The Malta Stock Exchange gained lost just under 32 points, or 1.0 per cent on Monday, to close at the 3,101.625 level as investors shed both equity shares across several sectors. Trading volume was moderate as 65,378 shares changed hands across 33 deals.

Bank of Valletta plc shares, after trading for most of the session lower, managed to claw their way back and closed unchanged at €2.500 in robust volume of 24 deals for a total of 50,534 shares.

HSBC Bank Malta plc shares, meanwhile, closed 1c1, or 0.4 per cent lower, to finish the session at €2.689 in three deals for a total of 1,704 shares.

Putting in the day’s worst performance were the shares of the hotelier and real estate developer, International Hotel Investments plc, which fell by 4c, or 5.0 per cent, to end at €0.760 in three trades for a total of 10,740 shares.

Malta International Airport plc shares fell by 2c, or 1.3 per cent, to close at €1.510 in a single deal of 1,400 shares.

The other equity to see trading action during the session was that of the financial services company, GlobalCapital plc, which finished unchanged at €0.500 in two trades for a total of 1,000 shares.

Trading in the corporate bond market was rather subdued as just 32 deals took place across an equivalent of €159,988 nominal. Four of the thirteen bonds to trade in the day closed higher while three finished lower. Contrary to the company’s equity, the 6.25% International Hotel Investments Plc € 2017 – 2020 bond managed to gain €2.000, or 2.0 per cent, to end at €100.000 in three deals for a total of €25,000 nominal.

Trading in the government bond market was also rather sparse with just €201,390 nominal being exchanged across 17 deals. Six of the nine issues to see action closed higher while the remaining three closed lower.