The Athens Stock Exchange is walking a tightrope today (23/5), as buyers and sellers are fighting for control of the bias while volatility remains present after the recent climb to 1,500 points.

It is clear that the new peaks have caused consternation in the investment community, which is rushing to digest the gains without succumbing to the temptation of a dynamic corrective move.

More specifically, in today's session, the General Index is up a subtle 0.02% to 1,480.35 points, gaining less than half a point compared to Wednesday's close (1,480.09 points).

The banking index is on decline for the third consecutive session, retracing -0.96% and 1,303 points. Alpha Bank's shares are down -1.36% and EUR 1.7085; Eurobank's shares are down -1.24% and EUR 2.077; National Bank's shares are trading -0.77% and EUR 8.29; and Piraeus' shares follow at -0.45% and EUR 3.775.

In the high-cap index (-0.04% and 3,588 points), OPAP's shares expand by 1% and recover 15 euros. Jumbo's share also gains more than 1.5%, while Viohalco climbs +2%. Gek Terna and Ellaktor, at the same time, reach +3%, with OTE following at +1%. On the other hand, ElvalHalcor's shares tumbled by 3.2% and lost EUR 2, as the quarterly figures did not impress. Quest also plunges 3.3%, while Aegean shares lose 1%.

As for the mid-cap index (-0.30% and 2,374 points), Dimand's shares stand out negatively at -2.2% and 8.90 euros, with Ideal, Lavipharm, Alumyl and Intracom's shares shrinking by at least 1%. On the flip side, the shares of EXAE are trying to react at +0.8%.