Daily Market Highlights (22.08.2018)

  • The MSE Equity Price Index moved lower for the third consecutive trading session with a further decline of 0.22% to 4,281.261 points. Four equities, including that of BOV, trended in negative territory whilst only Trident and Lombard registered gains. Meanwhile, a further five equities closed the day unchanged. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • The RF MGS Index moved higher for the second consecutive day as it added 0.08% to 1,096.828 points despite a rebound in eurozone yields. In fact, the 10-year benchmark German Bund yield touched an over one-week high of almost 0.35% before marginally retreating to 0.346%.
  • Bank of Valletta plc shed 1.3% back to the €1.50 level across 27,568 shares.
  • BOV’s insurance associate – Mapfre Middlesea plc – also performed negatively today with a drop of 0.5% to the €1.89 level albeit on trivial volumes.
  • Medserv plc retreated to its 2018 low of €1.00 (-1%) on activity totalling 34,200 shares. The company is due to publish its interim results on 27 August.
  • In the property segment, Malita Investments plc shed 2.3% to the €0.85 level as the equity turned ex-dividend. A total of 67,550 shares were exchanged across four deals. The net interim dividend of €0.00858 per share is payable on 7 September.
  • Meanwhile, Malta Properties Company plc (6,500 shares) and Main Street Complex plc (3,000 shares) retained the €0.51 and €0.665 levels respectively. Main Street Complex is expected to publish its interim results this Friday 24 August.
  • PG plc held on to its five-month high of €1.37 on a single deal of just 150 shares. The company’s Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on 28 August to consider and approve the financial statements for the year ended 30 April 2018. The Directors will also be considering the distribution of an interim dividend.
  • Low trading activity also took place in the equity of HSBC Bank Malta plc which maintained the €1.80 level.
  • GO plc also closed the day unchanged at the €3.40 level after recovering from an intra-day low of €3.38 (-0.6%) whilst failing to hold on to an intra-day high of €3.44 (+1.2%). A total of 11,045 shares changed hands.
  • On the other hand, Lombard Bank Malta plc moved 2.6% higher to regain the €2.36 level on seven deals totalling 20,000 shares. Lombard is due to publish its 2018 interim financial statements tomorrow.
  • Trident Estates plc added 2.3% to close at the €1.33 level on insignificant volumes.
  • Trading in the newly issued 4% Exalco Finance plc 2028 secured bonds commenced today. The bond closed at 104% on robust volumes totalling €1.05 million (nominal).