Heavy trading was witnessed in Maltacom shares during this week. A total of 102,822 shares changed hands over 40 deals, for a total value of Lm91,861.94. Weekly trading was conducted between Lm0.88 and Lm0.92, with the closing price yesterday settling at Lm0.90. After the close of business yesterday, 4513 shares at Lm0.88 and 2,000 shares at Lm0.90 were the best outstanding bids and offers respectively.
In a company announcement issued yesterday, Maltacom plc published the outcome of its annual general meeting, held that same day. All ordinary resolutions were approved by the shareholders. The Government of Malta, by virtue of its being the majority shareholder of the company, has appointed Mr Joseph F. X. Zahra as chairman of the company.
Trading in Bank of Valletta shares was conducted at Lm2.33 on Monday, down by 1c on yesterday's closing price. Two deals were struck during that session, while the remaining 11 deals of the week were all struck at Lm2.34 to bring the closing level yesterday unchanged from the previous week. Weekly turnover amounted to 7,434 shares. Following yesterday's session 500 shares at Lm2.32 were the best outstanding bids, while best offers of 1,348 shares at Lm2.34 remained unsatisfied.
HSBC shares saw four deals being struck during the week, with the price opening at Lm4.20 and going down to close at Lm4.18 yesterday. Turnover amounted to 3,123 shares. As yesterday's session drew to a close, best bids for 1,000 shares at Lm4.18 stood against best offers of 1,877 shares at Lm4.20.
Simonds Farsons Cisk closed this week's trading at Lm0.785, up by 2c on last week's closing figure, after opening the week at Lm0.77. Four deals were struck, over which 5,714 shares changed hands. At the close of business yesterday, 620 shares at Lm0.60 and 600 shares at Lm0.785 were the best unsatisfied bids and offers respectively.
In a company announcement issued on Thursday, Lombard Bank published the preliminary profit statement for the six months ended March 31, 2003. These showed an operating income of Lm1,937,000 (six months ended March 31, 2002: Lm1,787,000), profit for the period attributable to shareholders of Lm422,000 (six months ended March 31, 2002: Lm389,000) and earnings per share of 10c6 (six months ended March 31, 2002: 9c9).
Meanwhile, company announcements issued by Malta International Airport plc and Datatrak Holdings plc gave the dates scheduled for the board of directors to meet and approve the relevant financial results for the last reporting periods. The meeting dates are June 4, 2003 and May 22, 2003 respectively.
The other equities which traded during the week appear below, followed by the range in which trading took place: 7,746 International Hotels Investments between Lm0.96 and Lm0.98; 1,500 Lombard Bank shares at Lm3.69 and Lm3.725; 1,755 Malta International Airport shares at Lm0.70; 2,358 Middle Sea Insurance shares between at Lm2.40; 5,714 Simonds Farsons Cisk shares between Lm0.77 and Lm0.785; 200 FIMBank shares at USD1.17 and 2,000 Global Financial Services Group shares at Lm0.20.
Trading over the week in Corporate Bonds was made up of a total value of Lm206,801, while total Malta Government Stock turnover over the week amounted to a nominal value of Lm1,226,400 being traded in 55 deals over 18 different stocks. Of these a nominal value of Lm737,600 was traded in the seven per cent MGS 2003 (II), while a nominal value of Lm312,200 was traded in the 5.9 per cent MGS 2015 (II).
The Malta Stock Exchange Share Index decreased by 13.079 points or 0.679 per cent over the week and now stands at 1,913.675.