Prague bourse closes above 2,600 pts first time ever

Prague, Dec 17 (CTK) - The Prague Stock Exchange (BCPP) closed above 2,600 points for the first time in history after today's significant growth, with the headline PX index adding 1.78 percent to 2,640.70 points, helped by insurer VIG, as in previous days, according to data from the bourse's website.

Komercni banka and Erste Bank also performed well. On the other hand, energy company CEZ lost ground.

The Prague Stock Exchange started trading this year at around 1,760 points. Since then, it has been strengthening with a few fluctuations. In February, it surpassed the previous record closing price of 1,940.44 points set on October 29, 2007. In the following months, it improved on this maximum many times over. Today's growth was the fourth in a row, with the last decline occurring last Thursday.

"The pre-Christmas rally on the Prague Stock Exchange continued today," said Wood & Company broker Tomas Hazucha.

However, market activity was not high. "Trading volume remained below average at around Kc490m," added Hazucha.

VIG shares rose by 8.71 percent to Kc1,622. Komercni banka improved by 1.49 percent to Kc1,159, and Erste Bank gained 0.84 percent to Kc2,399.

Metallurgical company Gevorkyan, tobacco company Philip Morris CR, and pharmaceutical chain Pilulka also closed with gains.

Other stocks either lost ground or remained flat. CEZ, which was the most traded stock today, fell by 0.31 percent to Kc1,278.

Moneta Money Bank lost 0.43 percent to Kc187.20. Engineering company Doosan Skoda Power weakened by 1.28 percent to Kc387, beverage company Kofola erased 0.21 percent to Kc485, and solar power plant builder Photon Energy slid by 0.76 percent to Kc10.38.

tam/er

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