Daily Market Highlights (24.07.2018)

  • The MSE Equity Price Index closed virtually unchanged at 4,401.580 points today as all equities ended unchanged except for Tigne’ Mall plc which drifted 1% lower back to the €0.95 level on trivial volumes. Overall volumes however rose markedly to €0.44 million largely reflecting heightened activity in MIA. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • The RF MGS Index extended yesterday’s decline by a further 0.14% to a near one-month low of 1,100.134 points as euro zone sovereign yields rose further, largely boosted by positive readings of indices gauging purchasing managers’ activity in Germany.
  • Malta International Airport plc maintained the €5.05 level across 50,000 shares having a market value of €0.25 million. MIA is due to publish its interim financial results tomorrow.
  • Also among the large caps, Bank of Valletta plc retained the €1.75 level after recovering from an intra-day low of €1.73 (-1.1%). A total of 33,429 shares changed hands. Today, BOV announced that its Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 31 July to consider and approve the interim financial statements for the six-month period ended 30 June 2018.
  • Within the same segment, HSBC Bank Malta plc held on to the €1.83 level on three deals totalling 16,254 shares. HSBC Malta is set to publish its interim results on 6 August.
  • Four other equities ended the day unchanged. These included Malita Investments plc (€0.87), PG plc (€1.33), GlobalCapital plc (€0.30) and RS2 Software plc (€1.20). Activity in both GlobalCapital and RS2 was weak.
  • Today, Plaza Centres plc published its interim financial results covering the six-month period ended 30 June 2018. The company reported a 10% decline in net profits mostly reflecting higher administrative costs and depreciation charges. In their commentary, the Directors noted that they are projecting an improvement in occupancy levels in the last quarter of 2018 as Plaza completes its various renovation works. These investments are expected to enhance Plaza’s offering which will eventually lead to higher returns for the company in the years ahead. The equity remained inactive today.