Trading activity across local equities slowed down during this morning’s session with volumes dropping below the €100,000 mark for the fourth time this month.

A total of €99,350 worth of shares changed hands across five equities.

The MSE Share Index eased 0.1 per cent lower to 3,356.057 points as most of the active equities eased lower. HSBC Bank Malta plc shed 0.2 per cent back to the €2.47,5 level on volumes of 7,510 shares.

GO plc’s equity opened at €1.44,5 but recovered to €1.48,9 across four deals totalling 10,000 shares.

The share price of Tigné Mall plc shed one per cent to the 50c5 level on high volumes of 104,000 shares.

On the other hand, Bank of Valletta plc held on to the €2.35 level on low volumes of 5,197 shares. Likewise, International Hotel Investments plc traded unchanged at the 82c level on a small deal of 1,880 shares with further shares on offer at this level.

Shortly after the close of this morning’s trading session, Simonds Farsons Cisk plc published its half-year results covering the six months ended July 31.

During the period under review, the Farsons Group registered a 1.1 per cent increase in profits after tax to a record €3.8 million.

The directors attributed this improvement to a number of factors including the fact that turnover increased across all of its main operating business units.

The directors explained that the group results have been positively impacted by the political activities organised in the run up to the general election, another record year in terms of tourist numbers as well as increased export volumes and turnover.

These elements offset the adverse impact emanating from the intense competition and lower demand for carbonated soft drinks and water due to lower than average temperatures in July.

Furthermore, the food importation arm lost representation of key brands following consolidation by a foreign principal.

The directors declared an interim dividend of 3c3 (to all shareholders as at the close of trading on October 1) which is substantially higher than the previous year’s interim dividend as the group seeks to balance the interim and final dividend payments.

On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index edged 0.1 per cent higher to just below 1,021 points as Eurozone yields continued to slide lower with central banks maintaining an expansionary stance.

www.rizzofarrugia.com

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