Four equities pull MSE Equity Price Index lower

The MSE Equity Price Index fell by 0.10% to the 3,900.848 points as the declines in APS, HSBC, Farsons and M&Z outweighed the gains in BMIT, Malta Properties and the ordinary shares of RS2. Meanwhile, seven other equities closed unchanged as today’s trading activity in local equities amounted to €0.18 million. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.

APS Bank plc shed 1.6% to the €0.61 level across five deals amounting to 21,340 shares. The Directors of APS recommended the payment of a final net dividend of €0.017 per share to shareholders as at close of trading on 4 April 2025, subject to regulatory and AGM approvals. Shareholders will have the option to receive the dividend either in cash or in new ordinary shares at an attribution price of €0.57 per share.

Also in the banking sector, HSBC Bank Malta plc fell by 0.6% to the €1.55 level over ten trades totalling 21,261 shares. The Board of Directors recently recommended a final net dividend of €0.078 per share. The dividend will be paid on 20 May 2025 to all shareholders as at close of trading on 9 April 2025 subject to approval by the Annual General Meeting scheduled for 13 May 2025.

Simonds Farsons Cisk plc moved 2.4% lower to the €6.10 level over four deals amounting to 2,033 shares.

M&Z plc slumped by 3.6% to a two-week low of €0.54 on a single deal of 13,500 shares.

On the other hand, Malta Properties Company plc rose by 1.2% to the €0.35 level albeit over trivial volumes. Following the close of trading yesterday, MPC published its annual report and financial statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2024. Revenue increased by 13.2% to a record of €5.69 million (2023: €5.02 million) driven by additional rental income for ‘The Exchange’ in Marsa as well as the ’Mediterranean Building’ in Ta’ Xbiex which outweighed the decrease in revenue from the Swatar property. Meanwhile, EBITDA rose by 14.7% to €3.44 million Overall, MPC reported net profit figure for the year amounting to €2.54 million (2023: €2.06 million) which translates into a return on average equity of 4.46% (2023: 3.68%). As of 31 December 2024, MPC had a net asset value per share of €0.5677 (31 December 2023: €0.5566). The Board of Directors recommended a final net dividend of €0.014 per share, unchanged from the previous year. The dividend will be paid on 30 May 2025 to all shareholders as at close of trading on 24 April 2025.

The ordinary shares of RS2 plc gained 2.6% to the €0.39 level across two trades amounting to 5,709 shares.

BMIT Technologies plc surged by 9.4% to the €0.35 level over three trades amounting to 20,000 shares. BMIT shareholders as at close of trading on Thursday 15 May 2025 will be entitled to 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.

Meanwhile, Malta International Airport plc held the €6.10 level over trivial volumes.

Also among the large companies by market value, Bank of Valletta plc closed unchanged at the €2.00 level across eighteen trade amounting to 46,049 shares. BOV will publish its 2024 annual financial results on Wednesday 26 March.

Lombard Bank Malta plc held the €0.77 level on a single trade of 5,000 shares. Lombard’s Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 16 April 2025 to approve the financial statements for the year ending 31 December 2024. The Directors will also consider the declaration of a final dividend to be recommended to the upcoming Annual General Meeting, subject to regulatory guidelines and approvals.

MIDI plc closed unchanged at the €0.23 level following two deals amounting to 2,500 shares.

International Hotel Investments plc closed unchanged at the €0.43 level across three deals amounting 4,318 shares. Last Monday, IHI announced that a joint-venture company with Action Real Estate Company of Kuwait, 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.

GO plc held the €2.68 level over trivial volumes. 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.

A single trade of 1,000 shares left the share price of The Convenience Shop (holding) plc unchanged at the €0.95 level.

The RF MGS Index fell by 0.06% to 904.097 points as the decline in long-term MGS outweighed the gains in short-term MGS. Today, Germany’s upper house approved the bill to reform the country’s debt laws and permitting spending for military and infrastructure, after it had passed through the lower house last Tuesday. Also during the course of today, the Greek Central Bank Chief Yannis Stournaras as well as the acting governor of the Central Bank of Malta, Alexander Demarco, both suggested that despite economic uncertainty, interest rates are likely to be lowered during next month’s monetary policy meeting as inflation could reach the 2% target sooner than 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.