Daily Market Highlights (14.04.15)

  • Despite the gains in three equities, the MSE Share Index still closed in negative territory for the first time in the last four sessions with a marginal drop to 3,766.453 points following declines in the share prices of HSBC and GO. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index eased 0.2% lower to 1,173.313 points despite continued downward pressure in the benchmark 10-year Eurozone yield which this morning touched a new all-time low of 0.134%.
  • Today, International Hotel Investments plc published a Prospectus dated 10 April 2015 in connection with a new €45 million 5.75% bond issue redeemable in 2025. Last Friday, IHI had announced that it will be redeeming its outstanding €35 million 6.25% bonds at the first early redemption date of 11 July 2015. As such, IHI will be granting preference to the holders of the maturing bonds as at 8 April 2015, to subscribe for the new bonds by surrendering their existing holding.
  • The share prices of the two IT companies, RS2 Software plc and 6pm Holdings plc, both advanced ahead of the publication of their 2014 financial statements in the coming days.
  • The equity of RS2 closed 0.3% higher at a new record of €3.00 on high activity totalling 70,300 shares. This afternoon the company announced that its Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 21 April to consider and approve the 2014 financial statements and also consider the recommendation of a final dividend.
  • Likewise, the Sterling denominated equity of 6pm Holdings climbed by 2.7% to reach a fresh 2015 high of GBP0.75 on a single trade of 2,500 shares. 6pm will be publishing its 2014 full-year results on Thursday 16 April.
  • The only other positive performing equity was MIDI plc with a 7.4% jump to a new 2015 high of €0.29 on a single deal of 4,000 shares ahead of the 2014 full-year results publication on 27 April.
  • HSBC Bank Malta plc eased 1% lower back to the €2.04 level on shallow volumes of 8,851 shares.
  • Similarly, shallow trading activity took place in GO plc’s equity with just 289 shares changing hands at the €2.869 level representing a minimal drop from the previous closing price. Today, the shareholders of GO received the 2014 Annual Report ahead of the upcoming Annual General Meeting scheduled to be held on 5 May.
  • Meanwhile, Bank of Valletta plc maintained the €2.299 level on volumes of 21,263 shares ahead of the interim results publication due by the end of the month.
  • Likewise, Middlesea Insurance plc held on to the €1.20 level on volumes of almost 6,100 shares.
  • Medserv plc shares also closed unchanged today with 1,300 shares trading at the €1.98 level.