The Malta Stock Exchange index extended last week’s positive performance having appreciated by a further 0.35 per cent, to close at 3,716.615 points.
Activity was spread across 16 issues of which seven fell, five advanced and four remained unchanged.
Island Hotels Group Holdings plc (IHG) was the top performing equity for the week, while Plaza Centres plc (Plaza) headed the list of negative performers.
Go plc shares experienced a week of outstanding performance as the share price advanced by €0.095 across 25 trades of 73,291 shares, to close five per cent higher at €1.98 – a price last reached in June 2010.
Similarly, IHG shares rallied by 5.9 per cent over a sole transaction of 2,000 shares, closing €0.05 higher at €0.90.
In the banking sector, gainers and losers tallied at two. Lombard Bank Malta plc shares rose by €0.04 or 2.2 per cent as seven deals of 100,846 shares were struck, to close at €1.90.
Likewise, HSBC Bank Malta plc shares recouped by 1.6 per cent over 24 trades of 55,008 shares, closing €0.04 higher at €2.60.
On the negative side, Bank of Valletta plc shed 0.8 per cent of its share price across the highest turnover for the week of 129,435 shares, to close at €2.46.
Meanwhile, FIMBank plc shares slipped by $0.03 or 3.1 per cent on Wednesday, closing the week at $0.95. Turnover was weak as only two trades of 3,645 shares were executed.
Malta International Airport plc shares minimally declined by 0.5 per cent over 12 trades of 13,450 shares, to close at €2.19. The local airport operator reported that passengers increased by 11.2 per cent in January, compared to the same period last year due to added capacity and a consistently positive seat load factor, which went up by 0.3 per cent. Traffic from the UK and Italy grew by 6.2 per cent and 10.8 per cent respectively.
Meanwhile, aircraft movements for January increased by 10.5 per cent. This was reflected in the increase of 10.6 per cent in seat capacity which reached 299,172 when compared to the corresponding period in 2013.
Seat load factor registered an increase of 0.3 percentage points, while the maximum take-off weight increased by 12.3 per cent when being compared to 2013. On the other hand, cargo and mail registered a decline of 21.2 per cent over the previous year.
In the IT sector, RS2 Software plc’s share price climbed €0.035 or 1.5 per cent over 15 trades of 44,922 shares, closing at €2.335. On the other hand, Crimsonwing plc shares closed the week unchanged at €0.81. The equity was negotiated across 12 trades of 119,733 shares.
Likewise, Simonds Farsons Cisk plc shares traded unchanged at the €2.95 price level as 5,546 shares changed ownership over five deals.
The other non-movers for the week were Malita Investments plc and Tigne Mall plc shares as they closed at €0.54 and €0.515 respectively. The former was dealt across five transactions of 29,700 shares, while the latter witnessed a single trade of 38,500 shares.
On Wednesday, Plaza Centres plc shares sagged by five per cent as a sole deal of 5,220 shares changed hands, to close €0.03 lower at €0.57.
On a similar note, Medserv plc shares fell by 1.5 per cent as one trade of a mere 298 shares was struck, closing at €1.28.
The postal services provider Maltapost plc’s shares were active over seven deals of 23,921 shares. The equity fell by 1.8 per cent, to close at €1.10. Likewise, Middlesea Insurance shares retreated by two per cent across three transactions of 2,952 shares, closing €0.02 lower at €0.98.
In the corporate bond market, 23 issues were active of which 10 decreased, six gained ground and seven closed the week unchanged. Turnover amounted to €673,222 – considerable higher than last week. The 6% Medserv plc Notes 2020-2023 locked in the best performance as it increased by 0.5 per cent, to close at €105.
AX Investments plc this week obtained approval for the previously announced €40 million six per cent bonds redeemable on March 6, 2024. The bonds will be issued at par, with an initial amount invested of not less than €1,000 and increasing in multiples of €100 thereafter. Existing bond holders may roll-over their bonds from next Tuesday until February 20.
Meanwhile the pre-placement offer to financial intermediaries will take place on February 20. On the other hand, the public offer will open on February 24, with a minimum application of €1,000 and multiples of €100 thereafter.
In the sovereign bond market, turnover totalled over €8.2 million. Activity was spread across 24 issues of which 15 succumbed to selling pressure, while nine garnered support. The most liquid issue for the week was the 4.5% MGS 2028 (II) having witnessed a turnover of €1.7 million.
This article, which was compiled by Jesmond Mizzi Financial Advisors Limited, 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 securities mentioned in this article.
For further information contact Jesmond Mizzi Financial Advisors Limited at 67, Level 3, South Street, Valletta, by e-mail at info@jesmondmizzi.com or by phone on 2122 4410.