The Malta Stock Exchange index maintained its ongoing winning streak, having advanced by 0.26 per cent, to close at 4,107.753 points. Turnover amounted to €1.1 million spread across 15 equities of which five gained ground, six declined and four closed unchanged.
RS2 Software plc shares advanced by €0.031 or 1.6 per cent across the highest volume for the week, 119,630 shares, closing at yet another record high of €2.
Conversely, Loqus Holdings plc shares were the worst performers, having declined by 7.7 per cent as two trades of 1,424 shares were executed, closing at €0.12.
In the banking sector, Bank of Valletta plc shares headed the list of gainers, having rallied by €0.042 or 1.8 per cent over 37 transactions of 90,079 shares, closing at their weekly high of €2.34.
Similarly, Lombard Bank Malta plc shares increased by a further 0.5 per cent over two deals of 3,002 shares, to close at €1.859.
Meanwhile, the share price of HSBC Bank Malta plc oscillated between a weekly high of €1.805 and a low of €1.79, to ultimately close unchanged at €1.80. The equity was active on 27 trades of 71,145 shares.
Simonds Farsons Cisk plc shares traded flat at €4.50 as 2,415 shares changed ownership. The other non-movers were Medserv plc and Malita Investments plc having closed the week unchanged at €2.355 and €0.89 respectively. Medserv witnessed six deals of 39,236 shares, while Malita was negotiated across four trades of 42,000 shares.
Elsewhere, Mapfre Middlesea plc shares erased last week’s 0.3 per cent gain, having declined by 1.92 per cent to close at €1.79. Similarly, Malta International Airport plc shares eased 0.5 per cent across five trades of 5,290 shares, to close at €3.332.
Meanwhile, the share price of Plaza Centres plc decreased by 1.1 per cent over a sole transaction of 1,000 shares, closing at €0.97. Similarly, Tigne Mall plc shares erased last week’s gain having decreased by 1.2 per cent, to close at €0.85. International Hotel Investments plc shares declined by 1.3 per cent following last week’s 4.8 per cent drop, as 37,034 shares changed hands, closing at €0.865.
Go plc shares added 0.7 per cent to its recent gains, as 16 trades of 82,280 shares were struck, closing at a multi-year high of €3.45 but failing to maintain a weekly high of €3.50. MIDI plc shares edged 0.6 per cent higher as six trades of 63,800 shares were executed, closing at €0.34.
In the corporate bond market, turnover amounted to €1.2 million. Activity was spread across 23 issues, of which 11 gained ground, threedeclined and nine closed unchanged. The recently issued 4.5% Izola Bank plc € Unsecured 2025 bond appreciated by just under five per cent, to close at €104.95. Conversely, the 6% Mediterranean Bank plc Subordinated Unsecured € 2019-2024 declined by 0.9 per cent, closing at €108.
Following regulatory approval received on Wednesday, Mediterranean Investments Holding plc (MIH) announced that it had obtained approval for the issuance of €20 million 5.5% MIH Unsecured Bonds due in 2020 guaranteed by Corinthia Palace Hotel Company Ltd with a nominal value of €100 per bond, issued at par. First preference will be granted to holders of the maturing bonds (7.5% MIH unsecured bonds 2015), subject to a minimum of €2,000, by surrendering their respective holding in the maturing bonds. The issue is also being offered to other MIH bondholders and subsequently to IHI and Corinthia Finance plc bondholders.
In the sovereign debt market, 24 issues were active, of which 23 added on to their recent losses, while the 7.8% MGS 2018 increased by a minimal 0.2 per cent, to close at €121.75. The 3% MGS 2040 (I) r was the worst performer, having stumbled by 2.6 per cent as 666,200 nominal changed ownership, closing at €105.25. Meanwhile, the 5.5% MGS 2023 (I) was the most liquid issue, having witnessed a turnover of €1.3 million, to close 0.8 per cent lower at €128.41.
This article which was compiled by Jesmond Mizzi Financial Advisors Ltd, 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 Ltd at 67, Level 3, South Street, Valletta, or on Tel: 2122 4410, or e-mail info@jesmondmizzi.com.