The Government of Malta will be issuing Lm40 million in bonds to the general public. The bonds will have an interest rate of five per cent and will mature on August 8, 2021. Applications open on Monday, May 17 and close at 12 noon on Thursday, May 20 or earlier at the discretion of the accountant general.
The Treasury is also issuing another MGS to be added to the already listed 4.8 per cent MGS 2016 (II). This stock can be applied for only in the form of sealed bids for amounts of Lm50,000 and above and at a price not less than Lm101 per Lm100 nominal.
Meanwhile, total Malta Government Stock turnover amounted to a nominal value of Lm2,166,900 being traded in 106 deals over 20 different stocks. Trading over the week in corporate bonds was made up of a total value of Lm223,906.
Bank of Valletta shares opened this week's trading at Lm3.34 and closed at Lm3.35 yesterday. 28,797 shares changed hands during the week, spread over 38 deals. At the close of business yesterday, 300 shares at Lm3.33 were the outstanding best bids while 1,100 shares at Lm3.379 were the best offers still unsatisfied.
Maltacom shares opened at Lm1.43 on Monday and went down to close the week at Lm1.40 yesterday. 59,426 shares changed hands during the week, spread over 31 deals. At the close of business yesterday, 4,750 shares at Lm1.38 were the outstanding bids while 1,000 shares at Lm1.42 were the best offers still unsatisfied.
In a company announcement issued on Tuesday, the board of directors of Maltacom p.l.c. stated that the Malta Communications Authority published its decision notice on Monday, relating to Maltacom's tariff rebalancing proposal of November 2003. The decision notice contents are being evaluated.
Trading in HSBC shares opened the week at Lm6.765 on Monday and went slightly down to close at Lm6.74. A total of 1,725 shares changed hands over the week, in five deals. As yesterday's session drew to a close, 900 shares at Lm6.60 and 725 shares at Lm6.69 made up the best unsatisfied bids and offers respectively.
In a company board of directors of First International Merchant Bank p.l.c. stated that during the annual general meeting which was held on Wednesday, May 5, the members of First International Bank p.l.c. approved all the ordinary resolutions on the agenda, one of which was the approval of a net dividend of USD0.01,2 per share. The members also approved the proposed extraordinary resolution.
In another company announcement issued yesterday, the board of directors of Suncrest Hotels p.l.c. stated that during the annual general meeting which was held yesterday, the members of Suncrest Hotels p.l.c. approved all the ordinary resolutions on the agenda, one of which was the approval of the directors' recommendation not to pay any dividend to shareholders.
The other equities which traded during the week appear below, followed by the range in which trading took place; 80,033 Lombard Bank shares between Lm4.05 and Lm4.03; 1,734 Simonds Farsons Cisk shares between Lm1 and Lm0.999; 132,183 First International Merchant Bank shares between Lm1.12 and Lm1.05; 4,600 Malta International Airport shares between Lm0.83 and Lm0.81.
The Malta Stock Exchange share index decreased by 15.621 points or 0.60 per cent over the week and now stands at 2,604.335.