Daily Market Highlights (17.01.17)

  • The MSE Share Index extended yesterday’s decline as it fell by a further 0.44% to 4,660.994 points as five equities, including HSBC and FIMBank, closed the day in negative territory to offset the gains registered by another three equities including BOV and RS2. Overall trading activity across the local equity market dropped to €0.22 million – the lowest in the last five trading sessions. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index moved 0.23% higher to a three-day high of 1,142.039 points. Euro zone sovereign yields fell this morning (bond prices went up) amid renewed anxieties across stock markets reflecting political uncertainties in the UK and the US. Indeed, during a much-awaited speech, UK Prime Minister Ms Theresa May explained that the UK will exit the single market of the European Union but at the same time will seek to achieve a new customs agreement with the EU. On the other side of the Atlantic, President-elect Mr Donald Trump voiced his concern about the strength of the US Dollar. Meanwhile, within the eurozone a new survey conducted by the European Central Bank (ECB) found out that euro zone banks expect loan demand to rise in Q1 2017 as economic recovery continues to take hold. The ECB’s Governing Council is due to meet this Thursday 19 January whereby many financial analysts are expecting the ECB to keep its monetary policy stance unchanged.
  • The worst performing equities today were MIDI plc and FIMBank plc which retreated back to the €0.33 (-5.7%) and USD0.85 (-5.6%) levels respectively. Nevertheless, such declines took place across shallow volumes.
  • International Hotel Investments plc also eased 0.2% to the €0.62 level also on shallow volumes.
  • Three deals totalling 34,900 shares forced the equity of Malita Investments plc 0.9% lower to the €0.85 level.
  • HSBC Bank Malta plc moved back to the €1.95 level (-1.4%) on just 7,875 shares. The Bank is expected to reveal its 2016 annual results on 21 February 2017. The Directors will also consider the declaration of a final dividend to be recommended during the Annual General Meeting to be held on 13 April 2017.
  • In contrast, Bank of Valletta plc ended this morning’s session 0.9% higher at the €2.18 level after recovering from an intra-day low of €2.16 across a total of 45,975 shares.
  • RS2 Software plc climbed 0.6% to the €1.80 level on volumes totalling 26,000 shares.
  • A single deal of just 800 shares pushed the equity of Simonds Farsons Cisk plc to its all-time high of €7.30 (+0.6%).
  • Meanwhile, Malta Properties Company plc maintained its near four-month low of €0.55 across 17,278 shares.