The MSE Share Index dropped by 32.177 points over the week, equivalent to 1.6 per cent, and now stands at 1,950.183. This decrease was largely due to losses registered in HSBC (down 15c on week) and Lombard Bank (down 15c9 on week).
HSBC Bank Malta closed this week's first trading session down by 5c from the previous closing price. On Monday, four deals were executed between Lm3.85 and Lm3.851, over which 1,750 shares changed hands. The equity next traded on Thursday, when another 5c loss was registered after six deals for 3,010 shares were struck between Lm3.82 and the closing price of Lm3.80. Yet another 5c were lost on the closing price following yesterday's session, when four deals for 3,250 shares were all struck at Lm3.75. In all, 14 deals were struck over the week, over which 8,010 shares changed hands. As yesterday's session drew to a close, there were no outstanding bids, while 250 shares at Lm3.77 were the best outstanding offers.
The only deal carried out in Lombard Bank shares was struck on Tuesday, when 252 shares changed hands at Lm3.80, down by 15c9 from the previous closing price. Best offers of 1,251 shares at Lm3.75 were still outstanding after yesterday's session, while no bids were left.
Trading in Bank of Valletta shares opened this week at Lm2.80, unchanged from last week's closing price, where it remained for three days till the end of Wednesday's trading session. Thursday saw the relevant equity close at Lm2.82 opening at Lm2.80. Two deals were struck for a total volume of 600 shares. Yesterday, the 2c gain was cut back after a single deal for 1,000 shares was struck at Lm2.81, thus arriving at a net increase over the week of 1c on the closing price. A total of 15 deals were struck during the week, over which 7,918 shares changed hands. At the close of business yesterday, best bids for 257 shares at Lm2.80 stood against best offers of 326 shares at Lm2.81.
As published in a company announcement issued yesterday, the board of directors of Maltacom plc noted that as from July 1, the minister for transport and communications, after consulting with the Malta Communications Authority, brought into force Regulation 5(9) of the Telecommunications Services (General) Regulations, 2000. Among other things, this regulation specifies that a company that holds controlling interest in an operator in specific categories providing telecommunications systems and services cannot be a participant in the ownership of any other operator providing the same systems and services. Maltacom plc holds a controlling interest in Mobisle Communications Ltd. (go mobile) and has a 20 per cent shareholding in Vodafone Malta Ltd, which are operators of Public Mobile Telecommunications Systems and Services. Maltacom plc shall be continuing with its efforts at securing the divestment of its 20 per cent shareholding in Vodafone Malta Ltd.
Trading in Maltacom shares was relatively stable during the week. On Monday three deals were struck at Lm1.20. 4,530 shares changed hands during this session. No trading was registered in the equity on Tuesday, Wednesday and yesterday. Thursday's session opened at Lm1.18, but till the end of the day the price went up to close again at Lm1.20, thus remaining unchanged for the week. The two trading sessions totalled seven deals in the equity over which 15,630 shares changed hands. Best bids for 2,000 shares at Lm1.18 and best offers of 1,100 shares at Lm1.19 remained unsatisfied at the close of the week.
The other equities which traded during the week are shown hereunder, followed by the price range in which trading was struck: 8,442 shares in Middlesea Insurance plc at Lm2.159; 1,201 shares in Simonds Farsons Cisk plc ordinary shares between Lm0.60 and Lm0.62; 2,905 shares in Globe Financial Services plc struck at Lm0.22; 62 shares in the six per cent Simonds Farsons Cisk Preference shares at Lm10.10. No trading was registered in Suncrest Hotels, International Hotel Investments, Plaza Centres, Datatrak and FIMBank.
Trading over the week in corporate bonds was made up of the following:
Three deals struck in the 6.15 per cent Bank of Valletta 2010, in which a nominal value of Lm2,400 changed hands between Lm102.90 and Lm102.95;
Four deals struck in the eight per cent Bank of Valletta 2010 (USD), in which a nominal value of $38,000 changed hands between $109.85 and $109.90;
Four deals struck in the 6.5 per cent Corinthia Finance 2010 (EUR), in which a nominal value of E48,000 changed hands between E100.45 and E100.50;
Five deals struck in the 6.7 per cent Corinthia Finance 2009, in which a nominal value of Lm7,000 changed hands between Lm102.50 and Lm103.30;
One deal struck in the 6.15 per cent Gasan Finance 2003/4, in which a nominal value of Lm15,000 changed hands at Lm99.75;
One deal struck in the 7.25 per cent HSBC 2005, in which a nominal value of Lm1,000 changed hands at Lm105.00. This deal took place in the put-through market;
One deal struck in the Malta government privatisation bond, in which a nominal value of Lm5,000 changed hands at Lm100.00;
One deal struck in the 6.7 per cent Mizzi Finance 2009/12, in which a nominal value of Lm800 changed hands at Lm102.80; and
Two deals struck in the 7.5 per cent Hotel San Antonio 2012, in which a nominal value of Lm1,000 changed hands at Lm99.80 and Lm98.50.
Total Malta government stock turnover during the week amounted to a nominal value of Lm154,100, struck in 28 deals over 12 different stocks.