Daily Market Highlights (27.09.12)

  • MSE Share Index edged marginally higher today to yet another 2-month high of 3,127.479 points on the back of a 0.6% rise in GO’s share price. Meanwhile, the only other active equity, Lombard, traded unchanged. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • Trading activity shrunk during this morning’s trading session on the local equity market with €15,550 worth of shares changing hands across two equities. Volumes also declined in the corporate bond and Malta Government Stock Markets with trading values of just below €150,000 and over €171,000 respectively.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index moved higher for the third consecutive day with a further 0.1% rise to 997.299 points as eurozone yields dipped lower for the eighth time in the last nine sessions. As a result, benchmark yields of the single currency market now stand just above the 1.45% level reflecting the uncertainty over Spain and Greece as well as concerns over slowing economic growth.
  • The share price of GO was pushed a further 0.6% higher to regain the €0.91 level across three trades totalling 15,000 shares. According to a recent announcement by the company, the Board of Directors is expected to meet by the end of this week to decide on whether to participate in Forthnet’s €30 million rights issue.
  • On the other hand, Lombard Bank maintained its multi-year low of €1.90 on a single deal of 1,000 shares.
  • Simonds Farsons Cisk shares inactive today despite yesterday’s announcement revealing a record €3.8 million in profits registered during the six months ended 31 July 2012 as well as unchanged net interim dividend of €0.0133 per share. Nonetheless, it is important to highlight that offers have been raised to the €2.30 level whilst bids remain at the last closing price of €2.20. Further details on results available here.
  • Yesterday afternoon, Loqus Holdings also published its half-year results covering the six months ended 31 December 2011. The half-year report reveals a loss for the period of €36,305 compared to the loss of €387,946 registered in the previous year. The reduction in the loss was due to the 18% increase in revenue to just under €2.1 million and the significantly lower amortisation charge in relation to the fleet management business which is still the subject of a proposed sale. Further details available here.