Daily Market Highlights (11.05.16)

  • Following the declines of the past two days, the MSE Share Index rebounded by 0.28% to 4,549.216 points as the gains registered in four equities outweighed the declines in HSBC and MPC. Another five shares were active today, all of which closed unchanged. Trading activity improved to €247,000 but still remained below the average turnover level since the start of the year. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index lost some of yesterday’s gains as it retreated by 0.11% to 1,146.758 points. While the 10-year benchmark German Bund yield slipped from 0.14% yesterday to 0.11% today, the corresponding yields on the Italian and Spanish papers gained ground, largely reflecting the expectation of a new very long-dated issue of Spanish debt on the primary market.
  • FIMBank plc was the best performing equity today with a jump of 2.6% to the USD0.80 level – the highest level in nearly three years – across 70,000 shares. Yesterday, the trade finance specialist held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) during which shareholders approved a number of resolutions including a 1 for 25 bonus share issue. The positive sentiment this morning was probably as a result of the remarks by the top executives that the Bank continued to register positive results during the first four months of the year.
  • Among the large companies, GO plc and Malta International Airport plc also closed in positive territory today. GO regained its eight-month high of €3.60 (+1.4%) across 5,307 shares while MIA advanced 0.5% to the €4.36 level across 7,581 shares. GO held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) this morning, during which shareholders approved a number of resolutions including the payment of a final net dividend of €0.10 per share. This is going to be paid on Friday 13 May.
  • Two deals totalling 8,300 shares lifted the equity of Medserv plc 2.0% higher to the €1.795 level. The oil and gas logistics company is due to hold its AGM on 30 May.
  • On the other hand, Malta Properties Company plc retreated by 1.4% to the €0.552 level across 3,550 shares. Yesterday, MPC issued an announcement saying that, throughout the last few months, revenue streams have remained stable and in line with expectations. Furthermore, the Company is continuing to embark on its strategy of redeveloping a number of its properties.
  • HSBC Bank Malta plc failed to hold on to its intra-day high of €1.62 (+1.3%) as it closed 0.3% lower at the €1.595 level. A total of 7,088 shares changed hands today.
  • In contrast, Bank of Valletta plc (13,602 shares) recovered from an intra-day low of €2.235 to finish unchanged at the €2.25 level despite trading ex-dividend as from today. The net interim dividend of €0.0254 per share will be paid on 27 May.
  • International Hotel Investments plc (48,000 shares) and RS2 Software plc (12,493 shares) maintained the €0.62 and €3.79 levels respectively. 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).
  • MIDI plc touched an intra-day low of €0.36 before closing flat at the €0.389 level. Only 8,500 shares changed hands today ahead of the AGM taking place tomorrow.
  • Loqus Holdings plc traded for the first time in three weeks, with the equity maintaining the €0.131 level on trivial volumes.