Daily Market Highlights (24.02.16)

  • The MSE Share Index registered its fifth consecutive positive performance as it advanced by a further 0.11% to 4,540.440 points – the highest level since late April 2008. Trading volumes declined to a 2-week low of €351,000. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index climbed to a 2-week high to 1,139.629 points (+0.15%) as global stock markets fell sharply on renewed pressures on the price of oil. Indeed, the 10-year benchmark German Bund yield slumped from 0.19% of yesterday to 0.13% today – the lowest level in almost a year. On the economic front, a survey mirroring the confidence among German businesses came in at its lowest level since 2014, suggesting deteriorating confidence in the European Central Bank’s ability to prop up the economy in the current volatile environment.
  • Subscriptions from the General Public for the two new Malta Government Stocks close today. Tenders in the 1.50% MGS 2022 (IV) and the (ii) 2.50% MGS 2036 will need to be lodged by next Monday 29 February.
  • Today’s gains were principally led by RS2 Software plc. The equity advanced by a further 2.4% to yet another all-time high of €3.615 across reduced volumes totalling 22,500 shares.
  • Medserv plc and Simonds Farsons Cisk plc closed at €1.649 (+1.8%) and €6.30 (+0.8%) respectively on low volumes. Yesterday, the oil and gas logistics services company announced that it has now concluded the purchase of the entire issued share capital of METS UAE and METS Oman as well as the 90% shareholding of METS Iraq (collectively known as the “METS Group”). As opposed to what was stated in the previous communications to the market, the consideration price for the above transactions has been reduced to USD45 million, reflecting the 10% shareholding of METS Iraq that was retained by Jarrett Asset Holdings Corporation.
  • In the banking sector, Bank of Valletta plc and HSBC Bank Malta plc both registered marginal declines. BOV retreated to the €2.217 level (-0.1%) across 31,733 shares. Last Friday, the Bank announced the issuance of €50 million 3.5% Tranche 2 subordinated bonds 2030 at par (100%) forming part of its Debt Issuance Programme launched in October 2015.
  • Likewise, HSBC Bank Malta plc slid by 0.5% to the €1.64 level across 32,800 shares. On Monday, HSBC announced their 2015 financial results, which showed an improved adjusted (i.e. excluding the effect of the non-recurring item pertaining to the early voluntary retirement scheme) profit before tax of €61.5 million. The Board of Directors is recommending a final gross dividend of €0.026 per share (€0.017 net), which together with the €0.051 gross interim dividend paid in September 2015, results in a total gross dividend for the year of €0.077 per share (€0.05 net) – representing a 20% increase compared to the 2014 adjusted dividend. Shareholders as at the close of trading on 14 March will be eligible to receive the final dividend on 19 April subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming Annual General Meeting to be held on 15 April 2016.
  • In the property segment, Malita Investments plc lost 2.1% to the €0.93 level on activity of 45,000 shares whilst Malta Properties Company plc retreated by 1.8% to the €0.56 level on volumes of 85,375 shares. The Board of Directors of Malita will meet on Tuesday 1 March to consider and approve the Company’s financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015. It will also consider the declaration of a final dividend.
  • Within the same sector, MIDI plc retained the €0.35 level across 25,690 shares. The Company’s Board is scheduled to meet on Monday 28 March to consider and approve the Company’s financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015. The Board will also be considering the recommendation of a final dividend.
  • Meanwhile, three other equities closed today’s trading session unchanged. Malta International Airport plc (2,236 shares) briefly touched an intra-day all-time high of €4.76 before closing flat at the €4.72 level. The airport operator is expected to reveal its financial results for 2015 this afternoon.
  • No changes were registered to the share prices of FIMBank plc and International Hotel Investments plc as they closed at USD0.635 and €0.72 across 37,051 and 11,400 shares respectively. FIMBank will be announcing its 2015 results on 15 March.