Daily Market Highlights (11.01.15)

  • The MSE Share Index eased 0.2% lower to 4,470.182 points as the declines in RS2 and HSBC slightly outweighed the gains in Tigne’ Mall, BOV and GO. Moreover, nine other equities closed unchanged with trading volumes increasing noticeably as just over €480,000 worth of shares changed hands. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index remained virtually unchanged at 1,136.957 points as the yield of the benchmark 10-year German Bund remained anchored at the 0.54% level. Fresh data this morning showed that economic sentiment in the euro zone deteriorated more than expected in January as the economic slowdown in China and its impact on the world economy unsettled investors.
  • The equity of RS2 Software plc failed to hold on to its intra-day all-time high of €3.27 and closed at the €3.20 level, representing a 1.5% decline from last Friday’s closing price. A total of 19,000 shares changed hands.
  • HSBC Bank Malta plc slipped back to the €1.75 level (-2.5%) across 45,460 shares. Last week, HSBC confirmed that, as part of its planned programme aimed at improving its productivity and cost effectiveness, it intends to accept 130 applications for early retirement from its staff members. The estimated cost of this one-off expenditure (to be provided for in the financial year ended 31 December 2015) is approximately €14.7 million. This will enable the Bank to reduce annual operating costs by approximately €4.4 million as from 2016.
  • Also in the banking sector, the equity of Bank of Valletta plc advanced by 1.2% to the €2.379 level across high volumes totalling 77,453 shares. Shareholders have until Wednesday 13 January to gain entitlement to the 1 for 12 bonus share issue.
  • The two other positive performers of the day were Tigne’ Mall plc and GO plc. The former gained 2.1% and closed at the €0.96 level across two deals totalling 25,000 shares. On the other hand, GO plc closed at the €3.07 level (+0.4%) albeit on shallow volumes.
  • Meanwhile, nine other active equities closed unchanged. In the property sector, MIDI plc, Malita Investments plc, Malta Properties plc and Plaza Centres plc closed at €0.35 (99,000 shares), €0.95 (10,000 shares), €0.55 (26,650 shares) and €1.00 (12,800 shares) respectively.
  • The equity of Malta International Airport plc rebounded from an intra-day low of €4.15 to close unchanged at its all-time high of €4.30 across 3,210 shares.
  • International Hotel Investments plc (€0.75 / 11,000 shares) and Simonds Farsons Cisk plc (€6.00 / 4,819 shares) also closed flat.
  • Similarly, the equities of Lombard Bank Malta plc and MaltaPost plc ended the day at the €2.45 and €1.94 levels respectively on insignificant volumes.