Daily Market Highlights (17.11.11)

  • Local equity market in positive territory for the third consecutive session. MSE Share Index up another 0.2% today to 3,137.723 points following increases in the share prices of HSBC, MIA, FIMBank and RS2 Software. On the other hand, BOV closed unchanged. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • Yesterday marked the closing of subscriptions by the general public for the two new Malta Government Stocks, namely the 4.25% MGS 2017 (III) FI at 103.75% and the 5.2% MGS 2031 (I) at 100.75%. Meanwhile tenders will be accepted until tomorrow at 12 noon. Subsequently the Treasury is expected to publish the results of this week’s MGS issue.
  • Shares of FIMBank plc traded for the first time since the publication of the Interim Directors’ Statement last Tuesday. In the announcement FIMBank reported that the overall performance during the second half of the year was in line with the first 6 months of the financial year when the Group reported a profit after tax of $4.08 million. Moreover the FIMBank Group continued to register low impairments and experienced a growing balance-sheet and healthy capital and liquidity ratios. FIMBank also made reference to the network of factoring joint-venture companies and highlighted the newly established company in India which reportedly registered impressive growth in recent months. Further details on the announcement available here. FIMBank’s share price climbed 1.3% higher during this morning’s session to regain the US$0.77 level across ten trades amounting to over 43,000 shares.
  • RS2 Software plc shares also active for the first time since the publication of the Interim Directors’ Statement earlier this week. The statement revealed that RS2 continued to show increases in revenue and improved results on the back of the licence sales concluded in the first half of 2011. As such, the Directors of RS2 Software expect the overall performance for 2011 to compare very favourably to that of 2010. Further details on the announcement available here. Equity advanced by 1.7% today to the €0.59 level on volumes of almost 50,000 shares.
  • HSBC’s share price recovered from an intra-day low of €2.67 to close marginally higher at the €2.69 level. Four trades totalling 35,700 shares transacted during this morning’s session with further offers unsatisfied at the closing price. On Tuesday, the Bank published its Interim Statement revealing that trading conditions remained challenging and it expects a more difficult 2012. In response the Directors approved a cost-savings plan which will result in a one-off charge of approximately €10 million for the 2011 financial year. Further details available here.
  • Meanwhile insignificant volumes amounting to 400 BOV shares traded today at the €2.50 level representing no change from the previous closing price. Few other bids unsatisfied at the last traded price whilst lowest offers placed at the €2.519 level. The Bank is scheduled to hold its Annual General Meeting on 17 December.
  • A small deal of 200 MIA shares was struck at the €1.69 level representing a 2.4% rise from the previous close. Further offers unsatisfied at the closing price whilst best bids pitched at the €1.52 level ahead of the publication of the Interim Statement expected shortly.