The MSE Equity Total Return Index registered a gain of 0.3% in February as international equity slump in what was a horrid month for investors.
Last week the index gained 0.66% closing at 8,662.642 points – as the two heavy weights, HSBC Bank Malta plc and International Hotel Investments rallied.
Turnover fell from the previous week’s €1.4 million to €1.3 million and was spread across 16 equities of which eight declined and six increased.
HSBC Bank Malta plc shares extended the previous week’s 4.4% gain having climbed by a further €0.06 or 3.2%.
The equity was active on 41 trades of 175,270 shares and closed at €1.96. The bank’s shares registered a 9.6% rally in February. This rally followed the bank’s financial results announcement for 2017, in which the directors have recommended a €20 million special dividend to be distributed from surplus retained earnings. A final net dividend of €0.081 per share will be paid on April 19, 2018 to shareholders who are on the bank’s register on March 13, 2018.
Similarly, International Hotel Investments plc shares advanced by 4.1% over one transaction of 3,968 shares, to close at €0.63 - down 1.6% in February.
Medserv plc shares headed the list of gainers having fully recouped the previous week’s 3.4% loss having appreciated by 8% as three deals of 18,000 shares were negotiated, to close €0.09 higher at €1.21 – a three-week high. The oil and gas services logistics operator’s shares ended February at a 1.6% loss.
Bank of Valletta plc shares added to the previous week’s 0.6% increase, having advanced by 0.6% over the highest turnover of 234,669 shares spread across 50 transactions, closing at €1.83. The banking equity rose by 0.6% in February.
The trade finance bank FIMBank plc fell by a further 1.6%, adding to the previous week’s 8.8% drop and recorded an 8.8% loss in February. Last week, the equity witnessed six deals of 32,000 shares closing at $0.61.
GO plc shares closed unchanged at €3.54 as 20,365 shares changed ownership over 13 trades. The telecommunications services provider’s shares registered a 0.6% decline last month. Further to GO’s announcement on January 28, 2016 whereby the company announced that its fully-owned subsidiary, GO Data Centre Services Limited, had completed the acquisition of 51% of the issued share capital of Kinetix IT Solutions Limited, last Thursday the company announced that it exercised its option to acquire the remaining 49% of the issued share capital of Kinetix through which it will become the sole shareholder of Kinetix.
Malta International Airport plc shares extended the previous week’s 0.8% decline having slipped by a minimal 0.4%.
The local airport operator’s shares witnessed 25 trades of 34,662 shares and closed at €4.90. The equity recorded a 1.7% gain in February.
RS2 Software plc shares extended their losing streak having closed in the red for the 10th consecutive week.
The I.T. equity fell by 0.8% as 19,170 shares changed ownership across nine transactions, closing at €1.28. RS2 shares sagged by 11% last month.
The supermarkets and retail owner PG plc extended the previous week’s 2.9% decrease, having slipped by 1.5% as 12 deals of 53,549 shares were negotiated, closing at €1.33. The equity closed February at a 2.9% loss.
Simonds Farsons Cisk plc (SFC) shares declined by 3.5% - adding to the previous week’s 3.4% loss as 3,523 shares exchanged hands over six trades, to close €0.25 lower at €6.95. The food and beverage supplier registered a 6.7% drop last month.
HSBC equity was active on 41 trades of 175,270 shares and closed at €1.96
SFC’s spin-off Trident Estates plc shares closed 0.5% lower at €1.90 as two deals of 1,670 shares were negotiated. The equity ended February at a 25% rally.
Malta Properties Company plc (MPC) shares partially erased the previous week’s 3.8% gain having edged 2% over one trade of 70 shares, closing at €0.48. MPC recorded a 6.8% loss last month.
Last Thursday, the company announced that the Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on March 21, 2018 where they shall consider and approve the Company’s Audited Financial Statements for the financial year ended December 31, 2017 and consider the declaration of a final dividend to be recommended to the company’s Annual General Meeting.
In the same sector, Malita Investments plc shares increased by a marginal 0.6% as 13 transactions of 90,915 shares were executed, to close at €0.835.
The equity registered a 1.8% decline in February. Meanwhile, MIDI plc shares were active on one deal of 14,700 shares and traded flat at €0.34.
Plaza Centres plc shares appreciated by €0.05 or 5% across nine trades of 57,842 shares, closing at €1.06. The mall owner registered a 1% decline last month.
MaltaPost plc shares decreased by 2.1% as three deals of 4,775 shares were negotiated, closing €0.04 lower at €1.91. The local postal operator’s shares recorded a 2.1% increase in February.
In the corporate bond market 42 issues were active as turnover slipped to €1.4 million from the previous week’s €1.76 million.
The 5.9% HSBC Bank Malta Plc € Sub 2018 was the worst performer having declined by 1.4% as two deals worth €5,874 were executed, to close at €100.05. Meanwhile, the 5.5% Mediterranean Investments Holding plc Unsecured € 2020 headed the list of gainers having advanced by 2.9% as one transaction worth €15,900 was negotiated, closing at €106.
Last Wednesday, 6pm Holdings plc announced that due to delays in the audit of Idox Group, the group of companies which the company forms part of pursuant to the acquisition of its entire issued share capital by Idox plc in 2017, which audit includes an audit testing process on the company by Grant Thornton UK, being the auditors of Idox Group, the company is not in a position to meet the deadline for the publication of its audited annual financial statements for the financial period ended 31 October 2017, which deadline fell due last Wednesday. As a result trading in the bonds cannot take place until further notice.
Positive sentiment prevailed in the sovereign debt market as out of 22 active issues, 17 appreciated, while only five decreased. Turnover increased to €4.1 million from €2.1million. The 3% MGS 2040 (I) r registered the best performance having increased by 1.7% as 15 trades worth €343,102 took place, closing at €117.47.
Meanwhile, the 2.3% MGS 2029 (II) headed the list of fallers having decreased by 2.1% as three trades worth €28,152 were concluded, to close at €107.74. The 4.1% MGS 2034 (I) was the most liquid issue having witnessed a turnover of €1.4 million, closing 1.3% higher at €131.
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