Trading on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange finished on Friday with 15 securities changing hands, resulting in an exchange of 2,090,829 units valued at $10,875,161 compared to 969,013 units valued at $4,496,741 on Thursday.
The Junior Market Index advanced by 7.14 points to close at 2,916.40.
At the close of market activities, the prices of 5 securities advanced, 6 declined and 4 remained with the prices unchanged.
Trading ended with an average of 139,389 units for an average of $725,011 in contrast to 48,451 units for an average of $224,837 on Thursday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 74,548 units, valued at $323,091 and 61,803 units at an average value of $309,424, previously. 
In contrast, September closed with average of 116,176 units valued at $538,652 for each security traded.
Trading ended with the market sentiments looking mixed for Tuesday trading activity as 5 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 with lower offers.
In market activity, volumes are those traded for the day and the closing prices are those at which the last trade took place, accordingly, Caribbean Cream traded 258,135 units at $6, Caribbean Producers closed with a loss of 12 cents at $3.60, with 154,000 stock units changing hands, Express Catering settled with a loss of 5 cents at $4.50, trading 32,961 units, Jamaican Teas ended trading 1,200 shares at $4.10, 
Jetcon Corporation fell 50 cents to $4.50, with 50,064 shares. Key Insurance finished with a loss of 50 cents at $3.50, with 194,997 units traded, KLE Group settled at $2.50, with 250,000 units, Knutsford Express traded 11 cents higher at $15, with 202,982 stock units, Lasco Distributors finished trading 35 cents higher at $6.35, with 282,987 shares, Lasco Financial closed with a loss of 50 cents at $4, after 47,769 units traded, Lasco Manufacturing ended 5 cents higher at $3.80, with 86,540 units. Main Event ended trading 15 cents higher at $5.30, with 18,799 stock units changing hands, Medical Disposables concluded trading with 2,000 shares at $5.30, Paramount Trading got a lift from the first quarter results showing profits more than doubling and finished 30 cents higher at $2.80, after 458,395 shares were traded and tTech finished trading with a loss of 1 cent at $6.99, with 50,000 units.
Banks push JSE to new high – Friday
Stocks surged higher, at the close of trading on the main market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Friday with the market ending at record closing levels as JMMB Group NCB Financial and Scotia Group record strong gains, pushing the JSE All Jamaican Composite Index to a record close of 300,363.16.
Trading on the main market ended with 22 securities changing hands, 7 advanced, 6 declined and 11 traded firm with 4,504,312 units valued at $68,391,852 compared to 94,545,441 units valued at $1,119,081,050 on Thursday. In the US dollar market 425,898 units traded for a value of US$102,239 for two securities.
In market activity, volumes are those trades for the day and the closing prices are those at which the last trade took place. At the close on market activity, Barita Investments ended trading with a loss of $1 at $8, with 40,452 stock units trading, Cable & Wireless finished at $1.10, with 42,361 units, Caribbean Cement settled 54 cents higher at $26.55, with 3,000 shares, Carreras closed at $12, after 462,635 stock units changed hands, Grace Kennedy closed with a loss of 5 cents at $42.75, with 12,005 shares. Jamaica Broilers ended with a loss of 5 cents at $17.95, with 1,858 units, Jamaica Producers ended trading at $16, with 2,278 stock units, Jamaica Stock Exchange concluded trading $1.20 higher at $7.20, with 1,064,940 shares switching owners, JMMB Group finished $3 higher at $26, after trading 21,667 units, Mayberry Investments ended trading with a loss of 40 cents at $4.10, with 15,378 shares. PanJam Investment ended with a loss of $3.48 to $38.52, with 9,732 units, 
Portland JSX ended trading after falling 50 cents to an all-time low of $8.50, with 50,000 stock units after the company reported a loss for the six months to August of US$221,251. Radio Jamaica settled at $1.15, trading 10,100 shares, Sagicor Group traded with a loss of $1.49 cents at $38.51, with 7,700 units changing hands, Sagicor Real Estate Fund finished trading 4 cents higher at $13.25, with 19,700 stock units, after it traded at an all-time high of $15. Salada Foods closed at $8.50, with 350,000 shares, Scotia Group ended $3.08 higher at $50.98, with 414,399 stock units, Seprod traded 339 units at $30 and Supreme Ventures finished 37 cents higher at $11.85, with 130,790 shares.
In the main market preference segment, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.5%, ended trading 700,000 shares at $2 and JMMB Group 7.5% ended 1 cent higher at $1.15, with 870,000 stock units changing hands.
In the US dollar market segment, Productivity Business traded 5,898 shares at 57.5 US cents and Proven Investments closed with 420,000 units trading at 23.5 US cents.
J$ rate lower than at 2016 year-end
Jamaica’s foreign exchange dealers sold US$33 million more US dollars than they purchased this week, adding to the US$35.5 million net sales in the prior week.
The selling pressured, the US dollar and resulted in a revaluation of the local currency to $128.22 for purchase of US$1, by end users, down from $129.09 at the close of the first week in October. The rate is now lower than for the last trading day of 2016 when it ended at J$128.44 to the US dollar.
Inflows of all currencies into Jamaica’s forex market fell to US$48.73 million on Friday, from US$51.81 million on Thursday while Dealers sold US$56.08 million versus US$56.89 million, previously.
US currency purchases, accounted for US$33.81 million on Friday at an average rate of $127.23 compared to Thursday at US$36.57 million at $127.58. Dealers sold US$43.84 million at an average rate of J$128.22 versus J$128.41 for US$42.52 million, previously.
The selling rate for the Canadian dollar fell to J$103.15 from J$103.36 at the close on Thursday. The British Pound declined to J$168.83 for buying the British currency versus J$169.33 on Thursday and the euro slipped in value against the Jamaican dollar, to J$150.87 to buy the European common currency, versus J$151.66 previously.
All Jamaica cracks 300,000 for first time
Jamaica Stock Exchange all Jamaica Index closes above 300,000 on Friday.
The JSE All Jamaican Composite Index surged 5,376.82 points to close above the 300,000 points level for the first time, as JMMB Group, NCB Financial and Scotia Group recorded strong gains and pushed the index to a record close at 300,363.16.
The JSE Index jumped 4,898.89 points to close at a record 273,664.81 and in the US dollar market the USD Equities Index closed at 184.36.
Come Tuesday, when trading resumes it will be interesting to see how NCB trades since the stock closed at the equivalent of $100 in Trinidad on Thursday. At the close on Friday, there were only 33,603 units on offer for the stock. A break out of NCB is likely to see the market moving decisively away from the resistance, around the 300,000 points level. On Tuesday, Berger Paints that was suspended pending the closure of the Ansa Coating mandatory buyout offer, at the end of the day there were information on the out-turn of the offer.
Trading on the main market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange finished on Friday with 22 securities changing hands, 7 advanced, 6 declined and 11 traded firm with 4,504,312 units valued at $68,391,852 compared to 
94,545,441 units valued at $1,119,081,050 on Thursday. In the US dollar market 425,898 units traded for a value of US$102,239 for two securities.
Trading ended with an average of 204,741 units for an average of $3,108,721 in contrast to 4,110,671 units for an average of $48,655,698 on Thursday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 2,279,320 units valued at $30,989,186 and an average of 2,498,747 units at $34,245,233, previously. In contrast, September closed with average of 283,480 units at $3,630,990 for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and US dollar markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 7 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 with lower offers.
NCB stock hits J$100 in Trinidad
NCBFG trading at J$100 on the Trinidad Stock Exchange.
NCB gained 5 cents on the Trinidad Stock Exchange while trading 5,000 shares to be the sole stock to record a gain on Thursday. Trading on the Trinidad & Tobago Stock Exchange on Thursday closed with declining stocks overwhelming advancing ones 6 to 1 as 16 securities changed hands compared to 10 on Wednesday leading to modest fall in the indices. The market closed trading with two securities ending at a 52 weeks’ low and one at a 52 weeks’ high.
At the close, 1 stock advanced, 6 declined and 9 were unchanged as 566,014 shares traded at a value of $7,445,207 as Angostura Holdings led with 60 percent of the value of securities traded. Volume traded was ahead of Wednesday’s trades of 400,836 units, but the value was lower than the $9,581,269.
The Composite Index slipped 0.29 points to 1,241.96, the All T&T Index declined by 2.34 points to 1,770.66 and the Cross Listed Index added 0.24 points to close at 95.87.
IC bid-offer Indicator| The Investor’s Choice bid-offer ended with 2 stocks with bids higher than last selling prices and 6 with lower offers.
Losses| The last traded prices of the securities declining and the volume changing hands are Clico Investment closing at $21.48, with a loss of 2 cents and 3,500 shares trading, National Enterprises lost 1 cent to close at $10.36 with 70 units trading, One Caribbean Media lost 7 cents in closing at a 52 weeks’ low of $14.03 trading 4,000 shares. Sagicor Financial dropped 14 cents, closing at $8 after exchanging 67,500 shares valued at $540,876, Trinidad & Tobago NGL settled at $23, having lost 4 cents with trades of 28,820 stock units valued at $663,724 and Unilever Caribbean tumbled $4.07 to close at a 52 weeks’ low of $41.95 with 5,100 shares.
Firm Trades| The last traded prices of securities and the volume traded unchanged at the close of trading are Angostura Holdings holding firm at $15 with 300,000 shares valued at $4,500,040, Ansa Merchant Bank traded 1,950 units at $40, First Citizens closed at $31.76 exchanging 2,375 units. Grace Kennedy exchanged 50,020 shares at $2.90, Guardian Holdings ended at $15.25 with trades of 4,073 shares, Massy Holdings remained at $50.50 with 2,733 units changing hands. Point Lisas closed at $4 trading 4,000 shares, Republic Financial Holdings exchanged 5,000 shares at $101.80 with a value of $509,000 and Trinidad Cement remained at $4.21 with 81,873 shares trading valued at $344,478.
US$ sell off continues – Thursday
The recent selloff of US dollars continued in the Jamaican forex market on Thursday, with dealers on average in buying the US dollar for 31 cents lower than on Wednesday while the rate they sold funds at fell 19 cents from Wednesday and is down $1.16 from last week’s peak.
Inflows of all currencies into Jamaica’s forex market fell to US$51.81 million on Thursday, from US$53.87 million on Wednesday. Dealers sold US$56.89 million versus US$52.24 million, previously.
US currency purchases, accounted for US$36.57 million on Thursday at an average rate of $127.58 compared to Wednesday at US$47.72 million at $127.89. Dealers sold US$42.52 million at an average rate of J$128.41 versus J$128.58 for US$47.28 million previously. The selling rate for the US dollar is coming off from a peak of $131.31 on September 15, with the Jamaican dollar recovering 2 percent of its value since.
The selling rate for the Canadian dollar fell to J$103.36 from J$103.43 at the close on Wednesday. The British Pound climbed to J$169.33 for buying the British currency versus J$168.53 on Wednesday and the euro slipped in value against the Jamaican dollar, to J$151.66 to buy the European common currency, versus J$153.48 previously.
Steady trading for Junior Market
The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange settled on Thursday with 20 securities changing hands, resulting in an exchange of 969,013 units valued at $4,496,741 compared to 827,619 units valued at $4,771,002 on Wednesday.
At the close of market activities, the prices of 7 securities advanced, 5 declined and 8 remained unchanged leading to the Junior Market Index losing 2.43 points to close at 2,909.26. Trading ended with an average of 48,451 units for an average of $224,837 in contrast to 33,105 units for an average of $190,840 on Wednesday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 69,963 units 252,557 valued at $317,553 and 71,783 shares at an average value of $319,802, previously. In contrast, September closed with average of 116,176 units valued at $538,652 for each security traded.
Trading ended with the market sentiments looking mixed for Friday’s trading activity with 1 stock ending with the bid higher than their last selling price and 2 with lower offers.
In market activity, volumes are those traded for the day and the closing prices are those at which the last trade took place, accordingly, Access Financial closed at $38, with 4,080 units trading, AMG Packaging ended 14 cents higher at $3.49, with 8,200 stock units, Blue Power concluded trading at $44, with just 1,100 shares, Caribbean Cream traded with a loss of 70 cents at $6, after trading 46,737 shares, Caribbean Producers closed 2 cents higher at $3.72, with 392,821 units, Derrimon Trading ended trading with a loss of 99 cents at $7, with 78,700 shares. Express Catering settled with a loss of 5 cents at $4.55, with 66,900 stock units changing hands, 
General Accident traded 30 cents higher at $3, with 2,125 units, Honey Bun finished trading with a loss of 20 cents at $4, with 15,101 units, Jamaican Teas ended trading 9 cents higher at $4.10, with 31,362 stock units, Jetcon Corporation concluded trading at $5, with 12,000 shares changing hands, KLE Group settled 10 cents higher at $2.50, with 2,730 stock units. Knutsford Express traded at $14.89, with 6,138 shares, Lasco Distributors traded 50,544 units at $6, Lasco Financial closed at $4.50, with 62,557 shares, Lasco Manufacturing ended with a loss of 5 cents at $3.75, after exchanging 114,774 stock units, Main Event ended at $5.15, trading 4,594 stock units. Medical Disposables concluded trading at $5.30, with 41,260 shares and Stationery and Office settled 1 cent higher at $4.71, after 2,500 units traded. In the junior market preference segment, Derrimon Trading closed with a loss of 5 cents at $1.95, with 24,790 units traded.
Met Opera Live hits a high-note on screen
Photo: James Levine, Conductor with
Golda Schultz; Kathryn Lewek; Charles Castronovo; Markus Werba; Christian Van Horn; Tobias Kehrer & René Pape in
Julie Taymor’s production of Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte”; dress rehearsal photographed: Wednesday, September 20, 2017; 11:00 AM at The Metropolitan Opera; New York, NY. Photograph: © 2017 Richard Termine
PHOTO CREDIT – Richard Termine
Palace Amusement Company, a Jamaica Stock Exchange listed company presents Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), a delightful opera at Carib 5 in Cross Roads, this Saturday October 14th.
The opera that starts at 11:55 am will be transmitted live in HD from the Met in New York, features the legendary James Levine conducting Tony Award winner Julie Taymor’s production of Mozart’s masterpiece, Die Zauberflöte. The young prince Tamino, finds himself in a strange land, forced to undergo mysterious tests so he can rescue, then marry, the woman he loves, Pamina. Golda Schultz plays Pamina with Charles Castronovo as prince Tamino, Markus Werba as Papageno, Christian Van Horn as Sprecher, and René Pape as Sarastro.
Norma
If you missed last week’s live transmission of Bellini’s Norma, catch the encore this Sunday, 11:30 am at Palace Cineplex. Norma, tells the story of a high Priestess (Norma) who has secretly broken her vows to love Pollione, a Roman. Norma becomes revengeful as she learns of her lover’s affairs with her protégé, Adalgisa. Sondra Radvanovsky plays the titular role, Joyce DiDonato is her archrival, Adalgisa and Tenor Joseph Calleja is Pollione -Norma’s unfaithful lover.
Sondra Radvanovsky and Joseph Calleja in Bellini’s “Norma.
The Met: Live in HD launched its twelfth season Saturday, October 7, 2017 with Bellini Norma, taking in an estimated attendance of 71,581 in North America and earning a gross of $1.5 million. It was seen live on more than 900 screens. An estimated additional 111,760 people saw it live on 800 screens in 37 countries in Europe, 11 countries in Latin America, Russia, Egypt, Israel, Jamaica, Morocco, and for the first time live to Belarus and Ukraine.
Alternative Content – MoBay| For the next four months Montegonians will get back in on the action from Palace Amusement’s Alternative Content. For a limited time only, Palace Multiplex will be bringing your favourite National Theatre Live plays starting with the must-see, Obsession starring Jude Law, this Thursday at 6:00 pm. Tickets are available at box office or online at palaceamusement.com.
Drama Action Adventure at the movies
Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan star in the action thriller, The Foreigner
The Jamaica Stock Exchange listed movie house, Palace Amusement releases an eclectic array of films targeting audiences of all ages this week. Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan star in the action thriller, The Foreigner.
A humble businessman with a buried past, seeks justice when his daughter is killed in an act of terrorism. A cat-and-mouse conflict ensues with a government official, whose past may hold clues to the killers’ identities.
Grabbing the interest of the youngest demography is, My Little Pony: The Movie. After 30 years in our homes, and seven seasons of television adventures, the ponies are gracing the big screen in an epic journey, as they embark on a mission to save their home Equestria. The film features the voices of Golden Globe® winner Emily Blunt, Kristin Chenoweth, Liev Schreiber, Zoe Saldana Taye Diggs and eight-time Grammy® nominee, Sia Furler.
Taye Diggs and Annie Ilonzeh in ‘Till Death Do Us Part
Taye Diggs proves his versatility as he moves from the role of a ‘cool cat’ in My Little Pony to the charming suitor, Alex Stone in the hit film, ‘Til Death Do Us Part. Newlyweds-Michael (Steven Bishop) and Maddison Roland (Annie Ilonzeh) revel in their seemingly perfect marriage until Michael began to show his abusive and controlling ways. Reaching her breaking point, Maddison decides to escape her abusive husband. After adopting a new identity, she meets Alex Stone, and falls in love with him. Her happiness was immediately shattered when her abusive husband learns of her whereabouts and recreates the nightmare she once lived in.
J$ revalues to $128.58 vs US$ – Wednesday
The selloff of US dollars continued in forex market activities on Wednesday.
It cost dealers on average, 9 cents less in buying the US dollar than on Tuesday.
Inflows of all currencies into Jamaica’s forex market that rose to US$53.87 million on Wednesday, up from US$48.99 million on Tuesday. Dealers sold US$52.24 million versus US$51.71 million, previously.
US currency purchases, accounted for US$47.72 million on Wednesday at an average rate of $127.89 compared to Tuesday at US$40.33 million at $127.98. Dealers sold US$47.28 million at an average rate of J$128.58 versus J$128.87 for US$43.46 million previously. The selling rate for the US dollar is coming off from a peak of $131.31 on September 15, with the Jamaican dollar recovering 2 percent of its value since.
The selling rate for the Canadian dollar rose to J$103.43 from J$103.25 at the close on Tuesday. The British Pound climbed to J$168.53 for buying the British currency versus J$168.13 on Tuesday and the euro just rose in value against the Jamaican dollar, to J$153.48 to buy the European common currency, versus J$151.18 previously.
