With about 8 minutes to the opening of the Jamaica Stock Exchange this morning there are orders to purchase 5.38 million units of Stationery and Office Supplies shares and only 208,000 units being offered.
The bids range from 2.60 to a high of $5.10 while the offers start at $5.75. Including in the bids are two amounts totalling 2.34 million units at $2.60 each. The stock eventually traded at $5.75 with 38,000 units after the market opened with the bid moving to $5.75.
SOS trades at a record $5.75
August 14, 2017 by
Major changes to TOP 10 stocks
August 14, 2017 by
Barita jumps TOP 10 with more than 200% gain since September 2016
Investors pushed the price of Barita Investments to $9.40 during the week and drove newly listed Stationery and Office Supplies to $5.10 after it was listed on Thursday moving both out of the top flight of stocks. In addition, four others changed places with new listings.
Barita entered the list when we started the TOP 5 back in September last year, at $3.11 and has gained more than 200 percent since then while SOS is up 154 percent from its IPO price. Both stocks have more room for growth.
tTech reported lower profit in the second quarter to June with lower revenues resulting in a lower earnings forecast for 2017 and dropped out of the top list. CAC 2000 having slipped out of the listing the prior week returned this past week and was joined by Dolphin Cove to replace the two that exited the listing.
Main market stock, Berger Paints fell during the week from $19 to trade at $16 and moved back into the listing. Moving in are Grace Kennedy, Mayberry Investments and PanJam Investment. Stocks graduating from the top flight are Seprod as the price rose during the week to $33.33 from $30, 
Sagicor Group moving from $31.50 to $34.35 and Salada Foods that closed at $9.50, up from $9.
The average PE ratio for the Junior Market Top stocks is at 7.6 and the PE for the main market TOP 10, ends the week at 7.2. The average PE for the overall main market trades at 13.2 and 12.9 for Junior Market, based on 2017 estimated earnings.
At the close of the week, IC Insider.com’s TOP 10 stocks now trade at an average discount of 41 percent to the average of the market for Junior Market Top stocks and 46 percent for the main market.
Cable & Wireless leads stocks to watch
August 12, 2017 by
Cable & Wireless Head quarters.
Cable & Wireless is possibly the main stock to watch for the coming week with the company returning to profitability in the June quarter.
The company lost several billion dollars for many years but posted a profit of $222 million in the latest quarter on an 11 percent surge in revenues. Subsequent to the close of the quarter, Cable and Wireless increased rates on a series of services that should add to revenues and profits in the coming quarters. Profit for the full year to December should end positively, thus wiping out the $311 million loss for the first half of the year after tax and a lower pretax loss of just $199 million. The recent turn around in the fortune of the company is likely to be a big surprise to many investors and will help move the stock price much higher than the $1.07 it closed at, on Friday.
Other stocks that investors should keep an eye on this week include, Barita Investments with an announced take over offer on the table, JMMB Group, Stationery & Office Supplies that just listed and selling below potential, NCB Financial with limited supply, Jetcon Corporation with profit doubling for the half year leading to strong buying in the past week and recently listed Express Catering with demand to buy 765,925 shares at $5.50.
Forex inflows in at US$47M – Friday
August 11, 2017 by
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Trading in the Jamaican foreign exchange market on Friday resulted inflows of US$47.01 million in contrast to US$48.44 million on Thursday and outflows of US$39.89 million compared to US$37.65 million of all currencies previously.
Approximately, 25 percent of the intakes are surrendered by dictates to Bank of Jamaica and would amount to $12 million, which is well short of the net inflows of $7 million.
In USA dollar trading, inflows ended at US$38.25 million versus US$42.03 million on Thursday with outflows of US$30.84 million compared to US$34.14 million.
The value of the Jamaican dollar slipped in value against the US dollar, with the selling rate ending at J$128.55 from J$128.44 previously. Dealers bought the US currency at an average of J$127.38, versus J$127.36 on Thursday.
The selling rate for the Canadian dollar climbed to J$101.83 from J$101.30 at the close on Thursday while the British Pound was less costly at the close, with J$166.34 buying the British currency versus J$167.68 and the euro, declined in value against the Jamaican dollar, with it taking J$150.77 to buy the European common currency, versus J$151.67 previously.
Main market drops over 3,000 points – Friday
August 11, 2017 by
Sagicor Group traded 5m shares on the JSE main market on Friday.
The main market stocks of the Jamaica Stock Exchange lost ground at the close on Friday with sizable declines in the indices but with increased trading volume as Sagicor Group traded more than 5 million share, but fewer securities traded than on Thursday.
Trading ended with the All Jamaica Composite Index diving 3,359.30 points to close at 275,077.34, the JSE Market Index dropped 3,060.70 points to 250,626.61, bringing the gains for 2017 to more than 30 percent. The JSE US dollar market index added 1.37 points to close at 188.26.
At the close of trading, 20 securities changed hands in the main market with 1 trading in the US dollar market, leading to 8 stocks advancing and 6 declining. The main market ended with 7,902,262 units valued at $237,278,617 changing hands compared to 1,374,903 units valued at $47,150,828 at the close on Thursday.
Trading in the US dollar market accounted for 659,944 units valued at US$158,387 bringing the total of all trades to J$257,552,096.
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 1 with a lower offer.
The main market ended trading with an average of 395,113 units valued at $11,863,931 for each security traded compared to an average of 54,996 units valued at $1,886,033. The average volume and value for the month to date ended at $161,778 units with an average value of $3,293,405 compared with an average of 122,889 units with an average value of $1,864,984 on the previous trading day. The average volume and value for July ended at 160,668 units with an average value of $2,691,438.
The volume and last traded prices of securities changing hands on Friday are, Barita Investments that gained 63 cents to close at a record high of $9.40 with 5,850 shares, Berger Paints dropped $2.69 to $16 exchanging 44,705 shares, Cable and Wireless gained 3 cents to close at $1.07, with 1,000 shares changing hands, Caribbean Cement gained 1 cent, closing at $28.01 with 37,365 shares,Carreras fell $1.50 to $108, with 140,539 shares, Grace Kennedy closed at $40, trading 161,570 shares. 
Jamaica Broilers lost 10 cents exchanging 1,057,803 shares at $18, Jamaica Producers closed at $15.10 trading 7,050 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange closed at $6.48 with 29,355 shares changing hands, JMMB Group gained 51 cents to close at $20.50, with 13,100 shares. Mayberry Investments lost 14 cents to close at $4.49, with 9,996 shares changing hands, NCB Financial Group traded $1 higher to $91, after exchanging 156,542 shares, PanJam Investment shed $1 to $30 trading 29,077 shares, Proven Investments exchanged 600,000 shares at $25.02, Pulse Investments lost 13 cents to close at $1.86 trading 6,000 shares, Radio Jamaica gained 10 cents in exchanging 28,000 shares to close at $1.60. Sagicor Group traded 5,012,508 shares at $34.35, Scotia Group closed $1.90 higher to $45.90 with 75,721 shares, Supreme Ventures exchanged 3,500 shares at $8. Proven Investments US ordinary shares, traded 659,944 units at 24 US cents and JMMB Group 7.5% preference share gained 1 cent, closing at $1.11, with 482,581 units.
C&W reports profit
August 11, 2017 by
J
amaica’s telecom provider, Cable & Wireless, is reporting profit from operation in the June quarter this year, compared to a loss in the same period in 2016.
The company enjoyed an 11 percent rise in revenues helped mainly by a 22 percent increase in mobile revenues to generate $6.8 billion in revenues up from $6 billion in 2016 and profit of $222 million versus a loss of $695 million in the June quarter of 2016. Operating cost fell to $4.24 billion from $4.5 billion in the 2016 quarter to generate profit before finance cost of $1.59 billion. For the six months, revenue of $13.2 billion was generated with a loss of $311 million compared to a profit of $1.1 billion in 2016 from revenues of $11.85 billion.
Subsequent to the quarter the company announced a series of price increases that is set to boost revenues and help the bottom-line. the stock closed on Friday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange at $1.07. The latest information makes this stock one to watch next week.
SOS up 154% since public issue
August 11, 2017 by
Stationery & Office Supplies shares that were listed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Thursday traded as high as $5.80 but closed at a record closing high of $5.08 to record a rise of 154 percent at the close.
Trading in the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed on Friday with a number of stocks advancing out pacing those declining 2 to 1. The volume and value of stocks traded rose sharply compared to that on Thursday as Express Catering traded 12.4 million shares and the market index closed higher by 16.57 points to close at 3,149.79 points to close at 3,133.22.
The Market index traded 15,732,911 shares valued at $100,160,789.54 compared with 554,002 shares valued at $2,805,282 on the previous day. A total of 25 securities traded compared 18 on Thursday with 9 stocks advancing 5 declining and 11 traded firm.
Trading ended with an average of 629,316 units for an average of $4,006,432 in contrast to 30,778 units for an average of $155,849 on Thursday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 210,256 units valued at $1,210,863 compared to 140,412 units valued at $744,935 previously. In contrast, July closed with average of 536,395 units at $1,905,441 for each security traded.
At the close of the market, stocks trading and their last traded price are: Access Finance added 50 cents to close at $46.50 with 15,230 shares, AMG Packaging trading 30,000 units at $3.50, Blue Power closed at $41.50 with 12,277 shares, Cargo Handlers closed with a loss of 50 cents at $11 with 6,848 shares, Caribbean Cream closed at $6.80 with 13,080 shares, Caribbean Flavours ended $1.95 higher and closed at $12.95 with 9,503 shares, Caribbean Producers closed at $3.50 with 109,654 shares, Consolidated Bakeries closed at $2.62 with 4,000 shares, Dolphin Cove lost $2.50 and closed at $17.50 with 1,272,104 shares. 
Express Catering rose 49 cents to $5.50 with 12,431,073 shares, General Accident closed 5 cents higher to $3 with 38,644 shares, Honey Bun dipped 50 cents, to a 52 weeks’ low of $4.50 with 13,400 shares, Jamaican Teas ended 5 cents higher at $4.60 with 3,000 shares, Jetcon Corporation closed 5 cents higher at $5.20 with 124,479 shares, KLE Group closed at $2 with 60,400 shares. Knutsford Express gained 10 cents and closed at $15 with 6,900 shares, Lasco Distributors closed at $6.70 with 202,957 shares, Lasco Financial closed with 22,593 shares trading at $4, Lasco Manufacturing ended at $4.50 with 8,881 shares, Main Event traded at $5 with 14,253 shares, Sweet River closed 3 cents higher at $3.55 with 2,000 shares, tTech dropped $1.45 to $8.05 with 20,513 shares, Eppley 8.25% preference share closed with a loss of 5 cents at $6 with 400 units and Eppley 9.5% preference share closed at $6.60 with 1,000 shares.
TTSE inches up on Friday
August 11, 2017 by
Trading on the Trinidad & Tobago Stock Exchange on Friday, 13 securities changed hands, the same as on Thursday with higher volumes and values as the market ended with few price changes.
At the close, 2 stocks advanced, 11 remained unchanged firm and no losses were recorded. The volume of all trades ended with 419,775 shares at a value of $2,356,840 compared to Thursday’s trades of 199,781 valued at $1,904,796.
The Composite Index advanced 1.26 points to 1,219.94, the All T&T Index was unchanged at 1,792.92 and the Cross Listed Index gained 0.35 points to 86.76 points.
IC bid-offer Indicator| The Investor’s Choice bid-offer ended with 4 stocks with bids higher than last selling prices and 4 with lower offers.
Gains| L.J. Williams B closed at 79 cents, gaining 1 cent with trades of 100 units and NCB Financial Group gained 5 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $4.20 while exchanging 8,000 shares, the stock ended with a bid of $4.21 to buy 50,000 units but with no offers to sell, at the close.
Firm Trades| Ansa McAL closed at $66 with an exchange of 5,694 shares valued at $375,804, Clico Investment traded 914 shares at $21.50, First Citizens closed at $31.66, with 3,129 shares, Grace Kennedy exchanged 3,668 shares at $2.85. Guardian Holdings held firm at $16.50, with 2,500 shares changing hands, Massy Holdings closed at $49 trading 11,042 shares valued at $541,030, Republic Financial Holdings remained at $101.90, with 460 units trading. Sagicor Financial exchanged 300 units at $8.10, Scotiabank closed at $58 exchanging 1,111 shares, Scotia Investments traded 369,717 shares at $2.20 valued at $813,377 and Trinidad & Tobago NGLclosed at $23.50, with an exchange of 13,140 shares valued at $308,789.
TTSE remaining stable
August 11, 2017 by
Trading on the Trinidad & Tobago Stock Exchange on Thursday ended with lower volume and value of securities trading compared to the previous day, resulting from 13 securities changing hands compared to 17 on Wednesday.
The market closed with 2 stocks advancing, 1 declining and 10 holding firm as 199,781 shares traded at a value of $1,904,796 compared to Wednesday’s trades of 288,058 valued at $6,518,541.
The Composite Index advanced 0.86 points to 1,218.68, the All T&T Index added 0.04 points to 1,792.92 and the Cross Listed Index gained 0.23 points to 86.41 points.
IC bid-offer Indicator| The Investor’s Choice bid-offer ended with 4 stocks with bids higher than last selling prices and 3 with lower offers.
Gains| First Citizens gained 1 cent to close at $31.66 with 400 units changing hands and NCB Financial Group closed at a 52 weeks’ high of $4.15 trading 30,312 shares and closed with demand to buy 142,635 units at $4.15 with no stock being offered for sale.
Losses| Prestige Holdings lost 1 cent to close at $10.64 exchanging 45,914 shares valued at $488,525.
Firm Trades| Clico Investment traded 9,770 shares at $21.50, First Caribbean International closed at $8.05, with 30,000 shares, Grace Kennedy exchanged 52,104 shares at $2.85. Guardian Holdings held firm at $16.50, with 3,255 shares switching owners, JMMB Group closed at $1.18 trading 1,700 shares, Massy Holdings closed at $49, with 1,359 shares. One Caribbean Media exchanged 2,850 shares at $14.90, Sagicor Financial remained at $8.10 exchanging 1,264 shares, Scotiabank traded 370 units at $58 and Trinidad & Tobago NGLremained at $23.50, with an exchange of 20,483 shares valued at $481,350.
Stationery shares set to gain over 150%
August 11, 2017 by
SOS executives at the listing ceremony at the JSE.
Stationery & Office Supplies shares were listed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Thursday.
The price of the stock is set to gain more than 150 percent when trading resumes on Friday, if interest in the stock shown on Thursday is anything to go by.
After a successful public offering of the stock in July that was priced at $2, investors traded 278,046 units between $3.50 up to $5 on the opening day. The trades were outside the limit of $2.60 it could trade at based on the limitation of the exchange circuit breaker rule and were cancelled. The circuit breaker rule limits price movement to no more than 30 percent from the last price on the previous trading day. Normally the price would be the last closing stock price, 
subject some variation to this, when the bids or offers are higher than the previous closing price or the offer is lower. The stock closed with the bid at $4.70 which is the effective price on which a 30 percent change can take place in Fridays trading and could result in the price going as high as $6.11.
The market closed with bids to buy up to 4.36 million shares with offers to sell 106,922 units between $5 and $12, but supply is expected to increase on Friday with the price reaching the $5 level.
The listing brings the total of Junior Market ordinary shares listed to 32, which exceeds the listing on the Jamaica Stock Exchange main market listings. Total Junior Market listings are now 36 with 4 preference shares listed.
