The broader BG40 index of the Bulgarian Stock Exchange (BSE) closed at the record high 619.99 points in the beginning of October 2007 having reached 640.60 points earlier in the same session.

Today, seven months later, the index is at 309.78 points, which represents a decrease of 50.03% since last October. The index is currently at a 10.5-month low, Profit.bg data show.

One fourth of the companies included in the calculation of the index have lost over 50% of their market value since October.

Zaharni Zavodi (-69%) is the biggest decliner, followed by Orgachim (-62.61%) and Lead & Zinc Complex (-61.35%).

Central Cooperative Bank, Bulgarian River Shipping, Euroins, Fazerles, Bulgarska Roza-Sevtopolis, Chimimport and Synergon Holding have each lost over 50% of their market capitalization since October.

Elana Agricultural Land Opportunity Fund REIT (-4%), Aroma and Advance Invest have registered the smallest declines in the period. Petrol (+94.77%) was the only stock included in the calculation of the BG40 that has appreciated since last October.