Movements in equity and bond indices
The MSE Equity Total Return Index ended the week in negative territory, closing 0.2% lower at 8,893.104 points. A total of 22 equities were active, as six headed north while another nine closed in the opposite direction. The total weekly turnover stood at nearly €0.7m across 154 transactions, as Bank of Valletta plc (BOV) and Hili Properties plc dominated activity.
The MSE Corporate Bonds Total Return Index closed 0.4% higher at 1,157.183 points. A total of 66 issues were active, 27 of which traded higher while another 12 lost ground. The 3.5% GO plc Unsecured € 2031 was the best performer, as it closed 5.5% higher at €100. On the other hand, the 5.25% Mediterranean Investments Holding plc Unsecured € 2027 ended the week 3.2% lower at €97.01.
The MSE MGS Total Return Index posted a marginal 0.1% loss, as it closed at 967.227 points. Out of 21 active issues, nine advanced while another five closed in the red. The 2.4% MGS 2041 headed the list of gainers, as it closed at €81.74, equivalent to a positive 2.1% change. Conversely, the 3.25% MGS 2034 closed 1.7% lower at €98.27.
Top 10 market movements
In the banking sector, Bank of Valletta plc remained stable at €1.90. The equity was traded 32 times during the week with a total of 81,359 shares exchanging ownership, as turnover reached €155,482.
Similarly, HSBC Bank Malta plc closed flat at €1.43. Trading activity involved 22,932 shares being executed over 13 trades generating a weekly turnover of €32,521.
Meanwhile, APS Bank Malta plc saw its share price decline, as it fell by 0.9%. The equity closed at a weekly low of €0.466. A total of 14 deals, including 47,770 shares exchanged hands for a total turnover of €22,402.
Lombard Bank plc slid 3.2%, with its share price closing at a weekly low of €0.76. Trading activity included just a sole transaction of 400 shares worth €304.
In the real estate sector, Hili Properties plc ended the week in positive territory, as it edged 2.6% higher. Thirteen trades, involving 591,460 shares were executed.
Sector peer, Malta Properties Company plc also gained ground, as it ended the week 4.8% higher to close at a weekly high of €0.35. This was the result of five trades involving 89,880 shares which totalled a turnover of €30,614.
RS2 plc Preference shares led the list of losers, as the equity experienced a sharp 28% decline in its share price, closing at a low of €0.252. The drop followed three trades valued at €1,146, which collectively exerted downward pressure on the equity.
PG plc saw a 9.5% decline in its share price, closing at €1.53. This was the outcome of a sole transaction of 335 shares, generating a total turnover of €513.
Similarly, Maltapost plc joined the list of negative movers, recording a decline of 8.2% in its share price, closing at a weekly low of €0.45. A total of three transactions generated a total turnover of €7,496.
Quinco Holdings plc headed the list of gainers with a 6.6% increase, as its share price jumped from €0.91 to €0.97. The equity registered a turnover of €2,913 as 3,200 shares were exchanged over four trades.
Company Announcements
International Hotel Investments plc announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire a minority interest in a joint venture that will own the five-star Corinthia Hotel in Lisbon. Upon completion, the Group will hold a 28% stake, while Corinthia Hotels Limited will continue to manage the property. The transaction, which is expected to close in the first half of 2026, values the asset above its current book value.
APS Bank plc announced that it will host an online market briefing on February 3, during which management will outline the bank’s strategic priorities, risk outlook and key financial expectations for 2026, including an overview of the business plan covering the 2026–2028 period.
M&Z plc stated that it will extend its share buy-back programme, authorising the repurchase of up to a further 0.5m shares between January and March 2026, subject to price limits. Following earlier purchases, the company currently holds 750,000 shares in treasury, representing 1.7% of the issued share capital.
Hili Finance Company plc announced the basis of acceptance for its €60m 5% unsecured bonds redeemable in 2033. A total of 4,714 applications valued at €82.6m were submitted. Scaled allocations were applied across Premier bondholders, preferred applicants and the general public in line with the prospectus. Trading in the bonds will commence on January 27.
MedservRegis plc announced that the remaining balance of its 2015 EUR and USD bond issues that were not exchanged into the recent bond offer will be redeemed in early February 2026, in line with the original bond terms. Trading in the 2015 bonds has now ceased.
IZI Finance plc announced that it is assessing a potential return to the market with a second unsecured bond issuance, subject to regulatory approvals.
This article, 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 Stock Exchange and 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, tel: 2122 4410, or e-mail [email protected].
