The Malta Stock Exchange Index dropped almost ten points, or 0.3 per cent on Monday, eliminating Friday’s gains to end the first session of the week at the 3,316.497 level. On Friday, the index added almost nine points on heavy volume.

Bank of Valletta plc dropped 1c8, or 0.6 per cent, to close at €2.802 in thirteen deals for a total of 11,940 shares.

HSBC Bank Malta plc shares, meanwhile, shed 2c, or 0.7 per cent, in low volume of 4,400 shares across just three deals.

Remaining in the financial sector, Middlesea Insurance plc, fell by 1c, or almost 1.0 per cent, to close at €1.030 in a single deal of 1,000 shares.

Finishing in positive territory were the shares of the local airport operator, Malta International Airport plc, which added 2c, of 1.2 per cent, to end the session at €1.700 in three deals for a total of 2,400 shares.

Also closing higher was the stock of the local telecommunications provider, GO plc, which climbed by 1c, or 0.7 per cent, to end at €1.360 on volume of 6,200 shares across three deals.

Also trading on Monday, yet failed to register a change in their closing prices, were the shares of International Hotel Investments plc and Island Hotels Group Holdings plc, which closed at €0.700 and €0.895, respectively, on volume of 24,012 shares and 112 shares, respectively.

The corporate bond market finished mixed with four of the eight bonds to trade in the session closing higher while two ended lower. The 6.25% Int. Hotel Invest. Plc € 2015-2019 issue closed €2.000, or 2.2 per cent higher, to finish the day at €93.000 on low volume, while the 6.7% AX Investments Plc 2014-2016 bond shed €0.500, or 0.5 per cent, to close out trading at €99.500, also on low volume.

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]