Daily Market Highlights (24.04.15)

  • The MSE Share Index closed minimally lower today at 3,727.85 points as the losses in International Hotel Investments plc, Malta International Airport plc and Plaza Centres plc offset the gains in three other equities. The equity benchmark trended in negative territory for the third consecutive week. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • Meanwhile, on the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index slipped marginally to 1,171.320 points, as the Central Bank revised downwards its bid prices for the local MGS, following the upswing in benchmark 10-year European yields to around 0.17%.
  • The share price of International Hotel Investments plc dropped 1.4% to the €0.69 level on volumes of 50,000 shares ending the week with a loss of 2.8%. Similarly, Plaza Centres plc slipped 3.1% and closed today’s session at the €0.945 level across two trades for a significant 157,000 shares as the equity turned ex-dividend.
  • Malta International Airport plc was also amongst the negative performers with a drop of 1.4% to the €3.48 level albeit on negligible volumes of 400 shares.
  • Meanwhile, HSBC Bank Malta plc recovered from yesterday’s dip and edged 0.6% higher to the €2.032 level. Today HSBC’s eligible shareholders received the gross final dividend of €0.026 per share. Meanwhile, shareholders as at close of trading next Monday will be entitled for the 1 for 9 bonus share issue.
  • Middlesea Insurance plc advanced by 1.7% to a fresh 2015 high of €1.22. During the Annual General Meeting held this morning shareholders approved the distribution of a final net dividend of €0.03826 per share.
  • The best performer of the day was Simonds Farsons Cisk plc with an increase of 2.5% to a new all-time high of €3.35, albeit on insignificant volumes. SFC’s board is set to meet on 29 April to consider and approve the financial statements for the year ended 31 January 2015.
  • Bank of Valletta plc maintained the €2.21 level on volumes of 53,776 shares. The Bank’s board of directors is set to convene on 30 April to consider and approve the interim financial statements covering the six months ended 31 March 2015.