MSE Equity Price Index climbs higher across low volumes

The MSE Equity Price Index rose by 0.36% to 3,973.3 points as the gains in Quinco, Farsons, Malita, Trident and APS outweighed declines in six equities. Meanwhile, seven other equities closed unchanged as today’s total trading activity amounted to €0.15 million. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.

Malita Investments plc gained 2.9% to the €0.35 level across two trades totalling 14,000 shares. On Thursday evening, Malita published its full-year results for 2025. Rental income increased by 11% to €10.6 million. Meanwhile, the company recorded a loss of €9.84 million (2024: income of €2.04 million) related to the accounting treatment of the income and costs from service concession arrangements. Administrative expenses more than doubled to €2.35 million (2024: €1.08 million), while an additional €1.08 million (2024: €0.35 million) was included in operating expenses as a provision for liabilities and charges. As a result, the company recorded an operating loss of €2.65 million compared to an operating profit of €10.2 million in 2024. Meanwhile, the financial performance was positively impacted by a net fair value gain on investment property amounting to €5.19 million compared to a fair value loss of €4.72 million in 2024. Overall, Malita registered a pre-tax profit of €4.21 million compared to €6.14 million in 2024. After accounting for a tax charge of €2.31 million, the net profit for the year amounted to €1.91 million. Total equity fell by 1% to €200 million which translates into a net asset value of €0.959 (31 December 2024: €0.970 per share. The Directors are not recommending the payment of a dividend to direct the available resources towards the completion of the company’s remaining development obligations.

APS Bank Malta plc increased by 1.9% to the €0.54 level across six trades amounting to 42,346 shares. Last week, APS published a Quarterly Financial Update providing information about its performance in Q1 2026 when compared to the same period in 2025. Net interest income surged by 48% to €24.6 million driven by an increase in gross interest income and a sharp drop in interest expenses. Net fee and commission income rose by 11.1% to €2.81 million partially offsetting net losses on financial instruments of €0.6 million. APS also recorded a net impairment loss of €1.1 million, compared to €0.3 million in the corresponding period last year. Profit before tax amounted to €9.80 million and net profit stood at €5.85 million, which translates into an annualised return on average equity of 6.5%. APS will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 6 May.

Trident Estates plc closed 2.8% higher at €1.12 although the average price across the 5,000 shares that changed hands was €1.085 (-0.5%).

Simonds Farsons Cisk plc rose by 15.9% to the €6.20 level as 550 shares changed hands across two deals. The weighted average price for the day was €5.77 (+7.8%).

Quinco Holdings plc closed 22.8% higher at the €0.89 level across three trades amounting to 1,359 shares. The weighted average price for the day was €0.77 (+6.4%).

Hili Properties plc (110,600 shares), Santumas Shareholdings plc (5,600 shares), and MedservRegis plc (5,000 shares) traded flat at the €0.27, €1.10 and €0.65 levels respectively.

Similarly, International Hotel Investments plc (5,000 shares), M&Z plc (5,000 shares) and the ordinary shares of RS2 plc (6,300 shares) remained unchanged at the €0.50, €0.60 and €0.286 levels respectively.

Mapfre Middlesea plc closed unchanged at the €1.57 level over trivial volumes.

Bank of Valletta plc shed 0.5% to the €2.09 level across four trades totalling 5,580 shares. Today, BOV announced that last week it bought 100,000 of its own shares at a weighted average price of €2.0987.

Also in the banking sector, HSBC Bank Malta plc declined by 0.7% to the €1.43 level as 22,420 shares changed hands across eight deals. Last week, HSBC announced that its Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on Monday 4 May 2026 to consider the approval of the financial statements for the three-month period ending 31 March 2026. The Directors will also consider the declaration of an interim dividend.

Malta International Airport plc moved 0.8% lower to the €6.10 level over a single trade of 468 shares.

Computime Holdings plc fell by 0.9% to the €0.456 level across two trades totalling 12,000 shares. Computime shareholders as at the close of trading on Monday 8 June 2026 will be entitled to of a final net dividend of €0.0177 per share, subject to shareholders’ approval at the upcoming Annual General Meeting scheduled for 10 June 2026.

Plaza Centres plc moved 2.9% lower to the €0.845 level over a single deal of 5,000 shares.

MIDI plc slumped by 23.1% to the €0.20 across two delas totalling 56,659 shares. Last week, MIDI published its full-year results for 2025. Revenue increased by 2.0% to €3.41 million as rental operations in the property and rental management segment remained relatively unchanged. Meanwhile, MIDI did not recognise the sale of any residential apartments. Administrative expenses increased by 29.0% to €3.72 million (2024: €2.89 million) driven by higher property management fees. During the year MIDI was impacted by three exceptional charges including an impairment of €27.4 million on inventories relating to the Manoel Island and Fort Tigné concession following the Government’s rescission, an impairment of €1.1 million on other Group property no longer available for use, and a €9.9 million write-down of the carrying amount of remaining investment properties reflecting offers received in a weakened market. Consequently, MIDI reported an operating loss of €41.4 million, compared to the operating loss of €2.91 million recorded in 2024. Net finance costs remained practically unchanged at €2.5 million. MIDI’s share of profit from its 50% shareholding in Mid Knight Holdings Limited increased by 3.8% to €1.78 million from €1.72 million in 2024. Overall, MIDI reported a pre-tax loss of €42.0 million (2024: €3.70 million) and a net loss of €41.8 million (2024: €3.78 million).

MIDI’s total assets decreased by 19.0% (or €49.0 million) to €209.7 million, reflecting the impairments on inventories relating to Manoel Island and Fort Tigné. Total liabilities decreased by 4.3% (or €7.1 million) to €158.2 million, which included borrowings of €67.1 million and lease liabilities of €0.7 million. Total equity fell by 44.9% (or €41.9 million) to €51.5 million which translates into a net asset value per share of €0.240 (31 December 2024: €0.436).

On 30 April, Lifestar Holding plc published its full-year results for 2025. Overall, the Group registered a pre-tax loss of €1.12 million (2024: loss of €0.91 million). The net loss attributable to shareholders amounted to €0.90 million (2024: net loss of €0.44 million). Shareholders’ funds amounted to €9.19 million, which translates into a net asset value of €0.381 per share.

On 30 April, The Convenience Shop (Holding) plc published its full-year results for 2025. Revenue surged by 14% to €53.0 million. Operating costs increased by 16% to €51.6 million as the company transitioned the entire pool of subcontracted staff to direct employees. As a result, operating profit slumped by 28% to €1.39 million. The Group reported a net profit attributable to shareholders of €0.94 million, which is 31% lower than the €1.36 million reported in 2024, resulting in a return on average shareholders’ funds of 9.7% (2024: 14%). The Directors will propose an unchanged net final dividend of €0.024 at the upcoming Annual General Meeting.

The RF MGS Index rose by 0.37% to 891.2 points. Germany’s benchmark 10-year Bund yield increased to 3.05% and oil prices briefly surged following reports that a U.S. warship attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz had been struck by two missiles and forced to turn back, before paring gains after U.S. officials denied the incident.

 

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.