The Malta Stock Exchange Index ended the last session of the week almost eleven points, or 0.3 per cent higher, as the market continued to trade in light volume. At the end of the session, 38,447 shares had exchanged hands and the index had closed at the 3,374.267 level.

Shares in Simonds Farsons Cisk plc were the day’s best performer by gaining 3c, or 1.7 per cent, to close at €1.750 in a single trade of 333 shares.

Also performing well in the day were shares of Bank of Valletta plc, which gained 5c, or 1.5 per cent, to close at €3.350 in robust volume of 24,250 shares across sixteen deals. At the end of trading the bank released its financial results for the year ended 30 September 2010. Profit before tax for the banking group increased by 21%, to €98.9 million, versus €81.8 million for the previous year. The bank also announced a final net dividend of €0.104 per share as well as a bonus share issue of one share for every five held by shareholders.

Also finishing in positive territory were shares of GO plc, which were up marginally, by 0c1, or less than 0.1 per cent, to close at €1.870 on volume of 4,000 shares across 2 trades.

Finishing on the downside was the stock of Island Hotels Group Holdings plc, which dropped 3c1, or 3.2 per cent, to close at €0.949 in a single trade of 1,000 shares.

MaltaPost plc shares dropped by 1c, or 1.1 per cent, to close at €0.910, while Malta International Airport plc shares also dropped 1c, representing a 0.6 per cent loss, to close at €1.640, both on light volume.

The other stock to trade in the day yet failed to register a change in its closing price was HSBC Bank Malta plc, which closed unchanged at €2.800 in six deals for a total of 4,190 shares.

Trading in the corporate bond market also continued to trade in light volume as €84,960 nominal in 22 deals were exchanged. Results were mostly negative as four of the eight bonds to trade in the session closed lower while only one finished higher.