MSE Weekly Round-Up Report: 24th — 28th September 2007

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Local bourse closes flat                                

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The Malta Stock Exchange Index closed flat at 4,877.52 points during a week which saw eleven equities active, three of which closed in positive territory while four others closed in the red. International Hotel Investments was the top equity performer of the week followed by Simonds Farsons Cisk and FIMBank shares. On the other the two main local banks, HSBC Bank Malta and Bank of Valletta both edged lower.

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A total of 220 deals were registered on the local bourse for a turnover just above Lm1.25 million. In the equity market, 166 deals were executed for a traded value of Lm384,700, while 46 transactions were performed in local corporate bonds and government stocks for a turnover of Lm222,424. Moreover, eight deals were executed in Treasury Bills for a value of Lm644,196.

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International Hotel Investments gained 2.3% to close €0.025 higher at €1.095 as 28,264 shares changed hands across nine transactions.

Simonds Farsons Cisk moved nearly 1% upwards to the Lm1.06 level on a volume of 9,558 shares which were transacted across four deals. This occurred after the Company published its interim financial statements in which was stated that the Group’s turnover for the period ending 31st July 2007 increased by 4%, from Lm13.95 million to Lm14.48 million. Profit before tax also increased, amounting to Lm1.42 million when compared to Lm590,000 for the same period in the previous year. The Board of Directors also resolved to distribute, out of tax exempt profits, an interim dividend of Lm0.003889 per share on all ordinary shares of Lm0.125 each

FIMBank was the other positive performer on a weekly basis having edged 0.2% higher to US$1.944 on a volume of 32,299 shares.

HSBC Bank Malta was the most actively traded equity having seen over 70,000 shares change hands across fifty-eight deals to drop 0.7% and close back at the Lm1.90 level.

Bank of Valletta shed 0.5% to close at Lm3.60 as just above 47,000 shares were transacted across fifty-five deals.

Datatrak Holdings was amongst the negative performers having shed 0.6% to close at Lm0.169 on a single transaction of 1,000 shares.

Maltacom closed unchanged on a week-on-week basis at Lm1.40 with 13,325 shares changing hands across fifteen trades.

Malta International Airport also closed unchanged at Lm1.40 on low activity.

Plaza Centres closed stable having registered six deals totalling 18,309 shares all at the same price of Lm0.74.

A single deal of a mere 72 shares was also recorded during the week in Middlesea Insurance however the equity price remained unchanged at Lm1.65.

6PM Holdings shares were traded for the first time in Tuesday’s session however they closed unchanged at Lm0.67. The total volume during the week amounted to 3,000. This was performed across two deals, one of which was executed at Lm0.68 before falling back to its initial level.

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In the local corporate bond market, twelve corporate bonds were active however activity was rather low. A total of eighteen deals were performed in the sector for a total turnover of Lm26,760. Turning to trading in Malta Government Stocks, activity was stronger with a total turnover of Lm195,663 being registered and the trend continuing to be negative  as most of the traded stocks kept registering declines in their prices.

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This article which was compiled by Jesmond Mizzi Financial Services Limited (JMFS) does not intend to give investment advice and the contents therein should not be construed as such. JMFS is licensed to conduct investment services by the MFSA. The directors or related parties, including the company, and their clients are likely to have an interest in securities mentioned in this article. For further information please contact JFMS at 67/3 South Street Valletta or on tel:  21224410 or email [email protected]