MSE Equity Index turns red
Movements in equity and bond indices
The MSE Equity Total Return Index ended the week in negative territory, closing 1.4% lower at 9,550.103 points. A total of 24 equities were active, as four headed north while another 14 closed in the opposite direction. The total weekly turnover stood at nearly €1.1m across 183 transactions.
The MSE Corporate Bonds Total Return Index closed 0.3% higher at 1,160.751 points. A total of 77 issues were active, 30 of which traded higher while another 21 lost ground. The 4.8% Mediterranean Maritime Hub Finance plc Unsecured € 2026 was the best performer, as it closed 8.2% higher at €98.99. On the other hand, the 3.25% AX Group plc Unsecured 2026 Series I ended the week 2.4% lower at €97.57.
The MSE MGS Total Return Index posted a marginal 0.3% loss, as it closed at 960.348 points. Out of 32 active issues, 10 advanced while another 16 closed in the red. The 3.8% MGS 2036 headed the list of gainers, as it closed at €102, equivalent to a positive 2% change. Conversely, the 3.25% MGS 2034 closed 3.5% lower at €96.48.
Top 10 market movements
Bank of Valletta plc remained the most liquid equity of the week, as it generated €656,557 in turnover, as 326,566 shares were traded across 27 deals.
The banking equity closed marginally lower for the third consecutive week at €2.02, representing a decline of 1%.
Also in the banking sector, HSBC Bank Malta plc closed the week at €1.42, reflecting a 2.1% loss in value, with 53,703 shares traded across five transactions. The total trading value amounted to €76,258.
APS Bank plc was one of the few positive performers of the week, rebounding 2.7% to close at €0.565. Trading activity remained elevated, with 147,920 shares traded across 46 deals, generating €82,512 in turnover.
Lombard Bank Malta plc ended at €0.76, down 2%, as 8,600 shares were negotiated. The equity oscillated between a low of €0.725 and a high of €0.76.
Meanwhile, Malta International Airport plc edged 1.6% lower to €6.10. The equity remained relatively active, with 15,518 shares changing hands across 26 deals, generating €95,182 in turnover.
In the communications sector, GO plc edged 0.8% lower to close at a price level of €2.48. A total of 9,388 shares were exchanged across 14 deals, generating €23,130 in turnover, as the equity fluctuated between €2.44 and €2.48.
Malita Investments plc declined to €0.32, translating to a 14.4% decrease. The equity traded between €0.32 and €0.35, with 30,381 shares changing hands, totalling €9,778 in value.
MIDI plc witnessed limited trading activity during the week, with a sole deal of 15,000 shares generating €3,450 in turnover. The equity ended the week at €0.23, representing a loss of 11.5%.
PG plc retreated 4.2% to close the week at a low of €1.61. Trading volumes included 8,989 shares, exchanged across five deals, resulting in €14,552 in trading value.
Also on the downside, Quinco Holdings plc registered the steepest decline of the week, plunging 19.7% to €0.715. Despite the sharp drop, trading activity was relatively low, as 5,400 shares exchanged hands across nine transactions, worth €4,159.
Company announcements
Bank of Valletta plc issued €300m in Fixed Rate Reset Callable Senior Preferred Notes under its €650m EMTN Programme, marking the bank’s second international debt capital markets transaction. The Notes carry a coupon of 4.467% per annum, mature on May 28, 2032, and may be called by BOV on May 28, 2031, with net proceeds directed toward strengthening MREL requirements and expanding lending and investment activities.
The issuance attracted strong demand, with the order book peaking at €0.8bn (2.6x oversubscribed), drawing a diversified international investor base across asset managers, private banks and institutional accounts.
Malta International Airport plc held its 34th AGM, presenting 2025 highlights and 2026 projections. Chairperson Nikolaus Gretzmacher highlighted Malta’s traffic growth outpacing other Mediterranean destinations, while CEO Alan Borg outlined the ongoing investment programme, including the East Expansion and SkyParks 2. The company secured €100m in external financing to support infrastructure delivery. Shareholders approved the 2025 financials, a final net dividend of €0.19 per share, PwC’s reappointment as auditors, and a share buyback of up to 1,353,000 shares at a price range of €3-€7.38. On the operational side, Q1 2026 showed strong momentum, with passenger traffic up 15.4%, group revenue rising 11% to €32.5m, and net profit growing 9.9% to €9.3m. Capital expenditure for the quarter reached €11.3m, with the East Expansion and a new business hotel among the key ongoing projects.
Malita Investments plc has announced that, following financial support secured from local and international lenders, a comprehensive preparatory programme has been completed and works on its Cospicua and Qrendi housing projects are set to resume imminently. The resumption is expected to drive steady progress toward project completion and underpin the long-term stability and viability of the Company’s operations.
International Hotel Investments plc has announced that its AGM is scheduled for June 9, while LifeStar Insurance plc is scheduled to hold its AGM on June 25.
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].
