Daily Market Highlights (19.01.16)

  • The MSE Share Index surpassed the 4,500 points level for the first time since early December. The equity benchmark edged up 0.7% to 4,500.949 points on strong trading activity (the highest for 2016). Seven equities traded positively whilst another two remained unchanged. Almost €719,000 worth of shares changed hands today on increased activity in the equities of RS2, BOV and MIA. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index was largely unchanged at 1,137.374 points (-0.01%) as the benchmark 10-year German Bund yield reversed yesterday’s marginal gain and slipped back to last Friday’s level of 0.48%. Ahead of the European Central Bank’s (ECB) monetary policy meeting to be held this Thursday, eurozone bond markets weighed in new economic data which showed that inflation across the single currency area came in exactly as expected at 0.2% year-on-year against the ECB’s target of close to 2%.
  • In the banking sector, HSBC Bank Malta plc and Bank of Valletta plc closed higher by 2.9% and 0.1% to €1.79 and €2.25 levels respectively. Volumes in BOV shares were particularly robust as 101,790 shares traded for a value of €228,840. On the other hand, activity in HSBC was minimal (1,700 shares). HSBC is expected to announce its 2015 full year results on 22 February.
  • Also amongst the large companies by market capitalisation, the equity of Malta International Airport plc advanced by 1.7% to regain the €4.30 level across 28,640 shares. Yesterday, the airport operator announced the 2015 traffic results and the passenger forecast for 2016. During 2015, MIA registered its sixth consecutive record year of passenger traffic with an increase of a further 7.7% principally on the back of higher aircraft movements as well as increased seat capacity and an improved seat load factor. Moreover, MIA is expecting a further 2.4% growth in passenger numbers in 2016 to yet another record of at least 4.73 million passenger movements. The Company is expected to announce its 2015 full year results on 24 February.
  • High trading volumes also took place in RS2 Software plc. The equity ended 0.2% higher at the €3.265 level across 87,794 shares (valued at €286,467).
  • The equity of Tigne’ Mall plc moved closer to its all-time high of €0.97 as it advanced by 1.1% to regain the €0.96 level across 20,000 shares.
  • Also in the property sector, Malta Properties Company plc continued with its positive momentum as the equity gained 0.9% to close at its 2016 high of €0.58 across 37,510 shares.
  • A single deal of just 100 shares pushed the equity of MaltaPost plc up by 3.8% to the €1.92 level. The postal operator will be paying its recently approved final net dividend of €0.04 per share on 12 February.
  • Meanwhile, Malita Investments plc and Simonds Farsons Cisk plc traded unchanged at €0.95 (20,000 shares) and €6.00 (2,900 shares) respectively.
  • Following the closure of subscription for Medserv plc’s rights issue to eligible shareholders and the Intermediaries’ Offers, applications for any lapsed rights will open on Friday 22 January and close on 27 January (or earlier). Last Friday, the Company unveiled that it was awarded two full service logistics contracts offshore Libya having an estimated value of between of €2 to €3 million. These are expected to commence in the second quarter of 2016 and will require Medserv to utilise both their Malta Base facilities and their Libyan Branch.