Daily Market Highlights (10.04.2017)

  • The MSE Share Index rebounded by 0.06% to 4,706.609 points as the gains in the share prices of three equities outweighed the drops in another three shares. Meanwhile, BOV and HSBC closed the day unchanged. Download a copy today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index slipped by 0.07% to 1,124.974 points. While the 10-year and 20-year benchmark German Bund yields moved lower, the corresponding yields of the two largest peripheral countries – i.e. Spain and Italy – gained ground today as heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the Korean peninsula spurred investors towards safe-haven assets. In France, the Presidential campaign officially started today and the latest polls suggest that the outcome in still far from certain. On the economic front, fresh data showed that Italian industrial production improved by less than expected in February. On the other hand, investor sentiment in the euro zone improved by more than expected in April to reach the highest level in almost 10 years.
  • The most actively traded equity today was Bank of Valletta plc as the equity ended this morning’s session unchanged at the €2.21 level after failing to hold on to €2.22 – the highest price level touched since November 2007. A total of 54,612 shares changed hands.
  • Also in the retail banking sector, six deals totalling 6,997 shares left the equity of HSBC Bank Malta plc flat at the €2.08 level. The Bank is due to hold its Annual General Meeting this Thursday 13 April.
  • Among the large companies by market capitalisation, RS2 Software plc recaptured the €1.64 level (+2.4%) across 17,000 shares.
  • Similarly, Malta International Airport plc advanced by 0.4% to recapture the €4.105 level on two deals totalling 2,920 shares.
  • MIDI plc bounced back by 3.2% to regain the €0.32 level albeit on trivial volumes. The Company is due to reveal its 2016 financial results on 20 April.
  • On the other hand, the equity of Malta Properties Company plc shed 4.2% to close this morning’s trading session at the €0.522 level amid shallow trading activity.
  • A single deal of 35,000 shares pulled the equity of International Hotel Investments plc 1.1% lower to the €0.642 level.
  • GO plc also trended in negative territory as it eased 0.1% back to the €3.495 level after only partially rebounding from an intra-day low of €3.42 (-2.3%). A total of 3,000 shares traded.