The share price of Bank of Valletta plc eased by 0.8 per cent during this morning’s session to close at a new 2014 low of €2.36 on high volumes totalling 62,989 shares.

Similarly, the equity of HSBC Bank Malta plc touched an intra-day low of €2.41,1 (just above its 2014 low of €2.40) before partially recovering to end the session 0.6 per cent lower at the €2.45 level on volumes of 28,935 shares.

The equity is still trading with the entitlement to the final gross dividend of €0.052 per share and will turn ex-dividend as from March 13. Moreover, shareholders as at the close of trading on April 24 will also be entitled to a one for nine bonus share issue.

Also in the financial sector, FIMBank plc retreated by 0.2 per cent to a fresh 2014 low of 88c8US on a deal of 2,000 shares. The trade finance specialist is scheduled to publish its 2013 full-year results on March 11.

GO plc shares also ranked amongst today’s negative performers with a 0.2 per cent drop back to the €2.09,4 level on volumes of 6,000 shares.

The only other active equity today was Lombard Bank Malta plc with 700 shares changingd hands at the €1.83,9 level representing a 2.2 per cent rise over the previous close. The bank is expected to reveal its 2013 figures on March 14.

On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index edged 0.1 per cent higher to 1,027.774 points despite the drop in the benchmark 10-year Eurozone yields to the 1.571 per cent level amid the rising threats of a war between Ukraine and Russia.

This has also impacted sentiment across equity markets with the major indices around the globe suffering drops of more than two per cent.

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