Trading activity centres around HSBC shares

The MSE Equity Price Index fell by 0.09% to 3,818.238 points as the declines in HSBC and Lombard outweighed the gains in Plaza. Meanwhile, three other equities closed unchanged as today’s trading activity amounted to €0.28 million. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.

HSBC Bank Malta plc moved 0.7% lower to the €1.43 level across seven deals amounting to 110,650 shares. Last week, HSBC Bank Malta plc announced that it had signed an acknowledgement of a put option agreement between its parent company HSBC Continental Europe (‘HBCE’) and CrediaBank S.A., whereby CrediaBank will be paying €0.793 per share (amounting to a total consideration of €200 million) for HBCE’s 70.03% shareholding in HSBC Malta, with the potential transaction still subject to several conditions. Following completion of the potential transaction, CrediaBank will become the majority shareholder of HSBC Malta and will launch a mandatory takeover offer for the remaining publicly-held shares. In this respect, minority shareholders will be entitled to sell their shares at a price of €1.44 per share. Until the completion of the transaction, HSBC Bank Malta plc intends to distribute dividends in 2026 on a quarterly basis, with a payout ratio of 60% of consolidated net profit, subject to Board and Regulatory approval.

Also in the banking sector, Lombard Bank Malta plc shed 0.7% to the €0.71 level on a single deal of 2,661 shares.

On the other hand, Plaza Centres plc surged by 3.2% to the €0.65 level over four trades amounting to 29,400 shares.

Meanwhile, Bank of Valletta plc closed unchanged at the €1.87 level as 12,648 shares changed hands.

Hili Properties plc traded flat at the €0.24 level over four deals totalling 267,100 shares.

Malta International Airport plc remained at the €5.95 level across three trades amounting to 2,889 shares.

The RF MGS Index snapped a three-day losing streak as it rose by 0.06% to 908.627 points. Today, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) stated that economic growth will moderate to 3.2% in 2025 and 2.9% in 2026 from 3.3% during 2024. Meanwhile in the US, growth is anticipated to slow to 1.8% in 2025 and 1.5% in 2026 from 2.8% during 2024. The report highlighted that the full impact of US tariffs is still not being reflected as companies are currently absorbing the shocks through narrower margins and inventory buffers.

 

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.