Daily Market Highlights (31.01.12)

  • The MSE Share Index continued to edge lower for the third consecutive day. The index slipped marginally lower to 3,061.322 point on the back of declines in the share prices of HSBC, BOV, Lombard Bank and Middlesea. The only security that closed the day higher was that of GO. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
  • On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index continued to edge higher to close the day at 989.426 points as the Central Bank of Malta raised the bid prices of the medium and long-term Malta Government Stocks. Various trades took place across a number of stocks today with the most active being the 5.25% MGS 2030 as €0.46 million (nominal) changed hands.
  • Subscriptions for the three new government stocks announced last week open tomorrow and close on Friday 3 February. A total of €300 million is on offer across the following stocks: (i) 4.25% MGS 2017 (III) (Fungibility Issue) at 103.75%; (ii) 4.3% MGS 2022 (II) at 100% (par) and (iii) 5.2% MGS 2031 (I) (Fungibility Issue) at 101.75%. Further details and copies of the application form available here.
  • GO plc’s equity recovered by 4.7% from yesterday’s fresh all-time low of €0.85 on weak volumes of 3,070 shares. The Greek company Forthnet is shortly due to update the market in view of today’s deadline by its bankers for the company to raise €30 million in new equity. Earlier this month, Forthnet’s shareholders rejected a €30 million rights issue.
  • Bank of Valletta plc edged minimally lower to close at €2.249 on weak volumes of 4,200 shares. During the month of January the price of BOV’s equity shares traded in the price range of €2.302 and €2.19 and closed the month 1.3% higher than the closing price of 30 December 2011 (€2.22).
  • HSBC Bank Malta plc eased 0.4% lower to €2.55 on activity of 6,400 shares. HSBC’s equity closed 1.1% lower during the first month of 2012 and traded within a range of €2.60 and €2.55.
  • Lombard Bank Malta plc shed 0.8% to drop back to its 15-month low of €2.55. A total of 5,950 shares traded today with bids already entering the market at €2.57.
  • Middlesea Insurance plc dropped 1.5% to touch a new 25-month low of €0.719. During the first month of the year the share price of Middlesea declined by 10.1%.