The MSE saw another day of sideways movement yesterday as the index lost just over 5 points to close the day down a slight 0.1 per cent to 3841.213 on very light volume of 40,738 shares across 35 deals.
The stock which saw the most movement was that of Middlesea Insurance plc, whose share price closed down 5.7 per cent, or 4c9 to close the day at €0.81 on light volume of 7,624 shares over three deals.
Lombard Bank Malta plc was also on the losing side of the session as its shares closed down 0c9, or 0.3 per cent, to finish at €3.11 in a single trade of 1,000 shares.
6pm Holdings plc closed up 2c, or 4.2 per cent, to finish at €0.50 on 10,000 shares.
Other issues which saw trading but managed to close unchanged were Bank of Valletta plc which closed at €3.40, GO plc which closed at €2.28, Grand Harbour Marina plc which closed at €1.90, Loqus Holdings plc (former Datatrak Holdings plc) which closed at €0.195, Malta International Airport which closed at €3.09, and HSBC Bank Malta plc which closed at €3.90.
The fixed interest market witnessed moderate volume as €600,064 nominal was traded across 33 deals were nine corporate issues and seven government stocks saw action.
The biggest corporate mover in the session was the 5.35 per cent Bank of Valletta 2019 issue which closed down 135 basis points, or 1.3 per cent to close at €104.15 on volume of €30,500 nominal in two deals.
The largest move in the government stock market was in the 4.80 per cent 2016 II series which closed up 38 basis points, or 0.4 per cent, to close at €105.73 on volume of €58,234, across two deals.
The week ahead - Economic indicators for week starting February 1
In the United States, the week's highlights will be centred around the labour market, with the publication of the unemployment rate and the change in non-farm payrolls. Here the unemployment rate is expected to remain unchanged at 10 per cent for the month of January. Meanwhile, the ISM non-manufacturing index also for January is expected to rise again, this time to a reading of 51.
Factory orders for December, according to a Bloomberg survey, are expected to show a smaller increase than that of the 1.1 per cent reported the previous month. Non-farm productivity is also forecast to continue its upward trend, rising by some six per cent for the fourth quarter of 2009, following an 8.1 per cent surge in the third quarter.
In eurozone, attention will turn to the European Central Bank's rate announcement, where rates are expected to remain unchanged. Meanwhile, the Producers Price Index (PPI) for December is to be released today and is expected to remain unchanged. The Retail Sales statistics for December will be announced later this week, where consensus expects an increase of 0.4 per cent after a drop of 1.2 per cent the previous month. Finally, after the release of the manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) yesterday, we shall also have the January services PMI reading, towards the mid-week.
In the UK, the headlines will also be grabbed by the Bank of England's rate setting meeting on Thursday. Here the market is not expecting any changes in either the interest rates nor in the Asset Purchase Program. The UK's calendar this week, among others, will also feature the PPI Input and output data, the PMI services (PMI manufacturing released yesterday) and the Halifax House Prices reading for the month of January.
This article has been prepared by Bank of Valletta p.l.c. (the Bank), which is licensed to conduct investment services business by the MFSA, for your general information only. This information is not a solicitation or offer by the Bank to acquire or sell securities. Nor does it constitute any form of advice by the Bank. Appropriate advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance and the value of your investments may fall or rise.