Contrary to the slightly downward trend in European markets, the Athens Stock Exchange advanced on Monday, maintaining the 2,100-point mark, mainly driven by healthy gains in selected blue chips.

The ATHEX General Index rose 0.58% to close at 2,116.10 points, as turnover came to €350.58 million, of which €169 million came from block trades, mainly in banks. Alpha Bank stood out with €71.6 million in block trades tied to MSCI index rebalancing, bringing its total turnover to €190 million – more than half the day’s total. 

The large-cap index gained 0.67% to 5,331.53 points, while mid-caps rose 0.22% to 3,018.14.

Among non-bank blue chips, ElvalHalcor climbed 3.42% and Metlen 3.3%, followed by Aegean, Sarantis and Lamda Development with gains above 2%, and GEK Terna and Viohalco with advances over 1%. On the downside, OPAP dropped 2.28%, while Cenergy and Jumbo both lost more than 1%.

The banking index rose 0.88% to 2,325.42 points, led by a 6.21% rally in Alpha Bank. Bank of Cyprus gained 2.86% and Optima Bank 1.01%, while Eurobank fell 1.27%, Piraeus Bank 1.04% and National Bank 0.16%.