2nd Quarter 2006 Report

The market performance of Bulgarian Stock Exchange-Sofia for the first half of 2006 was relatively good, although compared to the total results reported for the first half of 2005, all volumes decreased. The decrease was mainly conditioned by the low number of negotiated and other registered trades, lack of privatizations proceeding through the Exchange, respectively low trading in compensation instruments, etc. But if we compare the regular trading in equities and corporate bonds in the reported periods, then we’ll see a 162%-growth in volume and 55%-growth in traded value The total market capitalization as of 30.06.2006 went up to BGN 9,914,394,123, which was a 17%-growth, compared to the end of the 2nd quarter of 2005. The indexes of BSE-Sofia also kept their upward trend. The SOFIX started the year 2006 at 825.53 points to reach 885.25 as of the end of the 2nd quarter. The BG40 started the New Year 2006 at 133.42 points and its total growth for the first six months was 18%.