Athens Stock Exchange rises 1.22% led by banking sector

The Athens Stock Exchange concluded the week with a recovery, with the General Index rising 1.22% to close at 2,613.49 points. This performance brought the weekly change to a gain of approximately 2.1%.

The banking sector drove much of the upward momentum. Piraeus Bank rose 2.8% to 9.78 euros, National Bank of Greece increased by 2.21% to 16.40 euros, Alpha Bank gained 1.91% to 4.27 euros, and Eurobank rose 1.32% to 4.45 euros. In contrast, Optima Bank saw a decline of 1.59%.

Other notable movements included HELLENiQ Energy reaching a new historical high, alongside gains for Titan Cement and OTE. Total transaction value for the session was approximately 289 million euros.

Market analysts also highlight a growing focus on dividend yields due to the market's upgrade to developed markets. Companies such as Bank of Cyprus (9.2%), Allwyn (7.8%), and National Bank of Greece (7.6%) are noted for high dividend returns, attracting institutional investors seeking stable yields.