Daily Market Highlights (21.02.13)

  • The MSE Share Index advanced by a further 0.2% during this morning’s session to close at an almost 4-month high of 3,265.171 points. This morning’s upturn was mainly due to the positive movements registered across the equities of the three commercial banks. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index edged marginally higher for the first time in four sessions to 1,007.405 points as the benchmark 10-year German Bund yields slumped back to the 1.6% level. The downturn in international yields reflects the renewed appetite for ‘safe-haven’ assets following yesterday’s news that some members of the US Federal Reserve monetary policy committee are doubting the effectiveness of extending its asset purchase programme which until now has been one of the major drivers behind the 2013 equity rally.
  • Later on this afternoon, the Treasury of Malta is expected to announce the prices of the new Malta Government Stock issues. The Treasury is offering a total of €200 million in a combination of two new stocks as follows: (i) 3.00% MGS 2019 (III) and (ii) 4.5% MGS 2028 (II). Subscriptions open on Monday 25 February and close on Wednesday 27 February for the General Public.Further details available here.
  • BOV inched 0.1% higher to close at the €2.267 level across eleven trades totalling 21,084 shares.
  • HSBC’s share price moved 0.6% higher to regain the €2.755 level on volumes of 3,600 shares. The Bank is scheduled to publish its 2012 preliminary results on 4 March.
  • Lombard regained the €1.90 level across 1,600 shares ahead of the Bank’s 2012 financial results publication on 14 March.
  • Similarly, GO ended in positive territory today as the equity of the telecoms quad-play operator extended its recent positive run with a further 0.4% increase to yet another 19-month high of €1.39 on volumes of 29,200 shares.
  • Malita Investments also registered a 1.9% increase to reach the €0.53 level for the first time since its listing in August 2012. The Company is scheduled to publish its maiden full-year results tomorrow.
  • On the other hand, the shares of Island Hotels Group Holdings plc eased minimally lower to €0.649 on a single deal of 1,000 shares. Today, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) issued a permit for the the demolition of the existing Hal Ferh Holiday Centre and the building of a new luxurious tourist complex, together with changes to the current road network and a new car park.
  • Meanwhile, the only other active equity was Crimsonwing which ended the session unchanged at the €0.55 level across six trades totalling 80,000 shares.