Daily Market Highlights (10.12.2015)

  • The MSE Share Index failed to hold on to its 7-year high reached yesterday as the local equity benchmark today slipped by 0.4% back to 4,496.450 points as various equities traded lower. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index eased 0.1% lower to 1,141.435 points as the benchmark 10-year German Bund yield attempted to regain the 0.6% level this morning. Nonetheless, by this afternoon, the benchmark yield slipped back to the 0.57% level on inflation concerns triggered by the renewed slump in the oil price.
  • Most notably, the share price of Malta Properties Company plc shed a further 10.7% back to the €0.50 level on high trading activity of 388,070 shares across thirty-eight deals.
  • International Hotel Investments plc eased by 1.7% to the €0.801 level albeit on low volumes of 6,521 shares.
  • Amongst the large cap equities, GO plc also eased marginally lower to end this morning’s session at the €2.90 level across 90,000 shares.
  • In the banking sector, the equity of HSBC Bank Malta plc retreated by 0.5% back to the €1.79 level on a single trade of 1,676 shares.
  • Similarly, the share price of FIMBank plc trended in negative territory for the second consecutive session with a further 0.1% drop to USD0.694 on a single trade of 1,400 shares.
  • On the other hand, the only equity in positive territory during this morning’s session was Lombard Bank Malta plc as its share price reached the €2.41 level for the first time since early June 2011. A total of 12,127 shares changed hands with lowest offers now pitched at the €2.45 level.
  • Meanwhile, Bank of Valletta plc maintained the €2.335 level across three trades totalling 7,140 shares. The Bank is scheduled to hold its Annual General Meeting on Thursday 17 December during which shareholders will be asked to approve a number of resolutions including those related to the dividend and bonus share issue as well as the election of six directors from the seven nominees.
  • Similarly, the equity of Medserv plc held on to the €2.12 level on volumes of 3,000 shares. Yesterday evening, the Company announced that it submitted an application to the Listing Authority for the approval of a Prospectus in connection with the issuance of unsecured bonds and ordinary shares (to be issued pursuant to a rights issue). Further detailed information on the dual issue shall be announced by the Company following the approval of the Listing Authority.
  • The only other active equity during this morning’s trading session was Simonds Farsons Cisk plc as the equity maintained its all-time high of €6.40 albeit on shallow volumes of 1,100 shares.