The Malta Stock Exchange Index ended the trading week at 2687.928 points, falling by just 0.06 per cent with the year to date loss at just over 16 per cent. The index started the week with a rise of 0.726 per cent on Monday but then decreased throughout the rest of the week.

During the week, eight equities were negotiated, with four closing in positive territory, three closing in negative territory and one remaining unchanged. The best performer of this week was GO plc, while Malta International Airport plc was the worst performer.

This week a total of 318 deals were registered on the Malta Stock Exchange with a turnover of over EUR8.67m. In the equity market, 155 transactions for a total value of EUR348,860 were executed, while in the corporate bond market 43 transactions were carried out for a total value of EUR322,939. The government bond market saw 99 deals changing hands for a total value of over EUR1.527 million, while 21 transactions were carried out in the treasury bills market for a total value of over EUR6.47 million.

HSBC Bank Malta plc (HSBC) closed the week at EUR2.175, as it saw its share price increase by 0.69 per cent, with a total volume of 60,665 shares being exchanged across 44 trades. This week HSBC traded at a high of EUR2.18 and a low of EUR2.16.

Bank of Valletta plc (BOV) lost some ground this week, as it posted a decrease of EUR0.03, or 1.36 per cent, as 23,151 shares traded in this equity across 33 deals. BOV closed at EUR2.17, having traded at a high of EUR2.25 and a low of EUR2.17.

Lombard Bank plc saw its share price increase by 0.40 per cent, closing the week at EUR2.53. Lombard traded twice this week, as a volume of just 1,500 shares changed hands.

Plaza Centres plc also registered a rise in its share price this week. Plaza saw 150 shares being traded across just one deal, as it closed the week at EUR1.72, thus registering a rise of EUR0.02, or 1.18 per cent.

GO plc had a good start on Monday, when its share price increased by 6.93 per cent, following the announcement of their results on Friday. During the week, GO traded at a high of EUR1.50, and a low of EUR1.44, closing the week at EUR1.45, thus registering an increase of 3.57 per cent. A volume of 94,494 shares were traded across 65 deals.

The share price of FIMBank plc remained unchanged this week, with 13,500 shares being traded on three deals, closing the week at USD 1.30.

Malta International Airport plc (MIA) closed the week at EUR2.028, thus decreasing by 6.97 per cent, or EUR0.152, as 2,100 shares traded on four transactions. MIA traded at a low of EUR2.028 and a high of EUR2.10.

MaltaPost plc saw their equity prices continue to decrease, as this week the equity lost 1.23 per cent, closing the week at EUR0.72, a loss of EUR0.009, with 7,000 shares being traded on three deals.

On Tuesday, the Board of Directors of Grand Harbour Marina plc approved the financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2008, and resolved that the financial statements be submitted for the approval of the shareholders at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

The Company registered a Loss before taxation of EUR410,848, compared to a Profit before tax of EUR3.9m of last year. Total Revenue for the year was EUR2.496m, representing a significant decrease of 77.66 per cent over of last year’s total revenue of EUR11.176m. During the year under review, the Company concluded the grant of super yacht berths for long term use for a consideration of over EUR1.01m, compared to EUR10.01m for the year ended 31 December 2007. Pontoon fees and revenue from ancillary services for the year ended 31 December 2008 grew from EUR1.15m to EUR1.47m, an increase of 28 percent over the year ended 31 December 2007. Earnings per share decreased from EUR0.40 to loss per share EUR0.04.

The Board of Directors did not recommend the payment of a dividend. The Board of Directors has also decided that the Annual General Meeting shall be held on the 19 June 2009. Shareholders on the Company’s Register at the Central Securities Depository of the Malta Stock Exchange as at close of business on 15 May 2009 will be entitled to receive notice of the Annual General Meeting together with a copy of the Annual Report and Financial Statements.

During the week, Medserv plc announced that the Board of Directors have approved the financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2008 and resolved that they be submitted for the approval of the shareholders at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

During the year, the Group registered a Profit before taxation amounting to EUR975,421, an increase of 439 per cent from last year’s Loss before tax of EUR287,333. Total Revenue for the year amounted to EUR15.56m, compared to total revenue of EUR4.65m from last year. Earnings per share for the year increased from a loss per share of EUR0.0005, to earnings per share of EUR0.113. The increase in earnings per share is mainly attributable to the strong performance of Company’s subsidiaries with particular reference to the Libyan subsidiary.

The Board of Directors is proposing that the Annual General Meeting approves the payment of a net dividend of EUR390,000, representing a net dividend per ordinary share of EUR0.039. The Board of Directors has also decided that the Annual General Meeting shall be held on the 19 May 2009. Shareholders on the Company’s Register at the Central Securities Depository of the Malta Stock Exchange as at close of business on 8 April 2009 will be entitled to receive to the said dividend and the notice of the Annual General Meeting together with a copy of the Annual Report and Financial Statements.

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 contact JMFS at 67/3, South Street, Valletta or on Tel: 21224410 or email [email protected].