BOV shares push MSE Equity Index higher
Movements in Equity & Bond Indices
The MSE Equity Total Return Index (MSE) closed the month of April in positive territory, as it rose by 3.1% to finish at 7,624.595 points. Total turnover declined marginally to €3.1m, as trading activity was spread over 28 equities. Fourteen equities gained while 10 declined.
The
advanced by 1.2% to 1,150.994 points, as 82 issues were active. The 3.75% Premier Capital plc Unsecured € 2026 was the most liquid corporate bond issue as it traded 28 times, with trading turnover reaching €685,302. This security closed the month at €98.
The MSE MGS Total Return Index declined by 0.8%, to end the month at 876.503 points. A total of 27 issues were active, with the 5.2% MGS 2031 (I) being the most traded bond issue. Trading turnover tallied to €507,049, and the bond closed at €111.83.
MSE Corporate Bonds Total Return Index Top 10 Market Movers Bank of Valletta plc (BOV)
was the month’s best performing equity, as the banking equity jumped 15.1% to close April at the €1.03 price level, after trading at a monthly low of €0.87. BOV was also the most liquid, as a total of 189 transactions worth €1.4m were executed.
Similarly, Lombard Bank Malta plc jumped 12.1% to €1.02. This increase was the result of four trades across 10,625 shares. Trading value tallied to €9,671.
On the contrary, HSBC Bank Malta plc (HSBC) shed 2% to close at €1. Trading activity included 48 deals worth €391,477 as the share price oscillated between a monthly low of €0.905 and a high of €1.04. Although the equity was down for the month, on a year-to-date basis, HSBC shares are still up 40.9%.
The telecommunications company GO plc saw its equity value rise by 5% to end the month at €2.94. The company’s shares exchanged hands 15 times on a volume of 10,784 shares.
The share price of BMIT
Technologies plc (BMIT) lost 5.7%, as 61,443 shares spread over nine trades were recorded. The equity ended the month at €0.434. Since January, the equity is down by 5.7%.
Malta International Airport plc (MIA) declined by 1.8% to the €5.55 level. Trading activity included 48 deals worth €308,632.
The price per share of Simonds Farsons Cisk plc gained 3% or €0.20, as it closed at €6.95. The company’s shares were fairly liquid, as trading turnover reached €180,340 across 13 transactions.
International Hotel Investments plc (IHI) was up by 2.6% on a month-onmonth basis, as the equity finished April at €0.585. Seven trades of 27,680 shares were recorded.
Hili Properties plc shares trended 11.5% lower, to close at €0.20. The company’s shares were exchanged nine times, with trading value reaching €20,926.
LifeStar Holding plc was this month’s worst performing equity, as its share price plummeted by 66.7% to €0.30. This drop was a result of one small trade worth €247.
Company announcements
During the first quarter of the year, APS Bank plc registered a profit after tax of €5.4m at Group level and €4.6m for the Bank. These numbers further confirm a rebound from the financial markets turbulence that marked last year, as the Group continues to navigate its way through an outlook still clouded by challenges and uncertainties.
The board of Lombard Bank Malta plc approved the annual report and audited financial statements for the financial year ended December 31, 2022. Although no dividend was proposed, the board of directors proposed a bonus share issue of one share for every forty-five shares. The group registered a profit after tax of €17.6m for the year ending December 31, 2022.
MIA issued the traffic results of March and Q1 2023. March brought MIA’s busiest ever first quarter to a close, during which 1.2m passengers walked through the terminal’s doors. Of this total, 487,117 passenger movements were registered in March, marking an increase of 2% over prepandemic figures. This upward trend has been driven by the release of pent-up demand for air travel, which has also been reflected in high seat load factors over the past months.
The board of IHI approved the annual financial report for the year ended December 31, 2022. Total revenue for the year under review increased to €238.2m from €129.3m of last year, an increase of 84%. Total revenue represents 89% of 2019 revenue figures. The Group registered a loss after tax of €2.3m in 2022 against a loss of €30.3m registered in 2021.
The board of RS2 Software plc announced that it approved the financial statements for the financial year ended December 31, 2022.
During the year under review, upon consolidating all of its activities, the Group generated revenues of €37.5m and registered a loss after tax of €0.25m. The board is not recommending any final dividends for the year ending December 31, 2022.
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