Trading activity for the last session of the week at the Malta Stock Exchange resulted in a positive outcome as the Index gained slightly more than 1 per cent to terminate at the 2,829 level. Investors in the equity market swapped an aggregate 42 deals over 6 active listings.

HSBC Bank Malta was the day’s most liquid and actively traded component, when investors struck 32,500 shares over an aggregate 19 deals for a market consideration of e76,998. The Bank was also the best performer in the banking sector during the session as the equity rose by 5c2 which equates to a 2 per cent increase and a closing price of e2.40.

Meanwhile, Bank of Valletta shares retraced by 1.64 per cent to close the session at e2.40. After the closing bell, the banking Group issued its financial results for the first six months of the financial year, where an operating profit of e10.1 million was reported. The Bank also declared a gross interim dividend of e0.035 per ordinary share.

Lombard Bank Malta was the sole equity that registered no shift in price and closed unchanged at e2.65.

International Hotel Investments was the best performer on the day, as the equity rose by 3c or 3.90 per cent to close at e0.80, signalling a new high for the year. Activity for the listing was spread over 3 deals and a value of e15,468.

GO was also a gainer during the session albeit increasing by a negligible one tenth of a cent to terminate the day at e1.60. Investors for the quadruple play communications’ company transacted a total of 14,000 shares over 9 deals.

Malta International Airport was also active for the day despite trading on low volume when two investors traded 600 shares. The airport operator was nevertheless the day’s worst performer as the equity slipped by 5c or 2.33 per cent closing at e2.10.