Trading activity during Thursday’s session on the Malta Stock Exchange ended yet again in negative territory as the Index shed a marginal 0.06 per cent to close at the 3,323.835 level. This happened when the gains registered in a single banking equity did not suffice to make up for losses registered in another three equities. In the equity market activity was spread across six equities as investors negotiated an aggregate of 43,316 shares spread across 25 deals.

The session’s worst performer was Bank of Valletta as the equity shed 4c or 1.5 per cent to close the session at €2.650. The Bank was nevertheless the session’s most liquid and actively traded equity as investors transacted a total of 22,224 shares across 11 deals for a market consideration of €59,555.42.

Also in the financial sector, FIMBank shares depreciated in value during the day, as the equity shed 0c8 of a US dollar or 1 per cent to close the session at $0.772. Activity in the dollar denominated equity was subdued as two investors exchanged a total of 416 shares.

Meanwhile, the day’s sole gainer was HSBC Bank Malta, as the equity’s share price rose by 3c, which equates to an increase of 1 per cent to close at €2.950. Trading activity in the bank resulted when a volume of 6,360 shares were transacted across eight deals.

Beyond the banking sector of the market, activity in Plaza Centres and Island Hotels Group Holdings resulted in no change in price as both equities closed unaltered at the €1.800 and the €0.850 level respectively.

Lastly, Loqus Holdings terminated the session in the red, albeit registering only a marginal drop of 0c1 or 0.6 per cent to close at €0.160. Activity was low as 1,000 shares were traded over a single deal.

In the fixed interest sector of the market, activity was spread over six corporate bonds and three government stocks.