MSE trading report for week ended August 1, 2025

The MSE Equity Total Return Index maintained its positive trend, as it reached 8,834.206 points – a 0.9% increment. A total of 18 equities were active, seven of which registered gains while another seven lost ground. Total activity declined by €0.3m week-on-week to settle at €0.6m, as a result of 139 transactions.

The MSE MGS Total Return Index rose 0.1% to 964.234 points. A total of 20 issues were active, with six gainers and 13 losers. The 3.4% MGS 2027 was the best performer, as it closed 1.3% higher at €104. On the other hand, the 3% MGS 2040 lost 0.7%, ending the week at €92.

The MSE Corporate Bonds Total Return Index fell 0.4% to 1,168.765 points. Out of 65 active issues, 25 advanced while exactly the same amount closed in the red. The 6.25% Camilleri Finance plc € Unsecured Bonds 2034 was the best performer, as it closed 1.9% higher at €104.99. Conversely, the 5.25% Bonnici Bros Properties plc Unsecured € 2033 S1 T1 headed the list of fallers, as it closed 3.9% lower at €98.

Top 10 market movements

Bank of Valletta plc extended its upward momentum as it closed at a weekly high of €1.90, a 1.6% gain, following the announcement of its strong half-yearly results. The bank was the week’s most liquid equity as 168,135 shares were exchanged in 51 deals worth a total of €315,529.

HSBC Bank Malta plc traded between a weekly low of €1.37 and closed at a high of €1.43, 4.4% up from the previous week, after 17,243 shares were traded in €24,181 worth of 14 deals.

APS Bank plc fell 0.9% following the publication of the half-yearly report for 2025. The equity closed at a weekly low of €0.525. The results slightly boosted trading as 11 deals were executed, involving 90,850 shares and translating to €48,166.

Mapfre Middlesea plc headed the list of winners, as it recorded a 5.8% gain after several weeks of losses. Following the announcement of the half-yearly results, the company registered a strong increase in its net profit after tax and closed at a price level of €1.27. Trading activity involved the exchange of 4,547 shares in five deals, generating a total trading value of €5,725.

Malta International Airport plc (MIA) witnessed a positive 0.8% movement in its share price, returning to the €6 mark. The equity traded at a weekly high of €6 and a low of €5.95, as a result of nine deals of 10,583 shares. MIA shares generated a total turnover of €63,007.

Harvest Technology plc’s share price tumbled to €0.74, its lowest closing price in over a year. The 15% drop occurred after just two deals, amounting to a total trading turnover of €9,284.

In the communications sector, GO plc experienced a drop of 0.7%, to close at a weekly low of €2.74. Seven deals were struck, involving 5,420 shares worth €14,927.

Simonds Farsons Cisk plc extended its positive streak for a third consecutive week, advancing by 0.8%, to close at €6.25. Trading activity comprised nine deals involving 5,839 shares, generating a turnover of €36,084.

Hili Properties plc slipped 1.6% to close at €0.24. Trading activity saw 141,950 shares change hands across four deals, amounting to a turnover of €34,068.

BMIT Technologies plc ultimately closed unchanged at €0.30 after minimal price movements. The equity recorded a total of nine deals, generating a turnover of €44,555.

Company announcements

Bank of Valletta plc reported a profit after tax for the group of €89.5m in the first six months of the year of 2025, compared to €97.6m in the first half of 2024. The board approved an interim net cash ordinary dividend of €36m (€0.0556 per share). The net interest income is down by €5m (-2.5%) to €189m for the first six months of 2025, compared to €194m of 2024. Following regulatory approval, BOV will operationalise a share buyback programme which is expected to start on August 18. On a separate note, the board of directors also announced its intention to establish a Euro Medium Term Note (EMTN) programme for a total value of up to €325 million. Under this programme, the bank plans to issue notes to the general public and will seek admission of these notes to the official list of the MSE.

APS Bank plc recorded a profit after tax for the group of €4.9m. The group reported an interest income of €60.1m for the first half in 2025, an increase of €4.1m from the half-yearly results of 2024.  The board is declaring the payment in cash of an interim net dividend of €1.8m (€0.00472 cents per ordinary share)

HSBC Bank Malta plc has also published its half-yearly report, posting a €38.3m profit after tax for the group, down by 25% when compared to €50.7m for the same period last year. Revenue decreased by €13.6m, or 11%, mainly driven by lower net interest income. The board approved an interim net cash ordinary dividend of €23.4m (€0.07 per share).

Plaza Centres plc registered a profit after tax of €0.7m, an increase of 20% when compared to the same period last year. This was the result of the disposal of certain bond investments and acquisition of new debt and equity securities. The directors have also resolved to declare an interim net dividend to shareholders of €250,000 equivalent to €0.0098 per share.

Mapfre Middlesea plc published a profit after tax of €6.97m for the first six months of 2025. Net insurance and investment results amounted to €16.7m, a slight increase when compared to €14.1m in the first half of 2024. After accounting for non-controlling interests of €88.5m, equity attributable to shareholders amounted to €98.7m, which translates into a NAV per share of €1.072.

On July 29, 2025, PG Finance Ltd, a subsidiary of PG plc, acquired a property known as ‘S&S Bathrooms’ showroom and surrounding land in Lija from Soap & Sponge Ltd for €19m. The property has been added to PG Group’s asset base and currently generates no profits, nor involves any key individuals, as it is not an operational business.

This article, compiled by Jesmond Mizzi Financial Advisors Ltd, 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 Ltd at 67, Level 3, South Street, Valletta, tel. 2122 4410, or e-mail info@jesmondmizzi.com.