The main highlight of this morning’s trading session on the Malta Stock Exchange was the exceptional trading volumes in Malta Government Stocks.
This followed an announcement by the Central Bank of Malta that it will be offering stock in three specific issues, namely: the 7.8 per cent MGS 2018 (I), the five per cent MGS 2021 (I) and the 5.25 per cent MGS 2030 (I).
During today’s session, €25 million nominal traded in the 7.8 per cent MGS 2018 (I) at 122.04 per cent and over €2.3 million traded in the 5.25 per cent MGS 2030 (I) at 102 per cent. The trades that were effected were higher than the indicate bid prices of the Central Bank of Malta.
On the equity market, the MSE Share Index retreated by a further 0.2 per cent to yet another five-month low of 3,455.065 points mainly due to the third consecutive decline in the share price of Bank of Valletta plc. BOV edged another 0.7 per cemt lower to close at €2.92 on volumes of over 21,600 shares. Meanwhile, HSBC Bank Malta plc maintained the €2.95 level across ten trades totalling just over 12,000 shares.
The only positive performer today was GO plc as its share price inched 0.7 per cent higher to regain the €1.49 level across three deals totalling 9,365 shares. The equity will continue trading with the entitlement to the final net dividend of €0.05 per share until May 4.
The share prices of Simonds Farsons Cisk plc and Plaza Centres plc declined on low volumes.
Farsons’ equity traded lower for the second consecutive session as the share price lost a further 1.2 per cent to drop back to its 2011 low of €1.68 on just 251 shares.
Plaza’s equity stumbled 5.6 per cent back to the €1.70 level as it traded for the first time since turning ex-div on March 26.
Plaza is scheduled to hold its annual general meeting on May 24.
The share price of Malta International Airport plc was unchanged at the €1.76 level today as a further 2,230 shares changed hands.
The airport operator is scheduled to hold its annual general meeting on May 5. Meanwhile this week MIA is expected to publish its March 2011 traffic statistics.
RS2 Software plc announced that its board of directors is scheduled to meet on April 12 to consider and approve the 2010 accounts.
Apart from RS2, another three companies, namely MIDI plc, 6pm Holdings plc and GlobalCapital plc, have yet to publish their 2010 financial statements.
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