BOV share price marginally higher

During this morning’s session on the Borza, the share price of Bank of Valletta plc edged 0.7% higher to regain the €2.14 level on volumes of 5,740 shares. The Bank generally publishes its half-year results (covering the six months ended 31 March) by the end of April.

Meanwhile all other active equities during this morning’s session closed unchanged. HSBC Bank Malta plc failed to hold on to an intra-day high of €2.51 as it dropped back to the €2.50 level on low trading activity amounting to only 636 shares.

On the other hand, higher volumes were registered across the equities of RS2 Software plc and Simonds Farsons Cisk plc ahead of their respective full-year results publication. RS2 closed the day unchanged at €0.55 as a further 55,800 shares traded at this level in anticipation of tomorrow’s 2011 full-year results publication. Similarly, a single trade of 30,000 Farsons shares was transacted at the €1.77 level representing no change from the previous closing price. On 25 April, the Farsons Group will issue its financial results for the twelve months ended 31 January 2012.

Plaza Centres plc shares were active for the first time in three weeks as 2,000 shares changed hands at the previous closing price of €1.80. The Plaza equity is still trading with the entitlement to the final gross dividend of €0.116 per share.

On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index edged marginally higher to 983.864 points as Eurozone yields floated around the 1.7% level. On the local secondary market, further high volumes traded across Malta Government Stocks as €5 million (nominal) changed hands in the 4.3% MGS 2016 (IV) and another €5.2 million (nominal) in 5% MGS 2021 (I).

Yesterday afternoon, BOV announced the allocation policy with respect to the recent €40 million issue of Notes which carry a coupon of 4.25% and mature in 2019. The Bank revealed that applications for the first €25,000 will be accepted in full with a balance of only 36.19% for applications above this level. Interest on these Notes will accrue as from today. Meanwhile, allotment letters and refunds of unallocated monies will take place by not later than next Wednesday 18 April.