The Malta Stock Exchange ended the week marginally on the upside as the Index gained less than one point to close the session at the 3,464.129 level. This occurred when gains registered in Bank of Valletta shares made up for the losses registered in another four equities. Volume nevertheless was subdued as investors transacted an aggregate of 14,852 shares across 11 deals.

The day’s sole gainer was Bank of Valletta as the equity rose by 4c5, which equates to an increase of 1.6% to close at €2.950. The bank’s shares were trading at an intra-day low of €2.901, when buying activity pushed the price to its current standing. Trading activity in the Bank’s shares resulted when investors swapped 8,007 shares over 10 deals.

Meanwhile, Middlesea Insurance headed the list of losers during the day as the equity shed 5c0 or 5.3% to close at €0.900. Investors in the insurance company negotiated 2,030 shares across 3 deals for a market consideration of €1,827.13.

A negative performance was also registered in HSBC Bank Malta shares, as the equity’s price depreciated by 1c5 or 0.5% to close at €2.930. Volume of 12,250 shares was spread across 6 deals.

Beyond the financial services sector of the market, trading activity was registered in GO and Simonds Farsons Cisk shares. Both equities ended the day in negative territory as they declined by 0c5 and 3c0 to close at €1.505 and €1.770 respectively. Volume in SFC was particularly muted as 67 shares were exchanged over a single deal.

Elsewhere, GlobalCapital and Malta International Airport shares were non-movers during the session as they close unchanged at €1.000 and €1.770 respectively. MIA was the day’s most actively traded equity and the session’s most liquid as 14,852 shares were transacted across 11 deals.

In the fixed interest sector of the market, activity was spread across ten corporate bonds and seven government stocks. In the corporate debt market, the session’s best performer was the 6.8% Premier Capital € 2017-2020 bond, which rose by 200 ticks, when €4,600 nominal were transacted over 2 deals to close at €104.00.