In foreign exchange trading on Friday, net inflow was again positive, with US$11.7 million, bringing the net inflows for December to $144.3 million with the Jamaican dollar mostly gaining in value.
At the close of the market, dealers bought the equivalent of US$46,079,393 of all currencies and sold US$34,359,179, compared to US$39,589,559 purchased and US$32,426,860 sold on Thursday.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$39,993,301 compared to US$35,025,983 on Thursday. The buying rate for the US dollar fell 4 cents to close at $127.58. A total of US$29,111,300 was sold versus US$27,928,981 on Thursday, with the selling rate remaining unchanged at $128.33. 
The Canadian dollar buying rate gained 13 cents to $94.49, with dealers buying C$5,734,004 and selling C$5,539,238 at an average rate that fell $1.04 to finish at $95.36. The average rate for buying the British Pound dropped $2.26 to $155.09 for the purchase of £1,397,743 while £513,571 was sold with a fall of $1.10 to end at $157.62.
At the end of trading on Friday, dealers sold €441,154 with the selling rate for the Euro, closing with a fall of $2.89 to $133.65, according to data from Bank of Jamaica. Dealers purchased €119,654 of the European common currency at $129.27 after rising 77 cents. The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$19,134 being bought and selling of US$41,550.
Highs & Lows| Notable changes to the highest and lowest rates for the regularly traded foreign currencies on Friday, include a rise of $16.67 in the lowest selling rate of the US dollar to at end $120. The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar fell $1.45 to end at $95.63. The highest buying rate for the British Pound lost $2.70 to $159.97, the highest selling rate fell $5.28 to $161.90, the lowest selling rate fell $1.80 to $152 and the lowest selling rate for the Euro dropped $1.50 to $128.
JPS preference share jumps $36 to $1,283
JPS preference share was the biggest mover on Thursday.
The market closed with reduced volume and value from the previous day with price changes, equally split between rising and declining stocks.
The All Jamaica Composite Index inched up by 147.22 points, to close at 203,125.12 to be up by 21 percent for the year to date. The JSE Market Index gained 131.64 points to finish at 186,004.54. The JSE combined index declined by 57.36 points to close at 198,302.43, with gain for the year to date, of 25 percent.
Market activity ended with just 25 securities changing hands, at the close, the prices of 8 stocks gained while 8 declined in the overall market, including 1 stocks rising and 4 falling, in the junior market.
At the close with 2,742,916 units valued at $409,709,133 changed hands, compared to 29,273,598 units valued at $1,131,638,942 changing hands on Wednesday. Of the stocks traded, the junior market accounted for 1,283,884 units changing hands, valued at $6,029,065.
The average trade for the day in the main market ended at 85,825 shares compared to an average of 1,205,881 units traded on Wednesday. The average for the month to date stands at 478,937 shares compared to an average of 872,049 units for the month up to Wednesday. November ended with an average of 208,466 units.IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 17 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 with lower offers.
In market activity, Grace Kennedy fell 99 cents to close at $40 with 248,497 shares changing hands, Jamaica Broilers rose 50 cents and closed at $15 with mere 317 shares changing hands, Jamaica Producers gained 50 cents to end at $9 with 137,243 units trading, Jamaica Stock Exchange traded 3,728 shares, to end at $5.59. JMMB Group traded 3,328 shares at $14.48, Kingston Wharves ended trading 800 shares to close at $19.70 after adding 30 cents, National Commercial Bank lost 1 cent and ended at $48.99 with 5,274 shares changing hands,
PANJAM Investment traded 2,377 shares and jumped 65 cents to close at a 52 weeks high of $28.10. Sagicor Group lost 10 cents to close with 149,513 shares changing hands, Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 29,309 units to close with a gain of 49 cents at $11.49, Scotia Group with 21,945 shares changing hands and closed at $34. Scotia Investments dropped $4.10 with 1,828 units changing hands to close at $29.30, Seprod closed trading at $27.50 with 2,200 shares changing hands, Supreme Ventures traded 500,000 units to end with the price falling 12 cents at $4.90 and Proven Investments declined from 22 US cents to end at 21.95 US cents, with 53,485 units changing hands.
FX surplus continues to build
In foreign exchange trading on Thursday, net inflow was again positive with US$7 million, continuing the net inflows for December. Market activity led to the selling rates of the US and Canadian dollars and the pound falling.
At the close of the market, dealers bought the equivalent of US$39,589,559 of all currencies and sold US$32,426,860, compared to US$53,620,805 purchased and US$34,296,736 sold on Wednesday.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$35,025,983 compared to US$44,977,358 on Wednesday. The buying rate for the US dollar fell 15 cents to close at $127.62. A total of US$27,928,981 was sold versus US$27,142,705 on Wednesday, with the selling rate declining 17 cents to end at $128.33.
The Canadian dollar buying rate fell $1.27 to $94.36, with dealers buying C$3,065,234 and selling C$3,625,253 at an average rate that eased 29 cents to finish at $96.40. The average rate for buying the British Pound rose 30 cents to $157.35 for the purchase of £1,727,460 while £1,063,217 was sold with a fall of 38 cents to end at $158.72.
At the end of trading on Thursday, dealers sold €420,085 with the selling rate for the Euro, closing with a rise of 76 cents to $136.54, according to data from Bank of Jamaica. Dealers purchased €140,293 of the European common currency at $128.44 after falling 65 cents. The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$26,347 being bought and selling of US$12,647.
Highs & Lows| Notable changes to the highest and lowest rates for the regularly traded foreign currencies on Thursday, include a fall of $1 in the highest buying rate of the US dollar to $128.90. The lowest selling rate for the Canadian dollar fell $1.60 to end at $91.40. The highest selling rate for the British Pound gained $2.17 to $162.67, the lowest selling rate fell $1.20 to $153.80 and the highest buying rate for the Euro jumped $1.14 to $137.14.
Jamaican stocks pull back from record
Sagicor Group closed at a 52 weeks’ high on Thursday on the JSE.
The All Jamaica Composite Index closed with a fall of 205.12 points at 202,977.90 to be up by 21 percent for the year to date. The JSE Market Index dropped 183.41 points to finish at 185,872.90. The JSE combined index declined by 351.05 points to close at 198,359.79, with gain for the year to date, of 25 percent.
Market activity ended with 40 securities changing hands, at the close, the prices of 10 stocks gained while 17 declined in the overall market, including 3 stocks rising and 4 falling, in the junior market.
At the close with 29,273,598 units valued at $1,131,638,942 changed hands, compared to 22,971,772 units valued at $146,022,777 changing hands on Tuesday. Of the stocks traded, the junior market accounted for 332,445 units changing hands, valued at $1,568,652.
The average trade for the day in the main market ended at 1,205,881 shares compared to an average of 728,789 units traded on Tuesday. The average for the month to date ends at 872,049 shares compared to an average of 538,216 units for the month up to Tuesday. November ended with an average of 208,466 units.IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 11 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 6 with lower offers.
In market activity, Barita Investments traded 7,628 shares to end unchanged at $5.55, Cable & Wireless fell 5 cents to a 52 weeks’ low of 65 cents with 260,217 units trading, Caribbean Cement traded with a loss of $1.19 while trading 1,700 shares at $32, Carreras lost 25 cents in exchanging 12,795 shares to close at $66. Investors traded 19,691 shares of 1834 Investments to close with a rise of 1 cent at $1.16, Grace Kennedy gained 98 cents to close at $40.99 with 4,020 shares changing hands. Jamaica Broilers closed at $14.50 with 9,583 shares changing hands, after falling 41 cents, Jamaica Producers lost 71 cents to end at $8.50 with 949,034 units trading, Jamaica Stock Exchange traded 999 shares, to end at $5.59 after falling by a cent, JMMB Group traded 11,569 shares and gained 47 cents to close at $14.48. Kingston Wharves ended trading 27,322 shares to close at $19.40 after slipping 20 cents, Mayberry Investments ended trading with 22,609 shares, to close with a rise of 70 cents at $5.50, National Commercial Bank ended at $49 with 17,096,730 shares changing hands, PANJAM Investment traded 1,173,845 shares but fell 5 cents to close at $27.45. Radio Jamaica lost 12 cents to close at $1.08 with 34,484 shares trading.
Sagicor Group closed with 8,850,415 shares changing hands, 30 cents higher at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $27.80, Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 159,673 units to close with a gain of 5 cents at $11, Scotia Group lost 90 cents with 63,901 shares changing hands and closed at $34. Scotia Investments dropped $4.10 with 1,828 units changing hands to close at $29.30, Seprod lost $2.50 to close trading at 27.50 with 37,856 shares changing hands, Supreme Ventures traded 117,534 units to end with a rise of 2 cents at $5.02 and Proven Investments declined from 22 US cents to end at 21.95 US cents, with 72,620 units changing hands.
US$19M added to December’s surplus
In foreign exchange trading on Wednesday, net inflows was a positive US$19.3 million, continuing the positive flows for December, with only two trading days with negative flows. Market activity led to the selling rates of the US and Canadian dollars and that of the euro falling.
At the close of the market, dealers bought the equivalent of US$53,620,805 of all currencies and sold only US$34,296,736, compared to US$56,569,758 purchased and US$50,911,941 sold on Tuesday.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$44,977,358 compared to US$39,593,605 on Tuesday. The buying rate for the US dollar remained unchanged at $127.77. A total of US$27,142,705 was sold versus US$39,593,605 on Tuesday, with the selling rate declining 8 cents to end at $128.50. 
The Canadian dollar buying rate fell 43 cents to $95.63, with dealers buying C$7,531,239 and selling C$7,227,209 at an average rate that eased 1 cent to finish at $96.69. The average rate for buying the British Pound dropped $1.15 to $157.05 for the purchase of £2,325,710 while £1,268,083 was sold with a rise of 31 cents to end at $159.10.
At the end of trading on Wednesday, dealers sold €121,818 with the selling rate for the Euro, closing with a fall of 33 cents to $135.78, according to data from Bank of Jamaica. Dealers purchased €127,157 of the European common currency at $129.09 after falling 95 cents. The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$19,813 being bought and selling of US$16,639.
Highs & Lows| Notable changes to the highest and lowest rates for the regularly traded foreign currencies on Wednesday, include a fall of $17.88 in the lowest selling rate of the US dollar to $103.12. The highest selling rate for the Canadian dollar fell $1.66 to end at $100.44, while the lowest selling rate rose $3 to $93. The highest selling rate for the British Pound dropped $8.46 to $166.54. The highest buying rate for the Euro jumped $4.50 to $136, the highest selling rate rose $3.26 to $140.40 and the lowest selling rate climbed $1.20 to $130.20.
JPS December bill confusion
Customers of the Jamaica Public Service Company should be enjoying a reduction to their bill for December due to over-billing of fuel charge in the month.
The problem is that while the company shows an amount for adjustment, there is no indication that it is being deducted from the charge for the month. There are no explanations sent with the bill to explain the changes, as such no one would be able to determine what had transpired.
One customer bill for November, had a balance due of $880 which was paid ahead of the payment date, but after the last statement. The latest bill does not show the balance shown by the November bill and the payment made to clear it, instead the new bill shows a phantom opening balance of $330.52 which happens to be equal to the amount of the adjustment less an early payment fee.
There is no explanation as to the reason why the correct opening balance has been removed along with the payment and a totally new balance placed on the statement. The latest bill shows in details charges for the current month’s bill that ends at $324.32 but shows after adjustment of $580.52 a balance of the same $324.32.
Unfortunately, the company’s service rep could not explain why the opening balance differed from that shown as the balance due on the prior bill. David Surjue, senior operations supervisor at JPS explained that the original billing for December had the incorrect charge for fuel and the opening balance represents the original billed amount for December which was reversed by the adjustment amount. He could not explain why the correct opening balance and payment were removed.
Customers deserve a full written explanation for what has happened and a proper audit trail linking the November bill with that for December.
Strong positive US$ inflows for December
In foreign exchange trading on Tuesday net inflows was a positive US$5.6 million, continuing the positive flows for the month to date, with only two trading days with negative flows. Market activity led to the selling rates of the three most heavily traded currencies falling.
At the close of the market, dealers bought the equivalent of US$56,569,758 of all currencies and sold US$50,911,941, compared to US$57,145,968 purchased and US$44,171,546 sold on Monday.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$42,554,466 compared to US$49,535,429 on Monday. The buying rate for the US dollar rose 4 cents to $127.77. A total of US$39,593,605 was sold versus US$40,408,814 on Monday, with the selling rate declining 3 cents to end at $128.58. The Canadian dollar buying rate rose $1.16 to $96.06, with dealers buying C$13,395,825 and selling C$12,250,744 at an average rate that increased 39 cents to finish at $96.70. 
The average rate for buying the British Pound rose $1 to $158.20 for the purchase of £2,920,959 while £953,157 was sold with a fall of 81 cents to end at $158.79.
At the end of trading on Tuesday, dealers sold €519,303 with the selling rate for the Euro, closing with a rise of 41 cents to $136.11, according to data from Bank of Jamaica. Dealers purchased €212,007 of the European common currency at $130.04 after rising $1.29. The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$111,749 being bought and selling of US$377,917.
Highs & Lows| Notable changes to the highest and lowest rates for the regularly traded foreign currencies on Tuesday, include a rise of $1 in the lowest selling rate of the US dollar to $121. The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar fell $2.45 to end at $97.55, while the highest selling rate dipped $2.34 to $102.10 and the lowest selling rate lost $1.50 to $90. The highest buying rate for the British Pound fell $5.25 to $160.36, the highest selling rate jumped $7.28 to end at $175 and the highest selling rate for the Euro dropped $2.72 to $137.14.
Jamaican stocks pull back from record
Sagicor Group ended at a record close on Tuesday.
The All Jamaica Composite Index closed with a fall of 1,065.07 points, to close at 203,183.02 to be up by 21 percent for the year to date. The JSE Market Index dropped 952.36 points to finish at 186,056.31. The JSE combined index declined by 647.20 points to close at 198,710.84, with gain for the year to date, of 26 percent.
Market activity ended with 43 securities changing hands. At the close, the prices of 12 stocks gained while 20 declined in the overall market, including 4 stocks rising and 8 falling, in the junior market.
Supreme Ventures was by far the leading trade with 9,605,483 units with a value of $47.69 million to end unchanged at $5.
The market ended with 22,971,772 units valued at $146,022,777 changed hands, compared to 15,872,231 units valued at $373,022,747 changing hands on Monday. Of the stocks traded, the junior market accounted for 4,752,058 units changing hands, valued at $32,819,600.
The average trade for the day in the main market ended at 728,789 shares compared to an average of 347,644 units traded on Monday. The average for the month to date ends at 538,216 shares compared to an average of 248,915 units for the month up to Monday. November ended with an average of 208,466 units.IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 10 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 7 with lower offers.
In market activity, Berger Paints traded 19,191 shares and but lost 60 cents to end at $5, Cable & Wireless had 1,502,331 units trading as the price slipped 10 cents to end at 70 cents, after it traded as high as 95 cents. Caribbean Cement traded with a loss of $2.81 while trading 2,650 shares at $33.19, Carreras rose 25 cents in exchanging 117,093 shares to close at $66.25, Investors traded 254,597 shares of 1834 Investments to close with a loss of 20 cents at $1.15. Grace Kennedy gained 1 cent to close at $40.01 with 249,612 shares changing hands. Jamaica Stock Exchange traded 157,935 shares, to end at $5.60, JMMB Group traded 2,110,794 shares and rose 15 cents to close at $14.01.
Mayberry Investments ended trading with 1,600 shares, to close with a fall of 70 cents at $4.80, National Commercial Bank lost 49 cents and ended at $49 with 39,724 shares changing hands, PANJAM Investment traded 68,216 shares to close at $27.50, Radio Jamaica closed at $1.20 with 3,006,491 shares trading. Sagicor Group closed with 19,200 shares changing hands to end 47 cents higher at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $27.50. Scotia Group gained 90 cents with 68,292 shares changing hands and closed at $34.90, Scotia Investments lost 9 cents with 4,300 units changing hands to close at $33.40, Proven Investments rose 1 cent to end at 22 US cents, with 136,536 units changing hands and JMMB Group 7.50% preference share traded 796,475 units at $1.08.
Juniors jump to record close on Tuesday
New high for Cargo Handlers on Tuesday.
At the close, the prices of 4 stocks rose, 8 declined with 18 securities trading, compared to 17 trading on Monday as Lasco Distributors dominated trading with 4,494,594 shares after rising 15 cents to close at $6.70. Volume of stocks traded fell on Tuesday by 14 percent, from Monday’s level, ending with 4,752,058 units changing hands, valued at $32,819,600, up 24 percent from $26,556,207 on Monday.
Market activities ended with 7 securities closing with bids higher than their last selling prices and just 2 ending with lower offers.
An average of 264,003 units with an average value of $1,823,311 units traded, compared to 324,429 units with an average value of $1,562,130 on the preceding trading day. The average for December to date is 146,640 units, at an average of $736,180. The average for December to Monday is 137,612 units, at an average of $652,554. November ended with an average of 109,679 units with an average value of $607,092.
CAC 2000 fell 60 cents in trading 2,112 shares to end at $4.50, Cargo Handlers climbed 30 cents to hit a new high of $16.30, with 23,630 shares changing hands, Caribbean Cream closed with 16,455 shares changing hands and lost 20 cents to end at $8. Caribbean Flavours lost 50 cents with 2,000 units changing hands. Caribbean Producers rose 25 cents in trading 400 units at $3.50, C2W Music had 6,122 units changing hands to close at 35 cents, Dolphin Cove exchanged 333 shares and closed at $15, Honey Bun had 1,700 shares changing hands to close at $6 after falling 19 cents. 
Iron Rock Insurance traded 215 shares and dropped back $1.05 to $3.60, Jetcon Corporation closed trading with 80,200 units, to end at $5.89, KLE Group ended at $1.95 with 5,530 shares changing hands, Knutsford Express traded just 253 shares but the price slipped 44 cents to $19.55. Lasco Financial ended with 10,200 shares changing hands, for 5 cents higher to $3.35, Lasco Manufacturing ended at $4.98 with a fall of 2 cents after 99,283 units switch hands, Medical Disposables had 6,900 units changing hands, to close with a fall of 60 cents at $4.20, Sweet River traded 200 shares to close at $3.85 and Eppley 9.5% preference share traded 1,931 units at $6.18.
Juniors jump to new record close– Monday
Prices on the junior market mostly rose on Monday, and pushed the market index up by a strong 43.35 points to end at record close of 2,523.96, on increased trading activity from Friday’s levels, to be up a strong 41 percent for the year to date.
At the close, the prices of 9 stocks rose, 2 declined with just 17 securities trading, compared to 9 trading on Friday. The volume of stocks traded jumped on Monday by 71 percent, from Friday’s level, ending with 5,515,300 units changing hands, valued at $26,556,207, up 61 percent from $16,494,089 on Friday.
Market activities ended with 7 securities closing with bids higher than their last selling prices and just 5 ending with lower offers.
An average of 324,429 units with an average value of $1,562,130 units traded, compared to 357,770 units with an average value of $1,832,677 on the preceding trading day. The average for December to date is 137,612 units, at an average of $652,554. 
The average for December to Friday is 122,044 units, at an average of $576,756. November ended with an average of 109,679 units with an average value of $607,092.
Cargo Handlers climbed $2.99 to hit a new high of $16, with only 870 shares changing hands, Caribbean Cream closed with 7,297 shares changing hands and gained 25 cents to $8.20, Caribbean Flavours rose $2 to trade at a 52 weeks’ high of $13 with 5,000 units changing hands. Derrimon Trading exchanged 19,325 shares and closed at $3.70, after rising 15 cents, Honey Bun had 9,313 shares changing hands to close at $6.19 after gaining 19 cents. Iron Rock Insurance traded 516,500 shares at $4.65, Jamaican Teas ended at $4.25 with 8,350 shares being exchanged, Jetcon Corporation closed trading with 26,416 units, to end at $5.89, KLE Group ended at $1.95 with 1,355 shares changing hands, 
Knutsford Express traded just 200 shares but the price slipped 1 cent to $19.99. Lasco Distributors had 47,247 shares trading and rose 15 cents to close at $6.55. Lasco Financial ended with 200,502 shares changing hands for 5 cents more to $3.30, Lasco Manufacturing ended at $5 with a fall of 5 cents after 4,501,100 units switch hands, up from 2,898,885 shares changed hands, on Friday. Paramount Trading had 166,512 units changing hands to close at $3, Sweet River traded 3,300 shares with a rise of 3 cents to close at $3.85, tTech traded 513 shares but rose 25 cents to $5.25 and Eppley 9.5% preference share traded 1,500 units at $6.18.