The Junior Market took another big hit on Monday, as trading levels dipped 77 percent below Friday’s levels, with a fall of 66.04 points, the second consecutive day of more than 60 points fall, following the near 69 points loss on Friday.
The latest fall, brings the loss since the start of July to 224 points or 7 percent, with index closing at 2,998.42 points, which is the lowest level since April 18, this year, when the index closed at 2,998.48. The market index is down 11 percent since it peaked at an all-time high of 3,375.24 points on May 24, this year.
Market activity resulted in declining stocks outnumbered advancing ones 8 to 7, as 18 securities were traded versus 19 on Friday. Investors exchanged a mere 405,167 units valued at $2,384,673 compared with 1,798,125 units valued at $9,009,745 on Friday.
Trading closed with 3 stocks having higher bids than their last traded prices and 1 closing with a lower offer.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average of 22,509 units for an average value of $132,482 compared to 94,638 units for an average value of $474,197 on Friday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 65,529 units valued at $357,539 compared with 74,132 units valued at $402,551 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 30 cents to close at $46.20, trading 1,440 units, AMG Packaging closed at $4 with 3,000 units changing hands, Blue Power saw investors chopped $6 off the price to at $44 with 1,500 units changing hands, Caribbean Cream shed 6 cents to end at $7.80 with 102,300 shares trading, 
Caribbean Flavours ended trading 476 units at $12, after falling by 10 cents, Caribbean Producers closed trading with 132,698 units to end at $3.50 after adding 10 cents, Consolidated Bakeries closed trading with 2,714 shares at $2.72, Dolphin Cove rose by 25 cents to end at $18.25 with 7,021 shares changing hands, Honey Bun closed trading with 9,038 shares to end at $5.70 with a rise of 20 cents, ISP Finance dropped by $2.50 and closed with 800 units changing hands at $16, Jamaican Teas rose 10 cents trading 55,000 shares, to end at $3.90, Jetcon Corporation rose 35 cents to $4.85 with 5,807 shares trading, Knutsford Express traded 8,618 shares and gained 64 cents to end at $15.49, Lasco Distributors shed 80 cents and closed at $6 after trading 9,570 units, Lasco Financial ended with 12,000 shares changing hands at $3.60, Lasco Manufacturing rose 25 cents and ended with 13,400 shares trading, to close at $4.55, Main Event fell 40 cents to end trading 31,659 shares at $5.10 and tTech traded 8,126 units and lost $1 to close at $8.50.
Jamaica stock market plunged on Friday
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 $1.
J$ resumes revaluation – Friday
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.
Jamaica just eked out Q1 growth
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%.
“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.
Palace jumps $50 to $550 on Thursday
Palace Amusement hit a record of $550 on Thursday.
Palace Amusement stock jumped by $50 to close at an all-time high of $550, with only 143 shares trading, the big price movement would have little effect on market index. The next largest movement was Carreras with a fall of $3 as it pulled back from the record close on Wednesday.
At the close of the market, the All Jamaica Composite Index declined 192.22 points to close at 259,443.53, the JSE Market Index fell 175.13 points to 236,382.44 and the JSE US dollar market index gained 1.21 points to close at 173.04.
At the close of trading, 25 securities changed hands in the main market with 1 trading in the US dollar market, leading to 8 stocks advancing and 10 declining. The main market ended with 1,498,592 units valued at $27,780,303 changing hands compared to 5,512,413 units valued at $131,703,756 at the close on Wednesday. 
Trading in the US dollar market accounted for 620,750 units valued at US$137,765 bringing the total value of trading $204,533,145. In the bond market, ISP Finance bond traded 207,000 units at $1.10 each.
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 5 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 with lower offers.
The main market ended trading with an average of 59,944 units valued at $1,111,212 for each security traded compared to an average of 212,016 units valued at $5,065,529. The average volume and value for the month to date ended at 131,617 units with an average value of $3,144,045 compared with an average of 155,508 with an average value of $3,821,656 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 $16.70, gaining $1.20 in trading 2,094 shares, Cable and Wireless lost 3 cents and closed at $1.10, with 143,899 stock units switching owners, 
Caribbean Cement traded 20 cents lower to close at $27.80 in exchanging just 194 shares, Carreras traded $3 lower to close at $89 with 34,284 shares changing hands, Grace Kennedy closed at $42, with gains of $1.50 trading 19,382 units. Jamaica Broilers exchanged 44,607 shares at $18, Jamaica Producers added 1 cent to close at $15.01, with 111,089 shares trading, Jamaica Stock Exchange lost 55 cents to close at $6.40 trading 26,463 shares, JMMB Group closed at $19.50, after gaining 50 cents in exchanging 26,717 units, Kingston Properties traded $1 lower, to close at $8, with 3,200 units changing hands, Kingston Wharves closed at $30, with a rise of $1 after the trading of 250 units, Mayberry Investments lost 5 cents to close at $4.55, with 31,464 shares changing hands. NCB Financial Group closed at $70, after exchanging 23,981 shares, 1834 Investments lost 15 cents in closing at $1.35 with 346,000 shares traded, Palace Amusement advanced $50, closing at an all-time high of $550 in exchanging only 143 units, PanJam Investment closed at $34.10, after losing 40 cents with trades of 50,200 shares, Proven Investments gained 1 cent to close at $24.01, with an exchange of 406,756 shares, Pulse Investments closed at $3.50, with 34,714 shares changing hands, Radio Jamaica traded 129 shares at $1.60. Sagicor Group lost 50 cents and closed at $33, with 32,985 shares changing hands, Sagicor Real Estate traded 17,766 units at $12.24. Salada Foods exchanged 1,128 shares at $10, Scotia Group traded 45 cents higher and closed at $43 with an exchange of 104,910 shares, Seprod traded 18,250 shares at $30 while Supreme Ventures closed at $7, with a loss of 77 cents and an exchange of 17,987 shares and Proven Investments US ordinary shares closed at 22 US cents in trading 620,750 units.
Express Catering stock a fair buy
Ian Dear, Chief Executive Officer of Express Catering
The 100 percent shareholder of Express Catering, Margaritaville St Lucia, are offering up to 327,500,000 of existing shares for sale at $1.50 each, to raise approximately J$490 million from the public. Most of the shares are reserved for special interest groups.
The issue opens at 9 am on Wednesday 12 July and is scheduled to close at 4 pm, Wednesday 19 July 2017.
Up to 16,500,000 shares are Company Reserved Shares, 32,750,000 are Mayberry Reserved Shares, 245,625,000 shares are Key Partner Reserved Shares with 32,625,000 slated for the General Public Shares. The company has 1,637,500,000 issued and this will not change with the issue. The stock will be listed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange. Mayberry Investments are the broker to the offer.
The stock appears to be a fair buy with growth to come from expansion into the Starbucks franchise to be located at the Sangster Airport and continued growth in visitor arrivals through that airport going forward as the sector expands.
The selling shareholder will use the funds raised in the Invitation for the purposes of the Group’s liquidity inclusive of the continued improvement and expansion of the Company’s operations, working capital and general corporate purposes. The proceeds of sale will also be used to pay the expenses of the Invitation out of the fundraising, which the Directors expect will not exceed J$27.5 million.
Franchises operated include; Quiznos Subs and Salads, Dairy Queen, Nathans Famous Hot Dogs, Domino’s Pizza, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Wendy’s, Cinnabon, Moe’s South Western Grill, Island Deli, Viva Fresh Market Grab & Go, Cricket Sports Bar, Connections Bar, Air Margaritaville Arrivals Bar, Jamaican Bobsled Cafe and The Groovy Grouper The Bar.
The Company achieved revenue of US$14.1 million in the financial year ended May 2016, an increase of US$460,000 or 3.4 percent over the previous financial year’s Revenue of US$13.6 million. Revenue for financial years 2013 and 2014 was US$10 million and US$12.2 million respectively. While the financial show gross margins stable around 73 percent of revenue, while administrative and other costs as reported accounts for 58 percent of revenue for 2016 and slightly more for the comparative period in 201. Administrative costs include some items that should be included in cost of sales as they are not administrative expenses. Included here for the 2017 figures in US dollars are; Franchise fee $1,264,282 fuel $39,098, bar and restaurant supplies $373,127, staff cost of $1.39 million and rent of $2.8 million as well as electricity.
Net Profit of US$1.1 million was realized in 2016 up from US$590,000 in 2015. For 10 months of financial year to March 2017 revenue grew to US$11.54 million with net profit before tax of US$1.15 million from revenues of US$11.52 million in the 10 months of the prior year and profit of US$904,144 in the same period the prior year. Profit before tax should end the 2017 fiscal year around $1.25 million for earnings per share of .076 US cents or 9.7 cents Jamaican.
In the period to March 2017 launched a 7 year preference share to raise US$3.5 million. Proceeds from this issue was earmarked for the construction of the Starbucks Coffee outlets at Sangster International Airport, and to settle certain Group obligations.
The board of directors comprises, Winston Dear, Ian Dear, Roland Clarke, John Byles, Tania Waldron-Gooden.
The stock is being sold at a big premium to net asset value of $0.36 with equity valued at US$4.6 million, but at a PE of 15 based on 2017 earnings. Earnings for the May 2018 period could rise to $1.65 million or earnings per share of US 1 cents per share or J$0.13, excluding the new franchise operation. The average of the Junior Market of approximately 12.5.
JSE majors in moderate fall – Tuesday
Main market stocks declined on the Jamaica Stock Exchange at the close on Tuesday and just barely taking a small bite out of the strong gains on Monday. At the close, the All Jamaica Composite Index declined 335.47 points to close at 259,509.13, the JSE Market Index fell 305.65 points to 236,442.21 and the JSE US dollar market index dropped 5.99 points to close at 174.47.
At the close of trading, 23 securities changed hands in the main market with 2 trading in the US dollar market, leading to 10 stocks advancing and 9 declining. Three securities ended trading at a new closing high. The main market ended with 3,076,517 units valued at $75,479,037 changing hands compared to 2,897,944 units valued at $74,825,788 at the close on Monday. Trading in the US dollar market accounted for 2,038,184 units valued at US$473,952.
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 3 with lower offers.
The main market ended trading with an average of 133,762 units valued at $3,281,697 for each security traded compared to an average of 120,748 units valued at $3,117,741. The average volume and value for the month to date ended at 127,255 units with an average value of $3,199,719 compared with an average of 120,748 units with an average value of $3,117,741 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 gained $1.50 to close at $16.50 while exchanging 7,536 shares, Cable and Wireless lost 1 cent and closed at $1.10, with 100,957 stock units switching owners, Caribbean Cement closed at $28, with 1,350 shares traded, Carreras traded $1.01 higher, closing at a 52 weeks’ high of $90.01, with 1,725 shares changing hands, Grace Kennedy gained $2 to close at $42 in trading 1,400 units. Jamaica Broilers lost 30 cents, closing at $17.70, with an exchange of 26,548 shares, Jamaica Producers closed at $15.70 with gains of 70 cents while trading of 28,804 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange closed at $7.10, gaining 5 cents trading 18,990 shares, JMMB Group closed at $20 exchanging 2,648 units, Kingston Wharves lost 50 cents to close at $29.50 trading 90,917 shares, Mayberry Investments closed at $4.60, with 1,112 shares changing hands. 
NCB Financial Group closed at $68.55, with a loss of $1.45 after exchanging 145,990 shares, PanJam Investment closed at $35.20, losing 31 cents with trades of 16,532 shares, Portland JSX lost 99 cents, with 1,052 units traded, Proven Investments added 1 cent to close at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $24.01 in exchanged for 2,200,900 shares, Pulse Investments closed at a new high of $4.35, with gains of 60 cents and with 65,062 shares changing hands. Radio Jamaica traded 69,640 shares at $1.60, Sagicor Group closed at $33.10, with gains of 50 cents in trading 147,145 shares, Sagicor Real Estate Fund exchanged 1,000 units at $12.10. Scotia Group closed at $45, with a loss of 70 cents and an exchange of 42,725 shares while Supreme Ventures closed at $7.77, and lost 1 cent with 50,318 shares changing hands. Proven Investments US ordinary shares, closed at 22 US cents, having lost 0.02 US cent trading 2,068,184 units, JMMB Group US 6% preference share gained 0.02 US cents to close at US$1.12 with trades of 15,718 units, JMMB Group 7.5% preference share lost 2 cents, closing at $1.11 with 51,966 units exchanged and JMMB 7.5% preference share closed at $1.85, with 2,200 units traded.
Q1 non-traditional exports surge
Jamaica’s Non–Traditional Domestic Exports jumped sharply in the March 2017 quarter to almost equal Traditional Domestic Exports with just US$9 million separating the two.
The non-traditional exports was one of the bright spots in the country’s external trade performance which saw the trade deficit widening in the quarter as oil imports almost doubled in the quarter growing by 81 percent.
Non–Traditional Domestic Exports earned US$146 million, a stunning 42 percent or US$43 million increase over the similar 2016 period, this compares with Traditional Domestic Exports during the first quarter which were valued at US$155 million, a mere increase of US$7.7 million or 5.2 per cent over the first quarter of 2016.
The merchandise trade deficit worsened to US$996 million compared to US$795 million in the similar quarter of 2016, the Statistical Institute of Jamaica reported.
The second half of 2017 should see an improvement in traditional exports as the Alpart alumina plant is now back in production.
Jam$ starts July with more gains
The Jamaican dollar recorded further gains on the first trading day of July and closed Monday with the selling rate of J$128.50 for one US dollar down from J$128.62 it ended June at. Inflows into the local foreign exchange market generated US$51 million in all currencies while US$46 million was sold to the public.
In USA dollar trading, inflows into the system ended at US$46 million while selling amounted to US$41 million. Inflows are slightly ahead of those for the first Monday in June but outflows are up a bit for the United States currency as well as for all currencies traded.
The selling rate for the Canadian dollar dipped to J$98.94 compared to J$99.39 at the close on Friday while the British Pound cost slightly less at the close on Friday with J$166.39 buying the British currency versus J$166.58 on Friday and the Jamaican dollar also gained value against the euro, with it taking J$ 146.61 to buy the European common currency on Friday versus Friday’s J$147.94.
Juniors drop – Monday
The Junior Market lost ground on Monday as the market index fell 26.30 points to end at 3,195.95 as declining socks just edged out advancing ones.6 to 5. Volume traded suffered a 66 percent reduction and the value of stocks trading dropped 63 percent, compared to trading on Friday.
The junior Market closed with 18 securities versus 23 on Friday leading to only 500,614 units valued at $2,920,659 trading compared with 1,459,166 units valued at $7,939,041 on Friday.
Trading closed with 6 stocks having higher bids than their last traded prices and 5 closing with lower offers.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average of just 28,812 units for an average value of $162,259 compared to 63,442 units for an average value of $345,176 on Friday. 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, stocks trading and their last traded price are: AMG Packaging closed at $4.05 with a mere 594 units changing hands, Cargo Handlers traded 8,204 shares and fell 9 cents to $15.90, Caribbean Producers gained 19 cents in trading only 373 shares to close at $3.69, C2W Music traded 6,000 shares to close at 43 cents, Derrimon Trading ended at $8.05 with 11,912 shares changing hands, Dolphin Cove dropped $3 and ended at $17 with 753 shares trading, Eppley jumped 95 cents and closed with 6,000 units, changing hands at $12.95 General Accident fell 35 cents and closed trading with 500 shares at $3, ISP Finance gained 50 cents to end at $18.50 with 14,547 units changing hands. Jamaican Teas traded 49,146 shares, to end at $4.20, 
Jetcon Corporation fell 14 cents and ended at $5.35 with 349,980 shares trading, KL E Group traded 30,000 shares to end at $2.10. Knutsford Express traded 3,700 shares but lost 70 cents to end at $15. Lasco Distributors ended at $7 after trading 2,350 units, Lasco Financial gained 5 cents with 100 shares changing hands, to end at $3.80, Main Event jumped 75 cents and ended trading 6,242 shares at $6, Paramount Trading lost 2 cents to end at $3 with 5,973 units trading and tTech ended with 2,623 units changing hands to close at $7.80.
In other news, another Junior Market listing is set to hit the market in July, this one will be a big hit with investors, with a low offer price in the region of $2 and historical PE of 8 times 2016 earnings and an even lower PE, based on 2017 earnings, with revenues growing around 20 percent. IC Insider.com will provide a full update very soon.