The share prices of the two large banks declined again today forcing the MSE Share Index to close 0.8 per cent lower at 3,437.307 points.

Bank of Valletta plc dropped to a fresh 2014 low of €2.15 before ending the session at €2.18, representing a decline of 2.2 per cent from yesterday’s close.

Volumes increased to over 136,000 shares today. The net interim dividend of 2c76 will now be paid on May 23.

The equity of HSBC Bank Malta plc also dropped to a new multi-year low of €2.11,5 on volumes of 13,445 shares.

The only positive performer today was RS2 Software plc which edged 1.2 per cent higher to a new all-time high of €2.46.

However trading activity was weak with only 2,254 shares changing hands. Also in the IT sector, the sterling-denominated equity of 6pm Holdings plc eased minimally lower to 75p also on weak volumes of 3,000 shares.

MaltaPost plc held on to yesterday’s strong gains with a further 162,164 shares changing hands at the €1.12 level. The postal operator is shortly expected to publish its half-year results covering the six months ended March 31.

Malta International Airport plc also maintained the €2.27 level on activity of a further 37,500 shares. Last Monday, the airport operator published the April traffic statistics revealing a 13.7 per cent increase in passenger movements.

On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index again eased minimally lower to 1,033.424 points.

Yesterday evening, Island Hotels Group Holdings plc confirmed that it received authorisation for its €35 million bond issue maturing in 2024.

The coupon has been set at 6 per cent. Similarly, Pendergardens Developments plc this morning confirmed that it filed a prospectus in connection with an offering of two secured bonds, a six-year bond at a coupon of 5.5 per cent and a bond with an eight-year maturity at six per cent.

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