Daily Market Highlights (17.12.14)

  • The MSE Share Index ended the day marginally lower at 3,229.978 points despite the gain in four equities, as the decline in the BOV shares weighed down on the Index. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the RF MGS Index advanced for the third consecutive day this week, gaining 0.1% to yet another new record of 1,101.456 points. Eurozone benchmark yields continued to slide on weak investor sentiment, amid fear that the continuing drop in oil prices could result in deflation across the region. The 7.5% Mediterranean Investments Holding plc 2015 bond rallied by 275 basis points to 95% after the company issued a performance update in which it confirmed that the 2014 financial performance is expected to be slightly ahead of that during 2013 (when earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation amounted to €23.1 million) and in line with the forecast indicated in the Prospectus published in June this year with an EBITDA figure of €24.5 million.
  • The share price of Bank of Valletta plc closed 0.9% lower at the €2.17 level after touching an intra-day high of €2.189. Trading activity increased to 52,427 shares today. Later on today, the Bank will be holding its Annual General Meeting and once approved the final dividend will be paid to all shareholders tomorrow.
  • 6PM Holdings plc was the other equity that closed in negative territory. The Sterling denominated equity shed 2.9% to GBP0.68 on activity of 10,088 shares.
  • Meanwhile, four other equities ended the session higher . Malita Investments plc led the pack of gainers, edging 3.2% higher to a fresh high of €0.64 across two deals for a total of 12,000 shares.
  • Lombard Bank Malta plc gained 2.2% to end this morning’s session at €1.799 across two deals totalling 9,000 shares. Similarly, GO plc closed 1.6% higher, regaining the €2.49 level across a total of 23,745 shares. Plaza Centres plc was the other gainer, edging 0.3% higher to close at €0.642.
  • Furthermore, three equities closed unchanged. HSBC Bank Malta plc held on to the €1.85 level across eight trades for a total of 11,112 shares. Similarly, International Hotel Investments plc maintained the €0.55 level on activity totalling 26,327 shares. Likewise, RS2 Software plc maintained the €2.92 level on shallow volumes of 2,000 shares.