Greece stocks higher at close of trade; Athens General Composite up 0.04%

Greek equities closed in positive territory on Monday, with advances in the Construction, Banking and Travel sectors fueling the broader market’s uptick.

At the closing bell in Athens, the Athens General Composite added 0.04%, reaching a fresh five-year peak.

Qualco Group SA (AT:QLCOr) was the session’s top gainer on the Athens General Composite, advancing 4.46% or 0.26 points to close at 6.09. Interlife General Insurance Company SA (AT:INLIFr) also performed strongly, adding 3.06% or 0.22 points to settle at 7.40, while HELLENiQ ENERGY Holdings SA (AT:HEPr) climbed 2.14% or 0.34 points to reach 16.26 in late trade.

On the downside, Performance Technologies IT Solutions (AT:PREFr) led the decliners, dropping 3.13% or 0.31 points to 9.60 at the close. Gr Sarantis SA (AT:SRSr) slipped 1.88% or 0.26 points to finish at 13.60, and Viohalco SA (AT:VIOH) lost 1.84% or 0.32 points, ending at 17.06.

Breadth on the Athens Stock Exchange was negative, with 61 stocks declining versus 53 advancing, while 15 issues closed unchanged.

Interlife General Insurance Company SA (AT:INLIFr) reached an all-time high, rising 3.06% or 0.22 to 7.40. HELLENiQ ENERGY Holdings SA (AT:HEPr) also climbed to a five-year high, advancing 2.14% or 0.34 to 16.26.

In commodity markets, December gold futures fell 0.38% or $16.79 to $4,459.81 per troy ounce. October crude oil futures gained 1.42% or $1.30 to reach $92.78 per barrel, while November Brent advanced 1.43% or $1.38 to trade at $97.66 per barrel.

EUR/USD was unchanged at 1.16, following a 0.13% move, while EUR/GBP was also unchanged at 0.86 after a 0.03% move.

US Dollar Index Futures slipped 0.28% to 98.87.