MSE

Trading Report for week ending August 5, 2011

MSE

index ends negative saga

The Malta Stock Exchange (MSE) returned to trade in positive territory

by recording a gain of 1.41 per cent to end the week at 3,269.236 points. The

positive performances recorded on Monday and Tuesday pushed the index to a

dissimilar direction and end its stream of negative performances recorded in

the previous sessions. Activity was spread across 12 equities, with the banking

equities being once again in the limelight by displaying solid gains. Total turnover

decreased to EUR 398,653 traded over a total of 200,452 shares across 105

transactions.

Similarly  a positive sentiment prevailed on the Government Bond Market, as from the 20

active issues all posted gains with the long dated 4.6 MGS 2020 heading the list of gainers by recording a gain of

1.87 per cent. In the Corporate Bond

Market turnover increased to EUR 617,635 traded over 19 issues with the 7.15%Mediterranean Investments Holdings plc

2015 being the worst performer on the week by recording a loss of 11.6 per cent.

In the Equity

Market, contrary to last week’s negative performance banking equities

offered leadership, as all three active banks posted strong gains. Lombard Bank plc emerged to be the best

performer as the equity share value spiked up by 4.87 per cent cancelling the

heavy losses incurred in the previous week. During the week the bank was active

in four sessions with Friday being marked as the best session of the week, as

the equity put together some solid gains by snapping a 3.46 per cent to end the

week at EUR 2.69.  A total of 31,875

shares were traded across 13 transactions.

Similarly, Bank of Valletta plc recovered from last week’s loss by gaining

3.86 per cent or EUR 0.10 to end the week at EUR 2.69. In the first two

sessions of the week the bank recorded its best performance as it gained 1.54

per cent and 2.28 per cent respectively. 

Total trading value reaching EUR 70,002 across 24 trades during the five

sessions.

Furthermore, following last week’s positive

results HSBC Bank Malta plc share

value appreciated by 3.21 per cent. The equity proved to be the most liquid

issue, as turnover reached a value of EUR 155,913 traded across 53,997 shares

to end the week at EUR 2.89. Monday was the top session of the week, as the

banking equity advanced by 3.04 per cent, while on Tuesday it gained another

0.52 per cent. In the following session the equity traded unchanged, while it

registered minimal losses in the last two sessions of the week.

Furthermore, the other gainer for the week

was Malta International Airport plc,

as the airport operator gained 0.63 per cent over two sessions to end the week

up at EUR 1.60. On Friday the company announced that passenger movements in the

month of July increased to a rate of 3.4 per cent reaching a record high for

this month of 415,780 passengers.      

Conversely, the worst performer for the week

came from the hoteliers industry, as International

Hotels Investments plc tumbled by 3.70 per cent over the last two sessions

of the week. On Thursday the equity lost ground by 2.47 per cent which was

supported by a further 1.27 per cent on Friday. In the week a total of 16,960

shares changed ownership over five trades to end the week at EUR 0.78. Moreover

from the telecommunications sector, a minimal 0.85 per cent was shaved-off GO plc share value. During the week the

equity was active in three sessions, of which it posted losses on Monday and

Thursday, while it traded unchanged on Tuesday. A total of four deals worth EUR

14,778 were traded to close the week at EUR 1.289.     

From the

Information technology sector, 6pm

Holdings plc snapped a 14.29 per cent gain on Monday across 2,000 shares to

end the session at GBP 0.32. Meanwhile, RS2

Software plc closed the week flat at EUR 0.55, as 4,175 changed hands over

a single trade on Tuesday. Furthermore, Plaza

Centres plc closed the week flat at EUR 1.80, as a total of 1,000 shares

were dealt across two transactions. Last week the company published the interim

financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2011. The Company registered

higher revenue in the first six months of 2011 when compared to 2010, amounting

to EUR 1.06m, a rise of 6.8 per cent. However, Profit before tax declined

slightly, from EUR 658,487 in 2010 to EUR 625,275 in 2011.

From the beverage sector, after last week’s sharp gain Simonds Farsons Cisk plc maintained its

previous closing price at EUR 1.80over one deal of 1,000 shares. Other non-movers for the week were Maltapost plc and MIDI plc,

as the former closed flat at EUR 1.00 across 47,017 shares which were

dealt over 12 trades, while the latter traded flat at EUR 0.44 over thin trading

of 100 shares on the last session of the week.

This article which was compiled by Atlas

JMFS Investment Services Limited, does not intend to give investment advice and

the contents therein should not be construed as such. Atlas JMFS is licensed to

conduct investment services by the MFSA and is a Member Firm of the Malta

Stock Exchange. 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 Atlas JMFS at 67, Level 3, South Street, Valletta,

or on Tel: 21224410, or email [email protected]