In August, summer-time tendencies continued to dominate the securities market. The total securities turnover, equalling LTL 77 million, was the lowest not only this year but also during five last years. With the share demand down by more than a quarter, share turnover, as compared to the previous month, decreased by 7.4% to LTL 23.6 million (by 42% less than in August 2001). In the total turnover, share turnover accounted for 31%. Trading volumes of the Government securities declined by 62% and reached LTL 53.4 million (a decrease of 47% as compared with the corresponding period last year). It should be noted that shares of Lifosa AB, which is currently undergoing the restructurisation, accounted for as much as 66% of the total share turnover. Eolian Trading Limited (Cyprus) acquired a 77.86% block of shares of the latter company from other shareholders.
With regard to equity trading results in August and during 8 months of the current year, several more distinct tendencies could be pointed out, namely, decreasing turnovers by block transactions, more active trading on the central market, and the rising of the total share price level. During eight months of the current year, the total securities turnover at the Stock Exchange reached LTL 1,090.6 million, which is slightly more than during the corresponding period in 2001. However, shares turnover accounted for 22%, whereas in 2001 it made 31%. Trading in shares on the central market increased by one forth, and that by block transactions was twice smaller. As there was no clear leader, in August, share turnovers of eight companies were over LTL 250 thousand. Since the beginning of the year, the central market share turnover accounted for 38% (cf. 22% in 2001).
Market participants respond to the issuersí stock events and other topical information more actively, which is clearly reflected by changes in share prices. Following announcements about the increasing production volumes and positive results of performance, share prices of electronics and energy companies went up. Slightly poorer results of dairy companies lowered the prices of these issuers. During the month under review, capitalisation of listed shares improved by 3%, values of LITIN-G and LITIN-10 indices went up by more than 2%, and since the beginning of the year - by 8.5% and 10%, respectively. A 2.4% fall of the Official List index LITIN was caused by more than a 6% decline in the share price Lietuvos Telekomas. Since the beginning of the year, this index has lost 7% of its weight.
