Daily Market Highlights (08.05.13)

  • The MSE Share Index dropped by 0.44% to 3,338.214 points as the 6% drop in BOV’s equity and smaller declines in GO plc and FIMBank plc outweighed gains in MIA and HSBC. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index continue to trade in a volatile fashion this week with a drop of 0.46% to 1,018.818 points as eurozone yields edged higher reflecting the heavy demand for Portugal’s 10-year debt auction – the first government bond issue since the bailout 2 years ago. Eurozone bond prices also declined as a result of the unexpected rise in German industrial output data published this morning.
  • The share price of Malta International Airport plc rose by 1% closing at a new record high of €1.95 on renewed demand for the equity in response to the publication of the April 2013 traffic statistics on Monday afternoon which revealed an increase of 8.9% in passenger movements – a new record for the month of April. MIA’s share price has gained 8.3% year-to-date.
  • Bank of Valletta plc dropped 6% to a 2013 low of €2.10 with a total of 48,441 shares changing hands as all outstanding bids in the market at the €2.10 level were satisfied. BOV’s equity yesterday turned ex-dividend and the interim gross dividend of €0.06 per share (€0.039 per share after tax) will now be paid on 24 May.
  • On the other hand, HSBC Bank Malta plc’s share price advanced by 3.8% to €2.71 on increased volumes amounting to 30,383 shares.
  • GO plc’s equity eased 1.3% lower to €1.57 on low volumes. Yesterday the company held its Annual General Meeting and the final dividend of €0.10 net per share will be distributed to all shareholders next Friday 10 May.
  • RS2 Software plc held on to its all-time high of €1.02 with a further 10,333 shares changing hands.
  • MaltaPost plc continued to trade at €1.05 on increased volumes of 55,656 shares in anticipation of the publication of the interim results due shortly.