Daily Market Highlights (15.03.16)

  • The MSE Share Index registered its third consecutive negative performance as it declined by a further 0.09% to 4,543.519 points with aggregate values traded remaining close to the €0.4 million level. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index advanced by 0.1% to 1,148.611 points – the highest level since early December 2015 – despite the increases across eurozone bond yields possibly reflecting the latest reading on the region’s industrial production which reached a 7-year high. Indeed, the 10-year benchmark German Bund yield advanced from 0.24% of yesterday to 0.28% today. Similar movements were also registered in the corresponding yields of the two largest peripheral countries: Italy and Spain.
  • Trading in the recently issued 2.5% MGS 2036 (I) commenced today with its price opening at 103.30% (representing a 180 basis point increase from the issue price of 101.50%) before easing to close at the 103.27% in line with today’s bid price of the Central Bank of Malta Stockbroker for this particular stock. A total of €433,800 (nominal) of the 2.5% MGS 2036 (I) changed hands today.
  • RS2 Software plc continued to reverse recent gains with a further 2.3% drop during this morning’s session to the €3.949 level across a total of 8,490 shares.
  • Similarly, Tigne’ Mall plc released some of last Tuesday’s 16.2% jump as the equity retreated by 8.7% today from its all-time high of €1.15 back to the €1.05 level across 64,516 shares.
  • A single deal of just 1,317 shares pulled the equity of Lombard Bank Malta plc 0.7% lower to the €2.165 level representing a fresh 5-month low. The cut-off date for the receipt of Lombard’s final gross dividend of €0.04 per share is 23 March. This will be paid on 6 May subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming Annual General Meeting scheduled to be held on 28 April. The Directors are also giving shareholders the option to receive the dividend either in cash or by the issue of new shares at the attribution price of €2.18 per share.
  • The worst performing equity of today’s trading session was GlobalCapital plc as its share price slumped 11.1% to the €0.40 level across shallow volumes totalling 4,903 shares. Shareholders have until 30 March to submit their application in order to participate in the recently announced rights issue of 1.27 new shares for every 1 share held. The rights issue price has been established at the €0.291172 level.
  • On the other hand, Bank of Valletta plc regained the €2.28 level (+0.9%) across 17,868 shares. The deadline for submission of applications in respect of the recently announced BOV €50 million 3.5% Tranche 2 subordinated bonds 2030 issued at par (100%) is this Friday (or earlier in the case of over-subscription).
  • Among the large companies, GO plc also advanced by 0.3% to reach a fresh 5-month high of €3.40 across 12,980 shares. The equity trades with the entitlement to a final net dividend of €0.10 per share until 7 April 2016.
  • Similarly, Medserv plc gained 2.7% to close at an almost 8-week high of €1.69 across 39,703 shares. The Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 22 March 2015 to consider and approve the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015.
  • Simonds Farsons Cisk plc repeated yesterday’s performance as it moved another 0.2% higher to the €6.02 level across 4,900 shares.
  • Meanwhile, International Hotel Investments plc failed to rebound from its one-year low of €0.65 as it closed unchanged across heightened activity totalling 110,952 shares.
  • Malta International Airport plc also maintained the €4.499 level across insignificant volumes. Shareholders as at 30 March will be entitled to the recently declared final gross dividend of €0.1077 per share (net: €0.07) subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming Annual General Meeting scheduled to be held on 4 May.
  • Likewise, Malta Properties Company plc and MaltaPost plc closed this morning’s session unchanged at €0.57 (15,000 shares) and €1.98 (10,500 shares) respectively.