Daily Market Highlights (15.12.16)

  • During this morning’s session, the MSE Share Index edged 0.1% higher to 4,536.165 points as the uplift in the share prices of MIA and Lombard offset the declines in BOV, RS2 and Medserv. Meanwhile, the other two active equities ended the session unchanged. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, volatility intensified as the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index changed direction once again as it slid 0.6% back to 1,139.040 points as Eurozone yields rebounded this morning. The 10-year German bund yield reached an intraday high of 0.394% compared to yesterday’s closing level of around 0.3%. The uplift in yields was triggered by the decision of the US Federal Reserve yesterday evening to raise its reference interest rate by 25 basis points to between 0.5% and 0.75%. The US Federal Reserve also indicated that it will raise rates three times in 2017 as opposed to the previous expectation of two increases. Furthermore, the US central bank noted that the proposed expansionary fiscal policies by US President-elect Donald Trump could further accelerate rate hikes in 2017.
  • The equity of Malta International Airport plc trended 0.3% higher to regain the €4.05 level across nine deals totalling 19,300 shares.
  • Lombard Bank Malta plc moved into positive territory for the second time this week as the equity climbed by a further 4.6% to a fresh 10-month high of €2.30 across nine trades totalling 50,906 shares.
  • On the other hand, the share price of Bank of Valletta plc eased minimally lower back to the €2.275 level across ten trades totalling 22,457 shares.
  • Similarly, RS2 Software plc reversed some of yesterday’s gains with a 0.3% decline during this morning’s session to €1.615 on a single trade of 6,100 shares.
  • Medserv plc also trended in negative territory today with a marginal 0.5% drop back to the €1.65 level across 6,000 shares.
  • Meanwhile, FIMBank plc maintained the USD0.85 level as a further 60,673 shares changed hands.
  • Likewise, MaltaPost plc closed this morning’s session unchanged as it held on to its all-time high of €2.00 on volumes of 52,005 shares. The equity will continue to trade with the entitlement to the final net dividend of €0.04 per share until next Friday 23 December.