The Malta Stock Exchange share index increased by 4.354 points or 0.17 per cent over the week and now stands at 2,531.970.
Maltacom shares opened at Lm1.29 on Monday, went down to Lm1.25 during the week and eventually went up again to end the week's trading at Lm1.27 yesterday. 9,295 shares changed hands in total, over 12 deals. 4,000 shares at Lm1.00 and 5,970 shares at Lm1.27 were the best unsatisfied bids and offers respectively after yesterday's session came to a close.
Bank of Valletta shares opened the week at Lm3.40 and closed the week's trading at the same price yesterday. A total of 25,855 shares changed hands over the week in 27 deals ranging between Lm3.401 and Lm3.40. As yesterday's session drew to a close, 37 shares at Lm3.30 and 262 shares at Lm3.40 were the best unsatisfied bids and offers respectively.
In a company announcement issued by Bank of Valletta, the Bank stated that it has been advised by Banco di Sicilia that they are denying reports carried in a section of the media that Banco di Sicilia has approved the sale of its 14.56 per cent shareholding in Bank of Valletta to an undisclosed buyer. Bank of Valletta further confirmed that no approach has been made to the Competent Authority on a possible sale or transfer of these shares.
Meanwhile, HSBC shares witnessed an increase of 6c during the week after Monday's trading session opened at Lm6.43, while Thursday's session closed at Lm6.49. During the week the price ranged between Lm6.49 and Lm6.43. Total turnover for the week amounted to 6,200 shares changing hands over five deals. At the close of the business yesterday, best bids for 440 shares at Lm6.45 and best offers for 500 shares at Lm6.55 remained outstanding.
The other equities which traded during the week appear below, followed by the range in which trading took place; 23,965 Lombard Bank shares between Lm4.10 and Lm4.03; 8,000 Middlesea Insurance plc shares at Lm2.10; 20,357 Simonds Farsons Cisk shares between Lm1.12 and Lm1.08; 1,552 Suncrest Hotels shares at Lm0.299; 44,567 International Hotels Investment shares between €0.80 and €0.79; 39,300 Plaza Centres shares between Lm0.695 and Lm0.65; 2,100 Malta International Airport shares between Lm0.831 and Lm0.83.
In a company announcement issued on Monday Simonds Farsons Cisk plc published the outcome of the annual general meeting. All ordinary resolutions were approved, among which the payment of Lm604,000 in dividends paid out of tax exempt profits (equivalent to 2c4 per share).
In another company announcement issued on Monday, the board of directors of Datatrak Holdings plc published the Group's preliminary statement of operations for the financial year ended December 32, 2003. These showed a turnover figure of Lm920,262 (December 2002: Lm1,026,944), loss for the year attributable to shareholders of Lm424,778 (December 2002: loss of Lm373,112), loss per share of 2c6 (December 2002: loss of 2c3).
Total Malta government stock turnover amounted to a nominal value of Lm375,400 being traded in 30 deals over 12 different stocks. Trading over the week in corporate bonds was made up of a total value of Lm142,010.