Trading in the equity market during Friday’s session on the Malta Stock Exchange ended on a negative note as the index reversed the previous day’s gains, thus losing 0.07 per cent, to close at the 3,115.438 level. Activity in the equity market was spread over four companies and was made up of a total of 23 deals in which 59,742 shares were transacted.

Bank of Valletta shares registered the only positive outcome during yesterday’s session, with the price gaining 1c0, or 0.4 per cent, to close the day at the €2.510 level. Bank of Valletta also recorded the highest number of deals with a total of 12 deals in which 18,450 shares exchanged hands.

On the other hand, also in the banking sector, HSBC Bank Malta shares lost 1c0, or 0.4 per cent, to end the session at the €2.580 level. Trading in this equity consisted of three deals in which a total of 7,435 shares were dealt.

Similarly, a negative outcome was seen in GO’s shares. Trading in this equity ranged between a daily low of €0.950 and a daily high of €1.000, also the day’s closing price. This translated into a loss of 1c0, or 1 per cent, from the previous session’s closing price. GO registered the highest volume as a total of 33,157 shares were exchanged over 7 transactions.

A single deal for a mere 700 shares in Simonds Farsons Cisk caused the equity’s price to drop by 1c0 or 0.6 per cent to close at €1.800.

Meanwhile, MaltaPost plc issued its financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2011. The company’s turnover increased by 4.9% from €20.4 million to €21.4 million. Profit before tax, on the other hand, fell by 4.8% to €3.05 million (€3.2 million the previous year), principally due to a positive movement in foreign exchange exposure in 2010, which was not repeated this year. The Board of Directors is recommending the payment of a final net dividend of €0.04 per share.

In the fixed interest sector of the market, activity was spread across 15 corporate bonds and eight government stocks.