The MSE share index returned into positive territory with a 0.1 per cent increase to 3,324.085 points level on the back of further support for the equities of Malta International Airport and GO following two consecutive sessions of decline.
MIA’s share price edged 0.4 per cent higher to close the session at the €2.36 level on a single trade of 13,800 shares.
MIA’s equity has continued to perform positively on the back of record passenger numbers during the first eight months of the year. Nonetheless, recent media articles speculating on the widening financial losses at Air Malta may dampen sentiment towards the sector.
Go’s equity is the strongest performer this year on expectations of added shareholder value from the realisation of the group’s indirect investment in Forthnet (Greece) and its €50 million property portfolio.
The equity of the quad-play telecoms operator moved 0.4 per cent higher to reach yet another fresh multi-year high of €2.57 on low volumes of 7,017 shares.
The share price of Bank of Valletta also edged marginally higher to regain the €2.22,5 level across five deals totalling 12,900 shares.
On the other hand, the equity of Lombard Bank Malta retreated by 0.1 per cent back to the €1.64,9 level on low volumes of 6,500 shares. Similarly, Plaza Centres shares eased 1.3 per cent lower to the 59c level across 24,000 shares.
Meanwhile, HSBC Bank Malta held on to the €1.98 level on a miniscule trade of 519 shares. Insignificant volumes were also registered in International Hotel Investments as only 321 shares traded at the equity’s all-time low of 60c, unchanged from the previous closing price.
The only other active equity was Malita Investments with a single trade being executed at the 56c level on 4,000 shares.
On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index eased marginally lower to 1,081.591 points as Eurozone yields remained above the 1.1 per cent level.
Over the week, the local MGS benchmark trended higher for the 17th consecutive week with a 0.2 per cent weekly uplift despite the marginal increase in benchmark yields.
www.rizzofarrugia.com