The MSE Equity Price Index moved 0.3% higher to 3,865.1 points as declines in Farsons, AX Real Estate, GO, APS and Quinco outweighed gains in Mapfre and HSBC. Meanwhile, four other equities closed unchanged as today’s total value traded amounted to €2.2 million.
Hili Properties plc was the most actively traded equity for the second consecutive session. The shares traded flat at the €0.27 level across 263 trades totalling 7,932,150 shares, having a market value of €2.1 million. The amount of shares traded over the past two days accounts for 5.8% of the total shares in issue of Hili Properties.
Simonds Farsons Cisk plc fell by 10.9% to the €4.90 level across five trades amounting to 4,097 shares.
AX Real Estate plc lost 5.2% to the €0.33 level over a single deal of 4,000 shares.
GO plc slid by 1.6% to the €2.48 level on a single trade of 650 shares.
Quinco Holdings plc shed 0.6% to the €2.04 level as 25,000 shares changed hands across four deals.
APS Bank plc declined by 0.8% to the €0.496 level as 15,600 shares changed hands.
Also in the banking sector, HSBC Bank Malta plc advanced by 2.8% to the €1.49 level across three deals totalling 1,312 shares.
Mapfre Middlesea plc gained 0.7% to the €1.35 level over a single trade of 1,500 shares.
FIMBank plc stayed at the USD0.17 level across four trades totalling 104,480 shares, although most shares changed hands at the USD0.153 level (-10%).
Bank of Valletta plc closed unchanged at the €2.04 level across nine trades amounting to 9,971 shares.
Similarly, Malta International Airport plc remained unchanged at the €5.85 level across two deals totalling 1,500 shares.
The RF MGS Index declined by 0.07% to 909.2 points. The minutes from the recent Federal Reserve monetary policy meeting published yesterday showed that policymakers had divergent views on policy rates, with many open to rate hikes if inflation remains elevated and others supportive of further cuts amid expectations of lower inflation. In the meeting, rates were held steady at 3.50%-3.75%. Elsewhere, WTI crude oil futures extended yesterday’s gains and rose to a six-month high of USD66 per barrel as tensions between the US and Iran remain elevated.
Today, IZI Finance plc confirmed that it submitted an application to the Malta Financial Services Authority for admission to listing of up to €30 million in unsecured bonds redeemable in 2036 at an interest rate of 5.5% per annum. Subject to regulatory approval, the bonds will be available for subscription to all categories of investors, including holders of the €30 million 4.25% IZI Finance plc unsecured bonds 2029, as well as the general public.
IZI Finance had explained in its earlier announcement last month that the bond issue is intended to support the next phase of IZI Group’s international expansion. The company stated that it has already identified a number of feasible and well-advanced international growth opportunities, and this issuance is designed to provide the financial latitude required to pursue them in a disciplined and sustainable manner.
This report contains only public information and is not to be construed as investment advice or an offer to buy or sell securities. Information contained herein is based on data obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but no representations or guarantees are made with regard to the accuracy of the data. Stock markets are volatile and subject to fluctuations which cannot be reasonably foreseen. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Rizzo, Farrugia & Co. (Stockbrokers) Limited is a company licensed to undertake investment services in Malta by the MFSA under the Investment Services Act, Cap. 370 of the Laws of Malta and a member of the Malta Stock Exchange.
