Trading in local equities surges to two-month high

The MSE Equity Price Index moved 0.04% lower to 3,929.945 points as the declines in five equities outweighed the gains in another six. Meanwhile, three other equities closed unchanged as today’s trading activity in local equities amounted to a two-month high of €0.70 million. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.

Bank of Valletta plc was the most actively traded equity in each trading session this week. Today, BOV’s share price closed unchanged at the 17-year high of €2.08 across fifteen trades amounting to 200,007 shares having a market value of €0.42 million. Last
Wednesday, 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.

Harvest Technology plc closed unchanged at the €0.90 level over two deals amounting to 2,550 shares. Yesterday evening, Harvest Technology plc published the 2024 annual results showing a strong rebound from the previous year’s performance. Revenue surged by 35.1% to €19.8 million while operating profit doubled to €1.83 million from €0.84 million in the previous year. Overall, Harvest posted a net profit of €1.11 million (2023: €0.59 million) which translates into a return on average equity of 7.97% (2023: 4.25%). The Directors of Harvest resolved to distribute a final net dividend of €0.015 per share which will be paid on 30 April 2025 all shareholders as at the close of trading on 2 April 2025. When including the two interim dividends of €0.03 distributed in 2024, the total net dividend attributable to the 2024 financial year amounts to €0.075 and translates into a payout ratio of 155%.

Lombard Bank plc closed unchanged at the €0.77 level over three deals totalling 9,598 shares across three deals totalling 9,598 shares. Lombard will publish its 2024 annual results on 16 April 2025.

Meanwhile, Computime Holdings plc shed 2.2% to the €0.44 level on a single trade of 6,290 shares.

GO plc moved 1.5% lower to the €2.66 level over three deals amounting to 2,510 shares. GO is expected to publish its full-year results for 2024 on 16 April 2025.

MaltaPost plc slumped by 4.7% to the €0.41 level on two trades totalling 3,012 shares.

Malta International Airport plc shed 0.8% to the €6.05 level as 1,660 shares changed hands. 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.

A single deal of 10,000 shares pulled the share price of International Hotel Investments plc 2.3% lower to the €0.42 level.

MIDI plc surged by 7.0% to the €0.246 level on two deals amounting to 26,000 shares. Today, MIDI plc announced that its Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 29 April 2025 to consider the approval of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. The Directors will also consider the declaration of a dividend.

Also in the property sector, Malta Properties Company plc (+1.7%) and VBL plc (+4.4%) increased to the €0.354 and €0.188 levels respectively, albeit on trivial volumes.

Malita Investments plc rose by 2.9% to the €0.50 level over seven deals amounting to 250,000 shares.

BMIT Technologies plc increased by 2.9% to the €0.35 level across volumes totalling 316,000 shares.

APS Bank plc advanced by 1.7% to the €0.60 level on a single trade of 2,670 shares.

Today, M&Z plc announced that its Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on Friday 11 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 to be recommended to the company’s Annual General Meeting to be held on Wednesday 4 June 2025

The RF MGS Index rose by 0.24% to a three-week high 908.135 points as estimates for headline inflation in Spain and France during March fell by more than anticipated to 2.2% and 0.9% respectively. Elsewhere in the US, personal consumption index prices increased by 0.3% month-over-month in February 2025, maintaining the same pace as the previous two months. However, core PCE prices rose by 0.4% quarter-over-quarter, the highest since January 2024 and more than the 0.3% which was anticipated.