Daily Market Highlights (21.03.14)

  • The MSE Share Index declined for the fourth consecutive time during this shortened week with a drop of a further 0.4% to an almost 20-week low of 3,495.698 points. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary. Over the week the local equity benchmark shed a further 1.5% (the fifth consecutive weekly decline) as the two large banks’ equities once performed poorly.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index trended lower for the fourth consecutive session with a further marginal decline to a new 3-week low of 1,025.630 points. Eurozone yields remained in the region of 1.65% in view of the earlier-than-anticipated interest rate rise by the US Federal Reserve which is now expected to announced its first rate hike in April/May 2015. The recently issued 4.45% MGS 2032 traded up to a high of 102.60% compared to a recent offer price of 100.25%. Likewise, the 6% AX Investments plc 2024 bonds closed the first week of trading at 104%.
  • The equity of BOV closed in negative territory for the third consecutive session as it touched a fresh 5-month low of €2.20 before partially recovering to end the session at the €2.22 level which still represents a 1.1% drop from the previous closing price. A total of 82,844 shares changed hands today with further offers unsatisfied at the closing price and highest bids at the €2.20 level.
  • Similarly, the share price of GO dropped again to an intra-day low of €2.00 before regaining the €2.05 level, 1.9% lower than the previous day’s closing price. Only 3,000 shares traded today. The net dividend of €0.07 per share is payable to shareholders as at close of trading on 1 April 2014.
  • On the other hand, a deal of 2,000 MIA shares was transacted at the €2.26 level representing a 0.4% increase from the previous close.
  • HSBC also held on to yesterday’s closing price of €2.40 with a further 13,864 shares changing hands at this level.
  • The financial reporting season continues next week with the publication of the 2013 financials by Medserv plc.