The MSE Share Index rose marginally today by 0.1 per cent to 3,117.618 points on the back of positive performances in Lombard Bank Malta plc and RS2 Software plc.
Fresh bids for Lombard Bank Malta plc emerged during this morning's trading session on the Stock Exchange lifting the bank's share price 2.3 per cent higher to regain the €2.67,9 level across three trades totalling 2,000 shares.
A further 8,590 shares remain on offer at this level.
Lombard's share price has shed 5.7 per cent during Q3 2011 despite the publication of the half-year results to June 30 revealing a 5.9 per cent increase in profits to €4.2 million mainly arising from higher net fee and commission income.
The share price of RS2 Software plc advanced by 1.7 per cent to regain the 59c level on increased volumes totalling over 22,000 shares. Bids of a further 15,800 shares are placed at 58s with lowest offers amounting to 30,000 shares at the 2011 high of 60c.
Meanwhile, the share prices of the two large banks equities closed the session unchanged.
Bank of Valletta plc held on to the €2.50 level on volumes totalling 9,482 shares whilst HSBC Bank Malta plc traded unchanged at the €2.65 level on volumes of over 6,300 shares.
On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index eased 0.1 per cent lower to 993.996 points as Eurozone yields marginally recovered.
This followed the news regarding plans by the EU finance ministers to replenish the capital of the region's banks.
The International Monetary Fund estimates that European Banks need between €100 billion and €200 billion to strengthen their capital base. This announcement offset the credit rating downgrade of Italy's sovereign debt by Moody's of three positions from Aa2 to A2.
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