Daily Market Highlights (26.01.16)

  • The MSE Share Index surpassed the 4,500 points level and added 0.18% today to 4,503.598 points as all active equities closed flat with the exception of BOV which gained 0.9%. Total trading activity dropped to a mere €181,000. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index advanced to a six-week high of 1,141.462 points (+0.19%) as the 10-year benchmark German Bund yield slipped from 0.48% to 0.45% today. Global stock markets resumed their decline as the price of oil dropped once again, mirroring concerns about weak future global growth prospects. Against this backdrop, eurozone bond markets are anticipating further European Central Bank (ECB) monetary stimulus at its next policy meeting to be held in early March.
  • Bank of Valletta plc advanced by 0.9% to the €2.239 level across 26,109 shares.
  • Meanwhile, ten other equites traded unchanged. In the banking sector, FIMBank plc (2,000 shares) and HSBC Bank Malta plc (3,000 shares) closed at USD0.63 and €1.79 respectively. HSBC is expected to announce its 2015 full year results on 22 February. The Directors will also consider recommending a final dividend for approval at the upcoming Annual General Meeting to be held on 15 April.
  • Malta International Airport plc touched a new all-time high of €4.40 but still closed unchanged at the €4.351 level across 3,400 shares. The Company will be publishing its 2015 financial results on 24 February. The Board of Directors will also be considering the payment of a final dividend.
  • Also amongst the large caps, four deals totalling 16,660 shares left the equity of GO plc flat at the €3.15 level. Last Wednesday, the quad-play operator announced that it exercised its option of increasing its stake in the Cypriot telecoms company Cablenet from the current level of 25% to 51%. Commenting on the transaction, GO’s Chairman stated that Cablenet continues to perform strongly, delivering steady, double-digit growth in both revenue and EBITDA over recent years. The Chairman also stated that the company offers significant potential for GO.
  • In the property sector, MIDI plc held on to the €0.35 level on volumes of 27,000 shares and Malita Investments plc maintained the €0.95 level across two trades totalling 15,000 shares. Malta Properties Company plc failed to recover from yesterday’s decline as only 1,100 shares traded at €0.54.
  • MaltaPost plc (8,000 shares) and 6PM Holdings plc (1,784 shares) maintained the €1.92 and GBP0.70 levels respectively.
  • Similarly, a further 4,724 Medserv plc shares traded at €1.68. The Lapsed Rights Offer period will close tomorrow. A total of 3.5 million shares are available for subscription during the auction process at a minimum bid price of €1.50. Recently, the oil and gas logistics company unveiled that it was awarded two full service logistics contracts offshore Libya having an estimated value of between of €2 to €3 million. These are expected to commence in the second quarter of 2016 and will require Medserv to utilise both their Malta Base facilities and their Libyan Branch.