The MSE Share Index edged 0.1% higher to 3,956.308 points as gains in the larger capitalised companies offset losses in the equities of the property companies.
In the banking sector, the share price of Bank of Valletta plc edged 0.4% higher to €2.29 across eleven trades for a total of 13,362 shares. Similarly, HSBC Bank Malta plc closed 0.5% higher at €1.85 on a total of 30,542 shares.
Malta International Airport plc advanced by 0.3% to €3.375 on volumes of 20,610 shares following last week’s announcement of the 9.9% increase in passenger traffic during May.
The best performer of the day was MaltaPost plc with a 3.3% increase to a new record of €1.55 but activity was restricted to just 118 shares.
Mapfre Middlesea plc continued to reach fresh multi-year higher with an increase of a further 1.2% to the €1.67 level on shallow volumes of just 5,000 shares.
On the other hand, in the property sector, the three active equities all closed in negative territory. MIDI plc shed 2.7% to €0.321 across two trades for a total of 11,000 shares. Similarly, Plaza Centres plc closed 1% lower at €0.97 on shallow volumes of 2,175 shares while Malita Investments plc ended the session 1.1% lower at the €0.94 level on volumes of 12,000 shares.
RS2 Software plc also ended today’s session in negative territory, slipping 0.2% to €3.42 across two deals of 9,800 shares. The company is scheduled to hold its Annual General Meeting tomorrow during which shareholders will be asked to approve a number of resolutions including the final net dividend of €0.044 per share and the 2 for 1 share split.
International Hotel Investments plc declined 1.2% to €0.80 also on low volumes.
Meanwhile, GO plc’s equity maintained the €3.10 level also on weak activity of 5,000 shares.
On the Alternative Companies List, Loqus Holdings plc jumped 7.4% to regain the €0.13 level on a single deal of 1,750 shares.
Meanwhile, on the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index was down 0.2%, easing to 1,133.973 points, reflecting the spike in the 10-year benchmark European yields to an intra-day high of 0.9%.