The slump of the Bulgarian Stock Exchange deepened today. Despite yesterday's breath of fresh air for the SOFIX, the blue-chip index hit a new low since the start of the correction a year ago.

The blue-chip index slipped by 5.83% to 33-month low 839.35 points. For the last time the SOFIX closed at similar levels on January 10, 2006.

The broader BG40 index managed to pare its losses from the early session, when it slipped to under 200 points. The index ended the day 2.35% down at 202.46 points.

The BG REIT and BG TR30 indexes declined by 2.54% and 3.49%, to 80.94 and 560.15 points, respectively.

BSE's trading turnover was considerably lower today, compared to the last few days. Stocks for 2.27 mln leva traded hands today, while the value of the over-the-counter deals came to 94,000 leva. BSE's market capitalization amounted to 17.81 bln leva. A total of 121 issues were traded today. Eighteen of the stocks ended the day higher.

Stara Planina Hold stock price went up by 5.15% today after several days of declines. The volume on the position amounted to 19,690 shares, while the average price of the stock settled at 3.08 leva apiece.

Unlike Stara Planina Hold the stocks of the three other companies traded on BSE's most prestigious segment posted stock price declines. Industrial Holding Bulgaria lost 5.63% on the day, while the average price of the stock slipped to 4.96 leva per share.

Albena Invest Holding's market capitalization declined by 4.42% in the last deal for the day. A total of 1,815 shares in the company changed hands on the day, while the average price of the stock settled at 7.65 leva per share.

Synergon Holding lost 3.23% on the day. The traded volume on the position came to 3,738 shares, while the average price of the stock stood at 4.56 leva per share.

Orgachim and Petrol were the only advancers among the stocks traded on Segment B of BSE's Official market. Orgachim's stock appreciated by 2.96%. A total of 223 shares were traded on the position, while the average price of the stock amounted to 132.08 leva per share.

Petrol's market capitalization went up by 2.94%. The total volume on the position came to 1,590 shares, traded at an average price of 7.65 leva per share.

Decliners today included Sopharma (-7.42%, average price of 3.03 leva per share), CCB (-3.33%, average price of 2.87 leva per share), Doverie United Holding (-2.21%, average price of 5.52 leva per share), Monbat (-6.73%, average price of 9.77 leva per share), Chimimport (-7.05%, average price of 5.64 leva per share). Lead & Zinc Complex lost 10.38% of its market capitalization. The average price of the stock settled at 20.97 leva per share.

The stock price of Oil & Gas Exploration & Production went 0.53% down today. A total of 12,281 shares in the company changed hands at an average price of 5.83 leva per share.

Toplivo was among today's losers on BSE's Unofficial market. The stock of the company depreciated by 9.33% after 24,682 shares traded. The average price of the stock stood at 14.94 leva per share.

The market capitalization of Euroins declined by 13.19% today. The average price of the stock settled at 5.05 leva per share. Bulstrad also ended the day on negative territory. The stock depreciated by 4.61% after 106 shares traded hands on the day. The average price came to 103.66 leva per share.

First Investment Bank (-7.41%, average price of 5.28 leva per share) and Bulgarian American Credit Bank (-9.51%, average price of 46.77 leva per share) were also among today's decliners.
Medica was the most advancing stock on the day. A total of 17,036 shares changed hands in the company, while the stock appreciated by 17.24%. The average price settled at 3.43 leva per share.