The Malta Stock Exchange Index gained just under nine points in the last session of the week before a festive long weekend, to close at the 3,504.846 level on moderate volume of 67,862 shares across 43 trades.

GlobalCapital plc shares, mimicking its performance of the last session of the previous week, again was this session’s biggest gainer, givinig up by 24c, or 19.1 per cent, to close at €1.500 on light volume of 4,800 shares across 9 trades.

Also making substantial gains on the day were shares of FIMBank plc, which added 1c9, or 2.1 per cent, to finish the session at US$0.940 in two trades for a total of 26,000 shares.

Also in the banking sector, Bank of Valletta plc shares continued to climb on Friday, adding 2c1, or 0.6 per cent, to end the day at €3.770 in brisk trading of 23 trades for a total of 21,162 shares.

Meanwhile Lombard Bank plc shares fell 3c, or 1.2 per cent on the day, to end at €2.570, on light volume of 4 trades for a total of 3,900 shares.

The exchange’s other listed banking issue, HSBC Bank Malta plc, saw its shares close the session unchanged, at €2.930 in light volume of 5,000 shares across three deals.

Also trading on the day were the shares of GO plc, which gained a marginal 0c1, to close at €1.920, in two deals, for a total of 7,000 shares.

During the session, MIDI plc announced that, with respect to its recent share offering, it had received applications for 45,147,700 ordinary shares from the general public, and for 22,222,222 ordinary shares from existing shareholders. It also announced that it would be satisfying all applications received by exercising part of its over allotment option.

Trading in the corporate bond market was light as trading of €191,950 nominal across 24 deals took place. The bond registering the largest gain was the 5.6% GlobalCapital plc € 2014-2016 issue, which gained €1.00, or 1.2 per cent, to close at €86.00 in a single deal of €1,400 nominal.

Trading in the government stock market consisted of a volume of €588,750 nominal across 7 trades. The 5.2% MGS 2020 (I) issue dropped €1.69, or 1.6 per cent, to close at €106.65 in a single trade of €100,938 nominal.

This article has been prepared by Bank of Valletta p.l.c. (the Bank) for your general information only and is not intended to address your particular requirements. This information is not a solicitation or offer by the Bank to acquire or sell securities. Nor does it constitute any form of advice or recommendation by the Bank. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. The price of investments can go down as well as up, and investors may not get back the amount they invested. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. Bank of Valletta p.lc. 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]