With banks once again playing a leading role, the Athens Stock Exchange managed—albeit with difficulty—to close the week in positive territory and bid farewell to the week with an overall rise of at least 1.6%.

The Greek market, driven by strong banking sector figures, fought off the intra-day pressure and maintained above the psychological 1,400-unit threshold, with Alpha Bank having a great "day," which achieved its best session of the 12-month period.

On the other hand, however, the absence of buyers was again pervasive, not allowing for a more convincing reaction while the international investment climate remains problematic—especially in Europe, which also has to deal with the political uncertainty in Germany.

In this environment, in the last session of the week, the General Index rose slightly by 0.33% to 1,413.13 points, gaining less than five points compared to Thursday's close (1,408.50 points).

The arc of daily fluctuations was fixed at seven points (from 1,408.42 to 1,415.83 points), with a turnover of 136 million euros, of which 37.3 million euros were pre-agreed packages.

The banking index continued in positive territory for the 6th consecutive day, improving to +1.51% and 1,230 points, gaining more than +5% in the week and more than +7% in the six-day period.

Alpha shares climbed +2.87% and 2,045 euros, achieving its best session in the last year. At the same time, Eurobank shares followed at +2.87% and 2.045 euros, Piraeus shares rose +2.09% and 3.81 euros, while ΝΒG shares narrowed to -1.49% and 7.516 euros.

In the high-cap index (+0.75% and 3,438 points), Metlen's shares gained +1.5% and 32.5 euros, with Hellaktor's shares recovering what they lost yesterday and gaining +3.5%. Beyond that, shares of ELVALHALKOR, Sarantis, Lamda and Cenergy expanded by 0.9% to 1.4%. PPI shares, meanwhile, continued to rise to 12.2 euros (+1.2%). On the flip side, Helleniq Energy shares narrowed to -1% and 6.8 euros, while OTE shares folded 1.3% and fell below 15 euros.

As for the mid-cap index (+0.14% and 2,256 points), Intralot's shares managed to halt the major liquidations as they reacted to +1% and 0.94 euros, remaining of course at 12-month lows. PPA, meanwhile, climbed +2.44% to 29.4 euros, closing at a new multi-year high. On the other hand, Ideal's shares fell -1.3% and 5.8 euros. Profile's shares also declined by 1%.