The MSE Equity Price Index extended Monday's decline by a further 0.05 per cent to a one-week low of 4,290.607 points. The declines in the share prices of Medserv, IHI and Malita minimally outweighed the gains in five other shares, including those of BOV and Farsons. Meanwhile, trading volumes contracted sharply to just €0.16 million compared to an average of €0.51 million last week.

Over 60 per cent of Tuesday's trading activity took place in the equity of Bank of Valletta plc which advanced by 1.3 per cent to regain the €1.52 level across 64,206 shares.

BOV’s insurance associate – Mapfre Middlesea plc – also performed positively with a gain of 0.5 per cent to the €1.90 level albeit on just 2,300 shares.

Simonds Farsons Cisk plc added 1.4 per cent to the €7.50 level on two deals totalling 1,320 shares.

In the property segment, MIDI plc advanced to a new record high of €0.535 (+0.9 per cent) across 38,415 shares. The company is scheduled to publish its interim results on August 30.

Plaza Centres plc moved 1 per cent higher to the €1.01 level on activity of 4,500 shares.

In contrast, Malita Investments plc lost 1.1 per cent back to the €0.87 level across 10,050 shares. Shareholders as at close of trading today will be receiving a net interim dividend of €0.00858 per share. The dividend is payable on September 7.

Both International Hotel Investments plc and Medserv plc registered significant declines albeit on thin volumes. IHI shed 3.1 per cent to the €0.615 level while Medserv tumbled by 9 per cent back to the €1.01 level. Medserv is due to publish its interim results on August 27. On the other hand, IHI still has to announce the date of the publication of its interim financial statements.

RS2 Software plc held on to the €1.19 level after opening at a low of €1.16 (-2.5 per cent). Only 2,050 shares traded. The company is expected to publish its interim financial statements on August 28.

Similarly, HSBC Bank Malta plc recovered from an intra-day low of €1.78 (-1.1 per cent) to end unchanged at the €1.80 level across 2,236 shares.

Trident Estates plc traded flat at the €1.30 level on trivial activity.

The RF MGS Index erased Monday's decline as it rebounded by 0.15 per cent to a one-week high of 1,095.905 points. Malta Government Stock prices rose as the spread between the benchmark German government bonds and those of peripheral countries tightened ahead of informal talks to be held tomorrow and Thursday between the US and China on the possibility of improving trade relations following the introduction of various trade barriers in recent months.

The Malta Stock Exchange on Tuesday announced the listing of the new €15 million 4 per cent Exalco Finance plc 2028 secured bonds. Trading is expected to commence on Wednesday.

www.rizzofarrugia.com

Stock markets are volatile and subject to fluctuations which cannot be reasonably foreseen. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.

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