Daily Market Highlights (23.02.12)

  • Following four consecutive sessions of gains, the MSE Share Index slumped 1% during this morning’s session to a new 31-month low of 2,980.658 points. Four out of the five active equities, including HSBC, IHI and MIA, traded lower today whilst BOV closed unchanged. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index edged 0.1% higher to 987.273 points as Eurozone yields dropped closer to the 1.90% level on new concerns with respect to economic growth following a spike in the rise of oil prices. The recently issued 4.30% MGS 2022 traded up to a new high of 102%. Moreover, markets are still concern about whether Greece will be able to implement the austerity measures agreed to in the second bailout.
  • HSBC slipped 1.7% lower to €2.555 on the eve of the Bank’s full-year results publication. Low volumes of 1,855 shares changed hands today with other bids remaining unsatisfied at the closing price and lowest offers at the €2.59 level.
  • Meanwhile BOV recovered from a 3-month low of €2.151 to end this morning’s session 0.2% higher at the €2.165 level. Six trades totalling 7,596 shares were transacted today with other bids outstanding at the last traded price and lowest offers at the €2.17 level.
  • IHI’s share price dropped by 2.5% today to close at the €0.78 level also on low volumes of 2,597 shares. Best bids in the market at €0.76 whilst lowest offers placed at the €0.80 level. Yesterday over 137,000 shares traded at €0.80.
  • MIA also in negative territory today as the equity retreated by 0.6% to €1.70 on shallow trading of 580 shares. Offers already placed minimally below the last closing price at €1.699 whilst best bids still in the market at the €1.562 level. MIA will be publishing its 2011 full-year results on 22 March
  • The equity of the local postal operator tumbled 2.1% to close at the €0.93 level – the lowest closing price since December 2010. MaltaPost’s share price has tumbled 6.1% since the Company’s Directors revealed on 15 February that they expect lower profits for the six months ending 31 March 2012. Further details available here.