The MSE Share Index gained 1.0% to 4,462.182 points as the positive performance of five equities outweighed the declines in the equities of Farsons and Malta Properties. Trading volumes surged to €505,000 mainly on increased activity in BOV and RS2.
The share price of Bank of Valletta plc traded without the entitlement to the 1-for-12 bonus share issue. The equity advanced by 1.9% from the pre-bonus adjusted price of €2.169 of yesterday to €2.21 today. Activity increased to 86,866 shares. The equity opened the session at the intra-day high of €2.28, which is equivalent to a pre-bonus adjusted price of €2.47.
Three of the other large companies also closed in positive territory. Malta International Airport gained 0.5% to the €4.27 level across 18,260 shares. The airport operator is shortly expected to announce its December traffic results and its forecast for 2016. The share price of GO plc edged up 0.2% to the €3.09 level across 15,500 shares, while a single deal of just 1,000 shares pushed the equity of International Hotel Investments plc 5.7% higher to the €0.74 level.
The other positive performer of the day was RS2 Software plc. The equity edged minimally higher to the €3.263 level on high volumes totalling 45,227 shares.
On the other hand, Malta Properties Company plc retreated by 0.9% to the €0.57 level across 25,000 shares.
Simonds Farsons Cisk plc slipped below the €6.00 mark for the first time since early October 2015 as it closed at the €5.99 level albeit on insignificant volumes.
Meanwhile, HSBC Bank Malta plc closed again at the €1.731 level on activity of 11,683 shares.
Investors have until Friday 15 January to participate in Medserv plc’s Intermediaries’ Offers. These comprise a €30 million Bond Issue and the Rights not taken up by the Company’s two largest shareholders totalling 6.375 million shares.
This morning, 6PM Holdings plc announced that it acquired the other 50% shareholding in emCare360 Limited for a total consideration of €549,501 payable over a 5-year period.
MaltaPost plc will be holding its Annual General Meeting tomorrow. The Board of Directors will be recommending the payment of a final net dividend of €0.04 per share. Shareholders had the option to receive the dividend either in cash or by the issue of new shares at an attribution price of €1.80 per share.
On the bond market, the RF MGS Index advanced by 0.35% to 1,137.110 points as the benchmark 10-year German Bund yield dropped below the 0.50% level for the first time in a week (from 0.54% of yesterday). Declining oil prices and renewed anxiety in international stock markets on concerns over a global economic slowdown, particularly in China, added to the attractiveness of “safe haven” assets.
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