Blue Power back in TOP stocks

April 23, 2017 by

Blue Power seems ripe for a stock split.

In another shortened trading week on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, there was only one new entry to the TOP 10 listings. Lasco Distributors rose to $7.29 at the end of the week and was replaced by former top tenner Blue Power that remains a prime candidate for s stock split.
NCB Financial Group which IC Insider.com said last week was worth watching, hit an all-time high of $75 but did not hold at that level and ended the week at $65 as some supply come to the market. Berger Paints is another stock that IC Insider.com said was worth watching pulled back during the week to make it more attractive.
The average PE ratio of the Junior Market are currently at an average of 12 and the main market at 13 based on this year’s estimated. At the close of the week, IC Insider.com’s TOP 10 Junior Market stocks continue to trade at an average discount of just under 35 percent to the Junior Market average, those in the main market are trading at a 52 percent discount, to the average of the market, leaving several stocks with good room for growth for the rest of the year.
The coming week should be dominated by the release of 2017 second quarter results for NCB Financial Group and the announcement of a dividend payment. IC Insider.com projects an increase in the payment based on increased profits.
Overall, bid volumes for junior market stocks remained low excepting for Caribbean Cream, with 181,732 units on the bid at $7.50, Key Insurance with 72,023 units at $3.05, Jamaican Teas with 68,000 shares with a bid of $4.60, and the next highest being Lasco Financial with 22,352 units at $4. Offers are buoyant with 2.7 million units being offered for Eppley at $12, over 400,000 for C2W Music at 50 cents, 200,000 for Jamaican Teas at $4.99, Knutsford Express with a bid of $41 for 229,236 shares and 140,000 shares of Lasco Manufacturing at $6.
Brokerage house, Barita Investments ended the week with 90,004 units offered at $7.10 and only 100 units on the bid of $7, Berger Paints ended the week with an offer of 24,070 units at $14.15 while 3,850 units are on the bid at $13.52. Caribbean Cement continues to trade with a heavy sell bias notwithstanding evidence of increased building activity and that this year’s first quarter results could be out at any time to provide direction for the stock. The cement producer had a bid to buy 27,600 units at $31 and offers of 67,879 shares at $32. JMMB Group’s buying interest picked up his past week and now has a bid at $19 to buy 256,195 units with an offer to sell 50,000 shares at $19.50, NCB Financial Group closed the week with a bid to buy only 1,400 shares at $65, with 261,390 units on offer at $65. Pulse Investments has offers to sell 98,000 units at $8.05 with buying at $7 for 1,000 shares. Radio Jamaica bid is at $1.75 to buy 26,159 units with 85,791 units on offer at $1.79 while investment banker and Scotia Group’s subsidiary, Scotia Investments, closed the week with only 10,000 units on the bid to buy at $37.01 and ended with 4,180 units offered at $39.40.

Filed Under: Buy Rated

NCB & Berger could break out soon

April 17, 2017 by

NCB Financial Group’s shares looks like they could break into the $70 range soon.

In a shortened trading week on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, only one of the TOP 10 listings dropped out with Lasco Financial rising in price and gave way to just inch in Caribbean Flavours at 10th spot. For the coming week, NCB Financial Group is worth watching, with supply and demand at the close of the past week suggesting that the price could break into the $70 range before long.
is another stock worth watching with IC Insider.com upgrading earnings for the 2018 fiscal year starting April, to $1.90 from $1.60 previously used and 2017 earnings to $1.30 from $1.10. Berger ended the previous week with a last sale price of $12.20 but moved up by the end of the week to $14, closing with an offer of 1,453 units at $15 while 22,600 units are on the bid at $13.55.
The average PE ratio of both markets are currently at an average of 12, based on this year’s estimated. At the close of the markets on Thursday, IC Insider.com’s TOP 10 Junior Market stocks continue to trade at an average discount of just under 40 percent to the Junior Market average, those in the main market are trading just below 50 percent discount, leaving several stocks with good room for growth for the rest of the year.
Release of 2017 first quarter results will be important in determining if the steep price discount will continue for much longer, or whether the historical May syndrome of reduced market interest came early this year and last until summer or after, similar to 2016.
Overall bid volumes for junior market stocks remained low at the close of the past week continuing the low levels at the close of the week before.
Caribbean Cement continues to trade with a heavy downside bias notwithstanding the rise in price for the week to $32, with last year’s first quarter results dated April 20, this year’s results could be out in the coming week and provide direction for the stock. JMMB Group’s buying interest is at $18.10 for 2,073 units on the bid and 409,862 units offered at $18.40, NCB Financial Group traded on Thursday at a new record high of $66.90 before pulling back to $65 at the close, supply seems low and could help the price move up ahead of second quarter results, that should be out before month end. The stock also traded at a new high in Trinidad this past week. Pulse Investments has offers to sell 245,639 units at $8 with buying at $7 for 1,000 shares, the same as for the prior week. Radio Jamaica bid is at $1.60 to buy 279,561 units with 100,940 units on offer at $1.75 and Scotia Investments closed the week with only 550 units on the bid to buy at $37 and 4,180 units offered at $39.40.

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TOP 10 selling at steep discount

April 9, 2017 by

I$P hits a new high on Friday.

The IC Insider.com’s TOP 10 Junior Market stocks, continue to trade at an average discount of 40 percent to the market average, while those in the main market are trading at a 50 percent discount presently.
The PE ratio of both markets are currently at an average of 12 based on this year’s estimated earnings.
During the past week ISP Finance hit a new high of $15.50 up from $12.50 at the close of the previous week to gain 24 percent for the week and 675 percent since it was listed just over a year ago, and is now out of the TOP 10. The company reported earnings of 46 cents per share for the year to December 2016 with management suggesting growth in business in the order of 30 to 40 percent for the current year, that should lift earnings sharply. Blue Power was eased out of the Top list for Juniors with Lasco Financial moving in to occupy the tenth spot, this past week. Access Finance that ended the previous week with the bid at $39, traded to end the past week at $34.25 to be back in the list.
Overall bid volumes for junior and main market stocks remain low with the only one of the Top 10 stocks with a sizeable volume on the bid for junior stocks being Key Insurance, with 172,600 units on the bid at $2.50 which is well below the last traded price of $3. Lasco Distributors is next with 37,012 units on the bid at $6.61 and a last sale of $7.30. Blue Power has 17,856 units on the bid at $35 without any stocks on offer.
In the Main market, Barita Investments has limited buying interest at the current price with just 100 units on the bid at $6.86 and just 9,200 units on the offer at $7.70, this represents quite some change form the week past when the offers were at $7, which were taken out by buyers.
Berger Paints ended with 2,500 units on the bid at $12.20 with 4,243 on offer at $12.30. Caribbean Cement’s weak demand continues in the mid-thirty dollar range, with the stock closing with only 2,340 units on the bid to buy at $31.50 while offers are at $32 to sell 53,579 units. JMMB Group’s buying is at $18.55 for 3,200 units on the bid and only 300 units offered at $18.98, Pulse Investments has offers for 245,639 units at $8 and buying at $7 for 1,000 shares while Radio Jamaica bid is at $1.60 to buy 280,761 units with 36,513 units on offer at $1.80 and Scotia Investments closed the week with 38,000 units on the bid to buy at $39.20 and 4,180 units offered at $39.40.

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Berger returns Access out of Top 10

April 3, 2017 by

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Investors pushed down the price of Berger Paints to $12.01 by the end of the past week, pulling it back from $15 and pushing it back in the main market top list as Scotia Group slipped out.
The top main market stocks now sells at a 50 percent discount to the average main market stocks and is lower than the 40 percent discount of stocks in the junior market. During the past week ISP Finance hit a new high of $12.50 up from $12.25 at the close of the previous week, the stock still sits high on the list at number 4.
Top 10 junior stocks are trading at a 40 percent discount to the average of the junior market, at the close of the week. After dropping out of the TOP 10 for the last week Lasco Distributors returned during the end of past week while Lasco Financial Services that entered the list for the start of the past week has been squeezed out with prices declining elsewhere and Access Finance ending the week with the bid of 1,500 shares at $39, to be out of the top listing and Blue Power closing the week at $35 is back in the list. Overall bid volumes for junior and main market stocks remain low with the only ones of the Top 10 with decent volumes on the bid for junior stocks being Caribbean Producers with 60,712 units on the bid at $3.75, General Accident with 53,426 units at $3 and Medical Disposables with 103,417 units with the bid price ending at $6. Offers that are well about the bid volumes include AMG Packaging with an offer to sell 99,723 units at $5.95, Jetcon Corporation with 435,207 units at $12.99 and Lasco Distributors with 973,036 units at $6.70.
In the Main market, Barita Investments has limited buying interest at the current price with just 447 units on the bid at $6.85 and 28,224 units on the offer at $7. Berger Paints ended with 237 units on the bid at $12 with 49,894 on offer at $12.01. Carreras currently, has 38,619 shares on offer at $74 and buying of 3,000 shares at $73.95. Caribbean Cement’s weak demand continues in the mid-thirty dollar range, with the stock closing with only 2,340 units on the bid to buy at $31.50 while offers are at $32 to sell 53,579 units. JMMB Group’s buying is at $16.30 for 50,000 units on the bid and only 100 units offered at $18.24, Pulse Investments has offers for 150,000 units at $8 and buying at $7 for 1,005 shares.
Price movements continued be a bit volatile as buy and sell orders remain thin for several stocks. With little new news to come until a flood of first quarter results start to flow volatility in May, is likely to continue for a few weeks and this could provide patient investors with some good entry points.

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Big Berger gain lets in Scotia

March 25, 2017 by

Scotia enters IC Insider.com’s TOP 10

A big 36 percent jump in the price of Berger Paints kicked it out of the main market TOP listing, allowing Scotia Group into the top list for the very first time. Berger returned to its 52 weeks high of $15 at the end of the week but had 103,511 units on offer at $15 with buying of 1,735 units at $13.01.
The top main market stocks now sell at a 50 percent discount to the average main market stocks and is lower than the discount of stocks in the junior market.
Pulse Investments gained 21 percent during the past week, to end at $8.50 and was the second largest mover in the top listing for main market stocks. Pulse has offers for 118,391 units at $8.50 and buying at $8 for 1,500 shares. Carreras earnings have been up graded with the increase in the price of cigarettes this month, following increased taxes on the product. Interest in the stock is not great currently, with 21,125 on offer at $69.50 and buying of 2,000 shares at $69.20. Radio Jamaica closed the week with 990,792 units on offer at $1.90 and buying for 5,300 units at $1.80. Barita Investments has limited buying interest at the current price with just 447 units on the bid at $6.85 and 171,830 units on the offer at $6.90. With the increased level of construction activity currently taking place in Jamaica and plans for increase construction to meet growing demand for commercial and residential units in the sector, Caribbean Cement’s weak demand continues in the mid-thirty dollar range, with the stock closing with only 2,000 units on the bid to buy at $31.50 while offers are at $32.45 to sell 24,440 units. JMMB Group weakened in the week and now sits at $17.50 but buying is on the weak side, with 5,000 units on the bid at $16.60 and only 378 units offered at $17.50.

Top 10 junior market stocks are trading at a 40 percent discount to the average of the junior market, at the close of the week, this is after Lasco Distributors fell out of the top listing and is replaced
by Lasco Financial Services that suffered a reduction in price during the week to $3.70.
During the past week ISP Finance hit a new high of $12.25 up from $11.75 at the close of the previous week, the stock still sits high on the list at number 3. Access Financial and Jetcon had a bit of price movement during the week, with both closing lower than the week before.
Price movements remained volatile during the past week, as buy and sell orders remained thin for several stocks. With little new news to come until a flood of first quarter results start to flow volatility is likely to continue for a few weeks and this could provide patient investors with some good entry points, if bids and offers are strategically placed. The sharp one week move in Berger signals that supply may not last too long before demand kicks in.

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50% off sale for TOP 10 stocks

March 18, 2017 by

TOP 10 stocks are selling at a discount to the rest of the market of 50 percent, making them the stocks with the best appeal for investors looking for above average returns.
The best indicator that investors who want to beat the market is the be found in the TOP 10 or stocks close to them is the low valuation compared to the market average and ultimately targeted PE based on where the market is based on 2016 earnings. At the close of the week the TOP 10 average PE ratio is 7.5 well off the average market PE of 12 for the junior market while the main market TOP 10 average at 6 is just half the average market PE of 12.
Quite a number of the TOP stocks pulled back in price during the week, with just a few moving higher, one ending at a 52 weeks’ high, another hit a new high and pulled back below the previous week’s ending price.
ISP Finance hit a new high during the past week of $12 and sits just below at $11.75. In the main market Berger Paints hit a new high of $15 during the week but selling pushed it down to $11 at the end of the week
The sharp movements resulted in Dolphin Cove moving out of the TOP 10 junior market list and let in Access Financial which fell in price during the week from $43.80 to as to a recent low of $32.81. Access bounced back to close at $35.62, still low enough to push it back in the TOP 10.
The past week saw some volatility in prices similar to what occurred in the previous week as the thinness in the supply and demand for many stocks leaves prices more exposed than just a few weeks ago when demand was greater.
The 2017/18 budget was officially disclosed the week before, but had little negatively or positively for investors in the short run, longer term there may be winners with a large pool of workers having more disposable income and in the case of Carreras, the tax imposed will mean that the company will take advantage to increase prices and ensure continued growth in profits.

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

3 all-time highs for IC TOP 10 stocks

March 13, 2017 by

Berger closed at a new all-time high on Friday

The prices of several stocks listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange underwent some sharp adjustments in the past week, and especially so on Friday, the day after government disclosed revenues measures for the 2018 fiscal year.
Nothing was disclosed to send negative signals to investors, apart from some slight increase in inflation to be caused by increased taxes on a number of items, which could be partially offset by the rise in the tax threshold for individual taxpayers. If any thing the budget sends a strong message that the next twelve months should be highly positive for investments in stocks and real estate with increased fiscal surplus that have to be generated to meet the 7 percent primary surplus, that will have some deflationary impact and lead to lower interest rates near term. While the tax on cigarettes may initially be considered negative for Carreras the increase will allow the company to garner increased revenues to cover the tax and help boost profits.
The TOP 10 junior and main market stocks saw only a few movements in and out during the past week. A number of the stocks in the list hit new highs during the week. The price of ISP Finance hit a new high of $11.50 as some supply came to the market. With limited supply and the potential for strong growth in profits the stock looks like a candidate for as split before too long. Berger Paints and Pulse Investments climbed sharply to new highs, with the former trading as high as $15 during the week but settled back at $14, up from $11.51 at the close of the previous week. Pulse Investments closed the week at $8.55 and could go higher based on the limited supply on offer at $10.
The markets continue to consolidate while awaiting early signals from 2017 first quarter results. With the TOP stocks valued well below the average of the markets’ PE ratio and at a large discount to the valuation based on 2016 earnings, around 20 times, the Top 10 stocks should continue to record gains once the bull market remains intact.
In the junior market, Dolphin Cove and Jetcon Corporation returns to the top list after exiting, at the close of the previous week and with the latter falling sharply in price to close at $11.03. The two replaced Lasco Manufacturing and AMG Packaging, two that entered in the past week. These stocks are still within striking distance for the top tier listing but market activity in the coming week could change all of that.
In the main market of the Jamaica Broilersreported strong gains in its third quarter profits and should encourage investors to bid the stock up, during the week and Berger Paints seems set to move out of the list by the close of the week and Caribbean Cream and Dolphin Cove could move out of the top list during the week.

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The TOP 10 no brainer investing

March 4, 2017 by

Caribbean Cement highly rated in TOP 10

Investing in the TOP 10 junior or main market stocks is a no brainer. These stocks are valued well below the average of the market PE ratio and at an even larger discount to the valuation based on 2016 earnings, around 20 times.
Investors would be well advised to leave emotions out of investment decision making and get and stick to facts. Investors who bought Jamaica Stock Exchange at $14 now and now seeing it trading at $7 after just a few weeks, can attest to that. Even investors at current prices may find that the price could fall further when the company post its first quarter results. Those results will not enjoy the big income generated in the first quarter of 2016, estimated at $110 million, from the transfer of the shares in Desnoes and Geddes and should result in a big fall in profit for the 2017 quarter. Investors also pushed Jamaica Producers to dizzying heights, only to see a marked decline in the share price after, from $22 down to the $16 level and may have cause to worry with 2016 earnings from continuing operations not supporting the high valuation placed on it.
The market appears to be consolidating with a number of 2016 results not sending strong buy signals currently.
Prices of Access Finance, Dolphin Cove and Jetcon Corporation rose during the past week and exited the IC Insider.com’s Top 10 junior market list. These stocks are still within striking distance for the top tier listing but market activity in the coming week could change all of that.
Jetcon rose 22 percent during the week and 522 percent since it was listed in March last year. Entering the top list are Lasco Distributors, the expectations are that the company will benefit from the claim for damages, with much of the funds retained for income generation purposes,Lasco Manufacturing and AMG Packaging as the prices of all three slipped during the week. AMG Packaging approved 5 for 1 stock split, is to be effected on March 10, after much delay.
In the main market of teh Jamaica Stock Exchange, Cable & Wireless reported larger losses than expected in the nine months to December, as a result IC Insider.com revised the forecast for 2017 down to just 10 cents on the assumption of continued strong growth in revenues. The stock fell out of the top list as a result of the earnings down grade. The move by Cable & Wireless let Jamaica Broilers into the list with the stock prices falling to $14.54 on Friday.

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Car dealer doubles 2015 profit

March 1, 2017 by

Jetcon ends at a new closing high of $13 on Tuesday.

Profit for 2016 more than doubled for pre-owned car dealer, Jetcon Corporation, moving from $51 million in 2015 to $105 million before tax and from $40 million to $98 million after tax and resulted in a 49.4 percent average rate of return on capital, up from 46.6 percent in 2015.
Earnings per share ended the year at 54 cents for the first year that the company listed on the junior market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
Revenues for the year grew by 64 percent, higher than the 49 percent increase for 2015 over 2014. The performance resulted in revenues of $858 million versus $524 million in 2015. The company’s revenues increased over the prior year, in each quarter, ending at $148 million in the first quarter, $195 million in the June quarter, $268 million in the September quarter and $228 million in the December quarter.
Gross profit increased by 75 percent as gross profit margin increased over 2015. Selling and marketing expenses more than doubled to $13 million from $6 million in 2015 while administrative and other expenses climbed by a third to $36 million from $27 million.
Growth in profit, helped to propel the stock from its initial listing price of $2.25 to a high of $13 reflecting a gain of 478 percent since it listed in March 2016. A trade at $14.80 towards the end of trading on Tuesday was cancelled.
Capital| Jetcon put the net new capital of just under $90 million raised in the initial public offer (IPO) into increased inventory, resulting in increased choices and strong sales growth in the post listing period.
The economic environment is positive to allow for increased business. Some of these are reduction in lending rates and a high percentage of the value of vehicles covered by lending institutions. Improvement in the wider economy backed by tax reductions for some workers, along with increased remuneration and the lowest inflation rate in several decades would all have played a part.
Gross cash flow generated from operations, ended at $100 million but inventories grew by $166 million, to end the year at $251 million, including goods in transit. The capital from the IPO and the profit for the year strengthened to financials, with equity capital of $294 million up from just $107 million at the end of 2015.

Jetcon Corporation revenues enjoyed strong growth for 2016

The directors approved an interim dividend of 7 cents per share, payable on March 15, 2017 to shareholders on record as of February 24, 2017 and will be recommending that a 3 for 1 stock split be considered by shareholders for approval at the upcoming annual general meeting to be hold later this year.
Update| According to a release by the company, revenues for 2017 up to the date of the report, is 77 percent ahead of the first two months of 2016. “Based on orders on our books and sales for 2017 towards the end of February, we expect revenues and profit in Q1, to be ahead of that for 2016, barring unforeseen developments.”
“Whilst we cannot say with certainty that the above pace of sales growth will continue for the full year, our budgets, forecast and strategies for the year, is for increased revenues and profit as we work as a team to build the company into one that the stakeholders will view positively”, the statement concluded.
If the pace of growth in revenues seen for the first two months, continues to the end of March, revenues for the quarter would be the higher than in any quarter for 2016.
Persons contributing to articles on listed companies may have connection with them and may have interest in their shares.

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Changes for TOP 10 stocks

February 25, 2017 by

Gains in the overall market of 20 percent for the year to date have spawned some attractive gains for many stocks, but there is likely to be much more to come for the rest of the year.
The junior market hit new highs during the past week but pulled back quite a bit on Friday, leading to positive and negative price changes. ISP Finance had two sizable trades during the week, the price was up to a new high of $10 but closed the week at $9. Medical Disposables slipped by $1.40 to $6 at the end of the week. Access Finance closed with the bid at $38 compared to $35 last week. Earnings for Lasco Manufacturing and Lasco Financial were reduced following release of the December results and partially accounted for the fall out of the TOP 10 for the two. Lasco Manufacturing sits just below the TOP 10 with a PE of 9 while Lasco Financial is in 16th spot with a PE of 10, both are below the junior market average of 12. The space left by the two, have been filled by General Accident having a PE of 8 and Caribbean Producers valued at a PE of just under 9.
In Main market TOP 10 trading activity during the past week, Jamaica Broilers jumped to $16 from $14.50 to end up be edged out of the top list by Scotia Investments. Strong demand pushed the number 1 main market stock, Cable & Wireless to $1.50 from $1.28 at the start of the week with more news on a potential offer to buy out minority shareholders by Liberty Global, while Caribbean Cement jumped to a new high of $39.60 but closed with just limited selling at $45. The company reported profit of $1.3 billion for 2016 down from $1.55 billion in 2015. In 2016 there were exceptional costs of $807 million while 2015 had one off income of $168 million. The cost savings that will flow from the cut in the labour force will have a positive effect on cost for 2017. Broilers that now sits just below the TOP 10 boast a PE of just 8 compared to an average for the main market of 12 and a potential of 20 for the year.

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