Today’s session on the Athens Stock Exchange was a mixed affair, largely characterized by a sideways trend, with the General Index trading within a relatively narrow range. The session was marked by distinct caution, selective moves by market participants, growing signs of fatigue, and relatively low net trading volume.
Given the above, it is understandable that interest is limited to a small number of index-weighted stocks, while the overwhelming majority of mid- and small-cap stocks remain off the “radar” of active traders.
The picture changed during the last hour of trading, with buyers taking more initiative, while the “final touch” was provided by the closing auctions, which pushed the main ATHEX indices to their daily highs, along with six large-cap stocks (detailed reference below).
For those who insist on focusing on statistics, today’s trading session ended with the Athens Stock Exchange General Index at a 4-month high, with the next highest close having been recorded on February 4, 2026 (2,407.07 points).
Despite the “magic” of the final auctions, today’s session confirmed investors’ fatigue from the ongoing volatility, a fact further underscored by the markets’ more subdued reactions to every piece of news or development coming from the Persian Gulf, as each subsequent report simply cancels out the previous one and increases existing skepticism regarding the likelihood of a positive outcome.
Looking at the latest developments in chronological order, trading on Wall Street ended last night with at least notable losses, with analysts pointing to the escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf, as well as the upcoming IPOs of SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic on the NYSE, with the market being called upon to absorb unprecedented volumes of new shares.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Armed Forces carried out a new round of strikes against multiple targets in Iran, with Tehran responding by launching attacks on U.S. bases in the region and announcing the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. announced that it had completed its attacks on Iran, a development that opened a “window” for the resumption of negotiations; however, there have been many instances where such developments have left those cautiously optimistic exposed.
Thus, a few hours later, “the U.S. will strike Iran very hard tonight and will soon gain control of the country’s oil and natural gas infrastructure and markets,” Donald Trump responded.
Trump’s statement, made a few weeks earlier, might have triggered a “mini sell-off” in the stock markets and a significant spike in oil prices, but at this stage, it has likely “blown over,” unless there is a reaction, given the well-known time lag that characterizes investors.
In any case, “investors are called upon to navigate a constantly changing economic environment of increased challenges, but also significant opportunities. Discipline, long-term strategy, and proper risk management remain the most important tools for creating value,” emphasizes HellasFin SA.
According to a veteran market participant, “smart money” will continue to focus its attention on the bond market. As yields continue to rise, caution regarding equities and precious metals will increase. Interest in lower-cap stocks will remain limited, as foreign portfolios active on the Athens Stock Exchange show no inclination to engage with more stocks, while domestic ‘retail investors’ are waiting to see increased and convincing trading activity before taking small positions. A significant number of major shareholders remain on the sidelines, with all that this may entail.”
Analysts are also focusing on the first-quarter results being announced by a small number of listed companies. According to Beta Sec., “the strong earnings performance in the first quarter of 2026 (in a sample of 37 listed companies, net earnings rose 37% year-over-year) may limit downward trends, provided the international climate supports this, and offer some incentives for selective interest.”
Given the decline in daily interest across most of the market, active investors’ attention—aside from developments in the Middle East—will remain focused on this coming Friday, June 19.
It is worth noting that the June triple witching is scheduled for June 19, while the first position rollovers have begun on the Athens Stock Exchange.
On the other hand, the Stoxx index review will add CrediaBank shares to the STOXX Greece, STOXX Developed and Emerging Markets, STOXX Emerging Markets, STOXX Eastern Europe, STOXX Balkan, STOXX All Europe, and STOXX Global Total Market indices. Ellaktor is being removed from the indices. The changes will take effect at the close of trading on Friday, June 19.
Additionally, the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE) and FTSE Russell announced the results of the regular semi-annual review of the composition of the FTSE/ASE indices for the period November 2025 – April 2026. CrediaBank is being added to the FTSE25, while Sarantis is being moved to the FTSE/ATHEX Mid Cap. The weighting factors (Capping Factors) for the shares included in the indices will be calculated based on the closing prices of the trading session on Friday, June 12, 2026. All changes will take effect as of the trading session on June 22, 2026, and the rebalancing will take place on June 19, 2026.
Major European markets are trading in positive territory but well below their intraday highs, with active traders focusing on developments in the Middle East, oil prices, bond market yields, and attempting to price in today’s signals from the ECB, as well as the macroeconomic data being released.
More specifically, the ECB decided on the first interest rate hike since 2023, by 25 basis points.
According to the baseline scenario of the new projections by Eurosystem experts, headline inflation is expected to average 3.0% in 2026, 2.3% in 2027, and 2.0% in 2028. As for inflation excluding energy and food, the baseline scenario projects it to average 2.5% in 2026 and 2027 and 2.2% in 2028. According to the baseline scenario, economic growth is expected to average 0.8% in 2026, 1.2% in 2027, and 1.5% in 2028.
“The ECB’s decision to raise interest rates by 25 basis points was unanimous, and no other proposals were discussed. The increase was necessary and, at the same time, a ‘signal,’” emphasized Christine Lagarde.
On the other hand, U.S. wholesale inflation rose again on an annual basis in May. It rose to 6.5%, up from 6% in April. This level is the highest in more than four years. The index rose 1.1% on a monthly basis. Analysts had forecast a 6.4% annual increase and a 1.1% monthly increase. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, the core index rose 4.9% year-over-year and 0.4% month-over-month. Analysts had forecast a 5.4% annual increase and a 0.5% monthly increase.
It should be noted that, according to the economic calendar, the ECB’s next meetings and announcements regarding its monetary policy are scheduled for July 23, September 10, October 29, and December 17, 2026.
The Fed’s corresponding meetings are scheduled for June 17, July 29, September 16, October 28, and December 9, 2026.
Yields in the bond market are stabilizing. More specifically, the yield on the U.S. 2-year bond stands at 4.15%, while the yield on the corresponding 10-year bond is at 4.53% (the yield on the 30-year bond is at 5.01%). The yield on the Greek 10-year bond stands at 3.753%.
The General Index fluctuated between 2,367.7 (-0.23%) and 2,391.84 points (+0.79%). At 5:00 p.m., it stood at 2,390.39 (+0.72%), reached a new high of 2,396.42 (+0.98%) during the final auctions, and closed at 2,396.37 points, with daily gains of 0.98%.
Turnover stood at 235 million, of which 38.6 million related to pre-arranged trades (OPTIMA, BOCHGR, OTE, ADMIE, BELA, MOI, TRASTOR, GEKTERNA, PIR, DEI, ALFA, EUROB, ETE, BELA), with ETE, EUROB, PIR, and DEI accounting for 44% of the total gross trading value.
Of the total turnover of 235 million, 213.3 million relates to transactions in FTSE 25 shares.