Trading in the shares of HSBC takes centre-stage

The MSE Equity Price Index gained 0.63% to 3,554.319 points as the gains in HSBC, MIA and Hili Properties outweighed the declines in BOV and Main Street Complex. Meanwhile, PG and Trident closed unchanged as total trading activity amounted to €0.16 million. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.

Most of today’s trading activity took place across the shares of HSBC Bank Malta plc as the share price advanced by 6.1% to the €1.04 level across six trades totalling 129,291 shares.

Malta International Airport plc regained the €5.65 level (+0.9%) on one deal of 175 shares. MIA shareholders as at close of trading on 4 April 2023 will be entitled to a final net dividend of €0.12 per share, subject to approval at the upcoming Annual General Meeting scheduled for 10 May 2023.

A single trade of 2,970 shares pushed the share price of Hili Properties plc up by 2.7% to the €0.226 level.

In contrast, Bank of Valletta plc declined by 0.6% to the €0.895 level across two deals totalling 14,000 shares. BOV is scheduled to publish its results for the 2022 financial year tomorrow.

Main Street Complex plc shed 0.4% to a 7-month low of €0.448 on one trade of 15,300 shares.

PG plc traded flat at the €1.97 level across four trades totalling 3,170 shares.

Trident Estates plc closed unchanged at the €1.25 level after failing to hold to a high of €1.26 (+0.8%) across volumes totalling 2,450 shares.

The RF MGS Index moved higher for the first time this week as it advanced by 0.06% to 883.963 points. Today, Malta’s Finance Minister Clyde Caruana stated that Malta’s tax regime is bound for a major overhaul, a process that is set to result in gradual changes in the next three years. The new tax regime is expected to remove the attractive tax benefits offered to some foreign companies and allow Malta to be in line with the proposed minimum effective tax rate across the EU. During today’s speech, Mr Caruana insisted that the changes are expected to keep Malta’s competitive advantage and will have a neutral impact on its revenue. Elsewhere in the Eurozone, the German Consumer Climate improved for the sixth consecutive month however remained at a negative level. Meanwhile, the French Consumer Confidence fell to the lowest level in five months.

This report contains public information only and is not to be construed as investment advice or an offer to buy or sell any securities. Information contained herein is based on data obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but no representations or guarantees are made with regard to the accuracy of the data. Stock markets are volatile and subject to fluctuations which cannot be reasonably foreseen. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Rizzo, Farrugia & Co. (Stockbrokers) Limited is a company licensed to undertake investment services in Malta by the MFSA under the Investment Services Act, Cap. 370 of the Laws of Malta and a member of the Malta Stock Exchange.