The MSE Equity Price Index started the new year slightly lower as it eased by 0.03% to 4,513.140 points. Trading volumes were subdued as only €0.16 million worth of shares changed hands with activity in BOV and Malita representing 84% of the total value of equities traded.
Bank of Valletta plc continued to trade within a tight range as the equity dropped by 1.1% to the €1.315 level across 43,692 shares.
A single deal of just 1,100 shares forced the equity of GO plc to move 1.5% lower back to the €3.90 level.
Also among the large companies, Malta International Airport plc added 0.9% to the €5.85 level across 1,079 shares.
Mapfre Middlesea plc added 2.5% to the €2.04 level and PG plc gained 3% to the €1.37 level on low trading activity.
Meanwhile, International Hotel Investments plc retained the €0.62 level on trivial volumes. Recently, IHI reiterated its vision to redevelop the Corinthia Hotel St George’s Bay into a six-star resort as well as to develop two adjacent luxury serviced residential blocks.
RS2 Software plc opened today’s trading session at a high of €1.42 but ended unchanged at the €1.40 level on a total of 4,650 shares.
Malita Investments plc maintained the €0.88 level on heightened activity totalling 90,436 shares.
Three other equities closed the day unchanged on insignificant volumes, namely MaltaPost plc (€1.58), Santumas Shareholdings plc (€1.42) and Loqus Holdings plc (€0.075). Shareholders of MaltaPost as at close of trading on 10 January 2019 will be entitled to a net dividend of €0.04 per share.
The RF MGS Index kicked-off 2019 in positive territory as it advanced by 0.19% to 1,095.748 points. Prices of Malta Government Stocks gained as international bond yields drifted lower amid a surge in risk aversion reflecting various uncertainties across financial markets.