Daily Market Highlights (11.10.12)

  • Today, the MSE Share Index moved marginally higher to 3,137.290 points as the share price increases in BOV, Middlesea and Plaza offset the 10.7% drop in MIDI. Meanwhile Lombard and MIA traded unchanged. A total of €332,580 worth of shares changed hands during this morning’s session representing the highest daily volume in the last four weeks. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index gained 0.1% to 997.651 points as Eurozone yields tumbled back to the 1.45% level as demand for safe-haven bunds surged after S&P downgraded Spain’s credit rating. According to the international rating agency, Spain’s debt is now rated as BBB- (down two notches from BBB+) which is just one step above junk status. Furthermore, S&P maintained a negative outlook on Spain’s debt citing the significant risks to economic growth and budgetary performance and the lack of a clear direction in euro-zone policy. The rating agency also commented that the deepening economic recession is limiting the Spanish government’s policy options.
  • BOV’s share price edged 0.9% higher to regain the €2.20 level across fifteen trades totalling over 100,000 shares. The Bank has yet to announce the date when the preliminary September 2012 full-year results will be published.
  • On the other hand, MIDI’s share price shed 10.7% to drop back to its all-time low of €0.25 across three trades amounting to 401,000 shares.
  • Middlesea Insurance shares edged another 2.6% higher to regain the €0.78 level on low volumes of 1,682 shares.
  • A single deal of 100 Plaza Centres shares was transacted at the €0.59 level representing a 1.7% increase over the previous close.
  • Meanwhile, Lombard Bank‘s equity traded unchanged at the €1.88 level on shallow activity of 2,400 shares.
  • Likewise, MIA’s shares held on to the €1.73 level also on low volumes of 4,000 shares. Last week, the airport operator published the September traffic results showing a 6.6% increase in passenger numbers to 407,917 movements – a record for the month under review and the sixth consecutive month of record passenger movements.