Buy Rated — Page 67

Jamaican Teas 2014 profit drops

January 5, 2015 by IC Insider.com

Jamaican Teas reported sharply lower profit, last year to September, of $52.7 million versus $93 million in 2013, with earnings per share of 31 cents. The figures were reported in the group’s audited financial statements release last week.
The results emanated from sale revenues of $1.14 billion down from $1.23 billion in 2013. There was approximately $50 million coffee sales included in the 2013 results with none in 2014. In 2013 the real estate segment contributed $185 million in revenues compared to only $26 million in 2014 with most coming in the September 2013 quarter.
Gross profit margin shrank slightly from 21.89 percent to 21 percent for the year, helping to cut gross profit by $17 million. Other operating income climbed to $24.7 million from $12.9 million in 2013, partially due to losses on sale of, and impairment of investments incurred in 2013, amounting to $13.5 million, but did not occur in 2014.

The Orchid property being developed that should add to Jamaican Teas’ profits in 2015 & 2016.

The company increased marketing spend by 50 percent for the year, in the local and overseas markets, to maintain or increase market share, while administrative expenses climbed 25 percent for the year and finance cost rose by 108 percent. The acquisition of the factory at Bell Road, is partially funded by loans, contributing to the increase. There was also duplication of some cost while the factory was being refurbished for occupation. In the final quarter, adjustments to cost and some asset values helped to depress the profit for the year and is not an indication that the group has moved into a longer-term lossmaking period.
Changes in our distributorship in the Florida at the start of the fiscal year resulted in some short-term fall out in sales and increased marketing cost. A new distributor was appointed in the US market that will provide wider distribution in some key cities within that country. Revenues are expected to benefit from this development starting with the December quarter. The 2015 revenues, should also benefit from the completion of sales of 16 units in the first phase of the real estate development in St Thomas. The supermarket in Savanna-la-Mar was close to a break even by year-end and while the one in Kingston remained profitable. The Montego Bay supermarket reported losses in line with what was incurred in the prior year.

There was approximately $50 million increased borrowed funds at the end of the year, putting borrowings at $304 million. The profile of the debt changed markedly, with long-term loans accounting for two thirds of the debt at the end of the fiscal year compared with just 2 percent in 2013. The portfolio of investments including equities, stood at $123 million at the year-end and shareholders’ equity of $635 million.
The company imports of black and green tea in bulk for packaging and the distribution local and overseas. it also packages and distributes herbal teas and distributes other bottled water, coconut milk and other pre-packaged food items. the group operates supermarkets and is involved in the rental of residential properties and the development of real estate for resale.The stock is listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange and last traded at $2.50.

Filed Under: Buy Rated, Company News, Company Results Tagged With: Jamaican Teas, Orchid Estate

Cargo Handlers’ Q4 profit doubles

January 1, 2015 by IC Insider.com

Profit for the September quarter at Cargo Handlers is up 117 percent over the 2013 results to $49.7 million from revenues that climbed a very strong 77 percent. Profit rose by a smaller 55 percent, for the nine months ending September this year, to $131.7 million or $3.52 per share from revenues for the nine months of $220 million.
Other income, mainly foreign exchange gains, fell 13 percent in the quarter and was flat for the year, at $16 million. During the year the company earned $13.6 million from leasing and $8.9 million from management fees charged to a related party – Bulk Liquid Carrier and Petroleum Transport Ltd.
Administrative expenses dropped 31 percent in the quarter and 9 percent for the year but operat9ing expenses climbed 37 percent for the quarter and 22 percent for the year well below the increase in revenues. The company paid a dividend of $1.80 per share during the year for a yield in excess of 13 percent based on the stock price of $13.50 at the start of 2014.
Looking forward the foreign exchange gains earned in the last two years is unlikely to repeat in 2015 as the Jamaican dollar is unlikely to slip to the same degree it did in the recent past, so earnings will need to exclude most of these gains which amounts to just over 40 cents per share. Investors could be looking at earnings per share around $4.80 in 2015. At a price of $16 the stock is undervalued but they are difficult to come by.
Equity capital stood at $200 million and net book value at $5.33 per share. There is virtually no borrowings and cash of $93 million.
The company is involved in primarily in stevedoring services and is in the process of acquiring a petroleum haulage company which it now manages pending completion of the sale. The stock is listed on the Jamaican Stock Exchange.

Filed Under: Buy Rated, Company News, Company Results Tagged With: Bulk Liquid Carrier and Petroleum Transport Ltd, Cargo Handlers, company results, Jamaica Stock Exchange

NCB 2014 profit trumps 2013 by a KM

December 9, 2014 by IC Insider.com

National Commercial Bank net profit for 2014 hit $11.6 billion, a big jump from the NDX affected $8.58 billion in 2013. Earnings per share for the year ended at $4.73 just below IC Insider forecast of $4.80.
The 2013 profit was negatively affected by a huge $1.5 billion charge, from losses picked up when they exchanged high yielding government bonds for lower yielding ones and $680 million written off relating to the attempt to list on the New York Stock Exchange. The group is reporting net profit of $2.87 billion, for the September quarter compared to $1.8 billion in 2013, the latter was affected by a number of one off charges.
The 2013 full year was also negatively impacted by a $281 million hit from receivership expenses, an increase over the amount spent in 2012 of $172 million and a healthy rise in Technical, consultancy and professional fees of $1.09 billion compared with $846 million in 2012.
This year results benefited from a few one off items as well. Gain on acquisition of subsidiary contributed $301 million and gain on sales of shares in Kingston Wharves added $349 million but this is in lieu booking their share of profits for the quarter had they not sold. The group suffered a loss of $200 million on securities impairment and critically, although loan loss provision is up $200 million, the large increase in the final quarter is $700 million more than at the same time in 2013. For the full year, loan losses amount to $2.2 billion versus $2.1 billion for the previous year.
Salaries allowances and benefits cost was down in the quarter to $2.6 billion from $2.9 in the similar quarter, and for the year to $11.5 billion versus $11.2 billion in 2013. Other operating cost was up to $10.4 billion for the full year, from $9.4 billion in 2013 and for the quarter $3.1 billion from $2.8 billion.
Growth| For 2014, loans grew pretty strongly by 12 percent, moving from $143.6 billion to $157 billion and customer deposits of $202 billion, increased by $23.8 billion, or 13 percent, resulting in net interest income being steady, in the September quarter, for both years, as well as in the June quarter at roughly $6 billion each. Net interest income was up $1 billion for the year over 2013 to reach $24.66 billion from $23.56 billion. Fees and commission income moved up to $10.6 billion net, compared to $9.7 billion in 2013. Premium income grew to $7 billion from $5 billion in 2013. Gains on sale of debt securities and foreign exchange trading gains jumped to $2.6 billion versus $1 billion in 2013.
Segment| Segment results were mixed with strong increases in some, while other areas fell below the 2013 performance. Retail & SME, reported improved profits for 2014 of $1.56 billion versus $793 million in 2013. Payment Services climbed down from $2.1 billion to $1.57 billion in 2014, Corporate Banking ended 2014 with $500 million versus $850 million previously, Treasury & Correspondent Banking jumped from $1.87 billion in 2013 to $3.7 billion in the latest year. Wealth, Asset Management and Investment Banking moved down from $3.88 billion to $3.6 billion, Life Insurance and Pension Fund Management climbed from $2.17 billion to $2.9 billion and General Insurance income of $557 million in 2013 jumped to $1.28 billion.
NCB hiked their final dividend for the year to 96 cents per shares. IC Insider’s forecast for the 2015 earnings is $5.75 per share and with the current price at just over $18 per share the stock is severely undervalued with significant upside potential.

Filed Under: Buy Rated, Company News, Company Results Tagged With: Dividends, Insurance, NCB, wealth management

JMMB makes strong recovery in Q2

November 21, 2014 by IC Insider.com

Add your HTML code here...

Profit for September quarter at Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB) made a spirited recovery from the fall of 27 percent, in the June quarter to a more moderate 7 percent decline to reach $651 million from $697 million in September 2013. For the year to date, the decline is down to 17 percent to $1.2 billion.
Two main issues led to this performance, the main income generator, Interest income grew 20 percent in the quarter and 18 percent year to date but net interest income grew much more slowly at 14 percent and 12 percent respectively. Other revenues rose 37 percent in the September quarter and 33 percent for the six months but expenses jumped 45 percent in the quarter and 49 percent for the six months ending September this year, to $3.5 million. JMMB made some progress in cutting cost in the quarter but much more will be needed in the months ahead if the pace of increased cost is to be kept in line with or below the growth rate of income. “Expenses associated with the expansion of the Group through the acquisition of IBL accounted for $715 million (63 percent) of this increase and the remaining $421 (37 percent) is explained by costs associated with integration, growth in subsidiaries in the regional markets, increase in asset tax and normal inflationary increases,” Management states.
The banking segment had improved the results from $125 million in 2013 to $269 million in 2014, partially due to the acquisition of the Intercommercial Bank in October 2013, while financial and related services moved from $1.69 billion down to $1.25 billion.
Total assets grew from $172 billion in September last year to $224 billion in September, this year. The growth in asset is 10 percent or annualised at 20 percent since the fiscal year end in March. Equity stood at $20 billion at the end of September. The growth in assets is pretty strong and should result in strong increase in profits going forward.
JMMB stock last traded on the Jamaica Stock Exchange at $7 and on the Trinidad Stock Exchange at TT 45 cents.