The local equity market kicked off this week (the last full trading week of 2012) on a positive note as the MSE Share Index edged 0.1% higher to 3,169.931 points on the back of further increases in the share prices of GO plc and Lombard Bank Malta plc.

GO’s equity advanced by a further 1.8% to close at a 5-month high of €1.14 across six trades totalling 7,500 shares. Lombard’s share price traded higher for the second consecutive session with a further 1.4% rise to €1.865 on volumes of 19,100 shares.

On the other hand, the equity of Malta International Airport plc eased 0.3% lower from its 2012 high of €1.80 to close at the €1.795 level on volumes totalling 24,800 shares.

Meanwhile, the share price of Bank of Valletta plc remained unchanged at the €2.35 level across 8,729 shares. The Bank is scheduled to hold its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday. During the meeting shareholders will be asked to approve a number of resolutions on the agenda including the final gross dividend of €0.13 per share and a 1 for 9 bonus share issue. Shareholders will also be electing six Directors out of the eight nominated candidates.

Similarly, no changes were reported in the share prices of Crimsonwing plc (€0.46), RS2 Software plc (€0.725) as well as MaltaPost plc (€0.85). The postal operator is scheduled to hold its Annual General Meeting on 10 January 2013 during which shareholders will be asked to approve a number of resolutions including the final net dividend of €0.04 per share.

On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index inched minimally higher to 1,002.588 points despite a marginal increase in Eurozone yields to the 1.37%. The rise in benchmark 10-year German Bunds reflects the increased investor confidence on the back of rumoured progress being achieved in the US budget negotiations.

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