Six equities pull MSE Equity Price Index lower

 

The MSE Equity Price Index fell for the third consecutive session as it decreased by 0.58% to reach a two-week low of 3,909.702 points as the declines in BOV, Convenience, IHI, Lombard, Malita and PG outweighed the gain in AX Real Estate. Meanwhile, seven other equities remained unchanged as today’s trading activity amounted to €0.22 million. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.

Bank of Valletta plc shed 1.0% to the €2.08 level across fourteen trades amounting to 66,650 shares. BOV’s Board of Directors is recommending a final net dividend of €0.0854 per share to be paid on 12 June 2025 to all shareholders as at close of trading on 25 April subject to regulatory approval and approval by the Annual General Meeting scheduled for 29 May 2025.

Also in the banking sector, Lombard Bank Malta plc slumped by 4.6% to the €0.73 level over four deals amounting to 20,880 shares. Lombard is expected to publish its full-year results for 2024 on 16 April 2025.

International Hotel Investments plc decreased by 2.3% to the €0.42 level on a single deal of 5,000 shares.

PG plc fell by 2.1% to the €1.90 level on two trades totalling 550 shares.

Malita Investments plc moved 0.4% lower to the €0.49 level over three deals amounting to 10,984 shares.

The Convenience Shop (holding) plc decreased by 3.2% to the €0.92 level on a single trade of 7,522 shares.

On the other hand, AX Real Estate plc surged by 6.2% to the €0.41 level as 1,070 shares changed hands.

FIMBank plc held the USD0.15 level on a single deal of 3,323 shares. Yesterday, FIMBank plc published the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Net interest income fell by 6.6% to USD51.8 million whilst the Group recorded a USD0.6 million loss from non-interest income, compared to a USD3.7 million loss last year. Consequently, total operating profit remained relatively unchanged at USD51.2 million. Nonetheless, operating profit surged by 28.3% to USD10.8 million driven by a decline in operating expenses. Overall, FIMBank reported a pre-tax profit of USD8.3 million a 30% increase from the previous year. After accounting for a tax expense of USD8.2 million and the profit attributable to minority interests of USD0.03 million, the net profit attributable to shareholders amounted to USD0.1 million. Shareholders’ funds advanced by 2.4% (or USD4.3 million) to USD183.6 million which translates into a net asset value per share of USD0.3505 (31 December 2023: USD0.3422).

BMIT Technologies plc held the €0.34 level on a single trade of 6,300 shares. The Directors of BMIT are recommending a final net dividend of €0.0189 per share which will be payable to all shareholders as at close of trading on Thursday 15 May 2025, who will have the option to receive the dividend either in cash or in new ordinary shares at an attribution price of €0.319 per share.

GO plc traded flat at the €2.60 level on two trades totalling 2,790 shares. GO is expected to publish its full-year results for 2024 on 16 April 2025.

Also in the banking sector, HSBC Bank Malta plc closed unchanged at the €1.52 level across four trades totalling 10,674 shares.

A single trade of 9,999 shares left the share price of Malta Property Company plc unchanged at the €0.364 level. Shareholders as at the close of trading on Thursday 24 April will be entitled to receive a final net dividend of €0.014 per share on Friday 30 May 2025.

Malta International Airport plc held the €6.05 level on two deals amounting to 1,818 shares. Shareholders as at close of trading on 10 April 2025 will be entitled to a final net dividend of €0.012 per share to be paid by 31 May 2025 to all subject to approval by the Annual General Meeting scheduled for 14 May 2025.

MaltaPost plc closed unchanged at the €0.41 level across two trades amounting to 20,000 shares.

The RF MGS Index moved 0.04% higher to 907.505 points amidst high intraday volatility in sovereign bond yields and a slowdown in inflation. Yesterday, the US paused the recently announced tariffs for 90 days, for all countries other than China. In response, the EU paused its tariffs on the US for the same period and committed to constructive negotiations with the US.

Meanwhile, data released today showed that inflation in the US during March fell for the second consecutive month to 2.4%, which was the lowest figure since last September and lower than the expected figure of 2.5%. Furthermore, core CPI slowed to 2.8%, compare dot the 3% which was anticipated.

 

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.