MSE Equity Price Index extends rebound

 

The MSE Equity Price Index added a further 0.83% to close this shortened week at 3,590.036 points. Five companies trended higher today whilst GO drifted lower and Mapfre Middlesea plc stayed at the €2.00 level across 4,643 shares. Overall trading activity contracted to €0.07 million compared to €0.26 million yesterday. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.

The most actively traded equity today was Lombard Bank Malta plc as it advanced by 2.8% to regain the €1.85 level on a total of 20,424 shares having a market value of €0.04 million. On Wednesday, the Bank reported a 12.7% increase in net profit for the 2021 financial year to €7.48 million. Lombard’s performance was boosted by the growth in operating income as well as a €1.46 million release in expected credit losses. Shareholders as at close of trading today will be eligible to receive a net dividend of €0.0195 per share. Moreover, shareholders as at close of trading on 20 June will receive one bonus share for every 75 shares held.

Also in the banking sector, Bank of Valletta plc rallied by 3.9% to recapture the €0.80 level across 20,300 shares.

Malta International Airport plc climbed to the €6.00 level (+1.7%) albeit on trivial volumes.

Low trading activity also took place in the equity of AX Real Estate plc and the ordinary shares of RS2 Software plc. AX Real Estate moved back to the €0.58 level (+5.5%) whilst RS2 Software ended the day at the €1.65 level (+3.1%).

Meanwhile, GO plc lost 2.5% to the €3.18 level as the equity started to trade without entitlement to a net dividend of €0.09 per share.

The RF MGS Index continued to trend lower as it dropped by a further 0.17% to a fresh multi-year low of 997.288 points. In the euro area, various PMI indicators pointed towards resilient expansion except for Germany as the country’s manufacturing activity recorded a slowdown which was also sharper than previously anticipated.  Elsewhere in the US, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell strongly indicated that the central bank is likely to increase interest rates by 50 basis points in two weeks’ time. Should this take place, it would be the first time that the Federal Reserve hiked increased rates in consecutive monetary policy meetings since 2006.

 

This report contains public information only and is not to be construed as investment advice or an offer to buy or sell any securities. Information contained herein is based on data obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but no representations or guarantees are made with regard to the accuracy of the data.  Stock markets are volatile and subject to fluctuations which cannot be reasonably foreseen. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Rizzo, Farrugia & Co. (Stockbrokers) Limited is a company licensed to undertake investment services in Malta by the MFSA under the Investment Services Act, Cap. 370 of the Laws of Malta and a member of the Malta Stock Exchange.