The Malta Stock Exchange Index dropped just under three points, or less than 0.1 per cent on Thursday, in moderately light volume of 63,359 shares across a total of 31 deals. The Index closed at the 3,071.765 level.

Shares of GO plc put in a positive performance, gaining 3c, or 2.4 per cent, to finish the day at €1.265 in three trades for a total of 4,610 shares.

Banking shares, meanwhile, had another negative day, with Bank of Valletta plc equity dropping 0c5, or 0.2 per cent, to close at €2.495 in fourteen trades for a total of 21,177 shares.

HSBC Bank Malta plc stock was also closed lower yesterday, dropping 1c4, or 0.5 per cent, to finish at €2.651 in twelve deals for a total of 21,272 shares.

Also witnessing trading action in the day were the shares of RS2 Software plc. But the stock of the IT solutions provider ended the session unchanged at €0.550 in two deals for a total of 16,300 shares.

Trading in the corporate bond market was relatively quiet with just two of the eight issues to be dealt ending higher while a single bond closed marginally lower. Trading volume was light with €114,470 nominal across 17 deals being executed. The 7.5% Mediterranean Investments Holding plc EUR 2012-2014 issue added €4.990, or 5.5 per cent, to close at €94.990 in a single deal of €20,000 nominal. Ending lower was the 5.35% Bank of Valletta plc Sub € 2019 bond which dipped a slight 1c, or less than 0.1 per cent, to end at €103.000 in a single deal of €5,000 nominal.

Trading in the government bond market was decidedly bearish with nine of the twelve bonds to trade in the session ending lower while just two closed higher. The main mover was the 5.25% MGS 2030 (I) bond, which dropped €1.05, or 1.0 per cent, to end at €102.000 in a single deal of €2,000 nominal.