Trading activity during Tuesday’s session on the Malta Stock Exchange ended on a positive note as the Index gained 0.7% to close at the 3,088.140 level. This occurred when the gains registered in three equities sufficed to make up for the losses registered in another two equities. In the equity market, activity was spread across six equities as investors negotiated an aggregate of 157,323 shares spread across 16 deals.

The day’s best performer was HSBC Bank Malta, as its shares gained 7c or 2.7 per cent to close at €2.700. The bank also published its Interim Directors’ Statement covering the period from 1 July 2011 to 15 November 2011. According to this statement, the trading period has been dominated by volatility in global markets. Levels of retail deposits were unchanged during the period despite significant competitive pressure. Costs were slightly higher than the same period last year, primarily due to ongoing investments in the business.

Likewise, in the banking sector, Bank of Valletta also ended the day with gains, albeit registering a mere 0c1 increase, to close the day at the €2.421 level. Volume was relatively muted as investors exchanged 4,000 shares across three deals for a market consideration of €9,684.

In the financial sector of the market, FIMBank issued a financial statement covering the period 1st July up to 15th November, 2011. Overall the performance for the period under review remains supported by low impairments, a growing balance-sheet, healthy capital and liquidity ratios in line with the trends reported for the half-year ended 30 June 2011.

Elsewhere, International Hotel Investments registered a modest 0c2 increase to close at €0.782. However, Malta International Airport and Medserv ended the session in the red, as prices dropped by 5c and 1c to close at €1.650 and €3.840 respectively.

MaltaPost was the sole equity to close unchanged during the trading session at €0.980. Meanwhile, 6PM Holdings explained that it is building on the improvements registered during the first half of the year, as 6PM UK continued its steady progress and a number of new development projects have been signed or are expected to be signed by December 2011 and will spill-over to 2012.