It seems as the investors on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange (BSE) do not share the optimism of Bulgarian prime-minister Sergey Stanishev. Bulgaria will be among the few European countries to post GDP growth in 2009, Stanishev said at yesterday's economic forum. "Nevertheless the government has prepared buffers which may be triggered in various scenarios."

BSE's indexes posted their fourth straight decline today. The SOFIX shed 0.97% to 262.18 points. The broader BG40 slipped by 2.3%, to 85.82 points. BG REIT and BG TR30 lost 0.35 and 0.48%, to 40.04 and 189.4 points, respectively.

BSE's overall turnover exceeded 672,000 today, while the value of the over-the-counter deals topped 236,000 leva as at 2:20 p.m. A total of 73 issues were traded on the day with 22 of the companies posting stock price gains.

Polimeri was among today's biggest advancers. The stock of the company appreciated by 22.55%, to 1.35 leva per share. The traded volume on the position came to 1,290 shares.

Other notable advancers today included M+S Hydraulic (+8.31%, to 3.9 leva) and Sparky Eltos (+6.51%, to 1.31 leva).

Holding Roads' stock appreciated by 4.97%, to 1.97 leva per share today. A total of 4 884 shares in the company traded hands on the day. Moststroy advanced by 1.57%, to 1.88 leva per share. Trace Group Hold's stock edged slightly down to 25 leva, aftaer only 26 shares traded.

Other advancers today also included Eurohold Bulgaria (+3.52%, to 0.77 leva), Industrial Holding Bulgaria (+2.46%, to 1.04 leva) and Chimimport (+0.41%, to 1.22 leva).

Bankings stock ended the day mostly lower. Central Cooperative Bank was the only gainer advancing by 0.86%, to 0.82 leva per share. Decliners included First Investment Bank (-2.04%, to 1.15 leva), Corporate Commercial Bank (-6.47%, to 70.15 leva) and Bulgarian-American Credit Bank (-1.22%, to 8 leva).

The news flow in the banking sector is quite dynamic but mostly negative. Nevertheless, the government reiterated yesterday that one of its main priorities is to maintain the stability of the financial and the banking system in the country.