Daily Market Highlights (16.12.14)

  • The MSE Share Index dropped 0.3% today to 3,230.859 points to its lowest level since February 2013 as the equities of HSBC and GO both declined offsetting the gains in BOV and Lombard Bank. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index gained another 0.1% to reach a fresh new high of 1,100.661 points. Benchmark yields continued to decline touching a fresh low of 0.566% this morning as German economic data issued today showed that the manufacturing sector grew at a slower rate than expected. Meanwhile, the recently listed 5.1% PTL Holdings plc 2024 bonds advanced by a further 75 basis points to 104.25% on high volumes totalling €113,500 (nominal).
  • HSBC Bank Malta plc lost a further 1.6% to a fresh 2014 low of €1.85 across five trades for a total of 8,034 shares. Similarly, GO plc shed 0.8% to the €2.45 level on higher volumes amounting to 198,469 shares.
  • On the other hand, the share price of Bank of Valletta plc increased by 0.5% to €2.19 across ten deals totalling 31,775 shares. Tomorrow, the Bank will be holding its Annual General Meeting, wherein amongst others, the shareholders are being asked to approve the recommended net dividend of €0.0601 per share.
  • Lombard Bank plc was the only other gainer during today’s session with the equity edging 0.3% higher to the €1.76 level on activity amounting to 11,000 shares.