The MSE Share Index closed higher for the fourth time in the last five sessions with a rise of a further 0.2 per cent during this morning’s session to reach a new 33-month high of 3,552.899 points. The gains in the share prices of the two large banks helped the benchmark index close higher.
The share price of HSBC Bank Malta plc edged 0.4 per cent higher to €2.55 across two deals totalling 10,000 shares. Similarly, the equity of Bank of Valletta plc moved 0.7 per cent higher to the €2.61,7 level across 10 deals totalling 12,884 shares.
The bank is scheduled to hold its annual general meeting on December 19. Shareholders as at close of trading on January 14 will be eligible to gain entitlement to the one for 10 bonus share issue.
GO plc also continued to perform positively with a 0.4 per cent increase to €1.66,5 across eight deals totalling 61,177 shares.
Forthnet yesterday published a prospectus in connection with a €30 million rights issue. Forthnet’s shareholders will be able to subscribe to new shares at 30c each until December 24.
There was high trading activity in the equities of Malita Investments plc and MIDI plc. The equity of Malita Investments plc edged 0.4 per cent higher to 52c5 on volumes of 760,480 shares. On the other hand, MIDI plc eased by 0.4 per cent to 26c4 on activity of over 1,000,000 shares.
RS2 Software plc had a volatile session and dropped to a low of €2.28,5 before partly recovering to a close of €2.30 representing a 1.7 per cent decline from the previous close.
A total of 74,859 shares traded today. The only other negative performing equity was FIMBank plc with a 0.1 per cent drop back to the 94c4US on a small trade of 5,470 shares.
Meanwhile, no changes were registered in the share prices of the two other IT companies. Crimsonwing plc held on to its all-time high of 87c as a further 32,000 traded. Likewise, 6pm Holdings plc maintained the 70p level across two deals totalling 20,000 shares.
A total of 13,000 Medserv plc shares traded at the €1.34 level. This is the first time that the equity traded following the 2.5 for one share split that took place after the extraordinary general meeting held on November 21.
The price of €1.34 is equivalent to the price of €3.35 before the share split and, therefore, there was no movement in the share price. Following the share split, Medserv’s issued share capital is now composed of 25 million shares of a nominal value of 10c per share.
On the bond, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index dipped 0.1 per cent lower to 1,019.902 points as Eurozone yields bounced to the 1.75 per cent level in view of lower liquidity across the eurozone.
www.rizzofarrugia.com