Daily Market Highlights (21.01.14)

  • The MSE Share Index slid 0.4% today back to 3,666.317 points due to the declines in HSBC, IHI and FIMBank which offset the increases in another six equities including BOV. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index eased minimally lower to 1,026.905 points as Eurozone yields marginally rebounded possibly on some profit-taking following the recent slide in benchmark yields. Nonetheless, the region’s yields slid back to the 1.745% level by this afternoon reflecting the unexpected drop in German economic sentiment as well as the USD42 billion injection into the Chinese economy by the Bank of China.
  • BOV’s share price touched a new six-year high of €2.50 (equivalent to €2.75 pre-bonus) before marginally easing to a close of €2.49 which still represents a 1.6% increase over the previous closing price. Volumes remained healthy with over 74,500 shares of BOV changing hands during today’s session.
  • Meanwhile, the share price of HSBC slipped by 2% to the €2.52 level across nineteen deals totalling 60,700 shares. The Bank is scheduled to publish its 2013 full-year results on 24 February.
  • Amongst the large cap equities, GO ended this morning’s session minimally higher at €1.85 after recovering from an intra-day low of €1.80 across five deals totalling 14,172 shares.
  • In the financial services sector, the share price of Middlesea Insurance surpassed the €0.92 level for the first time since August 2011 with a 0.3% increase to the €0.923 level across 4,220 shares.
  • Lombard Bank held on to yesterday’s gains and closed unchanged at the €1.90 level on volumes of 9,638 shares.
  • On the other hand, the equity of FIMBank eased 0.5% lower to US$0.955 on volumes of 3,400 shares. Yesterday marked the closing of the voluntary bid by Burgan Bank and United Gulf Bank and the results are expected to be published in the coming days.
  • The equity of Simonds Farsons Cisk also experienced low volumes with a single trade of 2,491 shares executed at the €2.90 level representing a 0.4% increase over the previous close.
  • Similarly, IHI edged 2.4% lower to €0.898 on a small trade of 544 shares.
  • There were marginal changes in the equities of MIA, RS2 and 6pm on shallow activity.