Index up as 12 equities register gains

The Malta Stock Exchange (MSE) Index sustained last week’s minimal gain with a further appreciation of 0.6 per cent to close the week at 3,269.045 points. A winning sentiment prevailed with the exception of Tuesday’s session in which the index was succumbed to a loss of 0.2 per cent. Highly capitalised equities were in the limelight with HSBC Bank Malta plc maintaining its upward trend for the fourth consecutive week, followed by International Hotels Investments plc and GO plc which recorded remarkable gains. On the contrary Bank of Valletta plc shaved-off half of last week’s gain.

This week turnover decreased to Eur772,674 traded over a total of 17 equities in which gainers reigned over losers, as 12 equities garnered support from investors, three turned negative, while two closed unchanged. Total traded volume for the week amounted to 661,548 which were executed across 163 transactions.

Meanwhile, in the Government Stock Market investors continued to realise profits on their existing holdings as yields maintained their rising position. Total turnover for the week amounted to just over Eur14.9m. Meanwhile, on Thursday the Treasury announced the prices for its latest stock issuance which was announced last week. The 4.5% MGS 2028 was priced at par, while the 3% MGS 2019 was priced at Eur100.50, thus yielding 2.915 per cent. In the Corporate Bonds market total nominal volume amounted to 645,284 traded over 24 issues. The 7.15% MIH plc Eur 2015-2017 headed the list of gainers with four per cent advancement.

From the banking sector, HSBC Bank Malta plc upheld its encouraging position as it managed to lock its fourth straight week of gains with a further 0.7 per cent appreciation. A total of 42,890 shares exchanged hands over 11 trades to close the week at Eur2.76.

On a similar note, Lombard Bank plc captured a gain of 0.5 per cent which was registered over two sessions to close the week at Eur1.90. Conversely, Bank of Valletta plc slipped by 0.4 per cent, as the gains recorded in the last three sessions of the week failed to conquer the loss of 0.9 per cent recorded on Tuesday. The banking equity had the lion’s share as total trading value reached Eur176,188 traded over 47 transactions to close the week at the Eur2.27 price level. 

Meanwhile, the other active bank was FIMBank plc which closed the session flat at $1.00 over 10,373 shares.

From the telecommunications sector, GO plc maintained its 19-month high position as it posted a 1.5 per cent gain to close at Eur1.40. The equity was active throughout the entire week in which it registered the said gains in three sessions, while it closed flat in two.

Similarly, International Hotels Investments plc upheld its exponential climb with a notable gain of 1.2 per cent to re-touch the Eur0.75 level. A total of 10,140 shares were executed over three deals.

In addition, both Maltapost plc and Malta International Airport plc were among the list of gainers. The postal operator gathered a gain of just below one per cent over a single session to close at Eur1.05. The latter recouped all the losses incurred in the previous week with a gain of 0.8 per cent to re-capture the Eur1.79 price position.  

Furthermore, from the beverage sector Simonds Farsons Cisk plc touched the Eur2.60 price level as it posted a gain of 0.8 per cent. Meanwhile, both Midi plc and Malita Investments plc traded positively, as the former closed higher by 3.9 per cent, while the latter gained Eur0.01 to end the week at Eur0.53.

Other gainers for the week were Grand Harbour Marina plc which recorded a 1.1 per cent gain on Wednesday and Plaza Centres plc which advanced by 0.9 per cent to close at Eur0.59.

From the I.T. sector, 6pm Holdings plc surged by 44.8 per cent, thus wiping-off the six per cent loss recorded last week, over notable volumes of 95,575 shares to move towards the £0.42 price level. From the same sector, sellers applied pressure overCrimsonwing plc shares as the equity registered a loss of 1.8 per cent on Friday to close at Eur0.54. Meanwhile,RS2 Software plc closed flat at Eur0.86 after trading at an intra-week low of Eur0.859.

Finally, Island Hotels Group Holdings plc lurched minimally lower by 0.2 per cent on Thursday over volumes of 1,000 shares.