Leading Ukrainian shares edged down over the past week amid weak demand and traders predicted further slides next week due to low investor interest and a generally downward trend on world markets.
         The benchmark PFTS 14-share index eased by 1.37 percent to 57.19 on Friday compared to 57.98 last week.
         "The trade was really weak,'' said Andriy Talko at Prospekt investment company. "Our small market was asleep, and the donwward trend in the United States and around the world also had its negative impact.''
         Trade turnover, including treasury bills and promissory notes as well as shares, fell to 15.39 million hryvnias ($2.83 million) over the week from 44.31 million hryvnias a week ago.
         "There is a lack of local funds to support the market in conditions when foreign investors do not rush to buy Ukrainian papers,'' another trader said.

He said the demand focused mainly on shares in electricity generating companies.
         Shares in electricity generator Dniproenergo fell to 115.00 hryvnias on Friday from 121.55 hryvnias previously, while shares in other generator Tsentrenergo eased to 0.82 hryvnias on Friday from 0.84 hryvnias a week ago.
         There are 432 companies traded on the PFTS electronic share trading system. ($-5.4371 hryvnias)