Profit before tax for Trinidad’s Point Lisas Port Development Companyand excluding the impact of fair value gains was $15.3M, an increase of 358 percent compared to the same period last year of $3.3M this flowed from a 19.6 percent growth in revenues. Including gains on valuation of investment properties the company reported profit of TT$67 million versus $36 million in 2014.
Volumes handled by the port grew strongly with the containerized cargo operations experiencing a 25 percent increase in volume but general cargo operations suffered a 13 percent compared to the levels recorded in 2014. The growth in containerised cargo resulted from a 10 percent increase in imports, an 11 percent increase in exports along with a 94 percent increase in trans-shipment cargo. For general cargo there was an 88 percent decrease in exports, a 7 percent increase in imports and a 320 percent increase in trans-shipment.
Direct cost rose faster than the growth in revenues with an increase of 29 percent. Administrative expenses remained relatively stable during the quarter at $21 million but other operating expenses declined to 158 million from $20.5 million.
The Group’s total assets grew to $2.33B in the first quarter of 2015, an increase of 3 percent from December 2014 when the asset base was $2.26B. Working capital continues to remain strong having improved from $49M at December 2014 to $65M in March 2015. The shareholders’ equity stood at “PLIPDECO will continue to embark on various endeavours as determined in its strategic plan. These include among other things infrastructural improvements, information technology upgrades (some already implemented during the first quarter 2015), and continuation of the Port expansion project. The preceding undertakings would further enhance efficiency and productivity to effectively position PLIPDECO in its drive towards continued growth$1.966 billion” Ian Atherly, Chairman of the company told shareholders in his report accompanying the quarterly results.
At the rate of income generation in the first quarter Point Lisas could earn around $1.70 per share excluding cap gains in 2015. The stock which is listed on the Trinidad & Tobago Stock Exchange and traded as high as $8.25 in 2007, last traded at $3.69. The net asset value of the stock is $49.60.
The stocks is undervalued and seems to be an interesting, IC Insider is maintaining a BUY RATED status on the stock.
Point Lisas undervalued shares
JSE profit surged – 2016 could be big
Jamaica Stock Exchange reported a huge jump in first quarter earnings showing profit of $87 million or 62 cents, up from a loss of $3 in 2014, after tax. Revenues jumped from $82 million to $253 million, on the back of 10 fold increase in cess, due to primarily to the transfer of ownership of the controlling interest in Scotia Group, from the Canadian parent, to one set up to own the Caribbean entities directly.
Total cess income jumped to $161 million compared to only $15 million. Access Financial managing director switched ownership of his shares to a company, resulted in a transaction over the exchange of $1 billion and Pan Jamaican Investments had a $1.3 billion transaction in March. While the latter two unusual transactions would have increased the cess around $12 million, the cess for Scotia Group is estimated by IC Insider at around $120 million, leaving around $40 million as cess from normal ongoing operational activities. Trading values grew by 27 percent in the first quarter, including the two transactions in March. Fee income which rose by 67 percent would have been partially impacted by the big one off transactions, but increased value traded and a slight increase in listing fees would also have helped.
In the second quarter to mid May trading has increased 333 percent to $2.6 billion, the amount is equal to the total value traded for the entire second in 2014. The increased value of trading will lead to increased fees. In the 2014 second quarter, income from cess was only $10 million and fee income $45.5 million. Not only will the cess rake in more funds from the increased volume of trading now on the way but also from an increase in the rate charged for cess over the 2014 level.
While the increased trading activity so far will lead to increased fees for the second quarter, the potential income will be no more than around $100-120 million and will be sufficient to produce a profit for the quarter and help in lifting profit for the full year beyond $1 per share.
Looking forward, with more unit trust schemes being set up there will be more demand for stocks to satisfy the demand of equity funds. The Stock Exchange is poised to take over repo trading and acting as the registrar for them and result in additional fee income is going in the not too distant future, also of great import is that rising stock values increases the base for listing fees to be levied in 2016.
The exchange has cash and investments of $500 million with a working capital ratio of 2:1 and equity of $650 million. The stock remains IC Insider BUY RATED and is now available at $3.50 which it traded at on Friday, but won’t remain that way forever and investors should be buying this one for big long-term gains.
19 stocks rose only 3 fell on JSE
Hardware & Lumber gained $1.25 to a new high of $12 in response to news that Grace is in negotiation to sell their interest in the company
The rally started last year fuelled by falling money market rates with Treasury bill rate falling from over 9 percent to below 7 percent. The current rally is be fuelled by rising profits from the majority of companies reporting first quarter results.
The JSE Market Index lost 507.33 points to 98,992.10, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index fell 567.23 points to close at 109,396.05 and the JSE combined index declined 237.32 points to close at 101,419.02.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 15 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 with offers that were lower.
Stocks in the main market trading to close at a 52 weeks’ high, are Berger Paints, Desnoes & Geddes, Hardware & Lumber, Jamaica Stock Exchange, JMMB Group and Mayberry Investments. In trading, Barita Investments ended with 622,050 shares changing hands to close at $2.35, Berger Paints closed with 55,162 shares trading, 27 cents higher at $2.35, Cable & Wireless finished trading with 619,569 shares to gain 1 cent to 47 cents, Caribbean Cement saw trading in 3,351 shares, to close 1 cent higher at $4.21. Carreras closed with 32,376 shares changing hands to close 35 cents up at $49.35, Desnoes & Geddes finished trading with 14,650 shares and gained 10 cents in trading to close at $7.20, Grace Kennedy concluded trading with 307,283 units trading with the last price unchanged at $64.50, Hardware & Lumber completed trading in 9,092 shares changing hands and jumped $1.20 at $12 as investors responded to news that Grace is discussing selling their stake in the company. Jamaica Broilers had dealing in 48,730 units traded at $5.16 to remain unchanged at the end. Jamaica Stock Exchange contributed 244,616 shares, the price jumped 60 cents or 21 percent in response to the company’s huge jump in their first quarter results showing profit of $87 million or 62 cents and ended at $3.50. Trading was halted for an hour after the price exceeded 15 percent. JMMB Group ended with 27,855 shares changing hands to close up by 10 cents at $9.60, Mayberry Investments closed with 12,289 shares trading at $3,after adding 12 cents, National Commercial Bank finished trading with 468,084 units unchanged at $30.50. Pan Jamaican Investment ended trading with 14,769 units 12 cents higher, at $58.25, Sagicor Group closed with 191,168 shares trading 15 cents lower at $12. Scotia Group finished trading with 88,383 shares changing hands to close 84 cents lower at $25.16, Seprod saw trading in 335,400 shares ending 25 cents up at $18.50 and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share ended with 68,650 units trading with a 5 cents rise to $2.15.
Another new high for juniors – Friday
The junior market has taken out resistance at 840 points and is heading for the next at 1,000
In market activity a total of 7 securities traded, ending with 2,307,958 units changing hands valued at $5,347,133. The prices of 5 stocks advanced including 2 securities closing at 52 weeks’ high and 1 stock declined. At the close of indications are that the market should climb on Monday as there were 7 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and only 1 with a lower offer. The junior market ended with 4 securities closing with no bids to buy and 8 securities that had no stocks being offered for sale.
Stocks trading in the junior market are,
Caribbean Cream jumped 15 cents or 14.29 percent to close at a new 52 weeks’ high $1.20 with 232,000 units changing hands, Caribbean Producers with 1,141,831 shares trading 22 cents higher at $3.10 after trading at $2.88, Dolphin Cove ending with just 100 shares changing hands to close higher by 55 cents at $10.75, for a new 52 weeks’ high but the bid to buy the stock is well down at $9.20 with offer at $11. General Accident Insurance concluded with 368,166 shares changing hands, closed unchanged at $2.08 but ended with a bid for 2,432 units at $2.18. Lasco Distributors traded 92,301 shares trading, 15 cent higher, at $1.65, Lasco Financial Services finished trading with 386,539 units changing hands as the price slipped 4 cent, to $1.31. There was dealing in 87,021 Lasco Manufacturing’s shares as the stock traded 11 cents up to $1.45.
J$ slips against US & Pound Friday
On Friday, the Jamaican dollar slipped against the US dollar and British pound and gained against the Canadian dollar, as purchases of all currencies by dealers amounted to the equivalent of US$29,862,314 compared with US$32,964,911, on Thursday and selling of the equivalent of US$29,000,152 versus sale of US$27,642,328, previously.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$26,604,631 compared to US$28,792,177 on Thursday. The buying rate for the US dollar rose 10 cents to $115.57 and US$27,054,347 was sold versus US$26,502,659 on Thursday, the selling rate was up 7 cents to $116.10. The Canadian dollar buying rate slipped 9 cents to $94.60 with dealers buying C$1,106,157 and selling C$550,926, at an average rate that declined 67 cents to $96.61. The rate for buying the British Pound jumped $2.45 to $180.53 for the purchase of £1,449,736, while £860,481, was sold, at an average rate that rose 67 cents to $182.55. 
At the end of trading it took J$132.05 to purchase the Euro, 39 cents more than on Thursday, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$129.43 for an increase of 37 cents on Thursday’s rate. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$87,807, while the equivalent of US$134,455, was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, rose 19 cents to $116.50. The lowest buying, the highest and the lowest selling rates were unchanged at $94.77, $121.44 and $94.77 respectively.
The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar rose 55 cents to $97.50. The lowest buying rate was up 20 cents to $76.98, the highest selling rate rose just 12 cents to $99.24 and the lowest selling rate gained $1.75 to $92.75. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, rose 60 cents to $183.25, the lowest buying rate gained 42 cents to $146.50, the highest selling rate fell 94 cents to $185.54 with the lowest selling rate rising 74 cents to $174.30.
Scotiabank jumps to $63 on TTSE
Scotia traded up 49 cents to close at $63 on the TTSE Friday
At the close of the market, the Composite Index advanced by 4.83 points to close at 1,159.62, the All T&T Index added just 2.43 points to close at 1,970.86 and the Cross Listed Index increased by 0.97 points to end at 45.71
Gains| Stocks increasing in price at the close are, Massy Holdings had 5,411 shares changing hands, for a value of $345,492, to end 45 cents higher at $64, National Commercial Bank had 13,787 units changing hands, 15 cents higher at $1.65. Scotiabank contributed 38,143 shares, valued at $2,402,950 and jumped 49 cents to end at $63 and Unilever Caribbean traded 438 units and closed 3 cents up, at a new 52 week high.
Shares declining| Clico Investment Fund ended with 23,987 shares trading, valued at $541,037 but lost 5 cents to end at $22.55 and First Citizens Bank trading 604 shares to close at $35.80, after losing 5 cents.
Firm Trades| Stocks closing with prices unchanged at the end of trading are, Guardian Holdings ending with 3,154 shares at $14.20, JMMB Group ended with 1,904 shares trading at 55 cents, National Enterprises traded 1,561 units at $17.30. One Caribbean Media ended with 219 shares changing hands at $22.30, Prestige Holdings closed with 265,096 shares valued at $2,650,980 trading to end at $10. Republic Bank added 10,614 shares valued at $ to close at $115 and Trinidad Cement ended up with 10,000 units at $2.80.IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 4 stocks with the bid higher than their last selling prices and 3 with a lower offer.
Stocks mostly gained Friday morning
Jamaican stocks prices are still cruising on a high with 17 stocks gaining and only 4 declining.
The junior market moving up to 878.73 points but after posting triple gains the main market indices slipped into negative territory with Scotia Group pulling back the $25.11. In the process the all Jamaica Composite index fell 451.62 points to 109,511.66 at midday and the JSE index was down 403.93 points to 99,095.50.
Trading is taking place in 28 securities with 3.27 million units as market interest spread to more stocks that were hardly active for months. So far there are a number of new 52 week’s high as the market continues to power away as positive company results are encouraging investors to buy.
6 stocks eke out gains on TTSE
Trading on the Trinidad Stock Exchange ended with 11 securities changing hands, 6 advanced, none declined and 5 traded firm, with a total of 223,324 units, valued at $8,904,407.
At the close of the market, the Composite Index advanced by 0.34 points to close at 1,154.79, the All T&T Index fell by just 0.11 points to close at 1,968.43 and the Cross Listed Index increased by 0.11 points to end at 44.74.
Gains| Stocks increasing in price at the close are, Firstcaribbean International Bank ended trading with 937 shares but added 2 cents to close at $5.03, First Citizens Bank traded 2,165 shares to close 5 cents higher at $35.85, Grace Kennedy contributed 18,691 shares, to end with a gain of 3 cents at $3.5. Guardian Holdings with 37,409 shares traded for a value of $531,322, gained 5 cents to end the day at $14.25, Massy Holdings had 76,650 shares changing hands for a value of $4,871,107 to end 6 cents higher at $63.55 and Unilever traded 3,314 shares and gained 2 cents in closing at a new 52 weeks’ high of $66.11.
Firm Trades| Stocks closing with prices unchanged at the end of trading are, Angostura Holdings with 6,099 units at $13.90, Clico Investment Fund ended with 60,533 shares trading, valued at $1,368,305 but remained at $22.60. One Caribbean Media ended with just 60 shares changing hands at $22.30, Republic Bank added 14,539 shares valued at $1,671,985 to close at $115 and Trinidad Cement ended up with 2,927 units at $2.80.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 6 stocks with the bid higher than their last selling prices and 1 with a lower offer.
21 stocks fell 9 rose & 4 new highs
Mayberry traded 2.7 million shares to close at $2.88.
The number of securities trading on Thursday is by far the largest, since IC Insider has been reporting from 2013. At the close, JSE Market Index gained 404.52 points to 99,499.43, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index rose 452.29 points to close at 109,963.28, after trading over 110,000 points during the day and the JSE combined index gained 356.44 points to close at 101,656.34.
There were 4 stocks closing at 52 weeks’ high in the entire market.IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 8 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 with offers that were lower.
Stocks trading include, Barita Investments closed trading with 151,783 shares to end 11 cents lower at $2.26, Berger Paints had 9,858 shares trading with a gain of 8 cents to a 52 weeks’ high of $2.08, Cable & Wireless lost altitude by dropping 2 cents in trading 723,882 units, to end at 46 cents. Caribbean Cement trading 315,244 shares with the price falling to $4.20 rising back to $5, Desnoes & Geddes closed at $7.10 with 15,300 units trading, Grace Kennedy traded 106,525 shares to close down by 50 cents at $64.50 after trading as high as $65.25. The stock is unlikely to get any help in trading for the next few days as they reported lower profits in the March quarter with profit of $589 million versus $833 million in 2014. Hardware & Lumber traded just 1,750 shares to lose 25 cents to $10.75, Mayberry Investments traded 2,735,521 units up $3 but fell back to closed at $2.88, All the Mayberry shares were purchased through Mayberry Investments,
with JMMB Securities virtually all units with most being sold from JMMB inventory and bought by Mayberry for in house purposes. National Commercial Bank closed with a 51 cents loss with 92,298 shares trading to close at $30.50, Sagicor Group had just 14,630 shares trading at $12.15. Sagicor Real Estate Fund gained 68 cents with 9,427 shares trading, to end at $7.28, following first quarter report showing a big jump in profit to $570 million, from $242 million, in 2014, as the acquisition of a hotel in Montego Bay pumped up revenues and profit in the quarter, in the best period for income in the hotel sector. Salada Foods gained 25 cents with just 2,672 shares trading at $9.25, Scotia Investments ended shedding 25 cents while trading 2,150 shares to end at $24.75, Seprod ended with 120,515shares trading at $18.25 and Proven Investments had 5,000 shares trading to close at an all-time high of 21.25 US cents.
J$ slips against all on Thursday
On Thursday, the Jamaican dollar slipped against the US dollar, British pound and Canadian dollar, as purchases of all currencies by dealers amounted to the equivalent of US$32,964,911 compared with US$29,494,214, on Wednesday and selling of the equivalent of US$27,642,328 versus sale of US$33,928,300, previously.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$28,792,177 compared to US$27,139,403 on Wednesday. The buying rate for the US dollar rose 5 cents to $115.47 and US$26,502,659 was sold versus US$31,570,143 on Wednesday, the selling rate was up 6 cents to $116.03. The Canadian dollar buying rate climbed 42 cents to $94.69 with dealers buying C$1,327,786 and selling C$713,715, at an average rate that rose 37 cents to $97.28. The rate for buying the British Pound fell 95 cents to $179.08 for the purchase of £1,915,229, while £310,883, was sold, at an average rate that rose 75 cents to $181.88. 
At the end of trading it took J$131.66 to purchase the Euro, $1.29 more than on Wednesday, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$129.06 for an increase of $1.15 on Wednesday’s rate. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$130,163, while the equivalent of US$53,985, was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, rose 6 cents to $116.31. The lowest buying rate was unchanged at $94.77 and highest selling rate fell $4.46 to $121.44, while the lowest selling rate dropped $18.53 to $94.77 The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar slipped 10 cents to $96.95. 
The lowest buying rate was up 42 cents to $76.78, the highest selling rate rose just 5 cents to $99.12 and the lowest selling rate declined by $1 to $91. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, rose 5 cents to $182.65, the lowest buying rate gained 33 cents to $146.08, the highest selling rate fell $1.41 to $186.48 with the lowest selling rate falling 44 cents to $173.56.
