Daily Market Highlights (18.08.2010)

  • MSE Share Index pulled 0.23% lower to 3,473.202 points after index heavy-weights BOV and IHI decline. Low trading activity recorded in the local bourse during today’s session while higher volumes in the bond market as Malta Government Stock prices continue to rise. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • All active Malta Government Stocks close higher this morning with the 20 year paper rising by a further 33 basis points to close at 103.51%. The new Malta Government Stocks were listed on the Malta Stock Exchange this afternoon wtth trading  commencing tomorrow.
  • BOV share price in negative territory for the second successive session. Following yesterday’s 1.5% decline, BOV’s equity drops another 0.9% to €3.22 on 4 trades totalling 7,880 shares.
  • HSBC closes today’s session unchanged at €2.92 on a single transaction of just 1,700 shares. HSBC’s interim divided expect to be paid on 24 August.
  • IHI edges 0.1% lower to close at €0.899 on volumes of 11,880 shares. Offers totalling 28,120 shares available at the €0.90 level whilst highest bids are pitched at €0.851. IHI will be convening an Extraordinary General Meeting on 27 August for shareholders to approve a 4% bonus share issue and a buy-back option by the company at the €1 level.
  • No trading activity in FIMBank shares following yesterday’s 1% decline to USD0.97 across 7 trades totalling 196,951 shares. Offers of 100,000 shares in the market at the €0.98 level. Recently the trade finance specialist issued its 2010 interim results revealing a 16.1% increase in after-tax profits to US$3.39 million. Further details on results available here.
  • No reaction on the secondary market to last week’s results publication by Middlesea. Last Thursday the Middlesea Group returned to a profitable position as it reported a half-year profit of €3.22 million. Total equity as at 30 June 2010 of €51.42 million translates into a net asset value per share of €0.559. Bids of 5,330 shares remain unsatisfied at the last traded price of €1.03 with lowest offers at €1.149.