Today (12/2), the Athens Stock Exchange halted its two-day downward trend as buyers regained control, despite international volatility and disappointing US inflation data.

Specifically, in the third session of the week, the General Index posted a remarkable rise of +0.85% and closed at a daily high of 1,562 points, gaining more than 13 points compared to Tuesday's close (1,548.93 points).

The arc of daily fluctuations was fixed at 12 points (from 1,550.69 to 1,562.09 points), with a turnover of 155.1 million euros, of which 16.2 million euros related to pre-agreed packages.

The banking index returned above 1,400 points, with analysts' high price targets providing a valuable boost and leading to a rise of +1.58% and 1,413 points.

Piraeus shares widened to +2.26% and EUR 4.485, Alpha shares followed at +1.50% and EUR 1.79, NBG shares traded at +1.47% and EUR 8.30, while Eurobank shares finished at +1.39% and EUR 2.40.

Special mention should be made of Attica Bank, whose shares climbed +3.1% and reached EUR 0.73.

In the high-cap index (+1.03% and 3,814 points), Jumbo shares returned above 27 euros for the first time since July, as they climbed +2.1% to 27.08 euros. Sarantis shares also rose +2.6%, while shares of Hellaktor, Motor Oil and OTE gained between +1.4% and +1.7%. EYDAP and Cenergy gained +1%, with Metlen's shares breaking through the EUR 35 resistance (+1.2%) and "returning" to where they were last September. On the flip side, Titan Cement shares corrected -1.2% and 42.6 euros, retreating for the 3rd consecutive day.

As for the mid-cap index (+1.05% and 2,506 points), AVAX's share stood out impressively at +4.5% and 2.05 euros, climbing to a new 15-year high and receiving a boost from the Euroxx price target (3.4 euros). At the same time, the share of EXAE expanded by +3.3% and approached the 5 euro barrier. Kri Kri and PPA shares also reached new historical highs, closing at 16.7 and 32.9 euros, respectively, up more than +2%. Noval, Intralot, Intracom and Autohellas followed, at least at +1%.