The Malta Stock Exchange index upheld its positive trend by registering a significant gain of 1.4 per cent to end the week at 3,027.235 points. Despite kicking-off on a negative note, the index managed to regain ground by recording considerable gains in the following three sessions, mainly on Wednesday with the index displaying a solid appreciation of 1.3 per cent.
This week, International Hotels Investments plc shares garnered support with a staggering gain, followed by Go plc which maintained its exponential appreciation for the fourth week in a row. Conversely, the banking sector experienced a dull week as Bank of Valletta plc, HSBC Bank Malta and Lombard Bank plc all depreciated in value.
In line with last week, activity was characterised over 14 equities, in which seven edged lower, four posted gains, while the remaining three closed unchanged. Total trading value decreased to €598,483 traded over a total of 140 transactions which were dealt across 462,704 shares.
In the local government stock market, investors opted for a supportive mood, as from the 22 active stocks, 13 traded in positive territory, eight incurred minimal losses, while the other closed unchanged. Total trading value more than doubled to total just over 24.8 million which was traded over 140 transactions.
In the corporate bonds, running yields were mixed, as four gained ground, five edged lower, while the remaining 15 closed flat. The 7.5% MIH 2015 headed the list of gainers with an appreciation of just over one per cent.
In the equity market, International Hotels Investments plc shares logged a stunning gain of 7.1 per cent to end the week at €0.90. The hoteliers’ equity was active in two sessions, gaining 1.2 per cent and 5.9 per cent on Monday and Wednesday respectively. A total of 78,190 shares changed ownership across 20 trades.
Likewise, from the telecommunications sector, Go plc share price continued to push forward as in the week it gained a further 4.6 per cent, and thus resulting in an appreciation of 26.8 per cent over four weeks. The equity was active in four sessions as it traded in positive ground throughout the week to re-touch the €0.92 price levels.
From the beverage sector, Simonds Farsons Cisk plc maintained last week’s footsteps as its share value advanced by a further 2.3 per cent to end the week at €1.995.
The other positive performer for the week was Plaza Centres plc which surged by 58.73 per cent over a single trade of 800 shares to close at €0.90. As approved by the members in the annual general meeting, held on May 24, 2012, shareholders were entitled to three shares for every share held within the company.
On the contrary, negativity prevailed in Lombard Bank plc shares, as the banking equity extended its gradual fall for the fourth consecutive week with a depreciation of 0.4 per cent, thus marking a loss of 16.3 per cent year-to-date. The equity was active in three sessions, in which 9,810 shares were executed over five deals to end the week at €2.26.
In line with its peer, 0.4 per cent was shaved-off HSBC Bank Malta plc share value, over a total of 67,661 shares to end the week at the €2.48 price level. On Thursday, the company announced that regulatory approval of the sale of its card acquiring business to HSBC Merchant Serviced Ltd, a Maltese subsidiary of Global Payments, has been obtained and the sale has been completed.
The other active banks were Bank of Valletta plc and FIMBank plc, with the former declining by just below one per cent over a total of 58,377 shares to end the week at €2.06, while the latter closed unchanged at $0.85 after trading at an intra-week low of $0.75 over eight trades of 72,298 shares.
From the aviation industry, Malta International Airport plc surrendered its previous gains by registering a loss of 1.1 per cent. The equity was active in the last trading minutes on Friday in which 5,000 shares exchanged hands over two trades to move back to the €1.73 price level.
Similarly, from the postal industry, Maltapost plc shares drifted lower by 4.2 per cent over two sessions to end the week at €0.92. The equity had the lion’s share as a total of 90,379 shares were executed over nine transactions.
The other losers for the week were Grand Harbour Marina plc and RS2 Software plc. The former slipped by 1.1 per cent on Monday over a single trade worth €1,849, while the latter extended its negative momentum by adding a loss of 1.9 per cent over two trades of 29,000 shares to close the week at €0.51.
Finally, the other non-movers for the week were Medserv plc and Island Hotels Group Holdings plc which maintained their previous closing prices of €3.95 and €0.85 respectively on low volume.
This article, which was compiled by Atlas JMFS Investment Services Limited, does not intend to give investment advice and the contents therein should not be construed as such.
Atlas JMFS is licensed to conduct investment services by the MFSA and is a member firm of the Malta Stock Exchange.
The directors or related parties, including the company, and their clients are likely to have an interest in securities mentioned in this article.
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