Daily Market Highlights (07.03.2018)

  • The MSE Equity Price Index trended higher for the first time in four trading sessions as it rebounded by 0.18% to 4,475.375 points. Trading activity was spread across twelve equities – six posted gains, three trended lower, whilst another three shares closed the day unchanged. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • Following the declines in the previous two days, the RF MGS Index rebounded by 0.07% to 1,112.867 points. Volatility across international financial markets resumed today after Mr Gary Cohn announced his resignation as the top economic adviser to US President Donald Trump. The move was widely interpreted by analysts as a reflection of President Trump’s determination at imposing trade barriers in the US.
  • The most actively traded equity today was Bank of Valletta plc which retreated by 0.5% to the €1.815 level across 30,217 shares.
  • A single deal of just 5,000 shares pulled the equity of Medserv plc 3.3% lower to the €1.17 level.
  • Trident Estates plc also performed negatively today with a drop of 5.3% to €1.80 albeit on two deals totalling 2,070 shares.
  • GO plc retained the €3.58 level across 12,000 shares. Yesterday, GO published its preliminary statement of annual results for the financial year ended 31 December 2017. The quad-play telecoms operator registered a 6.4% increase in EBITDA to €65.6 million. The Directors are recommending the payment of a final net dividend of €0.13 per share which is 18.2% higher than the net dividend for FY2016. Shareholders as at the close of trading on Wednesday 11 April 2018 will be entitled to receive this dividend which is payable on Wednesday 16 May 2018 subject to shareholders’ approval at the upcoming Annual General Meeting scheduled to be held on Monday 14 May 2018.
  • Likewise, Malita Investments plc also ended flat at the €0.84 level across 5,890 shares. Yesterday, the company reported a net profit of nearly €13 million for 2017. The Directors are recommending the payment of a final net dividend of €0.01853 per share to all shareholders as at the close of trading on Monday 26 March 2018. The final dividend will be paid on Friday 4 May 2018 subject to shareholders’ approval at the upcoming Annual General Meeting scheduled to be held on Friday 27 April 2018.
  • Within the same segment, Plaza Centres plc held on to the €1.06 level on three deals totalling 22,230 shares.
  • In contrast, Malta Properties Company plc slipped by 2.1% to the €0.49 level on trivial volumes.
  • Very low trading activity also took place in the equity of RS2 Software plc which recaptured the €1.25 level (+1.6%) across 1,086 shares.
  • HSBC Bank Malta plc erased some of yesterday’s decline as the equity bounced back by 0.5% to the €1.91 level across 6,936 shares. Shareholders as at close of trading on Friday 9 March 2018 will be entitled to receive a total net dividend of €0.0806 per share.
  • Malta International Airport plc added 0.8% back to the €4.94 level on five deals totalling 3,084 shares.
  • Simonds Farsons Cisk plc (882 shares) and PG plc (27,900 shares) climbed 2.2% and 1.5% to the €7.10 and €1.35 levels respectively.
  • Tomorrow, Lombard Bank Malta plc and Mapfre Middlesea plc are expected to publish their 2017 annual financial statements.