The MSE Share Index closed today’s stock exchange session 0.3% higher at 4,222.307 points as the slight decrease in the equities of BOV and IHI were outweighed by gains in 5 other equities led by Medserv with a 16% rise to a new all-time high.

In the financial services sector, Bank of Valletta plc failed to hold on to yesterday’s closing price and slipped by 0.4% to €2.24 across 13 trades totalling 20,981 shares.  On the other hand, HSBC Bank Malta plc gained 0.6% to end the session at €1.81 after hitting an intra-day high of €1.848.  A minor trade of 980 shares left Lombard Bank plc’s share price unchanged at €2.115 whilst Mapfre Middlesea plc registered a 0.1% gain on small volumes of 3,107.

The day’s star performer was Medserv plc which jumped by 16% to a new all-time high of €2.900 across 14,200 shares. Last week the company published its half-year results covering the six months ended 30 June 2015 during which it registered a record pre-tax profit figure of €4.5 million reflecting the heightened activity levels at the Malta base, the services provided to ENI from the Group’s Cypriot base as well as the successes of the maintenance unit which has just been awarded another contract.

The directors explained that although the results for the first half of 2015 substantially exceeded expectations, the results for the second half of the year, whilst remaining profitable, are not expected to exceed budgets.

In the IT services sector, 6pm Holdings plc recovered from its recent downward trend and advanced by 5% to regain the £0.735 level across 34,000 shares. Meanwhile, RS2 Software plc failed to hold on to an intra-day all-time high of €2.32 and closed the session 0.4% higher at €2.30.

GO plc maintained the €3.495 level on weak volumes of 4,270 shares.

On the other hand, high trading activity took place in International Hotel Investments plc with 215,558 shares changing hands. The equity closed 0.8% lower at €0.784.

The share price of Malta International Airport plc ended the session 1.3% higher at €3.89 across 6 trades totalling 11,600 shares. The airport operator is scheduled to pay its recently declared interim gross dividend of €0.0462 per share (net: €0.03) on 4 September.

On the bond market, the RF MGS Index eased 0.2% lower to 1,120.603 points – the lowest level for the last 6 weeks – as the benchmark 10-year German Bund yield spiked to the 0.8% level as the unemployment rate across the Euro Zone averaged 10.9% - the lowest level since February 2012. 

  

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