Russia and Ukraine continued to tantalize the international public with contradictory information as regards to finding a solution to the gas conflict, which affected directly many European countries, including Bulgaria. There are no clear signals so far that the two countries are close to reaching an agreement.

A total of 45% of the normal levels of gas supplies in Bulgaria are secured at present, prime-minister Sergey Stanishev said.

The lack of clarity as regards to the impact of the global financial crisis on the Bulgarian economy and its development, as well as the obscurity surrounding the restart of the normal supply of Russian gas to Bulgaria are having an impact on investors' willingness to seal deals on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange (BSE). Furthermore, the non-consolidated reports of the public companies are expected by the end of the month.

BSE's turnover was yet again at the "sanitary" minimum today. The turnover came to 1.06 mln leva, while the value of the deals sealed on the over-the-counter market exceeded 715,000 leva as at 2:45 p.m. A total of 75 issues were traded on the day with 18 of the companies posting stock price gains.

Three of BSE's four indexes ended today's session in negative territory. The SOFIX blue-chip index slipped by 1.01%, to 355.75 points. The broader BG40 shed 0.64%, to 107.99 points, while the BG TR30 declined by 1.26%, to 269.15 points. BG REIT was the only gainer on the day, advancing by 2.01% to 49.19 points.

Enemona's stock continued to appreciate today and the reason for the rally of the stock in the last few days was finally clear. Enemona's stock has appreciated by 25.5%, to 8.8 leva per share in 2008. The company has signed a 150 mln leva public contract with the Ministry of Justice, it emerged earlier today.

Neochim's stock appreciated by 2.78%, to 37 leva per share after it emerged that the fertilizer maker is among the companies that will receive preferentially gas supplies in order to maintain safety at their installations.

Toplivo ended the day 5.88% lower, at 5.6 leva per share. The traded volume on the position came to 7,774 shares.

Banking stocks closed mixed. KTB Advanced by 4.41%, to 71 leva per share. CCB shed 3.57%, to 1.08 leva per share, while FIBank lost 1.6%, to 2.39 leva per share. No deals were sealed in BACB's stock on the day.

Holding Roads ended the day 2.62% lower at 2.97 leva per share, while Moststroy shed 3.67%, to 3.15 leva per share. Trace Group Hold's stock price remained unchanged.