Daily Market Highlights (08.01.13)

  • The MSE Share Index dropped by 0.9% from yesterday’s 2-month high following declines in the share prices of HSBC Bank Malta plc and Island Hotels Group Holdings plc which offset the gains in MaltaPost plc, RS2 Software plc and Crimsonwing plc. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index edged 0.02% higher for the third consecutive session to a reach a new 26-month high of 1,005.426 points as Eurozone yields continued to ease towards the 1.50% level. The price of the 5.25% MGS 2031 gained 40 basis points to 106.18% today.
  • The share price of MaltaPost plc advanced by 5.9% during this morning’s trading session to €0.90 across 2 trades amounting to 42,200 shares. The postal operator will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Thursday 10 January. Shareholders will be asked to approve a number of resolutions including the final dividend payment of €0.04 per share. Shareholders were asked to either opt for a cash dividend or to take the dividend in new shares at a price of €0.70.
  • After reaching a new all-time high during yesterday’s session, the share price of RS2 edged a further 2.5% higher today to close at a new record level of €0.82. Volumes declined to 4,800 shares on lack of further offers in the market.
  • Crimsonwing plc gained 3.6% to €0.57 on higher volumes amounting to 39,650 shares. The equity of Crimsonwing had traded at a record level of €0.60 shortly after its December 2007 IPO.
  • After reaching a 7-week high of €2.45 yesterday, BOV’s share price failed to surpass this level with a further 35,257 shares changing hands today. The Bank’s equity will trade with the entitlement to the 1 for 9 bonus share issue until next Monday 14 January 2013.
  • GO plc maintained its 2012 high of €1.20 on weaker volumes of 4,000 shares.
  • HSBC Bank Malta plc slipped 3.1% to €2.703 on lack of support at the €2.75 level. HSBC will be publishing its 2012 full-year financials on 4 March.
  • The share price of Island Hotels Group Holdings plc lost 11.4% to a new all-time low of €0.70 also on weak volumes. Island Hotels is shortly expected to publish its results for the year ended 31 October 2012.