Stock Markets March 2, 2026

Athens market slips as banks, telecoms and household names lead losses

Athens General Composite posts 3.36% drop, with broad selling across the exchange; select energy and exchange stocks buck the trend

By Nina Shah
Athens market slips as banks, telecoms and household names lead losses

Greece's stock market closed lower on Monday, with the Athens General Composite falling 3.36% to a one-month low. Selling was concentrated in the Banking, Telecoms and Household sectors, and decliners vastly outnumbered advancers. A small group of names, including Motor Oil Hellas and HELLENiQ ENERGY, finished higher while several industrial and materials names posted double-digit percentage declines.

Key Points

  • Athens General Composite fell 3.36% to a one-month low, with broad selling across the exchange.
  • Banking, Telecoms and Household sectors were the main drivers of the decline; decliners outnumbered advancers 117 to 7.
  • Commodities moved higher—gold and crude rose—while EUR/USD weakened and the US Dollar Index Futures strengthened.

Greek equities ended the trading session in Athens on Monday with pronounced losses. The Athens General Composite dropped 3.36% to close at a new one-month low, reflecting broad weakness led by the Banking, Telecoms and Household sectors.

Market breadth was notably weak: falling issues outnumbered advancing ones by 117 to 7, and 6 stocks finished unchanged on the Athens Stock Exchange. The magnitude of the retreat pushed a number of individual listings sharply lower while a handful of names recorded gains.

Top performers

Among the winners, Motor Oil Hellas Corinth Refineries SA (AT:MORr) rose 1.31% or 0.48 points to finish at 37.16, reaching an all-time high in the session. HELLENiQ ENERGY Holdings SA (AT:HEPr) added 0.91% or 0.08 points to close at 8.90, and Hellenic Exchanges Athens Stock Exchange SA (AT:EXCr) was up 0.58% or 0.04 points at 6.89.

Largest decliners

The heaviest losses were recorded in several smaller and materials-oriented names. Ilyda SA Class R (AT:ILYr) led declines, sliding 9.68% or 0.45 points to 4.20 at the close. Alumil (AT:ALMr) fell 7.30% or 0.46 points to 5.84, while Elvalhalcor Hellenic Copper and Aluminium Industry SA (AT:ELHA) dropped 7.28% or 0.33 points to 4.20.

Commodities and currency moves

Commodities trading showed strength during the session. Gold futures for April delivery rose 1.86% or 97.65 to $5,345.55 a troy ounce. In energy markets, April crude oil climbed 6.61% or 4.43 to $71.45 a barrel, and the May Brent oil contract increased 7.74% or 5.64 to trade at $78.51 a barrel.

On the currency front, the euro lost ground against the dollar: EUR/USD fell 1.07% to 1.17. EUR/GBP was essentially flat, changing by 0.21% to 0.87. The US Dollar Index Futures advanced 1.08% to 98.62.


Takeaways and market context

The session’s losses were broad-based, with Banking, Telecoms and Household groups cited as primary drivers of the downturn. Despite the widespread selling, a small group of energy and exchange listings managed modest gains, and Motor Oil Hellas achieved an intraday milestone by moving to an all-time high. Overall market participation tilted heavily toward decliners, underscoring the weakness across sectors.

Given the data reported from the close of trade, investors saw increased commodity prices alongside a firmer dollar and a weaker euro, while Greek equities registered a pronounced pullback led by sector-specific pressure.

Risks

  • Broad sell-off across sectors increases downside risk for market-wide portfolios, particularly those with exposure to Greek banking and telecom stocks.
  • Commodity price volatility—rising gold and oil—may introduce earnings and input-cost uncertainty for energy and industrial firms.
  • Currency movements, including a weaker euro and stronger dollar, could affect exporters and firms with significant foreign-currency exposure.

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