MSE Equity Price Index off to a negative start to the year

The MSE Equity Price Index opened the year lower as it dropped by 1.45% to 3,502.632 points as the declines of MIA, GO, Lombard, and MPC outweighed the gains in Farsons. Meanwhile, three other equities closed unchanged as trading activity was subdued at €0.06 million. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.

Malta International Airport plc fell by 5.2% to a 2-year low of €5.50 on three trades totalling 1,800 shares. In a media article published last week, a spokesperson for MIA explained that 2023 is expected to show an improved level of passenger traffic over 2022 although they do not expect to reach the record figures of 2019 before 2024.

Also among the large companies by market value, GO plc eased by 0.7% to the €2.84 level, after partially recovering from an intraday low of €2.72 (-4.9%). A total of 9,299 shares changed hands.

Today’s worst performing equity – Lombard Bank plc – tumbled by 29.2% to an over-8 year low of €0.75 on four deals totalling 8,428 shares.

Malta Properties Company plc plunged by 20% to an all-time low of €0.40 albeit on shallow volumes of just 2,178 shares.

Bank of Valletta plc traded flat at the €0.81 level across three deals totalling 15,658 shares.

A single trade of 1,000 shares left MaltaPost plc at the €1.09 level.

Main Street Complex plc retained the €0.46 level on one deal of 1,015 shares.

Simonds Farsons Cisk plc was the only positive performing equity today it advanced by 2.2% to the €7.00 level, albeit on trivial volumes.

The RF MGS Index moved 0.16% higher to 865.919 points as eurozone sovereign bond yields eased following data showing lower-than-expected inflation in Germany. Indeed, the annual consumer price inflation dropped to 8.6% in December 2022, from 10% in November and below projections of 9.1%. This marked the second consecutive decline from October’s peak of 10.4%. Meanwhile, Germany’s unemployment rate remained stable at 5.5%.

This report contains public information only and is not to be construed as investment advice or an offer to buy or sell any securities. Information contained herein is based on data obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but no representations or guarantees are made with regard to the accuracy of the data.  Stock markets are volatile and subject to fluctuations which cannot be reasonably foreseen. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Rizzo, Farrugia & Co. (Stockbrokers) Limited is a company licensed to undertake investment services in Malta by the MFSA under the Investment Services Act, Cap. 370 of the Laws of Malta and a member of the Malta Stock Exchange.