Athens Stock Exchange Gains on Bank Stocks Amid ECB Rate Hike Speculation

The Athens Stock Exchange's General Index rose modestly, trading around 2,380 points with a gain of roughly 0.2% to 0.3% in one session and later climbing to about 2,440 points, a 1.7% increase. Bank shares led the advance, with Eurobank, National Bank, Piraeus Bank and Alpha Bank all posting gains, while the broader banking index rose about 0.3% to 2,656 points. Investors were weighing expectations of the European Central Bank’s first rate hike since 2023 and heightened geopolitical tension in the Middle East, which kept oil prices volatile (Brent near $92 per barrel). The market also saw strength in high‑cap stocks such as Allwyn, Titan Cement, ELPE and OTE, while some energy‑related shares slipped. The rise reflects renewed confidence in Greek equities despite regional uncertainty.