Daily Market Highlights (19.01.2018)

  • The MSE Equity Price Index rebounded by 0.13% from its three-week low of 4,462.766 points to 4,468.415 points as the gains registered in the share prices of HSBC, RS2 and Malita outweighed the declines in four other equities. Trading activity improved to €0.28 million but most of today’s volumes took place only in BOV (€0.22 million). Week-on-week, the local equity index retreated by 0.18%. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • Following the declines in the previous two days, the RF MGS Index rebounded by 0.09% today to 1,115.997 points, mostly reflecting movements in Spanish yields which dropped markedly on heightened expectations that the international credit rating agency FitchRatings will upgrade its long-term credit rating on Spain to “A” from “BBB+” amid improving economic fundamentals and despite lingering uncertainties over the future of Catalonia as part of Spain.
  • Malita Investments plc trended 1.8% higher to an over eleven-month high of €0.84 on four deals totalling 25,000 shares.
  • HSBC Bank Malta plc surged by 2.3% to regain the €1.79 level and RS2 Software plc added 0.7% to €1.46. Trading activity in both equities was shallow. HSBC 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 maintained the €1.80 level across 124,091 shares.
  • Medserv plc also closed the day flat at the €1.16 level on two deals totalling 6,000 shares.
  • Meanwhile, a single deal of just 4,855 shares forced the equity of PG plc to below the €1.40 level for the first time since late August 2017 as it eased by 0.7% to €1.39.
  • All three other active equities posted declines on light volumes. Lombard Bank Malta plc lost 1.7% back to the €2.30 level after failing to hold on to an intra-day high of €2.38 (+1.7%) set at the opening of today’s trading session.
  • Malta International Airport plc retreated by 1.6% to the €4.90 level across 870 shares. The financial results for 2017 and the recommendation of a final dividend will be announced on Wednesday 21 February 2018.
  • Mapfre Middlesea plc moved back by 1.1% to the €1.82 level on a single deal of just 1,010 shares.