Slovenian Stock Indices Lose Ground in Lower Turnover

The blue-chip SBITOP index of the Ljubljana Stock Exchange (LJSE) fell 1.17% to close at 1,452.54 and the broader 15-share SBI20 index lost 1.2% to 6,528.34.

LJSE's total turnover fell to 1.95 million euro ($2.8 million) on Friday from 2.68 million euro on Thursday.

Market analysts have said the Slovenian capital market is under the influence of foreign markets and movements on the LJSE do not depend on the current political situation in the country.

According to partial results from the state election commission on Sunday, the opposition leftist Social Democrats (SD) had a narrow lead over centre-right SDS of Prime Minister Janez Jansa. Analysts said the leftist opposition will most probably form the next Slovenian government.

Shares of heavyweight blue-chip drug maker Krka were the most traded on Friday, local brokerage house Ilirika said in a daily note. Krka lost 0.77% to an average price of 80.04 euro on turnover of some 372,000 euro.

Logistics company Intereuropa was the biggest blue-chip loser, falling 4.96% to 20.90 euro on some 26,000 euro of turnover. Intereuropa was the top blue-chip gainer on Thursday, rising 7.06%.

Brewer Pivovarna Lasko was the only blue-chip gainer on Friday, rising 1.88% to 64.03 euro on turnover of some 24,000 euro. Pivovarna Lasko was the top blue-chip decliner on Thursday, falling 2.93% with only 20 shares changing hands.

Market analysts expect trading in low turnovers to continue on the LJSE as investors remain cautious.

($ = 0.6829 euro)