Greece's equity market ended Tuesday's session in positive territory, supported by advances in banking, construction and travel-related names. The Athens General Composite finished the day up 1.00%, marking a fresh five-year high for the index.
Top and bottom movers
The session's strongest performers included Lavipharm SA (AT:LPHr), Motor Oil Hellas Corinth Refineries SA (AT:MORr) and Gek Terna (AT:HRMr). Lavipharm climbed 6.57% - an increase of 0.09 points - to close at 1.39. Motor Oil added 3.17%, or 1.08 points, finishing at 35.10. Gek Terna rose 3.14% - gaining 1.04 points - to end at 34.20.
On the downside, Aktor Symmetochon Technikon kai Energoiakon Ergon AE (AT:AKTRr) declined 1.47% or 0.16 points to 10.70 at the close. Austriacard Holdings AG (AT:ACAGr) fell 1.45%, losing 0.11 points to end at 7.49, while Unibios Holdings SA (AT:VILr) slipped 1.43% or 0.04 points to finish at 2.76.
Market breadth was narrowly negative by the session's end: 55 stocks fell, 53 advanced and 24 were unchanged on the Athens Stock Exchange.
Notable highs
- Lavipharm's share price rose to a three-year high, closing at 1.39 after a 6.57% gain.
- Motor Oil's shares reached an all-time high, finishing at 35.10 following a 3.17% increase.
- Gek Terna climbed to a five-year high, closing at 34.20 after a 3.14% rise.
Commodities and currency moves
Commodities showed marked movement during the session. Gold Futures for April delivery was up 6.36% or 295.71 to $4,948.31 a troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for March delivery rose 1.26% or 0.78 to $62.92 a barrel, while the April Brent contract gained 1.00% or 0.66 to trade at $66.96 a barrel.
Foreign exchange rates were relatively stable: EUR/USD was unchanged at 0.20% to 1.18, and EUR/GBP was unchanged at 0.06% to 0.86. The US Dollar Index Futures moved lower, down 0.21% to 97.29.
Market context and takeaway
Tuesday's session saw select large-cap and cyclical names push the index higher, with measurable appreciation in pharmaceuticals, refining and construction-related stocks. Commodity price moves - notably in gold and oil - were prominent features of the trading day and may have contributed to sector-level positioning. Despite the headline rise, overall breadth was narrowly negative, indicating gains were concentrated in a set of leading names rather than broadly distributed across the market.
Summary
The Athens General Composite closed up 1.00% at a five-year high. Lavipharm, Motor Oil and Gek Terna were the session's top performers, while Aktor, Austriacard and Unibios were among the largest decliners. Commodities including gold and oil increased, EUR pairs were largely unchanged and the US Dollar Index Futures declined slightly.