The Malta Stock Exchange (MSE) Index sustained last week’s minimal gain with a further appreciation of 0.6 per cent to close the week at 3,269.045 points.
A winning sentiment prevailed with the exception of Tuesday’s session, in which the index showed a loss of 0.2 per cent.
Highly capitalised equities were in the limelight, with HSBC Bank Malta plc maintaining its upward trend for the fourth consecutive week, followed by International Hotels Investments plc and GO plc, which recorded remarkable gains.
On the contrary Bank of Valletta plc shaved off half of last week’s gain.
This week turnover decreased to €772,674 traded over a total of 17 equities. Gainers reigned over losers as 12 equities garnered support from investors, three turned negative and two closed unchanged.
Total traded volume for the week amounted to 661,548 across 163 transactions.
In the Government Stock Market investors continued to realise profits on their existing holdings as yields maintained their rising position.
Total turnover for the week amounted to just over €14.9m.
On Thursday the Treasury set the prices for its latest stock issuance which was announced last week.
The 4.5% MGS 2028 was priced at par, while the 3% MGS 2019 was priced at €100.50, thus yielding 2.915 per cent.
In the Corporate Bonds market total nominal volume amounted to 645,284 traded over 24 issues. The 7.15% MIH plc Eur 2015-2017 headed the list of gainers with four per cent advancement.
From the banking sector HSBC Bank Malta plc upheld its encouraging position as it managed to lock its fourth straight week of gains with a further 0.7 per cent appreciation.
A total of 42,890 shares exchanged hands over 11 trades to close the week at €2.76.
On a similar note, Lombard Bank plc captured a gain of 0.5 per cent which was registered over two sessions to close the week at €1.90.
Conversely, Bank of Valletta plc slipped by 0.4 per cent, as the gains recorded in the last three sessions of the week failed to conquer the loss of 0.9 per cent recorded on Tuesday.
The banking equity had the lion’s share as total trading value reached €176,188 traded over 47 transactions to close the week at the €2.27 price level.
The other active bank was FIMBank plc, which closed the session flat at $1.00 over 10,373 shares.
From the telecommunications sector, GO plc maintained its 19-month high position as it posted a 1.5 per cent gain to close at €1.40.
The equity was active throughout the entire week in which it registered the said gains in three sessions, while it closed flat in two.
International Hotels Investments plc upheld its exponential climb with a notable gain of 1.2 per cent to re-touch the €0.75 level. A total of 10,140 shares were executed over three deals.
Both Maltapost plc and Malta International Airport plc were among the list of gainers.
The postal operator gathered a gain of just below one per cent over a single session to close at €1.05. The airport operator recouped all the losses incurred in the previous week with a gain of 0.8 per cent to recapture the previous price position of €1.79.
From the beverage sector Simonds Farsons Cisk plc touched the €2.60 price level as it posted a gain of 0.8 per cent.
Both Midi plc and Malita Investments plc traded posit-ively, as the former closed 3.9 per cent higher while the latter gained €0.01 to end the week at €0.53.
Other gainers for the week were Grand Harbour Marina plc, which recorded a 1.1 per cent gain on Wednesday, and Plaza Centres plc which advanced by 0.9 per cent to close at €0.59.
From the IT sector 6pm Holdings plc surged by 44.8 per cent, thus wiping off the six per cent loss recorded last week, over notable volumes of 95,575 shares to move towards the £0.42 price level.
Sellers applied pressure over Crimsonwing plc shares as the equity registered a loss of 1.8 per cent on Friday to close at €0.54.
Meanwhile, RS2 Software plc closed flat at €0.86 after trading at an intra-week low of €0.859.
Island Hotels Group Holdings plc lurched minimally lower by 0.2 per cent on Thursday over volumes of 1,000 shares.
This article compiled by Jesmond Mizzi Financial Advisors Ltd does not intend to give investment advice and the contents therein should not be construed as such. The company is licensed to conduct investment services by the MFSA and is a member of the Malta Stock Exchange and a member of the Atlas Group. The directors or related parties, including the company, and their clients are likely to have an interest in secur-ities mentioned in this article. For further information contact Jesmond Mizzi Financial Advisors Limited at 67, Level 3, South Street, Valletta, on telephone 21224410 or e-mail info@jesmondmizzi.com