Daily Market Highlights (09.12.14)

  • Overall, during today’s session, the MSE Share Index moved 0.3% higher to 3,256.020 points, as HSBC and IHI closed higher, GO trended lower and BOV and RS2 Software closed unchanged. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index moved 0.2% higher to yet another all-time high of 1,098.574 points as Eurozone yields touched a new all-time low of 0.697%. Investors in Europe sought safe-haven assets in view of the largest drop in Germany’s imports during the last two years, exports of Europe’s largest economy are also faltering whilst EU finance ministers have asked France and Italy to trim their budgets further.
  • In contrast to the marginal increases in the share price of HSBC Bank Malta plc during the past two weeks, new sell orders forced the Bank’s equity down to €1.90 although a final trade at €1.93 ensured that the shares ended the session 0.8% higher. Volumes were high at 215,891 shares.
  • Similarly, the equity of International Hotel Investments plc marginally rebound to recapture the €0.53 level on just 1,789 shares.
  • Meanwhile, GO plc trended in negative territory today with a 0.2% drop to the €2.51 level across 6 deals totalling 19,000 shares. The quad-play operator’s shares touched an intra-day low of €2.48 earlier on today.
  • On the other hand, Bank of Valletta plc closed unchanged, as the Bank’s equity failed to hold on to the €2.22 level reached earlier on this morning. A total of 29,501 shares changed hands during today’s trading session, and the Bank closed at the €2.20 level. The Bank is scheduled to hold its Annual General Meeting on 17 December.
  • Likewise, a trade of 3,400 shares of RS2 Software plc left the software company’s equity unchanged at the €2.929 level– just €0.021 below its all-time high.
  • Earlier this afternoon, MaltaPost plc published its preliminary full-year results for the financial year ended 30 September 2014. Despite the decline in the traditional letter mail volumes, the postal operator has increased its revenues by 9.6% to €23.7 million as a result of increased parcel business. This translated in an increase in operating profits of 43.9% as its operating expenses increased at a slower rate than its revenues, reflecting better efficiencies. After accounting for a lower finance cost charge and a higher tax charge which commensurate the increase in taxable profits, the profit for the year of MaltaPost was 38.7% higher than the same period in 2013 at €1.8 million. The board are recommending a net dividend of €0.04 per ordinary share, payable in cash or in additional shares to shareholders on the register as at 17 December 2014 (which includes trades up to 15 December 2014).