The MSE Equity Price Index increased by 0.1% to an almost 5-year high of 4,001.1 points, as the gains in AX Real Estate, Grand Harbour Marina, IHI, MaltaPost, VBL and the ordinary shares of RS2 outweighed the declines in APS and BMIT. Meanwhile, eight other equities closed unchanged as today’s trading activity on the main market amounted to €0.2 million.
AX Real Estate plc moved 0.9% higher to the €0.454 level on a single deal of 20,000 shares.
Also in the property sector, VBL plc climbed by 0.5% to the €0.189 level across three trades totalling 30,000 shares.
International Hotel Investments plc rose by 3.9% to the €0.43 level across four trades totalling 12,200 shares, although most activity took place at the previous closing price of €0.414.
Grand Harbour Marina plc gained 1.0% to the €1.00 level on muted activity.
MaltaPost plc closed the session 2.2% higher to the €0.46 level over three deals totalling 11,800 shares, but the weighted average price for the day stood at €0.446 (-0.9%).
The ordinary shares of RS2 plc surged by 3.3% to the €0.31 level over four deals amounting to 21,915 shares, but the weighted average price for the day stood at €0.291 (-2.9%).
On the other hand, APS Bank plc fell by 2.9% to the €0.50 level over seven trades amounting to 160,000 shares.
BMIT Technologies plc declined by 2.7% to the €0.29 level over three deals totalling 73,800 shares.
Meanwhile, Bank of Valletta plc closed unchanged at the €2.14 level across four trades totalling 2,186 shares. BOV will be publishing its 2025 annual results on Thursday 26 March.
Malta International Airport plc (5,763 shares) and GO plc (2,000 shares) held the €6.10 and €2.56 levels respectively. GO will be publishing its 2025 annual results on Wednesday 25 March.
Hili Properties plc traded flat at the €0.27 level over three deals totalling 52,000 shares.
Plaza Centres plc remained at the €0.88 level on one trade of 10,000 shares.
Lombard Bank Malta plc (5,000 shares), Malita Investments plc (5,000 shares), M&Z plc (6,160 shares) all remain unchanged at the €0.70, 0.38 and €0.58 levels respectively.
The RF MGS Index decreased by 0.46% to 896.0 points. Yesterday, the ECB left its deposit rate facility unchanged at 2.0% for the sixth consecutive meeting. The ECB reiterated that it remains committed to ensure that inflation stabilizes at the 2% medium-target rate. In this respect, the ECB noted that the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have made the economic outlook more uncertain, resulting in upside risks for inflation and downside risks for economic growth. The ECB also updated its inflation forecasts to 2.6% in 2026, 2.0% in 2027 and 2.1% in 2028. The forecasts were revised considerably higher from last December’s forecasts of 1.9% in 2026, 1.8% in 2027 and 2.0% in 2028. Meanwhile, GDP growth was revised lower in the near term to 0.9% in 2026, 1.3% in 2027 and 1.4% in 2028 compared to last December’s forecasts of 1.2%, 1.4% and 1.4% respectively.
Today, ECB governing council member Joachin Nagel commented that if the medium-term inflation projections increase further, a more restrictive monetary policy stance would be necessary. In view of the higher inflation expectations, the German 10-year bund yield increased to a multi-year high of 3%.
Elsewhere in the US, on Wednesday the Federal Reserve left the federal funds rate unchanged at the 3.50% – 3.75% range for the second consecutive meeting, in line with market expectations. The Fed noted that economic activity continued to expand at a solid pace, though inflation remains somewhat elevated. Similarly, the Fed also remarked that the implications of the war in the Middle East add uncertainty to the future outlook. The Fed now anticipates that PCE inflation will be 2.7% for 2026 and 2.2% in 2027, which was revised higher from December’s projections of 2.4% and 2.1%. Meanwhile, GDP growth forecasts were revised higher to 2.4% in 2026 and 2.3% in 2027, compared with previous expectations of 2.3% and 2.0% respectively.
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.
