The MSE Equity Price Index closed at 4,735.302 points on Thursday (-0.19%). However, this reading does not reflect the adjustment related to the share price of RS2 which started to trade without the entitlement to a 1-for-8 bonus share. Meanwhile, HSBC and Malita also trended in positive territory while several other equities closed the day unchanged.
The equity of RS2 Software plc began trading on Thursday without the entitlement to the 1-for-8 bonus share issue. The share price ended the day at the €1.38 level representing an increase of 3.5% from Wednesday’s adjusted closing price of €1.3333. A total of 57,954 shares changed hands. The company is scheduled to hold its AGM on June 18.
HSBC Bank Malta plc added 1.7% to regain the €1.75 level across 44,311 shares.
The other positive performing equity was Malita Investments plc which rebounded by 3% to the €0.855 level on activity totalling 12,150 shares.
Within the same segment, Malta Properties Company plc and Trident Estates plc traded unchanged at €0.60 and €1.50 respectively albeit on shallow volumes. Shareholders of Trident as at close of trading on May 22 will be entitled to receive a net dividend of €0.0067 per share. The dividend is payable on June 26 subject to shareholders’ approval at the forthcoming AGM scheduled to be held on June 25.
Two deals totalling 5,000 shares left the equity of International Hotel Investments plc at its highest level since late November 2015 of €0.80. The hotel chain operator is due to hold its AGM on June 13. Shareholders as at close of trading on June 26 will be entitled to receive a net dividend of €0.02 per share.
Malta International Airport plc held on to the €6.90 level on heightened activity totalling 21,500 shares.
Bank of Valletta plc continued to trade within a tight range as the equity remained at the €1.34 level across 10,760 shares. Shareholders as at close of trading on June 6 will be entitled to a 1-for-10 bonus share issue. On Wednesday, BOV issued an Interim Directors’ Statement explaining that profits in the first three months of the current financial year are lower than the corresponding period last year due to downward pressure on interest margins, higher costs and lower reversals of impairment provisions. BOV also noted the progress it is making in introducing certain changes to its business model. These are primarily aimed at strengthening its capital position while ensuring long term viability.
BMIT Technologies plc retained the €0.54 level across 23,000 shares.
The RF MGS Index added to Wednesday's strong gains as it climbed by a further 0.11% to a seven-week high of 1,117.065 points. A number of Malta Government Stock prices, especially at the longer-end of the yield curve, reached new record highs as sovereign euro bond yields plummeted amid an escalation in the current trade dispute between the US and China.
Stock markets are volatile and subject to fluctuations which cannot be reasonably foreseen. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.