The Malta Stock Exchange managed a positive, yet marginal, return on Friday, breaking a losing streak of several sessions, closing at 3358.969, up 0.1%. The session was marked by a lack of trading, especially in equities, as investors sat on the sidelines ahead of the weekend.

Shares of Bank of Valletta plc were one of only two equities to trade on the day, trading in light volume of 6372 shares across seven deals. The equity closed down marginally, by 0c1, or less than 0.1 per cent. During the session it was down by more than 2c, yet managed to climb its way back to settle at €3.049. BOV has witnessed a drop in market value of over 10 per cent so far this year while yesterday’s drop has made this the fifth consecutive session of losses for the shares of the local retail bank.

BOV’s major competitor in the retail banking sector, HSBC Bank Malta plc, failed to trade in the session. Banking stocks have been on a decline of late and have pulled the Index down since reaching its recent high of 3919.719 in January.

Shares in the local telecommunications company, GO plc, were the other equity to trade in the session, closing up 3c to finish at €1.93. Trading was light, at three deals of 1,115 shares. GO’s shares witnessed a relatively volatile session, opening at €1.86 and trading as low as €1.85 during the day. Yet the shares managed to settle back to register a positive return of 1.6 per cent for the session.

Trading in the corporate bond market was brisk as 23 deals took place in volume of €577,000 across nine bonds. The 6.60% Eden Finance 2017-2020 witnessed the highest volume on the day, trading €210,000 in two deals to close unchanged at €100.00. The 5.60% GlobalCapital 2014-2016 issue made a gain of €0.50, or 0.6 per cent, to close at €85.50 in two trades of €12,100 nominal.

The 5.35% Izola Bank 2015 issue continues to gather steam as yesterday’s session witnessed trading of €200,000 nominal in a single deal. Yet the bond has failed to register a change in its closing price, above or below par, since being listed on the bond market on Monday.

Trading in the government stock market, meanwhile, was moderately light as €190,243 nominal were exchanged across 11 deals. The 4.80% MGS 2016 II series closed up €1.00, or 0.9 per cent, to end at €108.92 in a single trade of €2,330 nominal.