In a company announcement issued on Wednesday, the board of directors of Malta International Airport p.l.c. published the preliminary profit statements for the year ended March 31, 2004. These showed an operating income figure of Lm14,302,327 (March 03: Lm13.3 million), profit on ordinary activities after tax amounting to Lm1,610,671 (March 03, including the profit on sale and leaseback transaction: Lm13.6 million), company's earnings per share of 2.38c (March 03: 2.04c). The company also announced that the board of directors will be recommending the payment of a net dividend Lm0.014 per share to all shareholders registered as at the close of business on June 15, 2004. The board stated that the annual general meeting shall be held on July 15, 2004.
Trading in Bank of Valletta shares opened the week at Lm3.40 on Tuesday and closed the week at the same price yesterday. A total of 51,251 shares changed hands over the week, spread over 37 deals. Following yesterday's session, best bids of 37 shares at Lm3.30 and best offers of 90 shares at Lm3.42 remained outstanding.
Maltacom shares opened and closed at Lm1.35 on Tuesday and yesterday respectively. A total of 17,020 shares changed hands over 16 deals. Following yesterday's session, best bids of 4,000 shares at Lm1.30 and best offers of 8000 shares at Lm1.35 were the best unsatisfied bids and offers respectively.
HSBC shares opened the week at Lm6.48 on Tuesday and closed the week's trading at Lm6.45 yesterday. A total of 34,741 shares changed hands over the week, spread over 14 deals. Following yesterday's session, best bids for 2,000 shares at Lm6.40 and best offers of 1,000 shares at Lm6.50 remained outstanding.
In a company announcement issued on Friday, June 4, the board of directors of International Hotel Investments p.l.c. published the group's preliminary profit statements for the year ended December 31, 2003. These showed a revenue figure of €34,719,489 (December 02: €33.2 million), net Loss after tax of €9,314,280 (December 02: Loss of €1.7 million), group's loss per share of €0.08 (December 02: Loss of €0.01). During 2003, according to company estimates, only 36 per cent of rooms were fully operational and IHI expects to be profitable (and pay a dividend) during 2005 and/or 2006 as tourism improves, the US embargo is lifted and IHI will have four fully operational and recently refurbished hotels.
The newly listed five per cent MGS 2021 (II) started trading on Tuesday. Lm1,301,300 nominal changed hands during the first week of trading in 47 deals. Trading ranged between the opening price of Lm101.15 and the closing price of Lm102.
Meanwhile, total Malta Government stock turnover amounted to a nominal value of Lm1,417,500 being traded in 71 deals over 13 different stocks. Trading over the week in corporate bonds was made up of a total value of Lm84,677.
The other equities which traded during the week appear below, followed by the range in which trading took place; 2,000 Lombard Bank shares between Lm3.90 and Lm3.75; 140,186 International Hotels Investment shares between €0.80 and €0.75.
The Malta Stock Exchange share index decreased by 11.836 points or 0.4615 per cent over the week and now stands at 2,552.837.