Daily Market Highlights (15.10.2014)

  • Today’s session on the Borza was characterised by trading in nine equities, with four equities gaining on previous closing, four closing unchanged, and one equity declining. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, once again the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index rose at an all-time high (up 0.2% to 1,092.723 points) as eurozone yields dropped to new lows of 0.794% over worries of a deteriorating Eurozone outlook following yesterday’s surveys suggesting that Germany might be heading into another recession. Moreover, the international credit rating agency Fitch placed France’s AA+ rating on negative watch on Tuesday evening.
  • Yesterday the Treasury announced the issue of 2 new institutional tranches of Malta Government Stocks for a total aggregate amount of €40 million with an over-allotment option of a further €35 million which are only available through an auction process for a minimum of €250,000 per application and in multiples of €50,000. Applications in the form of sealed bids will be accepted until noon on Friday 24 October.
  • The share price of International Hotel Investments plc was the only negative performer of the day as a single trade of 25,000 shares was executed at the €0.595 level, representing a 0.8% decline from its previous close and a new all-time low for the equity.
  • Meanwhile, four other equities closed higher helping the MSE Share Index rise by 0.4% to 3,317.108 points.
  • Following the recent declines, the share prices of the two large banks partly recovered but trading activity remained weak as investors await the publication of the results of the Asset Quality Review by the European Central Bank later on this month. Bank of Valletta plc gained 1.4% to the €2.23 level and HSBC Bank Malta plc edged 0.5% higher to €1.93.
  • Medserv plc also had a positive session today, gaining 1.5% to close at €1.32 across 5 deals for a total of 49,600 shares. Similarly, Tigne Mall plc edged 1% higher to regain the €0.525 level on volumes of 12,240 shares.
  • Meanwhile, the equities of Middlesea Insurance plc and 6PM Holdings plc held on to their previous levels of €0.87 and GBP0.72 respectively. Activity in Middlesea shares remained very weak while a further 40,000 shares traded in 6pm.
  • Similarly, the share price of GO plc closed unchanged at the multi-year high of €2.68 across 2,000 shares and Malta International Airport plc maintained the €2.34 level on higher volumes amounting to 45,455 shares.