- The MSE Share Index recovered marginally this morning from yesterday’s lowest level since 24 September 2009 to close at 2,994.256 points following a minimal increase in the share price of Bank of Valletta plc. The other 3 active equities, Lombard Bank Malta, Middlesea and GO closed the day unchanged. Today is the last trading day of the week due to a public holiday tomorrow celebrating St.Paul’s Shipwreck. During the past four sessions, the MSE Share Index dropped 2% and is currently showing a loss of 3.25% since the start of 2012. Download a copy of the Equity Market Summary.
- On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index eased marginally lower today to 986.341 points as Eurozone yields continued to hover around the level of 2.00%. Earlier this afternoon, the European Central bank announced that interest rates will remain unchanged at the 1% level. The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee also voted to maintain interest rates at their current record lows but authorised further purchases of UK gilts totalling £50 billion.
- Following the recent MGS issue, activity on the local sovereign paper was subdued with the exception of the 5.1% MGS 2014 (III) where a total of €1.07 million (nominal) changed hands.
- Bank of Valletta plc edged 0.2% higher to €2.215 on low volumes of 8,004 shares.
- A single trade of 5,600 GO plc shares was executed at the previous closing price of €0.86. During the past four trading sessions, GO’s equity shed 3.4% and touched a fresh all-time low of €0.84 on Tuesday. Investors are still awaiting an update from the Greek telecommunications company Forthnet in view of the surpassed deadline by its bankers to raise €30 million by the end of January.
- Lombard Bank Malta plc maintained yesterday’s 14-month low of €2.53 as a further 4,000 shares changed hands at this level.
- The only other active equity for the day was Middlesea Insurance plc and this equity also maintained its 21-month low of €0.70 as a further 5,000 shares traded. Middlesea will be issuing their 2011 final year results on 28 February.
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