BOV and HSBC pull the MSE Equity Price Index lower

The MSE Equity Price Index fell by 0.9% to 3,765.252 points driven by declines in BOV and HSBC. Meanwhile, five other equities closed unchanged as today’s trading activity in local equities amounted to €0.25 million. Download today’s Equity Market Summary.

Bank of Valletta plc was today’s most actively traded equity as it fell by 1.4% to the €1.43 level after recovering from an intraday low of €1.36 (-6.2%) across nineteen deals having a market value of €0.16 million.

HSBC Bank Malta plc slumped by 5.6% to a six-week low of €1.36 across nine deals amounting to 41,200 shares.

Meanwhile, Lombard Bank Malta plc held the €0.78 level on a single trade of 1,708 shares.

Also in the banking sector, APS Bank plc remained at the €0.55 level on two deals of 1,200 shares.

Malta International Airport plc traded flat at the €5.60 level as 460 shares changed hands. The airport operator is holding its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 15 May.

A single trade of 20,000 shares left the share price of MIDI plc unchanged at the €0.26 level. The Directors of MIDI are recommending the payment of a net dividend of €0.009 per share to shareholders as at the close of trading on 24 May 2024, subject to shareholders’ approval during the upcoming Annual General Meeting scheduled to be held on 27 June 2024.

Also in the property sector, Hili Properties plc traded flat at the €0.21 level across five trades amounting to 111,500 shares. Last week, the Board of Directors of Hili Properties resolved to recommend a final net dividend of €0.0108 per share, unchanged from the previous year. The dividend is payable to shareholders as at the close of trading on Friday 21 June 2024 and subject to approval at the upcoming Annual General Meeting to be held on Tuesday 25 June 2024.

The RF MGS Index fell by 0.24% to 890,107 points. Crude oil prices rose to a one-week high of around USD80 as the OPEC+ is expected to extend oil production curbs into the second half of the year. Data released in the past days showed that inflation in China during April unexpectedly rose for the third consecutive month to 0.3% amidst an ongoing recovery in consumer demand. Nonetheless, producer prices still fell by 2.5% which was more than expected, marking the nineteenth consecutive decline.

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