Daily Market Highlights (17.09.12)

  • MSE Share Index lifted 1.2% higher to 3,112.740 points mainly due to the 7.1% jump in IHI’s share price. MaltaPost shares also in positive territory whilst BOV and GO eased lower. The other three active equities, including HSBC, ended this morning’s session unchanged. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index slid by 0.2% to a new 7-week low of 992.420 points reflecting the rally in eurozone yields last Friday afternoon to above the 1.7% level fuelled by the fresh stimulus measures announced by the US Federal Reserve. However, earlier on this afternoon, Eurozone yields eased to the 1.67% level on concerns that Spain will continue to postpone a bailout request.
  • Renewed demand for IHI shares helped the equity rise by 7.1% to regain the 2012 high of €0.90 level for the first time in twelve weeks. A total of 79,579 shares changed hands today across eleven trades. At a meeting with the financial community last Friday, IHI’s Chairman Mr Alfred Pisani re-iterated the company’s intention to dispose of the luxury apartments in London. Mr Pisani announced that there are some buyers who have shown a serious interest in the purchase of this exclusive block of residences and the aim is to conclude the sale in the coming months. Meanwhile, the Chairman also indicated that IHI approached a number of sovereign wealth funds and large institutions to seek to raise further equity and expand the number of properties within IHI’s ownership and management portfolio.
  • High volumes were sustained in GO with a further 70,125 shares of the quad-play telecom operator changing hands during this morning’s session with the share price easing back to the €0.85 level. Further offers unsatisfied at the closing price whilst best bids pitched at the €0.83 level.
  • In the financial sector, the share price of BOV eased 0.2% lower to €2.27 across eleven trades totalling 8,523 shares. Other offers outstanding at the last traded price whilst best bids in the market only at the €2.20 level.
  • Meanwhile, HSBC shares recovered from an intra-day low of €2.73 to close unchanged at the €2.74 level on volumes of 21,000 shares.
  • MIA unchanged at its 7-week high of €1.759 on a single deal of 15,000 shares. Recently the airport operator announced record passenger numbers during the month of August. Further details available here.
  • Similarly, MIDI’s equity held on to the €0.28 level across two trades totalling 2,100 shares.
  • The other active equity today was MaltaPost with a 1.6% increase in its share price to €0.65 on a single deal of 500 shares.