MSE Equity Price Index moves higher on subdued activity

 

The MSE Equity Price Index increased by 0.45% to 3,765.163 points as the gains in BOV, IHI, and HSBC outweighed the declines in Lombard and APS. Meanwhile, five other equities closed unchanged but overall trading value amounted to under €0.10 million. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.

Bank of Valletta plc moved 1.8% higher to the €1.73 level across six deals amounting to 11,242 shares.

Also in the banking sector, HSBC Bank Malta plc gained 0.7% to the €1.42 level across five deals totalling 21,690 shares.

International Hotel Investments plc increased by 4.0% to the €0.468 level on two deals totalling 1,700 shares, albeit the volume-weighted average price was at €0.404 (-10%).

Among the negative performers, APS Bank plc slumped by 3.5% to the €0.555 level over four trades amounting to 6,190 shares.

Lombard Bank Malta plc fell by 3.7% to the €0.79 level on one deal of 2,509 shares.

Hili Properties plc held the €0.212 level on a single trade of 15,000 shares.

Malta International Airport plc traded flat at the €5.85 level on two deals totalling 891 shares.

LifeStar Holding plc closed unchanged at the €0.40 on two deals totalling 1,250 shares.

GO plc and the ordinary shares of RS2 plc held the €2.68 and €0.50 levels respectively over trivial volumes.

The RF MGS Index registered the largest daily decline since last June as it fell by 0.72% to a two-week low of 920.546 points. Sovereign bond yields in the euro area rebounded higher with data showing that the private sector economy in the euro area contracted by less than anticipated driven by a better than anticipated performance in the services sector in both Germany and France. Labour market data showed that wages in the euro area rose by 4.4% year-on-year during the third quarter of 2024, which was the lowest figure this year so far, as a slower increase in the wages of Germany and France outweighed the accelerating wages in Italy and France.

On the local front, today the Central Bank of Malta published updated forecasts for the local economy until 2027. Malta’s GDP growth rates were revised higher to 4.9% in 2024 (from 4.4%), 3.9% in 2025 (from 3.5%) and 3.6% in 2026 (from 3.4%). Meanwhile the inflation rate for 2024 was kept unchanged at 2.5% in 2024 and increased to 2.2% in 2025 from earlier estimates of 2.1%. Inflation is expected to stabilise at 2.0% in 2026.

 

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.