Even though trading in equities was heavy this week, with the aggregate value traded exceeding that of bonds, there were no significant changes in price. Out of a total 158 deals this week, 104 were struck in shares. Price movements were minimal in both directions for a number of equities, with the exception of Global Financial Services Group plc shares, which registered a decrease of 0c9 (6.977 per cent) over the week.
Bank of Valletta shares were traded at the price of Lm2.70 during Monday's session. Eight deals were struck at that price, unchanged from the previous closing price, with turnover amounting to 4,830 shares. The following session opened at Lm2.715 before going down to close at Lm2.701. A total of 3,235 shares changed hands over seven deals. A further deal for 17,814 shares was struck at Lm2.70 in the put-through market.
Wednesday's trading session opened at Lm2.701 and went up to close at Lm2.72, up by 1c9 on the previous close. 4,312 shares changed hands over eight deals. A further increase of 0c5 was registered in the closing price of the shares following Thursday's session. This last session of the week saw two deals for 513 shares being struck at Lm2.725. Another deal for 6,200 shares was struck at Lm2.72 in the put-through market. At the close of business on Thursday, best bids for 500 shares at Lm2.71 and best offers of 1,000 shares at Lm2.72 were still outstanding.
Monday's trading session saw Maltacom shares open at Lm1.03. This was the highest point for the day, as the price went down to Lm1 during the session, then up to close at Lm1.02. Sixteen deals were struck in all for a turnover of 21,900 shares. One deal was struck during the following session in the regular market, when 200 shares changed hands at Lm1.011. The put-through market witnessed another deal being struck when 54,500 shares changed hands at Lm1.02.
Wednesday saw the price open at Lm1.011 and close at Lm1.02, up by 0c9 on the previous close. Three deals were concluded, amounting to 1,099 shares. The following session saw trading open at Lm1.029 and close at Lm1.03, with trading consisting of four deals for 7,750 shares. Following the close of business on Thursday, 1,051 shares at Lm1.011 and 1,521 shares at Lm1.04 were the best unsatisfied bids and offers respectively.
No change was registered in the price of HSBC Bank Malta following Monday's trading session, when six deals for 2,417 shares were struck at Lm3.76. Two deals for 1,500 shares were struck at the same price on Tuesday, leaving the closing price unchanged.
Another deal for 1,100 shares was struck at that same price in the put-through market. Wednesday saw a drop of one cent being registered in the price when a single deal for 500 shares was struck at Lm3.75. Thursday's session saw again one deal being struck at Lm 3.75 for 300 shares. At the end of Thursday's session, best bids for 800 shares at Lm3.75 and best offers of 800 shares at Lm3.85 were still unsatisfied.
Other equities to trade during the week were: 27,646 International Hotels Investments shares between Lm0.845 and L0.85; 3,609 Middlesea Insurance shares between Lm1.84 and Lm1.90; 16,500 Plaza Centres shares between Lm0.68 and Lm0.72; 20,000 Simonds Farsons Cisk shares between Lm0.64 and Lm0.65; 167,150 Global Financial Services Group shares between Lm0.12 and Lm0.129.
On Thursday, notice was given by the Malta Stock Exchange that the 40,589,995 Ordinary 'A' shares with a nominal value of 20c issued by Malta International Airport plc will be admitted to the official list with effect from Monday, December 16. Trading in these securities is expected to start on that same date.
Subscription lists for the Big Bon Finance plc Bond Issue closed after 90 minutes on Monday. The offer for the seven per cent bonds maturing 2010/12 was for Lm2.5 million, with an over-allotment option for another Lm500,000.
Trading over the week in corporate bonds was made up of a total value of Lm46,864.14, spread as follows:
¤ Five deals struck in the eight per cent Bank of Valletta 2010 (USD), in which a nominal value of $30,500 changed hands between $112.05 and £112.15.
¤ Two deals struck in the 6.5 per cent Corinthia Finance 2009, in which a nominal value of Lm18,000 changed hands at Lm100 and Lm 100.01.
¤ Three deals struck in the 6.75 per cent Corinthia Finance 2012, in which a nominal value of Lm2,700 changed hands at Lm102.
¤ Three deals struck in the 6.7 per cent Eden Finance 2010, in which a nominal value of Lm4,000 changed hands between Lm99.24 and Lm99.25.
¤ One deal struck in the 7.25 per cent HSBC 2005 (put-through market), in which a nominal value of Lm4,100 changed hands at Lm105.
¤ Four deals struck in the MGP Bonds, in which a nominal value of Lm4,400 changed hands at Lm100.
¤ Four deals struck in the 6.7 per cent Mizzi Organisation Finance 2009/12, in which a nominal value of Lm6,000 changed hands between Lm101.50 and Lm102.
¤ Two deals struck in the 6.6 per cent Simonds Farsons Cisk 2010/12, in which a nominal value of Lm1,000 changed hands at Lm103.01 and Lm103.02.
¤ Three deals struck in the 6.7 per cent Tumas Investments 2010/12, in which a nominal value of Lm2,700 changed hands between Lm101 and Lm101.25.
Total Malta Government Stock turnover over the week amounted to a nominal value of Lm70,800 being struck in twenty-seven deals over fourteen different stocks.
The Malta Stock Exchange Share Index increased by 5.141 points over the week, equal to 0.28 per cent, and now stands at 1,839.98.