South East European stocks closed higher to start the second quarter on Friday mirroring the trend across the Old Continent despite underwhelming data reports. Eurozone’s inflation accelerated in March to a fresh record high coming in at an annual 7.5% compared to 5.9% in February and well above market forecasts of 6.6%. The inflation is now more than 3 times above the European Central Bank’s target of 2%. Meanwhile, the manufacturing activity across the eurozone recorded a 14-month low, declining to 56.5. Volatility is expected to continue until there is more clarity on the geopolitical front.
1. ATHENS – ATHEX 1.28%
2. BELGRADE – BELEX15 -0.54%
3. BUCHAREST – BET 0.53%
4. ISTANBUL – BIST 100 0.82%
5. LJUBJLANA – SBITOP 0.21%
6. NICOSIA – CSE GI Closed
7. PODGORICA – MNSE 10 0.71%
8. SARAJEVO – SASX10 0.80%
9. SKOPJE – MBI 10 0.20%
10. SOFIA – SOFIX 1.33%
11. ZAGREB – CROBEX -0.29%
