Daily Market Highlights (24.03.16)

  • The MSE Share Index extended yesterday’s gains by a further 0.13% to 4,508.544 points as the increases in the prices of six equities outweighed the declines in IHI and Malta Properties Company plc. Trading volumes improved as just over €266,000 worth of shares changed hands. Following last week’s worst weekly performance since the start of the year (-1.79%), the local equity benchmark advanced by 0.87% during this shortened week. Trading will resume next Tuesday 29 March. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index advanced by 0.13% to 1,152.227 points as the 10-year benchmark German Bund yield slumped from the 0.23% level of yesterday to 0.18% today possibly due to notable declines in the price of oil.
  • Bank of Valletta plc inched 0.8% higher to the €2.269 level on volumes totalling 14,825 shares. On Tuesday, the Bank announced that it received €36.59 million worth of applications for the recently issued 3.5% €50 million Subordinated Notes 2030. Therefore, all applications will be met in full. The new Notes are expected to be admitted to the Official List on 8 April 2016 with trading expected to commence thereafter.
  • Also in the banking sector, FIMBank plc continued to trend higher as today it gained another 3.6% to the USD0.725 level – the highest since late April 2014 – across 29,983 shares. Shareholders as at the close of trading on 6 April will be eligible for a 1 for 25 bonus issue, subject to regulatory as well as shareholders’ approval.
  • RS2 Software plc closed higher for the fifth consecutive session as the equity continued to rebound from last week’s sharp decline with a further 0.4% uplift to the €3.70 level across 7,140 shares.
  • Medserv plc partly reversed yesterday’s decline as the equity regained the €1.65 level (+1.2%) across 13,000 shares. On Tuesday, Medserv published its 2015 financial performance which showed that the Group’s net profit attributable to shareholders surged to €4.12 million compared to €1.94 million in 2014. No final dividends are being recommended in view of the Company’s substantial expansion programme.
  • GO plc closed at a fresh five-month high of €3.45 (+0.6%) across 5,450 shares. Shareholders as at 7 April are entitled to receive a final net dividend of €0.10 per share (to be paid on 13 May) subject to shareholders’ approval at the Company’s Annual General Meeting to be held on 11 May 2016.
  • GlobalCapital plc reclaimed the €0.40 level (+5.3%) on low volumes. Shareholders have until 30 March to submit their application in order to participate in the recently announced rights issue of 1.27 new shares for every 1 share held.
  • In contrast, International Hotel Investments plc declined by 3.8% to a fresh one-year low of €0.64 across 88,200 shares.
  • Despite registering improved results on Monday, Malta Properties Company plc shed another 0.4% to the €0.563 level across 59,726 shares. On Tuesday, MPC announced that it has been approached by a third party with proposals for a potential mixed-use development that would incorporate the Company’s St. George’s Exchange site in St Julian’s. The Company’s Board of Directors will make additional announcements in such regards as and when necessary.
  • Meanwhile, MIDI plc maintained the €0.36 level across 124,737 shares. The Company will reveal its financial results for 2015 on 28 March.
  • Two deals totalling 2,220 shares left the equity of Malta International Airport plc unchanged at the €4.41 level.