Daily Market Highlights (18.05.15)

  • The MSE Share Index dropped 0.4% to 3,768.813 points following declines in the two largest capitalised companies (BOV and HSBC) along with MIA and Malita Investments. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index edged up 0.2% to 1,145.524 points as European benchmark yields declined on fresh concerns over a Greek stalemate situation ahead of a €1.6 billion repayment due to the IMF by 19 June.
  • In the banking sector, Bank of Valletta plc ended today’s session 1.7% lower at €2.261 on activity totalling 16,092 shares.
  • HSBC Bank Malta plc erased some of last Friday’s gains and was closed 0.3% lower at €1.845 on higher activity amounting to 52,440 shares. Last Friday afternoon, HSBC issued its Interim Directors’ Statement confirming that the bank managed to keep the same level of revenues as that experienced during the comparative period last year, aided primarily by the growth in insurance and trading income, which offset the decline in interest income earned from its loan portfolio. HSBC also reported an increase in operating expenses in relation to additional compliance and risk management system implementations, while impairment charges were marginally higher than those during the same period last year reflecting the challenging environment.
  • Meanwhile, Malta International Airport plc closed minimally lower at €3.449. The airport operator also issued its Interim Directors’ Statement on Friday afternoon in which it announced that its financial position remained sound and that the performance during the first four months of the year was marginally better than expected.
  • Similarly, Malita Investments plc closed 0.1% lower at €0.869 across four trades totalling 39,600 shares.
  • Meanwhile, the positive performer of the day was Simonds Farsons Cisk plc with a 3.6% rise to a new record level of €3.65 on shallow volumes of 399 shares.
  • Five other active equities closed today’s session unchanged. GO plc held on to the €2.99 level across three trades for a total of 2,760 shares.
  • Similarly, International Hotels Investments plc maintained the €0.68 level on activity of 37,000 shares.
  • MaltaPost plc held on to its all-time high of €1.50 level as a further 18,666 shares were executed at this level.
  • RS2 Software plc maintained the €3.179 level across two trades totalling 5,000 shares. Last week, the company announced that it will be asking shareholders to approve a 2 for 1 share split. Moreover, RS2 announced that it had entered into a new licence and managed services agreement with a Vietnamese bank.