The Malta Stock Exchange share index increased slighty by 11.465 points or 0.43 per cent over the week and now stands at 2,670.415. The equities which experienced increases during the week were Middlesea Insurance (3.879 per cent), Simonds Farsons Cisk (3.093 per cent), Maltacom (3.401 per cent) and GloBAl Financial Services (10 per cent).
Simonds Farsons Cisk plc ended the week on a positive note after ending the week's trading at Lm1. During the week under review 1,040 shares changed hands in two deals. It was on March 2, 2001 when Simonds Farsons Cisk plc's price last reached this figure.
In a company announcement issued on Wednesday, the board of directors of Simonds Farsons Cisk plc stated that they shall be meeting on April 28, to consider and approve the financial results for the year ended January 31 and to consider the declaration of a dividend to be recommended to the annual general meeting.
Trading in HSBC shares opened at Lm6.85 on Monday and closed the week's trading at the same price on the same day. Total turnover for the week amounted to 3,000 shares changing hands over seven deals. At the close of the business yesterday, best bids for 200 shares at Lm6.65 and best offers of 50 shares at Lm6.82 remained outstanding.
In a company announcement, HSBC Bank Malta plc confirmed that James Bonello has resigned from the board of directors of HSBC Bank Malta plc with effect from April 30.
Bank of Valletta shares witnessed a decrease of 3c5 during the week after Monday's trading session opened at Lm3.40, while yesterday's session closed at Lm3.365. 31,389 shares changed hands in total, over 46 deals. 8,200 shares at Lm3.35 and 5,000 shares at Lm3.37 were the best unsatisfied bids and offers respectively after yesterday's session came to a close.
Maltacom shares opened at Lm1.47 on Monday and went up to close yesterday's session at Lm1.52. Total turnover for the week amounted to 63,247 shares changing hands over 35 deals. At the close of the business yesterday, best bids for 325 shares at Lm1.50 and best offers of 5,600 at Lm1.515 remained outstanding.
In a company announcement issued by GloBAl Financial Services Group plc the board of directors published the preliminary statement for the financial year ended December 31, 2003. These showed a turnover figure of Lm4,917,076 (year ended December 31, 2002: Lm788,260); Group net profit amounting of Lm235,167 (year ended December 31, 2002: Loss of Lm204,114); and earnings per share of 1c8 (year ended December 31, 2002: Loss per share of 2c9). The board is proposing the approval of a net dividend of 0c65 per ordinary share to all shareholders registered on June 25, 2004.
In another company announcement issued by First International Merchant Bank plc the board of directors stated that the annual general meeting of the company will take place on May 5. A number of ordinary resolutions, one of which will be the recommendation of a net dividend of USD 0.012 per share together with an extraordinary resolution, will be put forward during the meeting.
The other equities which traded during the week appear below, followed by the range in which trading took place; 12,269 Middlesea Insurance shares between Lm2.41 and Lm2.32; 2,000 Suncrest Hotels shares at Lm0.233; 3,024 International Hotels Investments shares at €0.79; 1,000 Plaza Centres plc ordinary shares at Lm0.71; 19,176 Malta International Airport shares at Lm0.85; 10,600 GloBAl Financial Services shares between Lm1.10 and Lm1; and 3,000 Datatrak shares at Lm0.23.
Total Malta Government Stock turnover amounted to a nominal value of Lm439,700 being traded in 50 deals over 14 different stocks. Trading over the week in Corporate Bonds was made up of a total value of Lm203,850.