MSE Equity Price Index snaps three-day losing streak

 

The MSE Equity Price Index moved higher for the first time in four sessions as it advanced by 0.27% to 3,674.839 points. The gains in HSBC, IHI, MPC and the preference shares of RS2 outweighed the declines in APS and BOV, while six other equities closed unchanged. Trading activity in equities amounted to €0.31 million. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.

The preference shares of RS2 Software plc were today’s best performers as they climbed by 7.1% to a nine-month high of €1.50 after recovering from an intraday low of €1.36 (-2.9%) across six deals totalling 27,364 shares.

International Hotel Investments plc surged by 6.5% to the €0.575 level, albeit on just one trade of 1,200 shares.

Malta Properties Company plc rebounded by 3.6% to the €0.404 level on a single deal of 50,000 shares.

HSBC Bank Malta plc gained 0.9% to the €1.10 level on four deals totalling 45,000 shares.

In contrast, Bank of Valletta plc shed 1.8% to the €1.08 level across eleven deals totalling 22,104 shares.

APS Bank Malta plc dropped by 1.6% to the €0.60 level as 47,911 shares changed hands.

Lombard Bank Malta plc closed unchanged at the €1.00 level after recovering from an intraday low of €0.95 (-5%) across volumes totalling 20,197 shares.

Today’s most actively traded equity – BMIT Technologies plc – held the €0.43 level across four deals totalling 172,950 shares.

Malta International Airport plc closed unchanged at the €5.50 level after failing to hold to an intraday high of €5.55 (+0.9%) as 5,894 shares changed hands. On Tuesday, MIA announced that in April passenger movements reached a monthly record figure of 708,388 passenger movements, being 8.4% higher than the same month in 2019. Meanwhile, the seat load factor stood at 84.6%, compared to 77.8% in April 2022 and 83.4% pre-pandemic, in April 2019. Since the start of 2023, MIA welcomed a total of 1.95 million passengers, representing an increase of 5.3% over the corresponding period in 2019.

Also among the large companies by market value, GO plc (2,373 shares) and Simonds Farsons Cisk plc (150 shares) closed unchanged at the €2.94 and €7.00 levels respectively.

Hili Properties plc also closed unchanged at the €0.228 level on activity totalling 37,500 shares.

Today, M&Z plc announced further details with respect to the proposed final net dividend per share of €0.01986. Shareholders as at close of trading on Friday 12 May 2023 will receive the payment by Friday 23 June 2023, subject to approval at the upcoming Annual General Meeting to be held on 15 June 2023.

The RF MGS Index gained 0.58% to 881.728 points. Today, the Bank of England announced the twelfth consecutive rate hike as it raised interest rates a further 25 basis points to 4.5%, in line with expectations. UK’s Central Bank expects inflation to fall at a slower pace than previous forecasts, however the 2% inflationary target is still expected to be achieved by late 2024. Meanwhile in the US, producer prices increased by just 2.3% in April when compared to a year earlier, below expectations. The reading marks the lowest annual producer inflation in over two years.

 

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.