HSBC and Plaza retain interim dividends unchanged

The MSE Equity Price Index rose by 0.27% to 3,819.672 points as the gains in HSBC, APS, and Mapfre Middlesea outweighed the declines in GO, AX Real Estate, M&Z, and Malta Properties. Meanwhile, six equities closed unchanged as today’s trading was muted at around €70,000. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.

HSBC Bank Malta plc rose by 2.1% to the €1.43 level across five deals amounting to 7,050 shares. Today, HSBC Malta published its interim results covering the six-month period ended 30 June 2025. Net interest income fell by 15.7% to €89.8 million due to a decline in gross interest income (-15% to €101.8 million) which outweighed the reduction in interest expense (-8.7% to €12 million). Meanwhile, non-interest income rose by 14.9% to €24.3 million reflecting an improved performance across all other income streams. The financial performance was supported by a net reversal of expected credit losses of €3.0 million. HSBC’s profit before tax fell by 25.3% to €58.7 million compared to €78.6 million in the first half of 2024. HSBC reported a net profit of €38.3 million (H1 2024: €50.7 million) which translates into an annualised return on average equity of 12.7% (H1 2024: 18.3%). Since the end of 2024, shareholders’ funds increased by 2.4% (or €14.6 million) to €616 million which translates into a net asset value per share of €1.708 (31 December 2024: €1.668). The Board of Directors declared an unchanged net interim dividend of €0.065 per share, The dividend is payable on 23 September 2025 to all shareholders as at close of trading on 18 August 2025.

Plaza Centres plc also published its interim results today. Revenue increased by 1.7% to €1.60 million as Plaza’s occupancy level remained at 96%, unchanged from the same period last year. Operating profit increased by 1.4% to €0.86 million, which translates into an EBIT margin of 53.7%. The net profit for the period stood at €0.69 million, which was 17.8% higher than the €0.59 million reported in the first half of 2024. Since the end of 2024, the company’s equity base expanded by 0.9% (or €0.24 million) to €28.0 million which translates into a net asset value per share of €1.099. The Board of Directors declared an unchanged net interim dividend of €0.0098 per share, payable to shareholders as at close of trading on Tuesday 12 August 2025. The dividend represents a payout ratio of 36% (H1 2024: 42%) and will be paid on Thursday 28 August 2025.

APS Bank plc moved 1.9% higher to the €0.54 level albeit on trivial volumes. APS will announce its interim results tomorrow.

Mapfre Middlesea plc increased by 1.6% to the €1.27 level also on minimal trading activity. On Monday, Mapfre Middlesea published its interim financial statements covering the six-month period ended 30 June 2025. Net insurance and investment results amounted to €16.7 million compared to €14.1 million in the first half of 2024. The Group generated pre-tax profits of €14.2 million, which is 16.9% higher than the €12.2 million figure registered in the corresponding period last year.

On the other hand, Malta Properties Company plc slumped by 3.4% to the €0.34 level across four trades totalling 1,600 shares. MPC will publish its interim results on Wednesday 6 August 2025.

Also in the property sector, AX Real Estate plc plummeted by 3.0% to an all-time low of €0.32 albeit on a single deal of 5,000 shares.

M&Z plc shed 0.9% to the €0.545 level on a single trade of 3,987 shares.

GO plc declined by 0.7% to the €2.74 level on muted activity. GO will publish its interim results on Thursday 7 August 2025.

Meanwhile, GO’s datacentre and digital infrastructure subsidiary BMIT Technologies plc held the €0.29 level on one trade of 3,000 shares.

Bank of Valletta plc traded flat at the €1.88 level as 10,140 shares changed hands. BOV will publish its interim results tomorrow.

A single trade of 2,200 shares left the share price of Malta International Airport plc unchanged at the €5.95 level. Today, MIA announced that its Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 5 August 2025 to consider the approval of the interim financial statements for the six-month period ended 30 June 2025. The Directors will also consider the declaration of an interim dividend.

Hili Properties plc held the €0.24 level on two deals amounting to 85,000 shares.

International Hotel Investments plc traded flat at the €0.434 level on two trades totalling 5,000 shares.

The ordinary shares of RS2 plc closed unchanged at the €0.40 level on one deal of 600 shares.

The RF MGS Index remained virtually unchanged for the second consecutive session at 909.575 points. Data released today showed that the euro area economy expanded by 0.1% quarter-on-quarter, exceeding expectations for a flat reading. On an annual basis, the economy grew by 1.4%, surpassing the forecasted 1.2% as the stronger than expected performances in France and Spain offset an unexpected contraction in the Italian economy. Elsewhere in the US, GDP grew by 3.0% in the second quarter, exceeding the anticipated 2.5% and rebounding from a 0.5% contraction in the first quarter.