After reaching a one-month high during last Thursday’s session, the MSE Share Index retreated by 0.3 per cent to 3,515.355 points as most of the active equities closed lower during this morning’s session.
Among the large equities, the share price of Bank of Valletta plc only partially recovered from an intra-day low of €2.35 to end the session marginally below last week’s close at the €2.36,9 level. A total of 14,750 shares traded today. The bank is scheduled to publish its interim results on Friday.
The equity of HSBC Bank Malta plc also retreated by 0.8 per cent back to the €2.36 level across eight deals totalling 21,550 shares. Shareholders as at close of trading on Thursday will be eligible for the one for nine bonus share issue.
Lower volumes were registered across the equities of Malta International Airport plc and GO plc with both closing lower. The share price of MIA slipped by 3.1 per cent back to the €2.24 level on a single trade of 1,000 shares and GO eased minimally lower to €1.99,9 on a small trade of 500 shares.
The only other negative performing equity was RS2 Software plc as its share price failed to completely recover from an intra-day low of €2.35 to end the session 0.1 per cent below last week’s close at the €2.41,8 level across five deals totalling 6,426 shares.
The company is scheduled to publish its 2013 full-year results later on today.
On the other hand, the equity of International Hotel Investments plc edged 1.1 per cent higher to 83c9 ahead of the 2013 financial statements publication also due later on today. A total of 5,500 shares changed hands across three deals.
Similarly, the equity of FIMBank plc slumped to an intra-day low of 76c6US before partially rebounding to end the session at the 82cUS level representing a 7.4 per cent increase over the previous post-bonus adjust closing price of 76c4US on low volumes of 4,200 shares. The trade finance specialist is scheduled to hold its annual general meeting on May 8.
The equity of Malita Investments plc gained 1.9 per cent to recapture the 55c level on low volumes of 2,000 shares.
On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index eased minimally lower to 1,032.599 points as Eurozone yields approached the 1.54 per cent level in spite of continued indications that the European Central Bank (ECB) will possibly inject further stimulus in the near future.
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