The Malta Stock Exchange index closed at 4157.628 points yesterday, losing just 0.01 per cent on the week and almost 16 per cent on the year. During the week, 11 equities were negotiated, with six equities closing in positive territory, four in negative territory, while the rest remained unchanged. During the week, Santumas Shareholdings plc was the best performer while 6pm Holdings plc lost most ground.
A total of 235 trades were registered on the stock exchange for a turnover of over €10.86 million. In the equity market 128 deals were executed for a value of €839,810, while in the government bond market 71 deals were carried out for a total value of over €7.12 million. In the corporate bond market, 22 deals were executed for a total value of €368,104. In the Treasury bills market, 14 deals were executed for a total value of over €2.54 million.
In the banking sector, the share price of Bank of Valletta plc lost some ground during the week. The equity closed at €4.62, falling by €0.05, on a turnover of 57,890 shares traded over 40 deals. During the week the equity traded at a high €4.68 and a low of €4.60. On the other hand, the share price of FIMBank plc gained 0.32 per cent from last week, as it closed at US$1.875, with 178,058 shares traded over eight deals. Lombard Bank plc continued to retain its share price of €2.90, with 19,000 shares changing hands over six transactions. HSBC Bank Malta plc experienced a decrease in its share price, closing the week at €3.80, therefore decreasing by 0.26 per cent on the week, on a turnover of 33,970 shares traded over 26 deals.
Yesterday, HSBC Bank Malta plc announced their interim financial results for the six month period to June 30. The group registered a profit before tax of €46.6 million for the first six months of this year. This figure translated into a decrease in profits of €12.4 million or 21.1 per cent. Last year's profit before tax for the same period was €59 million. The board declared an interim gross dividend of €0.119 per share (€0.077 net of tax). The chief executive officer, Alan Richards, commented that, although the results are disappointing, the overall profitability remains strong with a return on equity of 22.0 per cent.
6pm Holdings plc lost most ground during the week, as its share price decreased by 6.67 per cent to €0.70, €0.05 less than last week, on just one deal of 565 shares. Maltapost plc lost 3.75 per cent of its share price and closed at €0.77 as 4,033 shares changed hands in two deals, losing €0.03 on the week.
Santumas Shareholdings plc was the best performer of the week, as it saw its share price increase during the week by 3.43 per cent, closing the week at €2.65, with 4,400 shares changing hands over just one deal. Grand Harbour Marina plc saw its share price appreciate by two per cent over the week, closing at €2.295, with 6,000 shares changing hands over five deals. Malta International Airport plc (MIA) registered an increase of 1.93 per cent in its share price. It closed at €3.12 with a volume of 11,027 shares on 15 deals.
International Hotel Investments plc experienced an increase of €0.011 in its share price, closing the week at €1.06, with 29,683 shares changing hands over 11 deals. Go plc registered a 0.40 per cent rise in its share price. It closed the week at €2.51, with 32,590 shares changing hands on 13 deals, with a turnover of €81,511.
On Thursday, GlobalCapital plc announces that during its annual general meeting, all the ordinary and extraordinary resolutions put to the general meeting were approved by the shareholders. The company also announced that the board of directors met, immediately after the annual general meeting, and unanimously appointed Nicholas Ashford-Hodges as chairman of the board.
During the week, the Treasury announced the issue of €100 million Malta Government Stocks subject to an over-allotment option of an additional sum of €50 million, namely, 5.1 per cent MGS 2014 (III) Fungibility Issue and five per cent MGS 2021 (I) Fungibility Issue. The price for the stocks will be established three working days before the opening of applications. Potential investors will be able to apply as of August 4 for both issues.
Subscriptions for the Mediterranean Investments Holding plc (MIH) bond issue for €15 million bearing an interest rate of 7.5 per cent per annum and maturing on August 4, 2015, will open on Monday.
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 please contact JMFS at 67/3, South Street, Valletta, or on Tel: 2122 4410 or e-mail jmizzi@jmfs.net.