The Malta Stock Exchange Index closed the week at 2,776.066 points, at a loss of 1.52 per cent over the previous week and thus increasing the year-to-date loss to 13.47 per cent. During the week, 12 equities were negotiated, with nine closing in negative territory, one closing in positive territory and two remaining stable. Lombard Bank Malta plc was the best performer as its share price increased by 2.48 per cent and closed the week at €2.521, while Medserv plc lost most ground as its share price dropped by 7.68 per cent and closed at €3.69 on a single trade of just 500 shares which took place yesterday.
During the week, 265 deals were registered on the stock exchange for a turnover of over €4.6 million. In the equity market, 133 transactions were carried out for a total value of €413,383. In the corporate bond market 69 transactions for a total value of €522,652 were executed. In the government bond market 56 transactions were executed for a value of over €1.5 million. Seven transactions were carried out in the Treasury Bills market for a value of over €2.1 million.
This week the Treasury announced the issue of two new Malta Government Stocks for a total aggregate amount of €70 million subject to an over-allotment option of up to a further €25 million. The 3.6 per cent MGS 2013 (IV) will be issued at €100 while the 5 per cent MGS 2021 (I) will be issued at €101.50 with a yield to maturity of 4.84 per cent. Subscriptions will open on Monday, March 9, and will close on Wednesday, March 11, for applications which do not exceed € 100,000. Applications in the form of sealed bids will close on Friday, March 13.
Bank of Valletta plc (BOV) was the most active equity this week as it traded 63 times and volume reached 101,577 shares. However, the share price fell by 2.14 per cent on the week.
The equity traded at a high of €2.30 and a low of €2.20, which was the closing price yesterday.
HSBC Bank Malta plc (HSBC) saw its share price drop by 1.34 per cent to €2.21 this week as 31,440 shares changed hands on a total of 27 deals. The equity traded at a low of €2.202 and a high of €2.24.
On Monday Lombard Bank Malta plc (Lombard) was a positive performer as its share price appreciated by 0.81 per cent to €2.48 on a single deal of 4,500 shares. Once again on Thursday, Lombard was the only positive performer of the day as its share price increased by 1.65 per cent. This week Lombard traded seven times on a volume of 15,700 shares.
The share price of Go plc this week fell by 0.07 per cent on a total of 18 deals as 34,325 shares changed hands. The equity traded at a low of €1.48 and a high of €1.501, but closed the week at €1.50.
This week the share price of Malta International Airport plc fell 3.27 per cent on just two deals as 1,200 shares changed hands.
On Monday a single deal of 300 shares led to a drop of 0.47 per cent in the share price of Simonds Farsons Cisk plc, which closed at €1.89.
The share price of Maltapost plc dropped by 1.84 per cent to €0.745 as 6,940 shares were negotiated across seven transactions.
On Wednesday Middlesea Insurance plc (MSI) lost most ground among the traded equities as its share price dropped by 4.85 per cent to €2.45 when 5,000 shares changed hands across three deals.
Datatrak Holdings plc published its results for the six months ending December 31, 2008. Datatrak announced a pre-tax loss of €0.43 million when compared to €0.36 million in the six months ended December 31, 2007.
On Thursday two deals for a total volume of 100 shares led to a drop of 2.47 per cent in the share price of International Hotel Investments plc, which closed at €0.829.
Yesterday a single deal of 1,300 shares left the share price of Plaza Centres plc unchanged at €1.70.
RS2 Software plc was also negotiated yesterday, as the share price remained unchanged at €0.75 on a single deal of 1,500 shares.
This article, which was compiled by Jesmond Mizzi Financial Services Limited (JMFS), does not intend to give investment advice and the contents therein should not be construed as such. JMFS is licensed to conduct investment services by the MFSA. 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 JMFS at 67/3, South Street, Valletta or on telephone 2122 4410 or e-mail jmizzi@jmfs.net.