BSE-Sofia to be put for sale again (NEUTRAL)

Bulgaria’s government will once again attempt to privatise the 50% stake in the local bourse in a package with 43.7% of the Central Depository. BSE-Sofia itself holds 6.61% of the Central Depository, so the future strategic investor would control the two companies. The last attempt to sell the stock exchange was halted last year due to a court complaint for the choice of a consultant. The privatisation agency is expected to re-launch the procedure by the end of February. Deutsche Boerse, the Warsaw Stock Exchange, the Wiener Bourse and the Istanbul Stock Exchange are pointed as potential bidders.