Lasco companies lift trading on junior market
The executives of all three Lasco listed companies, hosted a briefing at which the companies performance for the financial year to March this year and results for the June 2014 quarter, were highlighted, along with explanations for some of the new developments, including the addition of more warehousing space, to meet projected increased demand and some of the prospects for growth going forward.
Fresh on the heels of the tour, the two main Lasco companies that will directly benefit from the expansion, traded the largest quantity for some time. Lasco Distributors traded 1.26 million shares and Lasco Manufacturing 1.78 million units.
The Junior Market had trading in 3,828,805 units valued at $4,547,128. The last time the junior market traded with such volume is September 9 when nearly 19 million units were traded. At the close of the market, the JSE Junior Market Index fell 3.01 points to close at 667.90. Only 4 securities traded, none advanced while 2 declined.
At the close of the market, there were 2 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 6 stocks with offers that were lower. The likelihood of continuing weakness is reflected in the 9 stocks that had no bids to buy, against 6 that had no stocks being offered for sale.
In trading, General Accident with 613,089 shares lost 7 cents to end at $1.62, Medical Disposables closed at the lowest price since it was listed in December last year, by shedding 12 cents in ending at $1.88, while trading 172,587 shares. The stock price is close to the IPO price of $1.83. Lasco Distributors traded 1,264,872 units at $1.15 and Lasco Manufacturing traded 1,778,257 shares to close at $1.
5 million JMMB shares trade
In Friday’s trading on the Trinidad Stock Exchange 15 securities were active with Jamaica Money Market Brokers dominating with 5 million units. At the close of the market 4 stocks advanced, 5 declined and 6 traded firm with 5,392,038 units changing hands, valued at $7,934,277.
At the close of the market, the Composite Index lost 0.80 points to close at 1,142.11, the All T&T Index declined by 1.52 points to close at 1,970.02 and the Cross Listed Index fell by a mere 0.01 points to end at 41.14.
Gains| Stocks increasing in price at the close are, Clico Investment Fund with 109,200 shares trading at a value of $2,403,597, advanced 1 cent to end at $22.01, First Citizens Bank with 1,314 shares, closed at $36.53, up 2 cents, Republic Bank with 80 units, rose 9 cents to end at $121.59 and West Indian Tobacco added 15,648 shares valued at $1,848,518 to close at $118.16, for a small gain of 4 cents.
Declines| The stocks declining, at the close of the market are Ansa Mcal trading 1,676 shares with a decline of 3 cents, to end at $66.16, a 52 weeks’ low, National Flour Mills 511 shares at $1.20, down 5 cents, Sagicor Financial Corporation contributed 31,148 shares with a value of $193,224, to close 1 cent lower at $6.20, Scotiabank with 1,023 units, declined 1 cent to end at $59.48, for a new 52 weeks’ low and Trinidad Cement suffered a loss of 22 cents to close at $1.92 with 14,622 shares trading.
Firm Trades| Stocks closing with prices unchanged at the end of trading are, Grace Kennedy with 6,816 shares at $3.76, Guardian Holdings with 6,000 shares to end at $13.50, Jamaica Money Market Brokers with 5,000,000 shares changing hands, valued at $2,250,000 to close at 45 cents, Sagicor Financial Corporation 6.5% preference shares traded 291 units at US$1.13, followed by Scotia Investments with 100,000 shares for $150,000 to close at $1.50 and L.J. Williams $0.10 A shares, traded 4,000 units at 26 cents.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 3 stocks with the bid higher than their last selling prices and 2 stocks with offers that were lower.
Most banks offload US dollars on Thursday
Seven of the ten Authorized Dealers were net sellers of US dollars on Thursday. Bank of Nova Scotia was the largest net seller, with US$7.33 million bought, to US$14.23 million sold, followed by National Commercial Bank, buying US$2.67 million and selling US$5.54 million.
The Jamaican dollar was steady against the US dollar, but declined against the Pound and the Canadian dollar, in Thursday’s forex trading. Selling of foreign currency to the public, was more than dealers purchased. Authorized dealers purchased the equivalent of US$27,673,332 versus US$33,495,564 on Wednesday. The equivalent of US$42,183,198 was sold, compared with US$34,385,274 on Wednesday.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$25,657,012 compared to US$27,894,689 on Wednesday. The buying rate for the US dollar was up 4 cents to $112.23 and US$40,190,794 was sold versus US$30,711,153 on Wednesday, the selling rate remained at $112.62. The Canadian dollar buying rate, declined 58 cents to $98.98 with dealers buying C$920,445 and selling C$556,969 at an average selling rate that climbed 70 cents, to $101.12. The rate for buying the British Pound fell 95 cents to $178.40, for the purchase of £678,302, while £638,797 was sold, at $181.43, up by 72 cents. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$126,298, while selling was for the equivalent of US$463,163.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, closed 10 cents higher, at $112.85, the lowest buying and the highest selling rates, were unchanged at $91.85 and $117.70 respectively, the lowest selling rate dropped $16.47 to $94.03. The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar climbed 50 cents to $101, the lowest buying rate was unchanged at $79.43, the highest selling rate rose $1.28 to $104. The lowest selling rate closed down 70 cents to $96.30. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, increased by 70 cents to $181.45, the lowest buying rate was up 95 cents, to $144.96. The highest selling rate, jumped $2.01 to $186.88 and the lowest selling rate declined $1.15 to $174.65.
Trading volume & main indices up
strong> Thursday’s activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, resulted in the prices of 4 stocks rising and 7 declining as 21 securities changed hands, cumulating in 8,271,202 units trading, valued at $38,526,528, In all market segments.
Main Market| The JSE Market Index gained 554.58 points to 71,652.65 and the JSE All Jamaican Composite index rose 620.12 points to close at 78,828.88.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator showed 5 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 10 stocks with offers that were lower, with the junior market having 6 of the lower offers.
Gains| Stocks gaining with last traded prices, at the end of trading in the main market are, Grace Kennedy with 118,600 shares trading, gaining $2.45 to $59, Jamaica Broilers 17,931 shares traded with a gain of 34 cents to $3.85, Kingston Wharves with 88,794 shares changing hands, gained 50 cents to $5.50 and Scotia Group closed with 31,749 units with a gain of 48 cents at $19.50.
Firm| The stocks in the main market to close without a change in the last traded prices are, Ciboney with only 200 units at 7 cents, Desnoes & Geddes with 2,286,959 shares at $4.70, Radio Jamaica with 3,900 share trading closed at $1.04, Sagicor Real Estate Fund had 33,100 units changing hands to close at $6.60 and Supreme Ventures with 1,044,250 shares trading to close at $1.80.
Declines| The last traded prices of stocks with losses at the end of trading in the main market are, with shares, lost cents to end at , traded just units at loss and with only.
Cable & Wireless with 839,349 shares, closed with a cent loss at 29 cents, Carreras with 9,220 shares lost 15 cents to end at $34.50, Pan Jamaican Investment 15,300 units trading lost a cent to end at $49,
Proven Investments with 353,660 shares lost I cent to end at 17 US cents, Sagicor Group closed with 9,260 shares trading as the price ended down 1 cent at $9.50 and Scotia Investments 1,772 shares trading dropped 4 cents to end at $21.71.
Preference| Jamaica Money Market Brokers 8.75% preference share traded 2,852,171 units at $3.02 and Proven Investments 8% preference share traded 1,900 units at $5.
TTSE stocks trading climb
There was increased number of securities being active on the Trinidad Stock Exchange on Thursday, with 16 companies’ stocks changing hands, compared with only 11 on Wednesday. There were 3 advancing stocks, 4 declining and 9 traded firm, with 244,156 units valued at $1,321,117 trading.
At the close of the market, the Composite Index lost 0.37 points to close at 1,142.91, the All T&T Index fell by 0.48 points to close at 1,971.54 and the Cross Listed Index declined 0.03 points to end at 41.15.
Gains| Stocks increasing in price at the close are, Guardian Holdings with 50,000 shares traded for $674,842, closing at $13.50, up a cent, Point Lisas Industrial Port traded just 291 units at a cent higher, to $4.01 and West Indian Tobacco gained 5 cents to end the day at $118., while trading 300 shares.
Declines| The stocks declining at the end of trading are, Angostura Holdings with a loss of 11 cents, to close at $12., after trading 1,923 units, First Citizens Bank with 772 shares ended at $36.51 after losing 1 cent, National Flour Mills lost 4 cents, while trading 1,000 shares to end at $1.25 and Sagicor Financial Corporation 650 shares traded for 4 cents less at $6.21.
Firm Trades| Stocks closing with prices unchanged, at the end of trading are, Clico Investment Fund with 6,845 shares valued at $150,590 to end at $22, Firstcaribbean International Bank with 775 units at $5, Flavorite Foods 1,000 units at $5.70, Grace Kennedy 4,442 at $3.76, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 924 shares at 45 cents, Massy Holdings put through 2,734 shares at $68.51, National Commercial Bank with 151,000 shares changing hands for a value of $151,000, closed at $1, Prestige Holdings 500 shares at $9.55 and Scotia Investments contributed 21,000 shares with a value of $31,500 and ended at $1.50.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 2 stocks with the bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 stocks with offers that were lower.
No sign of Junior Market movement
At the close of the market there was 2 stocks with the bid higher than the last selling price and 6 stocks with offers that were lower. The likelihood of continuing weakness is reflected in the 10 stocks that had no bids to buy against 7 that had no stocks being offered for sale.
Lasco Distributors with 278,128 units, closed 1 cent lower at $1.15, Dolphin Cove traded 1,470 units at $8, Lasco Financial 4,657 shares at 95 cents and Lasco Manufacturing 278,832 units at $1.
Seprod & Lasco Distributors hike dividend
Seprod will pay a dividend of 35 cents per share on November 14, to shareholders on record as at October 31. The stock will trade ex-dividend as of October 29.
Seprod paid a dividend of 55 cents per share on July 4, this year. Last year a dividend of 30 cents per share was paid on November 15 and 53 cents per share on July 8 Lasco Distributors declared an interim dividend of 3 cents per share payable on December 9, 2014 to shareholders on record as at November 25, 2014. The stock will trade ex-dividend on November 21, 2014. An interim dividend of 2.3 cents per share was paid on December 10, 2013.
Medical Disposables & Supplies declared an interim dividend of 4 cents per share payable on November 19, to shareholders on record as at November 14. The stock will trade ex-dividend on November 12, 2014. This is the first dividend the company is paying since listing in December last year.
Buying & selling match up
The Jamaican dollar lost a cent against the US dollar and 47 cents versus the Pound, in Wednesday’s forex trading, as selling of foreign currency to the public, was slightly more than dealers purchased. Authorized dealers purchased the equivalent of US$33,495,564 versus US$36,902,410 on Tuesday. The equivalent of US$34,385,274 was sold compared with US$48,450,336 on Tuesday.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$27,894,689 compared to US$29,102,213 on Tuesday. The buying rate for the US dollar fell 6 cents to $112.19 and US$30,711,153 was sold versus US$42,208,347 on Tuesday, the selling rate inched up 1 cent to $112.62. The Canadian dollar buying rate, declined 57 cents to $99.56 with dealers buying C$2,261,250 and selling C$1,760,293 at an average selling rate that eased 1 cent, to $100.42. The rate for buying the British Pound is up 70 cents to $179.35, for the purchase of £1,560,398, while £871,242 was sold, at $180.71, climbing 47 cents. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$1,099,775, while selling was for the equivalent of US$706,539.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, closed 5 cents down, at $112.75, the lowest buying and the highest selling rates, were unchanged at $91.85 and $117.70 respectively, the lowest selling rate climbed $18.65 to $110.50. The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar fell 25 cents to $100.50, the lowest buying rate rose 16 cents to $79.43, the highest selling rate declined 28 cents to $102.72. The lowest selling rate closed up $1.50, to $97. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, dropped 25 cents to $180.75, the lowest buying rate was up 9 cents, to $144.01. The highest selling rate declined 67 cents to $184.87 and the lowest selling rate, jumped $2.40 to $175.80.
Only 11 stocks trade in main market
Wednesday’s activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, resulted in the prices of 5 stocks rising and 4 declining as only 16 securities changed hands, culminating in 1,486,276 units trading, valued at $20,922,562, in all market segments.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator showed 5 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 9 stocks with offers that were lower. The junior market had 6 stocks with offers, lower than the last sale price.
Main Market| The JSE Market Index declined 211.97 points to 71,098.07 and the JSE All Jamaican Composite index fell 237.01 points to close at 78,208.76.
Gains| Stocks gaining with last traded prices, at the end of trading in the main market are, Carreras with 11,270 shares changing hands, 15 cents higher at $34.65, Hardware & Lumber 1,102 units traded with a gain of 40 cents to $6.50, Jamaica Money Market Brokers with 200 ordinary shares trading, 1 cents higher at $7.01 and Proven Investments with 939,000 shares traded with a gain of 1US cent to 18 US cents.
Firm| The stocks in the main market to close without a change in the last traded prices are, Cable & Wireless with 96,506 shares changing hands, at 30 cents, Sagicor Group with only 500 shares being active, closed at $9.51, Sagicor Real Estate Fund 20,000 units traded and closed at.$6.60 and Scotia Group with 20,959 shares at $19.02.
Declines| The last traded prices of stocks with losses at the end of trading in the main market are, Desnoes & Geddes with 250,000 shares, lost 7 cents to end at $4.70, Grace Kennedy traded 2,398 units and lost $1.45 to end at $56.55 and National Commercial Bank traded 10,098 shares while losing 15 cents in closing at $17.70.