Movements in Equity & Bond Indices
The MSE Equity Total Return Index (MSE) closed the month of December in positive territory, as it rose by 0.31% to finish at 8,903.51 points. Various equities gained, as nine recorded double-digit gains while LifeStar Insurance plc shares jumped by 47.7%. Total turnover increased to €3.7m, up from €2.6m in November, as trading activity was spread across 32 equities involving 746 deals. A total of 15 equities headed north, while another 13 declined. During 2025 the MSE gained 5.5%.
The MSE Corporate Bonds Total Return Index retracted by 0.3% to 1,151.125 points, as 97 issues were active. The 5% Dizz Finance plc Unsecured € 2026 was the best performing issue, closing 9.2% higher at €95. On the other hand, the 5% Izola Bank plc Unsecured € 2032 registered the largest decline of 5% to close at €95.
The MSE MGS Total Return Index headed south, decreasing by 0.4%, to end the month at 964.19 points. A total of 50 issues were active, with the 3.5% MGS 2034 gaining 0.9% to close at €101. Meanwhile, the 3.4% MGS 2042 fell 8% to close at €92.03.
Top 10 Market Movers
Bank of Valletta plc (BOV) closed lower by 1.1% at €1.89. The equity’s price fluctuated between a monthly low of €1.88 and a high of €1.94. BOV was the most liquid equity during the month, as over one million shares exchanged hands across 220 deals, generating just over €2m in turnover. During the year BOV shares gained nearly 21%.
In the same sector, APS Bank plc closed the month 2% lower at €0.49. Trading activity included 313,804 shares across 109 deals, generating a turnover of €152,674.
Lombard Bank Malta plc advanced by 20.9% to close at its monthly high of €0.81. This was the result of 36 trades being executed, in which 267,074 shares were traded, totalling a trading value of €194,243.
Lifestar Insurance plc closed the month at €0.65, marking an increase of 47.7% from the previous month’s closing price of €0.44, making it the best performing equity for December. The equity traded within a monthly range of €0.438 and €0.65. A total of six transactions were executed, generating a modest turnover of €28,264.
In the real estate sector, MIDI plc rose by 15% to close at a monthly high of €0.196. During the month four trades were recorded, as 67,000 shares exchanged hands.
Plaza Centres plc also featured among the month’s gainers, climbing 33.3%. Trading activity comprised seven trades, during which 46,500 shares were executed, generating €34,513 in value. The equity closed the month at €0.90.
Simonds Farsons Cisk plc experienced a 3.9% increase in its share price, closing at a monthly high of €5.40. Trading activity involved 14 trades of 11,482 shares and generated a turnover of just over €58,451.
MedservRegis plc closed the month at €0.65, marking a decrease of 11% from the previous month’s closing price of €0.73. Over the course of the month, a sole trade involving 4,200 shares was executed. During 2025 the share price gained 15%.
International Hotel Investments plc joined the list of negative movers, retracting by 2.3% to end the month at €0.43. A total monthly turnover of €18,224 was recorded as a result of 13 deals involving 43,095 shares.
Maltapost plc traded on 24 occasions closing the month at €0.51, translating to a 13.8% increase in its share price, on the back of positive financial results. A total of 246,349 shares were executed generating a turnover of €108,809. Year-on-year the equity gained 8.7%.
Company announcements
Early in December Malita Investments plc (Malita) announced that construction work at three remaining sites in Qrendi, Cospicua, and Hal-Farrug have been temporarily suspended under contractual provisions. After exploring various options with stakeholders that were not accepted, the company has determined that securing additional funding from its banks is the most appropriate solution to complete these sites. Towards the end of the year, Malita announced that the company has secured an indicative term sheet for financing which would enable it to complete the affordable housing project. As part of this process the company will go through a restructuring plan to ensure the financial sustainability of the project.
MIDI plc announced that it has entered into a promise of sale to sell the temporary utile-dominium over Fort Tigné at Tigné Point, Sliema, to J. Portelli Projects Ltd for €2.5m. In addition, MIDI plc will be selling the temporary utile-dominium of 11 commercial premises as well as the building known as T3, all situated at Tigné Point, for the consideration of €10.2m. The sale proceeds are earmarked for the redemption of the company’s €50m bond due in July 2026.
Plaza Centres plc announced that Mapfre MSV Life plc has disposed of its entire 31.42% shareholding, while Virgata Group Sarl increased its holding to 37.62% from 5.95%.
Malta Properties Company plc announced that it has entered into a promise of sale agreement with Ten21 Ltd for the sale of the Rabat Exchange property for €2m.
Mediterranean Maritime Hub Finance plc announced that a binding agreement has been signed for investors to acquire a 49% stake in the Guarantor, with existing shareholders retaining 51%. The investment will prioritise repayment of the bond at its October 2026 maturity, including accrued interest, with completion expected by end April subject to approvals.
Loqus Holdings plc reported its first-quarter results for the financial year ending 30 June, showing strong performance driven by successful new client onboarding. Revenue reached €3.6m for the quarter, marking a 50% increase compared to the same period last year. The strong performance enabled the reinstatement of deferred pay adjustments and further reductions in outstanding shareholder loans and liabilities
MaltaPost plc announced that profit before tax for the 2025 financial year rose to €6.39m from €4.68m, while revenue increased 6.1% to €42.6m, driven by growth in logistics and e-commerce volumes and improved operational efficiency. The Board recommended a final gross dividend of €0.037 per share, payable on 18 March.
PG plc announced that revenue reached nearly €105m during the first six months of its financial year, up from €96.7m in the previous year. Profit after tax increased by 13% to €7.8m. The company added that significant progress is being made on major projects, including the ongoing development and future operation of a shopping mall featuring diverse retail outlets, a PAVI-PAMA supermarket, multiple catering establishments, and a dedicated car park for patrons, as well as the development of the land adjacent to PAVI.
The Convenience Shop plc announced the opening of two new MyConvenience outlets in Valletta and Victoria, Gozo, with the latter marking the first Gozo location under the new brand while existing outlets are being rebranded. The company now operates over 100 outlets across Malta and Gozo.
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: 2122 4410, email: info@jesmondmizzi.com
