Daily Market Highlights (19.04.16)

  • The MSE Share Index extended yesterday’s gains by 0.34% to 4,552.402 points on improved trading activity. In fact, the value of trades across the equity market picked up notably from yesterday’s particularly low level as just over €402,000 worth of shares changed hands this morning. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index added to yesterday’s decline as it slipped by a further 0.20% to 1,151.973 points. Yields of euro zone sovereign bonds gained ground possibly due to the gains registered in the price of oil. In fact, the 10-year benchmark German Bund advanced from 0.13% yesterday to 0.16% today. On the economic front, a survey conducted by the European Central Bank (ECB) showed that negative interest rates have encouraged lending volumes and eased credit conditions for both businesses and consumers, although the ECB did acknowledge that negative rates have had a detrimental impact on the profitability of banks as it affected their net income and loan margins.
  • Trading in the new 4.25% Corinthia Finance plc 2026 bonds is due to commence on Friday 22 April.
  • The 3.2% increase in the share price of International Hotel Investments plc weighed positively on the Index. IHI rebounded from its 14-month low of €0.62 to the €0.64 level across 38,351 shares. The hotel chain operator has yet to announce the date when its 2015 financial results will be published.
  • The most actively traded equity for today was that of FIMBank plc. The trade finance specialist advanced 1.8% to its highest level in over two years of USD0.74 across 185,000 shares.
  • GO plc regained the €3.48 level (+0.9%) on activity of 21,436 shares.
  • On the Alternative Companies List, Loqus Holdings plc traded for the first time in over two months. The equity gained 0.8% to the €0.131 level across 22,364 shares.
  • Two deals totalling 5,376 shares pushed the equity of Malita Investments plc 0.1% higher to the €0.93 level. During the upcoming Annual General Meeting to be held on 26 April, shareholders will be asked to approve the distribution of the recently declared final gross dividend of €0.022 per share (net: €0.0143) to be paid on 29 April.
  • Within the same segment, Malta Properties Company plc maintained the €0.60 level across 50,500 shares. The AGM of Malta Properties will take place on 2 June.
  • Likewise, the two largest retail banks – Bank of Valletta plc (14,340 shares) and HSBC Bank Malta plc (18,540 shares) – closed flat at €2.265 and €1.60 respectively. BOV is expected publish its 2016 interim results by the end of April.
  • Also among the large companies, RS2 Software plc retreated by 0.7% to the €3.80 level across 6,310 shares. The Company’s Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on Thursday 28 April 2016 to consider and approve the Company’s results for the financial year ended 31 December 2015. The Directors will also consider recommending the payment of a final dividend.
  • Malta International Airport plc eased by 0.6% to the €4.35 level across 14,473 shares.