Greek equities and country-specific exchange traded fund stood out among the emerging markets, strengthening after the European Central Bank lowered the cap on emergency liquidity assistance and the economy shifts out of a prolonged recession.
The Global X MSCI Greece ETF (NYSEArca: GREK) gained 1.3% Friday, rising for the fourth consecutive session. GREK has increased 3.7% over the past week while the broader MSCI Emerging Market Index dipped 1.3%.
Greece’s markets strengthened after the ECB lowered the borrowing ceiling for Greek banks by 200 million euros to 50.9 billion euros, or $54.54 billion, Reuters reports
The move reflects the improving liquidity conditions in the Greek banking sector and the stabilization of private sector deposits, according to the Bank of Greece. Market observers anticipate the improved liquidity situation could attract greater foreign investments.
Greek banks led gains Friday, supporting the broader market. The financial sector also makes up the largest portion of GREK’s underlying portfolio, accounting for 29.2% of the ETF.
Athens has been going through with agreed economic changes, including labor market reforms and privatizations, which could help the country secure a restructuring of its mountain of bailout loans and allow the country to run a small budget surplus in the future, the Wall Street Journal reports.