More gains for Jamaican dollar – Monday

July 10, 2017 by

Dealers in Jamaica’s foreign currency market saw the equivalent of US$13 million more funds coming into the system than left, helping to drive the value of Jamaican dollar further upwards with the selling rates of the United States dollar dropping to J$128.37, down from J$128.43 on Friday.
Dealers bought the United States dollar at J$127.49 up from JS$127.41 previously.
The positive net inflows on Monday continue the trend set for the prior week with surplus inflows on each day.
Dealers purchased US$50.44 million and sold US$37.4 million, of all currencies on Monday. On Friday, inflows into the market generated US$36.2 million in all currencies, while US$30.2 million was sold to the public.
In USA dollar trading, inflows into the system ended at US$46.3 million versus US$32.3 million on Friday while selling amounted to US$34.8 million versus US$27 million on Friday.
The selling rate for the Canadian dollar rose to J$99.98 compared to J$99.79 at the close on Friday, while the British Pound cost less at the close on Monday, with J$163.85 buying the British currency versus J$165.19 on Friday and the Jamaican dollar gained value against the euro, with it taking J$146.69 to buy the European common currency on Monday versus Friday’s rate of J$148.09.

 

Filed Under: FX Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Trinidad stocks up on weak sentiment

July 10, 2017 by

The Trinidad & Tobago Stock Exchange closed on Monday Market with a negative bias even as the all three market indices rose from a positive advance, decline ratio.

Market activity resulted in 12 securities changing hands, compared to 10 on Friday.
At the close a total of 4 stocks advanced, 2 declined and 6 remaining unchanged as price changes were moderate, ranging from 1 cent to a high of 5 cents.

IC bid-offer Indicator| The Investor’s Choice bid-offer ended with just 2 stocks with bids higher than last selling prices and 6 with lower offers.
The Composite Index advanced 0.33 points to 1,206.79, the All T&T Index gained 0.29 points to 1,790.31 and the Cross Listed Index was up 0.05 points to 83.50.
At the end of trading, 103,284 shares changed hands at a value of $1,450,577 compared to Friday’s trades of 343,205 valued at $8,980,169.
Gains| First Citizens gained 5 cents to close at $31.65, with an exchange of 11,597 shares valued at $367,043, Grace Kennedy closed at $2.71, rising by 1 cent while trading 30,000 shares, Sagicor Financial closed with a gain of 1 cent to $8.01 exchanging 13,987 units and Scotiabank traded 3 cents higher to close at $58.03, with 802 units switching owners.
Losses| Guardian Media lost 5 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ low of $18.35, trading 19 units and JMMB Group was down 1 cent, closing at $1.25 with 813 shares changing hands.
Firm Trades| Ansa McAL closed at $66, with 10,309 units valued at $680,397 trading, NCB Financial Group exchanged 30,928 shares at $4.05, Point Lisas traded 4,200 units at $3.88. Prestige Holdings remained at $10.70, with 285 units changing hands, Republic Financial Holdings closed at $101.90, with 119 shares being exchanged and Trinidad & Tobago NGL held firm at $21.90 trading 225 units.

Filed Under: Stock Market, TTSE Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Devon House I Scream same old taste new experience

July 9, 2017 by

Inside the new Devon House Ice Cream store.

Ice Cream is a welcomed delicacy, meant to be a titivating experience for the palate. What better way to fill the delectable urgings than to make the experience of acquiring the sought after product, pleasant, if not delightfully.
Devon House Ice Cream, a favourate with Jamaicans and visitors alike, saw an increasing number of patrons descending on its primary point of sale, in droves in what was then a crammed and uninviting space particularly on weekends and public holidays. The company operating the store, has moved the experience to a much higher level, with their new and spacious store at a new location at Devon House.
A recent visit, admittedly, around 1 PM on a Sunday, made the experience noticeable. There was abundant space, with good spacing for the cashiers section hosting a number of machines for booking orders and a wide expanse for orders to be placed and collected. Gone are the limited space that required patrons to move outside while waiting on orders to be filled. Gone too are the numbering system now replaced by stanchions guiding patrons towards to area for delivery of the orders.
All in all it is a much improved experience and one that customers are sure to delight in, especially when they compare it with the former slave trade like experience of persons being cramped into a small space awaiting orders.

Filed Under: Company News, General Business News Tagged With:

Office supplies’ company heads TOP 10

July 9, 2017 by
Add your HTML code here...

IC Insider.com BUY RATED Stationery and Office Supplies (SOS) jumped into the TOP 10 Junior Market stocks in the number one position at the close of the past week.

The SOS stock which opens to the public for purchase, starting on the 19th of this month, is priced at $2 and is expected to close on the same day it opens, as sentiments towards it are very positive.
SOS is projected by IC Insider.com to produce earnings of 40 cents per share for 2018 and is expected to benefit from the increased exposure leading up to the listing and the continuing exposure post listing, giving them an added advantage over the competition. Medical Disposables sits second spot and Caribbean Producers is in at the third spot. CAC 2000 moved into the TOP 10 with the price having fallen to $6.57 by the end of the week.
The inclusion of SOS and CAC 2000 means that Lasco Distributors and Lasco Finance have been edged out of the Top listing. Express Catering that goes to market on July 12, is priced at a level placing them well outside the top listing.
In the main market Sagicor Group fell to $30 by week end and helped it into the TOP 10 lists edging out Grace Kennedy in the process.
Market movement continues to be constrained by near term resistance levels, it does not prevent stocks from moving in either direction, but it will tend to keep prices overall from big movements upwards.
The average PE ratio for the Junior Market Top stocks remain at 7 even with SOS being added at a PE of 5 times 2017 earnings. The PE for the main market slipped to 6.7 with the sharp fall in prices during the week. The average PE for the overall main market, is down to 13 while it remains at 12 for Junior Market, based on 2017 estimated earnings.
At the close of the week, IC Insider.com’s TOP 10 Junior Market stocks now trade at an average discount of 40 percent to the Junior Market average, while those in the main market are trading at a 49 percent discount, to the average of the market, leaving stocks with room for growth in the months ahead.

Filed Under: Buy Rated, Stock Market, Stocks to watch Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jamaica’s remittances crawl higher

July 9, 2017 by

Jamaica garnered US$752 million in remittance inflows in the four months to April this year or just 1.7 percent over the same period in 2016. For the similar period in 2016 inward remittances grew 3.5 percent over 2015.

The increase rate pales in comparison to Guatemala which grew of 13.6 percent, El Salvador 10.6 percent and Mexico 6.8 per cent, data from Bank of Jamaica stated.
Outgoing remittances fell 2.7 percent to US$78 million for the 4 months versus the four months period in 2016 and resulted in net inflows of US$674 million for an increase of 2.2 percent or US$14.5 million relative to the previous corresponding period.
The USA, continues to be the main source for remittances with 66 percent, followed by United Kingdom at 11.9 percent, Canada 9.4 percent and the Cayman Islands 6.1 percent. The flows from the Cayman Islands continues to raise concerns as the amounts are out of proportion to the population size of that country.
As large as remittance flows are, data contained in the remittance report for April out of Jamaica’s central bank show a decline in relation to Tourist Expenditure, falling from 95.6 percent in 2014 to 90.3 percent in 2016. The comparison with exports, shows a far differing pattern, with it almost being twice the level of 2016 exports, at 192 percent compared to 149 percent in 2014. As a percentage of imports, remittances have moved to 48 percent versus 37 percent in 2014.

Filed Under: Economy, FX Market

Jamaica stock market plunged on Friday

July 7, 2017 by

The Jamaica Stock Exchange main market had a big hit on Friday as declining stocks outnumbered advancing ones, 2 to 1 as investors marked prices of several stocks sharply down leading to a fall of more than 5,000 points in the all Jamaica composite Index.
At the close, the All Jamaica Composite Index plunged 5,207.13 points to close at 254,236.40, the JSE Market Index dived 4,744.29 points to 231,638.15 and the JSE US dollar market index gained 2.61 points to close at 175.65.
At the close of trading, 27 securities changed hands in the main market, with 1 trading in the US dollar market, and 1 in bond market. Activity led to 7 stocks advancing and 13 declining. The main market ended with 3,946,660 units valued at $78,337,785 changing hands compared to 1,498,592 units valued at $27,780,303 at the close on Thursday. Trading in the US dollar market accounted for 832,819 units valued at US$188,222 bringing the total trade in all the markets to J$320,285,532.
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 4 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 1 with a lower offer.
The main market ended trading with an average of 146,173 units valued at $2,901,399 for each security traded compared to an average of 59,944 units valued at $1,111,212. The average volume and value for the month to date ended at 134,528 units with an average value of $3,095,516 compared with an average of 131,617 units with an average value of $3,144,045 on the previous trading day. The average volume and value for June ended at 218,951 units with an average value of $3,871,959.
In market activity, Berger Paints closed at $14.80, losing $1.90 in trading 2,182 shares, Cable and Wireless lost 5 cents and closed at $1.05, with 588,717 stock units switching owners, Caribbean Cement traded 30 cents lower to close at $27.50 in exchanging 2,927 shares, Carreras traded $1 lower after closing at $88 with 3,396 shares changing hands. Grace Kennedy closed at $41.99, losing 1 cent in trading 39,817 units. Jamaica Broilers exchanged 2,000 shares at $18, Jamaica Producers lost 56 cents to close at $14.45, with 12,939 shares switching owners. Jamaica Stock Exchange ended at $6.40 trading 28,978 shares, JMMB Group closed at $18.60, with a loss of 90 cents in exchanging 18,126 units, Kingston Properties traded 2,569 units at $8, Kingston Wharves closed at $30.50, with gains of 50 cents from the trading of 6,400 shares, Mayberry Investments gained 14 cents to close at $4.69, with 15,113 shares changing hands. NCB Financial Group rose 50 cents and closed at $70.50, after exchanging 6,291 shares, 1834 Investments lost 3 cents in closing at $1.32 with 14,400 shares traded, PanJam Investment gained 15 cents to close at $34.25, with 355,285 units changing hands, Portland JSX exchanged 1,000 units at $10.01, Proven Investments traded 1,387,365 shares at $24.01, Pulse Investments lost 50 cents to close at $3, with 37,114 shares changing hands, Radio Jamaica shed 10 cents lower to close at $1.50 with 100,638 shares trading. Sagicor Group closed at $30, with a loss of $3 trading 10,436 shares, Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 1,800 units at $12.24, Scotia Group traded $1 lower, to end at $42 with an exchange of 617,719 shares, Scotia Investments traded 11,395 shares ad closed at $36.01, Sterling Investments closed at $14.05, with a loss of $1.45 and 2,000 shares changing ownership while Supreme Ventures gained 50 cents to close at $7.50 and with an exchange of 5,500 shares. Proven Investments US ordinary shares closed at 22 US cents in trading 832,819 units, JMMB 7.5% preference share gained 15 cents to close at $2 in exchanging 671,301 units, JMMB Group7.25% preference share rose 6 cents, closing at an 52 weeks’ high of $1.55, with 1,252 units changing hands and ISP Finance bond traded 207,000 units at $1.

 

Filed Under: Feature Stories, JSE Main Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Juniors drop 5% for week

July 7, 2017 by

At the close of the Junior Market on Friday, the market index shed almost 5 percent as it fell 68.54 points on and 157.79 points for the week, to end at 3,064.46. Advancing stocks  outnumbered declining ones, 6 to 5, at the close of trading, for the week.
The market closed with 19 securities versus 16 on Thursday leading to 1,798,125 units valued at $9,009,745 trading, compared with 1,273,040 units valued at $6,292,991 on Thursday.
Trading closed with 7 stocks having higher bids than their last traded prices and 1 closing with a lower offer as the short term desire to sell continued to dominate the market currently.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average of 94,638 units for an average value of $474,197 compared to 67,002 units for an average value of $331,210 on Thursday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 74,132 units valued at $402,551 compared with units 69,006 units valued at $384,639 previously. In contrast, June closed with averages of 395,969 units valued at $1,799,200 for each security traded.
At the close of the market, Access Financial Services lost 50 cents to close at $46.50, trading 199 units AMG Packaging closed at $4 with 22,679 units changing hands, Blue Power closed at $50 with 862 units changing hands, CAC 2000 shed $1.43 to end at $6.75 with 27,757 shares trading, Cargo Handlers traded 1,259 shares and fell 5 cents to $14.45, Caribbean Flavours ended trading 240 units at $12.10, Caribbean Producers closed trading with 11,400 units to end at $3.40, Consolidated Bakeries closed trading with 12,732 shares at $2.72, Derrimon Trading ended at $8.05 with 132,000 shares changing hands, General Accident closed trading with 103,720 shares to end at $2.90, Iron Rock lost 30 cents and closed with 200 units, changing hands at $3.20 Jamaican Teas lost 30 cents trading 9,800 shares, to end at $3.80, Jetcon Corporation shed 55 cents to $4.50 with 804,795 shares trading, Knutsford Express traded 11,582 shares and lost 15 cents to end at $14.85, Lasco Distributors closed at $6.80 after trading 16,000 units, Lasco Financial ended with 68,052 shares changing hands at $3.60 after slipping 20 cents, Lasco Manufacturing fell 40 cents and ended with 535,551 shares trading, to close at $4.30. Main Event gained 50 cents to end trading 31,922 shares at $5.50 and Medical Disposables lost 50 cents and closed at $5.50 with 7,375 units trading.

Filed Under: JSE Junior Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

J$ resumes revaluation – Friday

July 7, 2017 by

After slipping modestly against the US dollar on Thursday the Jamaican dollar resumes its more than one month revaluation again on Friday, as inflows of foreign exchange continues to exceed outflows at an increasing rate.
Dealers sold the US dollar for an average that was 2 cents lower than on Thursday, to close at $$128.43 as US$36.2 million entered the market and US$30.2 million left, of all currencies on Friday. On Thursday, inflows into the market generated US$44.3 million in all currencies, while US$38.9 million was sold to the public.
In USA dollar trading, inflows into the system ended at US$32.3 million versus US$30.9 million on Thursday while selling amounted to US$27 million compared to US$25.4 million on Thursday.
The week to Friday, netted US dollar equivalent of US$34.3 million while the in United States currency, the surplus ended at US$29.8 million. For the first full week in July, total inflows amounted to $214 million compared to US$192 million in June while outflows in July ended at US$180 versus US$170 million in June. Flows for the US dollar in July, ended with US$177.55 million flowing into the system and $147.7 million flowing out, compared to US$172.14 million and US$158.43 million respectively in June.
At the close, the Jamaican dollar value rose, with the selling rate of J$128.43 for one US dollar, down from J$128.45 it ended at on Thursday. Dealers bought the United States dollar at J$127.41 down from JS$127.49 previously.
The selling rate for the Canadian dollar climbed to J$99.79 compared to J$99.63 at the close on Thursday, while the British Pound cost less at the close on Friday with J$165.19 buying the British currency versus J$166.06 on Thursday and the Jamaican dollar gained value against the euro, with it taking J$148.09 to buy the European common currency on Friday versus Thursday’s rate of J$150.78.

 

Filed Under: Feature Stories, FX Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Massy dominates TTSE trading on Friday

July 7, 2017 by

Massy was the most  dominant trade on Friday.

Trading activity on the Trinidad & Tobago Stock Exchange remained low-keyed on Friday with only 10 securities changing hands compared to 9 on Thursday but number of units increased as well as the value of the units traded increased over Thursday’s levels.
Massy Holdings and Scotia Investments led trading with 55 percent and 31 percent of the market respectively, with 343,205 shares changed hands at a value of $8,980,169 compared to Thursday’s trades of 260,831 valued at $1,442,039.
Trading closed with 2 stocks advancing, 4 declining and 4 holding firm leading to the Composite Index declining 1.38 points to 1,206.46. The All T&T Index lost 0.09 points to 1,790.02 and the Cross Listed Index fell 0.37 points to 83.45.
IC bid-offer Indicator| The Investor’s Choice bid-offer ended with 5 stocks with bids higher than last selling prices and 5 with lower offers.
Gains| Scotia Investments traded 5 cents higher, closing at $2.05 exchanging 51,900 shares and Trinidad & Tobago NGL closed at $21.90, rising by 1 cent, trading of 128,202 shares valued at $2,807,624.
Losses| Clico Investment lost 1 cent to close at $22.50 exchanging 15,495 shares valued at $348,719, Massy Holdings ended trading at a 52 weeks’ low of $49.98 with 99,818 shares changing hands at a value of $4,988,968, Sagicor Financial closed at $8, losing 48 cents with 35,600 shares traded and Scotiabank was down 3 cents to $58, with 2,475 shares exchanged.
Firm Trades| First Citizens traded 2,632 shares at $31.60, JMMB Group closed at $1.26, with 5,000 units switching owners, National Enterprises exchanged 18 units at $10.50 and Republic Financial Holdings closed at $101.90, with trades of 2,065 shares.

Filed Under: Stock Market, TTSE Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jamaica just eked out Q1 growth

July 7, 2017 by

Economic activity in Jamaican in the March 2017 quarter was virtually zero, according the data put out by Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin), the government body charged to collating economic data on the country. The results are subject to revision with the final out turn likely to be arrived at more than a year from now.
Statin stated that weather conditions affected production in both agricultural and the mining sector in the quarter leading to declines in those sectors.
According to the release by Statin, the economy grew by a mere “0.1 percent in real terms for the first quarter of 2017 when compared to the similar quarter of 2016. This growth was due mainly to a 0.4 percent increase in the Services industries. While there were improved performances in both the Manufacturing and Construction industries.” “The overall goods producing industries declined by 0.9 percent,” the report stated.
All industries within the Services industries recorded higher levels of output with the exception of Producers of Government Services which remained relatively unchanged.

Growth in Manufacturing grew 2.7%.

Increased output was recorded for: Electricity & Water (0.5 percent), Wholesale & Retail Trade; Repairs; Installation of Machinery & Equipment (0.3 percent), Hotels & Restaurants (1.1 percent), Transport, Storage & Communication (0.4 percent), Finance & Insurance Services (1.0 percent), Real Estate, Renting & Business Activities (0.3 percent) and Other Services (0.4 percent). Increase in visitor arrivals and increased activities in the restaurant group positively impacted the Hotels & Restaurants industry. Output of the Goods Producing industries declined by 0.9 percent due largely to a 3.6 percent reduction in Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing and a 9.9 percent decline in Mining & Quarrying.
“The performance of the Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing industry was negatively affected by drought conditions in the south central parishes and heavy rainfall in the North Eastern parishes. The Mining & Quarrying industry was affected by operational problems at one of the factories, heavy rainfall and a loss in the market share from the United States of America for crude bauxite. The Manufacturing industry grew by 2.7 percent and Construction by 0.6 percent. Increased output from the Manufacturing industry was influenced mainly by a 5 percent increase in the Food, Beverages & Tobacco sub-industry. The overall growth in the Manufacturing industry was however, tempered by a 3.4 percent fall in petroleum output. The performance of the Construction industry reflected increased activities in the building construction and building installation sub-groups. The industry continued to benefit from the expansion and renovation in the hotel sector,” Statin said.

Filed Under: Economy, Feature Stories Tagged With: ,