Daily Market Highlights (11.08.2017)

  • The MSE Share Index moved back into positive territory today as the equities of BOV and HSBC changed direction once again and moved higher leading to a 0.49% increase in the local equity benchmark to 4,656.953 points. Santumas Shareholdings also trended in positive territory whilst another four equities, including MIA and RS2, drifted lower. Meanwhile, PG held on to its previous closing price. Over the week, the MSE Share Index moved 0.1% higher as the declines in BOV, HSBC, MIA, RS2 and six other equities were offset by weekly increases in another six equities including IHI (+3%) and FIMBank (+12.5%). Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index edged minimally higher to 1,128.609 points as the benchmark 10-year eurozone yield slid to a fresh 6-week low of 0.372% in view of the rising tensions between North Korea and the US.
  • Bank of Valletta plc’s share price edged 1% higher to regain the €2.061 level across 56,418 shares. Similarly, the equity of HSBC Bank Malta plc jumped 2.4% to recapture the €1.955 level albeit on shallow volumes of just over 5,000 shares.
  • The only other positive performing equity was Santumas Shareholdings plc as the equity moved 2.3% higher to reach yet another record high of €2.20 on volumes of 9,000 shares. This morning, the company announced that the financial results for the year ended 30 April 2017 will be published on Friday 18 August.
  • On the other hand, the share price of Malta International Airport plc slid 0.5% lower back to the €4.20 level on an insignificant deal of 304 shares. The equity will trade with the entitlement to the net interim dividend of €0.03 per share until 21 August.
  • Similarly, RS2 Software plc retreated minimally lower to €1.788 after rebounding from an intra-day low of €1.75 across a mere 2,246 shares.
  • Medserv plc shed 1.4% back to the €1.343 level across 22,000 shares. Medserv is scheduled to reveal its 2017 interim results on 23 August.
  • Lombard Bank Malta plc dropped 1.3% back to the €2.36 level on shallow volumes of 2,130 shares.
  • Meanwhile, PG plc held on to its all-time high of €1.40 across 14,000 shares. The morning PG published its financial statements for the financial year ended 30 April 2017 revealing a pre-tax profit of €10.8 million which is significantly higher than the corresponding figure in the previous financial year largely reflecting the Group’s investment in the PAMA Shopping Village. The Directors reiterated their plan to start distributing dividends from the current financial year ending 30 April 2018.