2014:2 5 of the Year Was Largely Driven by Domestic Demand, Particularly Investment, Although Private and Government Consumption Also Supported the Expansion

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

2014:2 5 of the Year Was Largely Driven by Domestic Demand, Particularly Investment, Although Private and Government Consumption Also Supported the Expansion QUARTERLY REVIEW 2014 Vol. 47 No. 2 © Central Bank of Malta, 2014 Address Pjazza Kastilja Valletta VLT 1060 Malta Telephone (+356) 2550 0000 Fax (+356) 2550 2500 Website http://www.centralbankmalta.org E-mail [email protected] Printed by Gutenberg Press Ltd Gudja Road Tarxien, Malta All rights reserved. Reproduction is permitted provided that the source is acknowledged. The cut-off date for statistical information published in the Economic Survey of this Review is 14 August 2014. Figures in tables may not add up due to rounding. ISSN 0008-9273 (print) ISSN 1811-1254 (online) CONTENTS FOREWORD 5 ECONOMIC SURVEY 8 1. International Economic Developments and the Euro Area Economy 8 International economic developments International financial markets Commodities Economic and monetary developments in the euro area 2. Output and Employment 20 GDP and industrial production Box 1: Tourism activity Box 2: Business and consumer surveys The labour market Box 3: Developments in Malta’s structural unemployment 3. Prices, Costs and Competitiveness 38 HICP inflation Box 4: Communicating uncertainty – a fan chart for HICP projections RPI inflation Box 5: Residential property prices Costs and competitiveness 4. The Balance of Payments 50 The current account The capital and financial account International investment position 5. Government Finance 55 General government Consolidated Fund General government debt Box 6: Estimating the cyclically adjusted budget balance 6. Monetary and Financial Developments 67 Monetary aggregates and their counterparts The money market The capital market NEWS NOTES 76 STATISTICAL TABLES 83 ABBREVIATIONS ECB European Central Bank EONIA Euro OverNight Index Average ESA 95 European System of Accounts 1995 ESCB European System of Central Banks ETC Employment and Training Corporation EU European Union EURIBOR Euro Interbank Offered Rate FTSE Financial Times Stock Exchange GDP gross domestic product HCI harmonised competitiveness indicator HICP Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development IMF International Monetary Fund LFS Labour Force Survey LTRO longer-term refinancing operation MIGA Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency MFI monetary financial institution MFSA Malta Financial Services Authority MGS Malta Government Stocks MRO main refinancing operation MSE Malta Stock Exchange NACE statistical classification of economic activities in the European Community NCB national central bank NPISH Non-Profit Institutions Serving Households NSO National Statistics Office OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OMFI other monetary financial institution OMT Outright Monetary Transaction RPI Retail Price Index ULC unit labour cost FOREWORD The Governing Council of the European Central Bank eased its monetary policy stance further during the first nine months of 2014 against a backdrop of a subdued outlook for inflation, weak growth momentum and restrained money and credit dynamics. In June the Council again lowered key interest rates, cutting the main refinancing operation (MRO) rate by 10 basis points to 0.15%. At the same time, the rates on the marginal lending facility and on the deposit facility were reduced to 0.40% and -0.10%, respectively, with the deposit rate mov- ing into negative territory for the first time. Meanwhile, the Governing Council introduced four-year targeted longer-term refinancing opera- tions (TLTRO). These four-year TLTROs are aimed at supporting bank lending to the euro area non-financial private sector, excluding loans to households for house purchase. At the same time, the Governing Council announced the prolongation of the fixed rate, full allotment tender proce- dures at least until December 2016. The Council also suspended the sterilising operations related to the Securities Markets Programme and announced that it would intensify preparations for out- right purchases of asset-backed securities. In September the Governing Council decided to lower key interest rates by a further 10 basis points. This brought the MRO rate down to 0.05%. In addition, the rates on the marginal lend- ing facility and the deposit facility were reduced to 0.30% and -0.20%, respectively. Moreover, the Governing Council decided to launch Eurosystem purchases of private sector assets. More specifically, the Eurosystem will buy a broad portfolio of asset-backed securities and euro-denom- inated covered bonds. The euro area economy continued to recover slowly during the first quarter of 2014. Real gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 0.2% quarter-on-quarter, following a 0.3% increase in the last quarter of 2013. Growth in the first quarter of 2014 was driven by domestic demand, particularly government spending and inventories. In contrast, the contribution of net exports to GDP growth turned negative during the first three months of 2014, as imports outpaced exports. According to Eurostat’s flash estimate, real GDP was stable on a quarter-on-quarter basis in the following quarter, underscoring the fragility of the recovery of the euro area economy. The annual rate of inflation in the euro area, based on the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), remained low. In March it dipped to 0.5% from 0.8% in December, mainly reflecting devel- opments in food and energy prices, though price pressures in the remaining HICP components were also moderate. Inflation remained subdued in the second quarter of the year, with the annual rate remaining at 0.5% in June. According to the Eurosystem’s macroeconomic projections published in June, euro area real GDP growth was expected to gradually recover over the forecast horizon. Real GDP was set to expand by 1.0% in 2014 before accelerating to 1.7% in 2015 and 1.8% in 2016. The annual HICP inflation rate was forecast to weaken to 0.7% in 2014, before rising to 1.1% in 2015 and 1.4% in 2016. Turning to local developments, GDP growth in Malta accelerated to 3.5% in annual terms, fol- lowing an expansion of 2.2% in the last three months of 2013. Growth in the first three months CENTRAL BANK OF MALTA Quarterly Review 2014:2 5 of the year was largely driven by domestic demand, particularly investment, although private and government consumption also supported the expansion. Net exports on the other hand contrib- uted only marginally to GDP growth. Economic activity remained strong in the second quarter, supported by both domestic demand and net exports, though the annual rate of GDP growth moderated to 2.9%. Consumer price inflation in Malta picked up further during the first quarter of 2014, but remained low. Annual HICP inflation rose to 1.4% in March from 1.0% in December, with the acceleration driven by developments in prices of services, energy and non-energy industrial goods. In con- trast, the annual rate of change of food prices moderated, largely under the impact of a decline in unprocessed food prices. Inflation subsequently slowed down to 0.7% in June, mainly reflecting the cut in electricity tariffs in April and weaker growth in food prices. The performance of the labour market remained strong during the first quarter of 2014, with con- tinued growth in employment. According to the Labour Force Survey (LFS), employment rose by 1.9% on a year earlier, following a 2.8% increase in the last quarter of 2013. Meanwhile, the number of full-timers registered with the Employment and Training Corporation rose at an annual rate of 3.6% in March. The unemployment rate based on the LFS was unchanged at 6.0% com- pared with a year earlier, but 0.4 percentage point lower than the rate recorded in the preceding three-month period. With regard to competitiveness indicators, between December and March the nominal and real harmonised competitive indicators (HCI) both rose, though they declined during the following quarter. In June the nominal HCI was still around 1.0% above its level a year earlier, but the real HCI was down by 0.3%. Thus, in the year to June the loss in price competitiveness arising from exchange rate movements was more than offset by a narrowing inflation differential against Malta’s trading partners. In the first quarter of 2014, the annual rate of increase in unit labour costs, measured as a four-quarter moving average, moderated to 1.0% from 1.5% in the last quarter of 2013. In the external sector, during the first quarter of 2014 the deficit on the current account of the bal- ance of payments declined markedly over the same period of 2013. This was largely on account of lower net outflows on the income account, although a higher surplus on services also contrib- uted. In contrast, the merchandise trade gap widened and net inward current transfers declined. When expressed as a four-quarter moving sum, the balance on the current account remained in surplus. In the year to March 2014, this surplus was equivalent to 1.6% of GDP, as against 0.4% in the 12 months to March 2013. Maltese residents’ deposits with resident credit institutions accelerated during the second quarter, with the annual growth rate rising to 11.7% in June, driven by overnight deposits and deposits with an agreed maturity of up to two years. Meanwhile, credit granted to residents also increased at a faster pace, with the annual rate of change rising from 0.9% in March to 3.3% three months later. This reflected faster growth in credit granted to general government and other residents. The broad downward trend in euro area interest rates influenced domestic financial markets dur- ing the second quarter of the year. Yields on three-month Treasury bills fell, with the secondary market rate standing at 0.29% by end-June, down from 0.37% at the end of March. Similarly, the yield on five-year government bonds fell to 1.48%, while that on ten-year government bonds CENTRAL BANK OF MALTA Quarterly Review 2014:2 6 declined to 2.76%, from 2.00% and 2.98%, respectively, three months earlier.
Recommended publications
  • LISTING SECURITIES in MALTA What You Need to Know
    LISTING SECURITIES IN MALTA What you need to know Malta offers two regulated markets on which issuers can list their securities, the Malta Stock Exchange (“MSE”) Official List for both equity and debt listings and the European Wholesale Securities Market (“EWSM”) for debt listings. The MSE also operates ‘Prospects’, a multi-lateral trading facility specifically designed for SMEs to list their equity and debt securities. KEY INFORMATION AND LISTING CONDITIONS MSE Official List Prospects (Equity / Debt)* EWSM (Debt)** (Equity / Debt)*** EU Regulated Market Yes Yes No Prospectus (Prospectus Prospectus (Prospectus Admission Document Offering / Admission Document Directive Compliant) Directive Compliant) (Prospects Template) Listing Authority MFSA MFSA N/A (Self-Regulated Market) Appointment of Sponsor / Sponsor Listing Agent Corporate Advisor Listing Agent / Advisor Minimum Denomination of Securities N/A €100,000 N/A Minimum Amount of Securities Listed €1,000,000 €1,000,000 N/A Minimum Issuer Share Capital • €1,000,000 (Equity) N/A N/A (Fully Paid-Up) • €250,000 (Debt) Minimum Free Float / • 25% (Equity) N/A N/A Securities held by Public • N/A (Debt) Whole Class to be Listed Yes Yes Yes Securities must be Freely Transferable Yes Yes Yes • 3 Financial Years (Equity) Historical Audited Financial Information N/A N/A • 2 Financial Years (Debt) Listing Application Approval Timing 1-2 months 1-2 weeks 2 weeks €12,500 - €60,000 Initial Application Fee €1,000 €5,000 (Based on Market Cap) €2,250 - €116,000 €5,000 - €32,500 Annual Exchange Fee €2,000 (Based on Market Cap) (Based on Market Cap) * MSE listing requirements vary for listing of units in collective investment schemes.
    [Show full text]
  • Malta Stock Exchange Equity Market Summary - 05 April 2019 Trading Hours - 09.30 A.M
    Malta Stock Exchange Equity Market Summary - 05 April 2019 Trading Hours - 09.30 a.m. to 15.30 p.m. MSE Equity Price Index 4,714.243 - 0.104% Shares Market2019 YTD Opening Day's Day's Closing Change % No. Div. Net Net Div. NAV/ Price E.P.S P/E Ratio Notes Issued Cap High Low % Currency Price High Low Price on previous Change of Turnover Payment Div. Div. Cover Share to Hist. Hist. 000's 000's Change close Trades Date Yield (a) (b) (c) NAV (d) (e) No. of OFFICIAL LIST %#Shares €%times € Financial Services 530,772 €732,465 1.480 1.235 3.8% Bank of Valletta plc - EUR1.00 EUR 1.375 1.380 1.350 1.380 0.000 0.00% 10 23,721 - - - - 1.87 0.74 0.097 14.25 Annual General Meeting - 09 May 2019 360,306 €587,299 1.810 1.600 -10.9% HSBC Bank Malta plc - EUR0.30 XD EUR 1.630 1.630 1.630 1.630 0.000 0.00% 1 2,000 Apr/Aug 0.038 2.31 2.11 1.27 1.28 0.080 20.47 Annual General Meeting - 17 April 2019 44,178 €103,376 2.520 2.260 -4.1% Lombard Bank Malta plc - EUR0.25 XD EUR---2.340 ‐‐- - April 0.033 1.39 5.88 2.45 0.95 0.191 12.25 Annual General Meeting - 11 April 2019 92,000 €217,120 2.380 1.830 18.6% Mapfre Middlesea plc - EUR0.21 EUR 2.360 2.360 2.360 2.360 0.000 0.00% 1 10,000 May 0.098 1 4.14 0.96 1.00 2.37 0.093 25.26 Dividend Cut-Off Date - 30 April 2019 30,000 €9,000 0.300 0.216 -9.6% GlobalCapital plc - EUR0.2912 EUR---0.300 ‐‐- - - - - - 0.54 0.56 0.105 2.86 522,288 $360,379 0.716 0.619 -8.0% FIMBank plc - USD0.50 XB USD---0.690 ‐‐- - - - - - 0.54 1.29 0.022 31.00 Annual General Meeting - 07 May 2019 Telecommunications 101,310 €492,369 5.000 3.900 22.7% GO plc - EUR0.5823 EUR---4.860 ‐‐--May0.14 3 2.88 1.34 1.11 4.37 0.187 25.95 Dividend Cut-Off Date - 24 April 2019 Food / Beverages 30,000 €262,500 8.750 7.400 0.0% Simonds Farsons Cisk plc - EUR0.30 EUR---8.750 ‐‐- - Oct/June 0.120 1.37 4.00 3.34 2.62 0.480 18.23 Tourism 615,685 €470,999 0.780 0.590 23.4% Int.
    [Show full text]
  • Admission Document
    This document, which comprises an admission document, required by the rules of Prospects MTF, a market regulated as an MTF and operated by the Malta Stock Exchange (the “MSE” or “Exchange”), has been drawn up in compliance with the Prospects MTF Rules issued by the Exchange. This document does not comprise a document drawn up in terms of the EU Prospectus Directive (2003/71/EC) or for the purposes of the Listing Rules of the Listing Authority. In terms of article 2(3)(b)(ii) of the Companies Act, Chapter 386 of the laws of Malta, this Bond Issue does not constitute an offer of securities to the public and this document does not constitute a prospectus as defined in article 2(i) of the said Act. A public limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Malta company registration number C 87809 In respect of an issue of €7.5 million 5.35% Unsecured Bonds 2028 ISIN: MT0002001205 Guaranteed by* D Shopping Malls Limited a private limited liability company registered in Malta company registration number C 87499 *Prospective investors are to refer to the guarantee contained in Annex A of this Company Admission Document for a description of the Guarantee. Reference should also be made to the sections entitled “Risk Factors” contained in this Company Admission Document for a discussion of certain risk factors, which should be considered by prospective investors in connection with the Bonds including but not limited to the guarantee provided by D Shopping Malls Limited. COMPANY ADMISSION DOCUMENT Dated 27 September 2018 THE MSE HAS AUTHORISED THE ISSUE OF THIS DOCUMENT.
    [Show full text]
  • Company Admission Document
    This document comprises an admission document, required by the rules of Prospects MTF (the market regulated as a multilateral trading facility operated by the Malta Stock Exchange (the “Exchange” or the “MSE”). This document has been drawn up in compliance with the Prospects MTF Rules for the purpose of giving information with regards to the issue of the Bonds (as herein defined). This document does not comprise a document drawn up in terms of the EU Prospectus Directive (2003/71/EC) or for the purposes of the Listing Rules of the Listing Authority. In terms of article 2(3)(b)(v) of the Companies Act, Chapter 386 of the Laws of Malta, this Bond Issue (as defined herein) does not constitute an offer of securities to the public and this document does not constitute a prospectus as defined in article 2(i) of the said Act. COMPANY ADMISSION DOCUMENT Dated 25th January 2019 In respect of an issue of €5,000,000 5% Secured Callable Bonds 2026-2029 of a nominal value of €100 per Bond issued at par by Borgo Lifestyle Finance plc Borgo Lifestyle Finance plc - A public limited liability company registered in Malta with company registration number C 88245 ISIN: MT0002151208 THE MSE HAS AUTHORISED THE ISSUE OF THIS DOCUMENT. THE MSE DOES NOT GIVE ANY CERTIFICATION, REPRESENTATION, WARRANTY OR GUARANTEE REGARDING THE POTENTIAL RISKS INVOLVED IN INVESTING IN THE SAID SECURITIES OR THE SAFETY OF INVESTING IN SUCH SECURITIES. THE MSE ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE COMPLETENESS OR ACCURACY OF THIS ADMISSION DOCUMENT AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY LIABILITY WHATSOEVER FOR ANY LOSS HOWSOEVER ARISING FROM OR IN RELIANCE UPON THE WHOLE OR ANY PART OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS ADMISSION DOCUMENT.
    [Show full text]
  • Why List on the Malta Stock Exchange?
    WHY LIST ON THE MALTA STOCK EXCHANGE? More than just a cost-effective solution … An EU jurisdiction coupled A professional environment backed Cost-effective access with Passportability by cost-effective support services to capital markets The MSE has extensive experience with The Malta Stock Exchange (MSE) is There are many reasons why companies listing various categories of financial located in a well-regulated, cost-effective may seek a listing on the MSE, such as instruments such as equities, bonds, domicile which is a fast-developing seeking access to capital markets as a money market funds, property funds financial centre with an excellent source of finance or to raise new equity and venture capital or development reputation, skilled English-speaking capital. A listing may also help raise an funds. Moreover, the Maltese financial professionals and a pleasant working entity’s brand profile or address succession services sector is supported by numerous environment. The MSE is itself an planning issues. authorised organisation that has been experienced professionals who are able to provide cost-effective expertise in legal, operating to the highest international The fees applicable to companies seeking audit, accounting and brokerage services. standards for almost 25 years. admission to listing on the Main Market are very competitive and cost-effective. All the global accounting and audit firms Companies admitted to listing on the Indeed the Exchange’s fee structure is one are represented in Malta and operate MSE’s Main Market and the secondary of Europe’s most affordable. They are also together with many other accounting listing board, the Alternative Companies very straightforward and easy to establish firms, all of which provide premium List, which are both regulated markets, since they are structured on an ‘annual services at significantly competitive are listed in accordance with the fee’ basis, without any up-front charges rates when compared to many other Prospectus Directive.
    [Show full text]
  • Budget Speech 2019
    Ministry for Finance Budget Speech 2019 The Hon. Prof. Edward Scicluna Minister for Finance Malta 22nd October, 2018 Published by the Ministry for Finance, South Street, Valletta VLT 1102 Tel.: (+356) 25 99 82 59 Website: www.mfin.gov.mt Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Malta. Ministry for Finance, Valletta - Budget Speech 2019 / Edward Scicluna. Ministry for Finance, 2018 ISBN: 978-99957-58-34-9 1. Budget – Malta I. Title II. Edward Scicluna This publication is available from: Department of Information 3, Castille Place Valletta VLA 2000 Tel.: (+356) 22 00 17 00 Printed at the Government Press Price: €2.00 CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................. 1 1.1 The economic and financial context ........................................... 4 1.2 The economic and fiscal projections .......................................... 6 2. THE DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH ...................................................... 11 2.1 The Cost of Living Adjustment .................................................. 11 2.2 An additional day of vacation leave .......................................... 11 2.3 Salary adjustment for employees earning Minimum Wage ..... 12 2.4 Increase in the Children’s Allowance for families with an income under €20,000 ........................................................................... 12 2.5 Further reduction in taxes for all employed persons ............... 13 2.6 Adjusting the tax exemption cap for single persons ................ 13 2.7 Self-employed persons
    [Show full text]
  • NEWSLETTER 234 September 2018
    MALTESE E-NEWSLETTER 234 September 2018 DIPARTIMENT TAL-INFORMAZZJONI DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION MALTA 1 MALTESE E-NEWSLETTER 234 September 2018 PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER Speaker Farrugia receives French Ambassador on a farewell visit Speaker of the House of Representatives Dr Anġlu Farrugia received a farewell visit by Ambassador of the French Republic, Ms Béatrice le Fraper du Hellen, whose term of office in Malta is coming to an end. Speaker Farrugia expressed his appreciation to Ambassador Le Fraper du Hellen for her diligent and hard work, during her tour of duty in Malta, which resulted in intensifying the very strong bilateral relations that exist between Malta and France. He also thanked the French authorities for showing solidarity in practice by taking a number of migrants who were brought to Malta on board the ships Aquarius and Lifeline. The two dignitaries referred to the Maltese community in France and Malta’s request to have observer status in the Organisation International de la Francophonie. They also discussed issues of mutual interest such as the situation in Europe vis-à-vis migrants, in Libya and Syria as well as the effect of fake news. Cooperation at Parliamentary level, with particular reference to the Parliamentary Friendship Group, also featured in the discussion. 3, CASTILLE PLACE, VALLETTA VLT 2000 Tel +(356) 2200 1700 Fax +(356) 2200 1775 www.doi.gov.mt Scott Morrison THE NEW PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA Scott Morrison has been sworn in as the country's 30th PM, after beating Peter Dutton in a vote 45-40. Josh Frydenberg has also been sworn in as Liberal deputy leader The leadership ballot was called after former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull agreed to the second leadership spill this week.
    [Show full text]
  • An Introduction to Etfs and Funds
    MALTA STOCK EXCHANGE INSTITUTE Towards a Brighter Future An Introduction Sample Topics Covered: What are funds and fund terminology to ETFs and Funds The Sharpe Ratio and risk adjusted returns Course No 101 Comparing open-ended versus closed-ended funds Open-ended funds and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) What is an NAV and how it is calculated have become a very popular, cost effective and efficient way for investor to build diversified portfolios. Funds Discounts, premiums, closed-ended funds are widely used by investors and include a wide variety and how they work of assets including bonds equities, real-estate and commodities. This course will focus primarily on the Characteristics of fund investing different types of funds available to investors ranging from Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), to open-ended Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and closed-ended funds. The course will contrast ETFs Understanding total return, indices and tracking error versus traditional funds, differentiate between active and passive management, explain the prospectus, expense What to look out for when purchasing funds ratios and other key points. Reading a prospectus and understanding expense ratios Active versus passive ETFs and smart beta Index, commodity and currency ETFs Understanding bond, equity and balanced funds Leveraged and inverse funds ETF and fund risks Managing a portfolio of ETF classes Registration Course 101 - An Introduction to EFSs and Funds Name General Information Time: 1700 – 1930hrs Venue: Malta Stock Exchange Position Level: Introductory Language: English or Maltese Schedule Company Duration: 3 sessions / 7.5 hours Dates: 15, 16, 17 January (in English) 24, 25, 26 September (In English) Address 26, 27, 28 March (in Maltese) Prerequisites It is recommended that participants would have Mobile completed course number 100.
    [Show full text]
  • Fact Book 2002 2001 Data 1
    WARSAW STOCK EXCHANGE FACT BOOK 2002 2001 DATA 1 2001 Market indicators Equity market capitalisation 103.4 at year-end (billion zloty) Turnover value - cash market (billion zloty) 91.3 Turnover value - futures market (billion zloty) 98.6 Total turnover value per session, 760 all securities (million zloty) Average number of transactions, 12.5 equity market (thousand) Number of newly listed companies 9 Number of listed companies at year-end 230 WIG20 change in 2001 -33.46% MIDWIG change in 2001 1.57% WIG change in 2001 -21.99% TechWIG change in 2001 -59.48% NIF change in 2001 -1.32% WIRR change in 2001 -35.83% P/E ratio (at year-end, excluding NIF shares) 58.4 P/BV ratio (at year-end, excluding NIF shares) 1.31 Number of sessions in the year 250 Fact Book 2002 Warsaw Stock Exchange 1 WARSAW STOCK EXCHANGE FACT BOOK 2002 2001 Data Fact Book 2002 Warsaw Stock Exchange 2 Official publication of the Warsaw Stock Exchange © Copyright by Warsaw Stock Exchange, 2002 Książęca 4 00-498 Warsaw, Poland Internet: www.wse.com.pl; E-mail: [email protected] Cover design: Carte Blanche-2 DTP: Krzysztof Doliński - WSE Information and Marketing Department Print: Drukarnia LOTOS ISSN 1428-118X Every effort has been made to ensure that the details contained in this publication are accurate. However, the Warsaw Stock Exchange assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions. This publication is for information purposes only, and is not intended as an offer or a solicitation with respect to any product described herein.
    [Show full text]
  • QUARTERLY REVIEW 2009 Vol
    QUARTERLY REVIEW 2009 Vol. 42 No. 2 © Central Bank of Malta, 2009 Address Pjazza Kastilja Valletta VLT 1060 Malta Telephone (+356) 2550 0000 Fax (+356) 2550 2500 Website http://www.centralbankmalta.org E-mail [email protected] Printed by Gutenberg Press Ltd Gudja Road Tarxien, Malta All rights reserved. Reproduction is permitted provided that the source is acknowledged. The Quarterly Review is prepared and issued by the Economics and External Relations Division of the Central Bank of Malta. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Bank. The cut-off date for statistical information published in the Economic Survey of this Review is 17 July 2009, except where otherwise indicated. Figures in tables may not add up due to rounding. ISSN 0008-9273 (print) ISSN 1811-1254 (online) CONTENTS FOREWORD 5 ECONOMIC SURVEY 8 1. Developments in the International and Euro Area Economy 8 International economic developments Commodities Economic and monetary developments in the euro area 2. The Maltese Economy 19 Output Box 1: Business and consumer surveys The labour market Prices Costs and competitiveness Box 2: Residential property prices The balance of payments Box 3: Impact of oil prices on the current account Box 4: Tourism activity Government finance Monetary and financial developments Box 5: Economic projections for 2009 and 2010 NEWS NOTES 56 STATISTICAL TABLES 63 ABBREVIATIONS COICOP Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development ECB European Central
    [Show full text]
  • An Introduction to the Financial Markets
    MALTA STOCK EXCHANGE INSTITUTE Towards a Brighter Future An Introduction to the Sample Topics Covered: How stock markets work, their role and how they benefit Financial Markets an economy Course No 100 What is a bond, different type of bonds, their characteristics and rights of bond holders Participants will learn the basic investing concepts, How to manage a portfolio and concepts of diversification the many different variations of traditional investments available and which type of investments are most Understanding market capitalisation suitable for their needs. What are shares and their different types such as ordinary The course will delve into the history of the capital and preference shares markets, their role in the economy, the different types of markets, and the activities of exchanges. Participants When are stocks expensive will also learn about the difference between bonds and What are market indices equities, what they are, their special characteristics and terminology, how they are priced and the risks of owning What to consider before investing such investments. Dividend dates such as ex dividend, record and pay dates Students will also learn about various investment styles such as value, growth, and fund investing. Students will Funds and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) be taught how to and why they should take a critical look at all investing options based on sound risk/reward Concept of compounding and the time value of money assumptions. Why companies pay dividends Basic economics and what drives markets Risk and return
    [Show full text]
  • Malita-Investments-Plc-Prospectus-02 07 2012.Pdf
    MA LI T A A INVESTMENTS P.L.C. P.L.C. INVESTMENTS PROSPECTUS 2 J 2 ULY ULY PROSPECTUS 201 dated 2 July 2012 2 An issue of 20,000,000 Ordinary B Shares (with an over-allotment option of a further 10,000,000 Ordinary B Shares) of a nominal value of €0.50 each in Malita Investments p.l.c. at an Issue Price of €0.50 per Ordinary B Share (ISIN: MT0000610106) Malita Investments p.l.c. Clock Tower, Level 1, Tigné Point, Sliema TP 01, Malta T: 2132 3503 Joint Sponsors Joint Manager Joint Manager & Registrar www.malitainvestments.com Registration No C 53047 cover with bleed.indd 1 7/2/12 6:12:03 PM Malita Investments p.l.c. Summary Note This document is a Summary Note issued in accordance with the provisions of the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 809/2004 of the 29th April 2004 (the “Regulation”) implementing Directive 2003/71/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards information contained in prospectuses as well as the format, incorporation by reference and publication of such prospectuses and dissemination of advertisements. This Summary Note contains information about Malita Investments p.l.c. (the Issuer“ ”) as the issuer of securities. This Summary Note should be read in conjunction with the Registration Document and the most updated Securities Note issued from time to time containing information about the securities to which it relates. This document is dated 2 July 2012. Malita Investments p.l.c. | Summary Note 1 Important Information THIS SUMMARY NOTE CONSTITUTES PART OF A PROSPECTUS AND CONTAINS INFORMATION IN RELATION TO MALITA INVESTMENTS P.L.C.
    [Show full text]