Daily Market Highlights (19.10.2017)

  • The MSE Equity Price Index trended in positive territory for the third consecutive session as it exceeded the 4,700-mark. The Index gained a further 0.36% to reach an over two-week high of 4,702.922 points on reduced trading volumes amounting to €0.27 million. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • After recording the longest positive streak in three months, the RF MGS Index moved lower for the first time in seven days today as it slumped by 0.35% to a near one-week low of 1,123.905 points. Euro zone sovereign yields bounced back from their lowest levels in five weeks, possibly as a result of the latest developments in Spain whereby the central government in Madrid declared that it will initiate the unprecedented process leading to the imposition of direct rule on Catalonia. Meanwhile in the US, the number of people filing for unemployment benefits fell to its lowest level in more than 44 years, effectively further supporting the chances of another interest rate hike by the US Federal Reserve in December.
  • The equity of Malta International Airport plc closed the day 0.9% higher at €4.70 after retreating from an all-time high of €4.75 (+1.9%). A total of 39,940 shares changed hands.
  • The share price of MaltaPost plc surpassed the €2.00 level for the first time since early August as the equity edged 2.5% higher to regain the €2.03 level across 9,963 shares. The postal operator is due to publish its FY2016/17 financial results on 11 December 2017.
  • Bank of Valletta plc posted a three-day positive streak as it advanced by a further 0.1% to reach the €2.111 level across 13,800 shares.
  • GO plc surged 3.8% to recapture the €3.59 level albeit on trivial volumes.
  • Low trading activity also took place in MIDI, Tigne’ Mall, RS2 Software and PG with all four equities trending in negative territory during today’s session. MIDI plc and Tigne’ Mall plc shed 2.6% and 0.5% to move back to the €0.302 and €0.955 levels respectively.
  • RS2 Software plc also eased by 0.5% to €1.68 whilst PG plc dropped by 0.3% from its all-time high of €1.50 to the €1.495 level.
  • Meanwhile, Lombard Bank Malta plc held on to the €2.20 level across 10,500 shares.
  • GlobalCapital plc also finished unchanged at €0.36 on two deals totalling 15,000 shares.