The MSE Equity Price Index ended an eight-day run of gains as it moved 0.88% lower to 3,861.4 points. Declines in eight equities outweighed a gain in the ordinary shares of RS2. Meanwhile, six other equities closed unchanged as today’s total value traded amounted to €0.27 million.
Bank of Valletta plc eased by 1.9% to the €2.04 level as 30,444 shares changed hands across twelve trades.
FIMBank plc slid 13.3% to the USD0.17 level across four trades totalling 29,731 shares, although most trades took place at the USD0.151 level (-23%).
Santumas Shareholdings plc fell by 6.4% to the €1.17 level over a single deal of 3,652 shares.
Computime Holdings plc shed 6.2% to the €0.45 level as 7,756 shares changed hands.
Quinco Holdings plc declined by 5.3% to a new low of €0.90 across two trades amounting to 13,482 shares.
BMIT Technologies plc moved 1.4% lower to the €0.282 level over three deals totalling 7,350 shares.
Mapfre Middlesea plc (-0.7% to €1.37) and HSBC Bank Malta plc (-0.7% to €1.44) were today’s other negative performers.
Malta International Airport plc closed unchanged at the €5.85 level, although most trades took place at the €5.80 level (-0.9%).
MedservRegis plc closed unchanged at the €0.70 level across two deals amounting to 14,356 shares, where most shares exchanged hands at €0.65 (-7.1%).
GO plc closed unchanged at the €2.52 level as 3,500 shares traded across two deals.
Malta Properties Company plc traded flat at the €0.37 level across two deals amounting to 300,000 shares.
Similarly, Hili Properties plc traded flat at the €0.24 level across 90,000 shares.
The ordinary shares of RS2 plc climbed by 8.3% to the €0.34 level across four deals totalling 19,965 shares.
The RF MGS Index remained virtually unchanged at 910.1 points. Eurozone economic sentiment, measured by the ZEW Economic Sentiment survey, weakened further in February and fell short of market expectations. According to the survey, 43.4% of analysts anticipate an improvement in economic activity, 52.6% expect no change, and 4% foresee a deterioration. In Germany, economic sentiment also declined unexpectedly, although the assessment of the current economic situation improved, signalling that recovery remains fragile. Elsewhere, the unemployment rate in the UK rose to 5.2% in the three months leading up to December, marking its highest level in almost five years. Notably, unemployment among young people aged 16 to 24 climbed to 16.1%, reaching its highest level in over a decade.
This report contains only public information and is not to be construed as investment advice or an offer to buy or sell securities. Information contained herein is based on data obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but no representations or guarantees are made with regard to the accuracy of the data. Stock markets are volatile and subject to fluctuations which cannot be reasonably foreseen. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Rizzo, Farrugia & Co. (Stockbrokers) Limited is a company licensed to undertake investment services in Malta by the MFSA under the Investment Services Act, Cap. 370 of the Laws of Malta and a member of the Malta Stock Exchange.
