Market Analysis
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The pain in Spain
The eurozone sovereign debt crisis flared up again over the past few weeks as the financial markets grew increasingly concerned about the fate of Spain. In fact, the yields for 10 year Spanish bonds which gauge the market’s risk perception for a...
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European stocks close sharply higher
European stocks rose sharply yesterday as robust corporate results offset weak economic data and markets waited for the US Federal Reserve’s latest interest rate decision. Dealers said the gains, led by Paris, Milan and Madrid, were surprising after...
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Shipping movements
The following vessels are expected in Malta: The Pollux from Tripoli to Benghazi and the CMA CGM Lavender from Piraeus to Piraeus (both Carmelo Caruana) today. The Ecem Kalkavan from Trapani to Catania, the Alexander Sibum from Varna to Constanza...
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Searching for income
One of the key aspects that has emerged from better inflation management and the recent economic crisis has been the very low level of interest rates on both savings and loans. Yet keeping interest rates low is a multi - faceted tool. Besides the...
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Political turmoil raises fears over Europe’s recovery
Political tensions from the eurozone, in particular in France and the Netherlands, dominated market headlines at the start of the week. Risk appetite opened on a sour note, as the political turmoil raised doubts about the ability of eurozone nations...
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Dividend skipped at RS2 Software ahead of business expansion
Last Friday evening, RS2 Software plc published its 2011 financial statements revealing a strong operational performance with a 17.2 per cent increase in revenue to a record figure of €8.8 million. At the time of the publication of the interim...
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European stocks retreat on debt crisis concerns
European stock markets fell back yesterday and shares in Madrid plunged as investors kept a watchful eye on Spain and Italy after sharp gains the previous day. At the close, London’s benchmark FTSE 100 index was down 0.38 per cent at 5,745.29...
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Daily currency report
Currency markets normalised somewhat after improved global growth projections from the International Monetary Fund gave investors a lift while a surge in leading equity markets also helped improve trading sentiment. The growth-linked Canadian dollar...
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Shipping movements
The following vessels are expected in Malta: The AS Cypria from Pireaus to Pireaus, the Marguerite from Limassol, the Stadt Schwerin from Tripoli to Tripoli, the Janina from Marseille to Algiers, and the OS Rize from Tunis to Annaba (all Carmelo...
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The downward spiral
Does Spain have the luxury of not considering default? Is the eurozone strong enough to exist post a Spanish default? Let us rewind to late 2011 when Mario Draghi announced the first Long Term Refinancing Operation (LTRO) which raised approximately...
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Spanish yields back under pressure, euro softens
So far throughout the month of April the euro remains weaker losing ground across all of the majors. Since the beginning of April, against the USD, the euro loses 1.35 per cent. Despite the losses the 1.30 barrier has continued to provide...
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Another record year for MIA
2011 was another record year for Malta International Airport plc with the financial statements published on March 22, 2012 revealing that on the back of the 6.5 per cent increase in passenger movements to a record level of 3.5 million, the airport...
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European stocks rebound following heavy losses
European stocks bounced back yesterday following heavy losses on Tuesday that were sparked by renewed fears over Spanish debt and weak global economic growth. Investors continued to track Spain and eurozone peer Italy as their borrowing costs...
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Daily currency report
A strong BRC retail sales figure released has given the pound. Spanish and Italian government yields moved higher, coming closer to levels deemed unsustainable and causing risk appetite to dry up. As a result, the safe haven dollar was the main...
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Shipping movements
The following vessels are due in Malta: The Ecem Kalkavan from Trapani to Catania, the CMA CGM Rabat from Khor Fakkan to Tunis and the CMA CGM La Traviata from Beirut to Valencia (all Carmelo Caruana) today. The CMA CGM Alaska from Southampton to...
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Mr Mistoffelees in Brussels
Last week we explored a few instances in which the pursuit of safety may distort attitudes towards risk-taking, enterprise and the optimal deployment of capital. For the sake of simplicity we can define the optimal deployment as the one which...
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Bernanke’s comments revive expectations for QE3
The start of the week was characterised by very light trading due to the holidays and risk sentiment. At the end of last week, with ultra low volumes due to the Good Friday holiday, the jobs report from the United States provided the only ounce of...
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Medserv plc stepping up its internationalisation efforts
Medserv plc recently hosted members of the stockbroking community to a meeting at their head office within the Malta Freeport to provide further details on their 2011 financial performance and the current conditions in the oil and gas industry with...
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European stocks, euro lose ground
European stock markets slumped and the euro lost ground against the dollar yesterday, hit by yet more signs of recession in Europe as the European Central Bank kept interest rates at an historic low. At the close, London’s benchmark FTSE 100 index...
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Daily currency report
The release of the FOMC minutes caused a late rally in the US dollar. The minutes were far from the dovish tone expected and revealed that there is very little chance of seeing further quantitative easing in the States. As a result, the dollar...
