Trading for the last day of the week at the Malta Stock Exchange saw the Index breach the 2,700 resistence level, as some last minute trades in Bank of Valletta shares pushed the index into positive territory. Activity in the equity market increased from yesterday’s session and was spread over 30 deals as a total of eight different listings were active for the day.

Bank of Valletta was the day’s best performer, reversing the negative results of the previous day as the listing increased by 8c8 or 4.40 per cent to terminate at e2.09. The equity traded in the dying minutes of the session where 3,723 shares were struck over three deals.

Lombard Bank Malta was the only other gainer on the day as the listing rose by two cents or 0.80 per cent to close at e2.52. Trading activity in the banking equity was spread over two deals and a market consideration of e15,125.

HSBC Bank Malta was the day’s most liquid and actively traded equity as 36,110 shares were swapped over 18 deals for an aggregate a value of e77,709. The financial services company lost 3c or 1.38 per cent to end at e2.15.

Similarly, the dollar denominated equity FIMBank also registered declines albeit a marginal half a cent to close at $1.48

Malta International Airport issued the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2008 in which the company registered a profit before taxation of e13.7 million which represents a decrease of almost 3% in profit over the previous period. The airport operator was also active during the session, as the equity shed 5c or 2.22 per cent to end at e2.20.

Activity for MaltaPost and RS2 was spread over single deals as the companies’ prices declined by 0c5 and one cent respectively, with both equities terminating at e0.74. GO was the day’s sole non-mover as the price closed unchanged at e1.50 on low volume of 2,201 shares.

In the fixed interest sector of the market, activity was spread over 11 government stocks and just two corporate bonds. No significant volumes were registered in the fixed income sector with no particular trend in prices.

This article was compiled by Bank of Valletta plc which is licensed to

conduct investment services business by the MFSA. Bonds and shares may be

purchased and sold from any BOV branch. Further details may be obtained by contacting us on tel.: 2131-2020 or email: [email protected]