With ΝΒG leading the way as expected as the placement process is underway, the Athens market is looking to differentiate itself from the pan-European downward trend.

Specifically, the General Index is trading at 1,468 points with a marginal -0.04% and turnover at 36 million euros, while 8 million pieces have been traded.

Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs appeared particularly positive on Greece and its economic outlook.

As mentioned above, NBG dominates the board having made a turnover of more than 8 million euros (1 million pieces) and approaching 8 euros with a gain of up to 1.7%.

After a negative start in the rest of the sector, Eurobank seems to be waking up with +0.4%, while Alpha is down slightly by 0.25% and Piraeus by 0.5%.

Beyond that, Biohalco and Cenergy show mild upward trends with gains of more than 0.8%, while on the other hand the third of the group, Elvalhalcor, retreats by 0.9%. Among the other buyers' picks, OPAP, Motor Oil, GEK TERNA and Titan are slightly up with gains of up to 0.6%.

On the other hand, AIA is under pressure at -1.2% and PPC, Coca Cola, Lambda, Hellaktor and Sarantis are mildly down.

In the mid-cap sector Lavipharm stands out with +2.3%, while AVAX, Intrakat and Intralot move -0.8%.