Market Analysis
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The weakest performers of 2012
While last week’s article reviewed the four star performers of 2012 which naturally pleased shareholders given the substantial share price gains, four other companies listed on the Malta Stock Exchange had a dismal 2012 performance with double-digit...
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European shares eke out gains; banks retreat
European shares inched higher yesterday, moving back towards a near two-year high hit recently, although a bout of profit taking on bank and insurance shares limited the market’s rise. Corporate results were in the spotlight, with shares of Unilever...
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Shipping movements
These vessels are expected in Malta: The Thebeland from Tripoli to Tripoli, the Sirius from Marseille to Bejaia, the Connorth from Tunis to Oran (Carmelo Caruana Co Ltd), and the Parsifal from Port Said to Genoa (Thomas Smith Shipping) today. The...
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Expectation and fact
The first couple of weeks of this year witnessed quite some strength in the equity markets. At the time of writing, the FTSE100 and the S&P500 are both up over four per cent while the Euronext Top100 is up three per cent. With just over half the...
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BOJ promises open-ended easing – in 2014
The Bank of Japan, as widely expected, abandoned its one per cent inflation target and replaced it with two per cent. Japanese policymakers announced their most determined effort to end years of economic stagnation on Tuesday, by declaring they...
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The four star performers of 2012
In the 2012 review two weeks ago, I explained that although the MSE Share Index ended the year with a gain of a mere 3.8 per cent, the share prices of Crimsonwing plc, Simonds Farsons Cisk plc, RS2 Software plc and Go plc strongly outperformed the...
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Shares tick lower, but Euro recovers
World stock markets fell modestly yesterday while prices of safe-haven German bonds and US Treasuries rose as weak economic data from Europe raised concerns about the health of the global economy. Financial shares in the United States rallied on...
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Shipping movements
These vessels are expected in Malta: The Consouth from Annaba to Oran, the CMA CGM Lavender from Pireaus to Pireaus, the Ecem Kalkavan from Napes to Catania, the CMA CGM Titus from Port Said to Genoa, the Mediterranean Sea from Antalya to Beirut...
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Credit markets outlook
Last year was a great one for credit markets. Many consider ECB President Mario Draghi as the major catalyst driving the rally in this asset class. In July, Draghi commented that the ECB will do “whatever it takes” to preserve the euro, providing a...
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Horse-beef burgers?
Metal horse heads are seen above a closed horsemeat butcher shop in Paris, yesterday. Horse meat found in beef burgers sold by Tesco in the United Kingdom was condemned by the British Prime Minister yesterday and was likely to prove both...
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Euro finds renewed support
At the end of last week sentiment remained buoyed by some stronger than expected trade data out of China. China, the second largest world economy, reported a trade surplus of $31.62 billion and a year-on-year increase of 14.1 per cent for December.
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Bullish predictions for 2013
In recent weeks many international financial commentators highlighted their key investment themes and predictions for 2013. It may be surprising that the vast majority are expecting equity markets to perform positively again in the coming 12 months...
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European shares hit fresh highs
Rallying telecom stocks and a bullish start to the new earnings season propelled Europe’s top shares to fresh closing highs yesterday. The STOXX Europe 600 telecoms index rose 2.6 per cent, the top sectoral gainer, with traders citing a Financial...
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Shipping movements
The following vessels are expected in Malta: The Butterfly from Port Said to Genoa (Thomas Smith) and the Marina from Taranto to Bar (Carmelo Caruana) today. The Fas Damman from Algiers to Annaba and the Jork Valiant from Rijeka to Ploce (both...
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Asset indices in 2012
The year 2012 proved to be a good one for most investors, in particular those who invested in global equity markets. Central bank stimulus by banks in the two major economic blocs of the US and the EU sent global stocks rallying, providing the...
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US budget deal, FOMC minutes lift US dollar
After weeks of quarrelling and bumping heads over a budget deal to avoid automatic spending cuts and tax hikes coming into effect, US lawmakers finally reached an 11th hour deal and averted falling over the ‘fiscal cliff’. The Senate and the US...
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A review of 2012
2012 was again a very volatile year across most international financial markets although both shares as well as bonds in Malta and also internationally generally performed positively. The MSE Share Index measuring the performance of equities listed...
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Wealthy Gulf investors warm to ideas of Africa
Wealthy Gulf Arab companies are boosting their investment in Africa’s vast lands and untapped resources, marking a shift for investors who have traditionally directed their money towards assets in the United States and Europe. One reason for the...
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Bleak 2012 for French auto sales
French new car registrations hit a 15-year low point in 2012 and business looks like it will be just as tough this year, data from the French automobile manufacturers’ association CCFA showed yesterday, mirroring slumps seen elsewhere in the...
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‘Fiscal cliff’ deal looks so-so for US businesses on taxes
The ‘fiscal cliff’ deal that slowly, painfully took shape in the US Congress in recent days fulfills some of corporate America’s tax policy goals, but leaves others unmet, including a big one – real deficit and debt reduction. The Bill, which...
