Farsons registers 12% increase in operating profit during H1
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 climbed by 0.58% to 4,400.8 points as the gains in six equities outweighed the decline in BMIT. Eight other equities closed unchanged, while total trading value amounting to €0.26 million. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.
Simonds Farsons Cisk plc closed the session 7.3% higher at €6.60, although most of the 831 shares that traded exchanged hands at the previous closing price of €6.15. Today, Farsons published its interim results for the six-month period ended 31 July 2026. Revenue rose by 6.6% to €58.4 million and operating profit increased by 12% to €10.6 million, while pre-tax profit from continuing operations climbed by 13.7% to €10.3 million. However, net profit declined by 20% to €6.79 million from the €8.48 million profit from continuing operations last year, as the tax expense increased to €3.52 million from €0.59 million, since the tax credits which offset the Group’s tax charge in previous years have now been fully accounted for. Farsons shareholders as at the close of trading on Monday 5 October 2026 will be entitled to a net interim dividend of €0.07 per share, 7.7% higher than last year, payable on Wednesday 21 October 2026.
MaltaPost plc also closed the session 0.8% higher at €0.494, although the vast majority of the 50,680 shares that traded exchanged hands at €0.48 (-2.0%).
APS Bank plc advanced by 2.6% to €0.585 across five deals totalling 14,252 shares. Today, 2,502,217 new APS shares were admitted to the Official List of the Malta Stock Exchange following the scrip dividend issue at an attribution price of €0.58 per share, representing a take-up of around 36%.
Mapfre Malta plc gained 0.8% to €1.34 across three deals totalling 5,903 shares.
Similarly, GO plc rose 0.8% to €2.50 across two deals totalling 1,765 shares.
Trident Estates plc climbed 4.9% to €1.07 on a single trade of 840 shares.
BMIT Technologies plc was the only negative performer as it eased 0.8% to €0.25 across six deals totalling 30,154 shares.
Bank of Valletta plc was the most actively traded equity, accounting for almost half of today’s trading value, as it closed unchanged at €2.40 across five deals totalling 52,127 shares.
HSBC Bank Malta plc traded flat at the €1.51 level across two deals totalling 24,693 shares, while Plaza Centres plc held the €0.83 level across two deals totalling 24,537 shares.
Malta International Airport plc closed unchanged at €6.55 across three deals totalling 1,599 shares.
The preference shares of RS2 plc closed unchanged at €0.65, albeit virtually all trading took place at €0.322 (-50.5%).
International Hotel Investments plc closed unchanged at €0.62 across two deals totalling 1,709 shares, although most of the shares that traded changed hands at €0.60 (-3.2%).
Malta Properties Company plc closed unchanged at €0.45 across two deals totalling 1,600 shares, albeit most trading took place at €0.418 (-7.1%).
RS2 plc stayed at €0.45 on a single trade of 290 shares.
Yesterday, MedservRegis plc announced an interim dividend of €1.5 million, which is 50% higher than the interim dividend of last year and equivalent to the final dividend paid in July 2026. The upcoming dividend is being paid out of distributable reserves relieved by applicable tax credits. As such, the net interim dividend per share amounts to €0.014758, which is 76% higher than the net interim dividend of last year in view of the tax relief. The dividend is payable to shareholders as at the close of trading on Thursday 29 October 2026 and will be paid by Friday 27 November 2026.
The RF MGS Index rebounded by 0.28% to 873.9 points as eurozone sovereign bond yields eased further from their recent highs amid a recovery in crude exports from the Middle East. Data released today showed that Italy’s annual inflation rate accelerated to 4.2% in September, its highest level since September 2023 and above the 3.8% expected, mainly driven by higher energy prices.
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.
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.
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.