The MSE Share Index tumbled 3.4% during this morning's session to close at a new 5-week low of 3,133.056 points as the three largest equities by market capitalisation traded lower.

This morning's decline was mainly due to the 13.7% plunge in the share price of International Hotel Investments plc to €0.82 level on high volumes of 500,000 shares.

Moreover, the two large banking equities also traded lower today. Bank of Valletta plc retreated for the fourth consecutive session despite still trading with the entitlement to the final gross dividend of €0.13 per share and a 1 for 9 bonus share issue. BOV's equity dipped another 1.2% lower to €2.40 across twenty trades totalling over 53,800 shares. Similarly, the share price of HSBC Bank Malta plc eased a further 1.6% to €2.705 on volumes of 13,600 shares.

Simonds Farsons Cisk plc also ended lower today with a minimal decline to €2.399 on insignificant volumes of 200 shares.

Meanwhile, the two other active equities ended the session unchanged. A further 26,492 Crimsonwing plc shares changed hands at the €0.38 level - the equity's 20-month high. A single deal of 800 FIMBank plc shares was transacted at the US$0.79 level. Investors still await developments with respect to the potential takeover by Burgan Bank.

On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index gained for the third consecutive session and rose 0.1% to a fresh 1-month high of 998.135 points as Eurozone yields slipped below the 1.45% level and are trading near 5-week lows. This reflects the increased demand for safe haven assets, such as German Bunds, in anticipation of an uncertain US Presidential election as well as ahead of a crucial vote in the Greek Parliament. Greece needs to approve the latest austerity package aimed to save around €13.5 billion, which is necessary for the country to be granted the next tranche of aid. A vote is expected to take place on Wednesday while the main trade unions in Greece planned 3-days of industrial action.

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