Following three consecutive sessions of increases, the share index dropped 0.4 per cent to 3,845.107 points following declines in the share prices of the two large banks.
The share price of Bank of Valletta slid by 1.1 per cent back to the €2.25,5 level across 10 deals totalling 34,970 shares. The bank is scheduled to distribute the interim net dividend of 2c5 per share tomorrow.
Similarly, HSBC eased a further 0.5 per cent lower back to the €1.84 level on volumes of 24,346 shares.
Meanwhile, all other three active equities ended this morning’s session unchanged. The equity of Malta International Airport recovered from an intra-day low of €3.36 to end the session unchanged at the €3.37 level on volumes of 12,500 shares.
Likewise, GO’s share price held on to the €3.05 level after recovering from an intra-day low of €3.04 on shallow volumes of 2,900 shares.
Malita Investments maintained the 90c level across four trades totalling 46,630 shares.
On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index edged 0.1 per cent higher to 1,148.564 points reflecting the retreat in the benchmark 10-year German Bund yield back to around the 0.55 per cent level as Greece still hasn’t concluded a new debt deal and Spain’s ruling party was dealt a blow in local elections reflecting the increasing discontent of the Spaniards with austerity measures for the past four years.
Yesterday afternoon, the Treasury announced that the next Malta Government Stock issue will only be open for subscription through the auction process and no retail offer will be available.
Earlier today, the Treasury announced two new institutional offers for a maximum amount of €90 million: (i) two per cent MGS 2020 (V) FI and (ii) 2.3 per cent MGS 2029 (II). Tenders must be for a minimum of €500,000 (nom) and in multiples of €100,000.
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