The MSE Share Index retreated by 0.7% this morning to 3,307.081 points as six of the eight active equities closed in negative territory.

In the financial sector, HSBC Bank Malta plc dropped 1.5% to €1.92 across 6 trades for a total of 10,222 shares. HSBC’s equity started trading ex-dividend today and shareholders on the register as of yesterday are eligible to receive a dividend the gross interim dividend of €0.045 (net: €0.029) per share on 4 September.

Similarly, the share price of Middlesea Insurance plc shed 2.2% and closed this morning’s session at the €0.90 level in a single trade of 1,000 shares. Meanwhile, the share price of Bank of Valletta plc held on to the €2.10 level across 6 deals for a total of 37,676 shares.

Malta International Airport plc also dropped 2.2% to the €2.25 level after failing to hold on to an intra-day high of €2.30. The equity will trade ex-dividend as from tomorrow, with the net interim dividend of €0.03 per share to be paid on September 12, 2014.

GO plc eased back to the €2.37 level (-1.3%) on a single trade of 1,600 shares. The telecoms company is expected to announce its results for the first six months of 2014 tomorrow.

Simonds Farsons Cisk plc and RS2 Software plc also closed lower. Farsons eased 0.3% lower to €2.861 on a single trade of 25,000 shares with RS2’s share price closing 1.1% lower at the €2.60 level on a trade of 6,329 shares.

Meanwhile, Malita Investments plc maintained the €0.55 level as 1,500 shares changed hands.

The Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index retreated marginally by 0.07% to 1,064.174 points. Eurozone yields held on to the 1.06% level, as the uncertainty in the Ukrainian region persists.

Meanwhile, the Malta Stock Exchange announced the listing of the recently issued 2% MGS 2020. Trading is expected to commence tomorrow. On the other hand, the Treasury did not disclose the date of any refunds to applicants and the listing date of the 4.1% MGS 2034.