BOV and HSBC pull the MSE Equity Price Index lower

The MSE Equity Price Index fell by 0.11% to 3,869.926 points as the declines in BOV, HSBC, and AX Real Estate outweighed the gains in MIA, Malita, Mapfre Middlesea and RS2. Meanwhile, four equities closed unchanged as today’s trading activity totalled €0.19 million. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.

Bank of Valletta plc dropped by 1.9% to one-month low of €2.02 across 22 deals totalling 52,256 shares. BOV shareholders as at close of today’s trading will be entitled to a final net dividend of €0.0854 per share to be paid on 12 June 2025. BOV is expected to publish its financial results for the first quarter of 2025 on Tuesday 29 April.

Also in the banking sector, HSBC Bank Malta plc shed 0.7% to the €1.45 level over six deals amounting to 30,518 shares.

AX Real Estate plc eased by 0.5% to the €0.438 level on muted activity. AX Real Estate shareholders as at close of today’s trading will be entitled to a final net dividend of €0.00716 per share to be paid on 14 May 2025.

Malta International Airport plc surged by 3.4% to the €6.05 level on a single deal of 290 shares.

Malita Investments plc moved 2.1% higher to the €0.49 level on two trades amounting to 13,850 shares.

Mapfre Middlesea plc increased by 1.4% to the €1.45 level on one trade totalling 6,219 shares.

The ordinary shares of RS2 plc rose by 2.1% to a two-month high of €0.49 over three deals totalling 5,240 shares. On Wednesday, RS2 published its 2024 results which showed a 5.4% decline in revenue to €37.5 million as the lower revenue from licencing and processing outweighed the higher income from merchant solutions. Nonetheless, operating profit climbed nearly 50% to €2.54 million, largely impacted by the recognition of exchange gains compared to losses recognised in the previous financial year.

Meanwhile, APS Bank plc closed unchanged at the €0.54 level across four deals amounting to 24,293 shares. Yesterday, APS published its financial results for the first three months of 2025 in which the Group registered net interest income of €16.7 million, in line with the same period last year. The net operating income amounted to €18.6 million, which was marginally above last year’s comparable figure due to lower net impairment charges. Nonetheless, pre-tax profit fell to €2.88 million compared to €5.03 million in Q1 2024 reflecting one-off costs relating to the Depositor Compensation Scheme and advisory fees in connection with the bid for HSBC Bank Malta plc. In this respect, the Group also confirmed its exit from the bidding process but noted that it is actively looking at new strategic opportunities. The net asset value of APS as at the end of March 2025 stood at €0.783 per share.

MIDI plc and FIMBank plc both held the €0.236 and USD0.149 levels respectively on muted activity.

Simonds Farsons Cisk plc traded flat at the €6.15 level as 520 shares changed hands.

Today, Hili Properties plc announced that its Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on Monday 28 April 2025 to consider the approval of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. The Board will also consider the recommendation of a dividend.

The RF MGS Index increased 0.22% to a four-month high of 920.170 points as sovereign bond yields continued to decline amid global concerns of an economic slowdown. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reduced the forecast of US economic growth in 2025 to 1.8% compared to an earlier estimate of 2.7% as the sharp increase in tariffs and policy uncertainty is anticipated to impact global growth. The IMF Chief Economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas commented that the world is entering a new era as the global economic system that has operated for the last 80 years is being reset.

This report contains only public information and is not to be construed as investment advice or an offer to buy or sell 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.