“GPH Malta Finance plc Reports Record Financial and Operational Results for FY2025…”

GPH Malta Finance plc, a subsidiary of Global Ports Holding (GPH) – the world’s largest independent cruise port operator – has reported record-breaking financial and operational performance for the fiscal year ended 31 March 2025.

In its latest annual report, the company revealed that passenger movements across its consolidated and managed port network reached 17.6 million, representing a 32% year-on-year increase. Adjusted revenue rose by 38% to €237.8 million, while adjusted EBITDA grew by 40% to €149.7 million, reflecting a robust margin of nearly 63%.

Strong Performance in Malta and the Central Mediterranean

The Central Mediterranean and Northern Europe segment – including Valletta Cruise Port – was a key contributor to regional growth. Segmental adjusted revenue increased by 52% to €33.3 million, while EBITDA rose by 67% to €17.4 million.

A major milestone for Valletta Cruise Port was the completion of its shore power infrastructure, enabling cruise vessels to connect to the national grid while berthed. This development supports Malta’s sustainability goals by significantly reducing emissions in port.

Substantial Growth in Profitability

GPH reported a profit before tax of €52.9 million, an increase of 269% over the prior year. Net income reached €45.3 million, up from €10.3 million in FY2024.

The group continued to invest in strategic infrastructure projects, with net capital expenditure amounting to €140.5 million. Key investments were directed toward port developments in San Juan, Nassau, Saint Lucia, and Liverpool.

As of 31 March 2025, total gross debt stood at €1.04 billion, reflecting long-term financing secured for ongoing capital projects.

APS Bank Delivers Resilient Performance in H1 2025

APS Bank plc has announced a consolidated pre-tax profit of €9.1 million for the first half of 2025, compared to €10.1 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.

This performance reflects a solid recovery in net interest income and improved profitability during the second quarter, despite the impact of one-off expenses. These included increased contributions to the Depositor Compensation Scheme and advisory costs related to the Bank’s exploratory bid to acquire HSBC Bank Malta plc.

Key Financial Highlights

• Net operating income increased by 10.6% year-on-year, underpinned by a 7.3% rise in interest income to €60.1 million, supported by continued expansion in retail and commercial lending.
• Interest payable rose by 7% to €24.5 million, in line with growth in customer deposits.
• Operating expenses rose by 17% to €31.6 million, driven by higher regulatory, technology, and advisory-related costs. This led to a cost-to-income ratio of 77.4%, compared to 70% in the prior-year period.
• Net impairment losses declined substantially to €0.5 million, reflecting stronger credit quality, with non-performing loans improving to 1.4% of the total loan portfolio.
• Total Group assets grew by 3.9% since December 2024, reaching €4.3 billion. Customer deposits increased to €3.85 billion.
• Total equity stood at €308.8 million, slightly lower due to dividend distributions. The Capital Adequacy Ratio strengthened to 20.6%, with a CET1 ratio of 15%.

The Board of Directors declared an interim net cash dividend of €1.8 million (€0.00472 per share), payable on 19 September 2025, subject to regulatory approval.

HSBC Bank Malta plc Reports Solid Interim Results for H1 2025 and a dividend of 10c per share

HSBC Bank Malta plc has announced solid financial results for the first half of 2025, declaring a gross interim dividend of €0.10 per share — consistent with the dividend distributed during the same period in 2024.

The Group reported a profit before tax of €58.7 million, compared to €78.6 million in the first half of 2024. The decline was primarily driven by lower net interest income and a reduction in credit loss recoveries, reflecting the impact of a lower interest rate environment.

Total revenue decreased by €13.6 million (11%) year-on-year, largely due to the contraction in net interest income. However, the Bank achieved positive performance across several non-interest income streams, including insurance, trading, foreign exchange, and trade finance.

Operating expenses rose by €2.3 million to €58.4 million, reflecting continued investment in human capital, digital infrastructure, and regulatory compliance enhancements.

Retail deposit volumes grew by 2%, and the Bank recorded an increase in retail lending — the first such growth in four years. Despite a net decrease of €82.3 million in customer loans since year-end 2024, total customer deposits increased by €44.5 million to reach €6.2 billion.

HSBC Life Assurance (Malta) Ltd delivered a strong contribution, posting a profit of €6.5 million — up from €4.5 million in H1 2024 — supported by favourable movements in the yield curve.

Plaza Centres plc Announces Interim Dividend and Reports Strong Half-Year Results

Plaza Centres plc has declared an interim net dividend of €250,000 (€0.0098 per share), payable on 28 August 2025 to shareholders on the register as at 14 August 2025.

The announcement follows the publication of the Group’s unaudited results for the six months ended 30 June 2025. Revenue increased by 1.7% to €1.6 million, while EBITDA rose by 1.79% to €1.12 million. Profit after tax registered a 19.4% increase to €693,178, reflecting improved operational performance and strategic portfolio adjustments, including the disposal and acquisition of selected bond and equity investments.

Occupancy remained high at 96%, underscoring stable tenant demand. The Group expects a similar performance in the second half, while maintaining a cautious outlook amid global economic and geopolitical uncertainties.

Meanwhile, Plaza announced a €1 million bond buyback programme for its 3.9% unsecured bonds due in 2026, with a maximum offer price of €0.984 per bond. The offer remains open until 31 October 2025.

In a recent development, Luxembourg-based real estate investor Virgata Group acquired a 5.95% stake in Plaza Centres. Virgata is known for high-profile investments, including the Van Nellefabriek in Rotterdam.

Established in 1993, The Plaza Shopping Centre in Sliema comprises four levels of retail and leisure outlets and five floors of office space, offering a well-established commercial destination in Malta’s retail core.

MAPFRE Middlesea Reports Improved Financial Performance for H1 2025

MAPFRE Middlesea plc, a publicly listed insurer and part of the global MAPFRE Group, has reported solid financial results for the six-month period ending 30 June 2025, driven by strong performance across its principal lines of business.

According to its unaudited interim financial statements, MAPFRE Middlesea posted a profit before tax of €14.24 million for the first half of 2025, an increase from €12.18 million in the corresponding period last year. Profit attributable to shareholders rose to €6.97 million, compared to €6.03 million in H1 2024.

Premium Growth Across Business Segments

The Group reported a notable increase in written premiums. General business premiums grew by 10.8%, reaching €61.2 million. Meanwhile, long-term business premiums registered a more modest rise of 2.9%, increasing to €117.3 million from €114 million in the prior year.

Strengthened Balance Sheet

Total assets as at 30 June 2025 stood at €2.46 billion, up slightly from €2.45 billion as of 31 December 2024. Shareholders’ equity also improved, rising to €98.67 million from €96.35 million, equivalent to €1.07 per share.

In line with its established dividend policy, the company did not declare an interim dividend.

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