The share index extended yesterday’s gains of 0.28% by a further 0.04% to an over six-week high of 4,681.516 points, reflecting the increases in the share prices of RS2 (+1.9%) and BOV (+0.2%).
These slightly outweighed the declines in GO (-0.1%) and Mapfre Middlesea (-2.6%). The total value of equities traded exceeded the €0.4 million mark for the third consecutive day.
The local equity index moved higher for the third consecutive week with an increase of 0.32% during the past five trading sessions.
Trading activity in RS2 Software remained busy as 15 deals totalling 136,866 shares lifted the equity 1.9% higher to a four-month high of €1.62.
Positive sentiment towards Bank of Valletta continued as the equity advanced by 0.2% to an over five-week high of €2.19,9 across 27,719 shares.
On the other hand, HSBC maintained the €2.08 level after retreating from an intra-day high of €2.08,8 (+0.4%). A total of 45,157 shares traded. HSBC is due to publish its 2017 half-year results on July 31. The directors will also consider the declaration of an interim dividend.
Also among the large companies, two deals totalling 4,300 shares left the equity of Malta International Airport unchanged at the €4.15 level.
Three property-related companies also closed the day flat today. Malta Properties Company and MIDI held on to the 52c and 31c levels albeit on shallow volumes.
Malita Investments retained the 74c level across 21,200 shares.
A single deal of just 1,808 shares pulled the equity of GO 0.1% lower to the €3.45,5 level whilst Mapfre Middlesea dropped 2.6% to a fresh 2017 low of €1.90 on just 712 shares. The insurance specialist is due to reveal its six-month financial performance on July 21.
The RF MGS Index halted a three-day positive streak as it dropped by 0.09% from its five-month high of 1,137.064 points to 1,136.046 points.
Euro zone sovereign yields rose today but remained close to their recent lows amid disappointing results from surveys gauging the level of activity of purchasing managers in the manufacturing and services sectors in June in the single currency area.
In Italy, fresh data showed that industrial activity lost some momentum in April. On the other hand, Q1 GDP growth in France was confirmed at a better-than-expected +0.5%.
www.rizzofarrugia.com