Daily Market Highlights (25.10.11)

  • MSE Share Index back into positive territory with a 0.2% rise to 3,088.395 points on the back of increases in the share prices of HSBC, IHI and GO which offset the declines in BOV and MIDI. Meanwhile the only other two active equities, namely Lombard Bank and Plaza, closed unchanged. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index shed 0.2% to 982.107 points as Eurozone yields regained the 2.14% ahead of the EU summit taking place tomorrow. During this meeting, EU leaders are expected to agree upon a solution for the region’s sovereign debt crisis which will probably include a significant haircut on Greek debt and a recapitalisation programme for European banks.
  • BOV share price dragged lower ahead of full-year results publication. Equity down a further 1.2% to yet another 2-year low of €2.40 before partially recovering to a close of €2.415 representing a 0.6% drop from the previous close. Over 52,600 shares changed hands today with other bids unsatisfied at the closing price and lowest offers placed at the €2.42 level. Next Friday BOV will be publishing its results for the financial year ended 30 September.
  • Meanwhile HSBC reversed yesterday’s drop as the equity climbed 1.1% to regain the €2.66 level across four trades amounting to 6,840 shares. Further offers outstanding at the closing price whilst best bids now placed at €2.631. During the second week of November, the Bank generally publishes its Interim Statement covering the third quarter of 2011.
  • GO’s share price edges minimally higher to €1.005 on volumes of 17,780 shares. GO shareholders now await the outcome of next Thursday’s Extraordinary General Meeting of Forthnet convened for the purposes of approving a number of changes to the capital structure as well as a €30 million rights issue.
  • A single trade of 4,500 IHI shares transacted at the €0.81 level representing a 1.3% rise over the previous close. Further offers unsatisfied at the last traded price with highest bids placed at the €0.80 level.
  • MIDI’s equity drops 6% to a new all-time low of €0.39 on volumes of 3,000 shares. Other offers outstanding at the closing price with best bids in the market at €0.351.
  • Plaza maintained the €1.80 level on volumes of 3,000 shares.
  • Similarly, no change in the share price of Lombard Bank as the equity recovered from an intra-day low of €2.74 to regain the €2.75 level. 2,000 shares changed hands today with other offers unsatisfied at the closing price.