Daily Market Highlights (19.06.2017)

  • The MSE Share Index kicked-off the week in negative territory as it eased by 0.07% to 4,663.461 points. Overall, the 1% decline in the share price of HSBC outweighed the small gains in BOV (+0.2%), MIA (+0.4%) and FIMBank (+0.4%). Meanwhile, another three shares traded unchanged. The total value of equities traded dropped to a five-day low of €0.18 million. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • The RF MGS Index extended last Friday’s sharp drop of -0.28% by a minimal 0.02% to a one-week low of 1,131.330 points despite some drops in euro zone sovereign yields today (bond prices rose). Meanwhile, in the US, the vice-Chairman of the Federal Open Market Committee reportedly gave an upbeat assessment of the world’s largest economy and warned against the idea of the Federal Reserve taking a pause to monetary policy tightening. He also added that although inflation data was somewhat disappointing lately, he expects wages to pick up as the labour market continues to tighten.
  • Five deals totalling 43,899 shares pulled the equity of HSBC Bank Malta plc 1% lower back to the €2.07 level. The Bank is due to publish its six-month financial performance on 31 July. The Directors will also consider the declaration of an interim dividend.
  • In contrast, Bank of Valletta plc gained 0.2% to recapture the €2.19 level across 24,909 shares.
  • Also among the large companies, Malta International Airport plc advanced 0.4% to the €4.145 level albeit on shallow volumes totalling 1,000 shares.
  • Low trading activity also took place in the equities of FIMBank, PG and Tigne’ Mall. FIMBank plc gained 0.4% to the USD0.773 level on a single deal of just 650 shares.
  • On the other hand, PG plc (3,000 shares) and Tigne’ Mall plc (1,960 shares) maintained the €1.29 and €1.02 levels respectively.
  • Similarly, two deals totalling 8,000 shares left the equity of GO plc unchanged at the €3.47 level.
  • Today, Plaza Centres plc and Mapfre Middlesea plc announced the dates when their respective Board of Directors are due to meet to consider and approve the interim results. Plaza is expected to reveal its six-month performance on 19 July whilst Mapfre Middlesea will publish its financial statements on 21 July.