Trading on the Malta Stock Exchange last week witnessed three positive sessions and two negative sessions which ultimately resulted in a slight decline of 0.45 per cent in the index closing the week at 3,749.376 points.

Half of the 14 traded equities edged higher – of which four reached an all-time high – four lost ground and three closed flat on a turnover of €2.06 million.

The two leading banks again contributed to the index’s decline. Bank of Valletta plc shares oscillated between a low of €2.20 and a high of €2.30 to then end the week at €2.24, thus registering a 2.6 per cent decline on the highest turnover for the week of €511,000.

To a lesser extent, HSBC Bank Malta plc shares eased 0.44 per cent to €2.03 on a turnover worth €129,000. The share price fluctuated between a low of €2.00 and a high of €2.06.

Meanwhile, eight deals of 16,758 shares in Lombard Bank Malta plc kept its price intact at €1.95.

In the IT sector, both RS2 Software plc and 6pm Holdings plc shares reached new highs. After close of trading on Thursday, 6pm released its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014. The Group registered a profit before tax of £938,852 compared to £637,805 in 2013. Earnings per share increased to £0.041.

The board of directors is proposing the payment of a net final dividend of £0.02 per share which will be paid to shareholders on the company’s register as at May 26, 2015.

Furthermore, the board resolved the recommendation of a bonus share issue of one share for every fifty shares held which will be allotted to shareholders on the company’s register as at May 26, 2015. Eight deals of 96,340 shares were executed in this equity registering a 4.1 per cent gain and closing at a new high of £0.76.

Meanwhile, RS2 shares climbed by 2.7 per cent to €3.059 on the second highest turnover for the week of €401,400 as 133,598 shares changed hands.

A fresh high of €2.00 was also reached by Medserv plc as eight deals of 52,800 shares were negotiated.

Elsewhere, a slight 0.29 per cent gain was marked in the share price of Malta Inter­national Airport plc on a turnover worth €277,000. Intra-week, the equity reached a new high of €3.535. It, however,ended the week at €3.51. Last Thursday was the last day of entitlement to the company’s dividend.

Meanwhile, MaltaPost plc shares retouched the €1.45 level as 29,878 shares were traded.

MIDI plc shares soared by 7.4 per cent to €0.29 as five deals of 274,000 shares changed hands.

This week’s other gainer was Plaza Centres plc registering a 2.5 per cent gain on eight deals worth €80,000.

The two other fallers this week were GO plc and Malita Investments plc which registered a 0.7 and one per cent decline respectively.

Middlesea Insurance plc shares held on to the €1.20 price level as five deals of 14,993 shares were executed.

Similarly, International Hotel Investments plc maintained last week’s closing price of €0.71 on 10 deals worth €165,000.

At an extraordinary general meeting of Crimsonwing plc held yesterday all shareholders unanimously approved the discontinuance of the listing of all the company’s issued share capital on the Official List of the Malta Stock Exchange with effect from such date and time as may be determined in conjunction with the Listing Authority and the Malta Stock Exchange.

In a notice issued yesterday by the Malta Financial Services Authority, it was announced that the major shareholder in GlobalCapital plc, BAI Co (Mtius) Ltd, which is the owner of 48.45% of the issued share capital of GlobalCapital plc, has been put under the control of conservators by the Authorities in Mauritius.

As a consequence, the Listing Authority decided to suspend the listing and trading of GlobalCapital p.l.c. – Ordinary Shares and the 5.6% GlobalCapital plc € Bonds 2014/16 until such time that it is able to make a judgement on the effect that the position of BAI CO (Mtius) Ltd will have on the operations of GlobalCapital plc.

The suspensions referred to above are being taken to prevent any false market being created in the securities of GlobalCapital plc. The suspension will be in effect for a period of 10 working days. Should this be necessary, further action will be communicated prior to the end of the suspension period, namely May 4, 2015.

In the corporate bond market, activity was spread across 23 issues of which 13 edged higher, three lost ground and seven closed unchanged.

In the sovereign debt market, 27 issues were traded reaching a turnover of €11.6 million – the recently issued 3% MGS 2040 (I) r was the most traded by far with a turnover of €4.9 million and closed at €119.90. The majority of the traded issues closed lower, eight managed a gain while one traded flat.

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.

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