Daily Market Highlights (27.02.13)

  • The MSE Share Index slid a further 0.2% during this morning’s session to 3,262.999 points as the declines in the equities of the large banks’ equities offset the increases in the share prices of GO, RS2 and 6pm. All other active equities ended the session unchanged. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index eased minimally lower to 1,010.116 points despite a further dip in the benchmark 10-year German Bund yields to below the 1.45% to near its 2013 lows as demand for ‘safe-haven’ assets was sustained on renewed concerns over the Eurozone following the inconclusive results of the Italian general election. On the other hand, Italy’s borrowing costs soared to the highest levels since November 2012 although the Treasury still managed to sell its maximum target of €6.5 billion in government bonds comprising 5 and 10-year paper.
  • Subscriptions from the general public for the new Malta Government Stock issues close this afternoon. The Treasury is offering a total of €200 million in any combination of the two new stocks as follows: (i) 3.00% MGS 2019 (III) at 100.50% giving a yield to maturity of 2.915% and (ii) 4.5% MGS 2028 (II) at par giving a yield to maturity of 4.5%. Copy of the Prospectus and application forms may be found here.
  • The share price of RS2 climbed 4.7% to a new all-time high of €0.90 as new demand entered the market today. The IT equity has advanced by 21.6% since the start of the year following the two new significant licence sales announced late last year coupled with other potential contracts. Moreover, in the Interim Statement published in November 2011, the Directors stated that they expect the overall performance of 2012 to be higher than the pre-tax profit of €2.38 million registered in 2011. RS2 has yet to announce the date of the publication of the 2012 financial statements.
  • Similarly, new contracts also fuelled this year’s rally in 6pm which edged a further 2.4% higher today to a new 21-month high of GBP0.43 representing a year-to-date increase of 38.7%.
  • GO also ended in positive territory today with a 0.4% increase to a fresh 22-month high of €1.405 on low volumes of 3,000 shares. GO also has yet to announce the publication date for the 2012 financial statements.
  • Medserv shares traded for the first time this year with the equity edging 0.3% higher to the €3.95 level on shallow volumes of 550 shares.
  • On the other hand, BOV failed to hold on to its 2013 high of €2.29 as it drifted back to the €2.26 level representing a 0.5% drop from the previous close. A total of 34,380 shares changed hands.
  • Likewise, the share price of HSBC eased 0.4% lower to €2.73 on volumes of 4,500 shares in anticipation of next week’s full-year results publication.
  • The equity of Lombard Bank dropped 1% back to the €1.811 level across 20,275 shares ahead of the Bank’s full-year results publication on 14 March.
  • Meanwhile, all other active equities during this morning’s session ended unchanged including Middlesea Insurance which held on to the €0.79 level on low volumes of 1,584 shares ahead of the Group’s 2012 full-year results publication expected to be published later on this afternoon.
  • Activity in FIMBank increased to 72,856 shares at the USD1.00 level in anticipation of the announcement of the full-year results due next Wednesday 6 March.