Banks drag index towards a negative end week

The MSE index ended today’s session with a loss of 0.29 per cent, thus posting a decline of 1.7 per cent over the past week. Eight equities were active during today’s session in which four depreciated in value, two posted gains, while the other two remained unchanged.From the banking industry, both BOV and HSBC maintained their negative stance for the third and second consecutive sessions respectively. The former declined by 1.03 per cent to close at Eur 2.41 across 13 deals of 24,047 shares, while the latter closed at Eur 2.74 over two deals of 7,140 shares, equivalent to a 0.33 per cent loss. The other two equities which formed part of the list of losers were MIA, which closed 0.06 per cent lower and RS2 Software which emerged as the prime loser for the day closing at Eur 0.82 or 2.38 per cent lower. On a positive note, Plaza Centres was the prime gainer for the day with a 1.8 per cent gain over high volumes of 500,000 shares. Likewise, GO appreciated by 1.67 per cent over 14,730 shares to close at Eur 1.22. Meanwhile, Crimsonwing and Maltapost ended the session unchanged at Eur 0.57 and Eur 0.92 respectively.

In the Corporate Bonds Market turnover totalled to Eur 266,749 spread over four issues in which only one rose while the remaining three remained unchanged. The 7% MIDI plc GBP 2016 – 2018 was the gainer for the day as it appreciated by 0.98 per cent. Meanwhile, in the Government Stock Market, total trading value amounted to over Eur 549,151, traded across six issues out of which five registered gains while the 4.8% MGS 2028 (I) r remained unchanged.In today’s session, the5.25% MGS 2030 (I) was the most liquid issue as trading value amounted to Eur 266,394.