Bank of Valletta shares opened the week's trading at Lm2.90 on Monday and closed the week at Lm3.13 yesterday. During the week, trading ranged between Lm2.90 and Lm3.251. Turnover amounted to 58,694 shares, changing hands over 75 deals. The best unsatisfied bids and offers following yesterday's session were 947 shares at Lm3.13 and 2,000 shares at Lm3.20.
Meanwhile, HSBC shares opened the week at Lm6.40 and went down to close at Lm6 yesterday. A total of 106,083 shares changed hands over the week, in 95 deals. As yesterday's session drew to a close, 2,401 shares at Lm6 and 700 shares at Lm6.044 made up the best unsatisfied bids and offers respectively.
Maltacom saw the heaviest trading during the week when a total of 159 deals were struck in which 299,217 shares changed hands. Weekly trading opened at Lm1.25 and went up to close the week at Lm1.44, up by 19c on the previous week's closing price. Following close of business yesterday, 1,050 shares at Lm1.43 and 5,000 shares at Lm1.45 made up the best unsatisfied positions.
In a company announcement issued on Wednesday, the board of directors of Lombard Bank Malta plc published the preliminary profit statement for the 15-month period from October 1, 2002 to December 31, 2003. These show a net interest income of Lm3,622,000 (12 months ended September 30, 2002: Lm2,865,000); profit attributable to shareholders of Lm1,393,000 (12 months ended September 30, 2002: Lm912,000) and earnings per share of 34c7 (12 months ended September 30, 2002: 23c1). A gross final dividend of 9c per share is being proposed and if approved, will be paid to shareholders on the register of members on February 29, 2004.
In a company announcement issued on Monday, the board of directors of Suncrest Hotels plc stated that the 16th annual general meeting of Suncrest Hotels plc shall be held on May 7, 2004 and not as previously announced.
In another company announcement issued on Monday, the board of directors of Global Financial Services Group plc stated that Nicholas Portelli has been appointed Group chief executive officer with effect from March 1, 2004. It also announced the establishment of Quadrant Limited as a fully-owned subsidiary, which company will be carrying out property management and consultancy services.
The other equities which traded during the week appear below, followed by the range in which trading took place; 10,360 Malta International Airport shares between Lm0.77 and Lm0.75; 4,701 Middlesea Insurance shares between Lm2.199 and Lm2.100; 6,122 Lombard Bank shares between Lm4 and Lm3.73; 7,678 International Hotels Investments shares between Lm0.85 and Lm0.80; 120,515 Plaza Centres plc shares between Lm0.619 and Lm0.560; 3,620 Global Financial Services Group plc shares between Lm0.90 and Lm0.89 and 16,250 Datatrak Holdings plc shares at Lm0.24.
Trading over the week in equities exceeded that of bonds. This was made up of a total value of Lm1,385,257, while turnover in government and corporate bonds amounted to a total value of Lm524,439.
Total Malta Government Stock turnover amounted to a nominal value of Lm366,300 being traded in 50 deals over 16 different stocks.
Trading over the week in corporate bonds was made up of a total value of Lm124,077.72.
The Malta Stock Exchange share index increased by 73.17 points or three per cent over the week and now stands at 2451.970.