Greek equities closed lower on Wednesday as losses concentrated in the Banking, Telecoms and Household sectors pushed the Athens market into negative territory. At the close in Athens, the Athens General Composite was down 2.14%.
Among stocks that advanced, Plastika Thrakis Plastics Holdings SA (AT:THRr) led the session's winners, rising 2.21% or 0.11 points to finish at 4.86. Athens Water (AT:EYDr) added 0.83% or 0.10 points to end the day at 12.08, while Motor Oil Hellas Corinth Refineries SA (AT:MORr) gained 0.61% or 0.26 points to close at 42.84.
The heaviest declines came from Cenergy Holdings SA (AT:CENEr), which fell 6.07% or 1.42 points to trade at 21.98 at the close. Lamda Develop (AT:LMDr) dropped 4.71% or 0.32 points to finish at 6.48, and Aegean Airlines (AT:AGNr) slid 4.14% or 0.53 points to close at 12.27.
Market breadth was markedly negative on the Athens Stock Exchange: 98 issues fell, 20 rose and 13 were unchanged.
Two of the session's gainers also recorded notable multi-period highs. Shares of Plastika Thrakis (AT:THRr) rose to 52-week highs, ending at 4.86 after the 2.21% uptick. Athens Water (AT:EYDr) reached 5-year highs, closing at 12.08 following a 0.83% gain.
Commodity markets moved sharply during the session. Gold futures for August delivery declined 2.66%, or 110.75 points, to $4,046.65 per troy ounce. Crude oil also saw significant gains: the August WTI contract climbed 6.81% or $4.80 to $75.24 a barrel, while the September Brent contract rose 7.12% or $5.28 to $79.44 a barrel.
On the currency front, EUR/USD was essentially unchanged, moving 0.06% to 1.14, and EUR/GBP registered a 0.15% change to 0.85. The US Dollar Index Futures was higher by 0.15% at 100.93.
The day's trading underscored a clear divergence between select industrial and utility names that managed modest gains, and broader selling pressure across financials, telecoms and household stocks that drove the overall index lower. The session's price action left a larger share of issues trading down than up, and saw significant volatility in key commodities including gold and crude oil.
Session summary at a glance:
- Benchmark: Athens General Composite -2.14% at close.
- Top gainers: Plastika Thrakis (AT:THRr) +2.21% to 4.86; Athens Water (AT:EYDr) +0.83% to 12.08; Motor Oil Hellas (AT:MORr) +0.61% to 42.84.
- Top losers: Cenergy Holdings (AT:CENEr) -6.07% to 21.98; Lamda Develop (AT:LMDr) -4.71% to 6.48; Aegean Airlines (AT:AGNr) -4.14% to 12.27.
- Breadth: 98 declining, 20 advancing, 13 unchanged.
- Commodities: Gold down to $4,046.65/oz; WTI August $75.24/bbl; Brent September $79.44/bbl.
- Currencies: EUR/USD ~1.14; EUR/GBP ~0.85; US Dollar Index Futures 100.93 (+0.15%).
The market closed with a clear tilt toward selling, while a handful of names in plastics, utilities and refining bucked the trend and closed higher. Investors and market participants will note the divergent moves across equities and commodities during the session.