Reasonable and controlled pressures are exerted today (21/5) on the Athens Stock Exchange, with investors rushing to consolidate some of the recent gains, after climbing to 1,500 points.
Besides, this year's total change in the main index exceeds 16%, which justifies a stance on the part of buyers, contributing to the digestion of new 13-year highs.
On the other hand, it is clear that, in the longer term, strong fundamentals justify a further improvement in valuations, especially for those listed companies that have been partially lagging behind.
More specifically, in today's session, the General Index is down slightly by 0.55% to 1,494.55 points, losing eight points compared to Monday's close (1,502.79 points).
The arc of daily fluctuations extends to 11 points (from 1,492.80 to 1,503.68 points), with a trading turnover of 73 million euros, of which 31.8 million euros relate to two packages in Ethniki (passed at 8.54 euros/share).
On the board, now, AIA's shares are losing at least 2.5%, as from today they are trading without the dividend entitlement. On the other hand, Optima Bank is back to its historical record of EUR 11.6, boosted by satisfactory first quarter results. The banking index, after reaching new 8-year highs, takes a brief "pause," resulting in a -0.37% and 1,333 points.
National Bank shares retreat to -0.80% and 8.452 euros, with total turnover of more than 35 million euros. Beyond that, Eurobank's shares fall -0.51% and 2.13 euros, Piraeus' shares trade -0.26% and 3.84 euros, and Alpha Bank's shares strengthen +0.26% and 1.755 euros.
In the high-cap index (-0.45% and 3,641 points), Motor Oil's share retracts -2.4% and 27 euros, moving slightly away from its historical high (28 euros). At the same time, Autohellas' share is down 1.7%, with Quest, Viohalco, GEK Terna, Sarantis, PPC and Elvahalkor trailing at least -0.5%.
As for the mid-cap index (+0.64% and 2,385 points), Intrakat shares stand out negatively at -1.9% and EUR 5.15, with Alumyl shares losing 2.1%. Shares of Profile, AVAX, Intracom, Intralot and PPA are down more than 1%.
