The Malta Stock Exchange Index registered a rise of 1.75 per cent this week, after the index plunged last week. The index reached its yearly high on Thursday as the session ended at 3,418.579 points. Some of these gains were unleashed yesterday as the Index closed at 3,351.185 points. During the first four trading sessions the index registered gains which enhanced further its year-to-date performance. Thirteen equities were traded this week, with nine closing in positive territory while the remaining four were left unchanged.
A total of 348 deals were registered this week with a turnover of over €11.3 million. In the equity market 220 deals were executed for a total value of €774,872 while in the corporate bond market 60 transactions were registered for a value traded of €489,080. A total of 64 deals were registered in the government bond market for a value of €678,055. In the Treasury bills market, a total of three transactions were registered for a total value of over €9.4 million.
Global Capital plc was the best performing equity as the equity registered a gain of 13.9 per cent as the price stands at €1.139. Only two transactions were executed on a mere volume of 2,080 shares. The equity traded on Tuesday and Friday with gains amounting to 6.50 per cent and 6.95 per cent respectively.
Go plc's positive run came to an end only yesterday as the equity retracted a minimal loss of 0.26 per cent, closing the week at €1.94. The equity recorded 50 deals of just over 74,000 shares, as a result edging 6.59 per cent higher on the week. Go traded across all five sessions as gains were registered during the first four trading sessions. The equity's year-to-date performance now stands at 10.73 per cent.
HSBC Bank Malta plc was this week's best performing equity from the banking sector as 70 transactions were executed for a total volume of 75,857 shares. Throughout the week the equity traded at a low of €3.00 and at a high of €3.25 reached on Thursday, hence recording the highest price for the year. During the opening four sessions the equity registered gains, while it gave away some of these gains during yesterday's session as the equity has lost an overwhelming €0.19. Hence the price now stands at €3.06, two per cent higher than the previous week.
FIMBank plc ended the week in positive territory gaining 0.91 per cent as the share price closed the week at $1.11. The equity traded only on Monday and Wednesday, having registered gains during the opening session while remained unchanged on the mid-week session. Only four deals were executed as just over 12,000 shares changed hands.
For the second consecutive week Bank of Valletta plc was left unchanged as the price stands at €3.80. Thirty-five transactions took place across all five trading sessions as 25,417 shares changed hands. The equity registered gains on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, while having lost value during the remaining two trading sessions. During the week the equity traded at a high of €3.829 and a low of €3.76.
Lombard plc traded only during the mid-week session as a meagre 350 shares changed hands across one single deal, with the price remaining unchanged at €2.799.
Middleasea Insurance plc saw fluctuations in its share price during the week as it gained ground during the opening session of the week, while registering an overwhelming loss of 13.33 per cent on Tuesday, hence down to €0.65. The equity maintained this price for the two sessions that followed. However, yesterday the equity registered gains as the price recovered to €0.70. Middlesea registered the highest volume of shares for the week as 88,382 shares changed hands across 26 deals.
Malta International Airport plc ended this week on another positive note as the equity registered gains on Monday and Thursday of 4.26 per cent and 2.13 per cent respectively. MIA unleashed some of these gains on Wednesday and yesterday as the equity closed at €2.399. In total just over 16,600 shares were traded during the week spread over 11 transactions.
International Hotel Investments plc and Medserv plc traded only during Tuesday and Wednesday as both equities registered gains. Only two trades were executed in IHI as 12,412 shares changed hands, with the price standing at €0.82. Meanwhile, Medserv registered an impressive 2.50 per cent gain as the price went up by €0.10 as 41,354 shares were traded on Wednesday alone. The price now stands at a yearly high of €4.10.
Meanwhile, Maltapost plc registered another price increase this week as it now stands at €0.635. Only six trades were completed as nearly 9,000 shares changed hands. The equity registered gains during the mid-week session; however it lost some ground yesterday.
Island Hotels Group and Datatrak traded on Tuesday as a minimal volume of 1,000 and 400 shares respectively changed hands. IHG registered a slight price increase to close the week at €1.02 while Datatrak closed unchanged at €0.07.
This article, which was compiled by Jesmond Mizzi, managing director of 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.