The MSE Equity Price Index eased by 0.54% to 4,008.561 points as the declines in BOV, HSBC and RS2 outweighed the gains in GO and Harvest. Meanwhile, overall trading activity remained lacklustre at just €0.05 million.
In the banking sector, Bank of Valletta plc erased all of yesterday’s gains as it fell by 2.2% to the €0.90 level across 2,070 shares. Meanwhile, HSBC Bank Malta plc slipped by 1.2% to return to the €0.81 level as 14,125 shares changed hands.
Elsewhere, RS2 Software plc dropped by 4.3% to the €1.80 level across 7,900 shares whilst the new RS2 preference shares advanced by 0.6% to the €1.76 level as 8,300 shares changed hands.
Also in the technology sector, Harvest Technology plc rose by 2.7% as it closed at a 6-week high at the €1.54 level with 4,300 shares changing hands.
The MSE Equity Total Return Index advanced by another 0.1% to 8,310.761 points. A total of 17 equities were active, seven of which traded lower, while another six closed higher. Total weekly turnover was lower when compared to the previous week, as it stood at €0.5m – generated across 108 transactions.
Last Thursday, Bank of Valletta plc published its interim directors’ statement for the first quarter of 2021. Profit before tax for the first quarter of FY 2021 amounted to €9.3m. This was in line with underlying performance trends experienced over the course of last year, conditioned by subdued activity and provisioning occasioned by the COVID-19 environment.
11:33 AM
During April the ASX200 recorded a seventh consecutive monthly rise with the technology and resources sectors leading the way.
-The ASX200 climbed 3.5% during April
-Growth marginally outperformed Value
By Mark Woodruff
Equity markets continue to enjoy an outstanding start to 2021, with returns well ahead of average. At a global level, this trend is underpinned by ongoing fiscal stimulus and persistently accommodative monetary policy.
Locally, earnings revisions appear firmly in upgrade territory, while dividends have gathered momentum with consensus projections now up 16.7% in the year-to-date. Additionally, business and consumer surveys are pointing to strong and growing confidence.
Meanwhile, the Bloomberg Commodities Index has climbed by 15.22%. This is 12.8 percentage points above the typical year-to-date average since 1970.
The MSE Equity Price Index rallied by 1.32% to 4,029.051 points as the strong gains in FIMBank and IHI, coupled with the positive performances of BOV and Harvest, offset the declines in MIA, HSBC and Farsons. Trading activity improved markedly to €0.27 million largely on the back of increased volumes in BOV shares.
Bank of Valletta plc added 1.1% to regain the €0.90 level on volumes totalling 189,324 shares having a market value of €0.17 million. Today, BOV announced that the full transition from Raiffeisen Bank to Western Union in relation to payments in USD is planned to start in the coming days. Moreover, the bank published a Quarterly Update wherein it explained that revenues decreased by 4% in Q1 2021 but operating costs increased by 4% mainly due to increases in employee compensation, investment in technology, and higher amortisation charges.
Throughout West Africa, the artisanal fishing sector is a crucial source of livelihoods and food security. For instance, in Nigeria artisanal fishing accounts for 80% of the fish consumed and supports the livelihoods of about 24 million people. Both men and women work in the sector, though the labour – throughout the region – is divided by gender. Men dominate fishing and production while women dominate post-harvest processing, such as dressing, sorting, salting and smoking the fish. Women also do most of the selling and marketing. Women thus play a crucial role in artisanal fishing.
We have conducted research on marine resource governance across West Africa over the last six years. This has included field research in Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal. Our research has found that weak fisheries governance undermines the livelihoods of fisherfolk. Research elsewhere shows that women in particular get a raw deal. Their contributions to the sector are widely