The Malta Stock Exchange index fully erased last week’s decline as it gained 0.34 per cent, to close at 3,425.973 points as turnover amounted to €1.3 million.
FIMBank plc shares were the top performers as they rallied by eight per cent across two deals of 3,050 shares, closing at $0.54.
Meanwhile, Loqus Holdings plc shares headed the list of fallers having stumbled by 14.3 per cent as two deals of 6,230 shares were struck, to close at €0.12.
On Monday, Malta International Airport plc shares advanced by 0.8 per cent as a sole transaction of 5,000 shares was struck, closing at its record high of €2.52.
Likewise, the share price of Tigne Mall plc increased by a further 0.9 per cent across six trades of 115,100 shares, to close at an all-time high of €0.671.
Similarly, MaltaPost plc and Malita Investments plc shares re-touched their all-time highs of €1.35 and €0.73 respectively. The former rose by 1.5 per cent across seven transactions of 18,578 shares, while the latter edged 1.4 per cent higher over six deals of 46,983 shares. In its interim directors statement, MaltaPost announced that during the period October 1, 2014 till February 11, 2015 it registered an improvement in its financial performance when compared to that of the corresponding period last year. The company’s turnover registered an increase which was mainly due to new service offerings and the revision of certain tariffs, which came into effect on January 1, 2014. However, the increase in profitability was partially offset by higher staff costs and inflationary pressures on operating costs. Letter Mail volumes continued on their long-term downward trend while parcels and packets registered growth, especially over the Christmas period.
Plaza Centres plc shares rallied by 3.5 per cent across two trades of 62,053 shares, to close at €0.71. GO plc shares also had a positive week, having registered a 1.3 per cent increase over 10 deals of 40,280 shares, closing €0.035 higher at €2.65.
On a negative note, HSBC Bank Malta plc shares fell by one per cent as 16 transactions of 71,699 shares were struck, to close at €2.
Lombard Bank Malta plc shares swayed from a weekly low of €1.85 and a high of €1.91, at which it closed the week, registering a 0.5 per cent decline. The banking equity was negotiated across 11 transactions of 34,809 shares.
Meanwhile, Bank of Valletta plc shares closed unchanged at €2.08 over the highest volume for the week of 351,417 shares.
In the hoteliers sector, International Hotel Investments plc and Island Hotels Group Holdings plc shares closed the week unchanged at €0.62 and €1.029 respectively. IHI shares witnessed two trades of 4,700 shares, while IHGH shares were executed across two deals of 3,030 shares.
RS2 Software plc shares edged 0.3 per cent higher over four transactions of 12,000 shares, to close just shy of their all-time high of €2.98, at €2.97.
Conversely, Simonds Farsons Cisk plc shares drifted away from their record high of €3.09 as they declined by 0.7 per cent across four trades of 4,650 shares, to close at €3.07.
MIDI plc shares gained a minimal 0.4 per cent on a sole deal of 10,000 shares, closing at €0.231.
Similarly, Middlesea Insurance plc shares increased by 0.6 per cent across five trades of 5,500 shares, to close at the €1 level.
The Treasury announced that the Maltese Government will be offering two issues to the general public. The two issues shall in the aggregate be of €120 million subject to an over-allotment option of €60 million. The stocks being offered to the general public have a coupon of two per cent and three per cent and will mature in 2020 and 2040 respectively.
The offer price will be announced next Thursday and applications can be submitted from February 23, 2015 until February 25, 2015 or earlier at the discretion of the Accountant General.
Throughout the week, the sovereign debt market witnessed a turnover of just under €27.9 million spread across 26 issues of which 19 fell marginally, five edged higher and two closed unchanged. The 4.5% MGS 2028 (II) was the most liquid issue as it witnessed a turnover of €9.1 million.
In the corporate bond market turnover surpassed the €1.8 million level.
A total of 28 issues were active of which 10 fell in value, nine gained ground and another nine closed unchanged.
The 7.15% Mediterranean Investments Holding plc Euro 2015-2017 registered the highest gain of 2.2 per cent, to close at €91.99, while the 6% AX Investments plc € 2024 recorded a one per cent loss, closing at €108.50
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: 2122 4410, or e-mail info@jesmondmizzi.com.