Daily Market Highlights (22.01.2018)

  • The MSE Equity Price Index kicked-off the week in negative territory as it slipped by 0.35% to a one-month low of 4,452.735 points. Overall, the declines in the share prices of MIA (-4.1%), RS2 (-2.1%) and HSBC (-0.6%) outweighed the gains in five other shares. Meanwhile, four other shares traded unchanged. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • The RF MGS Index surged by 0.25% to a near two-week high of 1,118.747 points today, largely reflecting notable declines in Spanish yields following last Friday’s credit rating upgrade by FitchRating to “A-“ citing improvements in economic fundamentals. Meanwhile, in Germany, the Social Democratic Party yesterday opted to open formal coalition talks with the alliance led by Angela Merkel towards the possible formation of a new government.
  • The equity of Malta International Airport plc plummeted by 4.1% to the €4.70 level on seven deals totalling 6,100 shares. The financial results for 2017 and the recommendation of a final dividend will be announced on Wednesday 21 February 2018.
  • Also among the large companies by market capitalisation, RS2 Software plc dropped by 2.1% to an over eight-month low of €1.43 across 15,083 shares whilst HSBC Bank Malta plc eased by 0.6% back to the €1.78 level on a single deal of just 3,000 shares. HSBC is due to publish its 2017 financial results on 20 February 2018. The Directors will also consider the declaration of a dividend to be recommended to shareholders during the Annual General Meeting to be held on 12 April 2018.
  • In contrast, Bank of Valletta plc climbed 0.6% to regain the €1.81 level on encouraging volumes totalling 97,579 shares.
  • GO plc also closed the day 0.6% higher at the €3.54 level after recovering from an intra-day low of €3.48 (-1.1%). A total of 10,530 shares changed hands.
  • Malita Investments plc trended 0.6% higher to a new twelve-month high of €0.845 on three deals totalling 16,050 shares.
  • PG plc (19,350 shares) and Simonds Farsons Cisk plc (880 shares) advanced by 0.7% and 0.6% to recapture the €1.40 and €7.80 levels respectively.
  • Meanwhile, IHI, Medserv, MIDI and MPC all traded flat on low volumes. International Hotel Investments plc and Medserv plc retained the €0.62 and €1.16 levels respectively.
  • Likewise, a single deal of 3,000 shares left the equity of MIDI plc at the €0.34 level and Malta Properties Company plc held on to the €0.442 level across 2,300 shares.