The Athens Stock Exchange kicked off 2025 with buyers maintaining the lead throughout the day and bringing the 1,480 points back to the forefront.

Despite low trading volume and limited investor interest, the Greek market managed to take another step towards convergence with a record high of 1,502 points, which is the highest level in 13 years (since 2011).

Besides, expectations for this year remain cautiously positive, with Athens being "armed" with a stable macroeconomic framework and attractive valuations of listed companies. However, the risk of a prolonged buildup still looms while challenges abroad remain on the table.

Specifically, in the first session of the year, the General Index rose +0.77% to close at a daily high of 1,480.98 points, gaining about 11.5 points compared to Tuesday's close (1,469.67 points).

The arc of daily fluctuations was fixed at 11 points (from 1,469.79 to 1,480.98 points), with a turnover of 79.4 million euros, of which 1.7 million euros was related to pre-agreed packages.

The banking index, after +21% in 2024, opted for the accumulation of forces, bid farewell to the first session of 2025 from 1,294 points, gaining +0.68% on a daily basis.

Piraeus shares widened +2.34% and EUR 3.94, Eurobank shares followed at +1.21% and EUR 2.257, Alpha shares were unchanged at EUR 1.617, while ΝΒG shares declined -0.16% and EUR 7.648.

Metlen shares gained +2.8% in the high-cap index (+0.89% and 3,602 points), surpassing 34.4 euros and starting the new year on a positive note. Jumbo, PPC and Motor Oil expanded by more than 2%, while Hellaktor shares continued to climb after the decision for a new capital return, closing +4.9% and 2.3 euros. Viohalco's shares surged by 6%, enhancing their valuation to nearly 1.5 billion euros and providing momentum to ELVALHALCOR (+6.2%). On the opposite side, Optima's shares folded by 1.5%. Shares of OTE, Titan and Lamda Development fell by more than 1%.

As for the mid-cap index (+1.85% and 2,377 points), ABAX shares soared +8.5% and 1.65 euros, increasing the valuation close to 250 million euros. A new 3.5-year high was recorded by ADMIE, which gained +3.6% and 2.67 euros. Intracom, HKE, Kri Kri, Lavipharm and Fourlis rose between 2.6% and 3.5%, with Dimand, Ideal, PPA and Technical Olympics shares trailing by more than +1%. On the other hand, intrakat shares retreated -0.8% to EUR 4.83. Austriacard's shares also contracted by 1%.