The Malta Stock Exchange Index shed just over sixteen points on Friday to end the week at the 3,378.974 level as investors remained cautious ahead of the weekend.

Simonds Farsons Cisk plc led the way lower, dropping 5c, or 2.8 per cent, to close the session at €1.750 in low volume of just two deals for a total of 1,180 shares.

Bank of Valletta plc shares were also lower, losing 5c, or 1.8 per cent, to close at €2.750 in moderate volume of 20,520 shares across 14 trades.

Shares in the local postal operator, MaltaPost plc also fell, albeit marginally, dropping 0c4, or 0.4 per cent, to end the week at €1.080 in a single deal of 300 shares.

Other shares to trade in the session, yet failed to register a change in their closing price, were International Hotel Investments plc and GO plc, which rounded out trading at €0.800 and €1.370, respectively, on volume of 11,000 shares and 3,400 shares, respectively.

At the end of trading the hotel operator, Island Hotels Group Holdings plc, announced that its board of directors is scheduled to meet on 21 June 2011 to discuss the company’s half-yearly financial statements for the period 1 November 2010 to 30 April 2011.

Trading in the corporate bond market finished mixed as three out of the seven bonds to trade during the day finished higher while three ended lower. Having the day’s worst performance was the 6.2% Mizzi Org. Fin. plc € 2016-2019 issue, which dropped €1.250, or 1.2 per cent, to close at €103.250 in three deals for a total of €1,900 nominal. The 4.25% FIMBank plc EUR 2013 bond added €0.500, or 0.5 per cent, to end at €100.500 in a single deal of €6,000 nominal.

The government bond market, meanwhile, put in a positive day’s performance as four of the five issues to trade in the day closed higher while a single bond closed lower.

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]