Daily Market Highlights (02.03.2017)

  • The MSE Share Index dipped by a marginal 0.08% to 4,744.886 points today mainly reflecting the drops in the share prices of GO (-1.1%) and MIA (-0.7%) which slightly outweighed the gains in HSBC (+0.4%) and Malta Properties (+0.4%). Trading volumes improved from yesterday’s seven-day low of €0.26 to €0.33 million. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index slumped by 0.40% – the sharpest decline in over a month – to 1,127.202 points as euro zone sovereign yields extended their most recent rally on the back of further upbeat inflationary data as well as better-than-expected economic statistics within the single currency economy and following increasing expectations that the US Federal Reserve may even consider raising interest rates again this month rather than in June. In fact, the 10-year benchmark German Bund yield momentarily surpassed the 0.30% mark again today (for the first time in a week) from 0.25% yesterday.
  • The equity of GO plc finished the day 1.1% lower at the €3.53 level today after only partially recovering from an intra-day low of €3.50 (-2.0%) across a total of 8,630 shares. Shareholders as at 29 March 2017 will be eligible to receive a net dividend of €0.11 per share subject to shareholders’ approval during an Annual General Meeting scheduled to be held on 3 May 2017.
  • Similarly, Malta International Airport plc eased by 0.7% to the €4.22 level across 16,948 shares. Shareholders as at 6 April 2017 will be eligible to receive a final net dividend of €0.07 per share subject to shareholders’ approval during an Annual General Meeting scheduled to be held on 10 May 2017. Meanwhile, Ryanair yesterday launched its largest ever Malta winter schedule for 2017/18 consisting of new routes as well as more flights to existing destinations.
  • Also among the large companies by market capitalisation, Bank of Valletta plc closed marginally lower at the €2.199 level on volumes totalling 15,996 shares.
  • In the property segment, Tigne’ Mall plc slipped 0.1% to the €1.129 level across 17,700 shares.
  • In contrast, Malta Properties Company plc advanced 0.4% to recapture the €0.522 level albeit on a single deal of just 1,600 shares.
  • The other positive performing equity today was HSBC Bank Malta plc which gained 0.4% as it closed at the €2.075 level after temporarily touching a new three-year high of €2.08. A total of 46,409 shares traded today. Shareholders as at 10 March 2017 will be eligible to receive a final net dividend of €0.027 per share subject to shareholders’ approval during an Annual General Meeting scheduled to be held on 13 April 2017.
  • Meanwhile, Medserv plc maintained the €1.60 level across 50,000 shares. On Monday, the Company announced that it was awarded its largest contract ever. The new long-term contract is between Medserv’s wholly-owned subsidiary METS and Sumitomo Corporation Tubular Supply Oman and involves the supply chain management of Oil Country Tubular Goods to Petroleum Development Oman – a joint-venture between the Government of Oman and Shell. The oil and gas logistics specialist also announced that it was not successful in its first tender to offer its services in Trinidad but is however currently awaiting adjudication on a second tender and is actively pursuing other work in Trinidad as well as the surrounding region. Medserv is due to publish its 2016 financial results on 5 April 2017.