Daily Market Highlights (25.04.16)

  • The MSE Share Index opened the week virtually unchanged at 4,534.850 points as the gains registered in the equities of FIMBank, MIA and IHI were offset by the declines in BOV and GO. Meanwhile, six other shares closed flat. Volumes across the equity market remained lower than seen in the first three months of the year but today’s value of €248,000 is the highest in the past three days. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index registered its sixth consecutive decline as it slipped by a further 0.12% to yet another six-week low of 1,146.692 points. While the 10-year benchmark German Bund yield held to the 0.23% level, the corresponding yields of the Italian and Spanish governments rose slightly. On the economic front, a survey among German businesses showed that business sentiment unexpectedly fell in April, reinforcing the view that the European Central Bank’s ultra-loose monetary policy will be kept in place for an extended period.
  • Three deals totalling 25,000 shares pushed the equity of FIMBank plc to the USD0.76 level (+1.3%) – its highest since early February 2014. FIMBank is due to hold its Annual General Meeting on 10 May.
  • International Hotel Investments plc gained 0.2% to close at the €0.631 level on volumes of 30,000 shares. Last Friday, IHI published its 2015 financial results showing a marginal pre-tax loss of €0.35 million compared to a pre-tax loss of €29.8 million in 2014. Looking ahead, the Directors noted that they are following developments regarding the frail and uncertain political situation in Libya with cautious optimism. In the meantime, IHI is awaiting the necessary planning approvals and is seeking funding for the St. George’s Bay redevelopment project. Furthermore, the Group is pursuing other business opportunities for the development and management of new luxury Corinthia Hotels in Dubai, Rome, Brussels and Abuja.
  • Malta International Airport plc also gained 0.2% to €4.34 on low activity of 5,300 shares. MIA’s AGM will take place on Wednesday 4 May.
  • Also among the large companies, Bank of Valletta plc retreated by 0.4% to the €2.25 level across heightened activity totalling 54,445 shares. The Bank is scheduled to publish its interim results, covering the six months ended 31 March 2016, on Friday 29 April.
  • A single deal of just 200 shares pulled the equity of GO plc 0.1% lower to the €3.477 level.
  • Shallow volumes were also traded in the equities of 6PM Holdings plc (GBP0.875), Medserv plc (€1.791) and Mapfre Middlesea plc (€2.30). All three shares closed unchanged.
  • HSBC Bank Malta plc held on to the €1.60 level across 27,848 shares.
  • Similarly, RS2 Software plc maintained the €3.80 level across 3,088 shares. The IT services group is scheduled to publish its 2015 full-year results on Thursday 28 April.
  • Malta Properties Company plc recovered from an intra-day low of €0.57 to close flat at the €0.58 level across four deals totalling 8,900 shares.