By Nikos Kotsikopoulos The second largest asset of Greek banks after their loan portfolios is bonds. Banks increased these bonds and in 2025, and continued to increase them this year in the first quarter both Piraeus and Eurobank. In particular, in 2025 banks added EUR 10,6 billion [...]
German bank Berenberg recommends that investors direct 45% of their portfolios to gold, precious metals and bitcoin, 20% to commodities and 35% to shares, completely avoiding bonds. Strategic analysts, led by Jonathan Stubbs, argue that the environment of geopolitical instability, persistent inflation and high state debt favours this distribution. The bank estimates that a possible deal between Donald Trump and Shi Jinping within the next month could boost the stock markets, despite the six key risks it detects.
The bet of geopolitical de-escalation plays the market that yesterday closed with a slight rise of 0.22% in 2.289.44 units, near the high of the day but with lower transactions than in previous days at 287.5 million euros, 93% of which involved transactions in FTSE 25 shares. Banks continue to give the tone but [...]
European defence shares recorded a sharp drop of up to 7%, following statements by Kirillo Budanov, a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volontimir Zelenski, that a peace agreement with Russia can be reached soon. Shares such as Rheinmetall, Hensoldt and Leonardo, which had been ejected 500% since February 2022, retreated significantly. Instead, construction companies and cement companies were strengthened over 5% due to expectations of post-war reconstruction. Analysts point out that the market questions whether governments will continue high defence spending, even though participants remain cautious about the outcome of the talks.
