HSBC Bank Malta registers a new 10-month high

The MSE Equity Price Index closed virtually unchanged at 3,550.775 points as the declines in four other equities were offset by gains in HSBC, PG and Loqus. Meanwhile, four other equities closed unchanged as overall trading activity eased to €0.08 million. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.

HSBC Bank Malta plc extended its recent positive run as it climbed by a further 2.4% to a new ten-month high of €0.87 on a single trade of 7,000 shares. HSBC should shortly confirm the date of publication of the 2022 annual financial statements.

Also among the large companies by market value, PG plc rose by 1.9% to €2.10 on two deals totalling 4,750 shares.

Loqus Holdings plc surged by 10.5% to a 5-month high of €0.21, albeit on one deal of 2,500 shares.

In contrast, Malta International Airport plc eased by 0.9% to the €5.65 level across ten trades totalling 4,700 shares after touching a high of €5.80.

Simonds Farsons Cisk plc closed 1.4% lower at the €6.90 level as 1,869 shares changed hands.

Mapfre Middlesea plc slipped by 1.3% to an over seven-year low of €1.48 on one trade of 1,672 shares.

AX Real Estates plc shed 1.9% to the €0.53 level on trivial volumes.

Bank of Valletta plc traded flat at the €0.88 level on two deals totalling 19,500 shares.

The preference shares of RS2 Software plc remained at the €1.40 level across volumes of 2,120 shares.

One trade of 4,300 shares left the share price of M&Z plc at the €0.685 level.

Santumas Shareholdings plc retained the €1.28 level on one deal of 2,320 shares.

The RF MGS Index advanced by 0.18% to 882.740 points. Preliminary data showed that the eurozone annual inflation rate dropped to 8.5% in January, compared to 9.2% in the previous month. The reading was 0.5 percentage points lower than expectations. Energy costs – the principal contributor for higher prices – were 17.2% higher than a year earlier, sharply lower than the 25.5% figure in December. Meanwhile, the eurozone core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, remained at an all-time high of 5.2%.

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