In a company announcement issued yesterday, the Board of Directors of HSBC Bank Malta plc published the preliminary profit statement for the year ended December 31. These show a net interest income of Lm39,479,000 (December 2003: Lm34.7 million), profit attributable to shareholders of Lm22,130,000 (December 2003: Lm16.8 million) and earnings per share of 60c7 (December 2003: 46c). A final gross dividend of 27c3 per share will be recommended for payment to shareholders registered on the company's register of members on February 16, 2005.
Yesterday, the board of directors of HSBC Bank Malta plc also announced that they have decided to propose to shareholders and to the relative regulatory authorities, a change in the bank's memorandum of association whereby the authorised share capital of Lm40,000,000 presently divided into 160 million ordinary shares of 25c each be split into 320 million ordinary shares of 12c5 each. They also proposed that the issued and fully paid-up capital of Lm9,120,000 presently divided into 36,480,000 ordinary shares of 25c each be split into 12c5 each, which are all listed on the Malta Stock Exchange.
Meanwhile, HSBC shares opened trading at Lm8.97 and gained 7c during the week to end yesterday's session at Lm9.04. Total turnover amounted to 53,126 shares changing hands over 41 deals. Trading during the week ranged between Lm9.05 and Lm8.97.
Following the close of business yesterday, 740 shares at Lm8.05 were the best outstanding bids while 1,288 shares at Lm9.04 were the best offers still unsatisfied.
Bank of Valletta shares opened the week at Lm4.75 and closed the week's trading at the same price yesterday. A total of 23,579 shares changed hands over the week in 45 deals. During the week, trading ranged between Lm4.82 and Lm4.72. As yesterday's session drew to a close 200 shares at Lm4.72 and 1,000 shares at Lm4.82 were the best unsatisfied bids and offers respectively.
Meanwhile, Maltacom shares lost 9c9 during the week to end yesterday's session at Lm1.60 after opening at Lm1.69c9 on Monday. Total turnover amounted to 23,370 shares changing hands over 29 deals. As yesterday's session drew to a close, bids for 750 shares at Lm1.58 and offers of 200 shares at Lm1.60 made up the best unsatisfied closing positions.
The other equities which traded during the week appear below, followed by the range in which trading took place; 551 Lombard shares between Lm4.35 and Lm4.30; 450 Middlesea Insurance shares between Lm2.80 and Lm2.79c9; 5,730 Simonds Farsons Cisk shares between Lm1.14c5 and Lm1.12c1; 1,600 Suncrest Hotels shares at 35c2; 18,000 International Hotels Investments shares between €0.80 and €0.79; 8,100 Plaza Centres shares between 64c4 and 64c; 89,650 FIM Bank shares at US$1.10; 9,729 Malta International Airport shares between Lm1.32 and Lm1.30 and 23,000 Global Financial Services shares between Lm1.01c1 and Lm1.
Total Malta Government Stock turnover amounted to a nominal value of Lm158,900 being traded in 28 deals over 13 different stocks. Trading over the week in corporate bonds was made up of a total value of Lm114,777.
The Malta Stock Exchange share index decreased by 15.83 points or 0.47 per cent over the week and now stands at 3,317.398.