Daily Market Highlights (30.10.2018)

  • The MSE Equity Price Index rebounded marginally from yesterday’s 3-week low as it edged 0.06% higher today to 4,469.556 points on the back of increases in the share prices of BOV, GO and RS2. These offset declines in HSBC, Mapfre Middlesea, FIMBank and MaltaPost. Trading activity eased to €0.14 million during today’s trading session compared to just over €0.2 million yesterday. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • Following six consecutive days of increases, the RF MGS Index slipped 0.2% lower today back to 1,086.087 points as the benchmark 10-year eurozone yield recaptured the 0.4% level this morning. However, an array of disappointing data pushed the benchmark yield lower (whilst peripheral yields regained their upward trend) and is currently trading around the 0.37% level. The data published today revealed that the eurozone’s gross domestic product grew by a less-than-expected 0.2% in the third quarter of this year. This included a flat reading for Italy compared to the anticipated 0.2% growth for the same quarter.
  • For the second consecutive day, Bank of Valletta plc failed to hold on to an intra-day high of €1.37 although it still closed today’s session 0.8% higher at €1.35 across eight deals totalling 31,400 shares.
  • GO plc also trended in positive territory gaining 1% at €4.00 albeit on insignificant volume (500 shares).
  • The only other positive performing equity was RS2 Software plc with a 1.8% rise to recapture the €1.14 level also on low volumes of 2,055 shares.
  • On the other hand, HSBC Bank Malta plc slipped 0.6% back to the €1.80 level across 16,000 shares.
  • Similarly, FIMBank plc eased 0.7% to drop back to the USD0.75 level on volumes of 15,810 shares.
  • Also, in the financial sector, Mapfre Middlesea plc’s share price was forced 2% lower to €1.92 on a single trade of 2,580 shares.
  • MaltaPost plc also slipped into negative territory today as it declined by 1.2% to €1.62 across shallow volumes of 2,033 shares.
  • Meanwhile, Malta International Airport plc held on to €6.20 level across 5,000 shares and Simonds Farsons Cisk plc held on to the €8.00 level on just 792 shares.
  • Likewise, Malita Investment plc retained the €0.88 level on a deal of 10,000 shares.
  • On the Alternative Companies List, a further 24,500 shares of Loqus Holdings plc traded unchanged at the €0.075 level.