Late buying activity in Malta International Airport recouped some intraday losses to see the Malta Stock Exchange Index close relatively flat at 4872.594, 0.006 per cent lower than Friday's close.
Trades in the two largest components of the benchmark, HSBC Bank Malta and Bank of Valletta failed to leave any impact on their closing prices, as a comparatively low number of deals were executed on the two local banking heavyweights.
The equities ended the session at Lm1.91 and Lm3.68,5, respectively.
Gains in MIA were yesterday's saviour for the Malta Stock Exchange as late buying activity in the airport operator helped to set off most of the day's losses registered by Lombard Bank and Maltacom. MIA shares gained 2c or 1.47 per cent to close the session at Lm1.38.
A solitary deal of 100 shares in Lombard Bank Malta saw the equity lose 2c2, to close at Lm4.97,8, while three trades in Maltacom shares carrying a monetary value of Lm8,146.75 trimmed seven-tenths of a cent from the equity's previous closing price, to see the share price close at Lm1.91.
Last Friday's announcement of GlobalCapital's full year results for the year ended December 31, steered no particular interest in the equity as no trades were executed during the day.
Elsewhere in the regular market a couple of trades in FIMBank left the share price unchanged at US$1.89.
European markets slide slightly
Yesterday, European equities slipped lower by mid-morning, surrendering some of last week's strong gains. Increased geopolitical tensions between Iran and the west over Tehran's nuclear programme weakened sentiment among equity investors. Crude oil prices hit a new high for the year after Iran refused to release 15 captured British servicemen. The FTSE Eurofirst 300 slipped 0.1 per cent, while German's Xetra Dax lost 0.2 per cent, as did the French CAC-40.
In London merger activity among house-builders sector provided a foundation for gains for the FTSE. The bluechip index initially moved lower as oil prices rose to a new high for the year but reversed its early weakness, led the gains among housebuilders following news of an agreed merger between housebuilders George Wimpey and Taylor Woodrow.
In Japan the Nikkei managed to eke out a small rise, climbing to a one-month closing high. But gains were limited by a drop in real estate shares. By the end of trading the Nikkei 225 was up 0.2 per cent, though the broader Topix was virtually unchanged at 1,741.37.
US stock-index futures were little changed as oil prices climbed to a three-month high before a report that may show new-home sales rose last month.
The financial news was compiled by Valletta Fund Management (Tel. 8007 2344) and Bank of Valletta plc (Tel. 2131 2020). BOV and VFM are licensed by the MFSA to conduct investment services business.