Daily Market Highlights (16.07.2018)

  • The MSE Equity Price Index trended lower for the first time in four trading sessions as it slipped by 0.25% to 4,363.054 points. The drop in the local equity benchmark was mostly due to the declines in the share prices of HSBC and BOV which outweighed the gains in MIA and Farsons. Meanwhile, trading activity improved to €0.25 million with over 40% of today’s volumes taking place in the equity of Bank of Valletta plc which moved back to the €1.75 level (-0.6%) across 59,822 shares. The bank is soon expected to announce the date for the publication of interim financial statements as at 30 June 2018. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • The RF MGS Index remained virtually unchanged at 1,104.335 points amid a relatively quiet day for bonds of peripheral countries today.
  • HSBC Bank Malta plc eased by 0.8% to the €1.835 level across four deals totalling 22,200 shares. HSBC is set to publish its interim results on 6 August.
  • In the property segment, both Plaza Centres plc and MIDI plc performed negatively today. Plaza lost 2.8% to the €1.04 level across 15,710 shares whilst MIDI moved to the €0.48 level (-1.2%) albeit on insignificant volumes. Plaza’s interim results will be unveiled on 24 July.
  • Malta International Airport plc closed at the €5.06 level (+0.2%) on volumes of 3,739 shares. MIA is due to publish its interim results on 25 July. The airport operator will also consider the payment of an interim dividend.
  • Simonds Farsons Cisk plc climbed by 0.7% to a fresh five-month high of €7.25 across 2,750 shares. Farsons is shortly due to publish its updated Financial Analysis Summary providing the financial projections for the current financial year to 31 January 2019.
  • Meanwhile, RS2 Software plc retained the €1.20 level after rebounding from an intra-day low of €1.15 (-4.2%) on weak volumes of only 1,385 shares.
  • Light volumes also took place in the equity of Mapfre Middlesea plc which held on to the €1.90 level whilst PG plc also ended flat at the €1.33 level across 35,135 shares. PG should be publishing its April 2018 annual financial statements by the end of August.