Daily Market Highlights (13.11.12)

  • The MSE Share Index slid 0.1% to 3,114.674 points as HSBC and MIA traded lower. Meanwhile, the other three active equities closed unchanged. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index edged higher for the fifth consecutive session with another 0.1% increase to 999.958 points as Eurozone yields dipped further lower to 1.32%. German Bunds remained in demand as the International Monetary fund is calling on eurozone members to take a cut on their loans to Greece in order to make the latter’s debt sustainable. However, Germany is opposing this proposal and considers it illegal. Moreover, Germany claims that the 2020 deadline for Greece to reduce its debt to GDP ratio to 120% is too ambitious. In fact, Eurozone finance ministers are requesting a two-year extension on this deadline.
  • HSBC’s equity slipped 0.4% today to €2.65 across seven trades totalling 8,000 shares. Shortly after the close of this morning’s trading session, the Bank published its Interim Directors’ Statement covering the period from 1 July to date. During this period, HSBC Malta Group reported an improved performance over the previous year’s comparable period mainly due to the favourable movements in the investment markets. The announcement also revealed a softening in demand for loans with only a slight increase in impairments. Meanwhile, institutional deposits increased and retail deposits remained broadly in line with the figures of the previous comparable period. The Directors also explained that the Bank continues to maintain strong liquidity and capital ratios which are above regulatory requirements and sufficient to meet the challenges ahead. Further details available here.
  • MIA’s share price retreated by 0.6% to €1.75 on volumes of 3,600 shares. The airport operator has yet to publish its Interim Directors’ Statement. Last week, the airport operator revealed a further 0.6% increase in passenger movements during the month of October to 348,711 passengers. Following the seventh monthly record in passenger traffic, MIA revised its 2012 passenger growth forecast upwards for the second time this year to 3% which will lead to the third consecutive annual record passenger numbers of over 3.6 million.
  • BOV recovered from an intra-day low of €2.45 to close unchanged at the €2.47 level on the penultimate day of trading with the entitlement to the final gross dividend of €0.13 per share. Fifteen trades totalling 32,936 shares were executed today.
  • Lombard’s equity held on to its multi-year low of €1.80 across 500 shares.
  • Likewise, GO shares ended the session unchanged at the €1.00 level on a single deal of 250 shares.
  • This afternoon, 6pm Holdings also published its Interim Directors’ Statement revealing 12 consecutive months of profits and the possibility of a dividend if the operational targets continue to be met. The announcement also explained that a number of solutions have been launched this year and the Group expects to continue evaluating new opportunities on the basis of four core business objectives: profitability, stability, growth and business model.