Movements in equity and bond indices
The MSE Equity Total Return Index gained further ground, as it reached 9,246.174 points, a 1.7% increase. A total of 21 equities were active, 12 of which registered gains while another four lost ground. Total activity tallied to €2.4m, as a result of 302 transactions.
The MSE Corporate Bonds Total Return Index lost 0.4%, to close at 1,155.283 points. Out of 66 active issues, 20 advanced, while 28 closed in the red. The 4.65% Smartcare Finance plc Secured € 2031 was the best performer, as it closed 2.3% higher at €100.73. Conversely, the 3.85% Hili Finance Company plc Unsecured € 2028 headed the list of fallers, as it closed 4% lower at €96.01.
The MSE MGS Total Return Index increased by 0.2% to 976.844 points. A total of 30 issues were active, as 26 gained and four declined. The 4.3% MGS 2038 was the best performer, as it closed 1.6% higher at €106.31. On the other hand, the 4% MGS 2038 lost 1%, ending the week at €102.
Top 10 market movements
Bank of Valletta plc advanced for the fourth consecutive week, this time by 1.9%, to close at a weekly high of €2.10. Trading activity was elevated, as 414,236 shares changed hands across 70 transactions. Total trading turnover reached €859,662.
HSBC Bank Malta plc’s shares shed 1.3%, to close at €1.47, following the publication of the year end financial statements which showed a drop in profit compared to 2024. More information about the bank’s financial results in the ‘Company Announcements’ section of this report. Trading activity comprised of 13 transactions, with 50,049 shares changing hands. Weekly turnover totalled €73,631.
APS Bank plc rebounded, as the equity gained 2.8%. The equity’s price fluctuated between a low of €0.466 and closed at a weekly high of €0.51. Market participation was solid, with 228,420 shares traded across 22 deals. This activity translated into a total consideration of €114,216.
Malta International Airport plc closed at a price level of €5.95, advancing by 1.7%. Trading was relatively strong, as investors prepared for the publication of the financial statements, with 120,680 shares exchanged across 32 transactions, generating a total value of €708,081.
AX Real Estate plc delivered a standout performance this week, surging by 51.5%, to close at €0.50, its highest peak in almost two years. A total of 13 deals were executed during the week, involving 56,683 shares, worth €20,818.
Simonds Farsons Cisk plc posted a strong weekly gain of 11.2%, closing at €5.45. Activity was minimal, as a sole trade of just 100 shares was executed.
Hili Properties plc closed unchanged at €0.27. Trading remained elevated, with 1,718,921 shares exchanged across 79 transactions, generating €464,110 in turnover.
International Hotel Investments plc edged 1.4% lower to close at €0.43. A total of 2,689 shares were traded over three deals, resulting in a turnover of €1,144.
FIMBank plc closed at a price level of $0.18. The equity jumped by 5.9%, as only three trades took place, worth $4,399.
In the communication services sector, GO plc headed north, as it increased by 1.6%, to close at €2.52. A total of eight trades generated a weekly turnover of €26,198 as 10,400 shares changed ownership.
Company announcements
The board of Malta International Airport plc approved the group’s financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025. The total revenue of the group amounted to €157m up from €142.9m in 2024. The aviation segment remained the main contributor to this result, accounting for 68% of total revenues.
The group reported a record net profit of €49.8m, marking a 7.6% increase compared to 2024. Further to the net interim dividend of €0.06 per share paid in 2025, the board is recommending the payment of a final net dividend of €0.13 per share on all shares settled as at close of business on April 20, which dividend shall be paid by no later than June 5. The AGM is set for May 20.
HSBC Bank Malta plc reported a profit after tax of €71.6m for the year ended December 31, 2025, down 28.5% from the previous year. Net interest income amounted to €175.4m, representing a decrease of 15% compared to the prior year, reflecting the lower interest rate environment. The bank recommended a final net dividend of €0.0546 per share. This, together with the interim dividend paid in September 2025, represent a 60% dividend payout ratio.
Loqus Holdings plc announced that revenue for the last six months of 2025 amounted to €7.8m, a 30% increase over the same period last year. This performance was supported by stronger trading conditions for the group’s clients during the first half of the financial year, including seasonal retail activity, as well as the successful onboarding of a new customer from September 2025. Profit for the period amounted to €0.8m, rising from a loss of €0.3m the previous year.
MIDI plc has entered into a promise of sale agreement, dated February 24, with 540 Hub Ltd for the sale of the T15 Building at Tigné Point, Sliema, for €5.5m. The property is held under a 99-year temporary emphyteusis originally granted by the government of Malta and remains subject to annual ground rent and related conditions.
The agreement is subject to customary conditions and remains valid until June 30. The net proceeds will be used towards the redemption of the company’s €50m bond due in July.
The board of BMIT Technologies plc is scheduled to meet on March 10 to consider and approve the company’s audited financial statements for the financial year ended December 31, 2025, and also to consider the declaration of a final dividend to be recommended to the company’s AGM.
The board of APS Bank plc is scheduled to meet on March 12, to consider and approve the group’s and the bank’s audited financial statements for the financial year ended December 31, 2025. They will also consider the declaration of a dividend to be recommended to the annual general meeting.
The board of FIMBank plc is scheduled to meet on March 26, to consider and approve the group’s and the bank’s audited accounts for the financial year ended December 31, 2025.
The forthcoming annual general meeting of AX Real Estate plc will be held on April 24.
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].
