A total of 23% of the capital of Slantse Stara Zagora Tabac, or 272,140 shares, traded hands on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange (BSE) on Tuesday. Most of the stocks changed hands in four big deals at a price of 7.50 leva per share. The stock appreciated by nearly 60% on the day. Trade in the tobacco company accounted for the bulk of today's turnover on BSE.

The Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism announced today plans to start the privatization procedure of Bulgartabac Holding in the first quarter of 2010, which barely affected the stock price of the company.

A total of 20 shares in Bulgartabac Holding were traded today at a price of 21.00 leva per share. The stock appreciated by 2.44%.

Most banking stocks posted price gains on the day: First Investment Bank (+1.97%, to 2.69 leva), Corporate Commercial Bank (+0.56%, to 60.33 leva) and Bulgarian-American Credit Bank (+3.45%, to 18.00 leva). Central Cooperative Bank's stock price went down by 1.37%, to 1.44 leva per share.

UniCredit Group's experts forecast bad loans in Bulgaria will peak in the second half of 2010 at 10% of the overall credit portfolio of the banks

A total of 10 303 shares in Holding Roads were transferred on the day. The stock appreciated by 4.98%, to 2.81 leva per share. Moststroy was also among today's gainers, advancing by 0.47% to 4.32 leva per share. Trace Group Hold closed 1.86% up at 71.30 leva per share.

A total of 45,439 shares in Monbat changed hands on the day. The stock lost 0.74% of its value to 6.70 leva per share.