Daily Market Highlights (25.01.12)

  • Local equity market back into negative territory as the MSE Share Index wiped out yesterday’s increase with a 0.7% drop to 3,061.536 (the lowest level since 16 December 2011) as most active equities, including HSBC and BOV, traded lower during this morning’s session. Apart from the five negative performing equities, MaltaPost edged higher whilst RS2 held on to its 52-week high. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index eased a further 0.2% to a new 5-week low of 985.509 points as Eurozone yields tested the 2% level this morning as markets remain concerned over the on-going Greek debt discussions.
  • Yesterday, the Treasury of Malta announced that next Friday 27 January it will determine the prices for the 3 new Malta Government Stock issues on offer next week. The Treasury will be issuing €150 million (with an over-allotment option of up to another €150 million) in the following stocks: (i) 4.25% MGS 2017 (III) (Fungibility Issue); (ii) 4.3% MGS 2022 (II) and (iii) 5.2% MGS 2031 (I) (Fungibility Issue). The subscription period for the General Public will take place between Wednesday 1 February and Friday 3 February. On the secondary market, a further €2.3 million (nom) traded in the 5.20% MGS 2031 with the price dropping by another 35 basis points to 101.65% in line with the Central Bank’s bid price.
  • BOV closed marginally lower at €2.25 after only partially recovering from an intra-day low of €2.20 across twenty five trades totalling 27,319 shares. Other offers unsatisfied at the closing price with best bids at the €2.20 level.
  • Similarly, HSBC’s share price edged 0.2% lower to the €2.55 level. Lower volumes of 8,200 shares traded today ahead of the Bank’s full-year results publication which are generally published by the end of February.
  • Middlesea tumbled 10% to a new 20-month of €0.72 on very shallow trading amounting to 100 shares. Other bids outstanding at the last traded price whilst lowest offers still in the market at the €0.775 level.
  • MIA’s share price eases by 1.1% to €1.73 on volumes of 10,400 shares. Further bids remaining unsatisfied at the closing price whilst lowest offers now placed at the €1.75 level. The company is shortly expected to provide a detailed analysis of its 2011 traffic results.
  • A single trade of 2,500 GO shares pushed the equity of the quad play telecom operator 4.8% lower back to the €0.90 level. The market still awaits an update after the shareholders of Forthnet rejected all the resolutions on the agenda at the recent Extraordinary General Meeting.
  • Meanwhile, MaltaPost shares regained the €1.00 level across five trades totalling 2,000 shares. Next Monday, eligible shareholders will receive their final net dividend of €0.04 per share in cash or in shares according to the preferred option as approved during the Annual General Meeting held on 17 January.
  • The only other active equity, RS2 Software, held on to its 52-week high of €0.60 across 30,000 shares. Another 10,000 shares on offer at the closing price with highest bids at the €0.57 level.