Total Malta Government Stock turnover amounted to a nominal value of Lm3,481,900 being traded in 171 deals over 17 different stocks. Of these, a nominal value of Lm2,014,700 changed hands in the 5.5 per cent MGS 2023 while a nominal value of Lm1,198,500 changed hands in the 5.1 per cent MGS 2014 (III). Trading over the week in corporate bonds was made up of a total value of Lm478,124.
Bank of Valletta shares edged lower this week when trading in the equity opened on Tuesday at Lm2.27, down by 1c9 from the previous closing price.
This was also the closing price for the week, having briefly touched the Lm2.28 mark on Wednesday.
Turnover amounted to 9,761 shares changing hands over nine deals. Following yesterday's trading session 1,553 shares at Lm2.28 and 8,500 shares at Lm2.30 were the best outstanding bids and offers respectively.
In a company announcement issued yesterday, the Board of Directors of HSBC Bank Malta plc published the interim accounts for the six months ended June 30.
These show an operating income figure of Lm26,583,000 (six months ended June 30: Lm24,232,000), profit attributable to shareholders of Lm8,454,000 (six months ended June 30, 2002: Lm7,023,000) and earnings per share of 23c2 (six months ended June 30, 2002: 19c3).
The Board also approved the payment of a gross interim dividend of 10c8 per ordinary shares to shareholders on the Company's register as at July 31.
Trading in HSBC shares opened at Lm4.399 on Monday, ranged between Lm4.35 and Lm4.43 during the week before closing at Lm4.40 yesterday, unchanged from the previous week's closing price. Eighteen deals were struck in all, over which 34,510 shares changed hands.
Best bids for 2,190 shares at Lm4.40 and best offers of 5,000 shares at Lm4.42 remained unsatisfied after yesterday's session ended.
Thirty deals were struck in Maltacom shares this week, with 47,953 shares changing hands. Trading opened at Lm0.911 on Monday and went up to close the week at Lm0.95 yesterday. 2,000 shares at Lm0.94 and 14,400 shares at Lm0.95 were the best outstanding bids and offers respectively.
The Board of Directors of First International Merchant Bank plc published details in a company announcement issued yesterday, regarding the cash offer to be made by FIMBank (UK) Limited to purchase the entire issued share capital of London Forfaiting Company plc, which is a company listed on the London Stock Exchange. FIMBank (UK) Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of FIMBank plc specifically set up for the above mentioned purchase.
In a company announcement issued yesterday, the Board of Directors of Global Financial Services Group plc published the Interim Financial Statements for the six months ended June 30. These results are the first to incorporate the Malta operations of British American Insurance acquired by the Group on January 16.
The statements show a turnover figure of Lm2,369,733 (six months ended June 30, 2002: Lm438,015), profit for the period of Lm130,765 (six months ended June 30, 2002: loss of Lm68,708) and earnings per share of 0c2 (six months ended June 30, 2002: loss per share of 0c2).
The other equities which traded during the week appear below, followed by the range in which trading took place: 1,650 International Hotel Investments shares between Lm0.875 and Lm0.88; 1,000 Plaza Centres plc shares at Lm0.71; 2,324 Simonds Farsons Cisk shares between Lm0.74 and Lm0.77 and 3,511 Global Financial Services Group plc shares at Lm0.194 and Lm0.195.
The Malta Stock Exchange share index decreased by 0.824 points or 0.04 per cent over the week and now stands at 1,930.208.