There are approximately 14,000* companies registered and operating within the Stara Zagora District. A few hundred more companies with registrations in other Bulgarian regions have retail stores or/and representative offices in different settlements in the Stara Zagora Region. Over 10,000 of all companies in the district are micro-companies, i.e. enterprises or traders with up to 9 employees.
In 2008, the total operational revenues of the companies in the district amount to BGN 8,863 mln. The reported NSR total BGN 7,876 mln., i.e. an annual growth rate of 14%. The top 100 companies generate total net sales revenues of BGN 4,468 (see the ranking on p. 61)
The operating expenses of the companies in the region total BGN 8,171 mln. The Net Profit (after taxation) amounts to BGN 613 mln., which is BGN 85 mln. more as compared to the previous year, or 16% growth rate. Half of the total profit is a result of the activity of the 100 top ranked companies by this financial index (see the ranking on p. 64).
Trade companies are still the most numerous (approximately 6,000) in the Stara Zagora District, the majority of which are retail sellers.
The top 6 companies in terms of NSR are engaged in the energy sector: production and distribution of electrical energy, coal mining as well as companies dealing with wholesale trade in fuels.
Among the leaders in terms of reported profit are, beside companies engaged in the energy sector, also companies from the Manufacture of Food and Beverages Industry.
| Year | Top 100 companies | Top 500 companies | All companies |
| 2002 | 1,813 | 2,903 | 3,285 |
| 2003 | 1,941 | 3,157 | 3,526 |
| 2004 | 2,722 | 3,494 | 4,319 |
| 2005 | 3,222 | 4,125 | 5,064 |
| 2006 | 3,739 | 4,862 | 5,969 |
| 2007 | 4,18 | 5,52 | 6,931 |
| 2008 | 4,468 | 6,141 | 7,876 |
| index 2008/2007 (2007 = 100) | 107 | 111 | 114 |
* Information refers to the fiscal year 2008, based on the official data released by the Regional Statistics Office – Stara Zagora for companies from the non-financial sector registered and operating within the Stara Zagora District and having NSR exceeding BGN 100,000.
** The cited figures refer to companies reporting their activity within the Stara Zagora District. The totals do not include the turnover and profits of branches and local offices of big commercial networks operating in Bulgaria (for food and beverages, fuels, household appliances, etc.). Data related to the local activities of companies registered within other districts of Bulgaria, such as BTC (Bulgarian Telecommunication Company), BDZ EAD (Bulgaria State Railways), the mobile network operators, as well as banks, insurance and leasing companies, etc., are not included either.
