Daily Market Highlights (19.12.14)

  • The MSE Share Index jumped 0.8% during this morning’s session to 3,268.438 points as most of the active equities trended higher. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index slipped 0.1% back to 1,101.596 points in line with rebound of Eurozone yields to 0.625%. The recent statement by the US Federal Reserve with respect to its plans of only considering a raise in interest rates after April 2015 rekindled some risk appetite.
  • Most notably, the share price of HSBC Bank Malta plc edged 1.3% higher to regain the €1.90 level on low volumes of 3,812 shares.
  • Similarly, a total of 12,750 shares in Bank of Valletta plc changed hands during this morning’s session across four deals. The Bank‘s share price closed at the €2.21 level representing a 1.4% increase over the previous day’s closing price. The Bank’s equity will trade with the entitlement to the 1 for 11 bonus share issue until 14 January 2015.
  • GO plc was also among the positive performers of the day as the equity advanced by 0.8% to the €2.52 level across six deals totalling 32,715 shares. Yesterday evening, the Greek press reported that Vodafone and Wind Hellas (which together own almost 40% of Forthnet) are set to launch a binding bid for the remaining shares in Forthnet SA after the Christmas holidays. Meanwhile, the Greek incumbent OTE is not expected to lodge its bid for Nova (the pay-TV arm of Forthnet) before January, in order to see what political course the country will take after the presidential elections are concluded. On 17 July, Forthnet S.A. had announced that Vodafone and Wind Hellas Telecommunications S.A. submitted a joint non-binding indicative proposal to the Board of Directors of Forthnet, for the possible acquisition of all the shares of Forthnet which are not owned by them at a range of €1.70 and €1.90 per Forthnet share.
  • Medserv plc also trended in positive territory today as with an increase of 1.8% to a new 2014 high of €1.435 albeit on low volumes of 3,500 shares.
  • Likewise, the share price of Crimsonwing plc rallied by 3.6% to recapture the €0.86 level across two trades totalling 4,703 shares. Shareholders have until 20 January 2015 to consider an offer made by KPMG Investments Malta Limited which is bidding to acquire the entire company at €0.8327 per share.
  • On the Alternative Companies List, the equity of Loqus Holdings plc jumped 16.7% to a new 2014 high of €0.14 across 7,500 shares.