Daily Market Highlights (29.04.11)

  • The MSE Share Index gained 0.5% this morning to close at 3,346.040 points as the two large banks (BOV and HSBC) closed higher. GO however touched a new all-time low of €1.34 before edging minimally higher to €1.349 whilst MIA remained unchanged. Following today’s rise, the index ended the week in positive territory for the first time in twelve weeks with a gain of 0.7%. Download a copy of today’s Equity Market Summary.
  • Meanwhile the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index edged 0.1% higher this morning to close the week in positive territory at 975.959 points as the benchmark Eurozone yields fell back to 3.27%.
  • BOV’s equity gained 1.1% to €2.88 over 3,300 shares ahead of interim results publication which were issued just after market close. During the first six months of its financial year, the BOV Group generated a pre-tax profit of €45.2 million, 4.8% below the €47.5 million recorded in the comparative period in 2010. The Directors declared a gross interim dividend of €0.0625 per share (net: €0.0406 per share) to those shareholders as at close of trading on Monday 9 May 2011. Further details are available here.
  • HSBC’s share price continued to rise as it added 1% to close at the €3.00 level over 16,720 shares. Whilst best bids are pitched at €2.96, lowest offers are now placed at the €3.10 level. Following today’s 1% rise, the equity closed the week 3.1% up.
  • This afternoon MIDI plc published its full-year results for the year ended 31 December 2010. The Group registered a profit after tax of €779,000 against a forecast consolidated profit after tax of €951,000. The MIDI Group did not recommend the payment of a final dividend. Further details are available here.
  • GO’s equity continued to fall as the equity touched a new all-time low of €1.34 before partially recovering to close at €1.349 – a 0.8% decline from the previous close. GO is this week’s worst performer as it shed 5.6% and has fallen by 30.3% since the start of 2011. The equity turns ex-dividend as from 5 May.
  • A single trade of 5,000 Malta International Airport plc shares was transacted at the unchanged price level of €1.699. Few offers remain in the market at €1.695 whilst bids remain unsatisfied at €1.65. The airport operator is scheduled to hold its Annual General Meeting next Thursday 5 May.