Trading activity during the final session of the week on the Malta Stock Exchange ended in negative territory as the Index continued to extend losses, dropping by 0.2% to close at the 3,273.164 level. This happened when the gains registered in a single banking equity did not suffice to make up for losses registered in another four equities. In the equity market investors were active in just eight equities, transacting an aggregate of 30,242 shares across 26 deals.

HSBC Bank Malta was the day’s sole gainer as the equity rose by 2c or 0.7% to close at €2.890. Trading activity in the bank’s shares resulted when 5,470 shares were exchanged over five deals.

Meanwhile, Bank of Valletta shares registered no change in price as they closed unaltered at the €2.650 level. The bank was also the day’s most actively traded equity as investors transacted 9,164 shares across 10 deals, for a market consideration of €24,286.10.

Lombard Bank Malta also closed unchanged at €2.670. Activity was relatively muted as two investors negotiated just a mere 1,000 shares.

GO headed the list of losers during the day as the equity shed 6c or 4.4% to end at €1.300. Investors in the quadruple play telecommunications company resulted when 2,380 shares were exchanged over three deals.

Malta International Airport shares also ended the day in the red, as the equity declined by 4c or 2.5%to close at €1.550. Volume was low as 978 shares were transacted over two deals.

Likewise, Medserv and RS2 Software shares registered losses during the day as they declined by 15c and 1c to close at €3.850 and €0.530 respectively. RS2 was the day’s most liquid equity as investors negotiated 10,000 shares over three deals. Island Hotels Group Holdings closed unchanged at €0.850 on low volume.