Maltacom shares opened the week at Lm1.36 on Monday and closed yesterday's session at Lm1.401, representing an overall increase in share price of 4c1. The price ranged between Lm1.42 and Lm1.352 during the week. A total of 36,538 shares changed hands over the week, spread over 34 deals. As yesterday's session drew to a close 2,953 shares at Lm1.39 and 8,300 shares at Lm1.425 were the best unsatisfied bids and offers respectively.
In a company announcement issued yesterday, the Board of Directors of HSBC Bank Malta plc approved the interim accounts for the six-month period ended 30 June 2005. These show a net interest income of Lm21,295,000 (June 2004: Lm19 million); operating income of Lm44,222,000 (June 2004: Lm39 million); profit attributable to shareholders of Lm12,090,000 (June 2004: Lm13 million) and earnings per share of 16c6 (June 2004: 18c). The board also approved the payment of an ordinary interim dividend of 19c1 gross per share and additionally a special dividend of 27c4 gross per share, giving a total gross interim dividend of 46c5 per share. This will be payable to shareholders who are on the company's register of shareholders as at July 29, 2005.
Meanwhile, HSBC shares lost 4c during the week to end Thursday's session at Lm5.20 after opening at Lm5.24 on Monday. Total turnover amounted to 20,992 shares changing hands over 22 deals. During the week, the price ranged between Lm5.259 and Lm5.20. Following the close of business yesterday, 500 shares at Lm5.12 were the best outstanding bids while 450 shares at Lm5.20 were the best offers still unsatisfied.
During the current week, trading in Bank of Valletta shares opened at Lm5.02 on Monday, went down to Lm4.998 during the week before going up again to end yesterday's session at Lm5.00. Total turnover for the week amounted to 26,991 shares changing hands over 54 deals. Following the close of business yesterday, best bids for 1,100 shares at Lm4.90 and best offers of 2,009 at Lm5.00 remained outstanding.
In a company announcement issued on Monday, Suncrest Hotels plc announced that the board of directors is scheduled to meet at the Suncrest Hotel on Wednesday, July 27, to approve the company's interim accounts for the six months ended on April 30, 2005.
Following are the other equities which traded during the week, together with the range in which trading took place: 5,455 Lombard Bank shares between Lm5.68 and Lm5.60; 8,692 Middlesea Insurance shares between Lm3.26 and Lm3.259; 24,675 Simonds Farsons Cisk shares between Lm0.85 and Lm0.849; 600 Suncrest Hotels shares at Lm0.355; 11,939 International Hotel Investments shares between €0.752 and €0.75; 3,041 Plaza Centres shares at Lm0.60; 174,500 FIMBank shares between USD1.23 and USD1.225; 12,492 Malta International Airport shares between Lm1.331 and Lm1.30; 6,692 Global Financial Services shares at Lm1.14 and 2,694 Datatrak shares between Lm0.18 and Lm0.175.
Total Malta Government Stock turnover amounted to a nominal value of Lm753,400 being traded in 55 deals over 20 different stocks. Trading over the week in corporate bonds was made up of a total value of Lm133,315. Meanwhile in the primary market, subscription lists for the fungible issues of five per cent MGS 2021 (at Lm102 per Lm100 nominal and by tender) and that of 5.7 per cent MGS 2012(III) (by tender) opened last Thursday and will close on Tuesday at noon, or earlier at the discretion of the accountant general. If oversubscribed, the accountant general reserves the right to exercise an over allotment option for an additional amount of Lm10 million in the main issue whereas an additional amount up to Lm15 million in the case of 5.7 per cent MGS 2012(III).
The Malta Stock Exchange share index increased by 8.843 points or 0.25 per cent over the week and now stands at 3,485.244.
Azzopardi Investment Management Limited and its directors have an interest in the listed companies mentioned and may have an interest in other securities, commodities or currencies mentioned.
Report by Azzopardi Investment Management Limited, tel. 2131 3100, fax. 2131 8897