Greek shares fall as Athens index drops below 2,600

Across Europe, major bourses are under pressure as rising bond yields and more expensive crude revive fears that sticky inflation will keep borrowing costs elevated for longer. For Greece, that creates a double squeeze: higher global rates can weigh on banks and cyclicals, while weaker European sentiment can sap demand for domestically listed companies with exposure to the wider continent.

In Athens, the large-cap index fell 1.12% and the mid-cap gauge lost 0.75%. The market breadth was weak, with 68 stocks lower, 14 higher and 10 unchanged. National Bank, Viohalco, Optima Bank and Elvalhalcor were among the biggest losers in the blue-chip segment, while Allwyn, PPC and Motor Oil posted modest gains.

The slide also underscores how sensitive Greek equities remain to shifts in European macro conditions. Banks, industrials and exporters are particularly exposed when bond yields rise and energy costs climb, while defensive or idiosyncratic names can hold up better in a broad selloff.

For investors, the key issue now is whether the move is a one-session correction or the start of a deeper de-risking across European markets. The next catalyst will be follow-through in bond yields, oil prices and any fresh data that changes the inflation and growth outlook.