Daily Market Highlights (12.02.2018)

  • The MSE Equity Price Index opened the week in negative territory as it lost 0.16% to a near three-week low of 4,456.013 points, reflecting the declines in the share prices of RS2 (-1.5%) and HSBC (-1.1%) which outweighed the gains in MIDI (+2.9%) and Trident (+3.2%). Meanwhile, six other shares closed the day unchanged. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • Following last Friday’s slump of 0.24%, the RF MGS Index lost a further 0.16% to a near one-week low of 1,109.453 points as euro zone yields rose amid lingering uncertainties across financial markets over heightened inflationary concerns across the globe.
  • RS2 Software plc retreated by 1.5% to the lowest level since late October 2016 of €1.31 across 25,360 shares.
  • A single deal of 5,062 shares forced the equity of HSBC Bank Malta plc 1.1% lower back to the €1.80 level.
  • Also in the banking sector, BOV, Lombard and FIMBank ended the unchanged. Bank of Valletta plc maintained the €1.82 level after recovering from an intra-day low of €1.80 (-1.1%). A total of 48,717 shares changed hands.
  • Lombard Bank Malta plc (2,039 shares) and FIMBank plc (10,000 shares) retained the €2.30 and USD0.62 levels respectively.
  • Mapfre Middlesea plc held on to the €1.85 level across 2,750 shares.
  • Likewise, PG plc and Simonds Farsons Cisk plc also traded unchanged at €1.40 and €7.45 respectively albeit on trivial volumes. Last week, PG announced the acquisition of the “United Macaroni Factory” for a total consideration of €3.5 million. The company intends to develop this property into commercial premises, principally consisting of office space for rent. Development applications are expected to be submitted to the Planning Authority in the near future.
  • Meanwhile, Trident Estates plc advanced by a further 3.2% to the €1.91 level across 6,540 shares.
  • MIDI plc also performed positively today with a gain of 2.9% to the €0.356 level on two deals totalling 26,000 shares.
  • Also the local corporate bond market, it is worth highlighting that the Malta Financial Services Authority removed the lengthy suspension in the trading of the bonds of 6pm Holdings plc following the publication of the 2017 interim financial statements last Friday. Trading in the bonds had been suspended since 2 May 2017 and resumed today when the price dropped by 950 basis points to 97% on volumes of €60,000 nominal.