MGP turnover almost Lm0.5 million

Six deals struck in the Malta Government Privatisation Bonds over the week, in which a nominal value of Lm475,800 changed hands at Lm100. Of these, a nominal value of Lm176,300 changed hands in one put-through deal yesterday. The following corporate bonds traded during the week:

- Five deals struck in the 6.15 per cent Bank of Valletta 2010, in which a nominal value of Lm10,600 changed hands at Lm100.75 and Lm103.25.

- Three deals struck in the eight per cent Bank of Valletta 2010 (USD), in which a nominal value of USD 21,500 changed hands between USD 112.00 and USD 112.25.

- Three deals struck in the 6.75 per cent Corinthia Finance 2012, in which a nominal value of Lm5,000 changed hands at Lm102.

- Five deals struck in the 6.7 per cent Eden Finance 2010, in which a nominal value of Lm11,800 changed hands between Lm99.25 and Lm99.35.

- One deal struck in the 6.5 per cent Gasan Finance 2006/9, in which a nominal value of Lm1,000 changed hands at Lm103.

- Five deals struck in the 7.25 per cent HSBC 2005, in which a nominal value of Lm5,600 changed hands at Lm105.

- Two deals struck in the 6.7 per cent Mizzi Organisation Finance 2009/12, in which a nominal value of Lm3,500 changed hands at Lm103.50.

- One deal struck in the 6.6 per cent Simonds Farsons Cisk 2010/12, in which a nominal value of Lm500 changed hands at Lm104.

- Two deals struck in the 6.7 per cent Tumas Investments Secured Notes 2006, in which a nominal value of Lm3,200 changed hands at Lm103.20.

- Three deals struck in the 6.7 per cent Tumas Investments 2010/12, in which a nominal value of Lm6,000 changed hands between Lm102.50 and Lm103.

- One deal struck in the 6.75 per cent United Finance 2008, in which a nominal value of Lm16,500 changed hands at Lm103.

- One deal struck in the seven per cent Big Bon Finance 2010/12, in which a nominal value of Lm5,000 changed hands at Lm103.52.

- Three deals struck in the eight per cent Bay Street 2012, in which a nominal value of Lm10,400 changed hands between Lm96.95 and Lm96.99.

- One deal struck in the 7.5 per cent San Antonio 2012, in which a nominal value of Lm2,900 changed hands at Lm97.

Twelve deals were struck in Bank of Valletta shares on Monday. Trading opened at Lm2.75 and went down to close at Lm2.71, down by 14c from the previous close, while turnover amounted to 5,650 shares.

Tuesday's session saw trading being conducted exclusively at Lm2.362, the bottom price of the range of the day, down by 34c8 from Monday's closing price. 2,600 shares changed hands over six deals.

The following trading session proved to be somewhat calmer, as 768 shares changed hands over four deals between the opening price of Lm2.369 and Lm2.37, the closing price.

Thursday saw three deals being struck, over which 3,200 shares changed hands. Trading opened at Lm2.36 and went up to close at Lm2.37, unchanged from the previous closing price.

On Friday trading opened at Lm2.35 and went up to close at Lm2.40, up by 3c on the previous reading. Thirteen deals were struck over which 10,675 shares changed hands. At the close of business yesterday, 3,163 shares at Lm2.40 were the best outstanding bids, while best offers of 2,400 shares at Lm2.47 remained unsatisfied.

Notice was given by the Malta Stock Exchange that with effect from yesterday, an additional 9,236,223 Bank of Valletta plc ordinary shares of a nominal value of Lm0.25 were admitted to the official list with effect from January 9.

Maltacom shares saw seven deals being struck on Monday, over which 8,500 shares changed hands between Lm0.985 and Lm0.99. Trading opened at Lm0.985 and closed at Lm0.989, up by 0c4 on the previous close.

On Tuesday trading commenced at Lm0.98 and went down to close at Lm0.97, with 2,915 shares changing hands over four deals.

A gain of 3c was registered on the closing price following Wednesday's trading session, as trading opened at Lm0.979 and ranged between Lm0.97 and the closing price of Lm1.00. Turnover amounted to 29,360 shares being spread over 16 deals.

Thursday saw the price slip back 1c to Lm0.99 after six deals for 16,495 shares were struck between Lm0.999 and Lm0.99. This drop was reversed yesterday when eight deals for 26,734 shares were struck between Lm0.99 and Lm1. Following yesterday's trading session, best bids for 8,391 shares at Lm1 stood against best offers of 3,000 shares at Lm1.02.

In a company announcement issued yesterday, Maltacom plc said that the Malta Communications Authority will start fining it Lm1,000 a day from January 14 for denying Vodafone Malta Limited the use of a leased line.

Maltacom had, in October 2002, filed judicial action against Vodafone to recover Lm483,000 due to it by Vodafone for signalling services, at rates approved by the Regulator, continuously provided by Maltacom to Vodafone since January 2000.

Maltacom has not provided certain additional services to Vodafone due to their refusal to pay this amount. Maltacom has instituted judicial proceedings against the competent authorities contesting the imposition of the fine and impugning the applicable regulations.

HSBC shares first traded on Tuesday this week, when two deals for 1,500 shares were struck at Lm3.80 and Lm3.85, the opening and closing prices respectively. This amounted to an increase of 2c on the previous closing price.

Another two deals were struck on Wednesday, both at Lm3.85, with 800 shares changing hands.

Thursday's session saw the equity open at Lm3.85 and drop by 14c9 to close at Lm3.701, with turnover consisting of 2,400 shares spread over six deals.

On Friday three deals totalling 290 shares were struck at Lm3.75, up by 4c9 on the previous close, to end the week with a net decrease of 8c from the previous Friday's close. 2,710 shares at Lm3.75 and 1,000 shares at Lm3.80 were the best outstanding positions at the end of yesterday's session.

HSBC Bank Malta issued company announcements this week to notify the injection of Lm2,500,000 cash in HSBC Life Assurance (Malta) Limited as capital, and the appointment of a new director.

Meanwhile, Malta International Airport shares saw trading being struck at Lm0.73 throughout the week. This consisted of six deals for 9,000 shares being struck on Wednesday, and one deal for 3,000 shares on Thursday. As of yesterday, 5,376 shares at Lm0.73 were the best unsatisfied bids while 5,000 shares at Lm0.735 were the best outstanding offers.

An additional 56,738 Lombard Bank Malta plc ordinary shares were admitted to the Malta Stock Exchange official list with effect from yesterday, after some shareholders of the bank decided to take the option of receiving their dividend in shares.

In a company announcement issued yesterday, Middlesea Insurance plc stated that due to the company's recently becoming the subject of certain press reports it wishes to confirm that at no time did the company contemplate shedding off any of its employees. To the contrary, Middlesea has recently engaged new professional technical executives to its complement.

First International Merchant Bank plc announced that it was granted a category 2 investment services licence by the Malta Financial Services Authority on January 6.

The other equities to trade during the week appear below, followed by the range in which trading was struck: 15,000 International Hotels Investments shares between Lm0.89 and Lm0.90; 250 Lombard Bank shares at Lm3.60; 61,863 Middlesea Insurance between Lm1.90 and Lm2.05; 10,000 Plaza Centres shares at Lm0.70; 7,502 Simonds Farsons Cisk shares at Lm0.675.

Total Malta Government Stock turnover over the week amounted to a nominal value of Lm251,600 being struck in 34 deals over 16 different stocks.

The Malta Stock Exchange Share Index increased by 1.868 points over the week, equal to 0.1 per cent, and now stands at 1,876.632.