Daily Market Highlights (31.10.14)

  • Trading activity across the equity market during the final day of October was weak as the session was shortened due to technical problems. The MSE Share Index gained 0.3% to 3,304.642 points as a result of the upturn in BOV while the other four active equities closed unchanged. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index recovered to 1,093.070 points as Eurozone benchmark yields dropped back to the 0.84% level. Last night, the Bank of Japan unexpectedly increased its target for monetary stimulus leading to a rally across equity and bond markets.
  • BOV advanced by 1.4% to regain the €2.23 level on continued weak volumes of 18,254 shares as the market awaited the publication of the September 2014 full-year financial statements. These were published shortly after the close of the trading session. BOV reported a 10% decline in pre-tax profits to €104 million. The Directors recommended the payment of a final gross dividend of €0.0925 per share (final net dividend of €0.0601 per share), representing a decline of 21% compared to the final dividend of last year. This year’s final dividend is payable to those shareholders as at close of trading on Thursday 13 November. Moreover, a bonus share issue of 1 new share for every 11 shares held will be allotted to shareholders as at close of trading on 14 January 2015.
  • HSBC held on to the €1.97 level on a single trade of 2,173 shares.
  • The other active equities today were Malta International Airport plc (15,000 shares at €2.33), Lombard Bank Malta plc (1,000 shares at €1.75) and 6pm Holdings plc (500 shares at GBP0.72).
  • In the coming weeks, most companies will be issuing their Interim Directors’ Statements explaining the performance since the publication of the June half-year results.