The Athens Stock Exchange plunged sharply on Thursday, March 19, 2026, closing down 2.47% at 2,077.15 points — its lowest level in weeks and well below the 2,100-point threshold. The sell-off came amid mounting global market anxiety triggered by escalating conflict in the Middle East, including a wave of attacks on critical energy infrastructure that sent oil prices surging to new highs.
War-Driven Market Turmoil
The worsening geopolitical situation has heightened fears of rising inflation and slower global economic growth — concerns now reverberating across financial markets worldwide. Since the outbreak of hostilities, the benchmark Athens Exchange General Index has lost 8.80%, erasing €13.59 billion from the market’s total capitalization. On Thursday alone, equity market value shrank by €3.4 billion compared to the previous session.
Trading Activity and Sector Performance
Total turnover reached €307.26 million, with 45.14 million shares traded. The high-cap index fell 2.51%, while the mid-cap index dropped 2.45%. Among large-cap stocks, only EYDAP (+4.88%) and Motor Oil (+0.10%) posted gains. In contrast, Elvalhalcor led losses with a 5.41% decline, followed by Metlen (–4.95%), Alpha Bank (–4.27%), Eurobank (–3.70%), Lamda Development (–3.57%), DAH (–3.34%), and Aktor (–3.20%).
Alpha Bank and Eurobank accounted for the highest trading volumes — 13.35 million and 6.50 million shares respectively — while National Bank topped transaction value with €58.73 million, ahead of Alpha Bank’s €42.32 million.
Movement Summary
Of the listed stocks, 13 rose, 100 declined, and 11 remained unchanged. Foodlink suffered the steepest drop (–7.02%), followed by Mathios Pyrimacha (–6.57%). EYDAP and Levendiris (K) recorded the strongest gains, up 4.88% and 4.29% respectively.
Key High-Cap Stocks (Closing Prices & Daily Change)
AKTOR: €10.30 (–3.20%)
CYPRUS: €8.52 (–1.39%)
METLEN: €34.60 (–4.95%)
OPTIMA: €8.26 (–2.59%)
TITAN: €44.00 (–2.65%)
ALPHA BANK: €3.141 (–4.27%)
AEGEAN AIRLINES: €11.88 (–2.62%)
VIOHALCO: €13.04 (–0.76%)
GEK TERNΑ: €33.56 (–1.76%)
DAH: €10.43 (–3.34%)
DEH: €17.85 (–1.22%)
COCA COLA HBC: €49.74 (–3.04%)
ELPE: €10.11 (–0.79%)
ELVALHALCOR: €3.50 (–5.41%)
ETHNIKI: €12.55 (–1.26%)
EYDAP: €9.24 (+4.88%)
EUROBANK: €3.385 (–3.70%)
LAMDA DEVELOPMENT: €5.95 (–3.57%)
MOTOR OIL: €39.34 (+0.10%)
JUMBO: €23.10 (–1.28%)
OLP: €36.15 (–2.30%)
OPAP: €14.16 (–2.41%)
OTE: €16.69 (–1.94%)
PIRAEUS BANK: €7.104 (–2.90%)
SARANTIS: €14.04 (–1.82%)