Controlled losses were recorded on the Athens Stock Exchange today (16/12), with sellers taking the lead, targeting mainly banks, in an attempt to assess the impact of the government's measures on charges.

Of course, the decline by no means escaped the calculated limits, not negating the positive sentiment of December, which still shows an average return of +5%, with the General Index remaining on track to converge with year highs and 13-year highs of 1,502 points.

However, the recent stagnation has partially dampened the extreme optimism of buyers, who anticipated an immediate return to the peak. However, let's not forget that this year's rise in Athens is +13%.

Specifically, in the first session of the five-day period, the General Index recorded a controlled decline of 0.33% to 1,464.48 points, losing less than five points compared to Friday's close (1,469.32 points).

The arc of daily fluctuations was fixed at eight points (from 1,458.26 to 1,466.98 points), with a turnover of 118 million euros, of which 11.9 million euros related to pre-agreed packages.

The banking index, assessing the government measures estimated to impose a burden of at least 330 million euros, calmly folded to -0.97% and 1,285 points, keeping the 2024 yield above +20%.

NBG's shares narrowed to -1.66% and 7.72 euros; Piraeus' shares followed at -1.22% and 3.884 euros; Alpha's shares traded at -0.77% and 1.6075 euros, while Eurobank's shares fell to -0.41% and 2.203 euros.

In the high-cap index (-0.44% and 3,568 points), Coca-Cola shares fell -0.89% and 33.6 euros, with OPAP shares losing 1.3% and falling to 15.7 euros. EYDAP's shares also slipped -1.1% and 5.8 euros. GEK TERNA and Viohalco retreated by up to 0.9%. In contrast, Metlen's shares continued the upward reaction, gaining +0.7% and 34.4 euros (2.5-month high). Helleniq Energy's shares also surged by 2.3%, rising above EUR 7.3. At the same time, Ellaktor closed up +2.4% and 1.9 euros.

As for the mid-cap index (+0.36% and 2,322 points), ADMIE shares stood out positively at +1.8% and surpassed 2.5 euros (3-year high), boosted by the 9-month financials. Optima, Thrace Plastics and Lavipharm climbed +1% to +1.4%. On the other hand, Intralot's shares declined -0.9% to -0.9% and EUR 0.97. At the same time, shares of Austriacard, Ideal, Profile and EYATH fell by more than 1%.