Daily Market Highlights (27.02.2019)

  • The MSE Equity Price Index moved higher for the third consecutive day as it added a further 0.08% to 4,491.490 points. The gains in MIA, RS2 and MPC outweighed the declines in PG, Plaza and BMIT. Meanwhile, several equities closed unchanged whilst trading volumes increased markedly to €1.59 million. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • The RF MGS Index retracted by 0.03% to 1,104.583 points as bond yields in the euro area trended higher despite a surge in geo-political tensions between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan. On the economic front, fresh data published today across the single currency zone was mixed amid a marked slowdown in private sector loans whilst indices gauging the level of confidence among businesses and consumers dropped by less than expected.
  • Malta International Airport plc advanced by 0.8% to regain its all-time high of €6.50 on continued strong volumes totalling 47,444 shares. Shareholders as at close of trading on 11 April will be entitled to a final net dividend of €0.09 per share.
  • RS2 Software plc edged 0.7% higher to the €1.40 level on high volumes of 94,323 shares.
  • In the property segment, Malta Properties Company plc surged almost 2% to the €0.55 level across 186,100 shares. The company is due to publish its 2018 annual financial results on 20 March. The Directors will also be considering the declaration of a final dividend.
  • In contrast, Malita Investments plc, Main Street Complex plc and Trident Estates plc traded unchanged at €0.92, and €0.63 and €1.36 respectively. Trading in Malita was shallow as only 3,054 shares changed hands. The company is due to report its 2018 financial results on 8 March. On the other hand, activity in Main Street Complex and Trident was much stronger and amounted to €0.07 million and €0.08 million respectively.
  • A single deal of just 2,822 shares left the equity of Bank of Valletta plc at the €1.27 level.
  • Within the same sector, HSBC Bank Malta plc maintained its over two-year low of €1.60 across 102,646 shares.
  • GO plc temporarily recorded a new multi-year high of €4.52 before ending the day at the €4.50 level (representing no change from the previous closing price) on a total of 72,876 shares having a market value of €0.31 million. The company is due to publish its 2018 full-year financial results on 8 March.
  • Simonds Farsons Cisk plc opened at a low of €8.70 (-0.6%) before settling unchanged at the €8.75 level. A total of 14,458 shares changed hands.
  • Meanwhile, BMIT Technologies plc extended yesterday’s decline as it dropped by a further 1.9% to the €0.525 level across 236,725 shares. Today, the company announced that its Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on Thursday 7 March to consider and approve the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2018.
  • PG plc eased by 0.7% to the €1.36 level on volumes totalling 76,000 shares while Plaza Centres plc lost 2% to €1.02 on 40,000 shares.