Daily Market Highlights (21.11.13)

  • The MSE Share Index moved marginally higher to 3,542.910 points IHI, GO and RS2 trended higher to offset the declines in the share prices of BOV, HSBC and Medserv. Meanwhile, the only other active equity was Tigné Mall which ended the session unchanged. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index was practically unchanged at 1,021.101 points although Eurozone yields reached the 1.77% level this morning on strong indications by officials of the US Federal Reserve that the central bank is close to start tapering its asset purchase programme of US$85 billion a month.
  • The share price of RS2 Software advanced by 2.1% to regain the €2.35 level on increased volumes of 69,180 shares. In its recent Interim Directors’ Statement, RS2 confirms that it continues to build on the momentum of the past months in efforts to generate further new business for both its licensing activity as well as for service-providing and managed services. On the licensing side, RS2 is in intensive and advanced negotiations to conclude various agreements with new clients whilst also expanding the relationship with existing clients. These agreements are expected to be concluded and signed in the early months of 2014. On the managed services side, RS2 continues to increase the boarding of new merchants and increasing its processing volumes. Furthermore, RS2 Smart Processing also has healthy business prospects with new customers to be signed up in 2014.
  • The equity of GO surpassed the €1.60 level for the first time since late August 2013. The share price of the telecoms quad-play operator edged 0.9% higher to €1.615 across eleven trades totalling 34,400 shares.
  • The only other positive performing equity today was IHI with a 0.6% increase to €0.775 on a single deal of 2,000 shares.
  • On the other hand, HSBC eased 0.4% lower to €2.65 on volumes of just over 11,000 shares.
  • Similarly, BOV retreated by 0.3% back to the €2.62 level across 2,730 shares.
  • The share price of Medserv only partially recovered from an intra-day low of €3.30 as it ended the session 0.6% lower at €3.35 across seven deals totalling 33,800 shares. In their recent statement, the Directors explained that the Malta base continues to support intervention operations offshore Libya in preparation for the significant offshore drilling operations planned to commence in early 2014. In the meantime, the Group is seeking to secure a further 30,00 square metres of land in view of the anticipated works. In Cyprus, the Group is tendering for a contract of an international oil company whilst Misurata remains solely used for storage purposes.
  • Meanwhile, no change took place in the share price of Tigné Mall as a further 50,000 shares traded at the €0.505 level.