Since the start of the correction period on BSE, SOFIX has been fluctuating around its mid-September levels. At least that was the case until a few days ago. In the last two trade session we witnessed a sharp decline in stocks and active cashing on the positions of the blue chips.

This week the index broke two benchmark levels – first the 1600, and today the 1500 points, ending the session at 1482.39, or 5.06% down from opening. The last time SOFIX neared those levels was in mid-July.

BG40 lost 6.32% today to 432.81. In spite of the deepening correction, the broad indicator still manages to stay above its mid-September levels.

The real estate investment trust index BGREIT plunged below its base 100 points, dropping 3.66% to 98.31 today. BGTR30 also fell below its starting 1000 points, losing 5.39% to 953.86.

BSE's daily turnover came to 17.187 mln leva (8.787 mln euros). Just 16 out of 167 active issues ended on positive territory. The value of block and other reported OTC transactions stood at 2.588 mln leva (1.323 mln euros).

Only two companies in SOFIX advanced today - Petrol Jsc and Elana Agricultural Land Opportunity REIT. The stock of the local fuel distributor added 3.99% to an average of 5.48 leva at a turnover of 170,200 shares. The price varied between 4.9 and 6.06 leva.

Elana Agricultural Land Opportunity REIT eked 0.88% to 2.3 leva on average. 99,912 shares changed hands today at prices between 2.3 and 2.33 leva.

Today's biggest decliner was Central and Cooperative Bank. The stock plunged 12.45% and closed at an average of 8.16 leva at a turnover of 33,554 shares.

Industrial Holding Bulgaria also suffered a serious loss – 9.49% to 8.96 leva. 25,525 shares changed hands today.

The Ruse-based paints and lacquers manufacturer Orgachim lost 9.25% and closed at an average of 524.53 at a turnover of 1,508 shares.

Toplivo Jsc plunged 8.91% after 11,705 shares changed hands at prices between 24.2 and 26.51 leva and settled at 25.14 leva.

On that background the declines on the positions of Bulgarian-American Credit Bank and Sopharma looked less worrying. The bank's stock fell 3.14% to 70.3 leva after 612 shares changed hands.

According to unaudited data BACB posts non-consolidated profit in the amount of 51.1 mln leva ( 26.127 mln euros) for 2007. This is a 51.7% hike versus the 33.686 mln leva (17.223 mln euros) reported for the fiscal 2006.

Shares of Sopharma dipped 3.94% to an average of 7.81 leva at a turnover of 27,434.

CompanyAverage Stock Price (BGN)ChangeAlbena Jsc95,3-4,99%Elana Agricultural Land REIT2,30,88%Euroins13,57-6,22%IH Bulgaria8,96-9,49%Kaolin15,45-7,15%M+S Hydraulic11,73-4,40%Monbat25,45-6,40%Neochim63,59-4,40%Orgachim524,53-9,25%Petrol5,483,99%Sopharma7,81-3,94%Sparky Eltos14,08-5,88%BACB70,3-3,14%CCB8,16-12,45%Toplivo25,14-8,91%Chimimport12,5-5,30%