The share index retreated by 0.09 per cent to 4,472.468 points as the negative performances of FIMBank and GO marginally outweighed the gains in four equities. Moreover, three other equities traded unchanged. Trading volumes improved as nearly €355,000 worth of shares changed hands.
The worst performer today was FIMBank. The equity shed 4.8 per cent to the 60cUS level – the lowest since early December 2015 – on relatively strong volumes totalling 161,325 shares.
A single trade of just 560 shares pulled the equity of GO down 0.3 per cent to the €3.19 level. Recently, the quad-play operator announced the increase of its shareholding interests in both Cablenet Communication Systems Ltd and Kinetix IT Solutions Limited to 51 per cent respectively.
On the other hand, Malta Properties Company advanced by 3.6 per cent to the 57c level across 12,000 shares.
Malta International Airport also registered gains as it closed 0.5 per cent higher at the €4.35 level across 10,915 shares. This morning, MIA confirmed that Flughafen Wien AG (the owner and operator of Vienna Airport) signed a share purchase agreement with SNC-Lavalin (Malta) Limited for the acquisition of the latter’s indirect stake in MIA.
Upon closure of this transaction, the total consolidated holding of Flughafen Wien AG in MIA, directly and indirectly, will increase to 48.44 per cent. The total value of the transaction amounts to approximately €63 million, equivalent to €3 per share of MIA, subject to working capital adjustments.
MIA will be publishing its 2015 financial results on February 24. The board of directors will also be considering the payment of a final dividend.
Likewise, Bank of Valletta (39,708 shares) and Medserv (10,000 shares) advanced by 0.2 per cent and 0.3 per cent to close at €2.24 and €1.65 respectively.
in Medserv’s new bonds and shares is expected to commence on February 8. Moreover, the oil and gas logistics specialist still needs to inform the market about the results of its Lapsed Rights offer.
Meanwhile, three other equities closed flat. HSBC retained the €1.73 level across 49,687 shares. The bank will publish its 2015 full year results on February 22.
RS2 Software and Simonds Farsons Cisk also traded unchanged at €3.27,5 and €6 respectively on light volumes.
On the bond market, the RF MGS Index posted its first decline in a week as it dropped by 0.34 per cent to 1,144.047 points. The movements in the prices of local government stocks reflected the changes in the yields of the peripheral countries – namely, Italy and Spain.
Indeed, whilst the yield of the 10-year benchmark German Bund slipped to 0.32 per cent, the corresponding yields of the Italian and Spanish governments gained ground.
In the euro area, the President of the European Central Bank yesterday confirmed his commitment to review the Central Bank’s monetary policy during its next meeting as lower oil prices are leading to weaker inflation dynamics.
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