HSBC Malta shares rally to €1.46 as bank declares €0.043 dividend
Following last week's article detailing the performance of the S&P 500 index in 2025, it is worth devoting time to review the developments across the European equity markers in my last article of the year.
The MSE Equity Price Index extended its winning streak to a fourth session, rising by 0.37% to 4,147.2 points and ending just 0.5% shy of its 52-week high, as the gains in HSBC, APS and BOV outweighed the decline in Farsons. A further six equities closed the day unchanged, with total trading value improving to €0.44 million. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.
HSBC Bank Malta plc climbed by 2.1% to close at the day’s high of €1.46 across ten deals. Today, HSBC published its interim financial statements for the six-month period ended 30 June 2026, reporting a profit before tax of €44.4 million compared to €58.7 million in the same period last year, representing a decline of 24.4%. Excluding notable expenses of €7.3 million, adjusted profit before tax eased by 11.9% to €51.7 million, while profit for the period dropped by 25.1% to €28.7 million, translating into earnings per share of €0.08 compared to €0.11 a year earlier. Net interest income declined by €4.3 million to €85.6 million, reflecting lower average market interest rates during the period, while operating expenses increased by €7.8 million to €65.9 million, reflecting the notable expenses comprising accelerated software amortisation together with staff-related payments in connection with the industrial dispute with the Malta Union of Bank Employees. On the other hand, the bank registered a net release of expected credit losses of €6.5 million compared to €3.0 million.
Net loans and advances to customers contracted by 2% to €2,696 million since the end of 2025, with non-performing loans falling by 6% to their lowest levels in recent years, while customer deposits of €6,213 million were marginally higher than a year earlier but lower than at the end of 2025. The Common Equity Tier 1 ratio strengthened to 24.7% from 24.1% at the end of 2025, with total equity of €625.4 million translating into a net asset value per share of €1.736. The Board of Directors declared an interim quarterly gross dividend of €0.043 per share, amounting to €15.5 million and representing a payout of 60% of profits after tax adjusted for the employee benefits expense related to the industrial dispute, payable on 23 September 2026 to all shareholders as at the close of business of Tuesday 18 August 2026. Together with the €0.036 per share paid in respect of the first quarter, this brings gross dividends for the first six months of 2026 to €0.079 per share, or €28.5 million. HSBC also confirmed that the proposed transition to a new majority shareholder, CrediaBank, is progressing and remains subject to the necessary regulatory approvals.
Bank of Valletta plc was again the most actively traded equity, accounting for 43.8% of the total value traded. The equity added a further 0.5% to the €2.20 level, having earlier dipped to an intraday low of €2.17. Last week, the Board of Directors of BOV declared a net interim dividend of €0.0523 per share, amounting to €33.6 million, payable on Friday 21 August 2026 to all shareholders as at the close of business of Thursday 6 August 2026.
APS Bank plc rose by 1.7% to the €0.59 level with just over €53,000 changing hands.
Malta International Airport plc traded flat at the €6.25 level across seven deals.
GO plc also traded flat, at the €2.50 level, on a trading value of more than three times its 90-day average. The Board of Directors of GO is scheduled to meet on Friday 7 August 2026 to approve the interim financial statements for the six-month period ended 30 June 2026 and to consider the payment of an interim dividend.
BMIT Technologies plc likewise traded flat at the €0.254 level, registering the smallest trading value of the session at just over €2,400. Tomorrow, BMIT will be publishing its interim results for the six-month period ended 30 June 2026.
PG plc closed unchanged at the €1.55 level after opening 0.6% higher at €1.56, with 21,182 shares changing hands across two deals.
Malita Investments plc and Mapfre Malta plc both reversed sharp opening moves to end the session unchanged. Malita opened 6.4% higher at €0.400 before closing back at the €0.376 level on a volume of 10,825 shares, while Mapfre Malta opened 4.9% lower at €1.35 and recovered to the €1.42 level on a total of 7,000 shares.
In contrast, Simonds Farsons Cisk plc was today’s only negative performer on the main market as it eased by 1.8% to the €5.60 level on a single deal worth €5,600. Farsons is scheduled to publish its interim financial statements on 14 September 2026.
The RF MGS Index moved higher for the third consecutive session as it increased by 0.07% to 895.4 points. In this respect, the German 10-year yield eased further to 3.11% from 3.15%, while the US 10-year Treasury yield declined to 4.64% from 4.68%. Meanwhile, the Brent oil price shed a further 5% to around USD80 per barrel, extending its decline over the past week to around 7%, after Qatar circulated a draft proposal aimed at restarting negotiations between the US and Iran.
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.
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This article was produced by Edward Rizzo, Director at Rizzo Farrugia, which 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. The company’s registered address is at Airways House, Fourth Floor, High Street, Sliema SLM 1551, Malta.
The article contains public information only and is published solely for informational purposes. It should not be construed as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any securities or related financial instruments. No representation or warranty, either expressed or implied, is provided in relation to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the information contained herein, nor is it intended to be a complete statement or summary of the securities, markets or developments referred to in this article. Rizzo, Farrugia & Co. (Stockbrokers) Ltd (“Rizzo Farrugia”) is under no obligation to update or keep current the information contained herein. Since the buying and selling of securities by any person is dependent on that person’s financial situation and an assessment of the suitability and appropriateness of the proposed transaction, no person should act upon any recommendation in this article without first obtaining investment advice. Rizzo Farrugia, its directors, the author of this article, other employees or clients may have or have had interests in the securities referred to herein and may at any time make purchases and/or sales in them as principal or agent. Furthermore, Rizzo Farrugia may have or have had a relationship with or may provide or has provided other services of a corporate nature to companies herein mentioned. Stock markets are volatile and subject to fluctuations which cannot be reasonably foreseen. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Foreign currency rates of exchange may adversely affect the value, price or income of any security mentioned in this article. Neither Rizzo Farrugia, nor any of its directors or employees accepts any liability for any loss or damage arising out of the use of all or any part of this article. Additional information can be made available upon request from Rizzo, Farrugia & Co. (Stockbrokers) Ltd., Airways House, Fourth Floor, High Street, Sliema SLM 1551. Telephone: +356 2258 3000; Email: info@rizzofarrugia.com; Website: www.rizzofarrugia.com © 2021 Rizzo, Farrugia & Co. (Stockbrokers) Ltd. All rights reserved. This article may not be reproduced or redistributed, in whole or in part, without the written permission of Rizzo Farrugia. Moreover, Rizzo Farrugia accepts no liability whatsoever for the actions of third parties in this respect.
This article was produced by Edward Rizzo, Director at Rizzo Farrugia, which 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. The company’s registered address is at Airways House, Fourth Floor, High Street, Sliema SLM 1551, Malta.