Turnover on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange nearly doubled in the first half of 2026, rising sharply after Bulgaria joined the eurozone in January, the exchange said on July 1.

The jump points to the effect of euro adoption on Bulgaria's capital market, with market participants viewing the switch as reducing currency risk and drawing greater foreign investor participation in local assets.

Total turnover rose 96% year on year to €449mn in January-June, while June alone saw trading volumes jump 105% from the previous month to €141.2mn. The exchange concluded 8,741 deals in June, up 31.17% m/m, with the number of transactions over the first six months rising 41.01% against the same period in 2025.

The benchmark SOFIX index rose 1.10% in June to 1,258.62 points, gaining 8.84% since the start of the year. The broader BGBX40 increased 1.20% in June and is up 6.67% year to date at 217.41 points, while the BGTR30 climbed 2.54% on the month and 6.68% since January to 1,061.39 points.

The property-focused BGREIT slipped 0.21% in June but remains up 0.47% for the year at 231.99 points, while the beamX index stood at 115.21 points, up 3.71% year to date.

The most liquid shares in June were Sopharma with 1,159 transactions, Bulgaria Real Estate Fund REIT with 854, and Chimimport with 659. Nine companies in the SOFIX index posted monthly gains, while six declined.

The strongest performers in June included Chimimport, up 13.59%, Eleven Capital, up 11.25%, and Smart Organic, up 6.54%. The biggest decliners were Wiser Technology, down 13.41%, Bulgarian Stock Exchange, down 11.64%, and Bulgaria Real Estate Fund REIT, down 2.22%.