Daily Market Highlights (14.04.10)

  • MSE Share Index sheds a further 0.2% to 3,492.059 points as BOV and GO close lower to offset the positive performances of HSBC and FIMBank. Following four consecutive sessions of declines, the Index is now just 31 points higher than its value at the beginning of the year. Volumes dip as results announcements fail to elicit trades. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • BOV wipes out all of yesterday’s 0.7% increase, as the share price drops by 1.2% to close at €3.279. Just over 11,600 shares change hands today with best bids now placed at €3.262 whilst lowest offers pitched at the €3.30 level.
  • Meanwhile HSBC closes marginally higher at €3.09 after recovering from a fresh 2010 low of €3.07. Almost 5,200 shares traded today with best bids now in the market at €3.00 whilst few other offers remain unsatisfied at the closing price. Last week HSBC held its Annual General Meeting during which shareholders approved all the resolutions on the agenda including the final gross dividend of €0.08 which will be paid on 20 April.
  • GO eases only 0.2% lower to €2.17 despite trading without the entitlement to the gross dividend of €0.154 per share. A single trade of 5,745 shares effected during this morning’s trading session. GO is scheduled to hold its Annual General Meeting on 17 May.
  • FIMBank’s share price rises by €0.9% to regain the US$1.08 level. Two trades amounting to 4,531 shares with no bids in sight whilst lowest offers still pitched at the US$1.15 level. The trade specialist is scheduled to hold its Annual General Meeting on 6 May 2010. During the meeting shareholders will be asked to approve a number of resolutions including the payment of a final gross dividend of US$0.018 per share. The dividend may be either taken in cash or in shares at the attribution price of US$1.00 per share.
  • MaltaPost maintains the €0.80 level on volumes of 18,000 shares. Further offers remain unsatisfied at the closing price. MaltaPost yesterday announced that its Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on 17 May to consider and approve the Company’s financial statements for the half-year ended 31 March 2010.
  • Simonds Farsons Cisk publishes its financial results for the year ended 31 January 2010. The Preliminary Profit Statement shows a substantial improvement in pre-tax profits to €3.1 million from the €0.9 million registered in the year ended 31 January 2009 despite a 2% decline in turnover. The Directors recommended a final net dividend of €0.05 per share subject to approval at the next Annual General Meeting scheduled to be held on 24 June 2010. Shareholders as at close of trading on 25 May will be eligible for this dividend. Further details available here.