The share index advanced by 0.2 per cent to 3,323.447 points as two of the large caps partly recovered from recent declines.

The share price of Bank of Valletta gained a further 0.9 per cent to close at the €2.25 level on volumes of 18,314 shares.

Earlier this week, BOV’s equity had declined to a low of €2.19. Investors now await the publication of the results of the asset quality review by the European Central Bank on October 26 and the publication of the September 2014 full-year financial statements by BOV on October 31.

Meanwhile, HSBC remained inactive despite new buyers entering the market above the last traded price of €1.93.

Following the 0.8 per cent drop to a new all-time low of 59c5 yesterday, International Hotel Investments regained the 60c level on a single trade of 3,828 shares.

Malta International Airport shed 0.9 per cent to the €2.32 level on activity of 6,400 shares. The other negative performer of the day was FIMBank with a 1.5 per cent decline to the 65cUS level.

Three other equities closed the day unchanged. Medserv maintained yesterday’s 1.5 per cent gain as a further 50,800 shares traded at the €1.32 level.

Go traded again at the multi-year high of €2.68 on very low volumes of 361 shares.

Reuters yesterday reported that Greece's largest telecoms group ΟΤΕ secured a deal to broadcast all UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League matches for three years from July 2015 as it seeks to boost its Pay-TV market share.

A few months ago, OTE submitted an offer to acquire Forthnet's Pay-TV business Nova for €250 to €300 million.

Elsewhere, Malita Investments maintained its all-time high of 56c as a further 10,000 shares traded at this level.

On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index rose to yet another all-time high of 1,094.038 points as the Central Bank of Malta stockbroker increased its bid prices markedly of all medium and long-term Malta Government Stocks in reaction to the continued decline in eurozone yields which dropped to new lows of 0.716 per cent earlier today.

Earlier this week the Treasury announced the issue of two new institutional tranches of government stocks for a total aggregate amount of €40 million with an over-allotment option of a further €35 million, which are only available through an auction process for a minimum of €250,000 per application and in multiples of €50,000.

Applications in the form of sealed bids will be accepted until noon on October 24.

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