Daily Market Highlights (17.01.2018)

  • The MSE Equity Price Index extended yesterday’s gains of 0.19% by a further 0.32% to 4,474.656 points, reflecting the positive movements in the share prices of HSBC (+2.3%) and MIA (+2%) which outweighed the 3.7% drop in the equity of Farsons. Meanwhile, BOV, PG and RS2 closed the day flat whilst Loqus Holdings plc slumped by 26.7% to the €0.11 level on a single deal of just 10,543 shares. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • Following the gains registered in the previous two days, the RF MGS Index eased by 0.02% to 1,116.690 points today. Euro zone sovereign yields drifted lower (bond prices gained) as inflation across the single currency area in December 2017 was largely in line with expectations.
  • Malta International Airport plc added 2% to a fresh all-time high of €5.00 on nine deals totalling 9,594 shares. Last Friday, MIA revealed that it registered a 17.5% increase in passenger movements in 2017 to a record of 6.01 million movements and the airport operator is expecting to welcome around 6.5 million passengers in 2018. As a result, MIA is anticipating to generate an EBITDA of over €52 million which should translate into a net profit of over €28 million in the current financial year ending 31 December 2018. The financial results for 2017 and the recommendation of a final dividend will be announced on Wednesday 21 February 2018.
  • Also among the large companies by market capitalisation, HSBC Bank Malta plc climbed 2.3% to regain the €1.79 level across 12,424 shares. 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.
  • In contrast, Bank of Valletta plc (32,497 shares) and RS2 Software plc (33,180 shares) traded unchanged at €1.80 and €1.46 respectively.
  • A single deal of 3,550 shares left the equity of PG plc at the €1.40 level.
  • Meanwhile, Simonds Farsons Cisk plc lost 3.7% back to the €7.75 level on volumes totalling 2,746 shares. Listing of the shares in Trident Estates plc (the property management arm being spun-off from Farsons) is expected to take place on 30 January 2018.