During this morning's session only €43,822 worth changed hands across four equities with the MSE Share Index edging 0.2% higher to 3,055.560 points.
This was due to the 0.4% rise in HSBC Bank Malta plc to the €2.56 level across four trades amounting to 5,386 shares.
Similarly, Malta International Airport plc regained the €1.75 after rising by 1.2% during this morning's session on volumes of 10,000 shares. The airport operator is expected to publish the detailed 2011 traffic results together with a forecast for 2012 shortly.
Meanwhile, the share price of Bank of Valletta plc eased minimally lower to €2.24,9 across six trades totalling 5,590 shares. The only other active equity, Middlesea Insurance plc traded unchanged at its 20-month low of 72c on minute volumes of 252 shares.
On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index recovered by 0.2% to regain the 987.274 points as Eurozone yields tumbled back below the 2% after the US Federal Reserve yesterday evening announced that it plans to maintain rates at the historically low levels of between 0% to 0.25% until late 2014.
Moreover, the chairman of the US Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke indicated that a third round of quantitative easing remains an option as the US economy is still vulnerable and has not entered a new growth phase.
Tomorrow, the Treasury will publish the prices of the three new Malta Government Stock issues announced earlier this week.
The Treasury will be issuing €150 million (with an over-allotment option of up to another €150 million) in the following stocks: (i) 4.25% MGS 2017 (III) (Fungibility Issue); (ii) 4.3% MGS 2022 (II) and (iii) 5.2% MGS 2031 (I) (Fungibility Issue).
The subscription period for the public will take place between Wednesday and February 3.
On the secondary market, high volumes sustained in the 5.20% MGS 2031 with €1.78 million (nominal) changing hands during this morning's session.
The price of this stock reversed yesterday's 35 basis points decline to regain the 102% level in line with the Central Bank's bid price.
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