Daily Market Highlights (05.10.15)

  • The MSE Share Index started the week on a negative note as it closed 0.5% lower at 4,329.014 points as three of the seven active equities traded lower. Lombard Bank Malta plc was the only positive performer today.  Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index advanced by 0.37% to a new 7-week high of 1,136.971 points as this morning the benchmark 10-year German Bund yield failed to recover from the sharp decline registered on Friday afternoon. This occurred after the employment data from the US was below forecasts and bond prices rallied. The German 10-year yield dropped to a low of 0.48% on Friday afternoon and partially recovered to 0.51% this morning.
  • Today marks the opening of the subscription period for the newly issued Malta Government Stocks. The prices of the new MGS are as follows: (i) 2.00% MGS 2020 (V) FI at 106.25% (YTM of 0.714% pa) and (ii) 2.30% MGS 2029 (II) FI at 102.50% (YTM of 2.09% pa). Subscriptions close this Wednesday 7 October 2015 or earlier in case of oversubscription.
  • Meanwhile, today marked the last day for Hili Ventures Group bondholders to submit their applications in relation to the recently announced €37 million unsecured bond issued by Hili Properties plc. Subscriptions from the General Public open on Wednesday 7 October 2015.
  • The main highlight of the day was the 7.4% loss in the share price of Mapfre Middlesea plc to €2.111 albeit on insignificant volumes of 1,038 shares.
  • Among the larger capitalised companies, HSBC Bank Malta plc shed 0.6% to the €1.80 level across 27,844 shares and GO plc eased 0.3% lower to the €3.45 level on low volumes of 6,230 shares as the equity rebounded from an intra-day low of €3.40.
  • On the other hand, Lombard Bank Malta plc rose by 0.5% to a new multi-year high of €2.16 across 7,521 shares.
  • Also in the banking industry, Bank of Valletta plc failed to hold on to its intra-day high of €2.40 for the third successive trading day and closed unchanged at the €2.39 level across 31,872 shares. Last week marked the end of BOV’s financial year. The Bank generally publishes its preliminary full-year results by the end of October. Recently, the Bank also announced that it lodged an application with the Listing Authority for a subordinated debt issuance programme of a maximum of €150 million over the next twelve months. Further details will be issued in the Prospectus and Final Terms once approval is granted.
  • Meanwhile, the two other equities which were traded today, International Hotel Investments plc and 6PM Holdings plc, also ended the day unchanged. IHI closed at the €0.80 level across 18,800 shares. Subject to obtaining the necessary approvals, the company will be distributing a bonus share issue of 3 new shares for every 100 shares held to those shareholders as at close of trading on 13 October. A single deal of just 70 shares also left the equity of 6PM Holdings plc unchanged at GBP0.70.