Further gains for IHI and GO shares

The positive performances in International Hotel Investments plc and GO plc helped the MSE Share Index to move back into positive territory with a marginal increase to 3,141.604 points representing a 0.2% weekly rise. IHI’s share price edged 1.1% higher to yet another 19-month high of €0.95 on a single deal of 4,000 shares. IHI’s equity closed the first week of October 5.6% higher as demand for the shares resurged as the sale of the luxury London apartments is drawing closer.

GO’s share price also gained further ground with a 1.1% increase during this morning’s session to €0.97 across four trades totalling 8,000 shares. The quad-play telecoms operator advanced 2.1% over the week in spite of the postponement of the decision by the Directors on whether or not to participate in Forthnet’s €30 million rights issue until Forthnet publishes the respective documentation.

On the other hand, HSBC Bank Malta plc failed to hold on to an intra-day high of €2.73 to close 0.7% lower at the €2.70 level across six trades totalling just over 17,900 shares. Meanwhile, Bank of Valletta plc’s share price recovered from a 7-week low of €2.141 to end this morning’s session unchanged at the €2.19 level. Both banking equities ended the week in the red with HSBC retreating by 1.1% whilst BOV sliding by 3.3% ahead of the Bank’s full-year results publication which generally takes place by the end of October.

Medserv plc shares were active for the first time this week with 25,000 shares changing hands at the €3.99 level representing a 0.3% drop from the previous close.

The other two active equities closed unchanged. Simonds Farsons Cisk plc held on to its multi-year high as another 125 shares changed hands at the €2.30 level representing a weekly gain of 4.6%. Malta International Airport plc maintained the €1.73 level on volumes of 4,400 shares. This afternoon, the airport operator published the September traffic results showing a 6.6% increase in passenger numbers to 407,917 movements – a record for the month under review and the sixth consecutive month of record passenger movements.

On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index eased by 0.1% to 997.232 points (marginally lower over the week) as Eurozone yields edged higher to the 1.46% level.