The negative turn internationally is being followed by the Athens market, which continues down for a fifth day and sees technical supports being tested, paving the way for a move much lower.

Specifically, the General Index shortly after the opening tried a move up to 1,397 points (+0.37%) but immediately lost any momentum and is now sinking to 1,362 points with a new 2.17% drop.

After a move up to 1,192 points (+0.7%), the banking index changed direction and now leads the losses with a new 1.2% drop to 1,169 points.

The FTSE large cap is trading at 3,339 points with -1.1%, as is the FTSEM mid cap, which is trading at 2,207 points with -0.1%.

In the banks, ΝΒG, which had the worst picture yesterday (-3%) is today attempting to "defend" itself but just staying around the unchanged at 6.89 euros. However, having made by far the biggest turnover of the day at 12 million euros, it seems to be acting as a kind of investment haven.

Among the other systemics, Alpha retreats to 1.52 euros with a strong 2.4% loss, while Eurobank and Piraeus lose 1.6% each. 

Cenergy, which initially attempted an upward reaction up to EUR 8.55 (+2.55%), was also dragged down by the bearish sentiment and is now down to EUR 8.2 with -1.7%.

A characteristic feature of the picture is that now only one security in the high capitalization is moving upwards, Sarantis with +1%. Similarly, in the midcaps only PPA is up +1.2%, while Kri Kri is down 3.2% and ABAX, Intracom, and Intralot are all down more than 2%.

The overall picture of the board is also indicative, with only 24 stocks moving up against 82 down.