Greek shares finished higher on Tuesday as the Athens market recorded a fresh five-year high. The Athens General Composite added 0.65% by the close, supported by advances across several sector groups.
The session was led by gains in the Banking, Construction and Travel sectors, which collectively helped lift the benchmark. Market breadth was positive, with 69 stocks rising, 40 declining and 27 finishing unchanged on the Athens Stock Exchange.
Top performers on the Athens General Composite included Performance Technologies IT Solutions (AT:PREFr), which climbed 5.74% - an increase of 0.57 points - to close at 10.50. Intracom Holdings SA (AT:INRr) rose 4.67% or 0.14 points to end the day at 3.14, while Cenergy Holdings SA (AT:CENEr) advanced 4.39% or 0.96 points to 22.84 in late trade.
On the downside, Euronext Athens Holding SA (AT:EXCr) was the session's weakest large-cap, slipping 1.66% or 0.13 points to finish at 7.71. Avax SA (AT:AVAr) declined 1.44% or 0.05 points to close at 3.42, and Coca Cola HBC AG (AT:EEEr) was down 1.21% or 0.70 points to 57.00.
Notably, shares of Performance Technologies IT Solutions reached an all-time high during the session, increasing 5.74% to 10.50.
Commodities and currency moves accompanied the equity action. Gold futures for December delivery climbed 1.23% or 50.37 to trade at $4,140.87 a troy ounce. In energy markets, crude oil for September delivery fell 4.31% or 3.46 to $76.88 a barrel, and the October Brent oil contract declined 3.87% or 3.24 to trade at $80.53 a barrel.
On the foreign exchange front, EUR/USD was unchanged, moving 0.12% to 1.15, while EUR/GBP was also essentially flat, changing 0.05% to 0.86. The US Dollar Index Futures edged up 0.01% to 99.79.
Session statistics and price moves at a glance:
- Athens General Composite - up 0.65% to a five-year high
- Performance Technologies IT Solutions (AT:PREFr) - +5.74% to 10.50 (all-time high)
- Intracom Holdings SA (AT:INRr) - +4.67% to 3.14
- Cenergy Holdings SA (AT:CENEr) - +4.39% to 22.84
- Euronext Athens Holding SA (AT:EXCr) - -1.66% to 7.71
- Avax SA (AT:AVAr) - -1.44% to 3.42
- Coca Cola HBC AG (AT:EEEr) - -1.21% to 57.00
- Gold Futures (Dec) - +1.23% to $4,140.87/oz
- Crude Oil (Sep) - -4.31% to $76.88/bbl; Brent (Oct) - -3.87% to $80.53/bbl
- EUR/USD - 1.15 (0.12%); EUR/GBP - 0.86 (0.05%)
- US Dollar Index Futures - 99.79 (up 0.01%)
Overall, the session was characterized by a positive tilt in Athens equities with pockets of strength among mid- and large-cap names, while commodities showed a mixed performance with precious metals firm and crude oil weaker during the trading day.