Movements in Equity & Bond Indices
The MSE Equity Total Return Index (MSE) closed the month higher by 0.8%, to settle at 9,988.394 points. A total of 30 equities were active, as nine advanced and 18 declined. Total monthly turnover reached €5.4m, generated across 884 transactions. Since the beginning of the year the MSE is up by 12.2%.
The MSE Corporate Bonds Total Return Index closed 0.9% higher, as it reached 1,164.118 points. Out of 110 active issues, 71 headed north, while another 26 closed in the opposite direction. The 4% Stivala Group Finance plc Secured € 2027 recorded the best performance, up by 3.1%, to close at €99. Conversely, the 4% Shoreline Mall plc Secured € 2026 closed 28.2% lower at €70.
The MSE MGS Total Return Index declined by 0.3%, closing at 967.606 points. Out of 40 active issues, nine traded higher while another 31 declined. The 1.4% MGS 2046 headed the list of gainers, as it closed 2.1% higher at €60.64. On the other hand, the 1.8% MGS 2051 closed 3.4% lower at €59.63.
Top 10 Market Movers
Bank of Valletta plc posted a 4.3% monthly gain, settling at its monthly high of €2.17 after dipping to a low of €2.07 during the period. The banking equity was the most liquid of the month, with 1,149,508 shares crossing the market across 222 transactions, generating €2.4m in turnover.
APS Bank plc closed higher for the fourth consecutive month. The banking equity gained 1.8% to finish at €0.58, climbing off a monthly low of €0.55. A total of 290,814 shares were dealt across 86 transactions, with €166,566 recorded in turnover.
Having declined 13.5%, FIMBank plc ended the month at its low of $0.16. The USD-denominated equity saw 172,193 shares dealt across 15 transactions, with $25,130 changing hands.
Having now registered losses in three consecutive months, Lombard Bank Malta plc dropped a further 5.6%, closing at €0.68 after ranging between a low of €0.655 and a high of €0.73. A total of 21 transactions of 59,657 shares were executed.
International Hotel Investments plc closed the month on a high, as the equity of the hotels’ operator rallied 7.3% to close at €0.585, recovering from a low of €0.545. Across 48 deals, €132,880 in turnover was recorded, involving 238,234 shares.
Mapfre Malta plc advanced 8.4% over the month, closing at €1.42 after recovering from a low of €1.33. A total of 22,258 shares were transacted across 11 deals, producing €31,572 in trading value.
Malta International Airport plc edged 0.8% higher over the month, closing at its monthly high of €6.25 after dipping to a low of €6.05. A combined 59,007 shares changed hands across 50 deals, bringing total turnover to €364,796.
Among the month’s notable decliners, Simonds Farsons Cisk plc shed 8.2% to close at €5.60, having reached a high of €6 earlier in the period. A total of 19,328 shares were dealt across 28 transactions, amounting to €108,834 in traded value.
PG plc tanked 6.1% over the month, closing at €1.55 after trading as high as €1.65. The consumer staples equity saw 160,672 shares dealt across 26 transactions, with total traded value reaching €256,453.
Having fallen 8.2% from a high of €0.438, Malita Investments plc closed the month at €0.38, its monthly low. A total of 79,158 shares were transacted across 13 deals, amounting to €31,514 in turnover.
Company Announcements
Bank of Valletta plc has announced that during the six-month period ended June 30, 2026, the Group registered operating income of €251.3m, up 3% from €244m in the corresponding period, driven by higher net interest income from continued growth in the lending book. Profit after tax nonetheless fell to €79m from €89.5m, a decline of 11.8%, for basic earnings of €0.1231 per share, primarily reflecting a net credit loss charge in the period against a release in the prior year, together with higher operating costs arising from ongoing investment in staff, technology and regulatory initiatives. The Board declared an interim net dividend of €0.0523 per share, representing a payout ratio of 42.5% of profit after tax, payable on August 21, 2026.
APS Bank plc has announced that, at its board meeting held on July 30, 2026, the Board approved the Group’s condensed interim financial statements for the six-month period ended June 30, 2026. The Group delivered a record interim result, with profit after tax rising to €16.3m from €4.9m in the corresponding period, for earnings of €0.0082 per share. The strong performance was driven by robust growth in business volumes and a stronger, more diversified revenue base. The Board declared an interim net dividend of €4m or €0.0082 per share.
During thesix months ended June 2026, Malta International Airport plc has generated revenue of €82.5m, up 14.8% from €71.9m in the corresponding period, driven by a 15.6% increase in traffic to 5.2m passenger movements, while profit after tax rose to €29m, an increase of 18.5%. The Board approved an interim net dividend of €0.06 per share.
For thesix months ended June 2026, Mapfre Malta plc registered profit after tax of €9.2m, down from €9.8m in the corresponding period, for earnings of €0.07 per share. The reduction was primarily attributable to a lower insurance service result, reflecting the impact of Storm Harry and the fireworks factory explosion earlier in the year as well.
Malta Properties Company plc registered rental income of €2.9m for the six months ended June 30, 2026, up 29% from €2.3m in the corresponding period, driven mainly by the renovation and re-letting of previously vacant properties to new tenants. Profit after tax more than doubled to €1m from €0.5m.
Plaza Centres plc (PZC) has entered into a promise of sale agreement to acquire a property in Tigné, Sliema. The property is leased to an established childcare operator, and the acquisition is expected to enhance the Company’s earnings upon completion. The transaction remains subject to several conditions that must be satisfied by the seller. The Board believes the acquisition aligns with the Company’s strategy of strengthening and diversifying its property portfolio and will update the market on any material developments.
AX Group plc has announced that, by virtue of a deed dated July 15, 2026, its majority-owned subsidiary AX Business Park Limited acquired an immovable property in Marsa measuring circa 6,923m² from Marsa Investments Limited, previously used as the match box factory known as “The Modern Match Factory Marsa”. The total consideration of €15m was paid in full upon execution of the final deed of sale. The acquisition consolidates the adjacent properties already owned by AX Business Park Limited, with the Group currently working on plans for the development of the overall site and a development application to be submitted to the Planning Authority soon.
RS2 plc has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, RS2 Financial Services GmbH, has been selected by the Euro system to participate as an acquiring payment service provider in the European Central Bank’s Digital Euro Pilot. The subsidiary is one of 36 payment service providers selected for the programme, which is intended to test the practical application of a potential digital euro in real-world payment scenarios and is expected to commence during the second half of 2027.
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, 16 Central Business Hub, Level 3, Mdina Road, Attard ATD 9036, or on Tel: 21224410, or email info@jesmondmizzi.com
