A total of 26 companies, accounting for 65% of the stocks included in the calculation of the broader BG40 index of the Bulgarian Stock Exchange (BSE), ended today's session with gains. The remaining 14 companies closed lower, Proift.bg data show.

Twelve of the constituents of the SOFIX blue-chip index ended higher, while seven shed part of their value on the day.

The BG40 advanced by 0.19% to 346.11 points, while the SOFIX added 0.58% to its value closing at 1,218.88 points. BSE's trading turnover for the day amounted to over 97.6 mln leva (49.9 mln euros).

A total of 20.584 mln shares, accounting for 18.84% of the capital of fuel distributor Petrol, were sold today for 87.07 mln leva. Prior to the transaction Naftex Oil & Shipping Corporation was the owner of the stake, which was acquired by Naftex Petrol in the end of 2005.

Chimimport and Zarnеni Hrani Bulgaria closed up. The stock of the holding company appreciated by 1.31% to an average of 8.51 leva per share, while Zarneni Hrani closed 2.22% higher at an average price of 2.30 leva per share. Albena Invest Holding and Industrial Capital Holding advanced by 1.08 and 0.36% to an average of 15.92 and 8.39 leva per share, respectively.

Sopharma's stock price went 3.48% up to an averagе of 6.25 leva per share, while Enemona advanced by 0.84% to 87.51 leva per share.

Trace Group Hold's stock price depreciated by 2.26% to 114.13 leva per share, while Lomsko Pivo shed 2.8% of its value closing at 3.12 leva per share. Despite the fact that Lead & Zinc Complex announced that the forecasts released in the end of last week are the worst-case scenario, the stock price of the company continued to decline today.

The stock depreciated by 1.72% to 47.45 leva per share on the day. Deals were also sealed at prices ranging between 45 and 55 leva apiece.

Photo: BGNES/ERA