The MSE Share Index declined for the fourth consecutive time during this shortened week with a drop of a further 0.4 per cent to an almost 20-week low of 3,495.698 points.

The equity of Bank of Valletta plc closed in negative territory for the third consecutive session as it touched a fresh five-month low of €2.20 before partially recovering to end the session at the €2.22 level which still represents a 1.1 per cent drop from the previous closing price.

A total of 82,844 shares changed hands today with further offers unsatisfied at the closing price and highest bids at the €2.20 level.

Similarly, the share price of GO plc dropped again to an intra-day low of €2 before regaining the €2.05 level, 1.9 per cent lower than the previous day’s closing price.

Only 3,000 shares traded today. The net dividend of 7c per share is payable to shareholders as at close of trading on April 1.

On the other hand, a deal of 2,000 Malta International Airport plc shares was transacted at the €2.26 level representing a 0.4 per cent increase from the previous close. HSBC Bank Malta plc also held on to yesterday’s closing price of €2.40 with a further 13,864 shares changing hands at this level.

The financial reporting season continues next week with the publication of the 2013 financials by Medserv plc.

On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index trended lower for the fourth consecutive session with a further marginal decline to a new three-week low of 1,025.630 points.

Eurozone yields remained in the region of 1.65 per cent in view of the earlier-than-anticipated interest rate rise by the US Federal Reserve which is now expected to announced its first rate hike in April/May 2015.

The recently issued 4.45 per cent MGS 2032 traded up to a high of 102.6 per cent compared to a recent offer price of 100.25 per cent. Likewise, the six per cent AX Investments plc 2024 bonds closed the first week of trading at 104 per cent.

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