The MSE Equity Price Index advanced by 0.23% to 3,982.3 points as the gains in RS2, Harvest, Lombard, and MIA outweighed the declines in PG and MPC. Meanwhile, seven other equities closed unchanged as today’s total trading activity amounted to €0.36 million.
Today, HSBC Bank Malta plc published a quarterly update providing information about its performance in Q1 2026 when compared to the same period in 2025. Total revenue decreased by 14% (or €8.1 million) reflecting the lower prevailing average interest rates in Q1 2026 when compared to Q1 2025 and lower net investment return from the insurance subsidiary due to significant market fluctuations. Nonetheless, the Directors highlighted that from an underlying business perspective, the insurance subsidiary reported higher gross written premium compared to Q1 2025. The Group also experienced strong sales growth across the retail and commercial businesses, as well as wealth management. The financial performance was positively impacted by a release of expected credit losses (ECL) of €4.6 million compared to a charge of €0.6 million in Q1 2025. HSBC noted that costs increased by 12% (or €3.7 million) driven by higher salaries and employee benefits, legal provisions, as well as accelerated amortisation of intangible assets in view of the change in their estimated useful lives. Overall, HSBC reported a profit before tax of €21.3 million, which is 24% lower than the €27.9 million figure reported in Q1 2025.
In line with previous guidance relating to the declaration of quarterly dividends, the Directors of HSBC Malta declared a gross interim dividend of €0.036 (net: €0.0234) per share, representing a payout ratio of 60%. The interim dividend will be paid on 30 June 2026 to shareholders as at close of trading on Friday 15 May 2026.
The ordinary shares of RS2 plc closed 4.9% higher at €0.30, albeit most of the 77,036 shares that traded exchanged hands at the €0.25 level (-12.6%). During the day, RS2 announced that it has entered into a five-year, multi-million-euro processing agreement with a major financial services partner in Latin America. The company highlighted that this demonstrates the Group’s ability to support complex, multi-country processing requirements across both acquiring and issuing services. The agreement will be delivered through the Group’s BankWORKS® platform and will extend the Company’s acquiring capabilities into eight additional markets: Ecuador, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, the Dominican Republic and Guatemala. The Company will also extend its issuing services across eight markets: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, the Dominican Republic and the Cayman Islands.
Harvest Technologies plc gained 6.4% to the €1.00 level across six deals amounting to 30,936 shares and the average price of the day stood at €1.10 (+17%).
Lombard Bank Malta plc rose by 5.4% to the €0.78 level as 36,000 shares changed hands across four trades, although the average price of the day stood close to the previous closing share price of €0.74.
Malta International Airport plc advanced by 0.8% to the €6.15 level across nine trades totalling 17,170 shares.
Bank of Valletta plc closed unchanged at the €2.09 level across six trades amounting to 62,058 shares.
GO plc closed unchanged at the €2.52 level although most of the 865 shares that traded exchanged hands at €2.48 (-1.5%).
International Hotel Investments plc closed unchanged at the €0.50 level as 11,288 shares changed hands across three trades.
APS Bank plc (11,000 shares), FIMBank plc (32,292 shares), Hili Properties plc (12,000 shares), and Malita Investments plc (37,000 shares) traded flat at the €0.54, USD0.135, €0.27 and 0.35 levels respectively.
PG plc declined by 0.6% to the €1.62 level as 6,300 shares changed hands.
Malta Properties Company plc fell by 7.4% to the €0.352 level over trivial volumes.
The RF MGS Index declined by 0.09% to 890.4 points. The ceasefire between the US and Iran remained fragile following renewed strikes in the Strait of Hormuz, pushing crude oil prices above USD104 per barrel. Ongoing high energy prices have heightened inflation concerns, increasing expectations of a potential ECB rate hike after policymakers left rates unchanged at last week’s meeting.
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.
