MSE index at record high

Local equities ended yesterday's trading session in positive territory, thereby assisting the MSE index to close with a 0.4 per cent gain at 4,564 points, its highest historical level. Bank of Valletta was the motor behind yesterday's rally at the Malta Stock Exchange as investors continued to swamp the market with more funds. A total of 12,923 shares were exchanged during the session pushing the price higher by 3c or 0.4 per cent to close the day at Lm6.90.

As many as 14,713 shares of HSBC Bank Malta were swapped across 24 trades during the session. The price initially increased by a penny before settling down to close unchanged on the day at Lm7.12.

Malta International Airport was the most voluminously traded equity with a grand total of 89,480 shares, carrying a market consideration just shy of Lm137,000, exchanged across 20 transactions. The price closed higher by the slimmest of margins at Lm1.53,1.

A healthy number of shares were also exchanged in Maltacom, as investors reacted positively to news that the company's mobile subsidiary is investing in new technology. The equity closed 0c4 higher at Lm1.72,5. The biggest gain was in International Hotel Investments which rallied 6.25 per cent on buying activity which saw 18,392 shares being picked out from the offer side up to the €0.85 level.

Plaza Centres followed suit gaining 3.2 per cent as two investors swapped 1,500 shares for a 2c premium at the Lm0.64 level.