Daily Market Highlights (06.01.12)

  • Increases in the share prices of HSBC, BOV, IHI and MIDI lift the MSE Share Index 0.7% higher during this morning’s session to a new 5-week high of 3,120.920 points. On the other hand, MIA and Middlesea closed unchanged whilst GO slid 3.1% lower. The local equity benchmark closed off the first week in positive territory with a 0.8% weekly rise. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index edged marginally higher today to 986.043 points but still ended the week 0.3% lower. This week’s decline reflects the rise in yields from the 2011 close of 1.827% to the current 1.884%. Nonetheless, uncertainty over the Eurozone sovereign debt crisis and concerns over slowing economic growth still prevail. On the secondary market, the price of the 5.20% MGS 2031 (I) dropped 47 basis points to 102.55% on high activity of €2.2 million (nominal).
  • Yesterday afternoon the Treasury of Malta published its indicative 2012 calendar for new Malta Government Stock issues. The Treasury confirmed that during 2012, total issuance of Malta Government Stocks will amount to a maximum €700 million. The Treasury intends to spread the issuance programme across 4 issues with a concentration during the first quarter of the year. It was also announced that the first MGS offer is intended to be issued in early February while the second offer is expected for late March 2012. Further details available here.
  • Further demand for BOV shares helps the equity move higher for the four successive session. BOV’s share price advanced by another 0.8% today to a new 4-month high of €2.58 on increased volumes of 42,200 shares. Next Monday 9 January marks the cut-off date for the 1 for 8 bonus issue. BOV’s equity will trade ex-bonus as from Tuesday 10 January. Meanwhile, the MFSA yesterday imposed an administrative penalty of €175,174 on the Bank for regulatory breaches related to disclosure of information and suitability of financial instruments sold to the general public. Further details available here.
  • HSBC completely recovered from yesterday’s 1.5% drop as its share price edged 1.9% higher to €2.60 on low volumes of 1,910 shares. Further offers unsatisfied at the closing price with highest bids in the market at the €2.57 level. Equity ended the week 0.8% higher.
  • IHI’s share price inched minimally higher to close at the €0.845 level on volumes of just over 55,000 shares.
  • Two trades totalling 62,800 MIDI shares executed during this morning’s trading session at the €0.39 level, representing a 2.6% rise over the previous close. A further 2,300 shares remained unsatisfied at the closing price with no bids in sight.
  • Meanwhile GO slipped to a new all-time low of €0.90 before partially recovering to close at the €0.95 level representing a 3.1% drop from its previous close. Five trades totalling 11,300 shares transacted today with further offers outstanding at the last traded price and highest bids now placed at €0.852. Investors are now awaiting GO’s decision on whether they will be participating in the €30 million rights issue of Forthnet which is still subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming Extraordinary General Meeting scheduled for next Friday 13 January.
  • MIA closed the week 0.6% higher at €1.70 after revealing that during 2011 the company registered a record 3.5 million passenger movements representing a 6.5% increase over 2010 which was also a record year. Looking ahead, the new CEO Mr. Klaushofer explained that MIA is expecting a challenging year ahead, especially in so far as seat capacity is concerned. Nonetheless the CEO also indicated that 2012 will be an eventful year with the inauguration of the SkyParks Business Centre and the 20th anniversary celebrations of the Terminal building.
  • Yesterday’s press release issued by Camper & Nicholsons confirming that Grand Harbour Marina plc sold a 40 metre super-yacht berth for an undisclosed sum failed to generate any trades. Offers in the market at the last closing price of €1.95 but no bids in sight. This is the third berth sale in recent months following the two 30-metre berths sold in March and September 2011. Further details available here.