Daily Market Highlights (02.02.12)

  • Following four consecutive sessions of declines, the MSE Share Index edged 0.3% higher during this morning’s trading session on the Borza following the increases in the share prices of HSBC, BOV and Farsons. Meanwhile Lombard Bank shares closed in negative territory. The other three active equities, including MIA and Plaza, closed unchanged. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index moved higher for the sixth consecutive day with another marginal increase to a new 2012 high of 990.234 points reflecting the slight decline in the benchmark Eurozone yields. High volumes were again evident in the bond segment as local investors remain focused on the current Malta Government Stock issues. Subscriptions for the three new MGS close tomorrow afternoon. A total of €300 million is on offer across the following stocks: (i) 4.25% MGS 2017 (III) (Fungibility Issue) at 103.75%; (ii) 4.3% MGS 2022 (II) at 100% (par) and (iii) 5.2% MGS 2031 (I) (Fungibility Issue) at 101.75%. Further details and copies of the application forms are available here.
  • HSBC ended today’s session 0.8% higher at the €2.56 level after recovering from an intra-day low of €2.532. A total of 12,166 shares changed hands with best bids in the market at €2.55 and lowest offers at the €2.57 level. Shortly after the close of today’s trading session, the Bank announced that its Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on Friday 24 February to consider and approve the Group’s financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2011. The Directors will also consider the declaration of a final dividend. The Bank also announced that it will be holding its Annual General Meeting on 18 April.
  • Similarly, BOV’s equity moved 0.5% higher to close at the €2.21 level thereby recovering some of yesterday’s 2.2% drop. Other bids unsatisfied at the closing price with lowest offers at the €2.24 level. Last Friday, BOV published its Interim Directors’ Statement covering the first quarter of its 2011/12 financial year. BOV reported that it registered a net profit similar to that in the previous comparable period.
  • The other positive performing equity of the day was Simonds Farsons Cisk with a 1.7% increase to the €1.83 level on volumes of 1,162 shares. Last Tuesday marked the end of the Farsons Group’s 2011/12 financial year. The Farsons Group generally publishes its full-year financial results in late April.
  • Meanwhile Lombard Bank’s share price failed to hold on to yesterday’s 0.8% rise as it fell back to the €2.55 level on a single deal of 5,000 shares. Few other bids outstanding at the last traded price with lowest offers at the €2.57 level.
  • MIA maintained the €1.74 level after recovering from an intra-day low of €1.70 across seven trades totalling just over 18,000 shares. Last week, the airport operator announced its forecast for 2012. MIA is expecting a 2.8% drop in passenger movements during 2012 to 3.4 million on the back of the expected decline in demand for travel and the reduction in cruise liner calls. These will offset the new routes to be introduced by Air France and Ryanair. Nonetheless, the Company’s 2012 forecast is still 3% higher than the previous record registered in 2010.
  • Island Hotels and Plaza shares end today’s session unchanged. Plaza’s equity (active for the first time in 2012) held on to the €1.80 level on volumes of 1,000 shares. Only 120 Island Hotels shares changed hands today at the €0.85 level ahead of the Group’s full-year financial results publication scheduled for 23 February.