After a six-day positive run in the MSE Share Index was interrupted by yesterday’s 0.2% drop, the equities of the two large banks trended higher today helping the local equity benchmark back into positive territory with a 0.2% increase to 3,363.669 points.

The share price of Bank of Valletta plc closed this morning’s session minimally higher at €2.261 after failing to hold on to an intra-day high of €2.27 across a total of 15,575 shares. Similarly, the equity of HSBC Bank Malta plc edged 0.7% higher to regain the €2.035 level on volumes of 10,593 shares.

Also in the financial sector, Middlesea Insurance plc gained 1.1% to €0.94 across 5,000 shares.

GO plc also closed in positive territory with a marginal increase to reach yet another 6-year high of €2.50 on volumes of 18,000 shares.

On the other hand, the equity of RS2 Software plc failed to hold on to its all-time high of €2.79 as its share price eased by 0.4% to €2.78 on low volumes of 3,400 shares.

Meanwhile, a further 10,150 shares of Malta International Airport plc traded at the equity’s all-time high of €2.35 with lowest offers now placed at the €2.37 level and bids at the €2.335 level.

On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index edged 0.1% higher to 1,079.953 points as Eurozone yields dropped towards the 0.97% level this morning. However, this downward correction was soon reversed as yields regained the 1% level this afternoon. Benchmark yields in Europe are currently very volatile as investors are still weighing the impact of the recently announced stimulus measures by the European Central Bank (ECB) as well as the uncertainties created by geopolitical tensions in various regions around the globe.

www.rizzofarrugia.com