The MSE Share Index increased by 10.799 points over the week, equivalent to 0.6 per cent, and now stands at 1,941.481. No losses in equity prices were registered during the opening session of the week, resulting in an increase of 12.913 index points. This was soon lost however, as the following session saw losses in International Hotel Investments closing price pull down the index 11.858 points. The Index recouped on Wednesday, mainly thanks to an increase of 5c in the closing price of Bank of Valletta, and closed the session at 1,938.897. Thursday witnessed only a minimal change in the equities traded resulting in a decrease of one point on Wednesday's reading. Nonetheless, gains in the price of Simonds Farsons Cisk yesterday contributed in bringing the index back up to its current level.
Bank of Valletta shares enjoyed a positive week these past five trading sessions, after the share's price opened the week at Lm2.65 and went up 10c to close at Lm2.75 yesterday. This increase largely contributed for the gains registered in the Malta Stock Exchange Index. On Monday, trading closed at Lm2.70 in the equity, after four deals for 2,260 shares were struck between Lm2.65 and Lm2.70. Tuesday saw five deals being struck at Lm2.70, thus leaving the price unchanged. 4,741 shares changed hands over these deals. Wednesday's trading session witnessed three deals for 2,000 being executed between Lm2.749 and Lm2.75, the day's closing price. There was no deviation from this price for the remaining sessions, as six deals on Thursday and one deal yesterday (totalling 2609 shares) were struck at Lm2.75. At the close of business yesterday, 3,500 shares at Lm2.65 and 1,448 shares at Lm2.75 were the best outstanding bids and offers respectively.
Maltacom shares were off to a quiet start to the week, when on Monday one deal was struck, in which 2,000 shares changed hands at Lm1.159. On Tuesday, seven deals were struck between Lm1.159 and the closing price of Lm1.16. 12,970 shares changed hands over these deals. This 0c1 gain was reverted on Wednesday, when two deals for 1,500 were both struck at Lm1.159. A further loss was witnessed during Thursday's session, when trading opened at Lm1.158 and closed at Lm1.155, down by 0c4 on Wednesday's closing price. Three deals for 8,438 shares were struck in that price range. Yesterday's session recovered some lost ground for the equity, as four deals were struck between the opening price of Lm1.15 and the closing price of Lm1.158. 3,500 shares were traded during these deals. As yesterday's session drew to a close, 1,300 shares at Lm1.112 were left as best bids, while best offers of 1,795 shares at Lm1.158 were still outstanding.
In a company announcement issued yesterday, HSBC Bank Malta plc, it was stated that Mr Thomas Robson has resigned from the Board of Directors of HSBC Bank Malta plc with effect from yesterday. Mr Christopher Hothersall has been appointed Director pursuant to the Company's Memorandum and Articles of Association with effect from the same day.
Trading in HSBC Bank Malta shares opened on Monday with three deals for 1,672 shares being struck between Lm3.98 and Lm4.00, the closing price. Tuesday and Wednesday saw no trading in the equity, while on Thursday the session closed at Lm3.997, after 3,150 shares changed hands over five deals, struck between Lm3.98 and Lm3.997. A further 0c7 loss was registered after the close of yesterday's session, when two deals for 1,500 shares were struck at Lm3.99. At the end of the trading session, best bids for 125 shares at Lm3.90 were still outstanding, while best offers of 1,600 shares at Lm3.98 remained unsatisfied.
The other equities to trade during the week were Global Financial Services Group plc, which saw a total of six deals being struck at Lm0.20, over which 5,200 shares changed hands; International Hotels Investments plc, which saw 14 deals being struck between Lm0.84 and Lm0.92, over which 25,165 shares changed hands; Middle Sea Insurance plc, which saw four deals being struck at Lm2.10, over which 1,003 shares changed hands; Plaza Centres plc, in which 500 shares changed hands over one deal struck at Lm0.75 and Simonds Farsons Cisk plc Ordinary Shares, which saw two deals being struck at Lm0.60 and Lm0.62, over which 2,637 shares changed hands.
Trading over the week in Corporate Bonds was made up of the following:
- Six deals struck in the 6.15 per cent Bank of Valletta 2010, in which a nominal value of Lm26,000 changed hands between Lm103.00 and Lm99.00.
- Two deals struck in the 6.5 per cent Corinthia Finance 2010 (EUR), in which a nominal value of E17,600 changed hands at E99.40.
- Five deals struck in the 6.7 per cent Corinthia Finance 2009, in which a nominal value of Lm7,000 changed hands between Lm102.50 and Lm101.50.
- One deal struck in the 6.7 per cent Eden Finance 2010, in which a nominal value of Lm10,000 changed hands at Lm99.50.
- Two deals struck in the 7.25 per cent HSBC 2005, in which a nominal value of Lm2,400 changed hands between Lm105.00 and Lm105.01.
- One deal struck in the 6.7 per cent Mizzi Finance 2009/12, in which a nominal value of Lm10,000 changed hands at Lm103.35.
- Three deals struck in the 6.7 per cent Tumas Investments 2010/12, in which a nominal value of Lm10,000 changed hands between Lm100.80 and Lm101.00.
- Two deals struck in the eight per cent Bay Street Finance 2012, in which a nominal value of Lm1,600 changed hands at Lm100.00.
Total Malta Government Stock turnover over the week amounted to a nominal value of Lm292,800 struck in 35 deals over 15 different stocks.