During this morning’s trading session, the MSE Share Index gained a further 0.2% to 3,583.262 points as it heads to end the year with the best annual performance since 2005. The local equity benchmark has climbed 11.6% since the start of 2013 with only two sessions left – one this Friday 27 December and another on Monday 30 December. Trading in the New Year will resume as from Friday 3 January 2014.
This morning’s gains in the MSE Share Index reflect the increases in the share prices of some of the large cap equities. Bank of Valletta plc edged 0.4% higher to €2.61 on volumes of almost 23,000 shares. Last week, the shareholders of BOV approved all the items on the agenda including the final gross dividend of €0.13 per share which was subsequently paid on 20 December. The equity will now trade with the entitlement to the 1 for 10 bonus issue until Tuesday 14 January.
The share price of Malta International Airport plc advanced by 2.4% to a new all-time high of €2.15 across eleven trades totalling 10,185 shares. Similarly, GO plc ended this morning’s session up 0.6% at a new 33-month high of €1.77 on a trade of 10,000 shares.
The gains in these various equities offset the declines in the share prices of Crimsonwing plc and 6pm Holdings plc. The equity of Crimsonwing retreated by 2.3% back to the €0.86 level on a deal of 50,000 shares. Lower volumes were registered in 6pm with 10,700 shares changing hands at the GBP0.70 level representing a 2.8% drop from the previous close.
Meanwhile, HSBC Bank Malta plc ended this morning’s session unchanged at the €2.57 level on low volumes of 2,550 shares. Shallow activity was also registered in Middlesea Insurance plc (288 shares at €0.90), FIMBank plc (1,958 shares at US$0.975) and Simonds Farsons Cisk plc (133 shares at €2.85).
RS2 Software plc and Medserv plc also closed unchanged at €2.28 and €1.35 respectively.
On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index inched minimally lower to 1,019.906 points as Eurozone yields continued to trend higher as they approach the 1.90% level. Growth forecasts for the US were upgraded by the International Monetary Fund last Friday following positive economic data and some signs of compromise in Congress. This corroborated the decision by the US Federal Reserve to reduce its asset purchase programme by USD10 billion to USD75 billion a month given the recent improvements in the North American economy.
We would like to take this opportunity to convey our best wishes for this festive season.
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