The share index kicked-off the week on a positive note as it advanced by 0.56 per cent to 4,553.802 points. Seven equities registered gains whilst another three closed unchanged. Trading volumes declined to a four week-low of just €224,000.

RS2 Software closed at its sixth consecutive new all-time high as it advanced by a further 0.4 per cent to the €3.66,1 level across 5,902 shares.

The best performer of today’s trading session was Malta International Airport. The equity managed to recover some of last week’s losses with an uplift of 2.2 per cent to the €4.60 level across 11,008 shares.

Last week, the airport operator reported a 14.3 per cent growth in pre-tax profits to a new record of €29.8 million (2014: €26.1 million). The directors recommended a final gross dividend of 10c7692 per share (2014: 12c31), representing a 12.5 per cent decrease over last year’s final dividend.

Shareholders as at the close of trading on March 30 will be eligible to receive the final dividend. This will be payable by May 19 following shareholders’ approval at the annual general meeting to be held on May 4.

In the banking sector, HSBC and Bank of Valletta also registered gains. HSBC advanced to a two-week high of €1.66,9 (+1.8 per cent) across 12,450 shares.

Last Monday, the bank announced its 2015 financial results which showed an improved adjusted profit before tax of €61.5 million. The board of directors is recommending a final gross dividend of 2c6 per share (1c7 net), which together with the 5c1 gross interim dividend, results in a total gross dividend for the year of 7c7 per share (5c net).

Shareholders as at close of trading on March 14 will be eligible to receive the final dividend on April 19 subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming annual general meeting to be held on April 15.

On the other hand, seven deals totalling 25,817 shares marginally lifted the equity of Bank of Valletta to the €2.23 level.

Recently, BOV announced the issuance of €50 million 3.5 per cent Tranche 2 subordinated bonds 2030 at par (100 per cent) forming part of its debt issuance programme launched in October 2015.

GO managed to rebound from an intra-day low of €3.26 to close at the €3.31 level (+0.3 per cent) across 6,397 shares. The equity trades with the entitlement to a final net dividend of 10c per share until April 7.

In the meantime, the company is evaluating a number of non-binding bids from parties interested in acquiring its entire issued share capital.

Santumas Shareholdings (5,155 shares) and Mapfre Middlesea (6,000 shares) advanced by 1.4 per cent and 0.4 per cent to the €2.25 and €2.58 levels, respectively. The insurance specialist will reveal its 2015 financial results on March 2.

In the property segment, MIDI (20,000 shares) and Malta Properties Company (30,000 shares) maintained the 36c and 57c levels respectively. MIDI will publish its 2015 results on March 28. The board of directors will also be considering the recommendation of a final dividend.

Medserv recovered from an intra-day low of €1.60 to close unchanged at the €1.65 level across light volumes totalling 1,200 shares.

Last week, Medserv announced that it has now concluded the purchase of the entire issued share capital of METS UAE and METS Oman as well as the 90 per cent shareholding of METS Iraq (collectively known as the “METS Group”).

As opposed to what was stated in the previous communications to the market, the consideration price for the above transactions has been reduced to $45 million, reflecting the 10 per cent shareholding of METS Iraq that was retained by Jarrett Asset Holdings Corporation.

On the bond market, the RF MGS Index registered its fifth consecutive uplift with a minimal rise to 1,141.575 points (+0.02 per cent). Downward pressure on eurozone bond yields mounted as the latest round of economic data showed that inflation in the eurozone turned negative again, raising the chances of a more aggressive easing package to be adopted by the European Central Bank at its next monetary policy meeting to be held on March 10.

Indeed, the 10-year benchmark German Bund touched a 10-month low of 0.10 per cent (from 0.15 per cent last Friday) before rebounding slightly.

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