Daily Market Highlights (28.11.12)

  • The MSE Share Index moved lower for the first time in six session with a 0.1% dip to 3,191.834 points as the declines in BOV and Middlesea offset the positive performances of the three IT equities. Meanwhile, HSBC, GO and Lombard all ended this morning’s session unchanged. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index moved 0.1% higher to a new 2-year high of 1,000.953 points as benchmark German Bund yields retreated back to the 1.4% level on increased demand for safe-haven assets in view of the prevailing uncertainties particularly with respect to the US fiscal cliff. Yields of peripheral countries also retreated today after the European Commission approved a €40 billion aid programme for Spain’s rescued banks. This led Italian yields to touch 4.656% – the lowest level since 12 June 2011. On the local secondary market, high volumes of €21.86 million worth of Malta Government Stocks traded today – this represents the second highest daily activity in MGS this year.
  • Shares of RS2 Software remained in demand during this morning’s session helping the equity to climb a further 5.3% to reach a new 43-month high of €0.69 across two trades totalling 35,000 shares. Lowest offers are now placed at €0.70 with unsatisfied demand in the market at €0.67. Earlier this month, the Directors of RS2 announced that they are expecting the results of 2012 to be higher than those of 2011 after securing two licence and service agreement with an aggregate initial value of €6.5 million. Moreover, by year-end, the Directors also expect to conclude a third significant licence and service agreement as well as the first contract in connection with the newly launched managed services.
  • Crimsonwing initially regained its 25-month high of €0.425 but soon retreated back to the €0.41 level, representing a 1.2% rise over yesterday’s close. A total of 25,950 shares changed hands across two trades. The Group’s interim results should be published by the end of this week. In view of the restructuring undertaken in the previous financial year and in line with recent comments by the CEO David Walsh, Crimsonwing is expected to report improved financial results for the six months ended 30 September 2012.
  • The other IT equity listed on the Malta Stock Exchange, 6pm Holdings, also closed in positive territory today with a 3.3% jump to the GBP0.31 level on low volumes 5,800 shares.
  • On the other hand, BOV eased marginally lower to close at €2.419 after failing to hold on to an intra-day high of €2.425 across four deals totalling 11,850 shares.
  • The share price of Middlesea Insurance shed 5.4% to the €0.70 level on a single trade of just over 2,000 shares.
  • Meanwhile, HSBC held on to the €2.75 level on very low volumes of 365 shares.
  • GO also ended this morning’s session unchanged at the €1.065 level after recovering from an intra-day low of €1.05 with a total of 6,000 shares changing hands.
  • A single trade of 4,760 IHI shares was executed at the €0.87 level, unchanged from the previous close.