The Malta Stock Exchange index extended last week’s positive performance by a further 0.7 per cent, to close at 3,350.475 points.
Activity was spread across 14 equities of which five gained ground, one slipped and eight closed unchanged.
Loqus Holdings plc shares headed the list of gainers, while HSBC Bank Malta plc was the only drag on the index.
In the banking sector, Bank of Valletta plc shares appreciated by a significant €0.06 or 2.7 per cent as 46 deals of 111,711 shares were struck, closing at €2.261 after trading within a range of €2.27 and €2.206.
Meanwhile, HSBC Bank Malta plc shares oscillated between a weekly high of €2.001 and a low of €1.98, to ultimately close at €1.99. The equity was negotiated across 31 transactions of 104,360 shares.
On the other hand, Lombard Bank Malta plc shares closed unchanged at €1.699 as six deals of 30,000 shares took place.
After five consecutive weekly gains, the telecommunications provider Go plc closed the week unchanged at €2.60 as 10 transactions of 25,220 shares were struck.
Similarly, Malta International Airport plc shares closed the week unchanged at €2.35 as 10 trades of 31,915 shares were executed.
On Wednesday, Simonds Farsons Cisk plc shares turned ex-dividend. However, its share price soared by €0.14 on two transactions of 13,812 shares, closing 5.1 per cent higher at €2.90.
Meanwhile, Loqus Holdings plc shares advanced by 35.3 per cent over two deals of 3,639 shares, to close at €0.115.
In the IT sector, RS2 Software plc snapped back part of the previous week’s losses as its share price increased by 0.2 per cent to close at €2.94 – 82,704 shares changed ownership across 13 deals. The equity has registered a year to date gain of 36.5 per cent.
Meanwhile, Crimsonwing plc shares traded flat at €0.80 on a single transaction of a mere 700 shares – this equity is struggling to maintain last year’s closing price as year to date its share price is down by 5.9 per cent.
Plaza Centres plc shares climbed by 3.4 per cent over 12 trades of 158,892 shares, to close at €0.61.
Meanwhile, Tigne Mall plc shares closed unchanged at €0.525 as five deals of 30,330 shares were processed.
The other non-movers for the week were Medserv plc, MaltaPost plc and Malita Investments plc closing unchanged at €1.275, €1.12 and €0.56 respectively.
In the corporate bond market turnover amounted to €1.15 million. A total of 25 issues were active of which eight fell while 12 advanced in value.
The 5.35% Bank of Valletta plc Sub € 2019 locked the best performance as it strengthened by 2.4 per cent, closing at €108.75.
Likewsie, the 6% AX Investments plc € 2024 increased by €2 or 1.9 per cent, to close at €107 –offering a yield to maturity of around five per cent.
Conversely, the 7.5% Mediterranean Investments Holding plc EUR 2012-2014 registered a two per cent decline, to close at €98.
The GlobalCapital plc € 2014/16 bond followed suit as it closed 1.9 per cent lower at €93.20.
In an announcement on Tuesday, the directors of United Finance p.l.c resolved to offer present holders of the 6.75% United Finance p.l.c. Bonds 2014 – 2016 – the “Maturing Bonds” –preference to subscribe to the New Bonds 2023 by surrendering the Maturing Bonds, subject to the Listing Authority granting its approval of the New Bonds. The Cut-Off Date for such eligibility to exchange the Maturing Bonds shall be Monday, October 6, 2014. Application forms will be sent to holders of Bonds 2014-2016 on the October 9, 2014.
On the sovereign debt front 26 issues were active totalling a turnover of over €12.5 million. Stocks set to mature between 2015 and 2017 declined, while most longer-dated stocks gained ground, with the exception of the 5% MGS 2021 (I) as it fell by a marginal 0.02 per cent, to close at €122.18.
The 3.3% MGS 2024 (I) appreciated the most as it increased by one per cent, closing at €109.81. Meanwhile, the recently issued 4.1% MGS 2034 (I) r was the most liquid issue as it witnessed a turnover volume of more than €2.6 million nominal. Since its issuance in May, the stock has increased by an impressive eight per cent.
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, or on Tel: 21224410, or e-mail info@jesmondmizzi.com.