Daily Market Highlights (26.01.11)

  • Positive trend in local equity market extends to the fourth successive session. MSE Share Index up marginally today to 3,874.227 points as the gains in HSBC, MIA and MaltaPost offset the declines in BOV and Lombard. Meanwhile IHI and Middlesea close unchanged. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • HSBC also in positive territory for the fourth consecutive session as the equity remains in demand ahead of the full-year results publication by the end of February. HSBC’s share price touched an intra-day high of €3.54 before easing back to the €3.53 level representing a 0.6% increase over the previous close. Just under 25,000 shares change hands today with lowest offers pitched at the €3.54 level.
  • On the other hand BOV eases marginally lower for the second successive session to close at €3.14 across nine trades amounting to 10,808 shares. BOV is soon expected to publish its Interim Directors’ Statement to update the investing public on its performance since the last financial year ended 30 September 2010.
  • Strong positive reaction to MIA’s recent announcement of a 12.8% rise in passenger movements to a record 3.29 million passengers. Share price rally extends to the fourth successive session with a further 1.1% increase to a new multi-year high of €1.83 on volumes of 13,600 shares. During yesterday’s press conference, the Company also stated that it expects to maintain the record level of passenger movements during 2011. Further details on the 2011 forecast available here.
  • MaltaPost’s share price edges 1% higher to close at a new all-time high of €1.01. Over 26,700 shares exchanged today with lowest offers now at €1.02. The postal operator is scheduled to hold its Annual General Meeting next Monday 31 January.
  • Lombard’s share price slumps 5.5% lower to the €2.60 level across five trades totalling 3,780 shares. Few other offers unsatisfied at the closing price with best bids now placed at the €2.57 level.
  • A further 15,520 IHI shares change hands at the €0.97 level, unchanged from the previous close. Further offers in the market at the last traded price whilst best bids still placed at the €0.95 level.
  • A small deal of 266 Middlesea Insurance plc shares executed at the €1.01 level, also unchanged from the previous close. Further bids unsatisfied at the closing price whilst lowest offers pitched at the €1.02 level.