Daily Market Highlights (26.04.2017)

  • The MSE Share Index partly erased yesterday’s decline as it rebounded by a minimal 0.02% to 4,697.611 points. Trading volumes remained weak as only €0.11 million worth of shares changed hands. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index slumped by 0.51% – the worst daily performance in nearly seven weeks – to a four-week low of 1,120.238 points. Euro zone sovereign yields continued to gain ground on the back of significantly reduced political risks following last Sunday’s conclusion of the first round of the French Presidential election. Opinion polls are now suggesting a comfortable lead of the centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron over the far-right leader Marine Le Pen in the second and final round to be held on 7 May 2017.
  • The equity of Bank of Valletta plc continued to trade within a tight range as it recaptured its near 10-year high of €2.25 (+0.4%) across 18,650 shares. Tomorrow, BOV is expected to reveal its interim results for the period ended 31 March 2017.
  • Two deals totalling 3,000 shares lifted GO plc 0.7% higher to the €3.499 level. The Company is due to hold its Annual General Meeting on 3 May 2017.
  • Also among the large companies by market capitalisation, HSBC Bank Malta plc closed slightly lower at the €2.06 level. A total of 7,067 shares traded.
  • RS2 Software plc retreated by 1.3% back to the €1.58 level on light volumes totalling 1,495 shares. Shareholders as at close of trading on 17 May will be entitled to a final net dividend of €0.01 per share.
  • A single deal of just 5,000 shares pulled the equity of MIDI plc 3.2% lower to a near two-year low of €0.30. Shareholders as at close of trading on 17 May will be entitled to a final net dividend of €0.007 per share.
  • Within the same segment, Malita Investments plc (14,000 shares) and Plaza Centres plc (10,292 shares) traded unchanged at €0.74 and €1.10 respectively. Plaza’s equity starts trading without the entitlement to the recently declared final net dividend of €0.0294 per share as from tomorrow.
  • Malta International Airport plc maintained the €4.151 level across 4,851 shares. MIA’s AGM will be held on 10 May 2017.
  • Simonds Farsons Cisk plc held on to the €7.44 level on trivial volumes. The Board of Directors of Farsons is due to meet on 4 May 2017 to consider and approve the Group’s results for the financial year ended 31 January 2017. The Directors will also consider recommending the payment of a final dividend.