Bank of Valletta has emerged as the dominant force on the Maltese stock market by far, accounting for almost half of all local equity trading last year.

Data shared with WhosWho.mt by Rizzo Farrugia shows that over €21.6 million worth of BOV shares changed hands in 2025, amounting to 44 per cent of all local equity trading activity.

This represented a 28 per cent increase from 2024 and meant the bank recorded its highest level of trading since 2018, when €22.9 million worth of shares changed hands.

This came as the bank resumed its policy of paying dividends to its shareholders – a major attraction for Maltese investors – while its stock price, which currently stands at around €1.90 a share, has risen steadily.

BOV’s fortunes contrast sharply with those of other local equities, and in fact it is the only equity that has witnessed an increase in trading since 2019.

While trading activity in BOV increased by 67 per cent, it declined significantly in other major companies. For example, it declined by 60 per cent in Malta International Airport, 68 per cent in GO, 92 per cent in RS2, 88 per cent in International Hotel Investments, 96 per cent in MIDI, 70 per cent in PG, and 8 per cent in HSBC Bank Malta.

In a recent column on BusinessNow.mt, stockbroker Edward Rizzo warned that there is a general state of disgruntlement among local equity investors and many have switched their focus and capital to international markets.

He said that while several local companies need an equity listing to pursue their growth ambitions or for succession planning purposes, policymakers and market participants have yet to agree on an action plan to encourage investment in local equities.