Daily Market Highlights (21.04.2017)

  • The MSE Share Index today slid 0.3% back to a new 3-week low of 4,702.925 points as HSBC, GO, Lombard and FIMBank all trended in negative territory. In contrast, BOV, MaltaPost and Malita Investment moved higher whilst MIA closed today’s session unchanged. During this shortened week, the local equity benchmark eased marginally lower largely reflecting the declines in HSBC, RS2 and Lombard which were partially offset by eight positive performing equities including BOV. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index reversed some of yesterday’s decline as it rebounded by 0.08% to 1,124.994 points. Whilst the 10-year and 20-year benchmark German Bund yields advanced to 0.244% and 0.683% respectively from 0.223% and 0.673% yesterday, the corresponding yield of the government bond of the largest peripheral country with the closest credit rating to Malta – i.e. Spain – drifted lower. Economic data issued today was very positive. Indeed, the result of a survey showed that economic activity in the euro zone rose to a six-year high in April. Furthermore, the pace of job creation rose to the highest level in almost ten years amid widespread optimism about the single currency’s economic prospects.
  • Bank of Valletta plc regained and closed at its 10-year high of €2.25 representing a 0.5% increase from the previous closing price across a total of 9,302 shares. Yesterday afternoon, BOV announced that its Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on Thursday 27 April to consider and approve the Group’s financial statements for the interim period ended 31 March 2017.
  • Similarly, MaltaPost plc advanced by 2.5% to recapture the €2.05 level across three deals totalling 10,000 shares. The postal operator generally publishes its interim results in early May.
  • The only other positive performing equity was Malita Investments plc with a 1.4% increase to the €0.75 level on volumes of 51,000 shares.
  • On the other hand, the share price of HSBC Bank Malta plc slid 1.4% lower back to the €2.06 level across thirteen deals totalling 27,896 shares.
  • Likewise, Lombard Bank Malta plc shares trended in negative territory with a 3.1% drop back to the €2.41 level albeit on a small deal of 700 shares. The Bank is scheduled to hold its Annual General Meeting next Thursday 27 April.
  • Also in the banking sector, FIMBank plc shares traded for the first time since turning ex-bonus on 10 April. The equity retreated by 1.4% to USD0.799 on a single trade of 576 shares.
  • GO plc shed 0.7% to the €3.45 level on a single trade of 500 shares.
  • Meanwhile, Malta International Airport plc once again held on to the €4.19 level on volumes of 1,980 shares.