BCPP closes almost unchanged, PX index up 0.02 pct

BCPP closes almost unchanged, PX index up 0.02 pct

Prague, April 19 (CTK) - The Prague Stock Exchange (BCPP) closed almost unchanged today, the headline PX index adding 0.02 percent to 1,550.61 points, with the decline in the shares of Komercni banka and energy group CEZ countered by a rise in Erste Group Bank, according to the exchange's website.

The BCPP has risen slightly over the last three days, but so far it has not been enough to erase its Tuesday's decline. "Virtually only Erste shares kept the bourse in the black, while CEZ and Komercni banka shares continued to lose ground," said Wood & Company broker Vladimir Vavra.

Most stock titles in Prague today followed the developments abroad and lost ground, Martin Singer of Fio banka noted.

Along with Erste Bank, whose securities gained 0.98 percent to Kc1,080 today, Austrian insurance company VIG went up 0.27 percent to Kc735. Komercni banka lost 0.46 percent to Kc861.50 and Moneta Money Bank stayed flat at Kc101.80.

CEZ shed 0.23 percent to Kc872. Losers also included Slovak industrial company Gevorkyan (down 1.55 percent to Kc254), tobacco company Philip Morris (down 1.25 percent to Kc15,820) and beverage maker Kofola (down 0.73 percent to Kc271). Arms maker Colt lost 0.32 percent and closed at Kc626.

hel/er