After breaking their five-day positive run during yesterday’s session, the equities of the two large banks resumed their positive trend to also help the MSE Share Index move back into positive territory. The local equity benchmark edged 0.4 per cent higher to reach an almost seven-week high of 3,472.037 points.

The share price of Bank of Valletta plc edged 0.8 per cent higher to end the week at the €2.46,9 level across five deals totalling 9,960 shares. The bank generally publishes its preliminary September full-year results by the end of October.

Similarly, HSBC Bank Malta plc edged one per cent higher to regain the €2.62,5 level on low volumes of 2,440 shares.

The MSE Share Index climbed 1.7 per cent higher this week as the two largest capitalised companies rallied. HSBC’s equity advanced by 4.8 per cent and BOV edged 2.9 per cent higher.

No other local equities traded during this morning’s session.

On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index was practically unchanged at 1,019.303 points as eurozone yields remained above the 1.8 per cent level.

Investors welcomed yesterday’s approval of Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta. This event also offset the uncertainty created by the US government shutdown.

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