Movements in Equity & Bond Indices
The MSE Equity Total Return Index (MSE) closed the month of May in the red for the second consecutive month, as it posted a decline of 0.6% to finish at 8,705.163 points. Bank of Valletta plc (BOV) and International Hotel Investments plc (IHI) outperformed, while HSBC Bank Malta plc (HSBC), RS2 plc and Simonds Farsons Cisk plc (SFC) closed lower. A total of 29 equities were active, as 10 advanced while another 16 declined. During the month, total turnover reached €3.6m, as 711 transactions were recorded.
The MSE Corporate Bonds Total Return Index lost 0.3% to 1,176.472 points, as 88 issues were active, 30 of which headed north while another 47 closed in the opposite direction. The 3.8% Hili Finance Company plc Unsecured € 2029 headed the list of gainers, as it closed at €97, translating into a 4.7% increase in price. On the other hand, the 3.25% APS Bank plc Unsecured Subordinated € 2025-2030 closed 4.6% lower at €93.
The MSE MGS Total Return Index posted a slight 0.1% positive movement, to end the month at 965.108 points. A total of 47 issues were active, as 26 advanced while another 15 lost ground. The 2.4% MGS 2041 registered the best performance with a 3.9% increase to close the month at €83.10. Conversely, the 3% MGS 2040 traded 4% lower to finish at €94.01.
Top 10 Market Movers
BOV was the top performer in the financial sector, as the share price rebounded by 3.7%, closing the month at €1.99. The equity traded at a monthly low of €1.93 and at a high of €2. A total of 522,848 BOV shares changed hands across 185 transactions, generating a turnover of approximately €1m.
On the contrary, its peer HSBC Bank Malta plc experienced a decline in its share price for the third consecutive month. The equity lost 2.8%, as it closed at €1.40. Trading activity amounted to 49 deals involving 108,695 shares, with a total trading turnover of €154,806.
Hili Properties plc declined by 7%, returning to €0.24. A total of 4.4m shares were traded across 54 deals, generating a turnover of approximately €1.1m.
GO plc ended the month in negative territory at a monthly low of €2.50, translating into a 5.3% movement in price. A total of 47,413 shares changed hands across 32 transactions, worth €123,351.
RS2 plc ordinary shares tumbled by 17.7%, to close the month at €0.40. The equity traded at a high and low of €0.468 and €0.38, respectively. This decline was driven by the exchange of 64,552 shares over 15 transactions.
Malta International Airport plc shares traded between a monthly low of €5.75 and a high of €6, the month’s closing price. This movement in the share price marked a slight gain of 0.8%, driven by 78 transactions involving 79,918 shares with a total value of €468,902.
BMIT Technologies plc extended its downward trend, with its share price falling for the third consecutive month. The equity declined by 8.3%, closing at €0.31. A total of 20 deals, involving 159,240 shares were executed.
PG plc saw a 2.1% decline in its share price, closing at €1.85. This was the outcome of 14 transactions of 51,650 shares, generating a trading value of €95,945.
Plaza Centres plc advanced by 5.1% to a price level of €0.62, with 166,091 shares traded over six deals, generating €102,476. Year-to-date, the equity is up by 3.3%.
Simons Farsons Cisk plc headed south, ending the month at €6.10, translating to a month-on-month decline of 0.8%. A total of 25 deals worth €88,193 were executed.
Company Announcements
BOV announced the second issuance under its existing €250m Unsecured Euro Medium Term Bond Programme. As part of the programme, the Bank aims to raise €100m, with an over-allotment option of up to €150m, through an unsecured and subordinated bond issue. The bond will carry a coupon of 5% and matures between 2030 and 2035.
The Board of Simonds Farsons Cisk plc has approved the audited financial statements for the financial year ended December 31, 2024. The Company reported a profit after tax of €15.3m, a substantial improvement from the previous year’s profits of €12.9m. The Group also had a steady increase in profits of 21.9% growing from €15.3m to €18.6m. The increase in revenue and tax income played an important role in this upturn. The net dividend for the year ended January 31, 2025, is €7.2m, which equals €0.20 per ordinary share, subject to approval at the AGM on June 26, 2025.
BMIT Technologies plc has acquired a 51% stake in 56Bit Limited, with the option to increase its shareholding over five years based on 56Bit’s performance. This strategic move aims to strengthen BMIT’s position as Malta’s leading provider of hybrid IT and cloud services, expand its AWS expertise, and enhance its ability to deliver tailored, high-quality cloud solutions.
This article, which was compiled by Jesmond Mizzi Financial Advisors Limited, does not intend to give investment advice and the contents therein should not be construed as such. The Company is licensed to conduct investment services by the MFSA and is a Member of the Malta Equity Exchange and a member of the Atlas Group. 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 Jesmond Mizzi Financial Advisors Limited at 67, Level 3, South Street, Valletta, or on Tel: 21224410, or email info@jesmondmizzi.com
