MSE| Tuesday, 31 October 2007
GlobalCapital Financial Management Ltd - Malta Stock Exchange Review
Yesterday, the Malta Stock Exchange index gained 0.26% or 13.03 points during the second session of the week at 4936.87 points. Market heavy weighted HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c. shares continued to march on for the second consecutive time. Meanwhile, Bank of Valletta p.l.c. shares dropped 1.42%.
On a positive note, HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c. shares were in the limelight after its share price finished in positive terrain by 3c5 (Eur0.08), closing the session at the Lm1.955 (Eur4.55) level across 15,973 shares. Following its 3c0 (Eur0.07) gain yesterday, HSBC shares climbed 3.4% in value in two days. The price shifted in a range of Lm1.922 (Eur4.48) to Lm1.97 (Eur4.59). At market close bids for 1,714 shares stood at Lm1.955 (Eur4.55), whereas the best offer for 1,000 shares stood at Lm1.98 (Eur4.61). Week on week, the share price of HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c. registered a satisfactory 4% from its closing price of Lm1.88 (Eur4.38) on Tuesday 23rd October.
The second largest capitalization stock on the Malta Stock Exchange’s Official List, Bank of Valletta p.l.c., was the most liquid stock of the day. A total of 37,526 shares changed hands across 71 transactions. Bank of Valletta shares opened a shade higher at Lm3.744 (Eur8.72). However, the shares were immediately under pressure as the share price slipped by 5c3 (Eur0.12) to close at the Lm3.69 (Eur8.60). Following a company announcement issued last Friday 26th October Bank of Valletta p.l.c. approved the final audited financial statements for the financial year ended 30th September 2007. The Bank of Valletta Group has registered a profit of Lm43.7 million (Eur101.80million) before taxation for the year under review, compared to Lm38.4 million (Eur89.40 million) in 2006, representing an increase of 13.9%. Return on equity for the year was of 26.4% when compared to 25.2% in 2006. Earnings per share amounted to Lm0.263 (Eur0.613), up from Lm0.233 (Eur0.543) in 2006. A gross interim dividend of Lm0.0675 (Eur0.1572) per share was paid on 30th May 2007. The directors propose a gross final dividend of Lm0.135 (Eur0.3145) per share. This results in a gross total dividend of Lm0.2025 (Eur0.4717) per share for the full year, compared to Lm0.165 (Eur0.3843) for 2006, an increase of 22.7%. The aggregate net dividend for the year is Lm14.6 million (Eur34.0 million) as against Lm11.9 million (Eur27.7 million) last year. Furthermore, on 15th January 2008, the Board is recommending a bonus issue of 1 share for every 4.92581 shares held. The bonus issue will be funded by a capitalisation of reserves amounting to Eur16.875 million (Lm7.245 million).
GlobalCapital p.l.c. was back in action. Trading in this equity was restricted to four deals as the share price closed unchanged at Lm1.80 (Eur4.19) across 7,500 shares. The shares carried a market value of Lm13,493 (Eur31,430.24).
On the telecommunications front Maltacom p.l.c. terminated at Lm1.40 (Eur3.26). The share price was stuck at Lm1.40 (Eur3.26) almost throughout the whole session across 11,000 shares changing hands. The lowest traded price of the day was Lm1.391 (Eur3.24). At market close best demand for 600 shares stood at Lm1.37 (Eur3.19), whereas the best offer for 1,000 shares stood at Lm1.40 (Eur3.26). The total turnover of the week amounted to 60,800 shares and exchanged across 22 deals carrying a market value of Lm85,102 (Eur198,234.33)
Elsewhere on the board Simonds Farsons Cisk p.l.c. traded sideways without affecting their previous session close at Lm1.10 (Eur2.56) across 2,391 shares.
In the fixed interest market, a total of Lm842,350 (Eur1,962,147.68) (19 Deals) were transacted in Government Bonds whilst a total of Lm2,204 (Eur5,133.94) (2 Deals) were transacted in Corporate Bonds.
The amount in EUR is quoted for information purposes only and is the result of a conversion using the Central Parity Rate of 1 EUR = Lm 0.429300 established by the Central Bank of Malta. |
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31 October 2007
ISSUE NO. 509
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