Trading in the Jamaican foreign exchange market on Wednesday resulted inflows of US$57.76 million in contrast to US$69.11 million on Tuesday and outflows of US$45.81 million compared to US$45.43 million of all currencies previously.
Approximately, 25 percent of the intakes are surrendered by dictates to Bank of Jamaica and would amount to $14 million, US$2 million more than the net inflows of US$12 million.
In USA dollar trading, inflows ended at US$48.22 million versus US$60.09 million on Tuesday, with outflows of US$40.11 million compared to US$39.85 million.
The value of the Jamaican dollar slipped modestly in value against the US dollar, with the selling rate ending at J$128.36 from J$128.28 previously. Dealers bought the US currency at an average of J$127.39, versus J$127.21 on Tuesday.
The selling rate for the Canadian dollar dropped to J$101.01 from J$102.02 at the close on Tuesday, while the British Pound was slightly less costly at the close, with J$167.14 buying the British currency versus J$167.15 and the euro, rose in value against the Jamaican dollar, with it taking J$151.74 to buy the European common currency , versus J$151.31 previously.
Archives for August 2017
Forex inflows still high – Wednesday
Junior stocks eased slightly on Wednesday
Trading in the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed on Wednesday with a number of stocks declining, out pacing those rising. The volume and value of stocks trading, declined compared to that on Tuesday and the market index closed slightly lower.
The Market index declined 6.83 points to close at 3,155.07, with 17 securities trading as 6 stocks advanced 5 declined and 6 traded firm. At the close 3,764,636 shares valued at $19,753,434.21 traded, compared with the 7,982,375 units valued at $43,352,441passing through the market on the previous trading day.
Trading ended with an average of 221,449 units for an average of $1,161,967 in contrast to 347,060 units for an 
average of $1,884,889 on Wednesday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 162,339 units valued at $862,752 compared to 147,562 units valued at $787,949 previously. In contrast, July closed with average of 536,395 units at $1,905,441 for each security traded.
At the close of the market, stocks that were active and their last traded price for the day are: Access Finance closing at $46 with 15,230 shares, AMG Packaging losing 5 cents trading 60,000 units at $3.70, Cargo Handlers closing at $13.20 with 300 shares, Caribbean Cream closing 30 cents higher to $6.80 with 22,500 shares, Caribbean Producers ending at $3.50 with 4,900 shares, 
Eppley gaining 1 cent, closing at $12.39 with 2,100 shares. Express Catering rose 70 cents and closed at $5 with 201,753 shares, General Accident ended with a loss of 10 cents and closed at $2.80 with 75,000 shares, Honey Bun lost 5 cents, to close at $5.50 with 3,488 shares, Jamaican Teas closed at $4.51 with 3,129 shares, Jetcon Corporation fell 50 cents, close at $5.10 with 1,978,580 shares. Knutsford Express closed at $15 trading 4,245 shares, Lasco Distributors closed with a loss of 10 cents at $6.60 with 518,930 shares, Lasco Manufacturing traded 10 cents higher close at $4.50 with 769,919 shares, Main Event rose 15 cents to $5.00 with 44,075 shares, Medical Disposables lost 25 cents, to close at $5.25 with 58,344 shares and Paramount Trading gained 6 cents to close at $2.60 with 17,000 shares.
Main market drops 2,000 points – Wednesday
Main market stocks suffered a reversal of fortunes on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Wednesday with the main indices slipping over 2,000 points in spite of a $5 jump for Carreras and $2 for Sagicor Group. Trading closed moderately with 1,809,394 units valued at $47,308,355 changing hands.
On Tuesday just 909,094 units valued at $30,837,797 traded in the main market. Trading in the US dollar market on Wednesday accounted for 297,250 units valued at US$77,073 bringing the total of all trades to J$57,173,667.
At the close of trading, 26 securities changed hands in the main market with 2 trading in the US dollar market, leading to 9 stocks advancing and 8 declining.
The All Jamaica Composite Index declined 2,289.06 points to close at 275,869.08, the JSE Market Index lost 2,085.59 points to 251,347.98 and the JSE US dollar market index gained 5.10 points to close at 197.70.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and US dollar markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 6 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 with lower offers.
The main market ended trading with an average of 69,592 units valued at $1,819,552 for each security traded compared to an average of 39,526 units valued at $1,340,774. 
The average volume and value for the month to date ended at $119,995 units with an average value of $1,860,774 compared with an average of 132,596 units with an average value of $1,871,080 on the previous trading day. The average volume and value for July ended at 160,668 units with an average value of $2,691,438.
In market activity, Barita Investments gained 15 cents, closing at $9 with 211,900 shares changing hands, Berger Paints traded $2.37 lower to $16.18 in exchanging 43,980 shares, Cable and Wireless lost 10 cents to close at $1.05, with 54,029 shares changing hands,
Caribbean Cement closed at $29 after gaining $1 with 48,058 shares, Carreras jumped $5 higher to $110 while exchanging 112,582 shares, Grace Kennedy closed at $40.49, with a loss of 51 cents trading 114,173 shares. Jamaica Broilers lost 39 cents, in closing at $18.10 with an exchanging 28,436 shares, Jamaica Producers gained 90 cents to close at $16 trading 17,120 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange added 1 cent, closing at $6.49 with 11,852 shares, JMMB Group closed at $19.20, losing 79 cents with 92,071 shares. Mayberry Investments closed at $4.49 after losing 51 cents with 17,010 shares changing hands, 
NCB Financial Group held firm at $90, after exchanging 42,893 shares, 1834 Investments traded 42,637 shares at $1.40, 138 Student Living gained 50 cents to close at $5.50 exchanging 5,000 shares, PanJam Investment remained at $33 trading 260,026 shares, Proven Investments exchanged 202,170 shares at $25.01, Pulse Investments gained 3 cents to close at $1.98 trading 76,971 shares, Radio Jamaica closed at $1.50 exchanging 117,708 shares. Sagicor Group closed at $34, with gains of $2 while trading 39,221 shares, Salada Foods lost 19 cents to $9.11, with 2,430 shares switching owners, Scotia Group closed at $44 with trades of 80,236 shares, Scotia Investments exchanged 100 units at $35, Seprod gained 85 cents to close at $33.40, with 301 units changing hands, Supreme Ventures traded 181,490 shares at $8. Margaritaville Turks US ordinary shares closed at 36 US cents trading 13,497 units, Proven Investments US ordinary shares closed at 24 US cents, with an exchange of 283,753 units, Proven Investments 8.25% preference share exchanged 3,000 units at $5 and JMMB Group 7.5% preference share lost 1 cent to close at $1.10 with 4,000 units traded.
TTSE makes modest gains
Trading on the Trinidad & Tobago Stock Exchange on Wednesday resulted in 17 securities changing hands compared to 12 on Tuesday, with 3 stocks advancing, 6 declining and 8 remaining unchanged.
The market closed with 288,058 shares traded at a value of $6,518,541 compared to Tuesday’s trades of 147,398 valued at $6,520,927.
The Composite Index advanced 0.89 points to 1,217.82, the All T&T Index added 0.48 points to 1,792.88 and the Cross Listed Index gained 0.18 points to 86.18 points.
IC bid-offer Indicator| The Investor’s Choice bid-offer ended with 3 stocks with bids higher than last selling prices and 3 with lower offers.
Gains| First Caribbean International added 4 cents, closing at $8.05 in exchanging 20,000 shares, Massy Holdings gained 1 cent to close at $49 with 48,938 shares valued at $2,397,962 changing hands Prestige Holdings gained 2 cents and closed at $10.65, with 5,491 shares.
Losses| First Citizens lost 1 cent to close at $31.65 trading 14,496 shares valued at $458,860, L.J. Williams B fell 2 cents and closed at 78 cents, with an exchange of 2,700 shares and National Enterprises closed at $10.47 after falling 1 cent with 9,000 shares changing hands. National Flour Mills traded at a 52 weeks’ low of $2, with a loss of 10 cents in exchanging 32,260 shares, 
One Caribbean Media lost 5 cents to end at a 52 weeks’ low of $14.90, in trading 4,875 shares and Republic Financial Holdings lost 1 cent to $101.90 with 13,285 shares valued $1,353,748 trading.
Firm Trades| Angostura Holdings closed at $15.01, after trading earlier at $15.22, exchanging 40,258 shares valued at $612,548, Clico Investment traded 16,000 shares at $21.50 valued at $344,000, Grace Kennedy exchanged 4,975 shares at $2.85. Sagicor Financial held firm at $8.10 in exchanging 6,444 shares, Scotiabank traded 1,083 shares at $58. Trinidad Cement closed at $4.14, with 37,500 shares changing hands and Trinidad & Tobago NGLremained at $23.50 while trading 15,225 shares valued at $357,783.
JSE jumps to new record close – Tuesday
Investors pushed the Jamaica Stock Exchange indices up sharply to hit new record highs at the close on Tuessday. During the morning session, the All Jamaica Composite Index hit a new all-time high of 279,335.69, after surging a huge 6,471.87 points at 11:50 AM.
The JSE Market Index jumped 5,896.61 points to a record 254,506.45 points. By the close gains eased with the market closing a bit lower but well above Friday’s close.
Trading ended with the All Jamaica Composite Index jumping 5,294.32 points to a record close of 278,158.14, the JSE Market Index leapt 4,823.73 points to 253,433.57 and the JSE US dollar market index gained 3.76 points to close at 192.60.
At the close of trading, 23 securities changed hands in the main market with 1 trading in the US dollar market, leading to 11 stocks advancing and 6 declining. The main market ended with 37,879 units valued at $30,837,797 changing hands compared to 2,489,517 units valued at $21,640,002 at the close on Friday. Trading in the US dollar market accounted for 404,258 units valued at US$99,647 bringing the total of all trades to J$83,856,037.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and US dollar markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 8 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 with lower offers.
The main market ended trading with an average of 39,526 units valued at 1,340,774 for each security traded compared to an average of 124,476 units valued at $1,082,000. The average volume and value for the month to date ended at $132,184 units with an average value of $1,857,113 compared with an average of 163,620 units with an average value of $2,047,849 on the previous trading day. The average volume and value for July ended at 160,668 units with an average value of $2,691,438.
In market activity, Barita Investments traded 85 cents higher to close record high of $8.85 in exchanging 4,555 shares, Berger Paints closed at $18.55, with a loss of 45 cents trading 1,325 shares, Cable and Wireless added 10 cents to close at $1.15, with 25,100 shares changing hands, Caribbean Cement fell $1.80 to $28, exchanging 27,929 shares, Carreras dropped $4 lower to $105 with 69,288 shares, Grace Kennedy closed at $41 trading 78,696 shares. Jamaica Broilers gained 49 cents, closing at $18.49 with 100 units, Jamaica Producers traded 9,374 shares at $15.10, Jamaica Stock Exchange added 1 cent to end at $6.48 trading 61,767 shares, JMMB Group closed at $19.99, with 58,070 shares. Kingston Wharves closed at $29,after gaining $1.80 with 9,143 shares changing hands, 
NCB Financial Group traded $4.99 lower to $90, after exchanging 36,483 shares, PanJam Investment closed at $33 trading 47,000 shares, Proven Investments exchanged 139,570 shares at $25.01, Pulse Investments gained 45 cents to close at $1.95, with 76,936 shares, Radio Jamaica closed at $1.50, with gains of 9 cents exchanging 11,097 shares. Sagicor Group closed at $32 trading 31,475 shares, Sagicor Real Estate Fund gained 13 cents to close at $12.05, with 13,605 shares, Scotia Group closed at $44 with trades of 160,588 shares, Scotia Investments lost 12 cents , closing at $35 in exchanging 3,742 shares, Seprod closed at $32.55, with gains of $1.55 and 928 units changing hands, Supreme Ventures gained 15 cents, closing at $8 with 41,913 shares exchanged. Proven Investments US ordinary shares closed at 24 US cents, with trades of 404,258 units and JMMB 7.5% preference share rose 9 cents and closed at $1.99 with 410 units traded.
Jamaican dollar slips slightly – Tuesday
Trading in the Jamaican foreign exchange market resumed on Tuesday after the holiday on Monday and resulted inflows of US$69.11 million in contrast to US$44.65 million on Friday and outflows of US$45.43 million compared to US$35.11 million of all currencies previously.
Approximately, 25 percent of the intakes are surrendered by dictates to Bank of Jamaica and would amount to $17 million, US$6 million less than the net inflows of US$23.68 million.
In USA dollar trading, inflows ended at US$60.09 million versus US$36.97 million on Friday, with outflows of US$39.85million compared to US$28.73 million.
The value of the Jamaican dollar slipped modestly in value against the US dollar, with the selling rate for the US dollar ending at J$128.28 from J$128.23 previously. Dealers bought the US currency at an average of J$127.21, versus J$127.17 on Friday.
The selling rate for the Canadian dollar slipped to J$102.02 from J$102.57 at the close on Friday, while the British Pound was less costly at the close, with J$167.15 buying the British currency versus J$167.81 and the euro, declined in value against the Jamaican dollar, with it taking J$151.31 to buy the European common currency , versus J$151.88 previously.
Junior Market climbs 54 points Tuesday
Trading in the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed on Tuesday with a number of stocks advancing, out pacing those declining.
The volume and value of stocks traded climbed compared to that on Friday with the market index closing sharply higher.
The market index jumped 53.71 points to close at 3,161.90, as 23 securities traded, up from 19 on Friday with 10 stocks advancing, 5 declining and 8 traded firm. Trading closed with 7 stocks with bids higher than the last traded prices and 1 closing with a lower offer.
At the close 7,982,375 units value at $43,352,441 traded, compared with 1,948,274 valued at $10,702,346 passing through the market on the previous trading day. Trading was boosted by Express Catering with more than 6.6 million units changing hands.
Trading ended trading with an average of 347,060 units for an average of $1,884,889 in contrast to 102,541 units for an average of $563,281 on Friday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 147,562 units valued at $787,949 compared to 81,062 units valued at $422,302 previously. In contrast, July closed with average of 536,395 units at $1,905,441 for each security traded.
The volume of stocks trading and their last traded prices at the close are: AMG Packaging closing at $3.75 with 3,051 units changing hands, Blue Power dived $2.50 to close at $41.50 with 1,080 units changing hands, CAC 2000 closed at $7.50 with 341 shares, Caribbean Flavours closed at $11 with 1,500 shares, Caribbean Producers closed 5 cents higher at $3.50 with 5,100 shares, Consolidated Bakeries closed at $2.62 with 300 shares, Derrimon Trading ended 25 cents higher to close at $8 with 2,400 shares, 
Dolphin Cove rose $2 to close at $20 with 2,700 shares, Express Catering traded at a new high during the day at $5.57 but closed $1 lower for the day at $4.30 with 6,676,605 shares, General Accident rose 5 cents and closed at $2.90 with 4,517 shares, Honey Bun gained 5 cents to close at $5.55 with 2,500 units, Jamaican Teas lost 24 cents and closed at $4.51 with 6,871 shares, Jetcon Corporation rose 30 cents to close at $5.60 with 948,848 shares, as investors responded positively to the company’s six month results. KLE Group closed at $2 with 2,725 shares, Knutsford Express traded 11,598 shares at $15, Lasco Distributors closed 10 cents higher at $6.70 with 105,467 shares, Lasco Financial closed at $4 with 75,829 units, Lasco Manufacturing gained 7 cents to $4.40 with 21,104 shares, Main Event closed down by 5 cents at $4.85 with 24,040 shares, Medical Disposables closed at $5.50 with 42,269 shares, tTech climbed $1.50 higher to close at $9.50 with 6,500 stock units, Derrimon Trading preference share closed at $2.10 with 17,030 units and Eppley 10% preference share ended at $6.60 with 20,000 units after falling 1 cent.
Ansa McAl controls 85% of trading
Trading on the Trinidad & Tobago Stock Exchange on Tuesday saw Ansa McAL controlling 85 percent of the market’s value of trading, following on the heels of its acquisition of more than 80 percent of Berger Paints Trinidad and announced its intention to advise of an offer to shareholders by August 23.
The market closed with 12 securities changing hands compared to 16 on Monday with 5 stocks advancing, 2 declining and 5 remaining unchanged. A total of 147,398 shares traded, valued at $6,520,927 compared to Monday’s trades of 632,284 units valued at $6,004,307.
The Composite Index advanced 0.92 points to 1,216.93, the All T&T Index added 0.01 point to 1,792.40 and the Cross Listed Index gained 0.25 points to 86 points.
IC bid-offer Indicator| The Investor’s Choice bid-offer ended with 3 stocks with bids higher than last selling prices and 3 with lower offers.
Gains| First Caribbean International Bank added 1 cent to close at $8.01 trading 1,000, First Citizens gained 1 cent, closing at $31.66 with 11,932 shares valued at $377,704 trading, NCB Financial Group closed at a 52 weeks’ high of $4.11, with gains of 3 cents in exchanging 3,983 shares. The banking group closed with the bid at $4.11 to purchase 84,567 shares and no stock being offered for sale.
Point Lisas gained 1 cent to close at $3.88 trading 6,016 shares and Republic Financial Holdings closed at $101.91, with a 1 cent gain while exchanging 1,368 units.
Losses| Clico Investment traded 50 cents lower to a 52 weeks’ low of $21.50 with the exchange of 1,372 shares and Massy Holdings lost 1 cent to close at a 52 weeks’ low of $48.99, with 51 units.
Firm Trades| Ansa McAL closed at $66, with an exchange of 83,950 shares valued at $5,540,700, Sagicor Financial traded 3,950 shares at $8.10, Scotiabank exchanged 38 units at $58. Trinidad Cement closed at $4.14, with 22,914 shares changing hands and Trinidad & Tobago NGLremained at $23.50, with trades of 10,824 shares.
JSE AJI index flirts with 280,000 points
Jamaica Stock Exchange main market indices surged sharply by the mid-day to come within a shade of a new resistance level of 280,000 point on the all Jamaica index.
By Mid-day the All Jamaica Composite Index hit a new all-time high of 279,335.69, after surging a huge 6,471.87 points at 11:50 but by mid-day it was up 5,527.76 to 278,391.58. The JSE Market Index jumped 5,896.61 points to a record 254,506.45 and at mid-day it was up 5,036.42 to 253,646.26 and the Combined index leaped 5,738.73 points to 268,155.40 at 11:50 and by mid-day it rose 5,041.53 to 267,458.20. The Junior Market index rose 37.30 points to 3,145.49 at mid-day.
Will Barita jump TOP 10?
Barita closed at $8 on Friday.
News emerged during the past week that directors at Barita Investments was considering a bid to purchase the majority of its shares.
Investors responded immediately by removing just about all offers that were posted on the trading platform of the Jamaica Stock Exchange, the stock climbed to $8 and only require a small increase to leave the top list.
Main market Berger Paints rose during the week from $18 to trade at $19 and was edged out of the top list by Pulse Investments that fell sharply in price to close with a bid of $1.75 after the price fell during the week.
Recent TOP 10 billing, NCB Financial Group that recently fell out of the top list closed the week at $94.99 in response to continued demand flowing from strong increase in nine months profit against a back drop of minimal selling of the stock.Stationery and Office Supplies (SOS) will start trading on Wednesday, August 9, when the price is expected to surge, based on the heavy over subscription at the initial public offering, with more than 1,200 applications for shares. This stock could be out of the top listing very soon.
Other junior market stocks activity, CAC 2000 fell out of the top listing and Lasco Manufacturing returned to the top listing.
The average PE ratio for the Junior Market Top stocks is at 6.7 and the PE for the main market TOP 10, ends the week at 7.4.
The average PE for the overall main market trades at 13.3 and 12 for Junior Market, based on 2017 estimated earnings.At the close of the week, IC Insider.com’s TOP 10 stocks now trade at an average discount of 44 percent to the average of the market, leaving stocks with room for growth in the months ahead.
Stocks to watch|The stocks that investors should keep an eye on this week include, Barita Investments, JMMB Group, Stationery & Office Supplies, NCB Financial, Jetcon Corporation.
