Daily Market Highlights (09.05.12)

Trading on the equity market was thin with only 3 active equities. MSE Share Index marginally unchanged at 2,988.372 points. Download a copy of the equity market summary here.

On the other hand, activity on the local bond market was high with a total of €15.9 million (nominal) worth of government bonds changing hands. The Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index edged marginally lower to 990.023 points as the Central Bank lowered the bid prices despite the Eurozone 10-year yield reached a new all time low of 1.51% on renewed concerns about Spain.

Lombard Bank ‘s share price down 0.8% to a new 2012 low of €2.38 on a single trade of 2,000 possibly as a result of the sharp drop in profits registered at Maltapost plc, which is a subsidiary of Lombard Bank.

Bank of Valletta closed at €2.12 on weak volumes of 2,470 shares. The equity turn ex-dividend yesterday and the gross interim dividend of €0.06 per share will be paid on 24 May.

MaltaPost plc closed unchanged at €0.96 after a single trade of 874 shares was executed. Yesterday MaltaPost announced its interim results for the 6 months ended 31 March 2012. For the period under review the company reported a 3.1% increase in revenue to €11 million. Operating profit of €0.76 million was significantly lower than the €1.5 million reported in the same period last year as the company incurred higher direct mail costs, wages and higher depreciation expense in line with the acquisition of the Company’s Head Office in Marsa. Download a copy of the MaltaPost interim results here.

During GO’s Annual General Meeting, shareholders had to approve the customary resolutions together with six extraordinary resolutions. During the meeting GO plc announced that it will set up a Special Purpose Vehicle valued at €50 million to hold the various properties held by the Group including the 11 telephone exchanges which were the subject of a recent announcement