Daily Market Highlights (05.12.2016)

  • The MSE Share Index climbed to its highest levels in the last eight trading sessions today as it advanced by 0.13% to 4,476.712 points amid a slowdown in volumes which dropped to a three-day low of €0.16 million. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index trended in negative territory for the third consecutive session as it declined by a further 0.05% to a one-week low of 1,142.024 points. Volatility in euro zone sovereign bond yields was, once again, high today with the 10-year benchmark German Bund fluctuating between a low of 0.252% and a high of 0.347% compared to 0.331% last Friday. Over the weekend, Italian voters rejected a number of constitutional reforms in a referendum, leading to the subsequent resignation of Prime Minister Matteo Renzi which initially led to a sharp drop in the benchmark 10-year Bund yield. However, the yields in Germany subsequently recovered supported by data which showed that business activity in the euro zone grew at its quickest pace this year in November and firms, which benefited from a weaker euro, raised prices at the fastest pace in the last five years. Markets’ attention now placed on the upcoming monetary policy meeting of the European Central Bank (ECB) scheduled to be held this Thursday.
  • Bank of Valletta plc edged 0.4% higher to recapture the €2.24 level across 25,680 shares. BOV is due to hold its Annual General Meeting on 16 December 2016 during which shareholders will be asked to approve a number of resolutions including the final gross dividend of €0.0852 per share as well as a 1 for 13 bonus share issue.
  • Also in the banking sector, FIMBank plc recovered from a fresh six-month low of USD0.801 before closing the session 1.2% higher at the USD0.84 level. A total of 20,217 shares traded.
  • The only other positive performing equity was RS2 Software plc which regained the €1.60 level (+0.1%) across 16,676 shares.
  • In contrast, Malta International Airport plc retreated by 0.2% to the €4.04 level on shallow volumes totalling 4,752 shares. The airport operator is expected to publish the November traffic results later on this week.
  • GO plc failed to completely recover from an intra-day low of €3.20 as its still ended this morning’s session 0.2% lower at the €3.215 level on volumes of 2,451 shares.
  • In the property segment, Malita Investments plc retreated by 0.9% to the €0.851 level across 8,760 shares.
  • MaltaPost plc eased by 0.3% to €1.875 on insignificant volumes. The postal operator will reveal its financial performance for the year ended 30 September 2016 tomorrow.
  • Meanwhile, HSBC Bank Malta plc maintained the €1.855 level across 13,014 shares.
  • Similarly, Santumas Shareholdings plc held on to its all-time high of €1.26 on light volumes.