The MSE share index moved 0.4 per cent higher to 3,318.518 points this morning largely due to the increases in the share prices of Bank of Valletta and HSBC.
BOV rebounded by 1.4 per cent to €2.12 on volumes of just under 35,000 shares. Similarly, HSBC moved 0.5 per cent higher to close at the €2.01 level across 9,000 shares. The bank is scheduled to publish its interim results on August 4.
Likewise, Medserv plc jumped 2.36 per cent to end this morning’s session at the €1.30 level, with 50,903 shares changing hands over six trades.
On the other hand, Middlesea Insurance plc retreated by 1.14 per cent to close today’s session at the 87c level on shallow volumes of 230 shares.
Meanwhile, no change was registered in the share price of Malta International Airport plc, as the equity held on to the price of €2.30 across 3,200 shares. Likewise, Simonds Farsons Cisk plc and RS2 Software plc saw no change in their share prices at €2.95 (200 shares) and €2.50 (338 shares) respectively.
Go plc also held on to the €2.21,9 level during today’s session as the market awaits further developments on the offer made by OTE for Forthnet’s pay-TV business earlier this month.
On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index edged marginally higher to reach a new all-time high of 1,058.741 points following the dip in Eurozone yields to the 1.19 per cent level as the European Central Bank president Mario Draghi reiterated the possibility of using quantitative easing to prop up the region’s economy.
Data published this morning showed that investor confidence in Germany dropped to its lowest level since December 2012.
This morning, the Treasury announced the issue of two new Malta Government Stocks for a total aggregate amount of €180 million.
The two new fixed rate stocks are the two per cent MGS 2020 (V) and the 4.1 per cent MGS 2034 (I).
Prices will be determined on July 24 in the afternoon.
Subscriptions open July 28 and close on July 30 for the public (applications of up to €100,000) while tenders in the form of sealed bids (for amounts in excess of €100,000) will be accepted until noon on August 4.
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