Daily Market Highlights (07.04.15)

  • The losses sustained in the two largest equities by market capitalisation forced the MSE Share Index down 0.9% to 3,773.569 points despite gains in five other equities including Malta International Airport plc, RS2 Software plc and Medserv plc. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index was practically unchanged at 1,170.866 points as benchmark 10-year Eurozone yields were flat around the 0.185% level. Last week, yields touched fresh all-time lows of 0.152%.
  • The share price of Bank of Valletta plc tumbled 3.8% during this morning’s trading session to a new 3-week low of €2.30 across 29 deals totalling 119,344 shares. The Bank’s share price fell following last Thursday’s announcement revealing that legal proceedings have been instituted against it before an Italian Court whereby BOV is being requested to pay a sum of up to €363 million. The Bank has received a legal opinion clearly stating that there is no basis at law for the claim being made before the Italian Court and that the Bank should reject the claim against it as completely unfounded. BOV confirmed that further announcements will be made in the event of any significant developments in this respect.
  • The equity of HSBC Bank Malta plc also closed in negative territory although its share price only eased 0.5% lower back to the €2.09 level on volumes of 40,338 shares.
  • Malta International Airport plc advanced by 1.5% to regain its all-time high of €3.50 across nine trades totalling 36,950 shares. The equity of MIA will continue to trade with the entitlement to the final gross dividend of €0.1231 per share until 16 April.
  • Four other equities reached new record levels. Medserv plc edged 0.6% higher to €1.911 on a single deal of 5,000 shares. The equity will trade with the entitlement to the net dividend of €0.056 per share until 26 May.
  • Likewise, Malita Investments plc climbed by 3.2% to a new all-time high of €0.97 on high volumes amounting to 127,000 shares.
  • MaltaPost plc shares also touched a fresh all-time high of €1.425 before easing back to the €1.421 level which still represents a minimal increase over the previous closing price. A total of 12,000 shares changed hands across four deals.
  • The only other positive performing equity was RS2 Software plc as it edged up 0.7% to a fresh all-time high of €2.99 across five deals totalling 23,000 shares. The company has yet to announce the date of the Board meeting for the publication of the 2014 full-year results.
  • Meanwhile, Plaza Centres plc‘s equity held on to the €0.95 level on a single deal of 9,500 shares.