NCB Financial at record high of $66.90 during trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Thursday but closed lower by the close of the market. Trading ended with 22 securities changing hands with 2 trading in the US dollar market. In the main market, 4 stocks advanced and 12 declined in the main market.
Trading levels in main market ended at 1,824,130 units valued at $21,197,848 compared to 1,277,639 units valued at $27,093,095 at the close on Wednesday. Trading in the US dollar market accounted for 89,780 units valued at US$27,565.
The All Jamaica Composite Index fell 316.66 points to close at 248,328.37 the JSE Market Index declined 288.51 points to finish at 226,255.29 and the JSE US dollar market index gained 5.11 points to close at 2224.04.
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 10 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 1 with a lower offer.
The main market ended trading with an average of 82,915 units compared to an average of 58,075 units on Wednesday. The average volume for the month to date ended at 555,645 units versus 614,736 units on the prior trading day. The average volume and value for March ended at 549,909 units and $1,379,459.
In market activity, Berger Paints gained 48 cents to close at $14 with an exchange of 13,177 shares, Cable and Wireless closed at $1.30 with trades of 548,326 shares, Caribbean Cement closed 99 cents lower to $32 with 10,531 units changing hands. Carreras closed at $73, losing 1 cent with trades of 1,842 shares, Grace Kennedy closed at $44, with a loss of 9 cents trading 20,740 units, Jamaica Broilers closed at $16.90, losing 10 cents trading 100,628 shares, Jamaica Producers closed at $15.50 with 5,386 shares changing owners, Jamaica Stock Exchange closed at $7.95, with an exchange of 126,701 shares. JMMB Group closed at $18.40, with a loss of 25 cents trading 523,138 units, Kingston Properties traded at $15.95 losing 5 cents with 530 shares changing hands, Kingston Wharves closed 10 cents lower to $31 exchanging 1,676 units, Mayberry Investments lost 20 cents to close at $4.50 trading 18,300 shares, NCB Financial Group closed at $65, after trading at an intraday high of $66.90 and exchanging 43,392 shares, 1834 Investments traded at $1.48 exchanging 38,171 units, 
Pan Jamaican closed at $35 with 11,900 shares changing hands. Radio Jamaica lost 4 cents to close at $1.75 with trades of 20,488 shares, Sagicor Group closed at $33.02, after losing 48 cents in exchanging 16,970 shares, Sagicor Real Estate Fund closed at $10.10, with a loss of 10 cents and 989 shares traded, Scotia Group closed $1.24 lower to $38.75, with an exchange of 17,697 units, Supreme Ventures closed at $6.38, gaining 28 cents with trades of 300,681 shares. Margaritaville Turks gained 0.03 US cents to close at just over 26 US cents with 1,600 units traded, Proven Investments closed at 31 US cents exchanging 88,180 ordinary shares, JMMB 7.25% preference share gained 9 cents, closing at a 52 weeks’ high of $2.50 with 2,667 units changing owners and JMMB Group 7.25% preference share traded 200 units at $1.50.
Juniors make up lost ground on Thursday
Paramount Trading closed trading on Thursday slightly down after the company posted lower 9 months profits but closed the day a sJunior Market leader.
The market closed with 2,378,976 units valued at 9,310,238 passing through the market, compared to 2,733,389 units valued at $13,356,399 that were traded on Wednesday. At the close, with 23 securities changing hands, compared to 18 on Wednesday with 8 advancing and 8 declining.
The junior market ended trading with an average of 103,434 units for an average value of $404,793 traded, compared to 151,855 units for an average value of $742,022 on the previous trading day. The average volume and value for the month to date is 256,913 units and $1,755,753. The average volume and value for the month to the previous trading day ended at 276,098 units and $1,924,623. The average volume and value for March was 137,459 units and $1,313,411.
Trading ended with 4 stocks having bids higher than their last sale prices and 5 ending with lower offers, than the last traded price.
At the close of the market on Thursday, Access Financial Services rose 75 cents to $35 in trading traded 5,000 units AMG Packaging closed at $5.49 with 21,715 units changing hands, CAC 2000 lost 10 cents and closed at $7.35 with 3,500 shares trading Caribbean Cream traded 21,900 units to end at $7.30, Caribbean Flavours loss 50 cents in trading 11,640 units to end at $12.50 Caribbean Producers gained 5 cents and closed trading with 56,930 units at $3.75, Consolidated Bakeries dropped 34 cents with 756,918 shares changing hands, to close at $2.66, C2W Music closed trading with 15,000 shares at 33 cents, Derrimon Trading had 97,206 units changing hands to close with a loss of 20 cents at $8.50. Dolphin Cove ended at $20.06 with 2,473 shares trading, Honey Bun had 8,500 shares changing hands to close with a rise of 5 cents to end at $7.25, ISP Finance fell 15 cents to end at $15.50 with 10,000 units. Jamaican Teas price was adjusted to reflect the 2 for 1 split approved at the Annual General Meeting on Thursday, but no trading took place as bids were well ahead of the closing prices on Thursday. 
Jetcon Corporation rose 30 cents to end at $11.80 with 4,237 shares traded, KLE Group ended at $2.70 with 64,129 shares changing hands, Knutsford Express traded 261 shares to close at $40.95 after gaining 75 cents, Lasco Distributors added 45 cents and ended with 45,430 units trading at $6.70, Lasco Financial gained 30 cents and ended with 85,273 shares changing hands at $4, Lasco Manufacturing fell 38 cents to close with 60,000 units changing hands at $5, Main Event fell 7 cents trading 48,149 shares at $5.73, Medical Disposables closed trading with 8,039 shares and lost 15 cents to end at $5.85 and Paramount Trading lost 4 cents and closed at $3.55 with 1,012,987 units trading, this after the company reported lower profit for the third consecutive quarter than in the previous year and tTech traded 12,489 shares to end at $7.15.
Eppley leaps $7.10 but – Wednesday
Stock market reports showed Eppley ordinary share leaping $7.10 to a record high of $12. The stock could not officially trade there as it exceeded the 30 percent limit in a day.
The highest price the stock could trade is $11.44, based on the closing bid of $8.80 on Tuesday. At the close the trade of 2,000 shares was cancelled but the Jamaica Stock Exchange closing report shows the stock trading at $12.
If the trade had taken place it would be the first time the stock is trading after its 150 to 1 stock split last year.
The Junior Market index lost 48.09 points, to end at 2,986.14 as falls in heavily weighted Lasco Distributors and Lasco Manufacturing fell sharply, contributing to most of the loss. The market closed with 2,733,389 units valued at $13,356,398.76 passing through the market, compared to 1,567,458 units valued at $8,519,094 that were traded on Tuesday. At the close, with 18 securities changing hands, the same number as on Tuesday with 6 advancing and 8 declining.
The junior market ended trading with an average of 151,855 units for an average value of $742,022 traded, compared to 87,081 units for an average value of $473,283 on the previous trading day. The average volume and value for the month to date is 276,098 units and $1,924,623. The average volume and value for the month to the previous trading day ended at 293,848 units and $2,093,565. The average volume and value for March was 137,459 units and $1,313,411.
Trading ended with 6 stocks having bids higher than their last sale prices and 2 ending with lower offers, than the last traded price.
At the close of the market on Wednesday, AMG Packaging fell 6 cents to close at $5.49 with 35,849 units changing hands, Caribbean Cream traded 24,880 units to end at $7.30, Caribbean Producers fell 5 cents and closed trading with 26,720 units at $3.70, Consolidated Bakeries gained 5 cents with 205,000 shares changing hands, to close at $3, Derrimon Trading had 9,600 units changing hands to close at $8.70. Dolphin Cove ended at $20.06 with 4,985 shares trading after rising 6 cents, General Accident gained 10 cents and closed trading with 300,000 shares at $3.15, Honey Bun had 69,115 shares changing hands to close with a loss of 30 cent to end at $7.20, ISP Finance traded at a new high of $17 and rising 15 cents for the day, to end at a record closing high of $15.65. .
Jamaican Teas fell 25 cents in trading 230,153 shares to close at $7.50, the stock trade ex-split on Thursday, to accommodate the 2 for 1 split approved at the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday. Jetcon Corporation dropped 40 cents to end at $11.50 with 13,403 shares traded, Lasco Distributors fell 55 cents and ended with 30,600 units trading, to close at $6.25, Lasco Financial ended with 6,000 shares changing hands at $4, Lasco Manufacturing fell 38 cents to close with 1,677,200 units changing hands at $4.60, Main Event rose 7 cents trading 42,410 shares at $5.80, Medical Disposables closed trading with 215 shares and rose 50 cents to end at $6 and Paramount Trading closed at $3.59 with 42,600 units trading and tTech traded 10,000 shares but fell 35 cents to end at $7.15.
Trading pulls back for juniors- Tuesday
Lasco Manufacturing dominated trading on Tuesday.
The market closed with 1,567,458 units valued at $8,519,094 passing through the market, compared to 9,177,959 units valued at $63,684,987 that were traded on Monday. At the close, with 18 securities changing hands, down from 21 on Monday with 7 advancing and 8 declining.
The junior market ended trading with an average of 87,081 units for an average value of $473,283 traded, compared to 437,046 units for an average value of $3,032,618 on the previous trading day.
The average volume and value for the month to date is 293,848 units and $2,093,565. The average volume and value for the month to the previous trading day ended at 328,309 units and $2,363,612. The average volume and value for March was 137,459 units and $1,313,411.Trading ended with 5 stocks having bids higher than their last sale prices and 2 ending with lower offers, than the last traded price.
At the close of the market on Tuesday, AMG Packaging fell 25 cents to close at $5.55 with 57,799 units changing hands, Caribbean Cream traded 44,325 units to end at $7.30, Caribbean Flavours lost 80 cents with 622 shares changing hands, to close at $13, Caribbean Producers closed trading with 8,181 units at $3.75, Consolidated Bakeries gained 5 cents with 7,800 shares changing hands, to close at $2.95, C2W Music had 15,000 units changing hands to close at 33 cents after rising by 8 cents. Dolphin Cove ended at $20 with 20,645 shares trading, Honey Bun had 17,600 shares changing hands to close with a gain of 1 cent at $7.50, Jamaican Teas gained 35 cents in trading 422 shares to close at $7.75, the stock is expected to trade ex-split starting this Thursday, to accommodate the 2 for 1 split that is expected to be approved at the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday.
Jetcon Corporation rose 40 cents to end at $11.90 with 35,262 shares traded, KLE Group traded 3,000 shares and fell 30 cents in closing at $2.70, Knutsford Express traded just 1,266 shares but fell 80 cents to close at $40.20, Lasco Distributors fell 5 cents and ended with 23,461 units trading to close at $6.80, Lasco Financial added 20 cents and ended with a mere 242 shares changing hands at $4, Lasco Manufacturing fell 1 cent and closed with 1,264,833 units changing hands at $4.98, Main Event rose 50 cents trading 10,000 shares at $5.73, Medical Disposables closed trading with 55,000 shares and fell 50 cents to end at $5.50 and Paramount Trading closed with a loss of 1 cent to end a $3.59.
Another big Lasco trade – Monday
Lasco Distributors dominated trading on Monday with 9m shares.
The market closed with 9,177,959 units valued at $63,684,987 passing through the market, compared to 5,586,153 units valued at $33,901,745 that were traded on Friday. At the close, with 21 securities changing hands, up from 19 on Friday with 6 advancing and 7 declining.
The junior market ended trading with an average of 437,046 units for an average value of $3,032,618 traded, compared to 294,008 units for an average value of $1,784,302 on the previous trading day. The average volume and value for the month to date is 328,309 units and $2,363,612.
The average volume and value for the month to the previous trading day ended at 306,561 units and $2,229,811. The average volume and value for March was 137,459 units and $1,313,411.Trading ended with 4 stocks having bids higher than their last sale prices and 1 ending with a lower offer, than the last traded price.
At the close of the market on Monday, AMG Packaging gained 30 cents to close at $5.80 with 800 units changing hands, Blue Power traded 1,000 units to close at $35, Cargo Handlers traded 2,630 shares to end at $21, Caribbean Cream traded 20,100 units to end at $7.30, Consolidated Bakeries lost 1 cent with 4,500 shares changing hands, to close at $2.91, Derrimon Trading had 24,868 units changing hands to close at $8.70, Dolphin Cove ended at $20 with 1,000 shares trading, General Accident fell 10 cents and closed trading with 3,000 shares at $3.05, Honey Bun had 14,265 shares changing hands to close with a gain of 19 cents at $7.49, Jamaican Teas traded 28,071 shares to close at $7.40, Jetcon Corporation lost 35 cents to end at $11.50 with 1,000 shares traded, KLE Group traded 17,182 shares and fell 50 cents in closing at $3,
Knutsford Express traded just 2,537 shares and gained $1 in closing at $41, Lasco Distributors gained 5 cents and ended with 8,934,455 units trading to close at $6.85, Lasco Financial shed 5 cents and ended with 83,990 shares changing hands at $3.80, Lasco Manufacturing closed with 10,755 units changing hands at $4.99, Main Event rose 3 cents trading 200 shares at $5.23, Medical Disposables closed trading with 10,500 shares at $6, Paramount Trading closed with a loss of 10 cents to end a $3.60 with 600 units trading, tTech trade 1,500 shares and gained 50 cents to end at $7.50 and Derrimon Trading preference share fell 6 cents and ended with 15,000 units changing hands to close at $2.05.
Bank of Jamaica cuts rates
Bank of Jamaica cut interest rate by 25 basis points effective today April 5 resulting in the rate offered on its 30-day certificate of deposit, the policy rate, falling to 4.75 percent from 5 percent.
The last time the rate was adjusted was in May 2016 when 0.25 percent was cut off the 30-day certificate of deposit. “The rates applicable to the Bank’s overnight lending and deposit facilities that are linked to the policy rate will correspondingly fall by 0.25 percentage points,” the central bank stated.
The decline comes against the back ground of a slight decrease in the 192 Treasury bill rate rate at the March auction and IC Insider forecast that Treasury bill rates should fall towards 4 percent by 2018.
The central bank cited a number of developments that led to the recent cut. The adjustment reflects “the Bank’s assessment that inflation for FY2017/18 will be within BOJ’s inflation target of 4 percent to 6 percent for the fiscal year. This assessment has been reinforced by the Government’s strong commitment to maintaining a 7 percent primary surplus for FY2017/18 and to meet the overall public sector fiscal targets under the precautionary Stand-By Arrangement, as approved by Parliament. The continued tight fiscal policy posture supports an easing in monetary conditions.”
“Jamaica’s main economic indicators continue to improve in the context of a strong reform programme and a favourable external environment. Economic activity continues to expand although at a slower pace than its potential rate of growth. Other key macroeconomic indicators have been reflecting generally positive trends: inflation expectations remain firmly anchored in single digits, international reserves remain strong, the current account of the balance of payments is projected to remain at a sustainable level, private sector credit is expanding strongly and market interest rates have been trending downwards.
The change in rates has implication for investments and is very positive for the stock and real estate markets and should lead to a rise in value around 5 percent as a result. The move should also result in more demand for preference shares on the local market as they become more appealing with their fixed coupon rates and help boost lending at banks and improve their profit.
Will SOS be the 35th Junior listing?
The Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market should be see its 35th listing and 31st ordinary share listing well before the summer months are over, as small and medium sized companies seek the exposure and other benefits of listing, that the market offers.
The family owned, stationery, office furniture and equipment company, Stationery and Office Supplies (SOS) is preparing to float an IPO with the intention to list its ordinary shares on the Junior Market.
The company run by Managing Director, David McDaniel, and Director and wife, Marjorie McDaniel, with second generation McDaniels also leading the management team, retained JN Fund Managers has been as the brokers handling the offer.
The company operates a warehouse showroom space occupying 35,000 sq ft on 23 Beechwood Avenue in Kingston and a second location in Montego Bay, servicing Jamaica and the Caribbean region. SOS employs more than than 100 employees, a release from the company stated. Our source suggests that the high numbers is reflective of demands on the stationery side that requires large number of staffing to handle, sell and distribute to customers.
“Stationery & Office Supplies is a company that my family has built over the years, and we’re proud of being a successful Jamaican business. Fifty years is no mean feat and we have managed to grow, expand, and adapt with changing times. Listing on the Junior Market of the JSE is a step that we’re looking forward to, not just from a financial perspective, but also for what it means to other companies” said David.
Our source within the sector indicates that it is very competitive, with a number of dominant players which includes SOS, Neveast, Keith Ryan, Campbells and T Geddes Grant on the office furniture side and Sangsters being the most dominant for stationery. Other players are said to include PriceSmart and Mega Mart both covering stationery and office furniture. T Geddes Grant was formerly in stationery but the Massy Group to which it belongs exited citing losses being incurred as the reason.
The market is estimated around $2 billion with gross profit margins of 15-20 percent for stationery and 20 percent for office furniture. Filing cabinets and chairs are said to be two of the largest selling item for offices. The listing of SOS will like other listing gain added exposure from the listing both from the publicity leading up to the listing and after as reporting of trading in the company’s shares is beamed to consumers.
The company will be the first with the line of products listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange if the issue is successful. The listing would bring to 8 the number of Junior Market companies involved mainly in distribution of goods. IC Insider.com understands that the issue should hit the market before the end of May. That time frame may be subject to the Financial Services Commission having no objection to the offering document.
Big gains in Jamaica’s trade balance
Imports of fuel fell in 2016
The trade deficit has declined each since it hit US$4.8 billion in 2011 and is now lower than the US$3.99 billion in 2010. Exports that reached US$1.73 billion in 2012 is now at its lowest since 2010 when it ended at US$1.34 billion.
Imports were valued at US$4.75 billion, down from US$5.16 billion for 2015. Total exports for 2016 reached US$1.2 billion, a fall from US$1.25 billion for the 2015.
Jamaica’s Non-Traditional exports grew in 2016
Traditional Domestic Exports were valued at US$627 million, when compared to US$765.0 million recorded in 2015, an 8.1 per cent or US$138 million fall, due to declines in Mining and Quarrying and Manufacture. Non–Traditional Domestic Exports for 2016 grew US$28 million to US$464 million.
1.4% GDP growth for Jamaica in 2016
The Jamaican economy grew 1.4 percent for 2016, preliminary estimates by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica, (STATIN) the government body charged with gathering and reporting on economic data shows.
The Jamaican economy grew by 1 percent in 2015, recent data from STATIN shows. Since 2004, the closest economic growth came close to the 2016 pace, is in 2007 with 1.45 percent and 2011 with 1.7 percent.
Growth was 1.1 percent for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the corresponding period in 2015, representing eighth consecutive quarters of economic growth. “Increased output levels of 0.5 percent in the Services and 3.1 percent in the Goods Producing Industries contributed to the overall growth,” STATIN stated.
Growth was achieved in seven of the eight Services Industries: Electricity & Water (2.0 percent); Wholesale & Retail Trade; Repairs; Installation of Machinery & Equipment (0.2 percent); Hotels & Restaurants (2.5 percent); Transport, Storage & Communication (0.5 percent); Finance & Insurance Services (1.0 percent); Real Estate, Renting & Business Activities (0.3 percent) and Other Services (0.7 percent).
Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing, increased by a strong 17.1 percent and Construction by just 0.6 percent. STATIN said “the Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing industry was positively impacted by favourable weather conditions which resulted in higher crop yields, while the Construction industry benefitted from hotel expansion and renovation as well as the construction of office spaces to facilitate the expansion of Business Process Outsourcing activities.
Decreased output was recorded in Manufacturing by 0.2 percent and Mining & Quarrying by 11.9 percent. Manufacturing decline was influenced by a 5.3 percent fall in Other Manufacturing, due largely to lower output levels in petroleum refining. The effect of the decline was tempered by a 4.9 percent rise in Food, Beverages & Tobacco sub – industry. Mining & Quarrying industry continued to be negatively affected by reduced demand for bauxite from the overseas refineries.”
Juniors up15.5% in Q1
Lasco Distributors dominated trading on Friday with 88% of the volume.
Trading picked up on Friday over Thursday with Lasco Distributor dominating with 88 percent of the volume of 1,607.606 units valued at $11,124,439 passing through the market, compared to 243,100 units valued at $4,441,436 on Thursday. Market activity ended with only 15 securities trading, similar to the total on Thursday with 4 advancing and 5 declining stocks. A total of 1,607.606 units valued at $11,124,439 passed through the market, compared to 243,100 units valued at $4,441,436 on Thursday.
The junior market ended trading with an average of 107,174 units for an average value of $741,629 traded,
compared to 16,207 units for an average value of $296,096 on the previous trading day. The average volume and value for the month to date ended at 137,459 units and $1,313,411. On the immediate preceding trading day, the average volume and value for the month to date, were 138,835 units and $1,338,271 with the value of trading ending close to the level for February and well ahead of the averages in January of 165,547 units with an average value of $884,749. The average volume and value for February, ended at 223,938 units and $1,379,459.Trading ended with 7 stocks had bids higher than their last sale prices and 5 ended with lower offers, than the last sale.
At the close of the market on Friday, AMG Packaging closed at $6 with 30,554 units changing hands, Blue Power lost $1.50 and closed at $35 with 827 shares trading, Caribbean Cream dropped 65 cents in trading 19,770 units to end at $7.25, Caribbean Flavours climbed $1.80 in trading 3,950 units to end at $13.80,
Dolphin Cove lost $1 and ended at $18 with 40,000 shares changing hands, General Accident gained 35 cents and closed trading with 7,075 shares at $3.15, Honey Bun had 26,764 shares changing hands, rose 20 cents and closed at $7.50. I$P Finance traded 5,681 shares to end at $12.50, Jamaican Teas traded 27,505 shares to close with a fall of 24 cents at $7.75, Jetcon Corporation closed trading with 2,100 shares being exchanged, to end at $11, Lasco Distributors ended with 1,418,780 units trading at $6.70, Main Event closed with a loss of 10 cents at $4.90 with 3,400 shares changing hands, Paramount Trading had 20,100 shares changing hands, to close at $3.80. tTech traded just 1,000 units but rose $1.23 to close at $7.50 and Eppley 10% preference share traded a mere 100 units at $6.80.