Rise continues on local stock market

Optimism regarding a successful conclusion to the debt swap negotiations secured significant gains for most European stock markets on Thursday, with the Athens bourse being no exception. The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) general index ended the day at 766.23 points, expanding 3.93 percent from Wednesday’s closing figure of 737.26 points. The blue chip FTSE/ATHEX 20 index grew by 6.64 percent to close at 311.96 points. Banks soared, with Piraeus, Alpha and Eurobank all posting gains of between 28 and 30 percent. In total, 112 stocks registered gains, 52 posted losses and 22 remained unchanged. Turnover amounted to 118.3 million euros, up on Wednesday’s 56.5 million. The Capital Market Commission extended on Thursday a ban on short-selling on the Athens bourse to July 25.