Daily Market Highlights (02.02.15)

  • Following the 2.7% increase in the MSE Share Index during the month of January, the equity market advanced by a further 0.3% today to close at a new 9-month high of 3,430.493 points. This morning’s increase came about as 7 of the active equities gained including the three largest equities by market capitalisation. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index edged a further 0.2% higher to yet another all-time high of 1,129.139 points as eurozone benchmark yields tested a new all-time low of 0.297% in view of comments made by a number of Board members of the European Central Bank. In these comments, the members clearly stated that the ECB is willing to extend the recently announced €60 billion a month asset purchase programme if inflation does not move close to the 2% level by the end of the programme in September 2016.
  • Bank of Valletta plc closed higher for the fifth time in the last six sessions on continued demand for the Bank’s equity. The share price edged 0.5% higher to regain the €2.10 level across 31 deals totalling 48,427 shares.
  • Similarly, the share price of HSBC Bank Malta plc advanced by 1.5% to recapture the €2.03 level on volumes of 11,455 shares. The Bank is scheduled to publish its 2014 full-year results on 23 February.
  • Amongst the large cap equities, International Hotel Investments plc also trended upwards with a 1.6% uplift to regain the €0.63 level across 26,000 shares.
  • A further three equities continued to reach new highs. Malita Investments plc moved 2.7% higher to yet another new record of €0.68 on volumes of 6,000 shares with further demand already placed at the €0.70 level. Likewise, Tigné Mall plc climbed by 2.3% to a fresh all-time high of €0.665 on a single trade of 5,000 shares. A new all-time high was also registered by MaltaPost plc as the equity edged 1.5% higher to reach the €1.33 level on low volumes of 5,634 shares.
  • The only other positive performing equity was Middlesea Insurance plc which failed to hold on to an intra-day high of €1.00 but still ended this morning’s session 0.4% higher at the €0.994 level on volumes of almost 30,000 shares.
  • On the other hand, the share price of FIMBank plc dropped by a further 9.1% to a new all-time low of USD0.50 on volumes of just over 10,000 shares.
  • Similarly, RS2 Software plc shares closed in negative territory today with a 0.3% dip in its share price back to the €2.97 level across 25,000 shares.
  • Meanwhile, the share price of GO plc was unchanged at the €2.60 level after a somewhat volatile session during which the equity recovered from an intra-day low of €2.58 to reach an intra-day high of €2.62. A total of 40,357 shares changed hands across 11 deals.
  • Similarly, Malta International Airport plc ended this morning’s session unchanged at its all-time high of €2.50 on low volumes of 1,500 shares. The airport operator is scheduled to publish its full-year results on 24 February.
  • No changes was registered in the share price of Lombard Bank Malta plc as a further 16,200 shares changed hands at the €1.92 level.