Index maintains positive stance
MSE Trading Report for week ending December 23, 2014
The MSE Index extendedlast week’s positive return by 0.7 per cent, to close at 3,290.371 points. Monday and Tuesday were the only trading days for the week – eight equities were active amounting to a turnover of €237,002. Five equities advanced, two felland one closed unchanged. HSBC Bank Malta plc (HSBC) shares were the best performers.
BOV shares were the most active having witnessed a volume of 40,731 shares worth just under €90,000. The banking equity failed to sustain last week’s gains as it fell by a marginal 0.5 per cent, to close at its weekly low of €2.20. Conversely, HSBC Bank Malta plc shares triumphed as on Monday,the equity traded at a weekly high of €1.975 but ultimately closed on Tuesday at €1.95 – 2.6 per cent or €0.05 higher than last week. The equity was executed over eight deals of 18,577 shares worth €36,574.
In a company announcement, the Board of Directors of Lombard Bank Malta plc reported that it is scheduled to meet on March 9, 2015 to approve the group’s and the bank’s final audited accounts for the financial yearended December 31, 2014 and to consider the declaration of a final dividend to be recommended to the bank’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM is scheduled to be held on April 22, 2015.The equity was not active this week.
On Monday, Malta International Airport plc shares advanced by 1.3 per cent as a sole transaction of a mere five shares was struck, to close €0.03 higher at €2.33. The local airport operatorhas so farregistered a year to date gain of 7.9 per cent. Similarly, GO plc shares appreciated by 1.2 per cent as 13 trades of 27,275 shares were negotiated, also closing €0.03 higher at €2.55. The telecommunications provider recorded an impressive 39.7 per cent rally year to date.
Tigne Mall plc shares increased by 2.6 per cent over a single trade of 8,000 shares, to close at its all-time high of €0.60 – amounting to a 16.5 per cent year to date gain. Medserv plc shares increased by 1.1 per cent thus marking its sixth consecutive weekly gain, to close at a 16-month high of €1.45. The equity was active on four trades of 11,500 shares.
On a negative note, Grand Harbour Marina plc shares eased0.3 per cent lower as 8,800 shares changed hands,closing at €1.865. Meanwhile, Island Hotels Group Holdings plc shares traded flat at €0.85 over one deal on3,957 shares.
In the corporate bond market 21 issues were active of which 11 gained ground, six declinedand four closed unchanged, as €643K was traded. The 7.15% Mediterranean Investments Holding plc (MIH) Euro 2015-2017 was the top performer as it soared by 3.3 per cent, to close at €93. Likewise, the 7.5% MIH € 2015 followed suit as it advanced by 2.1 per cent, closing at €97. On Monday, the 6% Mediterranean Bank plc Subordinated Unsecured € 2019-2024 registered a two per cent increase on its first trading day, as it closed at €102.01.
In the sovereign debt market 21 issues were active of which eight fell in value, 12 gained ground and the 4.1% MGS 2034 (I) closed unchanged. The 5.25% MGS 2030 (I) headed the list of gainers as it rallied by 0.3 per cent, closing at €131.47. Conversely, the short-dated issue 6.1% MGS 2015 declined by 0.2 per cent, to close at €102.64. Meanwhile, the 4.45% MGS 2032 (I) was the most liquid issue as it witnessed a turnover volume of 685,500 nominal and closed at €117.78.Total traded over the two days reached €2.6 million.