The price of Malta International Airport shares increased by 7.317 per cent during the week. Trading opened the week at Lm1.23 on Monday and went on to close at Lm1.32 yesterday. The price ranged between Lm1.209 and Lm1.35. Total turnover amounted to 51,265 shares changing hands over 46 deals. At the close of business yesterday, best bids for 218 shares at Lm1.32 and best offers for 600 shares at Lm1.40 remained outstanding.

Bank of Valletta shares opened at Lm4.725 on Monday and went up to close the week's trading at Lm4.75 yesterday. Total turnover for the week amounted to 53,906 shares changing hands over 103 deals. During the week, trading ranged between Lm4.770 and Lm4.725. At the end of yesterday's session, bids for 35 shares at Lm4.71 and offers of 1,050 shares at Lm4.76 made up the best unsatisfied closing positions.

Trading in HSBC shares opened at Lm8.969 and went up to close yesterday's session at Lm8.97. Trading for the week consisted of 56,337 shares changing hands over a total of 48 deals. During the week, trading ranged between Lm9.00 and Lm8.90. Bids for 500 shares at Lm8.06 and offers of 3,169 shares at Lm8.97 made up the best unsatisfied closing positions.

In a company announcement issued yesterday, the Board of Directors of HSBC Bank Malta plc stated that it would be meeting on Friday, February 11, to consider and approve the Group's and the Bank's Final Audited Accounts for the financial year ended December 31, 2004 and to consider the declaration of a final dividend to be recommended to the Bank's Annual General Meeting. It was also announced that any dividends will be submitted to those shareholders registered in the company's register of members on February 16.

Meanwhile, Maltacom shares lost 6c9 during the week to end yesterday's session at Lm1.70 after opening at Lm1.769 on Monday. Total turnover amounted to 74,120 shares changing hands over 106 deals. As yesterday's session drew to a close, bids for 225 shares at Lm1.68 and offers of 500 shares at Lm1.699 made up the best unsatisfied closing positions.

The price of Middlesea Insurance plc shares increased by 7.692 per cent during the week. Trading opened the week at Lm2.60 on Monday and went on to close at Lm2.80 on Tuesday. Total turnover amounted to 2,421 shares changing hands over seven deals. As Tuesday's session drew to a close, 216 shares at Lm1.985 and 758 shares at Lm2.80 were the best unsatisfied bids and offers respectively.

In a company announcement issued on Tuesday, Middlesea Insurance plc stated that Mr Tonio Depasquale has been appointed a Director of Middlesea Insurance plc. Mr Depasquale is the Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Valletta plc and has been holding the post of director in various companies. In the meantime, Mr Mario Grima has ceased to be a director of Middlesea Insurance with effect from February 1.

The other equities which traded during the week appear below, followed by the range in which trading took place: 2,406 Lombard Shares between Lm4.30 and Lm4.10; 3,035 Simonds Farsons Cisk shares between Lm1.14 and Lm1.12; 10,000 Suncrest Hotels shares at Lm0.33; 15,694 International Hotels Investments shares between €0.755 and €0.74; 377,150 FIM Bank shares between USD 1.10 and USD 1.07; 13,400 Global Financial Services shares between Lm1.06 and Lm1.00; 2,784 San Tumas Shareholdings plc shares between Lm0.77 and Lm0.75.

Total Malta Government Stock turnover amounted to a nominal value of Lm2,136,100 being traded in 64 deals over 20 different stocks. Trading over the week in corporate bonds was made up of a total value of Lm83,125.

The Malta Stock Exchange share index increased by 6.501 points or 0.20 per cent over the week and now stands at 3,333.226.

Report by Azzopardi Investment Management Limited, tel. 2131 3100, fax. 2131 8897

www.azzopardi.com