Daily Market Highlights (10.05.16)

  • The MSE Share Index extended yesterday’s decline by a further 0.28% to 4,536.571 points on low turnover of nearly €162,000. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index jumped 0.23% to 1,147.993 – its highest level in over two weeks – as euro zone yields trended lower amid disappointing German and French industrial production data. Indeed, the 10-year benchmark German Bund yield slumped from a high of 0.17% yesterday to a low of 0.11% today.
  • 6pm Holdings plc was the worst performing equity today with a loss of 5.0% from its all-time high of GBP1.00 to GBP0.95 across 62,984 shares. The Company will be holding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 21 June.
  • Among the large companies, HSBC Bank Malta plc and RS2 Software plc also finished in the red. HSBC retreated back to the €1.60 level (-0.9%) across 11,350 shares while RS2 closed minimally lower at the €3.79 level across 8,729 shares. RS2 shareholders as at close of trading on 19 May will be eligible to receive the recently recommended final net dividend of €0.0278 per share (payable on 30 June) subject to approval at the upcoming AGM to be held on 23 June. The Directors are also recommending a bonus share issue of 1 new share for every 18 shares held (cut-off date: 19 May) and a 5 for 3 share split (cut-off date: 30 June).
  • A single deal of just 410 shares pulled the equity of GO plc 1.4% lower from its eight-month high of €3.60 to €3.55 today. Last Friday, GO announced that the Group’s performance during the first quarter of 2016 continued to improve. Furthermore, the Directors noted that they received a number of binding offers from investors interested in acquiring the entire shareholding of the Company and will be selecting a preferred bidder by the end of this month.
  • MIDI plc traded for the first time in nearly two weeks. The equity shed 0.3% to the €0.389 level across 7,500 shares. The Company is due to hold its AGM on Thursday 12 May.
  • In the meantime, Bank of Valletta plc retained the €2.25 level across 10,414 shares. The equity turns ex-dividend as from tomorrow.
  • Within the same sector, FIMBank plc reached a fresh high in over two years as it climbed 0.6% to the USD0.78 level across 9,108 shares. The trade finance specialist will be holding its AGM this evening. Amongst other resolutions, shareholders will also be considering a 1 for 25 bonus share issue.
  • This morning, Malta Properties Company plc issued an announcement updating the market on its performance during the first quarter of 2016 and on the Company’s current developments. The Directors noted that, throughout the last few months, revenue streams have remained stable and in line with expectations. Furthermore, MPC is continuing to embark on its strategy at redeveloping a number of its properties.