Daily Market Highlights (19.08.15)

  • Overall, the MSE Share Index closed minimally higher at just above 4,220 points on the back of increases in the share prices of BOV and RS2. On the other hand, IHI and GO trended lower whilst a further four active equities ended this morning’s session unchanged. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index dropped by 0.2% to 1,135.055 points as the benchmark 10-year German Bund yield rebounded to approach the 0.65% level after the German parliament approved Greece’s third bailout.
  • Further bids emerged during this morning’s session for the equity of RS2 Software plc with the share price advancing to a fresh all-time high of €2.27 across 16 deals totalling 44,513 shares. Last Friday afternoon, RS2 Software plc published its interim results covering the six months ended 30 June 2015 revealing a significant improvement in pre-tax profits to €6.56 million compared to €2.96 million in the corresponding six months of 2014. The surge in profitability is largely attributable to the 48.5% growth in revenue to a record €11.5 million on the back of increases in licence fees, service fees and maintenance fees. RS2 reported improved profit margins with the EBITDA margin rising by more than 13 percentage points to 62.7%.
  • Bank of Valletta plc also performed positively with a 0.6% increase to €2.299 across seven trades totalling 15,430 shares.
  • On the other hand, the share price of International Hotel Investments plc eased a further 1.3% lower back to the €0.781 level across three deals totalling 23,500 shares. IHI has yet to announce the date when the interim financial statements will be published.
  • Similarly, the equity of GO plc retreated by 0.3% back to the €3.57 level on a single trade of 1,400 shares.
  • Meanwhile, in the financial sector, Lombard Bank Malta plc and Mapfre Middlesea plc both closed unchanged at €2.115 and €2.20 respectively on shallow volumes.
  • Likewise, MIDI plc held on to the €0.34 level on a deal of 15,000 shares. The company is scheduled to publish its 2015 interim results on Monday 31 August.
  • The only other active equity, Malta International Airport plc, also ended the session unchanged at the €3.895 level on a single trade of 1,280 shares.