Daily Market Highlights (09.01.2018)

  • The MSE Equity Price Index extended yesterday’s decline of 0.24% by a further 0.27% to 4,478.566 points, reflecting the drops in the share prices of BOV, RS2, HSBC and MIDI which outweighed MIA’s 1.3% rise. Trading volumes improved to a four-day high of €0.39 million. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • The RF MGS Index trended higher for the fourth consecutive day as it gained a further 0.1% to 1,119.078 points. Euro zone sovereign yields moved mostly higher today amid strong trade and industrial production data in Germany. Moreover, the unemployment rate within the single currency area slipped to a fresh nine-year low of 8.7%.
  • Bank of Valletta plc was the worst performing equity today with a drop of 1.1% to the €1.78 level across 94,143 shares.
  • Also in the retail banking sector, HSBC Bank Malta plc eased by 0.6% back to the €1.75 level after falling to hold on to an intra-day high of €1.80 (+2.3%). A total of 40,004 shares changed hands. The bank is due to publish its 2017 financial results on 20 February 2018. The Directors will also consider the declaration of a dividend to be recommended to shareholders during the Annual General Meeting to be held on 12 April 2018.
  • Amongst the large companies by market capitalisation, RS2 Software plc retracted by 0.7% to the €1.52 level on a single deal of 6,484 shares.
  • MIDI plc also closed the day in negative territory with a drop of 0.6% to the €0.346 level across 154,050 shares.
  • In contrast, Malta International Airport plc advanced by 1.3% to recapture the €4.76 level on four deals totalling 5,300 shares. The airport operator is shortly expected to announce the 2017 traffic results and also provide its passenger forecast for this year.
  • Meanwhile, four equities ended today’s trading session unchanged. FIMBank plc and Simonds Farsons Cisk plc maintained the USD0.69 and €8.50 levels on light volumes.
  • PG plc retained the €1.40 level across 24,653 shares and Mapfre Middlesea plc also closed flat at the €1.82 level on three deals totalling 8,141 shares.