Treasury Bills traded in two days total €1.86m

This week the Malta Stock Exchange index closed at 3,196.793 points, at a loss of 2.50 per cent over last week. This week trading took place only twice due to the Christmas holidays. Since the beginning of the year the index has lost 35.26 per cent with two trading sessions to go. During the week, four equities were negotiated, with all of them closing in negative territory. Shares of Datatrak Holdings plc lost most territory as its share price dropped by 5.47 per cent to €0.19 while Go plc lost least with a drop of 1.08 per cent and closing at €1.83.

A total of 82 deals were registered on the stock exchange for a turnover of over €2.6 million. In the equity market, 33 transactions were carried out for a total value of €144,931. In the corporate bond market, 16 transactions for a total value of €247,818 were executed. While in the government bond market 23 transactions were executed for a value of €417,588, 10 transactions were carried out in the Treasury Bills market for a value of over €1.86 million.

Similarly to what has happened over the past weeks the banking sector was the most active. Bank of Valletta plc saw its share price drop by 1.89 per cent to €3.434 as 16,681 shares for a total value of €56,789 changed hands across 19 transactions.

HSBC Bank Malta plc lost 1.82 per cent to €2.70 as 30,145 shares for a total value of €81,751 were negotiated across 10 deals.

As mentioned above, Go plc dropped by 1.08 per cent to €1.83 on just two deals for a total volume of 1,050 shares. During this year as at December 23, a value of over €2.6 million across 647 deals were negotiated in Go plc. The share price of Go plc dropped by 41.81 per cent from €3.145 to €1.83.

Datatrak Holdings plc lost most territory this week with a drop of 5.47 per cent to €0.19. This came about as 23,415 shares for a total value of €4,468 were negotiated across two deals. During this year, Datatrak Holdings plc lost 37.70 per cent as its share price dropped from €0.305 to €0.19 when 98,669 shares were negotiated across 19 deals.

As we approach the year end we can look at how some of the equities performed during 2008. Starting with Middlesea Insurance plc, the equity lost 33.65 per cent from €3.843 to €2.55 as a total value of over €1 million was negotiated across 101 deals.

Simonds Farsons Cisk plc fell by 25.84 per cent from €2.562 to €1.90 as 133,662 shares were negotiated across 95 transactions.

International Hotel Investments plc saw its share price drop by 13.94 per cent to €0.895 as at December, 23 as 375 deals for a total value of over €2 million were executed. This notwithstanding that for the period ended June, 30, 2008; the Group registered a turnover of €64.3 million, 65 per cent higher on the turnover levels for the corresponding period in 2007. This increase was attributed to the results of both the Corinthia Bab Africa Hotel and Commercial Centre in Tripoli, while the Corinthia Hotel Prague has now been included for the full six month period. In the comparative period they were only included for the month of June being the month following acquisition. During the period, the Group registered a profit before tax of €6.01 million, compared to a loss before tax of €1.63 million in 2007.

Plaza Centres plc was one of the few equities on the MSE with a positive performance during this year. The share prices appreciated by 10.83 per cent from €1.561 to €1.73 as a total volume of 507,727 shares were negotiated across 67 deals.

Globalcapital plc was the worst performer this year as its share price dropped from €5.602 to €1.991. This as a total value of €112,426 across a total volume of 39,579 shares across 50 deals were negotiated.

Malta International Airport plc saw its share price drop by 22.24 per cent to €2.50 as a total value of over €1.8 million was negotiated across 371 deals. In a company announcement issued on November 17, the company stated that for the second half of the year, passenger traffic has been less than anticipated. For the period July to October passenger traffic was down by 1.1 per cent over the same period last year and they anticipate this downturn will continue throughout winter 2008/09. Having said that, the company still expects the passenger throughput for 2008 to exceed 3.1 million passengers, which is approximately five per cent more than last year.

Medserv plc was the least negotiated during this year as 13,505 shares for a total value of €54,666 were negotiated across nine deals. These led to a drop of 2.51 per cent which now stands at €3.997.

Grand Harbour Marina plc appreciated by 13.34 per cent as a total volume of 324,134 shares was negotiated across 121 deals. The share price stands at €1.98. During the third quarter ending September 30, the company concluded the long term licence of another 30 metre berth and also enjoyed high transient occupancy on the super yacht berths. As a result, the financial performance of the company during the nine months to September 30, continues to exceed that achieved during the same period of last year.

6pm Holdings plc dropped by 4.11 per cent in value as its share price stands at €0.70. During this year 193,079 shares were negotiated across 38 transactions.

The share price of Crimsonwing plc dropped marginally as it lost 0.60 per cent to €0.497. Over a total of one million shares were negotiated across 192 deals. For the six months ended September 30. The Group's turnover during the first half of the year increased by 45.5 per cent to €6.3 million but the company's after tax profits declined from €442,201 to a loss of €58,677.

Maltapost plc was the best performer during this year as its share price appreciated by 62 per cent from €0.50 to €0.81. Over 3.6 million shares for a value of over €2.5 million were negotiated across 979 transactions. RS2 Software plc appreciated by 1.87 per cent in value from €0.80 to €0.815. Fifty-eight transactions were carried out for a total volume of 232,415 shares.

Santumas shareholding plc saw it share price appreciated by 6.46 per cent to €3.10. This was the result of 14,463 shares being negotiated across 12 deals for a total value of €40,782.

As this is the last report for 2008, we wish all the readers a good ending to 2008 and a prosperous 2009.

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.