Daily Market Highlights (04.02.16)

  • Following the declines of the past two days, the MSE Share Index advanced by 0.05% to 4,467.514 points today on high trading volumes. In fact, the total value traded amounted to just over €0.8 million – the highest level since mid-December 2015. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index rebounded by 0.06% to 1,142.548 points despite a rise in the 10-year benchmark German Bund yield as it regained the 0.30% level today after touching an intra-day low of 0.27% yesterday. The latest data from the Eurozone, related to its services sector and retail sales, showed that the region’s economy is continuing to progress albeit at a slow pace. Nonetheless, inflationary outlook remains dismal, compelling the European Central Bank (ECB) to consider further stimulus measures at its next monetary policy meeting to be held on 10 March.
  • The most active equity during this morning’s session was RS2 Software plc as it accounted for 66% (equivalent to €0.54 million) of today’s total value traded. Most of today’s trades in RS2 were executed around the €3.28 level but its share price ended the session marginally higher at €3.29 (+0.2% compared to the previous closing price) after briefly touching an intra-day high of €3.32 on a deal of just 500 shares.
  • Malta International Airport plc also gained 1.8% to close at a new all-time high of €4.45 across 5,000 shares. On Tuesday, MIA confirmed that Flughafen Wien AG (the owner and operator of Vienna Airport) signed a share purchase agreement with SNC-Lavalin (Malta) Limited for the acquisition of the latter’s indirect stake in MIA. Upon closure of this transaction, the total aggregate holding of Flughafen Wien AG in MIA, directly and indirectly, will increase to 48.44%. The total value of the transaction amounts to approximately €63 million, equivalent to €3.00 per share of MIA, subject to working capital adjustments. MIA will be publishing its 2015 financial results on 24 February. The Board of Directors will also be considering the payment of a final dividend.
  • Similarly, Tigne’ Mall plc regained its all-time high of €0.97 (+1.0%) albeit on insignificant volumes of 485 shares.
  • A single deal of 10,000 shares pushed the equity of FIMBank plc 0.8% higher to the USD0.605 level.
  • MaltaPost plc was the worst performer as the equity retreated 3.6% lower back to the €1.85 level across 2,069 shares.
  • Five deals, totalling 25,000 shares, were executed in GO plc at the €3.15 level (-1.3%). The Company’s Board of Directors is scheduled to meet this Thursday to consider and approve the 2015 financial results as well as the payment of a final dividend.
  • Bank of Valletta plc virtually closed unchanged at the €2.239 level across 28,400 shares.
  • Also in the banking sector, HSBC Bank Malta plc closed unchanged at its 11-month low of €1.70 on volumes of 51,113 shares. The Bank will publish its 2015 full year results on 22 February. The Directors will also be considering the payment of a final dividend for approval at the upcoming Annual General Meeting scheduled to be held on 15 April.
  • Malta Properties Company plc (12,500 shares) recovered from an intra-day low of €0.56 to close the session unchanged at the €0.57 level.