Daily Market Highlights (21.08.2018)

  • The MSE Equity Price Index extended yesterday’s decline by a further 0.05% to a one-week low of 4,290.607 points. The declines in the share prices of Medserv, IHI and Malita minimally outweighed the gains in five other shares, including those of BOV and Farsons. Meanwhile, trading volumes contracted sharply to just €0.16 million compared to an average of €0.51 million last week. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • The RF MGS Index erased yesterday’s decline as it rebounded by 0.15% to a one-week high of 1,095.905 points. Malta Government Stock prices rose as the spread between the benchmark German government bonds and those of peripheral countries tightened ahead of informal talks to be held tomorrow and Thursday between the US and China on the possibility of improving trade relations following the introduction of various trade barriers in recent months.
  • Over 60% of today’s trading activity took place in the equity of Bank of Valletta plc which advanced by 1.3% to regain the €1.52 level across 64,206 shares.
  • BOV’s insurance associate – Mapfre Middlesea plc – also performed positively today with a gain of 0.5% to the €1.90 level albeit on just 2,300 shares.
  • Simonds Farsons Cisk plc added 1.4% to the €7.50 level on two deals totalling 1,320 shares.
  • In the property segment, MIDI plc advanced to a new record high of €0.535 (+0.9%) across 38,415 shares. The company is scheduled to publish its interim results on 30 August.
  • Plaza Centres plc moved 1% higher to the €1.01 level on activity of 4,500 shares.
  • In contrast, Malita Investments plc lost 1.1% back to the €0.87 level across 10,050 shares. Shareholders as at close of trading today will be receiving a net interim dividend of €0.00858 per share. The dividend is payable on 7 September.
  • Both International Hotel Investments plc and Medserv plc registered significant declines today albeit on thin volumes. IHI shed 3.1% to the €0.615 level whilst Medserv tumbled by 9% back to the €1.01 level. Medserv is due to publish its interim results on 27 August. On the other hand, IHI still has to announce the date of the publication of its interim financial statements.
  • RS2 Software plc held on to the €1.19 level after opening at a low of €1.16 (-2.5%). Only 2,050 shares traded. The company is expected to publish its interim financial statements on 28 August.
  •  Similarly, HSBC Bank Malta plc recovered from an intra-day low of €1.78 (-1.1%) to end unchanged at the €1.80 level across 2,236 shares.
  • Trident Estates plc traded flat at the €1.30 level on trivial activity.
  • The Malta Stock Exchange today announced the listing of the new €15 million 4% Exalco Finance plc 2028 secured bonds. Trading is expected to commence tomorrow.