The MSE Share Index slid for the fourth successive session with a further 0.5 per cent decline to an almost three-week low of 3,448.836 points. Today’s downturn was mainly due to the declines in the share prices of the two large banks.
The equity of Bank of Valletta plc retreated for the fourth consecutive session as its share price slid a further 0.8 per cent to €2.36 across seven deals totalling 15,261 shares. Lower volumes were transacted in HSBC Bank Malta plc with the share price easing by 1.1 per cent to €2.63 across 1,900 shares.
Plaza Centres plc also ended this morning’s session in negative territory with a 0.9 per cent drop back to the 56c level for the first time since late June.
Meanwhile, no change was recorded in the share price of Lombard Bank Malta plc as 4,941 shares traded at the €1.90 level. Lombard will be publishing their 2013 interim financial statements tomorrow. Similarly, Middlesea Insurance plc held on to the 82c level on a small deal of 114 shares.
On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index edged a further 0.1 per cent higher today to 1,022.271 points as Eurozone yields remain under pressure amid talks of a third bailout for Greece.
Nonetheless, yields marginally rebounded by this afternoon as markets await the publication of the US Federal Reserve minutes (of the July monetary policy meeting) which is expected to indicate the start of the reduction of the central bank’s stimulus measures.
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