BOV unchanged despite turning ex-dividend

The share price of Bank of Valletta plc closed this morning’s trading session unchanged at the €2.12 level despite turning ex-dividend. A total of 34,631 shares changed hands today across eleven trades. The gross interim dividend of €0.06 per share will be paid on 24 May.

HSBC Bank Malta plc’s equity also closed the day unchanged at the €2.58 level but on significantly lower volumes of 4,865 shares.

Meanwhile MIDI plc lost 2.9% to a new all-time low of €0.34 on a single deal of 200,000 shares. This was the first time a deal in MIDI shares was transacted following the 2011 full-year results publication on 30 April. The 2011 financial statements revealed a sharp increase in pre-tax profits to €3 million but the Directors failed to declare a maiden dividend.

The only other active equity was GO plc which edged 1.4% higher to regain the €0.73 level across four trades totalling 8,865 shares. The quad play telecom operator is scheduled to hold its Annual General Meeting tomorrow with Malta International Airport plc and FIMBank plc following on Thursday.

On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index eased minimally lower to 990.802 points as eurozone yields marginally recovered from their all-time low of 1.55% recorded yesterday. Nonetheless, European yields remained under pressure as the uncertainty created by the election results of France and Greece led investors to the ‘safe-haven’ assets of Germany.