News report of 25.04.2008

* Bosnia *

Bosnia Sarajevo Indices Rise on Greater Demand as Turnover Falls Apr 25, 2008, 16:11 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), April 25 (SeeNews) - Shares on Bosnia’s Sarajevo bourse gained this week following greater investor interest but turnover fell as sellers withdrew because of generally low prices. link

Bosnia Schedule of Events - April 25 - Oct 29 Apr 25, 2008, 10:32 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), April 25 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Bosnia and Herzegovina through October 29. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

* Bulgaria *

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK - European Lobby Group BusinessEurope Sees GDP Growth, Inflation in Bulgaria, Slovenia Slowing in 2009 Apr 25, 2008, 12:56 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 25 (SeeNews) - European lobby group BusinessEurope expects real GDP growth and inflation in Bulgaria and Slovenia to slow down in 2009, although Bulgaria’s real GDP growth will remain high, BusinessEurope said on Friday. link

Bulgarian Hardboard Maker Fazerles Q1 Net Profit Rises 18.5% Y/Y - Table Apr 25, 2008, 10:12 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 25 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian hardboard maker Fazerles said on Friday its net profit for the first quarter of 2008 rose by 18.5% on the year to 1.99 million levs ($1.6 million/1.0 million euro), as sales rose 3.3% and costs fell 0.5%. link

Bulgaria’s Stara Planina Hold Plans up to 3.0% Share Buyback Apr 25, 2008, 12:26 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 25 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s industrial group Stara Planina Hold said on Friday it plans to buy back up to 3.0% of its share capital. link

Bulgarian REIT Agro Finance Sees Net Profit Surging 14 Times in 2010, Plans Four Capital Hikes Apr 25, 2008, 13:02 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 25 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian real estae investment trust (REIT) Agro Finance plans four capital hikes until 2010, when it expects to post a net profit of 49 million levs ($39 million/25 million euro), 14 times more than last year, it said on Friday. link

Bulgarian Cast Iron Foundry Tchugunoleene Plans To Skip 2007 Dividend Apr 25, 2008, 14:39 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 25 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian cast iron foundry Tchugunoleene on Friday proposed to pay no dividend for 2007. link

BULGARIAN HYDRAULIC ELEMENTS MAKER M+S HYDRAULIC SAYS RAISES Q1 NET PROFIT 9.3% Y/Y TO 10.5 MLN EURO Apr 25, 2008, 14:42 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

CORRECTED - BULGARIAN HYDRAULIC ELEMENTS MAKER M+S HYDRAULIC SAYS RAISES Q1 NET PROFIT 17% (NOT 9.3%) Y/Y TO 1.1 MLN EURO (NOT 10.5 MLN EURO) Apr 25, 2008, 14:50 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Bulgarian Battery Producer Elhim-Iskra Q1 Net Profit Rises Six Times Y/Y - Table Apr 25, 2008, 14:50 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 25 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian electric battery producer Elhim-Iskra on Friday said its first-quarter net profit surged six times on the year to 1.025 million levs ($817,000/524,000 euro), as sales rose 56%. link

Bulgaria’s M+S Hydraulic Q1 Net Profit Rises 17% Y/Y - Table Apr 25, 2008, 14:55 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 25 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian hydraulic equipment manufacturer M+S Hydraulic on Friday said it raised its first-quarter net profit by 17% year-on-year to 2.133 million levs ($1.7 million/1.1 million euro) as sales grew 9.3%. link

BULGARIAN CAR BATTERY MAKER MONBAT RAISES Q1 PRE-TAX PROFIT BY 206% Y/Y TO 5.2 MLN EURO Apr 25, 2008, 15:31 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Bulgarian Blue-Chip Car Battery Maker MonBat Raises Q1 Pre-Tax Profit by 206% Y/Y Apr 25, 2008, 15:37 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 25 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s largest car battery manufacturer MonBat on Friday said it raised its pre-tax profit for the first quarter of 2008 by 206% on the year to 10.1 million levs ($8.1 million/5.2 million euro). link

INTERVIEW - Schneider Electric Sees over 100 Mln Euro in SEE Sales in 2008 Apr 25, 2008, 16:26 CET | Interview | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 25 (SeeNews) - International engineering group Schneider Electric sees its sales in Southeast Europe rising to over 100 million euro ($156 million) this year backed by the growth potential of the regional markets in which it will aim to keep or gain a leading role, a senior company official said. link

INTERVIEW - Bulgarian Brewery Lomsko Pivo To Invest 800,000 Euro in 2008, Intensifies Regional Expansion Apr 25, 2008, 17:50 CET | Interview | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 25 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian brewery Lomsko Pivo plans to invest around 1.5 million levs ($1.2 million/800,000 euro) in upgrades this year and is intensifying its regional expansion, the company’s trade director said. link

Bulgaria’s EIBank Q1 Net Profit Down 43.2% Y/Y Apr 25, 2008, 18:06 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 25 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s Economic and Investment Bank (EIBank), majority-owned by Belgian KBC, said on Friday its net profit fell 43.2% on the year to 7.0 million levs ($5.6 million/3.6 million euro) in the first quarter of 2008. link

Bulgarian Pharmaceuticals Maker Bulgarian Rose-Sevtopolis Raises Q1 Net Profit 2.2 Times, Plans to Skip 2007 Dividend Apr 25, 2008, 18:39 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 25 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian pharmaceuticals producer Bulgarian Rose-Sevtopolis on Friday reported a net profit of 348,000 levs ($278,000/177,000 euro) for the first quarter, 2.2 times higher than a year earlier. link

Bulgarian Business Sentiment Index Continues To Rise in April Apr 25, 2008, 10:55 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 25 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s business mood remained positive in April, as the business sentiment index rose slightly for a fourth straight month on more optimistic assessments by managers in the construction, trade and services sectors, the National Statistics Institute (NSI) said on Friday. link

Bulgaria Aims To Cut Jobless Rate Below 5.0% by 2015 Apr 25, 2008, 12:44 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 25 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria will aim to cut the unemployment rate in the country below 5.0% by 2015 from 6.9% in 2007, the deputy Labour Minister said on Friday. link

Bulgaria’s End-March Public Debt Falls 9.5% Y/Y Apr 25, 2008, 12:48 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 25 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s public debt totalled 5.3 billion euro ($8.2 billion) at the end of March, down 9.5% on the year, the Finance Ministry said on Friday. link

ANALYSIS – Traders See Further Turbulence for SEE Markets amid Liquidity Drought Apr 25, 2008, 01:00 CET | Analysis | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 25 (SeeNews) – Global financial woes this year drove investors away from tiny and illiquid stock markets in southeastern Europe (SEE) where valuations were high after a long bull run and further fluctuations can be expected by year’s end, traders said. link

Bulgarian Stock Exchange - Daily Report - April 24, 2008 Apr 25, 2008, 09:29 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Bulgarian Stock Exchange has published its report on turnover and prices for April 24, 2008. link

Bulbrokers - USA Stock Markets Daily Review - April 25, 2008 Apr 25, 2008, 09:46 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews The Positive Sentiment On Wall Street Slowly Comes Back link

Elana - Bulgaria Daily Report - April 24, 2008 Apr 25, 2008, 09:47 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Market Highlights link

FFBH - Bulgaria Morning Update - April 25, 2008 Apr 25, 2008, 11:49 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews MARKET WRAP-UP link

Bulgarian Stocks Rise, May Extend Gains in Month’s Time Apr 25, 2008, 14:46 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 25 (SeeNews) – Bulgarian stocks rose on Friday as investors were pleasantly surprised by some first-quarter corporate financial results and shares could extend gains in a month’s time, brokers said. link

KD Securities - Sofia Stock Exchange Weekly Report - Mar 21 - 25, 2008 Apr 25, 2008, 16:46 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews 1. SOFIA STOCK EXCHANGE EVOLUTION link

Bulgaria Schedule of Events - April 25 - Nov 25 Apr 25, 2008, 08:54 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 25 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Bulgaria through November 25. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

Bulbrokers - Daily FX Analysis - April 25, 2008 Apr 25, 2008, 09:45 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews US dollars remain stabile against the majors link

* Croatia *

Spanish Roca Plans To Invest 4.4 Mln Euro in Its Croatian Arm Inker in 2008 Apr 25, 2008, 12:02 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 25 (SeeNews) – Spanish ceramics producer Roca plans to invest 4.4 million euro ($6.9 million) this year in raising capacity and in new technologies at its Croatian subsidiary, ceramics and porcelain producer Inker, Inker’s CEO said on Friday. link

Croatian Govt Sets Price, Conditions for Sale of 12.46% of Petrokemija to Employees Apr 25, 2008, 13:45 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 25 (SeeNews) – The Croatian government has approved the reference price and the conditions for the sale of 12.46% of mineral fertiliser maker Petrokemija to its current and former employees, the cabinet said on Friday. link

Croatian Expanded Polystyrene Maker Kumal Invests 30 Mln Kuna (4.1 Mln Euro) in New Plant Apr 25, 2008, 14:23 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 25 (SeeNews) – Croatian expanded polystyrene (EPS) manufacturer Kumal has invested 30 million kuna ($6.4 million/4.1 million euro) in a new production unit for sandwich panels to meet strong demand on domestic and foreign markets, it said on Friday. link

Croatia’s Zagrebacka Banka Expects More Than 4.0% Real GDP Growth in Q1 Apr 25, 2008, 18:25 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 25 (SeeNews) – Croatia’s largest commercial bank by assets Zagrebacka Banka said on Friday it expects the country’s real annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the first quarter to quicken to more than 4.0%, after a slowdown in each of the previous three quarters. link

ANALYSIS – Traders See Further Turbulence for SEE Markets amid Liquidity Drought Apr 25, 2008, 01:00 CET | Analysis | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 25 (SeeNews) – Global financial woes this year drove investors away from tiny and illiquid stock markets in southeastern Europe (SEE) where valuations were high after a long bull run and further fluctuations can be expected by year’s end, traders said. link

FIMA Stock Monitor - Daily - April 24, 2008 Apr 25, 2008, 09:42 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Daily comment: link

Erste Securities - Croatian Equity Daily - April 25, 2008 Apr 25, 2008, 11:40 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Highlights: link

Croatian Indices Keep on Rising, Liquidity Falls Apr 25, 2008, 18:12 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 25 (SeeNews) - The Croatian equity market continued rising on Friday, supported by further gains in dry cargo shipping companies and construction firms, but turnover fell, brokers said. link

Croatia Schedule of Events - April 25 - June 4 Apr 25, 2008, 09:26 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 25 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Croatia through June 4. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

* Macedonia *

Macedonian Construction Firm Granit To Pay 1.2% Higher 2007 Dividend Apr 24, 2008, 22:03 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), April 24 (SeeNews) - Macedonian building contractor Granit said on Thursday its net profit rose by one-third last year and it will pay a 1.2% higher dividend for 2007. link

Macedonian Stock Exchange - Daily Report - April 24, 2008 Apr 25, 2008, 09:41 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Macedonian Stock Exchange has published its report on turnover and prices for April 24, 2008. link

* Moldova *

Moldova Statistical Bureau - Monthly Evolution of Consumer Price Indices - 1994 - 2008 - April 18, 2008 Apr 25, 2008, 11:12 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova has published its report on monthly evolution of consumer price indices for March 2008. link

* Montenegro *

European Fund Lends 5.0 Mln Euro to NLB Montenegrobanka To Back Micro and Small Firms Apr 25, 2008, 11:07 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), April 25 (SeeNews) - The European Fund for South East Europe (EFSE) has extended a 5.0 million euro ($7.8 million) loan to Montenegro’s fourth-largest bank, NLB Montenegrobanka, to finance micro and small enterprise (MSE), EFSE said. link

Central Bank of Montenegro - Monthly Bulletin - Mar 2008 Apr 25, 2008, 11:19 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews Central Bank of Montenegro has published its monthly bulletin for March 2008. link

New Securities Exchange of Montenegro - Daily Report - April 24, 2008 Apr 25, 2008, 10:21 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews New Securities Exchange of Montenegro (NEX) has published its daily report on trading volumes and prices for April 24, 2008. link

* Romania *

Romania’s Blue Air To Launch Flights Between Sibiu, Germany’s Cologne in June Apr 25, 2008, 09:24 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 25 (SeeNews) - Romanian low-cost airline Blue Air said on Friday it will launch flights between the central Romanian city of Sibiu and Cologne in Germany in June. link

ROMANIA’S SIF 2 MOLDOVA SAYS TO PAY 21% LOWER GROSS DIVIDEND FOR 2007 Apr 25, 2008, 10:13 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Romanian SIF 2 Moldova To Pay 21% Lower Gross Dividend for 2007 Apr 25, 2008, 10:19 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 25 (SeeNews) - SIF 2 Moldova, one of Romania’s five geographically-defined investment funds, said on Friday it will pay a gross dividend of 0.05 lei ($0.0216 /0.0139 euro) per share for 2007, compared to a gross dividend of 0.063 lei for the previous year. link

Romanian Oil & Gas Co Dafora Sees ’08 Net Profit Up 56% - Table Apr 25, 2008, 10:36 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 21 (SeeNews) - Romanian oil and gas prospecting company Dafora said on Friday it expects its net profit to rise to 22.77 million lei ($9.84 million/6.31 million euro) this year from a net profit of 14.57 million lei in 2007. link

Romanian Chemicals Producer Chimopar Expects To Cut ‘08 Loss by 41% - Table Apr 25, 2008, 12:22 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 25 (SeeNews) - Romanian chemicals producer Chimopar expects to cut its loss to 3.11 million lei ($1.3 million/862,000 euro) this year from 5.29 million lei in 2007, as revenue is seen rising faster than costs. link

ROMANIA’S SIF 4 MUNTENIA SEES ’08 GROSS PROFIT RISING TO 99.70 MLN LEI (27.6 MLN EURO) FROM 95.02 MLN LEI IN ’07 Apr 25, 2008, 14:16 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Romania’s SIF 4 Muntenia Sees 2008 Gross Profit Up 5.0% to 99.7 Mln Lei (27.6 Mln Euro) Apr 25, 2008, 14:45 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 25 (SeeNews) - Romanian investment fund SIF 4 Muntenia expects its gross profit to rise by five percent to 99.7 million lei ($43.1 million/25.3 million euro) this year, it said on Friday. link

Romanian Electric Equipment Manufacturer Electroaparataj Plans to Turn to Profit in 2008 - Table Apr 25, 2008, 14:54 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 25 (SeeNews) - Romanian electric equipment manufacturer Electroaparataj said on Friday it plans to turn to a net profit of 1.8 million lei ($775,300/497,000 euro) this year from a net loss of 10.4 million lei in 2007. link

Romania’s Construction Company Pomponio Plans to Raise 47.5 Mln Lei (13.2 Mln Euro) in IPO Next Month Apr 25, 2008, 15:56 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 25 (SeeNews) - Romanian construction company Pomponio plans to raise 47.5 million lei ($20.6 million/13.2 million euro) in an initial public offering (IPO) of 25% of its capital on the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB) next month, the IPO’s manager said on Friday. link

INTERVIEW - Schneider Electric Sees over 100 Mln Euro in SEE Sales in 2008 Apr 25, 2008, 16:26 CET | Interview | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 25 (SeeNews) - International engineering group Schneider Electric sees its sales in Southeast Europe rising to over 100 million euro ($156 million) this year backed by the growth potential of the regional markets in which it will aim to keep or gain a leading role, a senior company official said. link

Raiffeisen Capital & Investment - Company News Romania - New Hydrogen Plant at Petromidia Refinery - April 25, 2008 Apr 25, 2008, 16:52 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews New hydrogen plant at Petromidia refinery (positive) link

Romania’s Electroputere Extends 2007 Loss by 8.3% to 54.95 Mln Lei (15.2 Mln Euro) - Table Apr 25, 2008, 17:08 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 25 (SeeNews) - Romanian electrical equipment manufacturer Electroputere on Friday reported a final audited loss of 54.95 million lei ($23.8 million/15.2 million euro) for last year, compared with a 50.74 million lei loss in 2006. link

Romanian Car Parts Manufacturer Compa To Pay No 2007 Dividend, Sees 2008 Net Profit Up 38.7% Apr 25, 2008, 17:47 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 25 (SeeNews) - Romanian car parts manufacturer Compa will pay no 2007 dividend and expects its net profit to rise by 38.7% to 10.5 million lei ($4.5 million/2.9 million euro) this year, it said on Friday. link

Slovenian Statistical Office - Business Tendency and Consumer Surveys - April 2008 Apr 25, 2008, 11:22 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews In April 2008 the seasonally adjusted sentiment indicator remained the same as a month before. link

Romanian National Bank - Business Climate Survey, April 2008 Apr 25, 2008, 15:20 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews April 2008: Mixed Developments of Key Indicators in Industry and Favourable Expectations in Construction For April, the estimates of company managers polled by the National Bank of Romania point to mixed developments in key indicators in industry, coupled with favourable expectations in construction, where the activity has a strong seasonal nature.Industrial output is expected to grow further, as illustrated by the balance of answers* standing at +26 percent. The volume of orders in industry is seen posting an uptrend as well, partly driven by the developments in external orders. Against the background of improved weather conditions, the order portfolio and the volume of works in construction are anticipated to follow an enhanced upward path.The same as in March, the opinions on the stocks of finished goods are mixed, pinpointing a possible absorption in industry (albeit at a lower extent, as indicated by the balance of answers standing at -6 percent from -11 percent previously) and a slight build-up in construction (where the balance of answers stands at +9 percent). Stocks of raw materials are foreseen to range within normal limits in both sectors, according to about 93 percent of the respondents.The chief factors stymieing output growth in both sectors will be the subdued demand (revealed by 17 percent of respondents), inter-company arrears and the exchange rate movements.As far as the labour market is concerned, respondentsforesee downsizing to carry on in industry, where the balance of answers stayed in negative territory (-19 percent), yet this development is unlikely to gather considerable momentum since around 60 percent of the polled managers expect this indicator to stabilise in April. By contrast, payrolls in construction are set to grow, with the balance of answers running at +30 percent.For April, expectations hint at further producer price hikes in both industry and construction, as shown by the positive balances of answers standin g at 34 percent and 30 percent respectively. This indicator is see emaining virtually unchanged in the opinion of more than 60 percent of total managers polled. Over the period, investment dynamics in industry is likely to slow down month on month, given that the balance of answers was halved to +20 percent. In construction however, investment costs are expected to bounce back, with the balance of answers reverting to positive territory (46 percent compared to -3 percent). There is little likelihood that the economic performance of companies in industry will post substantial changes, as the related balance of answers remained close to nil. As for construction, improved weather conditions will also boost profits, with the balance of answers standing at +49 percent (from -8 percent in March). link

ANALYSIS – Traders See Further Turbulence for SEE Markets amid Liquidity Drought Apr 25, 2008, 01:00 CET | Analysis | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 25 (SeeNews) – Global financial woes this year drove investors away from tiny and illiquid stock markets in southeastern Europe (SEE) where valuations were high after a long bull run and further fluctuations can be expected by year’s end, traders said. link

Bucharest Stock Exchange - Daily Report - Regulated Market - April 24, 2008 Apr 25, 2008, 09:31 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Bucharest Stock Exchange has published its report on trading volumes and prices on the regulated market for April 24, 2008. link

Ieba Trust - Romanian Market Daily - April 24, 2008 Apr 25, 2008, 09:44 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews The oil sector accounted for 78.18% of the Regular market daily turnover link

Bucharest Stock Exchange - Daily Report - RASDAQ Market - April 24, 2008 Apr 25, 2008, 10:13 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Bucharest Stock Exchange has published its RASDAQ daily market report for April 24, 2008. link

Raiffeisen Capital & Investment - Investment Daily Romania - April 25, 2008 Apr 25, 2008, 11:12 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews HighlightsBVB Trading Calendar - The Bucharest Stock Exchange will be closed next week on Monday, April 28, Thursday, May 1 and Friday, May 2.In the newsSIFs’ extraordinary GSMs did not meet the quorumIn a release to the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB), SIF Banat Crisana (SIF1) has announced that it did not succeed in gathering the necessary quorum for its extraordinary GSM. Consequently, the proposed share capital increase by making use of the retained earnings could not be approved and SIF1 will pay a dividend of RON 0.07 per share. The registration date has been set for May 15. In addition, the others topics on the extraordinary GSM agenda, like the hike of the ownership limit from 1% to 2% (on condition that the law allows it), also could not be legally endorsed by the shareholders.SIF Moldova (SIF2) in its turn informed that its extraordinary GSM did not meet the necessary quorum required by the law. The meetings agenda included several issues like a share capital increas e by making use of the retained earnings and the payment of bonus shares plus changes to its bylaws. As the share capital increase could not be endorsed by the shareholders, SIF2 will pay a dividend of RON 0.05 per share, the registration date being set for May 16.Alro 2008 budgetAlro Slatina (ALR), the aluminum producer,published its 2008 budget. The aluminum producer expects revenues of USD 862 mn, 2.7% higher yoy (USD terms), while the net profit is estimated lower 15% yoy at USD 150 mn. ALR will distribute almost the entire 2007 net profit as dividends. The company will pay a dividend of RON 0.6 per share (dividend yield of 8.3% calculated based on yesterdays closing of RON 7.2 per share). link

Romanian Bourse Rises, Blue-Chip Banks Dominate Apr 25, 2008, 16:30 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 25 (SeeNews) - Romanian stocks gained further ground on Friday in higher but still overall low volumes, as blue-chip banks Banca Transilvania and BRD resumed trading and attracted investor interest, brokers said. link

Romania Schedule of Events - April 25 - June 5 Apr 25, 2008, 09:18 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 25 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Romania through June 5. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

Romanian Leu Slumps Beyond 3.6-per-Euro As Foreigners Buy Euros Apr 25, 2008, 17:26 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 25 (SeeNews) - The Romanian leu on Friday weakened versus the euro to close at 3.6320/70 per euro, compared to Thursday’s closing of 3.5880/5920 on the back of massive euro buying orders from foreign investors, dealers said. link

* Serbia *

ANALYSIS – Traders See Further Turbulence for SEE Markets amid Liquidity Drought Apr 25, 2008, 01:00 CET | Analysis | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 25 (SeeNews) – Global financial woes this year drove investors away from tiny and illiquid stock markets in southeastern Europe (SEE) where valuations were high after a long bull run and further fluctuations can be expected by year’s end, traders said. link

Belgrade Stock Exchange - Daily Report - April 24, 2008 Apr 25, 2008, 09:26 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Belgrade Stock Exchange has published its daily report on trading volumes and prices for April 24, 2008 link

* Slovenia *

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK - European Lobby Group BusinessEurope Sees GDP Growth, Inflation in Bulgaria, Slovenia Slowing in 2009 Apr 25, 2008, 12:56 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 25 (SeeNews) - European lobby group BusinessEurope expects real GDP growth and inflation in Bulgaria and Slovenia to slow down in 2009, although Bulgaria’s real GDP growth will remain high, BusinessEurope said on Friday. link

STOCKWATCH – Raiffeisen Keeps “Hold” Recommendation, Target Price for Slovenia’s Gorenje Apr 25, 2008, 18:16 CET | Analysis | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), April 25 (SeeNews) - Austria’s Raiffeisen Centrobank (RCB) on Friday maintained its “hold” recommendation on Slovenian household appliances manufacturer Gorenje and kept its target price for the company’s share at 37 euro ($58). link

SLOVENIA’S RUBBER-TO-TOURISM GROUP SAVA PROPOSES TO PAY ’07 GROSS DIVIDEND OF 3.0 EURO/SHARE VS 2.8 EURO/SHARE FOR ’06 Apr 25, 2008, 11:19 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Slovenia’s Sava Proposes To Pay Higher 2007 Gross Dividend of 3.0 Euro/Share Apr 25, 2008, 11:32 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), April 25 (SeeNews) - Slovenian rubber-to-tourism group Sava will propose to pay a gross dividend of 3.0 euro ($4.7) per share for 2007, up from 2.8 euro it paid for the previous year, it said on Friday. link

Slovenia’s Abanka Vipa Proposes To Pay Flat 2007 Gross Dividend Apr 25, 2008, 11:48 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), April 25 (SeeNews) - Slovenia’s third-largest bank by assets, Abanka Vipa, will propose to pay a gross dividend of 1.01 euro ($1.6) per share for 2007, unchanged from the previous year, it said on Friday. link

Slovenia’s Abanka Vipa Q1 Parent Net Profit Falls 8.7% Y/Y Apr 25, 2008, 12:12 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), April 25 (SeeNews) - Slovenia’s third-largest bank by assets, Abanka Vipa, said on Friday its first-quarter parent net profit fell to 10.112 million euro ($15.7 million) from 11.076 million euro a year ago. link

Slovenia’s March Tourist Numbers Unchanged Y/Y, Overnights Down 2.0% Y/Y Apr 25, 2008, 12:37 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), April 25 (SeeNews) - The number of tourists staying in Slovenia in March remained almost unchanged from a year earlier at 166,135, the State Statistics Office said on Friday. [link]->http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/slovenia_smarchtouristnumbersunchangedy_y_overnightsdown2_0_y_y-121312]

Slovenian Central Bank - Monthly Bulletin - Mar 2008 Apr 25, 2008, 13:46 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Slovenian Central Bank has released its monthly bulletin on Economic and Financial Development for March 2008. link

Slovenia’s April Economic Sentiment Index Remains Flat M/M Apr 25, 2008, 12:53 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), April 25 (SeeNews) - Slovenia’s seasonally-adjusted economic sentiment index remained unchanged in April from a month earlier, the Statistics Office said on Friday. link

Slovenian Central Bank - Monthly Bulletin - Mar 2008 - Summary Apr 25, 2008, 13:34 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The indicators from the international environment point to a slowdown in economic activity, while the financial crisis in the USA continues to deepen. Economic growth in the USA and the euro area slowed in the final quarter of last year, taking the growth figures for the year overall to 2.2% in the USA and 2.6% in the euro area. The euro is appreciating, and averaged USD 1.55 in March. In the context of rising oil price, the price averaging over USD 100 per barrel in March, and higher food prices, initial estimates put inflation at 3.5% in the euro area in March, and 4.0% in the USA in February. link

ANALYSIS – Traders See Further Turbulence for SEE Markets amid Liquidity Drought Apr 25, 2008, 01:00 CET | Analysis | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 25 (SeeNews) – Global financial woes this year drove investors away from tiny and illiquid stock markets in southeastern Europe (SEE) where valuations were high after a long bull run and further fluctuations can be expected by year’s end, traders said. link

Slovenia Schedule of Events - April 25 - June 4 Apr 25, 2008, 07:00 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), April 25 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Slovenia through June 4. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

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