Daily Market Highlights (08.05.12)

  • Local equity market back into negative territory with a marginal decline back to 2,989.220 points as MIDI’s 2.9% drop offset GO’s 1.4% rise. Meanwhile the only two other active equities, namely HSBC and BOV, ended the session unchanged. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index eased minimally lower to 990.802 points as eurozone yields marginally recovered from their all-time low of 1.55% recorded yesterday. Nonetheless, European yields remained under pressure as the uncertainty created by the election results of France and Greece led investors to the ‘safe-haven’ assets of Germany.
  • BOV closed this morning’s session unchanged at the €2.12 level despite turning ex-dividend. A total of 34,631 shares exchanged today across eleven trades with best bids in the market at €2.115 whilst lowest offers pitched at the €2.15 level. The recently declared gross interim dividend of €0.06 per share will now be paid on 24 May. Further details on half-year results available here.
  • Likewise, HSBC’s share price unchanged today at the €2.58 level but on significantly lower volumes of just 200 shares. Other offers outstanding at the last traded price whilst best bids placed at the €2.55 level.
  • Meanwhile MIDI lost 2.9% to a new all-time low of €0.34 on a single deal of 200,000 shares. This was the first time a deal in MIDI shares was transacted following the 2011 full-year results publication on 30 April. The 2011 financial statements revealed a sharp increase in pre-tax profits to €3 million but the Directors failed to declare a maiden dividend.
  • The only other active equity was GO which edged 1.4% higher to regain the €0.73 level across four trades totalling 8,865 shares. Best bids in the market at €0.72 whilst lowest offers pitched at the €0.75 level.
  • A number of Annual General Meetings scheduled to be held this week, starting off with GO tomorrow whilst MIA and FIMBank will hold their respective meeting on Thursday 10 May.