Substantial trading across BOV shares

The MSE Equity Price Index moved 0.09% higher to 3,931.342 points as the gains in HSBC and MaltaPost outweighed the declines in APS and Malita. Meanwhile, six other equities closed unchanged as today’s trading activity in local equities amounted to €0.54 million. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.

Bank of Valletta plc was once again the most actively traded equity, as was the case in each trading session this week. Since the start of the year, more than €4.5 million worth of BOV shares changed hands, accounting for nearly 40% of all value traded in local equities. Today, BOV’s share price closed unchanged at the 17-year high of €2.08 across twenty-one trades amounting to 146,536 shares having a market value of €0.30 million. Yesterday, BOV published its 2024 annual results which showed record net interest income of €386 million which translated into the highest ever profit before tax of €302.4 million and net profit of €199.6 million which translates into a return on average equity of 14.9%. Total equity expanded by 11% to €1.41 billion which translates into a net asset value of €2.411 per share. The 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 2025 subject to regulatory approval and approval by the Annual General Meeting scheduled for 29 May 2025.

A single trade of 64,946 shares left the share price of BMIT Technologies plc unchanged at the €0.34 level. 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.

Malta International Airport plc closed unchanged at the €6.10 level over eight deals amounting to 7,737 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, Simonds Farsons Cisk plc held the €6.10 level over trivial volumes.

GO plc stayed at the €2.70 level on two deals totalling 1,900 shares.

The ordinary shares of RS2 plc closed unchanged at the €0.39 level after recovering from an intraday low of €0.35 (-10.3%) across seven trades amounting to 20,040.

Meanwhile, APS Bank plc fell by 1.7% to the €0.59 level across eight deals totalling 10,675 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.

Malita Investments plc shed 0.8% to the €0.486 level over three deals amounting to 26,000 shares.

On the other hand, HSBC Bank Malta plc moved 1.3% higher to the €1.54 level on six deals amounting to 77,563 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.

MaltaPost plc surged by 4.9% to the €0.43 level over six trades amounting to 34,142 shares.

The RF MGS Index rose by 0.17% to a three-week high 905.932 points. Concern increased following the announcement of 25% tariff on imported vehicles to the US. With nearly a quarter of the EU’s vehicle exports going to the US, the new tariff is expected to have a curbing effect on economic growth. Meanwhile, US economic growth in Q4 2024 was revised higher to 2.4% from the previous estimate of 2.3%, driven by a smaller than forecasted decline in exports as well as a larger reduction in imports.

 

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.