The government's forecasts for 4.5-percent GDP growth in 2009 obviously differs from investors' expectations.

The assets traded on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange (BSE) continued to plunge today. The SOFIX blue-chip index dropped a more than a five-year low, while the BG40 index of the most traded stocks plummeted to under the 100-point mark. The SOFIX slumped by 10.74%, to 322.6 points today, while the BG40 dropped by 10.52%, to 96.72 points.

The BG REIT shed 3.59%, to 48.82 points, while the BG TR30 lost 8.64% of its value ending the day at 257.01 points.

BSE's overall turnover came to 28.02 mln leva on the day. Trade in Petrol's stock once again accounted for the bulk of the figure. More than 2.7 mln shares in the company changed hands on the day. A total of 2.7 mln shares in Petrol changed hand at a price of 9.1 leva per share for a total of 24.57 mln leva. The value of the over-the-counter transactions amounted to 1.37 mln leva as at 2:00 p.m.

A total of 120 issues were traded on the day, while only 15 of the stocks posted gains.

Central Cooperative Bank's stock price remained under 1 leva per share today. The stock appreciated by 2.5%, to 0.82 leva. The other three banks posted stock price losses. First Investment Bank's stock depreciated by 15.44%, to 2.41 leva per share. Corpoprate Commercial Bank slipped by 2.25%, 65 leva per share, while Bulgarian American Credit Bank ended the day 22.58% lower at 12 leva per share.

The holding companies traded on segment A of BSE's Official market posted steep declines on the day. Industrial Holding Bulgaria's stock price dropped by 26.04% to 1.44 leva per share. Stara Planina Hold lost 8.67%, to 1.58 leva per share. Synergon Holding ended the day 15.56% lower at 2.19 leva per share. Albena Invest Holding shed 4.76%, to 4 leva per share.

Chimimport's stock depreciated by 8.49%, to 1.8 leva per share. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production dropped by 13.33%, to 3.38 leva per share, while Bulgarian River Shipping slumped by 30.95%, to 1.45 leva per share.

Some of today's other decliners included Sopharma (-5.16%, to 1.91 leva per share), Bulgarska Roza-Sevtopolis (-19.44%, to 0.58 leva per share), Doverie United Holding (-1.28%, to 7.6 leva per share). Monbat skidded 9.82% lower to 4.42 leva per share. The company launched its fourth share buyback procedure today at prices between 4 and 7 leva per share.

Neochim's stock lost further 17.03% of its value today closing at 27 leva per share. Toplivo shed 14.02%, to 5.28 leva per share.

Hydraulic Elements & Systems (-12.76%, to 4.1 leva per share), Elhim Iskra (-13.61%, to 1.6 leva per share) and M+S Hydraulic (-19.19%, to 4 leva per share) double-digit declines in stock value.

Eurohold Bulgaria's stock depreciated by 9.33%, to 1.75 leva per share, while Euroins' stock slipped by 0.16%, to 2.6 leva per share.

Infrastructure companies also posted declines on the day. Moststroy's stock price went 12.93% down to 3.5 leva per share, while Holding Roads shed 10.38%, to 2.59 leva per share. Trace Group Hold lost 10.8%, to 29 leva per share.

Medica and Lomsko Pivo dropped by 1.14% and 9.19%, to 1.73 and 1.58 leva, respectively.