National Commercial Bank ended its financial year to September with record profits helped by strong loan growth and big loan recovery of loans that were previously quarantined as doubtful.
The big Jamaican bank posted profit after tax and minority interest of $5 billion for an increase of 34 percent over the similar period in 2015 and a rise of 27 percent for the full year to $15.6 billion.
Earnings per share ended at $2.03 for the fourth quarter and $6.35 for the year. NCB recovered bad loan resulting in a positive flow of $291 million in the last quarter reducing the full year charge to $612 million compared to $1.8 billion in 2015.
Revenues net of interest expense rose 12 percent to $13.6 billion for the quarter and 9.6 percent to $52 billion for the full year. Net interest income grew 8.3 percent for the year to $28.1 billion. NCB results of a boost from Associated company profit, that rose from $122 million to $443 million in the September quarter and to $832 million from $434 million in 2015.
Loans, the critical contributor to revenue growth grew a strong 14.3 percent for the year to reach $189 million while investment securities declined modestly.
The group declared a dividend of 90 cents per share bring the full year payment to $2.25. The stock which remains IC Insider Buy Rated, last traded on the Jamaica Stock Exchange at $45.50 and is in strong demand with limited supply.
JSE all Jamaican closes at record 190,723
NCB closed at a new high on Wednesday.
At the close 6,616,334 units valued at $97,621,824 changed hands, compared to 7,411,988 units valued at $113,469,413 changing hands on Tuesday. The junior market accounted for 1,948,431 units trading valued at $13,610,614 of the stocks traded.
The average trade for the day in the main market ended at 186,716 and 182,374 month to date units. On Tuesday, an average of 255,960 units traded and 178,031 month to date. The average for the October was 220,811 units.The market closed with 37 securities trading as the prices of 16 gained while 10 declined in the overall market, including 4 stocks rising and 3 falling, in the junior market. Three stocks in the overall market, traded at new highs.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 8 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 with lower offers.
In market activity, Barita Investments traded 10,750 units and to close at $4.10, Berger Paints traded 10,285 shares to end at $6.23 after rising 23 cents, Cable & Wireless lost 6cents and closed at 82 cents with 1,036,093 units trading. Caribbean Cement fell 85 cents with just 6,940 units changing hands to close at $30, Carreras traded 3,500 shares and rose 30 cents to end at $65.50, Grace Kennedy climbed 94 cents in trading 32,059 units at $40.99, Jamaica Producers gained 9 cents in trading 30,000 shares at $8.24. JMMB Group traded 2,054 shares and lost 10 cents, to end at $13.70, Jamaica Stock Exchange dived $2, ending at $6 after trading 89,061 shares,
Kingston Properties traded 29,600 shares and closed at $10. Margaritaville Turks traded 85,200 shares to close at a 52 weeks’ high of 24.50 US cents, after rising by 0.50 cent, National Commercial Bank rose 1 cent in trading 104,502 shares to close at a new 52 weeks’ closing high of $45.50, Pan Jamaican Investment gained 40 cents and closed at $23.70 after trading 2,700,060 shares, Sagicor Group had 21,526 shares changing hands and rose 48 cents to close at $23.90. Scotia Group climbed 59 cents in trading 60,823 shares to close at $31.79, Seprod fell $1.50 in trading 20,949 shares to end at $28.50, Supreme Ventures traded 147,357 shares to close at $5. Proven Investments traded 172,995 units and rose 1 cent to close at 20 US cents and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.25% preference share traded 80,000 units to close at $2.40.
Juniors jump sharply on Wednesday
Paramount closed at a new high of $34 on Wednesday.
At the close of trading 12 securities traded, the same as on Tuesday, resulting in 4 stocks advancing and 3 declining, including 1 that traded at an all-time high. Market activities ended with 3 securities closing with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 ending with lower offers.
Trading volume rose 54 percent from Tuesday’s levels, ending with 1,948,431 units changing hands, valued at $13,610,614, up by 111 percent from $6,437,908 on Tuesday.An average of 162,369 units with an average value of $1,134,218 traded, compared to 105,747 units with an average value of $536,492 on the preceding trading day. The average for the month to date is 101,400 units at $597,986 compared to 129,138 units at $709,705 for October.
In trading activity, AMG Packaging climbed $1 and ended with 49,610 shares changing hands at $19.50, Blue Power closed with 10,100 units changing hands at $21.56.
CAC 2000 traded 8,500 units and closed at $4, Cargo Handlers ended with 3,245 shares changing hands at $12, Caribbean Producers closed trading with 41,280 units and lost 38 cents to close at $3.12. C2W Music traded 3,057 shares but fell 2 cents to end at 23 cents, Derrimon Trading closed with 4,000 units changing hands at $4.80, Jetcon Corporation traded 15,900 shares and gained 10 cents in closing at $4.75. Lasco Distributors ended with 1,540,643 shares trading at $7, after trading at a low for the day of $6.40. Lasco Financial gained 23 cents and ended with 158,269 shares changing hands to close at $3.13 and Lasco Manufacturing fell 5 cents and closed at $4.85 with 101,297 shares changing hands.
Juniors hit new high – Monday
Paramount ended at a new all-time high of $33.05 with a rise of $4.05.
Paramount Trading with a jump of $4.05 to a new high, was a major contributor to the rise but advancing stocks were edged out by decliners 4 to 5.
Trading volume dropped 61 percent from Friday’s levels, ending with 626,293 units changing hands, while value traded, declined 60 percent to $3,677,838 from $9,305,449 on Friday.
An average of 39,143 units with an average value of $229,865 traded, compared to 100,635 units with an average value of $571,332 on the preceding trading day. The average for the month to date is 88,337 units at $503,039 compared to 129,138 units at $709,705 for October.
At the close of the market, 16 securities traded, versus 14 on Friday resulting in 4 stocks advancing and 5 declining. Trading closed with 2 stocks hitting record highs during the day, only 1 ended at a closing 52 weeks’ high. Market activities ended with 3 securities closing with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 ending with lower offers.In trading activity, Access Financial had 10,000 shares changing hands to close at $21, AMG Packaging shed $1 and ended with 10,925 shares changing hands at $18.50, Blue Power gained $1.36 and closed with 100 units changing hands at $21.56. CAC 2000 traded 17,500 units and closed at $4.50, as investors stepped in to pick up stocks at the low price, after they previously reacted negatively to the impact of the loss from the lawsuit for damages will have on the company’s finances. Cargo Handlers ended with 350 shares changing hands at $12.50, Caribbean Cream closed with 79,591 shares changing hands and fell 25 cents to end at $7.60.
Caribbean Producers lost 17 cents and closed trading with 50438 units at $3.41, Honey Bun with 830 shares changing hands closed at $6.10, Iron Rock Insurance traded 460 shares and gained 50 cents to end at $4.10. Jamaican Teas traded 500 shares to close at $4, Jetcon Corporation traded 152,100 shares in closing and gained 1 cent in closing at $4.60 after it traded at $5 in early trading, Lasco Distributors ended with 91,345 shares trading at $7. Lasco Financial ended with 9,652 shares changing hands to close at $3.10, Lasco Manufacturing fell 10 cents and closed at $4.85 with 200,377 shares changing hands, Medical Disposables traded just 1,200 units but dropped 55 cents to $5 and Paramount Trading jumped $4.05 with 925 units changing hands to close at new high of $33.05.
Kazakhstan stock market 2016 best
Kazakhstan or Peru stock markets seem set be the top performing markets in 2016, taking over from Jamaica, the top performer in 2015, according to data compiled from Bloomberg Market.
Data show that the S&P/BVL Peru General Index is up 53.97 percent for 2016 up to Friday but the movement seems to have stalled since October 19 and the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange Index gained 50.51 percent and is currently rising.
The Jamaica Stock Exchange was rated the top performing market in 2015, but data sourced suggests that it will be hard pressed to wear that crown in 2016. For the year to date the JSE market index is up 13 percent, but that pales in comparison to a number of markets that have delivered gains that are much higher. The junior market index with the fast growing companies with 37 percent gain this year, is in at 5th position, Bloomberg did not report data publicly on this index.
The positive for the local market, is that many of the top performing markets seem to be declining while the JSE is on the rise and usually rallies in the latter part of the year. With undervalued Scotia Group and National Commercial Bank could benefit from the release of full year results by early December. If investors react positively to the results they could climb sharply and pull the overall market up, giving it a shot at the top spot. That would require a big 70,000 points gain to possibly hit the top spot.
The other markets that have been doing very well in 2016 to date are, Buenos Aires Stock Exchange Merval Index up 43.51 percent, Ibovespa Brasil Sao Paulo Stock Exchange Index rising 42.10 percent, BCT Corp Costa Rica Stock Market Index is up 33.04 percent, Bermuda Stock Exchange Index rose 25.64 percent, Budapest Stock Exchange Budapest Stock Index climbed 25.49 percent.
Kazakhstan has a population of 17.04 million in 2013 according to the World Bank, the stock market has 116 listing of shares by 98 companies.
New record close for Jamaican stocks
The main market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange that retreated sharply on Thursday, recovered the loss and went on the record a new high, with the All Jamaica Composite Index surging 3,719.22 points to close at an all-time high of 189,308.34, bringing the year to date gains to 13.1 percent.
The JSE Market Index jumping 3,325.66 points to finish at a record 170,317.11 and the JSE combined index climbed sharply by 2,931.21 points up to end at new high of 183,141.71 pushing the gains for the year to date to 15.7 percent.
At the close 3,671,278 units valued at $37,632,036 changed hands, compared to 3,333,891 units valued at $23,300,182 changing hands on Thursday. The junior market accounted for 1,625,906 units trading valued at $9,305,449 of the stocks traded.
The average trade for the day in the main market ended at 78,668 and month to date 128,982 units. On Thursday, an average of 330,400 units traded. 
The average for the October was 220,811 units.
The market closed with 40 securities trading as the prices of 15 gained while 8 declined in the overall market, including 7 stocks rising and 2 falling, in the junior market. A number of attempts to trade Jamaica Stock Exchange were blocked, with the bids posted for most of the day, based on the pre-split price and not on the new number of shares emanating from the 5 to 1 split that became effective on Friday.
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 5 with lower offers.
In market activity, Barita Investments traded 11,000 units and declined 5 cents to close at $4.35, Berger Paints traded 5,000 shares to end at $6.55 after rising 50 cents, to close at a new 52 weeks’ high, Cable & Wireless closed at 85 cents with 765,410 units trading. Caribbean Cement jumped $1.46 with just 200 units changing hands to close at $30.46, Carreras traded 22,791 shares to end at $65. Grace Kennedy lost 5 cents in trading 12,984 units at $41.45,
JMMB Group traded 16,889 shares and lost 20 cents, to end at $14, Kingston Wharves traded 1,735 shares and closed at $17.19, Mayberry Investments rose 35 cents and ended with 2,734 shares trading at the close at $4. National Commercial Bank rose 26 cents in trading 12,030 shares to close at a new 52 weeks’ high of $45.25, Pan Jamaican Investment lost 20 cents and closed at $22.80 after trading 298,100 shares, Sagicor Group had 1,130 shares changing hands and rose 68 cents to close at $23.18. Scotia Group climbed $1.35 in trading 496,267 shares to close at $32.40, Seprod traded 2,000 shares to end at $24.15, Proven Investments traded 34,300 units at 19.90 US cents and Sterling Investments rose $1.45 cent and traded just 300 units to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $15.50.
Juniors falter but 8 stocks rose – Friday
Paramount closed at a new all-time high of $29.
Trading volume dropped 30 percent from Thursday’s levels, ending with 1,625,906 units changing hands, while value traded, declined 16 percent to $9,305,449 from $11,077,945 on Thursday.
An average of 116,136 units with an average value of $664,675 traded, compared to 193,512 units with an average value of $923,162 on the preceding trading day.
The average for the month to date is 100,635 units at $571,332 compared to 129,138 units at $709,705 for October.At the close of the market, 14 securities traded, versus 12 on Thursday resulting in 8 stocks advancing and 2 declining. The market closed with 2 stocks hitting a record highs and 1 at a low. Market activities ended with 7 securities closing with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 ending with lower offers.
In trading activity, AMG Packaging gained $1 and ended with 10,390 shares changing hands at $19.50, CAC 2000 traded 1,000 units and closed at a new low of $4.50 having lost 60 cents, as investors continue to react negatively to the impact of the loss from the lawsuit for damages on the company’s finances. Cargo Handlers ended with a gain of $1.20 with 32,200 shares changing hands at a new closing high of $12.50, Caribbean Cream closed with 1,000 shares changing hands and rose 24 cents to end at $7.85.
Caribbean Producers gained 8 cents and closed trading with 145,000 units at $3.58, Dolphin Cove closed with 200 units changing hands and gained 20 cents to end at $15.49, Honey Bun with 100 shares changing hands closed at $6.10, Iron Rock Insurance traded 900 shares and gained 30 cents to end at $3.60. Knutsford Express traded 2,600 shares in closing at $22, Lasco Distributors ended with 957,467 shares trading to close at $7. Lasco Financial rose by 10 cents with 345,100 shares changing hands to close at $3.10, Lasco Manufacturing fell 5 cents and closed at $4.95 with 128,758 shares changing hands, Medical Disposables traded just 500 units but rose 15 cents to $5.55 and Paramount Trading jumped $2 with 691 units changing hands to close at new high of $29.
Jamaica’s main market in sharp retreat
Scotiabank dropped $1.93 to help rip large chunk in points off the indices.
At the close 3,333,891 units valued at $23,300,182 changed hands, compared to 8,751,466 units valued at $70,052,498 changing hands on Wednesday. The junior market accounted for 2,322,147 units trading valued at $11,077,945 of the stocks traded.
The average trade for the day in the main market ended at 330,400 and month to date 312,605 units. On Wednesday, an average of 294,810 units traded. The average for the October was 220,811 units.The market closed with 34 securities trading as the prices of 11 gained while 10 declined in the overall market, including 4 stocks rising and 2 falling, in the junior market.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 12 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 with lower offers.
In market activity, Berger Paints traded 5,670 shares to end at $6.05 after rising 5 cents, Cable & Wireless rose 1 cent to close at 85 cents with 152,000 units trading. Caribbean Cement dropped $1.85 with 250 units changing hands to close at $29, Carreras traded 1,655 shares to end at $66. Grace Kennedy lost 25 cents in trading 13,630 units at $41.50,
Jamaica Broilers closed at $14.50 with 175,869 shares changing ownership, Jamaica Producers gained 10 cents to end at $8.30 with 71,668 units trading, Jamaica Stock Exchange rose 48 cents and ended at $27.98 while trading 29,463 shares. JMMB Group traded 23,167 shares and rose 21 cents, to end at $14.20, Kingston Wharves traded 2,600 shares and lost 31 cents to close at $17.19, Mayberry Investments ended with 19,020 shares trading at $3.65, National Commercial Bank rose 49 cents in trading 5,915 shares to close at $44.99. Pan Jamaican Investment lost 15 cents and closed at $23 after trading 165,986 shares, Sagicor Group had 64,289 shares changing hands and dropped $1 to close at $22.50. Scotia Group dived $1.93 in trading 5,200 shares to close at $31.05, Seprod traded 9,110 shares to end at $24.15, Proven Investments traded 5,215 units at 19.90 US cents and JMMB Group 7.50% preference shares fell 1 cent and traded 235,175 units at $1.08.
Juniors 11 points short of record – Thursday
The junior market within touch of record territory
Trading volume jumped 345 percent from Wednesday’s levels, ending with 2,322,147 units changing hands, while value traded, climbed 48 percent to $11,077,945 from $7,467,867 on Wednesday.
An average of 193,512 units with an average value of $923,162 traded, compared to of 27,445 units
with an average value of $393,046 on the preceding trading day. The average for the month to date is 95,468 units at $540,218 compared to 129,138 units at $709,705 for October.At the close of the market on 12 securities traded, versus 19 on Wednesday resulting in 4 stocks advancing and 2 declining. Market activities ended with 8 securities closing with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 ending with lower offers.
In trading activity, AMG Packaging gained $1 and ended with 5,000 shares changing hands at $19.50, Cargo Handlers ended with a gain of 30 cents with 3,203 shares changing hands at $11.30, Caribbean Cream closed with 15,780 shares changing hands and rose 55 cents to end at $7.61.
Caribbean Producers lost 15 cents and closed trading with 6,062 units at $3.50, Derrimon Trading closed with 892 units changing hands and gained 20 cents to end at $4.80, General Accident Insurance traded 994,028 shares at $3. Honey Bun with 309 shares changing hands closed at $6.10, Knutsford Express traded 1,676 shares in closing at $22, Lasco Distributors ended with 966,639 shares trading to close at $7. Lasco Financial lost 15 cents with 322,358 shares changing hands to close at $3, Lasco Manufacturing closed at $5 with 5,000 shares and Paramount Trading had 1,000 units changing hands to close at $27.
Juniors just 19 points from record – Wednesday
Paramount Trading closed at a new all-time high of $27.
Trading volume rosed 47 percent from Tuesday’s levels, ending with 521,462 units changing hands, while value traded, climbed 64 percent to $7,467,867 from $4,566,702 on Tuesday. Wednesday’s trades include 30,000 units of Jamaican Teas bond with a value of $3 million.
An average of 27,445 units with an average value of $393,046 traded, compared to 65,446 units with an average value of $304,447 on the preceding trading day. The average for the month to date is 46,446 units at $348,746 compared to 129,138 units at $709,705 for October.
At the close of the market on 19 securities traded, versus 15 on Tuesday resulting in 6 stocks advancing and 4 declining. Market activities ended with 9 securities closing with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 ending with lower offers. One stock closed at a new high and one traded at an intraday high.In trading activity, AMG Packaging ended with 51,684 shares changing hands at $18.50, Cargo Handlers ended with 127,729 shares changing hands at $11 but traded at an intraday high of $12.50. Caribbean Cream closed with 102,300 shares changing hands and lost 46 cents to end at $7.06, Caribbean Flavours traded 17,460 units and gained 2 cents to end at $8.40. Caribbean Producers closed trading with 1,297 units at $3.65, C2W Music closed with 12,000 units changing hands and gained 1 cent to close at 25 cents, Dolphin Cove traded 480 units and jumped $2.79 to $15.29, General Accident Insurance fell 2 cents in trading 100 shares at $3.
Honey Bun with 26,121 shares changing hands closed at $6.10, Iron Rock Insurance had 2,000 units trading and ended at $3.30. Jamaican Teas traded 8,000 shares to close at $4, Knutsford Express lost 50 cents in trading 5,000 shares in closing at $22, Lasco Distributors ended with 50,000 shares trading to close at $7. Lasco Financial ended with 3,065 shares changing hands to close at $3.15, Lasco Manufacturing closed at $5 with 33,336 shares after falling 10 cents, Medical Disposables rose 40 cents to end at $5 with 43,590 shares changing hands. Paramount Trading had 1,450 units changing hands to close at a new all-time high of $27 after rising $3 and tTech traded 5,850 units with a gain of 5 cents to close at $5.05.