Daily Market Highlights (30.12.2014)

  • During the final trading session of 2014, the MSE Share Index advanced by a further 0.6% to 3,331.081 points as four equities experienced an end-of-year rally. Despite the second successive day of gains, the year-to-date performance of the local stock market was negative, with the MSE Share Index down 9.6% largely due to the declines in the share prices of the two large banks and International Hotel Investments plc. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • Meanwhile, on the bond market, the RF MGS Index ended the year at a fresh all-time high of 1,102.847 points, advancing marginally over yesterday’s level of 1,102.481 points. The Index rallied by 8.4% during 2014 as eurozone yields dropped to historic lows during the latter half of the year as the European Central Bank is being placed under constant pressures to embark on sovereign bond buying in order to ease fears of deflation.
  • Bank of Valletta plc advanced by 1.2% during the final trading session of the year as a total of 36,985 shares changed hands. The equity is trading with the entitlement to the 1-for-11 bonus share issue until close of trading on 14 January 2015. Despite the slight recovery in the share price in recent weeks, BOV’s equity still closed the year down 7%.
  • International Hotel Investments plc was the best performer of the day with a 5.3% increase in its share price to the €0.579 level after a volatile session as the equity recovered from a low of €0.55. A total of 21,855 shares traded across six deals. Despite the year-end rally, IHI was the worst performer of the year with a decline of 39% as the market reacted to the geopolitical unrest in Libya and Russia.
  • 6PM Holdings plc was another gainer during today’s session with a 2.9% increase to the GBP0.70 level on a single trade of 5,200 shares. Similarly, Malta International Airport plc edged 0.9% higher to regain the €2.35 level on low volumes amounting to 3,233 shares.
  • Tigne Mall plc held on to its record level of €0.60 as a further 12,000 shares traded today with Plaza Centres plc also maintaining its multi-year high of €0.65 on total volumes amounting to 33,000 shares. MIDI plc held on to yesterday’s 14% rally and maintained the €0.24 level as a further 11,500 shares traded today.
  • GO plc and HSBC Bank Malta plc were the only two equities which closed in negative territory. GO’s share price closed 0.4% lower on weak activity totalling 5,001 shares. GO was the strongest performer of 2014 with a share price appreciation of 39.7%. 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).
  • HSBC Bank Malta plc closed the day 1.3% lower at the €1.95 level after failing to hold on to an intra-day high of €2.00 level. HSBC’s share price dropped by 16.7% during 2014.
  • The next trading session on the Malta Stock Exchange will now take place on Monday 5 January 2015.