Bulgaria: bonds, indices, credit ratings

In Bulgaria, the Ministry of Finance together with the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) regulates the terms and conditions for government bond issues on the domestic market. Trading in government bonds is mediated by primary dealers (banks and investment intermediaries) that have the right to acquire government bonds directly at the auctions organized by the BNB. Government bonds are treasury bills, government bonds, eurobonds.

The size of the corporate bond markets, relative to the size of the government bonds, is fairly small in Bulgaria. In Bulgaria there are no limitations on the issue size. Generally, best effort method is preferred during offerings, rather than firm underwriting. Government bonds are not currently traded at the Bulgarian Stock Exchange-Sofia. Two government bond issues were listed at the Exchange till June 2008 but there was no trading with them. Corporate bonds can be traded both at the Exchange and OTC in Bulgaria. The following types of corporate bonds are available at the Bulgarian Stock Exchange-Sofia: debentures; convertible bonds; mortgage bonds; floating and fixed rate bonds; callable and puttable bonds.