FIMBank and RS2 Software edge higher

The US Dollar denominated equity of FIMBank plc traded for the first time since the publication of the Interim Directors’ Statement last Tuesday. In the announcement FIMBank reported that the overall performance during the second half of the year was in line with the first 6 months of the financial year when the Group reported a profit after tax of $4.08 million. Moreover the FIMBank Group continued to register low impairments and experienced a growing balance-sheet and healthy capital and liquidity ratios. FIMBank also made reference to the network of factoring joint-venture companies and highlighted the newly established company in India which reportedly registered impressive growth in recent months. FIMBank’s share price climbed 1.3% higher during this morning’s session to regain the US$0.77 level across ten trades amounting to over 43,000 shares.

RS2 Software plc shares were also active for the first time since the publication of the Interim Directors’ Statement earlier this week. The statement revealed that RS2 continued to show increases in revenue and improved results on the back of the licence sales concluded in the first half of 2011. As such, the Directors of RS2 Software expect the overall performance for 2011 to compare very favourably to that of 2010. RS2’s equity advanced by 1.7% today to the €0.59 level on volumes of almost 50,000 shares.

Elsewhere in the local equity market, HSBC Bank Malta plc inched minimally higher today to close at the €2.69 level on volumes of 35,700 shares. Meanwhile Bank of Valletta plc held on to the €2.50 level on a small deal of 400 shares. Low volumes were also transacted in Malta International Airport plc with the share price jumping 2.4% higher to regain the €1.69 level. MIA is shortly expected to publish its Interim Statement.

Following yesterday’s closure of of subscriptions by the general public for the two new Malta Government Stocks, namely the 4.25% MGS 2017 (III) FI at 103.75% and the 5.2% MGS 2031 (I) at 100.75%, tenders by institutional investors will be accepted until tomorrow at 12 noon. Subsequently, the Treasury is expected to publish the results of this week’s MGS issue.