MSE Share Index ended the day practically unchanged and positives and negatives cancel out each other in another low-volume session. Interest is fixed interest (particularly Malta Government Stock) remains evident as larger volumes and record prices characterise today’s market.

During this morning’s session, BOV shares gained 1c at €3.26 on volumes totalling 7,458 shares whereas HSBC traded unchanged on only one 1,000-share deal. On the other hand, IHI traded 1c below its year high of 90c as 5,000 shares traded also across one single deal.

FIMBank retouched the $1 level on totally insignificant volumes (173 shares). More meaningfully, bids and offers of a more significant nature remain placed at below this pice – bids at 97c and offers at 98c5.

MIA, on the other hand, was relatively more active with 13,753 shares exchanging hands at €1.58 (unchanged). News relative to this equity was also published this week as Ryanair announced another new route effective October 31. This time, Ryanair will be introducing Eindhoven to its portfolio offering from Malta’s airport.

Island Hotels Group Holdings traded for the first time in almost a month, easling slightly below its IPO price of €1 on only 3,000 shares. Last week, the company announced the extension of its present agreement with Saga Travel Group for a further two years effective June 2011.

On the fixed-interest front, Malta Government Stock prices continued their climb as Eurozone benchmark yields tested new multi-year lows. This morning, the new short-term 3.75 per cent MGS 2015 (VI) FIB bond traded at 104.04 per cent compared to a primary market offer price of 102.50 per cent. Meanwhile, the new 5.25 per cent MGS 2030 FI was active, gaining 14bp at 103.44 per cent against its offer price of 100 per cent.

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