Daily Market Highlights (18.04.2019)

  • The MSE Equity Price Index eased by 0.2% lower to 4,720.436 points as the declines in IHI and BMIT outweighed the gains in GO and RS2. Meanwhile, six other equities closed the day unchanged whilst volumes remained subdued as only €0.23 million worth of shares traded. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • The RF MGS Index trended higher for the first time in four days as it rebounded by 0.07% to 1,111.378 points. Prices of Malta Government Stocks registered gains as sovereign bond yields in the euro area drifted lower amid disappointing preliminary PMI data across the single currency area. Over the past four days, the RF MGS Index shed 0.45% (the sharpest weekly drop since September 2018) largely reflecting improved investor confidence as the US and China are now closer to reaching an agreement over trade.
  • A single deal of just 4,000 shares forced the equity of BMIT Technologies plc to move 0.9% lower back to the €0.535 level.
  • International Hotel Investments plc slumped by 3.3% to the €0.73 level on trivial volumes.
  • Very low trading activity also took place in the equity of RS2 Software plc as it recaptured the €1.40 level.
  • GO plc rebounded by 0.4% to the €4.82 level across 10,371 shares. Shareholders as at close of trading on 24 April will be entitled to an ordinary final net dividend of €0.14 per share and will also be eligible to receive a special interim dividend of €0.41 per share.
  • Meanwhile, PG plc held on to its record high of €1.56 on activity totalling 32,529 shares.
  • A single deal of 586 shares left the equity of Simonds Farsons Cisk plc at its sixteen-month high of €9.00. Farsons is due to publish the results for the 2017/18 financial year on 15 May.
  • Bank of Valletta plc (33,673 shares) and HSBC Bank Malta plc (3,471 shares) traded unchanged at the €1.34 and €1.74 levels respectively. BOV will hold its Annual General Meeting on 9 May.
  • BOV’s insurance associate, Mapfre Middlesea plc, held on to its near three-year high of €2.40 across 5,000 shares. Mapfre Middlesea is due to hold its Annual General Meeting on 26 April.
  • Malta International Airport plc maintained the €6.60 level on activity totalling 9,154 shares.
  • Trading on the Malta Stock Exchange will resume on Tuesday 23 April 2019.