Declines in seven equities outweigh gains in BOV and MIA

 

The MSE Equity Price Index fell by 0.09% to 3,761.777 points as the declines in seven equities outweighed the gains in BOV and MIA. Meanwhile, four other equities closed unchanged as today’s total trading activity in local equities amounted to €0.21 million. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.

The majority of today’s trading was across Bank of Valletta plc which advanced by 1.2% to the €1.74 level across fourteen deals totalling 75,510 shares.

Malta International Airport plc gained 0.9% to the €5.85 level over three trades amounting to 2,125 shares.

Meanwhile, HSBC Bank Malta plc traded flat at the €1.40 level as 3,219 shares changed hands.

MaltaPost plc held the €0.47 level on one deal of 3,000 shares. Shareholders as at close of trading on Friday 17 January 2025 will be entitled to a net final dividend of €0.024 per share, payable on Thursday 20 March 2025 subject to shareholders’ approval at the upcoming Annual General Meeting scheduled for 20 February 2025.

A single trade of 200 shares left the share price of Simonds Farsons Cisk plc unchanged at the €6.65 level.

International Hotel Investments plc closed unchanged at the €0.46 level over six trades amounting to 14,446 shares.

GO plc fell by 1.5% to a 10-year low of €2.60 on two deals amounting to 290 shares.

FIMBank plc shed 3.0% to the USD0.16 level across three trades totalling 19,449 shares.

VBL plc slumped by 15.8% to the €0.16 level on a single deal of 100,000 shares.

Also in the property sector, Hili Properties plc moved 3.7% lower to the €0.21 level over three trades amounting to 25,000 shares.

Plaza Centres plc declined by 3.3% to the €0.58 level across three deals totalling 43,000 shares.

Malta Properties Company plc decreased by 2.8% to the €0.35 level on muted activity.

Mapfre Middlesea plc shed 0.7% to the €1.40 level on one deal of 3,623 shares.

The RF MGS Index decreased by 0.28% to a fresh two-month low of 907.674 points as sovereign bond yields across major economies continued to rise amidst concerns over high sovereign debt levels as well as stubborn inflation figures at the end of last year. In particular, the UK 10-year gilt surged above 4.8% which was the highest level since the Global Financial Crisis in 2008, whilst the 30-year gilt rose to about 5.5%, the highest since 1999. Meanwhile, the minutes of the last US Federal Reserve meeting showed that officials are concerned about the impact of potential policies which have been backed by the President-elect Doanld Trump and that the upside risks to the inflation outlook have increased. Moreover, the minutes referenced other factors such as a stable labour market and the country’s resilient economic growth. In this respect, the policymakers intend to be more cautious when considering upcoming rate cuts. Rate cut expectations were reduced to two cuts in 2025 compared to the previous estimate of four cuts.

 

This report contains only public information and is not to be construed as investment advice or an offer to buy or sell 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.