Daily Market Highlights (19.02.16)

  • The MSE Share Index advanced by 0.31% to 4,487.932 points – the highest level for this month – as seven equites trended in positive territory, four closed unchanged whilst only two (BOV and MIA) finished lower. Today’s trading volumes of €861,000 declined from yesterday’s exceptionally high level, but still remained elevated. Week-on-week, the Index advanced by 0.42% on robust trading volumes of €3.82 million. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index extended yesterday’s gains by a further 0.15% to 1,137.574 as eurozone bond yields slid lower following the publication of the minutes of the Governing Council meeting of the European Central Bank (ECB) held last month. In fact, these showed that the ECB was likely to engage in more aggressive monetary easing in the near future (possibly in March), due to slower economic growth and falling inflation expectations.
  • Yesterday, the Treasury announced the fixed prices of the upcoming two new Malta Government Stocks. The 1.50% MGS 2022 (IV), which has been priced at 105.0%, gives a yield-to-maturity 0.696%, while the 2.50% MGS 2036 (I) has been priced at 101.5%, giving a yield-to-maturity of 2.408%. Subscriptions for the General Public will open on Monday 22 February and close on Wednesday 24 February (or earlier in the case of oversubscription).
  • Today’s top performer was FIMBank plc. The equity advanced 4.1% to the USD0.635 level across 23,467 shares. The trade finance specialist will reveal its 2015 financial results on 15 March 2016.
  • HSBC Bank Malta plc edged up by 0.8% to the €1.61 level across 51,840 shares. The Bank is scheduled to publish its 2015 financial statements on Monday morning.
  • GO plc advanced by 0.2% to the €3.27 level across heightened activity totalling 45,850 shares. Shareholders as at the close of trading on 7 April 2016 will be entitled to a final net dividend of €0.10 per share, payable on 13 May subject to shareholders’ approval at the upcoming Annual General Meeting scheduled to be held on 11 May. In the meantime, the Company is evaluating a number of non-binding bids from parties interested in acquiring its entire issued share capital.
  • RS2 Software plc regained its all-time high of €3.40 (+0.9%) across 18,700 shares.
  • MaltaPost plc and Malta Properties Company plc also traded higher. The postal operator gained 1.0% to the €1.94 level on activity of 16,120 shares whilst the property company advanced to the €0.57 level (+0.9%) on higher volumes of 89,500 shares.
  • A single deal of 1,428 shares lifted the equity of Simonds Farsons Cisk plc up by 0.8% to the €6.30 level.
  • Low volumes were also registered in 6PM Holdings plc (GBP0.76), International Hotel Investments plc (€0.72) and Lombard Bank Malta plc (€2.185). All three equities closed the day flat.
  • Malita Investments plc also closed the day unchanged at €0.94 on high volumes totalling 128,090 shares. This morning the Company announced that its Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 1 March 2016 to consider and approve the Company’s financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015. The Board will also consider the declaration of a final dividend.
  • Meanwhile, the two other active equities of today’s trading session – Bank of Valletta plc and Malta International Airport plc – closed in negative territory. BOV lost 0.4% to the €2.202 level after touching an intra-day high of €2.225. Trading volumes amounted to 116,025 shares. This morning the Bank announced the issuance of €50 million 3.5% Tranche 2 subordinated bonds 2030 at par (100%) forming part of its Debt Issuance Programme dated 16 October 2015. The Final Terms will be made available as from Tuesday 23 February.
  • Malta International Airport plc failed to hold on to its all-time high of €4.74 and retreated by 0.4% to the €4.72 level across 16,135 shares. The airport operator is scheduled to reveal its 2015 financial results next Wednesday.