Following the gains registered in the previous two trading sessions, the share index slipped by 0.16% to 4,723.611 points today as the declines in the equities of Plaza Centres (-1.9%) and BOV (-0.9%) outweighed the gains in Malta Properties (+2%) and GO (+0.3%).Meanwhile, four other equities closed the day unchanged. Trading activity was weak as only €0.15 million worth of shares changed hands.
Meanwhile, four other equities closed the day unchanged. Trading activity was weak as only €0.15 million worth of shares changed hands.
Six deals totalling 14,435 shares pulled the equity of Bank of Valletta 0.9% lower to the €2.18 level.
Plaza Centres retreated by 1.9% to an over seven-month low of €1.05 albeit on a single deal of just 5,000 shares. Shareholders as at close of trading on Wednesday April 26 will be eligible to a final net dividend of 2c94 per share.
Within the same sector, Malta Properties gained 2% to recapture the 52c level across 33,000 shares. On Tuesday, the company revealed its 2016 financial results showing a 37.2% increase in post-tax profits to €2.56 million on the back of significantly reduced finance costs and a €1.7 million uplift in the fair value of its properties. The directors did not recommend the distribution of a dividend.
GO advanced 0.3% to the €3.52 level across 11,313 shares. Shareholders as at March 29 will be eligible to receive a net dividend of 11c per share.
Also among the large companies by market capitalisation, HSBC and RS2 Software held on to €2.08 and €1.64 respectively on shallow volumes.
Malta International Airport also finished the day unchanged at the €4.15 level across 5,802 shares. Shareholders as at April 6 will be eligible to receive a final net dividend of 7c per share.
Lombard maintained its 14-month high of €2.45 on volumes totalling 8,455 shares.
Shareholders as at close of trading tomorrow will be eligible to receive a net dividend of 2c6 per share. During the upcoming annual general meeting scheduled to be held on April 27, shareholders will also be asked to authorise the board of directors to disclose information, including price sensitive information, to a prospective bona fide offeror/s and the corresponding bona fide transferor in the disposal of a substantial shareholding in Lombard.
On the bond market, the RF MGS Index moved higher for the fourth consecutive day as it advanced by a further 0.28% to a two-week high of 1,117.698 points. Eurozone sovereign yields remained relatively unchanged today ahead of a crucial vote in Congress about the repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which is a key measure for US President Donald Trump to deliver his promised tax cuts and fiscal expansion programme.
On the economic front, the results of two surveys gauging German consumer confidence and industrial activity in France were below expectations.
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