Daily Market Highlights (27.01.12)

  • MSE Share Index eased minimally lower during the final session of the week to 3,065.923 points with MIA edging 0.6% lower whilst BOV closing marginally higher. The other two active equities, HSBC and Middlesea closed unchanged. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary. Over the past five sessions, the local equity benchmark retreated by 0.5% as the positive weekly performances by the three largest banks and MaltaPost were offset by the weekly declines in IHI, MIA, GO, FIMBank and Middlesea Insurance.
  • On the bond market, the volumes traded across Malta Government Stocks in recent sessions persisted also today as a further €5.7 million worth of local Government paper changed hands. In total, €28.7 million worth of Malta Government Stocks were exchanged this week ahead of next week’s new stock issues. In fact, 33.6% of this value was traded in the 5.2% MGS 2031 (I) with its price ranging between a low of 101.65% to a high of 102.73%. The price of the 19-year bond closed the week at 102.16%.
  • This afternoon the Treasury will publish the prices of the 3 new Malta Government Stock issues announced earlier this week. A total of €300 millionwill be on offer across the following stocks: (i) 4.25% MGS 2017 (III) (Fungibility Issue) at 103.75%; (ii) 4.3% MGS 2022 (II) at 100% (par) and (iii) 5.2% MGS 2031 (I) (Fungibility Issue) at 101.75%. The subscription period for the General Public will take place between Wednesday 1 February and Friday 3 February. Further details and copies of the application form available here.
  • MIA’s share price slipped 0.6% lower during this morning’s trading session to €1.74 on a single trade of 7,200 shares. During a press conference held this morning, the airport operator confirmed the 6.5% increase in passenger movements in 2011 to a record 3.5 million passengers. The Company also revealed the 2012 forecast of a 2.8% decline in passenger numbers over 2011 as MIA expect demand for travel to drop in the prevailing economic scenario which will offset the new routes to be introduced by Air France and Ryanair. Nonetheless, the Company’s 2012 forecast is still 3% higher than the previous record registered in 2010. Further details and copy of the presentation available here.
  • BOV inched minimally higher to close at the €2.25 level representing a weekly increase of 1.4%. Today, over 10,400 shares traded with further offers unsatisfied at the closing price and highest outstanding bids at the €2.23 level.
  • Lower volumes of 2,100 shares traded in HSBC with the share price ending the session unchanged at the €2.56 level. Further offers outstanding at the last traded price with highest bids at €2.51. Equity ended the week 0.4% higher. The Bank generally publishes its full-year results by the end of February.
  • Middlesea again failed to recover from this week’s earlier drop of 10% as a further 1,036 shares changed hands at €0.72 – a 20-month low for the equity. The share price of MSI ranks as the worst performer this week.