Electric tools maker Sparky Eltos, mining company Kaolin and insurer Euroins entered the blue-chip Sofix index, of the most liquid shares on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange (BSE), on September 13, at the expense of insurer DZI and pharmaceutical company Biovet.

The index now covers the performance of 17 companies instead of the previous 16. This is the index’s third revision over the past the year. In February it was reshuffled twice, in successive weeks, to welcome the Bulgarian Telecommunications Company (BTC), Industrial Holding Bulgaria, fuel retailer Toplivo, Bulgarian American Credit Bank and real estate investment trust Elana Agricultural Land Opportunity Fund. Stock exchange new-comer, car battery maker Monbat was added later.

In general, since the beginning of the year, the shares of 28 new issuers have been listed on the BSE, including 15 special-purpose investment companies. Twenty bond issues and units in seven common funds have also been listed. Kaolin AD-Senovo, CB Corporate Commercial Bank AD-Sofia, CB First Investment Bank AD-Sofia, Devin AD-Sofia, Bianor AD-Sofia and SBS AD-Sofia have launched initial public offerings to raise new capital.

Of the 374 companies listed on the BSE, 19 are on the Official Market. The market capitalisation of the BSE on September 10 was about 25.5 billion leva, over 48.2 per cent of Bulgaria’s expected gross domestic product for 2007. Market capitalisation increased by 65 per cent from the 15.314 billion leva on December 22, 2006. The Sofix index stood at 1627.09 points on September 10. The index had risen more than 70.7 per cent, year-on-year and 32.3 per cent since January 2007. The BG40 index grew 145.4 per cent to 431.61 points on September 10 an increase of 114.8 per cent since January 2007.

The two new indices, BG REIT and BG Total Return 30, which were launched on September 3, stood at 98.92 and 1020.27 points, respectively, on September 10.

The two main share indices of the BSE rose to all-time highs amid positive sentiment on September 10. The value of the Sofix, 1627.09 points, increased by 0.49 per cent to close the third session in a row at an all-time high, while the BG40 gained 0.52 per cent, a record high of 431.61 points.

Among the biggest gainers on September 10 were blue-chip car battery maker MonBat and diversified holding company Doverie Obedinen Holding, part of the BG40.

MonBat added 3.82 per cent to close at 23.5 leva, after peaking to a record 23.5 leva during the session. Doverie finished at 13.3 leva, up 9.9 per cent, after hitting an all-time high of 13.45 leva.

About 87 000 shares changed hands at prices between 0.36 and 0.60 leva. The rights for the capital increase of blue-chip holding company Chimimport attracted strong investor interest.

Chimimport plans to issue 20 000 000 shares ,with a face value of one lev each, and an issue price of 11 leva per share in the capital hike. Its stock closed at 14.05 leva, up 0.36 per cent.

September 10 was the first trading day for the shares of Bianor and Specialised Business Systems. The companies outperformed but only small volumes of shares were traded.