Daily Market Highlights (29.12.14)

  • During the penultimate trading session of the year, the MSE Share Index advanced by 0.6% to 3,310.888 points as five of the seven active equities gained. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index increased minimally to 1,102.481 points as the upward movement in prices of the longer-term Malta Government Stocks were mainly offset by the declines in the short to medium-term securities. Eurozone benchmark yields continued to hover around the 0.59% level despite the renewed political uncertainty in Greece after the Prime Minister Antonios Samaras in his third attempt failed to persuade lawmakers to back his candidate for head of state, forcing the legislature’s dissolution. Elections are now set to take place on 25 January.
  • Among the local corporate bonds there was heightened activity in some instruments, mostly notably €700,000 (nom) 5.35% Izola Bank plc 2015 at 100.60%; €300,000 (nom) 5.5% Pendergardens Developments plc 2020 at 106.50%; €146,400 (nom) 5.0% Hal Mann Vella Group plc 2024 at 103.65% and €132,000 (nom) 5.1% PTL Holdings plc 2024 at 104.82%.
  • HSBC Bank Malta plc closed 1.3% higher at €1.975 across seven trades for a total of 23,078 shares. Similarly, the equity of Bank of Valletta plc rose by 0.6% to the €2.213 level on high activity amounting to 94,701 shares. Shareholders as at close of trading on 14 January are entitled to the 1 for 11 bonus share issue.
  • On the other hand, shallow volumes were registered in GO plc as 5,060 shares helped the equity edge 0.4% higher to regain the €2.56 level. On 26 December, the Greek media reported that OTE is expected to lodge a bid for Nova (the pay-TV arm of Forthnet) early in the New Year. On 1 July, OTE had submitted a non-binding offer to acquire the Nova pay-tv platform for a consideration ranging between €250 million to €300 million, on a debt free/cash free basis (i.e. excluding net debt).
  • Plaza Centres plc advanced by 1.3% to a fresh multi-year high of €0.65 on activity totalling 20,000 shares.
  • The best performer of the day was MIDI plc with a surge of 14.3% to a 3-month high of €0.24 on weak volumes totalling 5,400 shares.
  • Meanwhile, a single trade of 2,466 shares of MaltaPost plc was transacted at the €1.20 level, representing a 4% decline from its previous close. This is the first time the equity traded ex-dividend. The dividend of €0.04 per share will be paid after shareholders’ approval at the upcoming Annual General Meeting scheduled to take place on 16 January. Shareholders have the option of taking the dividend either in cash or in new shares at a price of €1.16.
  • The only other active equity was Malta International Airport plc which held on to the €2.33 level on weak volumes of 938 shares.