BOV shares drop amid high trading activity

The MSE Equity Price Index fell by 0.64% to 3,577.646 points reflecting the decline in the share price of BOV. Meanwhile, four other equities closed unchanged as overall total trading amounted to €0.29 million. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.

Bank of Valletta plc was the most actively traded equity for the third consecutive session as it fell by 4.9% to the €0.88 level. A total of 221,213 shares were traded having a market value of €0.2 million. Despite two sessions of consecutive declines, BOV advanced by 8.6% throughout the week as a result of the strong gains registered on Wednesday.

Also among the large companies by market value, Malta International Airport plc closed unchanged at the €5.60 level across eight deals totalling 13,555 shares, after failing to hold to an intraday high of €5.65 (+0.9%).

A single trade of 2,000 shares left the share price of PG plc at the €2.08 level.

APS Bank plc traded flat at the €0.60 level across two deals totalling 13,851 shares.

Simonds Farsons Cisk plc remained at the €7.35 level after recovering from an intraday low of €7.30 (-0.7%) on volumes totalling 1,000 shares.

The RF MGS Index retracted by 0.04% to 874.020 points. A flash estimate published by Eurostat showed that the euro area annual inflation rate is expected to have eased to 9.2% in December, down from 10.1% in November. However, core inflation which excludes food, energy, and tobacco products, increased to a new high of 5.2%, reflecting the spread of inflation towards various other sectors of the economy. Meanwhile in the US, employment growth slowed for the fifth consecutive month in December amid the Fed’s aggressive policy tightening, but the 223,000 jobs added during the month still exceeded forecasts.

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.