MSE Equity Price Index drops for 5^th consecutive session

The MSE Equity Price Index extended last week’s negative performance as it shed a further 0.22% to 3,892.302 points. The declines in six equities outweighed the gains in IHI and Mapfre Middlesea while four other equities closed unchanged. Today’s trading activity in local equities amounted to €0.27 million. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.

Bank of Valletta plc fell by 1.0% to the €1.98 level across 20 trades amounting to 65,249 shares, accounting for nearly half of today’s total value traded across local equities. BOV will publish its 2024 annual results on Wednesday 26 March.

Also in the banking sector, HSBC Bank Malta plc declined by 0.6% to the €1.54 level across four deals totalling 36,700 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.

BMIT Technologies plc dropped by 2.9% to the €0.34 level on two 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.

BMIT’s parent company GO plc eased by 0.7% to the €2.66 level on muted activity.

A single trade of 8,475 shares pulled the share price of Plaza Centres plc 1.7% lower to the €0.59 level.

Malta Properties Company plc shed 0.6% to the €0.348 level on trivial volumes. Last week, MPC published its 2024 annual report showing record revenue and operating profit 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. As of 31 December 2024, MPC had a net asset value per share of €0.5677. 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.

M&Z plc traded flat at the €0.54 level as 72,490 shares changed hands.

APS Bank plc held the €0.61 level on one trade of 1,309 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.

Likewise, Malta International Airport plc held the €6.10 level across three deals totalling 3,210 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.

Lombard Bank Malta plc closed unchanged at the €0.77 level across two trades totalling 12,324 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.

International Hotel Investments plc advanced by 2.3% to the €0.44 level across three deals amounting to 8,700 shares. Today, IHI announced that the luxury hotel Corinthia Grand Hotel du Boulevard Bucharest opened for business.

Mapfre Middlesea plc climbed 2.7% higher to the €1.54 level across three deals totalling 2,175 shares. Nonetheless, the volume-weighted average price of the day was at its previous closing price of €1.50.

The RF MGS Index fell by 0.04% to 903.734 points amid further declines in long-term MGS bid prices as the yield curve continued to steepen. Trade tensions continue to dominate the international financial markets with the US President stating that countries that purchase oil from Venezuela will be subject to 25% tariffs on any trade with the US. Meanwhile, economic estimates showed that business activity improved in March within the euro area and also in the US.

 

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.