Banks up

Trading in Bank of Valletta shares opened at Lm4.50 on Monday, went down to Lm4.46 during the week, before edging up to close at Lm4.58 on Friday. This represented a gain of 1.778 per cent on the week, and 12c on last Friday's closing price of Lm4.46.

During the week 225 deals were struck, over which 171,529 shares changed hands. Best bids for 600 shares at Lm4.56 and best offers of 1,450 shares at Lm4.59 were the best outstanding positions at the end of Friday's session.

HSBC Bank Malta's shares opened at Lm10.85 and during the week ranged between Lm10.80 and the closing price of Lm10.90. This amounted to a 5c increase on the previous week's reading.

Weekly turnover amounted to 98,491 shares, changing hands over 318 deals. At the end of Friday's session, bids for 150 shares at Lm10.87 and offers of 59 shares at Lm10.90 made up the best unsatisfied closing positions.

Lombard Bank shares continued their positive performance last week after trading opened at Lm11.80 on Monday and went up to close at Lm11.99 on Friday, a 24c gain on the previous week's closing position.

The share price ranged between Lm11.50 and Lm12 - the highest price ever recorded by the bank on the Malta Stock Exchange.

A total of 8,653 shares changed hands last week, spread over 37 deals. Following the close of business on Friday, best unsatisfied bids for 112 shares at Lm10.60 stood against best unsatisfied offers of 80 shares at Lm11.99. After next Monday's session, Lombard's shares will begin trading ex-div.

Maltacom shares opened at Lm2.189 on Monday, ranged between Lm2.099 and Lm2.20 last week, before closing at Lm2.19 on Friday. Weekly turnover amounted to 208,167 shares, changing hands over 207 deals. Best bids for 1,610 shares at Lm2.181 and best offers of 24,763 shares at Lm2.20 remained unsatisfied as Friday's session drew to a close.

The other equities which traded last week, with the trading range in brackets, were: 8,267 Middlesea Insurance shares (Lm4.93-Lm5.31); 8,908 Simonds Farsons Cisk shares (83c-85c); 14,874 International Hotels Investment shares (€0.85-€0.90); 7,283 Plaza Centres shares (68c-70c); 201,746 FIMBank shares (US$1.90-$2.056); 108,653 Malta International Airport shares (Lm1.53-Lm1.60); 12,058 Global Financial Services shares (Lm1.50-Lm1.94); and 8,000 Datatrak shares (30c).

Total Malta Government Stock turnover amounted to a nominal value of Lm277,700, being traded in 71 deals over 16 different stocks.

Trading over the week in corporate bonds was made up of a total value of Lm92,617.

The Malta Stock Exchange Share Index rose 38.98 points or 0.63% over the week and now stands at 6,223.615.

Azzopardi Investment Management Limited is licensed by the MFSA to provide investment services, including stockbroking. The company is involved in acting as sponsoring and corporate stockbroker for various listed companies. The directors or related parties, including the company, and their clients, are likely to have an interest in securities mentioned.