ATHENS (Thomson Financial) - Shares were slightly lower in early afternoon trade, as investors took from profits from blue chips after the past two very bullish gaining sessions.

At 12.10 pm the ASE general index was down 0.3 percent to 2,002.9, with advancers outnumbering decliners, 104 to 49.

The blue chip index was falling 1.1 percent at 1,078.4. Mid caps were 2.2 percent higher at 2,326.9 and small caps were 0.9 percent higher to 431.2.

Lottery operator OPAP SA was down 4.1 percent to 16.68 euros on renewed concerns over the status of its local betting monopoly may be challenged by European rivals.

The banking sector succumbed to profit taking. National Bank of Greece SA was down 1.7 percent to 16.16 euros, Bank of Piraeus SA was down 1.8 percent to 9.72 euros, and Alpha Bank SA was down 3.1 percent to 11.24 euros.

But electricity utility Public Power Corp SA (PPC) was up 2.9 percent to 9.78 euros and bottler Coca-Cola HBC SA was up 2.9 percent to 10.5 euros, both continuing their technical rebounding from recent severe selling pressure. nick.skrekas@thomsonreuters.com ns/jlw

COPYRIGHT

Copyright Thomson Financial News Limited 2008. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Thomson Financial News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Financial News.