On Thursday, the Malta Stock Exchange Index lost some of its recent steam yet still managed to end another session in positive territory as trading was relatively heavy. Volume registered at 389,732 shares across 76 deals, as the index ended the day up seven points, or 0.2%, to close at 3,845.024
Whereas shares of the large retail banks had been the market darlings of late, they finished mixed yesterday, despite trading volumes remaining robust. HSBC Bank Malta plc shares, whilst opening 3c higher at the market open, ended the session unchanged at €3.500 in 17 deals for a total of 30,125 shares. Bank of Valletta plc shares, meanwhile, closed 4c8, or 1.5% lower and closed at €3.151 on 29,848 shares across 33 deals.
FIMBank plc managed a positive performance on the day, partially recouping Wednesday’s 3.2% loss by gaining 2c, or 2.2%, to close at US$0.940 in two trades for a total of 50,000 shares.
Still in the financial services sector, Middlesea Insurance plc added 1c5, or 1.5%, to finish at €1.015 on volume of 12,930 shares across three deals.
The equity of International Hotel Investments plc was the heaviest traded issue on the day as 247,029 shares exchanged hands across 14 deals. Investors pushed the share price up 3c1, or 3.4%, to have the stock end the day at €0.951.
Suffering the day’s worst performance were the shares of Island Hotels Group Holdings plc, which fell 9c, or 9.1%, to close at €0.900 in a single trade of 1,000 shares.
Other issues to trade in the day yet finished unchanged where those of GO plc and Plaza Centres plc, which closed at €1.940 and €1.690, respectively, on relatively low volumes.
Trading in the corporate bond market continued to be light as an equivalent of €86,322 nominal across 13 deals was executed. Trading was mostly negative as five of the ten issues to trade during the session finished lower, while two closed higher. The 4.25% FIMBank plc USD 2013 bond had the day’s worst showing, dropping US$1.45, or 1.4%, in a single trade of US$10,000 nominal, to end at US$101.00. On Wednesday, the 4.25% FIMBank USD 2013 bond gained US$2.20, or 2.2%.