Daily Market Highlights (05.05.2015)

  • The MSE Share Index edged 0.2% higher to 3,814.979 points, lifted by increases in BOV and Medserv. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index continued to decline, slipping a further 0.2% to 1,157.533 points, as European benchmark yields continued to trend higher closer to the 0.45% level. The price of the 3% MGS 2040 dropped a further 164 bps to 114.36%.
  • Medserv plc rallied by 8.4% to close at a fresh all-time high of €2.20 on activity of 16,390. The equity will trade with the entitlement to the net dividend of €0.056 per share until 26 May.
  • The share price of Bank of Valletta plc rose to an intra-day high of €2.351 before settling to a close of €2.34, representing a 0.4% increase over yesterday’s close on volumes of 46,050 shares. Last Thursday’s interim results publication surprisingly revealed a 5.6% improvement in the Bank’s core profitability to €42.9 million and a 15.9% increase in pre-tax profits to €58.8 million. Nonetheless, the Directors declared an unchanged interim gross dividend of €0.039 (net: €0.0254) per share to all shareholders as at the close of trading on 8 May.
  • The equity of HSBC Bank Malta plc was also very active this morning with over 77,000 shares changing hands. The share price however held on to the €1.93 level.
  • Similarly, two other equities closed unchanged. Malta International Airport plc closed at €3.49 across 2,850 shares and Middlesea Insurance plc ended the session at €1.22 on one trade of just over 500 shares.