The MSE Equity Total Return Index closed the first trading week of the year 0.212 per cent lower at 8,650.747 points.
Turnover remained stable at €1.1 million and was spread across 16 equities of which six fell and five gained ground.
International Hotel Investments plc (IHI) shares advanced by 2.1 per cent as five trades of 28,250 shares were struck, to close at €0.64 – an eight month high.
Last Wednesday, IHI announced that further to the company announcement issued on August 28, 2017 and the circular to shareholders and bondholders dated September 7, 2017, the merger of Island Hotels Group Holdings plc (IHGH) with IHI has become effective as of December 29, 2017.
In consequence, the outstanding bond issued by IHGH will be renamed 6% International Hotel Investments plc 2024 while retaining the current ISIN – MT0000481227.
Plaza Centres plc shares €1.11 a price last reached in October 2017. The property management equity witnessed one transaction of 1,800 shares.
In the same sector, Malita Investments plc shares partially reversed the previous week’s 9.3 per cent gain having declined by 0.6 per cent as one deal of 2,500 shares was executed, closing at €0.815.
Malta Properties Company plc shares fell by 8.3 per cent, after registering an 11.4 per cent increase in the previous week.
A total of 8,700 shares changed ownership over four transactions, for the equity to close €0.04 lower at €0.44.
Meanwhile, MIDI plc shares traded flat at €0.35 on two trades of 6,000 shares.
Bank of Valletta plc shares closed unchanged at €1.80, despite having reached a weekly high of €1.81 and a low of €1.79.
The banking equity witnessed the highest turnover of 513,546 shares spread across 87 transactions.
HSBC Bank Malta plc shares declined by 1.4 per cent as 14,097 shares changed hands across 10 deals, closing at €1.76.
Last Friday, the bank announced that the Board is scheduled to meet on February 20, 2018 to approve the group’s and the bank’s final audited accounts for the financial year ended December 31, 2017 and to consider the declaration of a final dividend to be recommended to the bank’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held on April 12, 2018.
Lombard Bank Malta plc shares traded unchanged at €2.30 across one trade of 904 shares.
The outstanding bond issued by IHGH will be renamed 6% International Hotel Investments plc 2024
The investments and insurance services provider GlobalCapital plc’s shares advanced by 2.6 per cent on two trades of 31,250 shares, closing at €0.32.
In the same sector, Mapfre Middlesea plc shares increased by 2.1 per cent as two deals of 2,747 shares were struck, to close €0.038 higher at €1.82.
Medserv plc shares registered the highest loss for the three-day trading week having declined by €0.109 or 8.7 per cent – only partially setting-off the previous week’s rally of 10.6 per cent.
The oil and gas logistics services provider’s shares were active on two trades of 4,465 shares and closed at €1.15.
The food and beverage supplier Simonds Farsons Cisk plc’s shares edged 0.2 per cent on four transactions of 1,720 shares, to close at €8.50.
GO plc shares increased by a minimal 0.3 per cent across four deals of 1,500 shares.The telecommunications services provider’s shares closed at €3.56.
Malta International Airport plc shares traded flat at €4.70 on six trades of 5,350 shares.
In the I.T. sector, RS2 Software plc shares fell by 0.7 per cent across seven transactions of 24,695 shares, to close at €1.53.
The supermarkets and retail owner PG plc registered no change in its share price of €1.40. The equity was active on three deals of 10,700 shares.
In the corporate bond market turnover totalled €598,342.
A total of 26 issues were active of which 13 appreciated and seven declined.
The 4.9% Gazan Finance € 2019-2021 was the best performer having advanced by 2.2 per cent, to close at €104.71, while the 4.35% SD Finance plc Unsecured € 2027 headed the list of fallers having slipped by 1 per cent, to close at €103.50.
In the sovereign debt market activity was spread over 14 issues of which 12 fell, the 3% MGS 2040 (I) r increased by 1 per cent, to close at €115.15 and the 2.1% MGS 2039 (I) r closed unchanged at €101.
The 5% MGS 2021(I) was the most liquid issue having witnessed a turnover of €139,005, closing 0.2% lower at €117.38.
This article which was compiled by Jesmond Mizzi Financial Advisors Limited, does not intend to give investment advice and the contents therein should not be construed as such.
The Company is licensed to conduct investment services by the MFSA and is a Member of the Malta Stock Exchange and a member of the Atlas Group. The directors or related parties, including the company, and their clients are likely to have an interest in securities mentioned in this article.
For further information contact Jesmond Mizzi Financial Advisors Limited at 67, Level 3, South Street, Valletta, or on Tel: 21224410, or email info@jesmondmizzi.com.
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