The Malta Stock Exchange Index dropped almost five points, or 0.1 per cent on Wednesday, on relatively strong volume of 149,873 shares across 26 deals.

The big mover in the session was the stock of FIMBank plc, which added 5c, or 6.5 per cent, to close at €0.820 in four deals for a total of 9,774 shares. On Tuesday, FIMBank shares lead the market lower, falling 3c, or 3.8 per cent, to end at $0.770 in a single deal of 102 shares.

Also finishing strongly higher on the day were the shares of the local IT services provider, RS2 Software plc, which gained 3c, or 6.0 per cent to end at €0.530 in a single deal of 10,000 shares. Yesterday’s gain comes on the heels of Tuesday’s 1c increase as 45,000 shares traded to add 0.2 per cent to RS2’s stock price.

Also in the IT sector, 6pm Holdings plc closed unchanged, at €0.300, in heavy volume in three deals for a total of 100,000 shares.

Stock of the local postal operator, MaltaPost plc, added 3c, or 2.9 per cent, to close out the session at €1.050 on volume of 4,348 shares across three trades.

Finishing in negative territory were the shares of the large retail banks. Bank of Valletta plc stock dropped 1c9, to end the session 0.7 per cent lower, at €2.700, in nine deals for a total of 9,800 shares.

HSBC Bank Malta plc stock slipped 2c2, or 0.7 per cent, on light volume of 4,108 shares across a total of four trades, to end at €2.948.

Also trading in the day were the shares of International Hotel Investments plc, which closed unchanged at €0.820 in two deals for a total of 11,843 shares.

Trading in the corporate bond market finished mostly positive as five of the ten bonds to trade in the day closed higher while two closed lower. Volume was very light as an equivalent of just €154,332 nominal across 22 deals changed hands. The 6.2% Mizzi Organization Finance plc € 2016-2019 bond added €1.250, or 1.2 per cent, to end at €104.250 in four deals for a total of €3,000 nominal. The 6.25% Mediterranean Bank plc EUR 2015 dropped €0.500, or 0.5 per cent, to end the day at €100.00 in a single deal of €1,000 nominal.

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