As the Malta Stock Exchange held its first extended trading session (from 09:30 am to 15:30 pm), the MSE Share Index remained in negative territory with a further marginal dip to 4,703.205 points as the declines across six equities (including HSBC, GO and RS2) offset the increases in five other equities including BOV which closed at a fresh 10-year high.

Bank of Valletta plc added a further 0.9% to yet another new 10-year high of €2.24 across thirteen deals totalling 40,423 shares.

Similarly, Malta International Airport plc edged 0.2% higher to regain the €4.20 level albeit on shallow volumes of 1,190 shares. Today, shareholders should have received the 2016 Annual Report and the documentation in connection with the upcoming Annual General Meeting scheduled to be held on 10 May 2017.

The other positive performing equities were all from the property segment with Plaza Centres plc moving 2.4% higher to close at the €1.05 level on volumes of just over 72,000 shares.

Weaker volumes were transacted in MIDI plc as its share price edged 1.6% higher to recapture the €0.32 level on a single deal of 3,000 shares ahead of the Group’s 2016 results publication on Thursday. Likewise, Malta Properties Company plc trended 1% higher to the €0.52 level on shallow volumes of 5,000 shares.

On the other hand, the share price of HSBC Bank Malta plc shed 0.8% back to the €2.07 level across 11,927 shares. The Bank is scheduled to pay the final net dividend of €0.027 per share on Thursday following shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting held last Thursday 13 April.

Amongst the equities with the largest market capitalisation, GO plc also trended in negative territory today with a 0.3% drop to €3.479 on volumes of 9,300 shares.

RS2 Software plc also closed in negative territory today with a 1.3% decline to a fresh 2017 low of €1.58 on a single trade of 3,000 shares. The IT Group is expected to publish its preliminary 2016 financial results later on this afternoon.

MaltaPost plc eased 1.5% back to the €2.00 level on a single deal of 2,000 shares.

Similarly, Mapfre Middlesea plc retreated by 0.9% back to the €2.10 level on just 3,800 shares. Mapfre is scheduled to hold its Annual General Meeting on Friday.

The only other negative performing equity was Tigné Mall plc with a 0.2% decline to €1.06 across 6,050 shares.

Meanwhile, Malita Investments plc held on to the €0.74 level across three deals totalling 36,500 shares.

On the bond market, the RF MGS Index slipped by 0.2% to 1,123.488 points amid increasing volatility across Eurozone markets in view of the uncertainty related to the upcoming French presidential election as well as various geopolitical issues around the globe.

This article is provided by Rizzo Farrugia Investment Consultants.

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