In a four-day trading week the Malta Stock Exchange (MSE) index closed in positive territory for the second consecutive week, closing 0.787 per cent higher at 4,506.01 points.
A total of 13 equities were active during the week, of which the majority closed in positive territory, five lost ground while two remained afloat.
Bank of Valletta plc (BOV) shares swayed between €2.23 and €2.28 during the week, closing 2.2 per cent higher at its high of €2.28 after a total turnover worth €122,000 spread over 31 deals. On the other hand, HSBC Bank Malta plc closed the week unchanged at €1.855 after a total turnover of €24,000 spread over just two transactions.
On a positive note, seven deals amounting to 182,837 shares in Fimbank plc saw its share price rise 1.8 per cent higher to close the week at $0.845.
On a similar note, two deals amounting to a low turnover of €2,300 in Lombard Bank Malta plc managed to add one per cent to its share price to close the week at €2.101.
GO plc had a rocky start to the week but managed to recover to close the week 0.3 per cent higher at €3.23.
Total turnover amounted to €68,952 spread over eight deals.
Seven deals amounting to 9,852 shares in Malta International Airport plc (MIA) saw the price of the equity contract by 0.3 per cent to close the week at €4.038.
Last Tuesday, the company announced a year-on-year growth of 22 per cent in passenger movements for the month of November, registering the highest monthly increase for 2016.
The growth was in line with an increase of 17 per cent in aircraft movements, and a 21.3 per cent increase in seat capacity. The airport aims to welcome a grand total of five million passengers before the year is through.
RS2 Software plc shares lost ground by 1.7 per cent, closing the week at its low of €1.571. Total activity was spread over 10 transactions with a total turnover of €72,000.
Santumas Shareholdings plc shares failed to veer from last week’s closing price as three deals worth €3,354 were executed at €1.26.
Last Tuesday, the company announced that on November 28, 2016, it booked revenues amounting to €1,194,084 arising from a material transaction which is expected to have a positive impact on the realised profits of the company and will be reflected in the company’s financial statements for the financial year ending April 30, 2017.
This notwithstanding, the directors do not project the results for 2017 to be materially different from the profits shown the previous financial year in view of unrealised profits booked through a revaluation of investment properties.
The airport aims to welcome a grand total of five million passengers before the year is through
Last Friday the company announced that its board of directors is scheduled to meet on Thursday to consider, and if considered appropriate, approve the company’s interim financial statements for the six months ending October 31, 2016.
Medserv plc erased some of last week’s gains as the equity lost 1.1 per cent to close the week at €1.659. Total turnover amounted to €11,074, spread over five deals.
Two deals of 2,325 shares in International Hotel Investments plc (IHI) managed to lift its share price by 3.1 per cent to €0.639.
On a negative note, Maltapost plc shares shaved 0.3 per cent off their price after a total turnover of €5,900, closing the week at €1.875.
Last Tuesday, the company announced that its board of directors approved its audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2016.
The company reported a profit before tax of €2.93 million, compared to the €3.38m registered in 2015. Revenue for the period under review amounted to €27.92 million, a rise of 8.6 per cent from 2015.
The board recommended for the approval of the annual general meeting the payment of a final gross dividend €0.0615 (net dividend of €0.04) per €0.25, with the option to receive the dividend either in cash or by the issue of new shares at the established attribution price of €1.85. If approved, the final dividend will be paid on February 27, 2017.
For the second consecutive week, Malita Investments plc continued with its negative trend, as the equity closed one per cent lower at €0.85.
Total turnover amounted to € 108,651, spread over eight deals.
Elsewhere, after a single deal of 349 shares in Malta Properties Company plc its share price managed to rebound from last week’s decline, closing 2.6 per cent higher at €0.60.
In the corporate debt market a total of 30 issues were active, reaching a turnover of €1.3 million – half closed in positive territory, five lost ground, while 10 remained unchanged.
On the sovereign debt front, turnover amounted to €5.5 million spread over 26 issues, of which 16 closed in negative territory while 10 gained ground.
Mixed direction was witnessed in the long-dated issues, however the majority headed lower.
The most liquid issue was the 2.5 per cent MGS 2036 (I) with a turnover of €1.2 million.
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.