Daily Market Highlights (14.05.15)

  • The MSE Share Index eased marginally lower today as the declines in the share prices of HSBC, MIA and Malita offset the minimal gains in BOV, FIMBank and MIDI as well as the 3.5% jump in the share price of MaltaPost. Meanwhile, a further three equities including GO, IHI and RS2, ended the session unchanged. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index trended in negative territory for the fourth consecutive session with a further 0.1% drop to a new 9-week low of 1,142.310 points as benchmark 10-year German Bund yields surpassed the 0.7% level this morning as inflation expectations reached a 6-month high.
  • The share price of HSBC Bank Malta plc retreated for the third successive day on increasing volumes. The Bank’s equity shed a further 0.8% during this morning’s trading session to €1.845 across twenty one deals totalling 56,826 shares.
  • Malta International Airport plc shares also trended in negative territory today with a 0.3% drop back to the €3.45 level on a single trade of 1,020 shares.
  • Similarly, the share price of Malita Investments plc shed 1.1% to €0.87 on volumes of 10,000 shares.
  • On the other hand, the share prices of Bank of Valletta plc and FIMBank plc registered marginal gains to close this morning’s session at the €2.282 and the USD0.451 levels respectively.
  • MIDI plc also trended in positive territory today with a 1.8% uplift to regain its 2015 high of €0.29 on strong volumes of 108,400 shares.
  • The only other positive performing equity was MaltaPost plc as the share price advanced by 3.4% to a fresh all-time high of €1.50 on low volumes of 2,569 shares. Earlier this week, the postal operator published its interim results revealing a significant improvement in pre-tax profits to €2.5 million compared to €1.2 million in the six months ended 31 March 2014. Nonetheless, the Directors explained that most of this profit uplift was due to a one-off reversal of certain operational expenses which may not be repeated during the second half of the year. Therefore, this positive trend in profitability is expected to taper off in the coming months.
  • Meanwhile, RS2 Software plc maintained the €3.18 level on shallow volumes of 1,550 shares. The company is scheduled to hold its Annual General Meeting on 9 June.
  • International Hotel Investments plc and GO plc also closed this morning’s session unchanged at €0.68 and €2.98 respectively.