent the benchmark to a new 13-year high on Wednesday, on significantly increased turnover too. Led by the blue chips of the Viohalco group, Cenergy and the National Bank of Greece (NBG), Athinon Avenue has risen to such heights as to consider the benchmark of 1,500 points for its main index.

The benchmark of the Greek stock market came off Wednesday's 13-year high to show notable losses on Thursday, closing at the day's low too. The Athens market continues to anticipate corporate news such as mergers and acquisitions and was predictably in profit-taking mood on the back of six consecutive sessions of gains for the main index.

The benchmark of the Greek stock market on Tuesday built on the momentum from the previous sessions and climbed to a new 13-year high. Far from being concerned about the European elections or the domestic politics and finance, traders are keeping an eye on prospective mergers and acquisitions, while the anticipation and excitement sent the daily turnover soaring.

The Greek stock market quickly shook off the effect of renewed tensions in the Middle East and reversed its early losses to head higher at the end of a very interesting week regarding the future course of Athinon Avenue.

Concerns over a possible expansion of the war in the Middle East, with the involvement of Iran, weighed on the Greek stock market, inflicting losses on the benchmark on Friday. Even so, the index narrowly maintained the 1,400-point level and got to close the week with net growth, with turnover also rebounding.

The Greek stock market rebounded on Monday, following last week's decline, with most stocks securing significant gains, led by banks.

As a result the benchmark regained the 1,400-point level, ending the day not far from the session's high. The report by the Bank of Greece, which undercut the government's growth estimate, did not seem to affect the mood of the market.