The MSE Equity Total Return Index extended its recent losing streak having closed in the red for the fourth consecutive week.

The index declined by 0.118 per cent and closed at 8,608.152 points. Turnover fell to €2.1 million from the previous week’s €2.8 million as activity was spread across 21 equities of which gainers and losers tallied at six.

In the banking sector, Lombard Bank Malta plc shares were the only non-movers having traded flat at €2.30 on one deal of 9,442 shares.

HSBC Bank Malta plc shares erased the previous week’s 1.7 per cent gain, having decreased by the same percentage as nine trades of 18,338 shares were executed, to close €0.03 lower at €1.76.

FIMBank plc shares slipped by 1.5 per cent over two transactions of 5,800 shares, closing at $0.68.

Bank of Valletta plc (BOV) shares were the most active having witnessed a turnover of €847,413 spread across 97 deals.

The equity closed 0.6 per cent higher at €1.81.

Mapfre Middlesea plc shares added to the previous week’s 1.1 per cent loss having slipped by 1.7 per cent as seven trades of 21,649 shares were struck, closing €0.03 lower at €1.79.

Last Friday, the insurance and investments services provider, announced that its board is scheduled to meet on March 8, in order to consider and approve the company’s audited financial statements for the year 2017, and also to consider the declaration of a dividend, if any, that would be recommended to the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

In the same sector, GlobalCapital plc shares advanced by 18.8 per cent across two deals of 875 shares, closing €0.06 higher at €0.38.

Santumas Shareholdings plc closed unchanged at €1.50 as six deals of 36,562 shares were negotiated.

Simonds Farsons Cisk plc shares partially recouped the previous week’s 3.7 per cent decrease having increased by €0.05 or 0.7 per cent. The food and beverage supplier’s shares were active on two transactions of 880 shares and closed at €7.80.

Trident Estates plc, the spin-off company of SFC, will start trading on the Malta Stock Exchange this Tuesday.

Malta International Airport plc shares oscillated between a weekly low of €4.70 and a high of €4.90 – at which it closed.

The local airport operator’s shares were active on 16 trades of 11,625 shares.

In the property management sector, Malita Investments plc shares registered an increase for the third consecutive week, having increased by 0.6 per cent as three transactions of 16,050 shares were concluded, to close at €0.845.

Last Thursday, the company announced that a Board meeting will be held on March 5, 2018 to consider and, if deemed appropriate, approve the company’s financial statements for 2017.

During the said meeting, the Board shall consider the payment of a final dividend.

The company further announced that the next AGM will be held on April 27.

In the same sector, Plaza Centres plc shares closed unchanged at €1.02 as three deals of 18,200 shares were executed.

Meanwhile, Tigne Mall plc shares declined by 3.6 per cent as four transactions of 37,830 shares were struck, closing €0.039 lower at €1.05.

Malta Properties Company plc shares appreciated by €0.073 or 16.5 per cent across 15 deals of 104,063 shares, closing at a three-month high of €0.515. MIDI plc shares remained unchanged at €0.34 as 12 trades of 364,609 shares changed hands.

The oil and gas logistics services company Medserv plc recorded a 6.9 per cent advance in its share price.

The equity witnessed 10 deals of 32,500 shares and closed €0.08 higher at €1.24.

Simonds Farsons Cisk plc shares partially recouped the previous week’s 3.7 per cent decrease

This increase might have been reflected by the company having announced that it had secured business in an important market in the energy sector.

In fact, Medserv announced that it has won a tender for a three-year contract, with the possibility of further extension, to provide the integrated logistics support services to the offshore operations being conducted by an international oil company.

The initial value of the contract is estimated at over €10 million, with the possibility of future growth.

Both companies involved in the deal have agreed not to disclose further details at this stage since there are still ongoing discussions with third parties that could affect the expansion process of the project.

RS2 Software plc shares slipped by a further 2.1 per cent over 55 deals of 366,417 shares, to close €0.03 lower at €1.43.

The supermarkets and retail owner PG plc registered no change in its share price of €1.39 as 51,347 shares changed hands over eight deals.

MaltaPost plc shares declined by €0.05 or 2.5 per cent across four transactions of 4,112 shares, closing at a three-month low of €1.99.

The telecommunications provider GO plc recorded no change in its €3.52 share price as 19 trades of 44,552 shares were negotiated.

Grand Harbour Marina plc shares closed unchanged at €0.76 on four deals of 32,147 shares.

International Hotel Investments plc (IHI) shares traded flat at €0.62 across five transactions of 13,128 shares.

In the corporate bond market turnover increased to €2.75 million from the previous week’s €1.76 million as a total of 42 issues were active of which 19 advanced and nine fell.

The 4.35% SD Finance plc Unsecured € 2027 was the most liquid issue having witnessed a turnover worth €827,522, closing unchanged at €104.

The 5.35% BOV plc Sub € 2019 registered the best performance having risen by 2 per cent as five deals worth €16,153 were struck, to close at €103.80, while the 5.8% IHI 2023 headed the list of fallers having declined by 3.2 per cent as one trade worth €9,361 was executed, closing at €104.02.

In the sovereign debt market 23 issues were active of which 15 gained ground and six fell.

The long-dated 2.4% MGS 2041 (I) r was the top performer having advanced by 2.1 per cent on 13 deals worth €169,990, to close at €106, while the 2.2% MGS 2035 (I) I was the worst performer having slipped by 1.1 per cent as three trades worth €127,638 were executed, closing at €104.80

The 7.8% MGS 2018 was the most liquid having witnessed two trades worth €6.5 million, to close 0.3% lower at €103.58.

This article, 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: 21224410, or email info@jesmondmizzi.com.

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