Daily Market Highlights (17.12.15)

  • The MSE Share Index trended in negative territory for the sixth successive session with a decline of a further 0.8% during this morning’s session as the local benchmark retreated back to 4,423.795 points as most of the active equities closed lower. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index edged 0.2% higher to 1,138.986 points as the benchmark 10-year German Bund yield slumped back to the 0.60% level. The recent rally in Eurozone yields ahead of yesterday’s US Federal Reserve meeting was reversed yesterday after US monetary policymakers indicated that apart from the immediate increase in interest rates by 25 basis points, a further four similar hikes will be announced in 2016 subject to future data confirming further progress in the US economy.
  • In the banking sector, the share price of Bank of Valletta plc eased by 0.4% back to the €2.30 level across nine trades totalling 26,210 shares. This morning, the Bank held its Annual General Meeting during which shareholders approved all the items on the agenda including the final net dividend of €0.05525 (payable tomorrow) and a 1 for 12 bonus share issue (to be settled on 15 January 2016). During the meeting, the Chairman explained that in line with the more stringent requirements, the Bank will continue to increase its Tier 2 capital with a further issuance of €75 million of subordinated Notes next year. Additionally, the Bank is also planning to bolster its Tier 1 capital.
  • Similarly, the equity of HSBC Bank Malta plc slipped by 0.3% back to the €1.75 level across eleven deals totalling 21,880 shares.
  • Amongst the large cap equities, the equity of International Hotel Investments plc eased minimally lower to €0.80 on shallow volumes of 1,000 shares.
  • Low volumes were also evident across the equity of Malta International Airport plc with a 4% slump back to the €3.84 level on just 2,292 shares.
  • A single trade of 25,000 shares of RS2 Software plc was transacted at the €3.14 level representing a 0.6% drop from the previous closing price.
  • The only other negative performing equity was FIMBank plc with a 6.6% retreat to the USD0.64 level across two deals totalling 15,325 shares.
  • On the other hand, the share price of Lombard Bank Malta plc continued to trend higher with a further 0.2% increase to €2.485 across five trades totalling 73,086 shares.
  • Similarly, the equity of MIDI plc moved 2.9% higher to regain the €0.36 level albeit on low volumes of 4,810 shares.
  • Meanwhile, Malta Properties Company plc maintained the €0.48 level after the equity failed to hold on to an intra-day high of €0.502. A total of 92,468 shares traded today.
  • Likewise, Mapfre Middlesea plc shares held on to the previous closing price of €2.15 across a single deal of 1,118 shares.