Maltapost and BOV only gainers as index falls 0.4 per cent
MSE
Trading Report for week ending December 2, 2011
Maltapost
and BOV only gainers as index falls 0.4 per cent
Following last
week’s negative performance the Malta Stock Exchange (MSE) index stumbled by a
further 0.4 per cent to end the week at 3,115.438 points. The tone on the local
index turned uneasy, as it settled in the red in three out of five sessions
with both HSBC Bank Malta plc and Go plc re-affirming their negative
stance. Trading volume throughout the week decreased to 231,015 shares, while
turnover amounted to EUR403,004. The week witnessed the trading of nine
equities in which losers’ outperformed gainers, as six lost ground, two
appreciated in value, while the RS2
Software plc traded unchanged.
As opposed to the recent negative sentiment,
investors regained some confidence in the Malta Government Bonds market, as from the 17 active issues five gained
ground, 11 posted losses and one closed unchanged. The 4.6% MGS 2020 partially
cancelled its recent losses as it headed the list of gainers by recording a 1.6
per cent gain. Meanwhile, high turnover was recorded in the Corporate Bond Market, as total trading
value reached just over EUR1.04m. Activity was spread across 29 issues, of
which seven strengthened in value, 10 incurred a loss while 12 closed flat. The
worst performer for the week was the 4% AX Investment 2013 which depreciated by
3.5 per cent.
In the equity market, Lombard Bank plc headed the list of losers among banking equities,
as the bank’s share value drifted lower by 1.1 per cent to close
the week at EUR2.70. The equity was active in a single session on Thursday were
1,200 shares changed hands over two transactions. Likewise, HSBC Bank Malta plc continued to trade in negative zone, as the banking equity slid by 0.8
per cent to end the week at EUR 2.58. During the week the mood swayed from
positive to negative, with Tuesday being the worst session for the equity as
the share price fell by 1.2 per cent. A total of 35,399 shares changed
ownership over 21 transactions.
On a positive note, Bank of Valletta plc managed to snap a minimal gain of 0.4 per
cent. The equity was active throughout the whole week, as it closed unchanged
in two sessions, registered a loss in one, while it traded in positive
territory in the other two to close the week at EUR 2.50. The banking equity
re-confirmed itself as the most liquid as total trading value reached EUR
208,411 traded over 83,209 shares.
From the postal industry, Maltapost plc soared by 3.2 per cent over a single session on
Monday to close at EUR 0.98. On Thursday, the company announced its financial statements
for the year ended September 30, 2011 were it stated that profit before tax
declined to EUR3.05m, thus a decrease of 4.8 per cent. Furthermore, the company
announced that it proposed a dividend payment of EUR0.04 per share.
Conversely, Go
plc shares tumbled by a further four per cent to close at EUR1.00. In the
week, a total of 77,207 shares were traded over 31 trades. The equity
experienced a torrid week as sellers applied pressure in four out of five
sessions following uncertainty on its indirect investment in Greece. In fact, on Tuesday the Company affirmed
that the shares it holds in Forthnet, an indirect investment, were transferred
to the ‘Under Surveillance’ segment on the Athens Stock Exchange.
Malta International
Airport plc shares diverged to a differing
direction from last week’s position, as the airport operator slumped by 1.2 per
cent in the mid-week session to end the week at EUR1.68. Similarly, from the
I.T sector Crimsonwing plc plunged
by a further 10 per cent on Thursday to close the week at EUR0.27. This week, Crimsonwing published its half-yearly
financial statements for the six months ending 30 September 2011. During the
six months, the Group reported an increase of 9.5% in revenue to EUR7.7 million,
which represents the highest revenue figure for the first half of its financial
year. Despite this, pre-tax profit for the period under review was reported at EUR38,279
compared to the pre-tax profit of EUR293,272 reported for the same period last
year.
Meanwhile,
from the beverage sector, Simonds
Farsons Cisk plc faltered by 0.5 per cent over a mere of 700 shares to
close at the EUR1.80 level.
Meanwhile
RS2 Software plc closed unchanged at
EUR0.59 as on Thursday 3,000 shares were traded across a single transaction.
This article which was compiled by Atlas
JMFS Investment Services Limited, does not intend to give investment advice and
the contents therein should not be construed as such. Atlas JMFS is licensed to
conduct investment services by the MFSA and is a Member Firm of the Malta Stock
Exchange. The directors or related parties, including the company, and their
clients are likely to have an interest in securities mentioned in this article.
For further information contact Atlas JMFS at 67, Level 3, South Street, Valletta,
or on Tel: 21224410, or email [email protected]