Stocks traded higher at midday in quiet dealings. Low volumes show that most long investors are sidelined. European markets turned flat with traders monitoring corporate earnings and development in the Middle East. 

At 1222 local time, the general share index was gaining 0.8% to 1179 points. Banks performed better than the border market, posting aggregate gains of 1.9%.  

Among banks, Eurobank rose 3.6%, NBG +1.5%. Other notable movers were Terna +2.6%, Helleniq Petroleum +2.5%.