The MSE Equity Price Index rebounded by 0.29% to 4,858.241 points on Thursday as various equities trended higher whilst only Santumas Shareholdings nudged lower.
Five companies ended the day unchanged whilst trading activity improved considerably to just under €0.8 million reflecting heightened volumes in RS2.
RS2 Software plc added 0.7% to regain the €1.40 level on strong activity totalling 436,046 shares having a market value of €0.61 million.
In the banking sector, FIMBank plc and HSBC Bank Malta plc also trended in positive territory today. The trade finance specialist gained 1.7% to the USD0.61 level across 35,000 shares whilst two deals totalling 4,851 shares lifted the equity of HSBC 0.6% higher to €1.63.
Medserv plc climbed 1.8% to the €1.14 level across 10,000 shares.
In the property segment, Malta Properties Company plc surged almost 4% to the €0.665 level (the highest since November 2015 shortly after the company’s spin-off from GO plc) on a total of 17,956 shares.
Positive sentiment towards Trident Estates plc persisted further as the company’s share price reached a new fourteen-month high of €1.90 (+0.5%) across 10,000 shares. Trident is due to hold its AGM on 25 June.
In contrast, Santumas Shareholdings plc dropped by 2.4% from its all-time high of €1.69 to the €1.65 level on trivial activity.
Meanwhile, Malta International Airport plc retained the €7.20 level after opening at a high of €7.25 (+0.7%). A total of 5,900 shares changed hands.
Amongst the large companies, Bank of Valletta plc (46,999 shares) and International Hotel Investments plc (2,000 shares) also ended the day unchanged at €1.21 and €0.90 respectively. IHI shareholders as at close of trading on 26 June will be entitled to receive a net dividend of €0.02 per share.
Four deals totalling 14,000 shares left the equity of BMIT Technologies plc at the €0.535 level.
Mapfre Middlesea plc traded flat at the €2.00 level on a total of 5,387 shares.
This morning, Tigné Mall plc held its AGM during which shareholders approved the payment of a final net dividend of €0.0131 per share which is now payable on 5 July. The equity remained inactive today.
Today, Lombard Bank Malta plc announced that its Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on 21 August to consider and approve the interim financial statements as at 30 June 2019. The equity remained inactive today.
The RF MGS Index added 0.07% to 1,139.574 points (the highest level since mid-January 2017) as bond yields across the globe continue to slide after the US Federal Reserve yesterday left interest rates unchanged but acknowledged that it was now likely to make at least one interest rate cut this year. Meanwhile, economic data in Europe continued to disappoint as preliminary indications pointed towards weaker consumer confidence.