Following four consecutive sessions of declines, the MSE Equity Price Index rebounded by 0.59% on Monday to 4,281.398 points on the back of increases in the share prices of BOV, HSBC and IHI. These offset the declines in MIA, Plaza and Malta Properties while a further three equities ended Monday's trading session unchanged.
The share price of Bank of Valletta plc rebounded by 1.2% today to regain the €1.73 level across 13 deals totalling 24,861 shares. The bank is scheduled to hold its annual general meeting on Thursday May 10, 2018.
Similarly, the equity of HSBC Bank Malta plc advanced by 0.6% to close at the €1.73 level on lower volumes of 11,060 shares.
Among the large equities by market capitalisation, International Hotel Investments plc also trended in positive territory today as it moved 3.3% higher to recapture the €0.62 level across five deals totalling 22,066 shares. Last Friday, the IHI Group published its 2017 annual results revealing a net profit of just over €12 million (2016: net loss of €7.7 million) reflecting the improved performance of various Group properties as well as a lower incidence of impairments on property values.
On the other Malta International Airport plc eased by 0.4% to the €4.84 level on shallow volumes of 3,115 shares. The airport operator is scheduled to hold its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday May 8.
Plaza Centres plc also trended in negative territory with a 1.9% drop back to the €1.04 level on a single trade of 10,000 shares.
Similarly, Malta Properties Company plc shed 0.4% back to the €0.468 level on low volumes of 6,970 shares.
Meanwhile, RS2 Software plc held on to the €1.27 level after trading within a tight range of between €1.28 and €1.26 on volumes of 11,042 shares. Last week, RS2 reported a 36% increase in net profits to €0.61 million for the 2017 financial year. The directors are recommending the payment of a net dividend of €0.0146 per share to shareholders as at close of trading on May 16, 2018. The company explained that it has intensified its efforts on expanding its client base. In fact, it secured strategic deals for its managed services which will secure substantial revenue for the group once the customers move into production.
Also, no changes were registered in the share prices of Malita Investments plc (€0.83) and Mapfre Middlesea plc (€1.90).
The RF MGS Index was relatively unchanged today at 1,116.053 points as the benchmark eurozone yield continued to trade around the 0.57% level.
Following the publication on April 25, 2018 of a prospectus by Main Street Complex plc in connection with the issuance of 5,230,769 new ordinary shares and an offer of 7,538,460 ordinary shares from existing shareholders at a price of €0.65 per share, the offer period is taking place between 2 and 16 May 2018.
Stock markets are volatile and subject to fluctuations which cannot be reasonably foreseen. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.