Daily Market Highlights (30.07.2014)

  • The MSE Share Index recovered from its 2-day negative performance, as it edged 0.6% higher to 3,374.883 points as four equities closed higher. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index edged minimally higher to yet another record level of 1,061.380 points after Eurozone yields dropped to their lowest level ever of 1.11% yesterday afternoon. Yields recovered marginally to 1.124% this morning. Although the markets are today expecting positive economic news from the US, the sanctions on Russian energy, financial and defence sectors continued to negatively impact investor sentiment.
  • Bank of Valletta advanced by 1% to the €2.10 level on volumes of 18,236 shares with Lombard Bank Malta jumping 13.33% higher to the €1.70 level over a single trade of only 580 shares. Lombard’s interim results will be published on 20 August.
  • RS2 Software and Simonds Farsons Cisk were the other two positive performers today. The equity of the IT company continued to advance on high volumes with a total of 81,999 shares changing hands today. The share price edged 1.6% higher to the €2.59 level. Trading activity in the equity of Farsons was weak with only 1,400 shares exchanged across 2 trades at the €2.87 level, representing a 0.7% rise from yesterday’s close.
  • The only equity which closed the session lower was HSBC Bank Malta with the share price easing to a fresh multi-year low of €2.00 on high volumes totalling 65,616 shares. HSBC’s interim results will be published next Monday 4 August.
  • Meanwhile, four equities closed this morning’s session unchanged. GO was the most active with 26,000 shares traded and the share price closing at the €2.38 level.
  • Similarly, a single trade of 20,000 shares took place in the equity of Tigne Mall at the €0.515 level. Middlesea Insurance and Malita Investment maintained the €0.87 level (1,824 shares) and the €0.55 level (9,500 shares) respectively. The market awaits the interim financial results of the company for the 6 months ended 30 June 2014 following the Board of Directors meeting which took place yesterday.
  • Malta International Airport plc should also be publishing their June 2014 interim financial statements later on this afternoon.