Ansa Coatings US$22.5 million in cash to acquire the holding company of holding the majority shares in Berger’s operations in Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago in July 2017.
The amount was stated in the valuation report done by PriceWaterhouseCoopers for the Berger Trinidad. According to the report “ANSA represented to us that a total cash consideration paid for the investment in LBOH, of which US$2.976 million was allocated to the 3,613,011 BPTL ordinary shares (representing a value of TT$5.60 per share at a conversion rate of US$1 = TT$ 6.79). ASNA further represented that the purchase consideration was not derived based on an individual territory/ subsidiary basis but for the Caribbean operations as a whole.”
The payment places the consideration of shares in the Jamaican company, close to the price of $10.88 that was offered to the Jamaican shareholders.
According to the report the PWC reports state that “we understand that the offeror also obtained a valuation from an independent valuator as at 31 March 2017. This report estimated that the value of 100% of BPTL’s issued share to be within the range of $4.41 to $5.00 per share, with the best estimate being the midpoint of $4.70 per share.”
ACI made an offer to acquire the remaining minority shares at $6.76 per share, the price it paid to Cham Ramlal ltd. for 9.69% of the shareholding a huge premium over the traded price around $4.05. The cost to acquire the remainder of Berger Trinidad will be just over US$720,000.
The Directors recommended that the shareholders accept the offer. In doing so they took account of the fact that ANSA McAL exercises control and direction over approximately 80.86 percent of the issued and outstanding share capital of the Company. Consequently, the remaining shareholders will, in effect, have limited power to challenge any decisions of the offeror and its affiliates. Further, where the offeror, pursuant to the offer, acquires 90 per cent of the offer shares, there are statutory provisions which empower the offeror to acquire the shares of those shareholders who do not accept the offer.
They also considered the fact that the offer was well ahead of the historical price the stock traded at in the past and the poor profit performance in the past with more expected to come as well as the fairness opinion by PWC. All of that was done without trying to frighten shareholders into giving up their shares and is in complete contrast to the recommendations of Jamaican directors, using false information and withholding others pertinent information from the local shareholders, in trying to bully hem into giving away their shares. Warren McDonald a director of Berger Jamaica is one of the directors of the Trinidad company.
US$22.5m for Berger Caribbean
Jamaica’s inflation moderates but elevated
Inflation in Jamaica remains at an elevated level with the Consumer Price Index for October 2017 registering an increase rate of 0.4 percent, down from 0.7 percent in September.
The rate of inflation for the calendar year-to-date is 4 percent and for the past twelve months is running at 4.7 percent. The fiscal year-to-date inflation is 3 percent.
According to data released by Statin, the division of Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels mainly impacted the movement as it increased by 1.7 percent. This was due chiefly to a 2.2 percent increase in the group, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels. Additionally, there was a 2.7 percent increase for the group Water,
Increased fuel prices added to inflation.
Supply and Miscellaneous Services Related to the Dwelling, due to higher water and sewage rates. Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages advanced by 0.3 percent influenced mainly by increased prices for items in the class ‘Vegetables and Starchy Foods. Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco division recorded the second highest movement, 0.7 percent for the month.
The other divisions that recorded increases in the All Jamaica Clothing and Footwear’ 0.1 percent, ‘Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance’ 0.2 percent, ‘Health’ 0.2 percent, ‘Recreation and Culture’ 0.2 percent, Restaurants and Accommodation Services’ 0.1 percent and ‘Miscellaneous Goods and Services’ 0.1 percent. There were no movement for each of the divisions ‘Communication’ and ‘Education’.
Jamaican stocks shed more blood – Friday
It was an all reds day in trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Friday with all market indices falling. In the main market 23 securities changed hands, 8 advanced, 8 declined and 7 traded firm.
The JSE All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 2,030.31 points to 309,636.69 and is now just above support level on the technical channel that it broke through in October as the market retest support. The JSE Index dived 1,849.84 points to 282,114.05.
Trading ended with 10,390,820 units valued at $339,090,865 compared to 3,984,045 units valued at $54,400,232 on Thursday with an average of 451,775 units for an average of $14,743,081, in contrast to 189,716 units for an average of $2,590,487 on Thursday. The average volume and value for the month to date, amounts to 333,369 units valued at $5,463,149 and previously 326,475 units valued at $4,922,799. In contrast, October closed with an average of 1,185,251 units valued at $16,528,582 for each security traded.
The US dollar market index fell 9.06 points to 168.15 as 2 securities traded lower with a volume of 26,719 units valued at US$29,135. Trading in both markets lead to a volume of 10,417,539 units valued at J$$342,761,884.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 9 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and 1 with lower offers.
In the US dollar market JMMB Group 6% US dollar preference share traded 25,841 units at $1.12, down from $1.121 previously and Proven Investments traded 878 ordinary shares at 22 US cents after slipping 2 cents.
The main movers for the day were, Caribbean Cement ended with a loss of $2.49, NCB Financial Group dropping $4.40 and Sagicor Group gaining $1.10. PanJam Investment traded 4,370,132 shares, Sagicor Group traded 3,011,732 units and Supreme Ventures settled with 1,109,526 shares.
Juniors down sharply with 9 losers
The Junior Market of the lost much grounds on Friday on a day when all the Jamaica Stock Exchange indices declined. The Junior Market Index declined 50.10 points to close at 2,994.40 and follows a 22 points fall on Thursday.
Trading on the ended with the prices of 9 securities declining, 3 rising, and 7 remained unchanged with 20 securities changing hands, resulting in an exchange of 1,089,369 units valued at $4,857,835 compared to 1,766,060 units valued at $7,828,514 on Thursday, from 22 securities.
Trading ended with an average of 54,468 units for an average of $242,892 in contrast to 80,275 units for an average of $355,842 on Thursday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 112,183 units valued at $546,893 and previously 115,661 units valued at $565,207. 
In contrast, October closed with average of 74,690 units valued at $362,548 for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 3 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 with lower offers.
At the close of the market, Access Financial closed with a loss of 1 cent at $41, with 127 shares, Cargo Handlers ended trading 99 cents higher at $12, with 1,000 stock units, Caribbean Cream finished at $5.55, with 600 shares, Caribbean Producers traded with a loss of 30 cents at $4.20, with 50,447 units, Express Catering ended 10 cents higher at $4.50, with 31,819 stock units, General Accident finished at $2.70, with 31,827 shares. Honey Bun settled with a loss of 10 cents at $4.70, with 2,065 shares,
The chart now carries the dividends declared fro the last twelve months and the yields based on the last traded price of each stock.
Prices of securities trading for the day are those at which the last trade took place.
Highest valued Jamaican$ since mid-2016
The Jamaican dollar made its strongest gains against the US dollar in November in foreign exchange trading on Friday, with it taking 20 cents less to buy the US dollar than on Thursday.
On Friday, the rate of exchange to buy the US dollar by the public, dropped to $126.34 as dealers sold US$28.17 million of the US dollar, compared to US$25.95 million at an average rate of $126.54 on Thursday.
Friday’s rate is the lowest since July 20, 2016, when the average rate ended at $126.36. The currency also appreciated from J$128.27 at the end of 2016. US currency purchases amounted to US$35.34 million on Friday, at an average rate of $125.46, compared to Thursday, with US$23.03 million at $125.27.
The gain took place in a remarkable month for the local dollar, with the rate closing at the end of October at $127.29 and now seeming as it could break below the $126 mark by the end of November. The local currency came under pressure in early September, as Jamaicans secured funds to invest in new bonds government of Jamaica was issuing to retire older expensive debt. The payout of the retiring bonds left the market flooded with US dollars. Demand waned for the US dollar, leading to sell off since mid-September, after the US dollar peaked against the Jamaican dollar at J$131.31, with the rate retreating weekly since.
The fate of the currency is now in the hands of the central bank, as the country enters a period of heighten inflows and relatively less demand up to April. For November, the central bank selling to the market by way of auction was limited US$27 million with the last two weeks being $4 million each. The central bank indicates that market intelligence suggest no need to intervene on the sell side for the first two weeks in December.
Trading volumes in the market for this past week, fell to the lowest, for November, with US$223 million Inflows and outflows of US$217 million compared to inflows in the previous weeks of US$252 million to $271 million and outflows of US$240 million to US$281 million of all currencies.
Dealers’ purchased US$43.45 million, versus US$24.92 million on Thursday in all currencies in Jamaica’s forex market and sold US$34.28 million compared with US$26.96 million of all currencies sold, previously.
The selling rate for the Canadian dollar rose to J$99.50 from J$99.41 at the close on Thursday. The selling rate for the British Pound dropped to J$167.32 versus J$168.40 previously and the euro fell value against the Jamaican dollar, rising to J$148.92 to buy the European common currency, versus prior selling rate of J$151.68.
Altitude lost by JSE main market
NCB Financial Group dropped $4.40 on the JSE on Friday.
Trading ended with 10,390,820 units valued at $339,090,865 from 23 securities changing hands, 8 advanced, 8 declined and 7 traded firm.
In the main activity, Barita Investments concluded trading at $8, with 20,000 units, Berger Paints finished with a loss of 39 cents at $16.50, with 126,300 shares, Cable & Wireless settled with a loss of 11 cents at $0.99, with 475,341 shares, Caribbean Cement ended trading with a loss of $2.49 at $32.01, with 1,455 stock units.
Carreras traded with a loss of 45 cents at $11.05, with 116,095 units, Grace Kennedy closed 44 cents higher at $43.44, with 1,661 shares, Jamaica Broilers ended with a loss of 50 cents at $17.50, with 2,044 stock units, Jamaica Producers concluded trading 50 cents higher at $16, with 12,982 units. JMMB Group settled with a loss of 40 cents at $27.95, with 13,068 shares, Kingston Wharves traded 50 cents higher at $33, with 8,900 units, Mayberry Investments finished trading 10 cents higher at $5.10, with 5,333 shares, NCB Financial Group closed with a drop of $4.40 to $95, with 121,584 shares. 1834 Investments ended at $1.30, with 2,500 stock units trading, 
PanJam Investment concluded trading at $41.50, with 4,370,132 units, Portland JSX finished with a loss of 10 cents at $9, with 10,749 shares, Radio Jamaica ended trading 7 cents higher at $1.07, with 5,605 stock units, Sagicor Group traded $1.10 higher at $38.10, with 3,011,732 units. Sagicor Real Estate Fund finished trading 50 cents higher at $14.50, with 11,669 shares, Scotia Group ended at $51.20, with 327,028 stock units, Seprod concluded trading 20 cents higher at $32.20, with 2,489 units and Supreme Ventures settled at $10.50, with 1,109,526 shares.Prices of securities trading for the day are those at which the last trade took place.
Unilever’s bad news get worse
Unilever Caribbean stock price from 2009 to 2017
Unilever Caribbean recorded a price drop of $3.75, on the Trinidad & Tobago Stock Exchange on Friday, ending the day at multi-year low of $35 and closed with the offer at $34.80 to sell just 280 units with no bids posted to buy. The price that peaked at $68.49 in December 2015, is now at the lowest it’s been since it traded 110 units at 34.67 on April 17, 2012.
The stock has fallen as revenues fell sharply in 2017 pulling profits way down, with indication of much further fall ahead as the shares face a long cold winter in the doldrums.
Trading resulted in 11 securities changing hands compared to 13 on Thursday as the price of 2 stocks advanced, 4 declined and 5 were unchanged following 148,999 shares trading at a value of $514,609 compared to Wednesday’s trades of 80,674 units valued at $2,224,568.
The Composite Index gained 1.07 points to 1,275.58, the All T&T Index advanced 1.39 points to 1,742.29 and the Cross Listed Index added 0.10 points to close at 109.03.
IC bid-offer Indicator| The Investor’s Choice bid-offer ended with 5 stocks with bids higher than last selling prices and 9 with lower offers.
Gains| In trading, Grace Kennedy gained 5 cents, and closed at a 52 weeks’ high of $3.05 exchanging 1,485 shares and Sagicor Financial added 2 cents, ending at $7.83 with 3,779 shares traded.
Losses| The securities declining changing hands are, First Citizens with a loss of 7 cents, to close at $31.90 with 282 units, JMMB Group closed at $2.15, after losing 3 cents trading 135,117 shares, National Flour Mills slid 10 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ low of $1.80 exchanging 3,400 shares and Unilever Caribbean declined by $3.75 to settle at a 52 weeks’ low of $35 with 760 units.
Firm Trades| At the close of trading Guardian Holdings held firm at $15.70 with 2,014 shares, Massy Holdings remained at $48 with 125 units exchanged, One Caribbean Media traded 200 units at $14. Scotiabank ended at $58.75 after trading at $60, with trades of 1,684 shares and Trinidad & Tobago NGL closed at $24 with 153 units.
Trading in JSE main market slips – Thursday
Trading on the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange ended on Thursday with 21 securities changing hands, 7 advanced, 7 declined and 5 traded firm with 3,984,045 units valued at $54,400,232 compared to 4,352,178 units valued at $47,081,186 on Wednesday.
The US dollar market index rose 16.05 points to 177.21 as 3 securities traded with 1 gaining and 1 declining with a volume of 121,007 units valued at US$42,576. Trading in both markets lead to a volume of 4,105,052 units valued at J$59,786,120.
The JSE All Jamaican Composite Index declined by 100.62 points to close at 311,667.00 and the JSE Index declined by 91.68 points to close at 283,963.89.
Trading ended with an average of 189,716 units for an average of $2,590,487 in contrast to 167,391 units for an average of $1,810,815 on Wednesday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 326,475 units valued at $4,922,799 and 356,050 units valued at $5,384,915, previously.
In contrast, October closed with an average of 1,185,251 units valued at $16,528,582 for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 6 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 with lower offers.
Major movements took place in, Caribbean Cement that jumped $2.49, NCB Financial Group climbing $1.90, Scotia Group losing $1.30, Sterling Investments finishing with a loss of $1 while Radio Jamaica traded 2.2 million shares at a new 52 weeks’ low of $1.
Consolidation ahead of Christmas rush
Trading on the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange ended on Thursday with the market indices slipping moderately as 21 securities changing hands, of which 7 advanced, 7 declined and 5 traded firm with 3,984,045 units valued at $54,400,232 changing hands.
Price movements were dominated by Caribbean Cement, NCB Financial Group, Scotia Group and Sterling Investments. Barita Investments concluded trading at $8, with 24,584 units, Berger Paints finished with a loss of 11 cents at $16.89 with 5,225 shares trading, Cable & Wireless settled 10 cents higher at $1.10, with 117,487 shares, Caribbean Cement jumped $2.49 higher to $34.50, with a mere 1,781 stock units, 
Carreras traded at $11.50, with 91,328 units. Grace Kennedy closed at $43, with 5,561 shares, Jamaica Broilers ended with a loss of 40 cents at $18, with 47,667 stock units, Jamaica Producers concluded trading 50 cents higher at $15.50, with 80,157 units, Jamaica Stock Exchange finished 23 cents higher at $7.25, with 7,660 shares. JMMB Group settled 30 cents higher at $28.35, with 335,902 shares, Kingston Wharves traded with a loss of 40 cents at $32.50, with 12,116 units, NCB Financial Group closed $1.90 higher at $99.40, with 94,324 shares, PanJam Investment concluded trading at $41.50, with 46,281 units. 
Radio Jamaica ended trading with a loss of 9 cents at $1, with 2,210,747 stock units, Sagicor Group traded 50 cents higher at $37, with 607,088 units, Salada Foods closed with a loss of 80 cents at $10, with 2,000 shares, Scotia Group ended with a loss of $1.30 at $51.20, with 42,816 stock units changing hands. Sterling Investments finished with a loss of $1 at $12, with 3,702 shares and Supreme Ventures settled at $10.50, with 200,528 shares. In the main market preference shares segment, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.25% traded 4,091 units to close at $2.49, JMMB Group 7.5% ended at $1.10 with 43,000 units, JMMB Group 7.5% preference share ended trading at $1.10, with 50,000 stock units, in the US dollar market JMMB Group US 6% preference share ended trading at $1.121, with 14,159 stock units, Productivity Business lost 2 US cents in trading 3,600 units at 55 US cents and Proven Investments traded 103,248 ordinary shares at 23.97 US cents after rising 4 cents.
Prices of securities trading for the day are those at which the last trade took place.
Trading picks up in Junior stocks
Trading picked up on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Thursday with 22 securities changing hands, resulting in an exchange of 1,766,060 units valued at $7,828,514 compared to 726,097 units valued at $5,040,854, from 18 securities on Wednesday.
At the close of market activities, the prices of 6 securities advanced, 10 declined and 6 remained unchanged. The Junior Market Index declined by 22.03 points to close at 3,044.50. The prices of two securities hit 52 weeks’ high with one ending at a record close.
Trading ended with an average of 80,275 units for an average of $355,842 in contrast to 40,339 units for an average of $280,047 on Wednesday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 115,661 units valued at $565,207 and previously 118,172 units valued at $580,065. In contrast, October closed with average of 74,690 units valued at $362,548 for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 4 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 with lower offers.
At the close of the market, CAC 2000 finished with a loss of 7 cents at $6.50, with 38,000 shares, Caribbean Cream finished with a loss of 5 cents at $5.55, with just 500 shares trading, Caribbean Producers traded 45 cents higher at $4.50, with 770,491 units, after trading at a 52 weeks’ high of $4.99, Consolidated Bakeries finished at $2.05, with 1,470 shares as the stock seems to be finally responding to the poor results released this year. C2W Music ended with a loss of 9 cents at $0.40, with 1,000 stock units, Express Catering ended at $4.40, with 14,476 stock units, Eppley concluded trading $1.49 higher at $11.50, with 806 units, 
General Accident finished with a loss of 2 cents at $2.70, with 68,981 shares. Honey Bun settled at $4.80, with 11,554 shares, Iron Rock closed with a loss of 1 cent at $2.80, with 22,038 shares, Jamaican Teas traded 40 cents higher at $4.20, with 867 units, Jetcon Corporation finished trading with a loss of 10 cents at $4.50, with 184,554 shares, Knutsford Express closed at $13.50, with 2,000 shares. Key Insurance ended 76 cents higher at a 52 weeks’ high of $4.75, with 19,362 stock units changing hands, KLE Group concluded trading at $2.51, with 50,022 units, Lasco Distributors settled 8 cents higher at $5.98, with 27,534 shares. Lasco Financial ended trading at $6.50, with 60,317 stock units, Lasco Manufacturing traded with a loss of 12 cents at $4.05, with 8,138 units, Medical Disposables finished trading with a loss of 20 cents at $5.10, with 2,000 shares, Main Event closed 38 cents higher at $5.89, with 54,026 shares, Paramount Trading concluded trading with a loss of 20 cents at $3.50, with 256,698 units and Stationery and Office ended trading with a loss of 7 cents at $5.13, with 171,226 stock units.
Prices of securities trading for the day are those at which the last trade took place.
