The Malta Stock Exchange index extended its recent positive streak having rallied by a further 3.33 per cent on the week, to close at 3,762.866 points.
Turnover for the week reached €1.97 million spread across 18 issues of which 12 gained ground, four fell in value and two closed unchanged.
Bank of Valletta plc shares appreciated by €0.175 or 7.7 per cent over a 100 trades of 321,790 shares – intra-week the equity traded at a low of €2.285 and a high of €2.50 to ultimately close at €2.45, thus registering year-to-date gains of just under 20 per cent.
Meanwhile, over the week HSBC Bank Malta plc shares strengthened by 1.5 per cent, despite a 1.5 per cent decline registered yesterday when the equity turned ex-dividend – a total of 60 deals of 166,077 shares were executed, closing at €2.
Likewise, Lombard Bank Malta plc shares edged 1.5 per cent higher as 11 transactions of 25,732 shares were struck, to close at €1.91.
Conversely, FIMBank plc shares declined by a further 2.3 per cent to a new low of $0.43 as a single deal of 1,347 shares was struck.
On the other hand, Malta International Airport plc shares continued to gain ground, reaching a record high of €3.311 as 59,457 shares changed ownership.
On a similar positive note, MIDI plc shares were this week’s best performers having soared by 21.7 per cent over 23 deals of 348,800 shares, to close €0.05 higher at €0.28.
Elsewhere, Malita Investments plc shares partially erased last week’s 5.6 per cent gain having lost 2.2 per cent, closing at their weekly low of €0.929 as 7,000 shares changed hands.
Likewise, MaltaPost plc shares eased 0.1 per cent as four trades of 7,061 shares were dealt to close at €1.408.
Go plc shares oscillated between a weekly high of €2.93 and a low of €2.87, to then close a marginal 0.34 per cent lower at €2.90 as 18 deals of 72,815 shares were executed.
Meanwhile, International Hotel Investments plc shares added on to its recent gains having registered a 1.4 per cent gain over four deals of 16,176 shares, to close at €0.72.
A single trade of 1,000 shares in Island Hotels Group Holdings plc kept its price intact at €1.02.
In the IT sector, RS2 Software plc shares completely reversed last week’s 0.7 per cent decline having closed at its weekly high of €2.96 as 12 deals of 51,174 shares changed hands.
6pm Holdings plc shares closed the week unchanged at £0.65 as four trades of 7,874 shares were concluded.
During yesterday’s session, Plaza Centres plc shares strengthened by 3.4 per cent as a sole transaction of 30,000 shares was struck at €0.92. Last Wednesday, the board of directors approved the company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 to be submitted for approval at the annual general meeting scheduled on May 27, 2015. The company registered a profit before tax of €1.5 million, compared to €1.3 million registered in 2013. Revenue for the period amounted to €2.4 million, an increase of 10.4 per cent from 2013. Meanwhile, earnings per share increased to €0.0335.
The board will be recommending to the AGM the payment of a final net dividend of €0.0268 per share (2013: €0.0238 per share). This will be paid on June 2, 2015 to shareholders on the company’s register as at close of business on April 27, 2015.
Also on a positive note, Middlesea Insurance plc shares advanced by €0.11 or 10.5 per cent over six trades of 10,516 shares, closing at its weekly high of €1.16.
Similarly, Medserv plc shares appreciated by €0.05 or 3.1 per cent across four transactions of 33,588 shares, to close at €1.65.
Grand Harbour Marina plc and Santumas Shareholdings plc shares increased by 5.6 per cent and 1.5 per cent respectively. The former witnessed three deals of 10,000 shares, to close at €1.88, while five trades of 10,252 shares were executed in Santumas to close at €2.
In the corporate bond market turnover totalled €712,648. A total of 21 issues were active of which six gained ground, five decreased in value and 10 closed unchanged. The 5.35% BOV Notes Sub € 2019 was the best performer having appreciated by 3.3 per cent, to close at €111. Conversely, the 6% Mediterranean Investments Holding plc Euro 2021 fell by 2.1 per cent to €93.
In the sovereign debt market, 19 issues were active of which nine declined and ten appreciated as turnover totalled just over €3m. The 4.1% MGS 2034 (I) registered the highest gain of 1.6 per cent, to close at €129. Meanwhile, the 4.5% MGS 2028 (II) was the most liquid issue as 601,500 nominal was traded.
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 telephone 2122 4410, or e-mail info@jesmondmizzi.com.