The share iIndex closed minimally lower today at 3,727.85 points as the losses in International Hotel Investments , Malta International Airport and Plaza Centres offset the gains in three other equities. The equity benchmark trended in negative territory for the third consecutive week.

The share price of International Hotel Investments dropped 1.4 per cent to the 69c level on volumes of 50,000 shares ending the week with a loss of 2.8 per cent. Similarly, Plaza Centres slipped 3.1 per cent and closed today’s session at the 94c5 level across two trades for a significant 157,000 shares as the equity turned ex-dividend.

Malta International Airport was also among the negative performers with a drop of 1.4 per cent to the €3.48 level albeit on negligible volumes of 400 shares.

Meanwhile, HSBC recovered from yesterday’s dip and edged 0.6 per cent higher to the €2.03,2 level. Today HSBC’s eligible shareholders received the gross final dividend of 2c6 per share. Meanwhile, shareholders as at close of trading next Monday will be entitled to the one for nine bonus share issue.

Middlesea Insurance advanced by 1.7 per cent to a fresh 2015 high of €1.22. During the annual general meeting held this morning shareholders approved the distribution of a final net dividend of 3c826 per share.

The best performer of the day was Simonds Farsons Cisk with an increase of 2.5 per cent to a new all-time high of €3.35, albeit on insignificant volumes. SFC’s board is set to meet on April 29 to consider and approve the financial statements for the year ended January 31.

Bank of Valletta maintained the €2.21 level on volumes of 53,776 shares. The bank’s board of directors is set to convene on April 30 to consider and approve the interim financial statements covering the six months ended March 31.

Meanwhile, on the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index slipped marginally to 1,171.320 points, as the Central Bank revised downwards its bid prices for the local MGS, following the upswing in benchmark 10-year European yields to around 0.17 per cent.

www.rizzofarrugia.com

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