This week the Malta Stock Exchange index closed at 3,278.842 points, at a loss of 1.04 per cent over last week. Since the beginning of the year to date the index has lost 33.60 per cent. During the week, seven equities were negotiated, with six equities closing in negative territory and one closing in positive territory. Shares of Simonds Farsons Cisk plc lost most territory as its share price dropped by 27.76 per cent to €1.90 while Maltapost plc was the only positive performer with an appreciation of 1.25 per cent and closing at €0.81.

A total of 270 deals were registered on the stock exchange for a turnover of over €5.8 million. In the equity market 103 transactions were carried out for a total value of €283,592. In the corporate bond market 35 transactions for a total value of €302,091 were executed, while in the government bond market 121 transactions were executed for a value of over €1.2 million.

Eleven transactions were carried out in the Treasury bills market for a value of over €4 million.

This week Bank of Valletta plc was the most active and lost 2.51 per cent to €3.50 as 42,786 shares were negotiated across 45 deals for a value of €153,112. On Tuesday the share price of Bank of Valletta plc appreciated by 0.5 per cent as investors entered the market to gain right to the one-for-five bonus share issue effective on January 15. On Wednesday during its annual general meeting shareholders of Bank of Valletta plc approved a number of resolutions including the payment of a final dividend of €0.0675 per share and the one-for-five bonus share issue together with the renewal of the share buy-back option.

HSBC Bank Malta plc saw its share price fall by 3.51 per cent as it closed at €2.75 when 31,540 shares were negotiated across 30 deals. On Monday HSBC Bank Malta plc continued to fall after last week's decline of 1.7 per cent. It started the week with a drop of 0.35 per cent and closed the day's session at €2.84 as 4,650 shares changed hands across four deals. Trades during Tuesday's and Wednesday's sessions left the share price of HSBC unchanged. Then yesterday, the share price dropped by 3.34 per cent to €2.75 as 8,565 shares were negotiated across ten transactions.

On Monday the share price of Fimbank plc lost 0.72 per cent to $1.38 as 1,720 shares were traded across two transactions, following last week's appreciation in price by 6.9 per cent.

Simonds Farsons Cisk plc lost most territory during the week with its share price dropping by 27.76 per cent to €1.90 when 2,950 shares were negotiated across seven deals. On Wednesday Simonds Farsons Cisk plc saw its share price decrease by 23.95 per cent to €2 as 1,100 shares were negotiated across two deals. This follows the recent removal of the trade range. Selling pressure continued to increase after the publication of the company's interim statement of November 28. The directors notified investors of a material decline in the Group's profitability for the year ending January 31, 2009. Although there were increased turnover levels across all operational units except from carbonated soft drinks, the Group suffered from illicit importation in the soft drink sector.

On Wednesday a single deal of 1,491 shares led to a drop of 0.56 per cent in the share price of International Hotel Investments plc. The share price closed the session at €0.895 a fresh 28-month low.

The share price of Go plc dropped by 2.37 per cent to €1.85 as 5,407 shares were negotiated across ten deals.

On Wednesday Medserv plc had its trade range temporarily removed.

Maltapost plc was the only positive performer during the week with an increase of 1.25 per cent to €0.81 in its share price. On Wednesday the share price of Maltapost plc remained stable at €0.80 as three deals for a total volume of 15,091 shares were executed. On Thursday five deals for a total volume of 12,801 shares led to an increase to €0.81 in the share price. The company is to publish its full-year results on January 15.

This article, which was compiled by Jesmond Mizzi Financial Services Limited (JMFS), does not intend to give investment advice and the contents therein should not be construed as such. JMFS is licensed to conduct investment services by the MFSA. The directors or related parties, including the company, and their clients are likely to have an interest in securities mentioned in this article. For further information contact JMFS at 67/3, South Street, Valletta or on Tel: 2122 4410 or e-mail jmizzi@jmfs.net.

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