Daily Market Highlights (03.04.14)

  • The MSE Share Index was practically unchanged at 3,492.199 points as the declines in HSBC, GO and Malita were counterbalanced by the uplift in the share prices of BOV and MIA. Meanwhile, the only other active equity, Malita Investments, ended the session unchanged. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index continued to trend lower with a further 0.1% drop back to 1,026 points as Eurozone yields edged further higher to regain the 1.625% level as markets widely expected the European Central Bank (ECB) to take no action. As expected, the ECB announced that it is holding its benchmark interest rate at 0.25% despite the further drop in inflation as well as the prevailing record high unemployment.
  • The share price of MIA advanced to yet another new all-time high of €2.30 representing a minimal increase over yesterday’s closing price. Just over 2,000 shares changed hands today. The airport operator is shortly expected to publish the traffic results for the month of March.
  • BOV also performed positively with a 1.8% increase to regain the €2.26 level across eight deals totalling 15,460 shares.
  • Meanwhile, the share price of HSBC shed 0.9% to the €2.379 level on volumes of 9,165 shares.
  • GO closed lower as the equity traded for the first time since turning ex-dividend yesterday. In fact, the share price of GO shed by 3.4% (equivalent to €0.07 in line with the recently recommended final net dividend) back to the €1.97 level on low volumes of 2,280 shares.
  • The only other negative performing equity was Malita Investments with a 1.3% drop back to the €0.535 level across 5,000 shares.
  • Meanwhile, FIMBank held on to the USD0.84 level as a single trade of 5,000 shares was executed.