The Malta Stock Exchange index started the week with a 12 point gain on Monday, closing at the 3,313.735 level as investors sought to increase their holdings especially in shares of companies in the financial and tourism sectors. Trading was brisk as 128,095 shares across changed hands across 48 deals.

Putting in the day’s best performance was the stock of Bank of Valletta plc, which gained 4c, or 1.4 per cent, to close at €2.840 in 20 trades for a total of 11,500 shares.

HSBC Bank Malta plc shares also witnessed action yesterday as turnover of 17,033 shares across ten trades saw the bank’s stock close unchanged at €2.950.

Lombard Bank plc, meanwhile, closed marginally lower, shedding 0c6, or 0.2 per cent, and ended the session at €2.929 in a single deal of 954 shares.

Middlesea Insurance plc was also higher at the close of trading, gaining 1c, or 1.0 per cent, to close at €0.990 in four deals for a total of 5,000 shares.

Shares in the local telecommunications provider, GO plc, finished unchanged at €1.290 in two deals for a total of 2,800 shares.

International Hotel Investments plc shares traded with the day’s heaviest volume of 73,000 shares across five deals and also closed unchanged, ending at €0.700.

Also traded in the session were the shares of Malta International Airport plc and RS2 Software plc, which both finished the day unchanged, closing at €1.650 and €0.500 respectively, on moderate volume of 8,208 shares and 9,600 shares, respectively.

Trading in the corporate bond market was light as just nine deals for a total of €52,880 nominal took place over five bonds. The 4.25% FIMBank plc EUR 2013 issue gained €0.500, or 0.5 per cent to close at par, or €100.000 in two deals for a total of €5,000 nominal. The 4.8% Bank of Valletta 2020 bond also closed higher, gaining €0.200, or 0.2 per cent, to end the day at €100.700 in two deals for a total of €39,000 nominal. The remaining three bonds to trade yesterday ended unchanged.

Trading in government bonds was spread over 15 stocks and consisted 26 deals for a total nominal value of €158,960.

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]