Utilities, oil and gas and pharmaceutical companies had the best financial performances in the first half of the year among the Bucharest Stock Exchange listed companies, according to a recent report by brokerage company Tradeville. Chemical, metallurgical and car industries, which posted poorer financial results, but which witnessed a positive variation against the BET index, were also mentioned in the report.

“For the second half of the year the situation remains difficult, as the effects of the austerity measures taken by the Government will be visible. The recession exit model based on exports used by other countries in Eastern Europe remains an uncertainty for Romania, while internal consumption is still a problem, although it has seen a slight comeback,” writes Tradeville in its recent market report.

On the energy segment, Transgaz posted a net profit increase of 56 percent in the first half of the year while the natural gas consumption went down. Transelectrica's operational profit went down by 53.6 percent during this period while the energy transport tariff went up, and so did the price for a Mwh.

From the pharma sector, Zentiva had the most consistent turnover increase – up 35 percent, according to Tradeville. The net profit tripled. Farmaceutica Remedia grew its turnover by 24 percent and its profit two-fold. Antibiotice Iasi saw its business up 21.5 percent but posted a loss, while Biofarm went up 7 percent in turnover, with a profit 30 percent higher, according to Tradeville's report.

On the chemical sector, fertilizers producer Azomures Targu Mures Grew its turnover by 65 percent and its profit by a whooping 7.2 times compared to the entire 2009.