Archives for February 2020

Junior Market gave up 50 points – Monday

February 24, 2020 by

The Junior Market trading picked up on Monday, leading the market to rise more than 50 points in the morning session, but the Index slipped just 4.59 points to close at 2,942.84 after it traded for most of the trading session only a few points under the 3,000 mark.

Junior Market trades

Trading ended with the prices of 14 securities advancing, 12 declining and 10 remaining unchanged after 36 securities changed hands, up from 33 on Friday. Trading ended with the average PE Ratio at 13.9 times 2019 earnings.
The market closed with much more volume of stocks changing hands than on Friday, resulting in an exchange of 4,197,495 units accounting for $18,373,462 compared to 1,456,692 units valued at $4,641,336 on Friday.
Trading ended with an average of 116,597 units at $510,374 for each security traded in contrast to 44,142 units for an average of $140,647 on Friday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 134,297 units valued at $410,902 and previously 152,223 units valued at $403,151. In contrast, January closed with an average of 137,619 units valued at $521,935 for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with lower offers.
At the close of the market, Access Financial fell 30 cents in trading of 14,269 units to close at $28.20, AMG Packaging ended with a loss of 8 cents at $1.91, after swapping 23,880 shares, Blue Power finished 50 cents higher at $5, with 24,353 stock units trading. Cargo Handlers climbed 35 cents after exchanging 100 shares at $7.85, Caribbean Cream closed trading of 174,600 units and gained 35 cents to end at $4, Caribbean Producers ended with a loss of 1 cent at $4.99 with 12,973 stock units changing hands. Derrimon Trading exchanged 293,000 units and gained 2 cents to end at $1.99, Dolphin Cove jumped to $10 after gaining 55 cents with 195 units traded, Elite Diagnostic dipped 20 cents in trading of 29,264 units at $4.60. Everything Fresh ended market activity exchanging 285,337 shares to close at a 52 weeks’ low of 80 cents after falling 20 cents, Express Catering settled 14 cents higher at $5.99 with 156,822 shares traded, Fontana shed 70 cents in the exchange of 1,507,245 units at $6. General Accident closed trading of 843 units and gained 20 cents to end at $6.40, Honey Bun declined by 25 cents in trading of 18,100 units at $7, Indies Pharma dropped 10 cents to settle at $2.60 with 10,000 shares changing hands. Jamaican Teas exchanged 230,000 shares to close at $6.65 after falling 5 cents, Jetcon Corporation closed with a loss of 16 cents at $1.40 after swapping 22,600 shares, Lasco Financial gained 10 cents to end at $3.50 with 44,194 shares traded. Lasco Manufacturing climbed 14 cents and exchanged 280,937 shares at $4.15, Limners and Bards ended market activity with 184,695 shares traded, after rising 3 cents to end at $2.77, Lumber Depot declined by 3 cents to settle at $1.48 with 111,911 units changing hands. MailPac climbed 4 cents in exchanging 471,956 shares at $1.99, Main Event rose 60 cents with 45,340 shares crossing the market at $5.97, Paramount Trading ended market activity exchanging 2,600 shares to close at $1.85 after falling 5 cents. SSL Venture closed trading of 5,000 units and gained 4 cents to end at $1.24 and Stationery and Office Supplies climbed 40 cents to settle at $9.70 with 11,000 shares crossing the exchange.

Prices of securities trading for the day are those at which the last trade took place.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, JSE Junior Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jamaican stocks set for 2020 growth

February 23, 2020 by

The Jamaica Stock Exchange saw divergent movement in the three markets it operates, in 2019. While the major focus was on the Main Market performance with 34 percent gain, the US dollar market actually outdid it with gains of 40 percent but the Junior Market was nowhere to be found.

Almost clear skies for the Jamaica Stock Exchange

The Junior Market had its worse performance in three years, with an increase of just 3.4 percent. Last year was the fifth year of annual gains for the Jamaica Stock Exchange. In the past, the five-year mark meant that the market had peaked and was due for a major correction. Technical and fundamental indicators are not pointing in this direction currently.
Technically, the Main Market has 900,000 plus points on its radar, 60 percent away for the All Jamaica Composite index from the start of the year. The market is being steered by an upward sloping support line. There is no indication of any major resistance until it passes the 900,000 points mark.
The PE for the Main Market based on 2020 earnings is down to 16 times, 25 percent below the 2019 PE at the end of 2019 of 20.  NCB Financial performance is going be crucial to the performance of the market index as it controls so much of the market capitalization. In the end, the index is just a barometer of the movement in the value of all the companies listed and investors would be well advised to focus on the quality of stocks that will provide good returns. IC Insider.com forecast shows 13 to 15 companies that could double in price during the next 15 months in the Main Market starting in January.
The Junior Market is poised to move much higher on improved profits for 2019 and 2020, even as some 2019 results were disappointing and did not stimulate investors to acquire these stocks in increasing volumes with many of them still undervalued relative to values in the Main market. Improvement in profitability will convince investors that there are excellent values in this segment of the market.
There are 28 Junior Market stocks with the potential to deliver gains between 100 to 600 percent in 2020 and up to March 2021. The major reason for the large group is the lack of performance in the market in 2019. Investors placed a major focus on the Main Market, driving the PE ration to 21 compared to 14 for the Junior Market. At the end of 2018, both markets were trading around 17 times 2018 earnings. This divergence, suggests that there are good opportunities to profit from in 2020, as investors move to take advantage of undervalued stocks when
The forecast assumes that economic growth will continue during the year around the 2 percent level and that interest rates will remain close to current levels with Treasury bills rates staying under 2 percent. A major factor, that is important in viewing the market is the number of companies that are enjoying strong growth in sales as well as those that are expanding or likely to do so. Such developments bode well for major gains in profit going forward.
Investors should not ignore companies that performed poorly in 2019 but could enjoy a strong turnaround in 2020. The Investors’ Choice 80:20 rule based on 40 years of data, shows more stocks rising form the bottom 10 worse performers in a year and surge into the TOP 10 the following year, while an average of 80 percent of those in the TOP 10 fail to repeat in the following year and since 2016 the average is just one.
With the likelihood of twenty IPOs planned for 2020, investors can look for a series of disruptions in the upward trajectory of the market. For the past two years, there were signs that on each occasion of popular initial public offers, prices of existing stocks came under pressure.  The most recent were the three issues for 2020 to date. This phenomenon is most pronounced in the Junior Market that is far less liquid than the Main Market. The pullback of prices caused by the sell-off to fund IPOs also provides opportunities for investors who may want to pick up existing listed stocks at bargain prices.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, Investment 2024, JSE Combined, Stock Market Tagged With: , , ,

Jamaica GDP set to gain in 2020

February 23, 2020 by

Economic growth for Jamaica is expected to remain positive in 2020 following increases in 2019, even as the closure of Alpart acts as a drag on the economic growth rate in the first half of the year.
Jamaica will see steady growth with improvements in several areas during the year, with increased output for manufacturing, tourism, finances and other service sectors such as BPO and entertainment. The continuation of major road construction projects and many new buildings going up in the country will also aid the continuation of economic growth during the year.
Growth in stopover arrivals bounced to 7.6 percent in the December quarter up from a slightly slower summer months with gains of 4.5 percent, 2019 finished with an overall increase of 6.5 percent in stopover arrivals and bettered the 4.6 percent increase in 2018 over 2017. The increase in 2019 suggests a very strong demand for the Jamaican product. Increased demand for the product provides room for greater revenues per room as hotels do not have to do a deep discount of rates as they did in the early part of the last decade. The sector should continue to grow around 7 to 10 percent for the coming year and bring in addition inflows around US$400 million over 2020. It could do even more with the strong demand for rooms that could see hotels getting average rates that are higher than in 2019.
Concerns regarding the coronavirus are worth watching. If the spread in the west is more broad-based than it currently the case, it could negatively affect visitor arrival numbers to Jamaica.
Data out of Statin indicates a 4.9 percent increased output in the manufacturing sector for the September quarter, helped by gains in PetroJam production. That is faster than the July quarter, with growth of 3.2 percent and the first quarter growth with negative 1.3 percent following a 2.4 percent increase in the December 2018 quarter. The trend is positive for the manufacturing sector and augurs well for a good increase in 2020. Continued growth in loan financing and increasing interest of companies seeking fresh long-term capital through the capital market are big positives for the business sector in 2020 and beyond. The Manufacturing sector’s use of borrowed funds, excluding cement, was consistent with 20 percent increased borrowing in 2019 and 2018.
An important thrust in Jamaica’s economic development is the increasing number of companies raising long-term capital and listing on the Jamaica Stock Exchange. Increased long-term capital is an important move in getting greater productivity and production of goods and services out of local businesses that will help greater economic growth in the current year and beyond. Increased listings provide investors with viable opportunities to invest capital long term and be an integral part of the wealth creation in society. During 2019, there were several new listings on the Jamaica Stock Exchange. The exchange is forecasting 20 new listings in 2020 based on information provided by stockbrokers. The country will see the majority of companies seeking to list, raising fresh capital for business upgrading and expansion.
Growth in the construction sector will pick up, with the start of the Kingston to Port Antonio road construction and demand continues in the BPO sector that will stimulate the need for more space while adding to employment. Data out of the Bank of Jamaica shows a sharp rise in lending to the sector with an increase of 37 percent over the amount lent in 2018 and well ahead of the 27 increase in 2018 over 2017. The increase in 2019 suggests a further rise in growth in the sector, which should continue into 2020.
The new Old Harbor power plant commenced operation on December 17 and uses natural gas that is much more efficient than the oil-powered plant that was 50 years old and was highly inefficient. The South Jamaica Power Centre plant will provide a more reliable and efficient source of electricity and will result in fewer power disruptions and lower electricity cost as the new plant will use less fuel, fewer workers and requires lower maintenance than the old one, that will be closed in early 2020. With capital expenditure of US$300 million, some of the lower operating costs will be eaten up by interest and depreciation costs. JPS quarterly financial gave a glimpse of what to expect from the switch over with a 10 percent drop in fuel cost for the quarter even as the official switch over took place in mid-December.
The Foreign exchange market went through a number of changes as the central bank reduced the compulsory take from the market from 25 percent down to 20 percent for dealers and 15 percent for Cambios. In effect, the central bank bought no funds from the market through its weekly intervention tool and had no scheduled sale to the market. About four bouts of strong demand resulted in BOJ intervening by selling funds to the market. Notwithstanding, the interventions, the central bank ended the year with the NIR rising from US$3.005 billion at the end of December 2018 to US$3,16 billion after the NIR sank to US$2.95 billion in July.
Over the course of 2019, the exchange rate moved from $127.72 to US$1 at the end of 2018 to end 2019 at J$132.58 to US$1, after it reached its lowest level of J$141.89 to the US dollar on November. The NIR movement for 2019 suggests that the market is in a fairly balanced position. The country has periods when demand and supplies are higher than at other times and the two may not coincide thus creating some disquiet. There are other times when capital flows can impact the market positively or negatively. Unexpected capital flows can create a serious temporary imbalance in the system and may warrant BOJ’s intervention as occurred on a number of occasions over the last twelve months.

Growth in tourism expected in 2020

Money Market rates have been down and “This decline was also related to the increased supply of  liquid assets during the quarter, given the maturity of GOJ bonds over the period.” Interest rates have been generally trending downwards from April of 2019, following sharp falls in 2018.
Spike in the exchange rate of the Jamaican dollar to the US dollar in the last quarter of the year put added pressure on prices and pushed inflation rate for the year to 6.2 percent, well above the 4.6 percent for the last 12 months to November 2019. Inflation for January dropped sharply by 1.1 percent as the FX rate impact was not present with the Jamaican dollar appreciated. Movements of the local currency accounted for a large part of increased inflation in 2019. The natural level of inflation is in the two to three percent range. The inflation rate should move back to more moderate levels in 2020 than it ended in 2019.
Government normal revenues up to November were running 7.5 percent ahead of the $373 billion intakes forecasted, with inflows at $400 billion to December 2019. This increase is after the government removed or reduced taxes at the start of the 2020 fiscal year with no new taxes levied. The preliminary guideline for the 2021 fiscal year, is for increased expenditure amounting to $18 billion in non-interest expenditure, but that is likely to be well below a probably $30 billion increase in normal revenues. With interest cost on government debt set to fall below that of the 2020 fiscal year, following the sharp fall in interest rates during 2019. The government will have room to increase spending in an election year. There is likely to be increased in capital spending, to be well ahead of the $75 billion projected for 2020, the Ministry of Finance instructions suggest for fiscal 2021.
Unemployment rates continue to fall, with the October 2019 unemployment rate down to 7.2 percent, the lowest on record. Labour Market conditions are projected to continue improving for the next eight quarters, the country’s central bank contends “the expected improvement reflects employment growth in manufacturing, finance & insurance, and business process outsourcing.” The Statistical Institute of Jamaica data shows the number of unemployed dropped to 96,700 persons in October with the number employed rising to 1.248 million persons. Based on the trend seen over the last three years, the unemployment rate should drop a possible one-percentage-point in 2020 compared to 2019 putting the unemployment around 6 to 6.5 percent. What is important about this improvement is the increase in the number of employed persons that will lead to increased demand in the economy, helping to stimulate increased growth levels.
Crime continues to be a major negative on the country acting as additional taxes on the wider economy, unfortunately, this major negative will continue to be present for some time to come.

Filed Under: Economy, Investment 2024 Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Rising JSE stocks dominated – Friday

February 21, 2020 by
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Trading commenced in First Rock Capital on Friday on both the Main and US dollar markets of Jamaica Stock Exchange. The market closed with rising stocks outperforming decliners and pushed the gains for the week to just under 5,000 points.  
At the close, the JSE All Jamaican Composite Index advanced 3,121.11 points to close at 538,262.01, the JSE Market Index rose 2,814.17 points to 490,002.61 and the JSE Financial Index gained 0.67 points to 132.78.
The market closed with 43 securities changing hands in the Main and US dollar markets with the prices of 20 advancing, 12 declining and 11 trading firm. The JSE Main Market activity ended with 38 securities accounting for 15,728,098 units for $58,677,916 in contrast to 16,632,332 units valued at $128,247,176 from 41 securities on Thursday.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 7.3 million shares for 46.5 percent of total volume. Sagicor Select Financial Fund followed with 5.4 million units for 34.3 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Manufacturing and Distribution Fund ended with 1.2 million stock units for 7.4 percent market share.
The Market closed with an average of 413,099 units valued at an average of $1,544,156 for each security traded, in contrast to 405,667 units valued at an average of $3,127,980 on Thursday. The average volume and value for the month to date amount to 605,686 units valued at $2,739,272 for each security changing hands compared to 617,823 units valued at $2,820,081 for each security traded. Trading in January resulted in an average of 626,134 units valued at $3,511,981 for each security.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows ten stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and six closing with lower offers. The PE ratio of the market ended at 19, while the Main Market ended at 18.1 times the 2019 earnings.
In the prime market, Barita Investments shed $1.01 to settle at $67, in trading 8,010 shares, Berger Paints lost 41 cents swapping 1,600 units in closing at $16.59, Caribbean Cement ended 50 cents lower to $70, with an exchange of 27,626 shares, Eppley traded 695 units at $16, after falling by 30 cents. Grace Kennedy advanced by $3.80 to $71, after transferring 69,870 stock units, Jamaica Broilers closed 65 cents higher to $35.80, with 63,490 shares changing hands, Jamaica Stock Exchange rose $1.50 to $31 in trading 23,798 units. Mayberry Jamaican Equities gained $1.19 to settle at $11, in swapping 81,038 shares, NCB Financial Group advanced to $187.01, with gains of $3.01 after exchanging 21,791 units. 138 Student Living ended 49 cents higher to reach 52 weeks’ high of $8.50, in transferring 75,621 stock units, PanJam Investment declined by $1.44 to close at $99.51 after trading 35,581 shares. Sagicor Group advanced $1.40 to $70.50 exchanging 36,185 units, Scotia Group gained 65 cents and ended at $54, in transferring 54,800 stock units. Seprod closed at $53, after climbing $3 with 40,018 shares changing hands, Supreme Ventures lost 99 cents to settle at $22.01, in swapping 92,596 stock units and Sygnus Credit Investments advanced by 95 cents to $26.95, with an exchange of 101,488 shares.
Trading in the US dollar market ended with 114,825 units at US$57,386. The market declined by 2.41 points to close at 229.80. JMMB Group 5.75% preference share traded 16,500 units at US$2, Margaritaville Turks rose 2.3 cents in exchanging 10 units at 35 US cents. Proven Investments transferred 64,865 units at 31 US cents, Sterling Investments swapped 16,500 shares at 2.7 US cents and Sygnus Credit Investments lost 1 cent to settle at 17 US cents, with 16,950 units changing hands.
Prices of securities trading for the day are those at which the last trade took place.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, JSE Main Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Junior Market week ends with a fall

February 21, 2020 by

The Junior Market ended the week in much the same fashion as it started with the index down 49.96 points to close at 2,947.43 as heavily weighted Lasco Manufacturing lost 39 cents and was the stock that had the most impact of the fall of the index.

Lasco Manufacturing lost 39 cents to help drive the Junior market index down sharply


The market activity ended with 33 securities changing hands, resulting in the prices of 14 securities advanced, 13 declined and 6 remained unchanged and exchange of 1,456,692 units valued at $4,641,336 compared to 5,022,418 units for $14,719,026 from 34 stocks on Thursday. The average PE ratio of the market closed at 13.8 times 2019 earnings.
Trading closed with an average of 44,142 units for $140,647 for each security traded in contrast to 147,718 units for an average of $432,913 on Thursday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 152,223 units valued at $403,151 and previously 142,718 valued at $423,343. In contrast, January closed with an average of 137,619 units valued at $521,935 for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with lower offers.
At the close of the market, AMG Packaging ended 9 cents higher at $1.99 with 33,687 stock units trading, CAC 2000 closed trading of 10,000 units and gained 50 cents to end at $13, Cargo Handlers exchanged 20,403 shares and declined by 35 cents to settle at a 52 weeks’ low of $7.50. Caribbean Cream traded 24,000 shares and gained 30 cents to end at $3.65. Caribbean Producers climbed 19 cents and exchanged 12,052 shares at $5, Consolidated Bakeries traded 1,175 units and gained 14 cents to end at $1.79, Derrimon Trading dipped 3 cents in swapping 19,259 units at $1.97. Elite Diagnostic climbed 30 cents after exchanging 5,309 shares at $4.80, Everything Fresh closed trading of 41,300 units and gained 6 cents to end at $1, Express Catering swapped 14,894 units and gained 5 cents to end at $5.85. Fontana dipped 22 cents trading 131,290 units at $6.70, Fosrich lost 9 cents to settle at $3.86 with 1,014 units changing hands, General Accident fell 5 cents in trading of 8,097 units at $6.20. Honey Bun climbed 75 cents and exchanged 97,687 shares at $7.25, Iron Rock Insurance closed trading of 100 units and gained 66 cents to end at $3.95, ISP Finance fell $2.10 in trading of 3,340 units at $20. Jetcon Corporation declined by 2 cents to settle at $1.56 with 3000 stock units crossing the market, Key Insurance dropped 15 cents to close at $2.90 with an exchange of 6,145 shares, Knutsford Express lost 40 cents in trading of 1,900 units at $9.50. Lasco Financial climbed 10 cents and exchanged 45,147 shares at $3.40, Lasco Manufacturing declined by 39 cents to settle at $4.01 with 40,121 units changing hands, Limners and Bards dipped 15 cents to $2.74 with 123,008 units traded. Lumber Depot ended with a transfer of 174,180 units and gained 2 cents to end at $1.51, Mailpac Group exchanged 499,877 shares to close at $1.95 after falling 2 cents, Main Event ended at $5.37 after losing 3 cents and swapping 1,630 shares. Medical Disposables closed trading of 14,430 units and gained 22 cents to end at $5.50 and Stationery and Office Supplies gained $1.14 to end at $9.30 with 7,500 shares crossing the exchange.

Prices of securities trading for the day are those at which the last trade took place.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, JSE Junior Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

T&TSE index drops – Friday

February 21, 2020 by

The Trinidad & Tobago Stock Exchange stocks lost grounds with all three leading indices slipping on Friday with reduced trading.
The T&T Composite Index lost 5.40 points to close at 1,512.61. The All T&T Index declined by 8.21 points to 1,932.83, while the Cross Listed Index closed with a loss of 0.35 points to end at 147.97.
The market ended with 11 securities changing hands with the prices of three gaining, two declining while six remained unchanged.
Trading resulted in an exchange of 291,161 shares for $4,521,674, compared to 414,886 shares for $5,835,043, with 16 securities trading on Thursday.
IC bid-offer Indicator| The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator ended with the bids of eight stocks higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
Gains| JMMB Group added 1 cent to end at $2.69, with investors trading 14,773 stock units, Massy Holdings rose 50 cents after exchanging 1,862 shares to finish at a 52 weeks’ high of $62.50 and Republic Holdings gained 49 cents and closed trading with 8,726 shares at 52 weeks’ high of $144.75.
Losses| NCB Financial traded 257,620 shares and lost 5 cents at $11.25 and Trinidad & Tobago NGL shed 9 cents in transferring 1,873 shares to close at $20.80.
Firm Trades| First Citizens Bank exchanged 870 stock units to settle at $51, First Caribbean International Bank exchanged 1,000 units at $7.89, Prestige Holdings traded 186 units to end at $8.99, Scotiabank swapped 64 units to end at $62.50. Trinidad Cement exchanged 68 units at $1.85, Unilever traded 2,350 shares at $21, LJ Williams B share traded 445 shares at $1.60 and West Indian Tobacco dropped $1.49 and closed at $38 with 1,578 stock units changing hands.
There will be no trading on the exchange on Monday and Tuesday due to the carnival celebration. Trading will resume on Wednesday.
Prices of securities trading are those at which the last trade took place.

Filed Under: Stock Market, TTSE Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

More slippage for JSE Main Market

February 20, 2020 by

The Jamaica Stock Exchange at the close on Thursday and shed some of the recent gains up to Tuesday, but with the value of securities trading, falling from Wednesday’s levels with higher volume.
All Jamaican Composite Index declined by 1,407.36 points to close at 535,140.90 at the close, the JSE Market Index dropped 1,263.11 points to 487,188.44 and the JSE Financial Index lost 0.45 points to 132.11.
Trading closed, with 45 securities changing hands in the Main and US dollar markets with the prices of 21 advancing, 13 declining and 11 trading firm. The JSE Main Market activity ended with 41 securities accounting for 16,632,332 units valued $128,247,176 in contrast to 13,058,687 units for $207,850,962 from 42 securities on Wednesday.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 6.7 million shares accounting for 40 percent of total volume. Sagicor Select Financial Fund followed with 3.4 million units for 20 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund, with 3.3 million shares, accounted for 14 percent of market share.
The Market closed with an average of 405,667 units valued at $3,127,980 for each security traded, in contrast to 424,688 units valued at $5,069,536 on Wednesday. The average volume and value for the month to date amount to 617,823 units for $2,820,081 for each security changing hands compared to 633,300 units for $2,795,851 for each security traded. Trading in January resulted in an average of 626,134 units valued at $3,511,981 for each security.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows eleven stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three closing with lower offers. The PE ratio of the market ended at 19, while the Main Market ended at 18.1 times 2019 earnings.
In the prime market, Barita Investments lost 98 cents to close at $68.01 after transferring 26,332 shares Grace Kennedy dropped $1.80 to $67.20, with 28,164 shares changing hands, Jamaica Stock Exchange lost $1.90 to close at $29.50 with 532,239 units crossing the market. JMMB Group closed 40 cents lower to $45, after transferring 80,251 shares, Kingston Wharves jumped $3.99 to close at $59, in swapping 6,790 units. 138 Student Living climbed $1.35 to close at 52 weeks’ high of $8.01, with an exchange of 183,238 shares. Proven Investments gained $1 to end at $48.50, in transferring 2,975 units, Pulse Investments closed $1.40 higher to a 52 weeks’ closing high of $12.40, after swapping 101,690 shares. Sagicor Group gained $1.20 trading 99,963 shares to close at $69.10, Salada Foods declined $1.53 to $26 after trading 12,646 units, Supreme Ventures rose $1 to end at $23, after transferring 11,976 shares. Sygnus Credit Investments gained $1.30 to settle at $26, in swapping 27,517 shares and in the preference segment, 138 Student Living rose $1 exchanging 1,364 shares at $6.
Trading in the US dollar market ended with 243,645 units valued at over US$61,593. The market index gained 1.56 points to close at 232.21. JMMB Group 6% preference share traded 1,748 units to end at 99 US cents, Proven Investments transferred 171,650 units at 31 US cents, Sterling Investments traded 38,293 shares at 2.7 US cents and Sygnus Credit Investments gained 2 cents in exchanging 31,954 units at 18 US cents.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, JSE Main Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

T&T stock market moves higher – Thursday

February 20, 2020 by

The Trinidad & Tobago Stock Exchange stocks gained on Thursday with financial market stocks continuing to contribute most to the rise of the market with two from the sector hitting new 52 weeks highs.
The T&T Composite Index added 6.86 points to close at 1,518.01. The All T&T Index rose 13.23 points to 1,941.04, while the Cross Listed Index closed with a loss of gained 0.5 points to end at 148.27.
The market ended with 16 securities changing hands with the prices of five gaining, two declining while nine remained unchanged.
Trading resulted in an exchange of 414,886 shares for $5,835,043, compared to 452,688 shares for $13,232,899, with 11 securities trading on Wednesday.
IC bid-offer Indicator| The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator ended with the bids of five stocks higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
Gains| Ansa Merchant Bank traded 50 stock units to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $38.88 after surging $2.83, Clico Investment closed 2 cents higher at $28.52, with 113,772 units crossing the exchange, First Citizens Bank added $1 and exchanged 900 stock units to settle at $51. Massy Holdings rose 62 cents after trading 5,499 shares to finish at a 52 weeks’ high of $62 and Republic Holdings gained 75 cents and closed trading with just 12 shares at 52 weeks’ high of $144.26.
Losses| Agostini’s traded 42 shares and lost 1 cent to end at $25.50 and Trinidad & Tobago NGL shed 9 cents in transferring 55,060 shares to close at $20.80.
Firm Trades| First Caribbean International Bank exchanged 2,100 units at $7.89, Grace Kennedy traded 126,254 units at $3.95. Guardian Holdings ended with 6,073 shares trading at $22, but the stock closed with the bid at $22.52 to buy 20,000 units, JMMB Group fell 2 cents to end at $2.68, with investors trading 102,664 stock units, National Enterprises had 74 shares crossing the exchange at $5.51. Prestige Holdings traded 186 units to end at $8.99, Scotiabank traded 1,709 units to end at $62.50, Trinidad Cement closed with 68 units changing hands at $1.85 and West Indian Tobacco closed at $39.49 while swapping 423 stock units.

Prices of securities trading are those at which the last trade took place.

 

Filed Under: Stock Market, TTSE Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Junior Market gains more

February 20, 2020 by

Trading on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange saw the market making more recovery on Thursday with the market Index rising 19.74 points to close at 2,996.89 for three days in a row.
The market settled with 34 securities changing hands, resulting in an exchange of 5,022,418 units valued at $14,719,027 compared to 10,921,039 units valued at $36,285,573 from 33 on Wednesday. At the close of market activities, the prices of 15 securities advanced, 9 declined and 10 remained unchanged and resulted in the PE ratio of the market closing at 13.8 times 2019 earnings.
Trading ended with an average of 147,718 units for an average of $432,913 in contrast to 330,941 units for an average of $1,099,563 on Wednesday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to units 142,718 valued at $423,343 and previously 142,287 units valued at $422,520. In contrast, January closed with an average of 568,732 units valued at $3,447,957 for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close of the market, Access Financial climbed $1.30 to settle at $28.50, with 938 shares changing hands, Blue Power gained 10 cents after exchanging 990 shares at $4.50, Caribbean Producers closed 1 cent higher at $4.81, with 4,100 stock units trading, Dolphin Cove shed 5 cents in trading of 189 units at $9.45. Elite Diagnostic closed trading of 53,536 units and gained 47 cents to end at $4.50, Express Catering rose 45 cents to end at $5.80 and finished with an exchange of 15,200 shares, Fontana closed trading with 66,918 stock units, after gaining 12 cents to end at $6.92. General Accident declined 25 cents in transferring 6,639 units at $6.25, GWest Corporation gained 5 cents to $1.05 exchanging 11,019 shares, Honey Bun declined by 68 cents to settle at $6.50, in trading 283,346 shares, Indies Pharma closed 20 cents higher to $2.70 and exchanged 59,370 shares. Jamaican Teas gained 35 cents to settle at $6.70, with 75,665 shares changing hands, Jetcon Corporation traded 4,017 shares, after rising 33 cents to close at $1.58, KLE Group closed with 48,634 units changing hands and gained 16 cents to end at $2.20, Knutsford Express swapped 6,179 shares at $9.90, after losing 10 cents. Lasco Distributors declined 10 cents in trading 2,485,710 units at $3.05, Lasco Financial closed 22 cents higher at $3.30, with 122,462 stock units trading, Limners and Bards closed 24 cents higher at $2.89, with 16,628 stock units trading. Lumber Depot ended with a loss of 1 cent at $1.49, with 58,017 stock units changing hands, MailPac declined 2 cents in trading of 709,347 units at $1.97. Main Event lost 10 cents exchanging 13,593 shares to close at $5.40, Medical Disposables closed trading of 18,200 units and gained 9 cents to end at $5.28. SSL Venture Capital gained 8 cents to settle at $1.20, with an exchange of 1,900 shares and Stationery and Office Supplies closed 94 cents lower to $8.16, in transferring 20,000 units.

Prices of securities trading for the day are those at which the last trade took place.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, JSE Junior Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

More gains for Junior Market – Wednesday

February 19, 2020 by

The Junior Market Index advanced by 38.12 points to close at 2,977.15 on Wednesday. Trading ended with 33 securities changing hands, with the prices of 13 securities advancing, 11 declining and 5 remaining unchanged.
The market closed with an exchange of 10,921,039 units valued at $36,285,573 compared to 5,262,765 units valued at $15,028,751 from 34 securities on Tuesday.
Trading ended with an average of 330,941 units at $1,099,563 for each security traded in contrast to 154,787 units for an average of $442,022 on Tuesday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to units 142,287 valued at $422,520 and previously 125,090 units valued at $360,800. In contrast, January closed with an average of 137,619 units valued at $521,935 for each security traded. The average PE ratio for the Junior Market ended at 13.5 based on 2019 earnings.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with lower offers.
At the close of the market, AMG Packaging jumped 39 cents to $1.90 with just 100 shares traded, Consolidated Bakeries landed at $1.65 after falling 12 cents in trading of 201,000 units, Derrimon Trading closed 3 cents higher at $2, with 39,335 stock units crossing the exchange. Everything Fresh ended with a loss of 1 cent at 94 cents with 45,302 stock units changing hands, Express Catering shed 35 cents in trading of 47,944 units at $5.35, Fontana closed 10 cents higher at $6.80, with 1,065,837 stock units trading. General Accident dropped 20 cents in the swapping 194,089 units at $6.50, Honey Bun exchanged 29,177 units at $7.18, after declining 12 cents, iCreate lost 3 cents in trading 35,292 shares to close at 70 cents. Iron Rock Insurance fell 6 cents to $3.29 with 300 units crossing the exchange, Jamaican Teas ended trading with 46,888 shares, after rising 35 cents to end at $6.35, Knutsford Express settled at $10 after jumping70 cents with an exchange of 5,356 shares. Lasco Distributors closed trading of 2,731,290 units and gained 10 cents to end at $3.15, Lasco Financial climbed 8 cents and exchanged 113,033 shares at $3.08, Lasco Manufacturing ended trading with 778,250 units and gained 50 cents to close at $4.40. Limners and Bards ended 5 cents higher at $2.65, with 75,541 stock units trading, Lumber Depot finished with a loss of 1 cent at $1.50 with 160,568 stock units changing hands, MailPac slipped 1 cent and traded 451,095 stock units to close at $1.99. Main Event exchange 24,407 shares to finish at $5.50 after falling 47 cents, Medical Disposables closed 9 cents higher at $5.19, with 42,589 stock units trading, Paramount Trading closed with 34,800 units crossing the exchange and gained 20 cents to end at $1.90. SSL Venture exchanged 1,885 units and gained 2 cents to end at $1.12 and Stationery and Office Supplies gained 30 cents to end at $9.10 with 14,454 units crossing the market. CAC 2000 9.5% preference share ended with 1,129 shares to close at a 52 weeks’ low of 85 cents after falling 5 cents.

Prices of securities trading for the day are those at which the last trade took place.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, JSE Junior Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,