Daily Market Highlights (15.01.15)

  • The MSE Share Index edged 0.1% higher to 3,351.206 points the increases in the share prices of BOV and Tigne Mall offset the decline in RS2’s equity. Meanwhile a further five equities ended the session unchanged on shallow volumes. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index extended its uplift with a further 0.11% increase to yet another all-time high of 1,111.356 points as Eurozone yields tested new all-time lows of just above the 0.4% level. Both equity and bond markets were this morning shocked by the unexpected decision of the Swiss National Bank (the country’s national bank) to remove its currency ceiling against the euro, at the CHF/EUR1.20 level, whilst also reducing its interest rate by 50 basis points to -0.75%. The immediate reaction was for the Swiss Franc to strengthen by 30% and 25% against the euro and US Dollar respectively to record highs. Although the Swiss Franc has cut back on some of its gains, this morning’s events led to significant volatility in financial markets.
  • The equity of Bank of Valletta plc was today adjusted for the upcoming 1-for-11 bonus share issue. The bonus shares will be allocated to the entitled shareholders tomorrow and trading in these new shares is expected to commence on Monday 19 January. BOV’s share price closed in positive territory for the third consecutive session with a 0.5% increase to €2.10 compared to yesterday’s post-bonus adjusted price of €2.09. A total of 30,672 shares changed hands today across twelve deals.
  • The only other positive performing equity was Tigné Mall plc which touched a fresh all-time high of €0.62 before easing to a closing price of €0.616 which still represents a 2.7% increase over the previous closing price on volumes of 52,000 shares.
  • On the other hand, the share price of RS2 Software plc eased 0.3% lower to the €2.90 level on a single trade of 3,500 shares.
  • HSBC Bank Malta plc held on to the €1.956 level across two small deals totalling 1,623 shares.
  • Similarly, Lombard Bank Malta plc maintained the €1.80 level on volumes of 10,000 shares.
  • Marginal volumes were traded in Malta International Airport plc as only 1,370 shares changed hands at the equity’s all-time high of €2.40 representing no change from the previous closing price.
  • Likewise, the equity of Simonds Farsons Cisk plc also continued to trade at its respective all-time high with a single trade of 1,400 shares being executed at the €3.07 level.
  • The only other active equity was GO plc which ended this morning’s session unchanged at the €2.595 level after recovering from an intra-day low of €2.58 on low volumes of 2,000 shares.