The MSE Equity Price Index fell by 0.16% to 3,816.7 points on Friday as the declines in HSBC, MIA and Quinco outweighed the gain in M&Z. Meanwhile, four equities closed unchanged as today’s trading activity in local equities was muted at around €56,000.
HSBC Bank Malta plc shed 0.7% to the €1.41 level on two deals totalling 6,865 shares.
Malta International Airport moved 0.9% lower to the €5.80 level across two trades amounting to 609 shares.
Quinco Holdings plc decreased by 1.0% to the €0.97 level on a single deal of 1,000 shares.
On the other hand, M&Z plc surged by 3.5% to the €0.59 level on two trades over trivial volumes.
Meanwhile, Bank of Valletta plc closed unchanged at the €1.92 level over seven deals amounting to 16,841 shares.
Hili Properties plc closed unchanged at the €0.234 level on two trades totalling 37,100 shares.
Mapfre Middlesea plc and PG plc held the €1.39 and €1.69 levels respectively on muted activity.
The RF MGS Index rose by 0.05% to 902.820 points as the December US jobs report was released today which presented mixed economic signals. In particular, the US added just 50,000 new jobs during December which was lower than the previous month as well market expectations of 60,000. However, despite the weaker hiring data, the unemployment rate unexpectedly decreased to 4.4% from 4.5% last November. Meanwhile, the seasonally adjusted annualised number of October housing starts in the US fell to the lowest level since 2020.
Edward Rizzo is director at Rizzo, Farrugia & Co.
