Share index slides to 2-week low

Yesterday’s rebound in the share index was short-lived as the local equity benchmark slipped by 0.38 per cent during this morning’s session to a fresh two-week low of 4,464.134 points largely due to the declines in BOV, HSBC and IHI.

After holding on to the €1.70 level for three consecutive sessions, HSBC's share price slid 1.2 per cent back to an almost one-year low of €1.68 across 14 deals totalling 26,812 shares.

The bank is scheduled to publish its 2015 preliminary financial statements on February 22. Meanwhile, media reports yesterday morning confirmed that the bank reached a deal on a new collective agreement for its employees.

Bank of Valletta's equity reversed yesterday’s increase with a likewise 0.4 per cent drop during this morning’s session back to the €2.23 level on volumes of 41,266 shares.

International Hotel Investments also performed negatively with a 0.7 per cent decline back to the 73c level across a single trade of 5,000 shares.

MaltaPost also retreated by 2.1 per cent back to the €1.81,1 level on volumes of 1,040 shares. On Friday, the postal operator is scheduled to settle its dividend either in the form of new shares or in cash at 4c (net) per share.

The...