The Athens Exchange (ATHEX) in agreement with the management of the Association of Members of the Athens Exchange (SMEHA) decided than on 24/12/2004 and 31/12/2004, respectively, the Securities and Derivatives Markets will operate on a "Short day", i.e. will close earlier than the usual hours of trading, aligning thus its policy with that of other European developed capital markets.

More specifically, for the Equities markets the following program will be in effect:

The Derivatives Market will close at 14:15 (local time) with the participation of market makers until 14:00 for all products except for the EUR/USD contracts for which market makers will participate until 14:15.