The share index jumped 0.8 per cent to 3,268.438 points this morning as most of the active equities trended higher.

Most notably, the share price of HSBC edged 1.3 per cent higher to regain the €1.90 level on low volumes of 3,812 shares.

Similarly, a total of 12,750 shares in Bank of Valletta changed hands during this morning’s session across four deals.

The bank‘s share price closed at the €2.21 level representing a 1.4 per cent increase over the previous day’s closing price. The bank’s equity will trade with the entitlement to the one for 11 bonus share issue until January 14.

GO was also among the positive performers of the day as the equity advanced by 0.8 per cent to the €2.52 level across six deals totalling 32,715 shares.

Yesterday evening, the Greek press reported that Vodafone and Wind Hellas (which together own almost 40 per cent of Forthnet) are set to launch a binding bid for the remaining shares in Forthnet SA after the Christmas holidays.

Meanwhile, the Greek incumbent OTE is not expected to lodge its bid for Nova (the pay-TV arm of Forthnet) before January, to see what political course the country will take after the presidential elections are concluded.

On July 17, Forthnet had announced that Vodafone and Wind Hellas Telecommunications submitted a joint non-binding indicative proposal to Forthnet's board of directors for the possible acquisition of all Forthnet shares which are not owned by them at a range of €1.70 and €1.90 per share.

Medserv also trended in positive territory today as with an increase of 1.8 per cent to a new 2014 high of €1.43,5 albeit on low volumes of 3,500 shares.

Likewise, the share price of Crimsonwing rallied by 3.6 per cent to recapture the 86c level across two trades totalling 4,703 shares.

Shareholders have until January 20 to consider an offer made by KPMG which is bidding to acquire the entire company at 83c27 per share.

On the Alternative Companies List, the equity of Loqus Holdings jumped 16.7 per cent to a new 2014 high of 14c across 7,500 shares.

On the bond market, the RF MGS Index slipped 0.1 per cent back to 1,101.596 points in line with rebound of Eurozone yields to 0.625 per cent.

The recent statement by the US Federal Reserve with respect to its plans of only considering a raise in interest rates after April 2015 rekindled some risk appetite.

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