Daily Market Highlights (01.02.11)

  • No major movements in local equity benchmark Index as large caps unchanged amid dip in volumes. MSE Share Index marginally down to 3,863.662 points as MIA’s 1.6% drop offsets MaltaPost’s 2% rise. Meanwhile HSBC, BOV and Lombard Bank close the day unchanged. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • Local bond market back into negative territory as the benchmark 10-year Eurozone yield climbed over the 3.20% level.  Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index down 0.1% to 982.787 points. Next Wednesday 9 February, the Treasury is expected to establish the prices of the two new Malta Government Stock issues. The two new MGS’s are the 4.25% MGS 2017 (III) and a fungible issue of the 5.25% MGS 2030 (I). The subscription period is open between Monday 14 February and Wednesday 16 February.
  • MaltaPost share price quickly recovers from yesterday’s decline. Equity gains 2% today to a new all-time high of €1.02 as the few shares on offer at this level were snapped up. Further bids unsatisfied at the closing price with lowest offers now placed at the €1.05 level. Following yesterday’s approval at the AGM, the postal operator will pay the final net dividend of €0.04 per share (in cash or shares as per shareholders’ instruction) on 11 February.
  • Meanwhile MIA closes in negative territory for the first time in over two weeks. A single trade of 1,000 MIA shares transacted at the €1.80 level representing a 1.6% drop from the previous close. Further offers outstanding at the last traded price whilst best bids in the market at the €1.75 level.
  • BOV maintains yesterday’s 0.3% rise as the equity recovers from an intra-day low of €3.10 to close unchanged at the €3.11 level. Over 36,400 shares change hands today with best bids now at €3.105 whilst lowest offers placed at the €3.135 level. The Bank is shortly expected to publish its Interim Directors’ Statement.
  • HSBC also maintains the €3.50 level ahead of the Bank’s 2010 full-year results expected to be published by the end of February. Just under 9,500 shares exchanged today with best bids in the market at €3.491 whilst lowest offers pitched at the €3.51 level.
  • Lombard Bank’s equity holds on to last week’s strong gains as a further 9,500 shares trade at the €2.96 level. The Bank is scheduled to publish its 2010 financial statements on 10 March.