Index consolidates

The Malta Stock Exchange share index lost 17.75 points or 0.585 per cent over the week and now stands at 3,015.336.

Bank of Valletta shares opened the week's trading at Lm4.56 on Monday and went down to close at Lm4.499 as yesterday's session ended. During the week, trading ranged between Lm4.56 and Lm4.465. A total of 69,512 shares changed hands during the week over 107 deals. At the end of yesterday's session, bids for 100 shares at Lm4.465 and offers of 70 shares at Lm4.499 made up the best unsatisfied closing positions.

Trading in HSBC shares opened the week at Lm7.499 on Monday and gained 5c1 during the week to end yesterday's session at Lm7.550. Trading for the week consisted of 21 deals over which 15,365 shares changed hands. Best bids for 2,200 shares at Lm7.50 and best offers of 710 shares at Lm7.55 remained unsatisfied when yesterday's session drew to a close.

Meanwhile, Maltacom shares opened trading at Lm1.57 on Monday and lost three cents to close the week's trading yesterday at Lm1.54. Trading during the week ranged between Lm1.575 and Lm1.50, with total turnover amounting to 65,310 shares. These shares changed hands over 38 deals. Following the close of business yesterday, best unsatisfied bids for 657 shares at Lm1.52 stood against best unsatisfied offers of 200 shares at Lm1.535.

The other equities which traded during the week appear below, followed by the range in which trading took place; 2,000 Middlesea Insurance plc shares between Lm2.151 and Lm2.150; 17,000 Simonds Farsons Cisk shares between Lm1.19 and Lm1.179; 3,000 International Hotels Investments shares at €0.81; 1,500 Plaza Centres shares at Lm0.65; 15,877 Malta International Airport shares between Lm1.071 and Lm1.060; 312 San Tumas Shareholdings p.l.c. shares between Lm0.751 and Lm0.75.

Total Malta Government Stock turnover amounted to a nominal value of Lm919,000 being traded in 84 deals over 27 different stocks. Trading over the week in corporate bonds was made up of a total value of Lm455,247.