The equities of the two large banks continued to decline during this morning's trading session on further selling pressure forcing the equity market to register losses for the seventh consecutive day.
The MSE Share Index eased 0.1 per cent lower to 3,071.765 points. HSBC Bank Malta plc slipped 0.5 per cent lower to a close of €2.65,1 on volumes of over 21,000 shares. On similar volumes, Bank of Valletta plc retreated by 0.2 per cent to close below the €2.50 level.
On the other hand, GO plc climbed by 2.4 per cent to €1.26,5 across three trades totalling just over 4,600 shares.
The only other active equity, RS2 Software plc, traded unchanged at the 55c level on volumes of over 16,000 shares. Both companies are scheduled to issue their respective 2011 interim results next week.
Meanwhile, high trading activity continued to take place in the bond market.
Across Malta Government Stocks another €14.3 million (nominal) traded today despite a sharp decline in the Central Bank of Malta bid prices in line with the strong recovery in eurozone yields to the 2.25 per cent level.
The price of the 5.25 per cent MGS 2030 (I) dropped by 105 basis points from 103.05 per cent to 102 per cent. This led to a 0.4 per cent decline in the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index to 987.116 points – the lowest level since August 8.
On the corporate bond market, the recently listed 4.8 per cent BOV plc 2018 notes traded for the first time as €20,000 (nominal) changed hands at 102.25 per cent compared to the recent offer price of 100 per cent (par).
Another notable improvement was registered in the 7.5 per cent Mediterranean Investments Holding plc 2014 bonds which climbed to 94.99 per cent from 90 per cent.
Premier Capital plc, which had issued €25 million in bonds in March 2010, issued their 2011 half-year financial statements earlier on today.
The Premier Group reported a 21 per cent increase in EBITDA to €2.5 million. An interim dividend of €650,000 was declared. Later on this afternoon, GlobalCapital plc is expected to publish their interim results.