Trading activity centres around BOV

The MSE Equity Price Index rose by 0.79% to a three-month high of 3,858.527 points as the gains in BOV, BMIT, GO, HSBC and Trident outweighed the decline in MIA. Meanwhile, four other equities closed unchanged as today’s trading activity amounted to €0.60 million, the highest since the middle of June. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.

Bank of Valletta plc surged by 2.1% to a fresh three-month high of €1.94 across twenty-four deals totalling 258,939 shares, making up for more than 80% of today’s traded value. Last Thursday, BOV published its interim financial statements covering the six-month period ended 30 June 2025. Net interest income fell 2.5% to €189 million while non-interest income surged by 39.4% to €55.3 million, including a one-off gain of €6.4 million. Profit before tax decreased by 8.8% to €135 million and net profit amounted to €89.5 million. Total equity increased by 2.8% to €1.45 billion, which translates into a net asset value per share of €2.253. The board declared a net interim dividend of €0.0556 per share, payable on 2 September 2025 to shareholders as at close of trading on 14 August 2025. BOV reported an improved full-year pre-tax profit guidance for the current financial year in the range of €215 million to €250 million. BOV confirmed that its non-cancellable share buyback programme will commence on 18 August 2025 and announced plans for a €325 million Euro Medium Term Note Programme to strengthen its capital base and meet MREL requirements.

Also in the banking sector, HSBC Bank Malta plc increased by 1.4% to the €1.45 level over seven trades amounting to 14,304 shares. Last Wednesday, HSBC Malta published its interim results. Net interest income fell by 15.7% to €89.8 million while non-interest income rose by 14.9% to €24.3 million reflecting an improved performance across all other income streams. The financial performance was supported by a net reversal of expected credit losses of €3.0 million. HSBC’s profit before tax fell by 25.3% to €58.7 million. HSBC reported a net profit of €38.3 million. Since the end of 2024, shareholders’ funds increased by 2.4% (or €14.6 million) to €616 million which translates into a net asset value per share of €1.708. The Board of Directors declared an unchanged net interim dividend of €0.065 per share. The dividend is payable on 23 September 2025 to all shareholders as at close of trading on 18 August 2025.

GO plc moved 1.5% higher to the €2.78 level over four deals amounting to 17,000 shares. GO will publish its interim results on Thursday 7 August.

Meanwhile, GO’s datacentre and information technology subsidiary BMIT Technologies plc gained 0.7% to the €0.302 level on a single trade of 20,000 shares. BMIT will publish its interim results tomorrow.

Trident Estates plc rose by 5.3% to the €1.00 level over three deals amounting to 1,515 shares.

On the other hand, Malta International Airport plc shed 0.8% to the €5.95 level across three trades totalling 2,801 shares.

Meanwhile, APS Bank plc held the €0.525 level on muted activity. Last Thursday, APS Bank plc also published its interim results. Net interest income rose 7.5% to €35.6 million, while non-interest income fell 4.0% to €5.1 million. Meanwhile, total operating costs increased by 17.0% to €31.6 million. Profit before tax declined by 9.6% to €9.14 million and net profit attributable to shareholders fell to €4.87 million. As at the end of June 2025, shareholders’ funds stood at €296 million, which translates into a net asset value of €0.775 per share.  The board declared a net interim dividend of €0.00472 per share, payable to all shareholders as at close of trading on 28 August 2025, and subject to regulatory approval, it will be paid on 19 September 2025. The Bank indicated that it plans to undertake a rights issue in the last quarter of this calendar year.

International Hotel Investments plc traded flat at the €0.43 level as 9,301 shares changed hands.

A single trade of 200 shares left the shares of Simonds Farsons Cisk plc unchanged at the €6.25 level.

Hili Properties plc closed unchanged at the €0.24 level on a single deal of 13,900 shares.

The RF MGS Index advanced by 0.19% to 910.063 points as the release of euro area inflation data for July showed that headline inflation held steady at 2.0%, contrary to expectations of a decline to 1.9%. Similarly, core inflation remained unchanged at 2.3%, compared to the projected decrease to 2.2%. On a month-on-month basis, headline inflation was flat, while core inflation eased by 0.2%. Eurostat highlighted persistent inflationary pressures, particularly in food (3.3%) and services (3.1%).

 

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.