Greek market ends firmly higher above 825, soaring as Greece tries to secure a deal on reforms with a troika of international inspectors that would allow fresh aid to the country, but European officials were signaling that a decision on that aid could be delayed further.
Investors will now be looking to the visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Greece next week for fresh details. Merkel΄s spokesman, Steffen Seibert, said the chancellor will meet Prime Minister Antonis Samaras in Athens on Tuesday.
The banking sector has been in focus Friday, with shares of National Bank and EFG Eurobank Ergasias suspended following a report that these lenders are in merger talks.
On the board the General Index ends 5.05% higher at 829.96, the second highest closure of 2012.
The whole sector moves up in association, with Piraeus Bank closing 20% ahead and Alpha Bank 14% higher. The index finally ends at 331.65 9.97% higher, in a more than 6 months high.
(source: Capital)
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
