Another positive day on the local markets had investors pushing up the Malta Stock Exchange almost 21 points, or 0.7 per cent on Tuesday while trading volume was relatively light with just 29,459 shares being traded across a total of 25 deals. On Monday the MSE added almost 15 points, or 0.5 per cent, while yesterday’s gain represents the fourth consecutive gain for the index after several straight sessions of losses.

Leading the market higher were the shares of HSBC Bank Malta plc, which added 3c9, or 1.5 per cent, to close at €2.729 on light volume of 7,000 shares across four deals.

Bank of Valletta plc stock, meanwhile, also managed stout gains yesterday, adding 2c, or 0.8 per cent, to end the day at €2.560 in fourteen deals for a total of 10,359 shares.

Not managing to share in the day’s gains of the banking sector was the equity of Lombard Bank plc, which shed a marginal 0c1, or less than 0.1 per cent, to finish the day at €2.679 in five deals for a total of 7,400 shares.

Shares of the local airport operator, Malta International Airport plc, performed strongly by adding 2c, or 1.3 per cent, to close at €1.540 in two trades for a total of 4,700 shares.

Trading in the corporate bond market ended mixed on Tuesday as four of the fourteen bonds to trade during the day closed lower, while two ended higher. The 4.8% Bank of Valletta Plc Sub € 2020 bond fell €1.250, or 1.2 per cent, to close at €100.000 in two deals for a total of €14,300 nominal. The 7.5% Mediterranean Investments Holding Plc € 2015, meanwhile, managed the strongest showing of the day by gaining €2.000, or 2.1 per cent, to end at €98.000 in a single deal of €6,000 nominal.