Daily Market Highlights (10.01.12)

  • MSE Share Index dropped another 0.3% today to 3,109.822 points as HSBC and BOV trade lower. Meanwhile the three other active equities, including MIA, closed the session unchanged. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index edged 0.1% higher to 986.729 points reflecting a marginal decline in Eurozone benchmark yields. The price of the 5.20% MGS 2031 advanced by 18 basis points to 102.73% on volumes of €294,000 (nominal).
  • BOV’s equity traded for the first time without the entitlement to the bonus shares. Initially BOV traded at €2.30, representing a marginal rise over yesterday’s ex-bonus adjusted closing price of €2.284 (equivalent to yesterday’s close of €2.57). However, the equity dropped back to €2.28 representing a marginal decline over the previous close. Today’s session was characterised by weak volumes following the very high activity in recent days ahead of the bonus issue. The additional shares will be allotted on 12 January bringing BOV’s total issued share capital to 270 million shares of €1 each.
  • HSBC shares also in negative territory today with a 0.8% drop back to the €2.58 level across two trades totalling 2,470 shares. Other bids outstanding at the closing price with lowest offers at the €2.60 level.
  • MIA held on to €1.70 as a further 8,890 shares traded at this level. Shortly after the close of today’s trading session, the low-cost airline Ryanair announced that as from May 2012, it will operate additional routes to Malta from London Stansted, Oslo, Turin, Bournemouth, Malmo, Kaunas and Wroclaw. Following the commencement of these new services, Ryanair will operate a total of 28 routes to Malta. Ryanair’s Chief Operating Officer Michael Cawley revealed that the low-cost carrier expects to attract a total of 1 million passengers to Malta within a year.
  • Grand Harbour Marina shares active for the first time since 4 October 2011 as a small deal of 150 shares was transacted at the €1.95 level. Last week Camper & Nicholsons issued a press release confirming that Grand Harbour Marina plc sold a 40 metre super-yacht berth. This is the third berth sale in recent months following the two 30-metre berths sold in March and September 2011. Further details available here.
  • The only other active equity, MaltaPost, also unchanged at the €1.00 level on low volumes of 798 shares. The postal operator is scheduled to hold its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 17 January during which shareholders will be asked to approve the final net dividend of €0.04 per share and the option to take the dividend in the form of new shares at the attribution price of €0.98 per share amongst other resolutions.