The MSE Equity Total Return Index registered a decline for the third consecutive week having slipped by 0.154 per cent, to close at 8,618.331 points.

Turnover more than doubled, having totalled €2.8 million compared to €1.3 million in the previous week. Activity was spread across 17 equities of which eight fell and five gained ground.

Malta International Airport plc (MIA) shares extended the previous week’s 2.1 per cent increase, having advanced by another 2.1 per cent as 31,372 shares changed ownership over 23 deals.

The equity oscillated between an all-time high of €5 and a weekly low of €4.80, to ultimately close the week €0.10 higher at €4.90.

Last Monday, MIA announced that its board is scheduled to meet on February 21 to consider and approve the financial statements for the financial year ended December 31, 2017.

The board shall also consider whether to declare and recommend to the shareholders for the payment of a dividend.

HSBC Bank Malta plc shares were the only gainers in the banking sector having appreciated by €0.03 or 1.7 per cent over 17 trades of 21,752 shares, closing at €1.79.

Bank of Valletta plc (BOV) shares fully erased the previous week’s 1.1 per cent increase having declined by 1.1 per cent last week.

The equity was active on the highest turnover of 111 transactions of 1.3 million shares worth €2.3 million and closed at €1.80.

Lombard Bank Malta plc shares closed unchanged at €2.30, despite having reached a 25-week high of €2.38. The equity witnessed three deals of 1,453 shares.

Mapfre Middlesea plc shares fell by 1.1 per cent and closed at €1.82. The investments and insurance services provider’s shares were active on one trade of 1,010 shares.

The food and beverage supplier Simonds Farsons Cisk plc added onto the previous week’s 5.3 per cent decline, having registered a 3.7 per cent drop in its share price. The equity was executed over 11 deals of 7,417 shares, to close €0.30 lower at €7.75 – a six-month low.

Grand Harbour Marina plc shares edged 0.4 per cent across four transactions of 43,500 shares, closing at €0.76.

International Hotel Investments plc (IHI) shares partially erased the previous week’s 3.9 per cent loss having increased by 0.8 per cent over two trades of 2,093 shares, to close at €0.62.

The supermarkets and retail owner PG plc recorded a 0.7 per cent decline in its share price as five deals of 15,605 shares were struck, closing at €1.39.

In the property management sector, Plaza Centres plc shares added to the previous week’s 0.9 per cent decrease, having stumbled by 7.3 per cent.

The equity was negotiated across three transactions of 18,800 shares, to close €0.08 lower at €1.02.

Malta Properties Company plc shares fully reversed the previous week’s 1.4 per cent loss having advanced by 1.8 per cent. The equity witnessed five trades of 25,714 and closed at €0.442.

Malita Investments plc shares extended the previous week’s 1.2 per cent increase, having climbed by 1.8 per cent. The property management equity was executed across four deals of 25,000 shares, and closed at €0.84.

In the same sector, MIDI plc shares closed unchanged at €0.34 as 16,000 shares changed hands over four transactions.

Santumas Shareholdings plc shares closed unchanged at €1.50 as two deals of 10,000 shares were struck.

The other non-movers for the week were Medserv plc shares, having traded flat at €1.16. The oil and gas logistics services provider’s shares were active on four trades of 9,000 shares.

In the I.T. sector, Loqus Holdings plc shares sagged by 26.7 per cent – adding on to the previous week’s 14.3 per cent drop.

The equity was active on one transaction of 10,543 shares and closed €0.04 lower at €0.11.

Meanwhile, RS2 Software plc shares extended the previous week’s 2.6 per cent decline, having slipped by another 2 per cent on 27 trades of 87,240 shares, to close €0.03 lower at €1.46.

In the corporate bond market activity was spread over 43 issues of which 18 advanced and 15 declined. Turnover increased to €1.8 million from €1.2 million.

The 5.75% IHI Unsecured € 2025 headed the list of gainers having appreciated by 2 per cent as seven deals worth €37,301 were struck, to close at €106.75.

Meanwhile, the 4.25% BOV € Notes 2019 Series 2 Tranche 1 was the worst performer having declined by 1.7 per cent as five trades worth €24,310 were executed, closing at €102.

The 4.5% Izola Bank plc € Unsecured 2025 was the most liquid issue having witnessed a turnover of €363,797, closing 0.5 per cent lower at €105.50.

In the sovereign debt market turnover increased to €2.25 million from €1.63 million, as a total of 23 issues were active of which seven rose and 16 declined.

The 5.1% MGS 2029 (I) headed the list of fallers having slipped by 1.6% as two deals worth €52,707 were struck, to close at €138.57.

On the other hand, the 3% MGS 2040 (I) r topped the list of gainers having increased by 0.7 per cent as 13 transactions worth €99,410 were negotiated, closing at €115.92.

The 2.1% MGS 2039 (I) r was the most active issue having witnessed a turnover of €353,928, to close 0.02 per cent lower at €101.98.

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

http://www.jesmondmizzi.com/