Daily Market Highlights (27.04.2010)

  • MSE Share Index edges 0.2% higher to 3,525.678 points as BOV continues to rise as well as strong gains in MaltaPost (+6.3%) and MIA (+2.2%). Meanwhile GO is today’s only negative performer whilst the rest of the active equities (HSBC, Lombard, Middlesea, RS2 and Loqus) close unchanged. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary .
  • BOV touches an intra-day high of €3.45 but eases to a close of €3.41 (+0.3%) on low volumes totalling only 2,856 shares as the market awaits the publication of the March 2010 interim results due next Friday 30 April. Further bids remain are pitched at the closing level with lowest offers now placed at €3.49.
  • HSBC’s equity closes unchanged at €3.08 on increased activity totalling 16,430 shares across 10 trades.
  • MaltaPost ranks as today’s top performing equity. Share price climbs 6.3% to a 2-year high of €0.85. The postal operator is due to report its financial results for the six months ended 31 March 2010 on 13 May.
  • MIA’s share price also on the rise. Equity up 2.2% to the €3.20 level on a single trade of just 600 shares. Last Friday MIA’s CEO Mr Julian Jaegar reportedly stated that notwithstanding the decrease in passenger movements as a result of the Icelandic volcanic ash, MIA does not deem it opportune to alter its forecasts for the year. Last week MIA stated that 336 flights to and from Malta were canceled resulting in a loss of around 35,000 passenger movements for MIA.
  • Lombard’s share price closes unchanged at €2.93 for the second consecutive session. A miniscule 100-share trade effected today with a further 1,700 shares remaining on offer at this level. Last week the Bank held its Annual General Meeting during which shareholders approved all the resolutions on the agenda including the gross dividend of €0.10 per share which will be paid on Friday.
  • Middlesea also closes unchanged at the €0.70 level. 2,000 shares exchanged over a solitary transaction ahead of the 2009 full-year results which should be published this afternoon.
  • Loqus Holdings (formerly Datatrak) closes unchanged at the €0.20 level after touching an intra-day low of €0.15. Over 8,500 shares change hands today with best bids now placed at €0.15 whilst further offers remain unsatisfied at the closing price.
  • RS2 Software continues to trade at the €0.48 level. A further 2,500 shares change hands with other shares on offer at this price. The software company recently reported a substantial drop in pre-tax profits to €431,247 during 2009 compared to the 2008 pre-tax profit of €2.9 million due to a combination of lower Comprehensive Package Agreements (CPAs), licence sales as well as increased costs. Nonetheless the Directors recommended the payment of a final net dividend of €0.022 per share subject to approval by shareholders at the next Annual General Meeting to be held on 14 June. Further details available here.