During this morning’s session, the share prices of the three largest equities by market cap all gained lifting the MSE Share Index 0.7 per cent higher to a new 19-month high of 3,284.93 points.
In the banking sector, Bank of Valletta plc edged 0.7 per cent higher to regain the €2.27,5 level on low volumes of just over 2,000 shares. Similarly, HSBC Bank Malta plc inched 0.4 per cent higher to close at the €2.74 level across 5,000 shares in anticipation of the Group’s 2012 full-year results publication on March 4.
Shallow volumes were also registered in International Hotel Investments plc with its share price rising by 2.5 per cent to the 77c level across 5,000 shares. IHI has yet to announce the date of their 2012 full-year results publication.
The best performer of the day was Grand Harbour Marina plc with a 4.2 per cent jump to a fresh 20-month high of €1.98 on increased volumes of 33,100 shares.
The increase in the share price this morning came in response to the announcement of the net interim dividend of 12c per share to those shareholders as at close of trading next March 5. Lowest offers are now placed at €2.02.
On the other hand, all other active equities ended the session unchanged. 50,000 MIDI plc shares changed hands at the 29c level ahead of the company’s extraordinary general meeting to be held on March 22 to approve the proposed sale of ‘The Point’ Shopping Mall.
Similarly, Malta International Airport plc maintained the €1.79 level on a single deal of 2,100 shares and RS2 Software plc held on to its all-time high of 90c across 34,863 shares.
On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index edged marginally higher to reach a fresh one-month high of 1,010.256 points as the benchmark 10-year German Bund yield remained close to its 2013 lows due to the deadlock in Italy.
Yesterday marked the closing of subscriptions from the public for the new Malta Government Stock issues.
Applications from institutions in the form of sealed bids will be accepted until noon tomorrow subsequent to which the treasury will announce the results of this latest MGS issue.
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