Greece Extends Market Shutdown as Government Begins Discussions

The Greek government extended the shutdown of its financial markets at least through Monday as it prepared to welcome creditors for negotiations on a third bailout program.

A decision on when and under what conditions Greek markets will reopen was deferred to next week, a government official told reporters on Thursday, asking not to be named in line with policy. The Athens Stock Exchange, multilateral trading facility and electronic secondary market for bonds have been closed since June 29, when the government issued a decree imposing capital controls and a forced bank holiday.