The Malta Stock Exchange index rallied by a significant 1.4 per cent throughout the week, closing at a seven-year high of 4,078.733 points.
Ten equities contributed to this positive result, three of which closed at record highs. Meanwhile, three other equities fell, while four closed unchanged. Turnover for the week amounted to €1.9 million, as year-to-date gains now total 22.4 per cent.
Simonds Farsons Cisk plc shares were the top-performers having rallied by an impressive €0.29 or 7.7 per cent over a low turnover, closing at an all-time high of €4.05. In the company’s interim directors’ statement the board reported that trading for the first quarter of the financial year has been steady and in line with expectations. The peak summer months remain a critical period in determining the profitability of the Group. The development of the new state-of-the-art €27 million beer packaging facility is advancing on schedule and is planned to be completed by April 2016.
Medserv plc shares followed suit having advanced by 6.5 per cent as 50,105 shares changed ownership, closing at a record high of €2.30.
Likewise, RS2 Software plc registered an increase in its share price in every session this week, to ultimately close at an all-time high of €1.79 – after taking into account the one-for-two share split which took effect on Monday.
Go plc shares appreciated by €0.16 or 5.1 per cent over 54 trades of 171,325 shares, closing at €3.30. Subsequent to the company’s announcement on May 5, declaring the company’s intention to reorganise its corporate structure, the board of directors will be convening an extraordinary general meeting, which will be held on July 22, to discuss the matter and to consider and seek approval of various resolutions.
In the banking sector, winners and non-movers tallied at two. HSBC Bank Malta plc shares partially recouped its previous losses having increased by 1.1 per cent across 23 deals of 59,094 shares, closing at €1.82.
On a similar note, Lombard Bank Malta plc shares edged 0.2 per cent higher on a sole transaction of 5,821 shares, to close at €1.825. The board of directors of Lombard will be meeting on August 25 to consider and approve the group’s and the bank’s financial statements for the half year ended June 30.
Meanwhile, Bank of Valletta plc and FIMBank plc shares closed unchanged at €2.29 and $0.465 respectively. BOV witnessed 46 trades of 110,621 shares, while the FIMBank shares were executed across eight deals of 93,993 shares.
Another equity which closed unchanged week-on-week was Tigne Mall plc having traded flat at €0.85 over a sole transaction of a scant 500 shares.
MaltaPost plc shares managed to reach an intra-day high of €1.555 yesterday, to ultimately close the week unchanged at €1.55. The postal service operator was active on five trades of 6,153 shares.
Plaza Centres plc shares fully recouped last week’s losses having appreciated by 2.2 per cent as 1,658 shares changed hands, closing at €0.99.
Similarly, MIDI plc shares erased their previous week losses having increased by 1.9 per cent, to close at €0.331.
Mapfre Middlesea plc shares partially erased their recent gains having declined by €0.04 or 2.2 per cent across 11 trades of 12,868 shares, to close at €1.82. The board of directors of the company is scheduled to meet on July to consider and approve the interim financial statements for the half year ended June 30.
Malita Investments plc shares slipped by 4.3 per cent as six trades of 18,710 shares were struck, closing €0.04 lower at €0.90.
Malta International Airport plc shares decreased by a minimal 0.3 per cent, to close at €3.35, as 40,877 shares changed hands.
International Hotel Investments plc shares advanced for the fifth consecutive week – registering a 2.1 per cent increase, to close at €0.92. The equity was active on 39 trades of 188,100 shares.
The share price of Grand Harbour Marina plc increased by a marginal 0.5 per cent over a mere 220 shares, closing at €1.90.
On Monday, the Listing Authority announced that the suspension of listing and trading of GlobalCapital plc bonds and shares will be extended until June 30, 2015.
In the corporate bond market, turnover amounted to €1.2 million spread across 25 issues of which 11 gained ground, five fell and nine closed unchanged. The 5.9% HSBC Bank Malta plc € Sub 2018 was the worst performer having decreased by 3.6 per cent, to close at €107, while the 6% Corinthia Finance plc € 2019-2022 headed the list of gainers having advanced by 3.5 per cent, to close at €107.10.
In the sovereign debt market, 25 issues were active, all of which fell in value. Turnover totalled to €30.9 million. The 4.3% MGS 2033 (I) registered the highest loss of 1.5 per cent, closing at €126.50. The 4.45% MGS 2032 (II) was the most liquid issue having witnessed a turnover of €7.1 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, or on Tel: 2122 4410, or e-mail info@jesmondmizzi.com.