Daily Market Highlights (18.12.15)

  • The MSE Share Index rebounded by 0.1%, breaking a six-day negative streak, to close at 4,429.066 points as the positive performance of four equities marginally offset the declines in the equities of HSBC and IHI. Over the week, the local equity benchmark registered a loss of 1.3%. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index marginally extended yesterday’s gains at it edged 0.1% higher to 1,140.285 points as the benchmark 10-year German Bund yield continued to ease lower from 0.60% yesterday to 0.56% today. The downturn in yields is possibly due to the extended pressure on the price of oil. This makes the European Central Bank’s (ECB) task of bringing inflation close to its objective of 2.0% more difficult to obtain.
  • In the banking sector, Bank of Valletta plc reversed yesterday’s decline to close at the €2.33 level (+1.3%) across 12,254 shares. Yesterday, 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 today) 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.
  • Following yesterday’s 4.0% slump, the equity of Malta International Airport plc rebounded by 1.6% to the €3.90 level across 8,358 shares.
  • The equity of RS2 Software plc closed at yet another all-time high of €3.175 (+1.1%) across 7,010 shares.
  • The other positive performer today was Malta Properties Company plc. In fact, the equity gained 2.1% to close at the €0.49 level across 16,000 shares.
  • Also in the property sector, the equity of Tigne’ Mall plc closed unchanged at the €0.965 level on just 4,000 shares.
  • Three other equities also traded flat. In the banking sector FIMBank plc and Lombard Bank Malta plc closed at the USD0.64 (38,583 shares) and €2.485 (2,000 shares) levels respectively.
  • Similarly, relatively low volumes were transacted in GO plc at the €2.95 level (4,000 shares).
  • The only negative performers of the day were HSBC Bank Malta plc and International Hotel Investments plc. HSBC slipped by a further 0.6% to the €1.74 level across 46,096 shares.
  • Similarly, the equity of International Hotel Investments plc eased by 2.5% to the €0.78 level on shallow volumes of just 3,194 shares.