Subdued trading across local equities persists

The MSE Equity Price Index fell by 0.05% to the 3,925.078 points as the declines AX Real Estate, BMIT, and The Convenience outweighed the gain in the preference shares of RS2. Meanwhile, four other equities closed unchanged but overall trading value in local equities was muted amounting to about €57,000. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.

AX Real Estate plc shed 2.0% to a three-month low of €0.402 on two deals amounting to 11,000 shares. AX Real Estate shareholders as at the close of trading on 25 April 2025 will be entitled for a net final dividend of €0.00716 per share to be paid on 14 May 2025.

BMIT Technologies plc moved 1.8% lower to the €0.332 level on two trades totalling 55,000 shares. BMIT shareholders as at close of trading on Thursday 15 May 2025 will be entitled for a net dividend per share of €0.0189. Shareholders 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.

The Convenience Shop (Holding) plc fell 1.6% to the €0.945 level on a single trade of 1,000 shares. The company’s Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on Monday 28 April 2025 to consider the approval of the financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2024. The Directors will also consider the declaration of a final dividend.

The preference shares of RS2 plc gained 1.7% to the €0.60 level on one deal amounting to 1,060 shares.

Meanwhile, the ordinary shares of RS2 plc traded flat at the €0.40 level as 31,976 shares changed hands.

Malta International Airport plc held the €6.10 level on one trade of 295 shares. MIA shareholders as at the close of trading on Thursday 10 April 2025 will be entitled for a final net dividend of €0.12 per share to be paid by not later than Saturday 31 May 2025.

Also among large companies by market value, Bank of Valletta plc closed unchanged at the €2.00 level across five trades amounting 5,520 shares. BOV will publish its 2024 annual financial results on Wednesday 26 March.

GO plc traded flat at the €2.72 level on two trades totalling 2,833 shares. GO’s Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 16 April 2025 to consider the approval of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. The Board will also consider the declaration of a final dividend.

Today, International Hotel Investments plc announced that a joint-venture company with Action Real Estate Company, in which IHI holds a minority position, acquired two neighbouring hotels in a prime location in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, in California. IHI explained that the hotels will undergo a refurbishment and that the acquisition is part of a broader strategy for the Beverly Hills market. Furthermore, IHI announced the basis of acceptance and allocation policy in relation to the offer of €35 million 5.30% unsecured bonds redeemable in 2035. In total, IHI received 3,771 applications for a total value of €51.7 million. Holders of the €45 million 5.75% IHI plc 2025 bonds who exercised their preference to exchange their maturing bonds into the new bonds, together with any applicable cash top-ups were allotted in full. Any additional amounts applied for by maturing bondholders have been allocated at 9.408%.

The RF MGS Index rose by 0.06% to 900.704 points. Today, the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) released its updated outlook which showed that lowered growth forecasts for 2025 and 2026 to 3.1% and 2.9% respectively from 3.3% and 3.2%. The decrease was attributed to higher trade barriers as well as increased geopolitical and policy uncertainty. Meanwhile, the OECD report highlighted that inflation pressures continue to linger in many economies. Service inflation remains elevated due to tight labour markets and goods inflation is picking up from very low levels. In fact, inflation in various countries is projected to be higher than previously expected.

 

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.