FIMBank leaps forward by another 7%

The share index extended yesterday’s gains by a further 0.19 per cent to close at 4,471.452 points as the positive performances of five equities marginally outweighed the declines of two of the largest companies by market capitalisation – HSBC and GO.

Trading volumes surged with almost €678,000 worth of shares changing hands.

The top performer of the day was FIMBank plcas the equity advanced by a further seven per cent to close at the 68c5US level – the highest since early July 2014 – across 51,692 shares.

Also in the banking sector, both Bank of Valletta and Lombard Bank registered gains. The equity of BOV advanced by 0.9 per cent to the €2.32 level across heightened trading volumes totalling 77,048 shares.

The bank will be holding its next annual general meeting on December 17, during which shareholders will be asked to approve a number of resolutions including a gross final dividend of 8c5 per share (payable on the following day) and a one for every 12 bonus share issue.

Relatively high trading volumes were also registered in Lombard Bank as the equity closed at a new multi-year high of €2.38 (+1.3 per cent) across 54,338 shares.

Following yesterday’s gain of 10 per cente,...