The MSE Index closed in the black as a 0.033 per cent increase was registered. The Index settled at the 4,705.291 points as a total of 12 equities were active during the week – of which five headed north, while seven declined. Total turnover amounted to €804,747.
Malta International Airport plc shares headed the list of gainers by recording a 2.4 per cent surge, to close at €4.19. The equity traded 21 times and 27,080 shares exchanged hands.
On April 7, Malta International Airport plc announced that during the winter period it welcomed over 1.6 million passengers, extending from November to March. The figure translates into an upturn of 25 per cent in traffic.
The season closed off with March showing an increase of 53,795 passenger movements over 2016 even though the Easter effect was registered in March last year.
Bank of Valletta plc shares gained 0.5 per cent, to close at €2.22 – the highest level since January 2008.
Trading in this equity accounted for over 52 per cent of the week’s total trading on the Malta Stock Exchange.
In the same line of business, HSBC Bank Malta plc’s equity was also on the rise, as 11 trades saw the price increase by 0.3 per cent, to €2.087. Total turnover in this equity was just below €58,000.
The company held its AGM on Thursday whereby all items on the agenda were approved, including the payment of a final gross dividend of 4.1 cents per share.
The other active banking equity, Lombard Bank Malta plc, registered a decline of 0.4 per cent in price on thin volume. The price at the end of the final trading session for the week read €2.488.
MaltaPost plc shares failed to keep hold of a fresh nine-week high of €2.05 reached intra-week, as it ended the week at €2.03 – a 1.5 per cent week-on-week increase. Trading was spread across seven deals, worth €40,845.
Albeit experiencing similar movements in magnitude, prices of MIDI plc shares and Malita Investments plc shares moved in opposite directions.
MIDI plc traded on three separate occasions as the price rose by 1.6 per cent, to close at €0.315, while the latter suffered a 1.3 per cent decline, to settle at the €0.74 price tag – a fresh 26 month low. Total turnover in both equities amounted to €5,070 and €18,470 respectively.
On Tuesday, Malita Investments plc announced that the agenda for the company’s AGM, due on April 27 has been set.
Among a number of ordinary resolutions, the company shareholders will seek to follow suit on the directors’ recommendation and declare a final gross dividend of 2.28 cents per share.
Meanwhile, RS2 Software plc announced that its Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on
the April 18 in order to approve the company’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016.
The Board will also decide on whether to recommend a dividend or not. Separately, the equity traded 11 times for a total value of €57,300. The price per share declined by 0.1 per cent, as it settled at €1.60 – having declined from an intra-week high of €1.65.
Malta Properties Company plc shares headed the list of fallers for the week as the price declined by 5.5 per cent, to close at €0.515 – a three week low.
Mapfre Middlesea plc shares also stooped to a fresh low as the closing price of €2.12 makes it the lowest in four months.
Listed equities of GO plc and International Hotel Investment plc also closed in the red. The former declined by 0.3 per cent, to close at a fresh one month low of €3.489, while the latter registered a 1.1 per cent fall, to close at €0.642.
On April 7, GO plc announced that the agenda for the AGM, due on May 3, has been set. Amongst a number of ordinary resolutions, the company shareholders will be asked to approve the payment of a Net Dividend of 11 cents per share.
During the week, International Hotel Investments plc also issued an announcement saying its AGM will be held on June 13.
Despite not registering any weekly trades, on Thursday, Simonds Farsons Cisk plc announced that its Board of Directors shall be meeting on May 4, to consider and approve the audited financial results for the year ended January 31, 2017.
Trading in the corporate debt market was positive as nearly half the active issues traded in positive territory.
In fact, from the 32 active issues; 15 bonds gained in value, 11 declined and six closed unchanged. Total trading in corporate bond issues surpassed €850,000.
The 7% Grand Harbour Marina plc €2017-2020 and the 5.75% International Hotel Investments plc Unsecured €2025 experienced the sharpest falls as they declined by 2.9 per cent and 2.8 per cent, respectively.
Trading in the Sovereign debt market was generally flat as 10 of the 21 active issues gained ground while another 10 declined. Only one active issue closed unchanged.
The 2.1% MGS 2039 experienced the most positive results from the lot as it increased by 1.1 per cent, to close at €97.03.
Meanwhile, the most traded stock was the 2.3% MGS 2029 (II), accounting for almost over 23 per cent of the €5.48 million in total turnover.