MSE Equity Price Index retreats on low volumes

The MSE Equity Price Index failed to hold to yesterday’s four-month high as it fell by 1.02% to 3,788.109 points. The declines in BOV, GO, and Trident outweighed the gains in four other equities, while MIA and HSBC closed the session unchanged. Today’s trading activity in equities amounted to just €0.10 million. Trading on the Malta Stock Exchange resumes on Wednesday 27 December. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.

Bank of Valletta plc retreated from yesterdays over 5-year high as it dropped by 13.3% to the €1.30 level on a single trade of 2,295 shares.

GO plc eased by 0.7% to the €2.90 level across four deals totalling 5,192 shares.

A single trade of 1,436 shares pulled the share price of Trident Estates plc 3.1% lower to the €1.27 level.

Today’s most actively traded equity – APS Bank plc – closed unchanged at the €0.54 level after failing to hold to an intraday high of €0.55 across three deals totalling 40,225 shares.

Also in the banking sector, HSBC Bank Malta plc (12,897 shares) and Lombard Bank Malta plc (11,000 shares) closed unchanged at the €1.28  and €0.85 levels respectively.

Malta International Airport plc held the €5.75 level on muted activity.

Mapfre Middlesea plc was today’s best performing equity as it surged by 25% to the €1.50 level across five deals totalling 6,000 shares, albeit the volume-weighted average price for the day was at €1.298 (+8.2%).

International Hotel Investments plc extended yesterday’s gains as it climbed by a further 15.4% to the €0.54 level across four deals totalling 16,776 shares. The volume-weighted average price for the day was at €0.491 (+4.9%).

The ordinary shares of RS2 Software plc increased by 0.9% to the €1.11 level across three trades totalling 7,000 shares.

MIDI plc moved 2.1% higher to the €0.296 level on two deals totalling 15,000 shares.

The RF MGS Index moved lower for the first time this week as it shed 0.13% to 905.757 points. Nonetheless, the Index marked the fourth consecutive weekly gain. The data related to inflation in the US continued to dominate headlines as the personal consumption expenditure prices increased by only 2.6% compared to a year earlier, the lowest reading since February 2021. Excluding food and energy costs, prices were 3.2 higher. The measure is closely watched by the Federal Reserve policymakers and economists remarked that the slowing inflation should allow the Fed to reduce its interest rates in 2024.

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.