Cable & Wireless reports profit for the year ending March of $1. 2 billion, up from a loss of $8.9 billion in 2015. The company got help from net exceptional credit of $1.2 billion, even without this credit, the company made a small profit after finance cost but before taxation.
Importantly, C&W made an operating profit in the second half of the year of as Mobile revenues climbed by 22 percent.
The exceptional income stems from a reversal of $3.4 billion of restructuring cost written off in the 2015 fiscal year offset by employment restructuring cost in 2016. The company reports profit of $178 million in the March quarter compared with $486 million in the December quarter.
Revenues for the group rose moderately to $23 billion from $21.9 billion in the 2015 period while operating expenses fell to $15.8 billion from $17.4 billion but depreciation rose to $2.3 billion from $1.7 billion. Amortisation cost climbed to $1.1 billion from $848 million while finance cost remained fairly steady at $3.9 billion.
The company’s stock trades at $1.48 up 10 cents in the morning session from Monday’s closing price, on the Jamaica Stock Exchange today.
JSE starts week with gains
May 30, 2016 by
Grace Kennedy closed at a new 1 year high
A total of 32 securities changed hands, accounting for 3,191,366 units valued at just $23,420,615, in all market segments. The junior market accounted for 829,940 shares valued at $2,963,453 of the overall trades.
Investors pushed the price of 13 stocks in the overall market up, 7 down, including 3 stocks rising and only 2 declining, from the junior market as two stocks in the main market hit new highs.
The JSE Market Index gained 861.29 points to end at 156,732.93. The all Jamaica Composite Index rose 963.24 points to close at 174,116.44 and the JSE combined index climbed 805.29 points, to close at 167,216.37.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading showed 13 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 with lower offers.At the end of market activities, Barita Investments gained 43 cents and ended with 16,800 units traded at $3.49, Berger Paints rose 5 cents in trading 95,000 shares at $4.45, Cable & Wireless rose 3 cents and closed at $1.38 after trading 236,243 units, Caribbean Cement traded 35,680 shares, gained $1 and closed at $26. Carreras had 10,090 units trading, to close at $65, Ciboney Group had 305,937 units trading at 21 cents, the price of 1834 Investments rose 1 cent to end at $1.11, as 12,161 units changed hands. Grace Kennedy climbed $1 in trading 24,384 units, to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $111, after trading at an intraday 52 weeks’ high of $120. Jamaica Broilers lost 40 cents in trading 19,082 units to end at $14.10. Jamaica Producers traded 2,460 shares at $40, Mayberry Investments rose by 50 cents with just 1,020 shares changing hands at $4, National Commercial Bank traded 22,803 shares, to close at $40.
Pan Jamaican Investment Trust went ex-split today with the bid at $24.24 at the close, to buy 18,000 units, but there was no stock on offer, Radio Jamaica closed trading with 86,158 shares at $1.35, Sagicor Group ended with 75,180 shares changing hands at $22.90. Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 158,156 shares at $10.12, Scotia Group fell 15 cents to close at $32.55, as 27,141 units changed hands. Supreme Ventures lost 22 cents in trading 359,687 units to close at $4.65, Proven Investments added 3 cents in trading 286,857 shares at 19.99 US cents, JMMB Group 7.50% preference share had 92,900 units changing hands at $1.04 and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share traded 490,000 units at $2.10 but of these stocks losing 1 cent.
Bank of Jamaica cuts interest rate
May 30, 2016 by
BOJ sold US dollars into the system on Monday
The rate was last reduced from 5.50 percent to 5.25 on August 18, 2015.
According to the central bank “the adjustment to the signal rate reflects the Bank’s assessment that the inflation outlook for the fiscal year 2016/17 will continue to be favourable and is expected to be within the lower half of the 4.5 percent to 6.5 percent target range for the fiscal period. Although growth has been weaker than expected, macroeconomic indicators have been reflecting generally positive trends. Inflation expectations remain firmly anchored in single digits, international reserves are above adequacy levels, the current account of the balance of payments is projected to be at a sustainable level, private sector credit is expanding, market interest rates have been trending downwards and the fiscal accounts continue to be strong.”
The reduction follows falls in Treasury bill rates that are now just ahead of the pre adjusted CD rate.
18 JSE stocks up 9 down on Friday
May 27, 2016 by
Grace Kennedy closed at a 52 weeks’ high of $110 on Friday .
Investors pushed the price of 18 stocks in the overall market up, 9 down, including 10 stocks rising and only 1 declining, from the junior market as two stocks in the main market hit new highs.
The JSE Market Index surged 1,803.62 points to end at 155,871.64. The all Jamaica Composite Index rose 2,017.11 points to close at 173,153.20 and the JSE combined index climbed 1,971.51 points, to close at 166,411.08.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading showed 13 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 with lower offers.
At the end of market activities, Cable & Wireless closed at $1.37 after trading 74,150 units, Caribbean Cement traded 9,295 shares and closed at $25, Carreras fell $1.44 with 36,517 units trading to close at $65, the price of 1834 Investments remained unchanged at $1.10 as 23,335 units changed hands. Grace Kennedy jumped $10 in trading 5,070 units, to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $110, Jamaica Producers traded 2,500 shares at $40, Kingston Properties traded 9,795 shares to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $10, Kingston Wharves fell 25 cents and closed with 2,782 shares changing hands at $11.55. Mayberry Investments lost 45 cents with 8,424 shares changing hands at $3.50, National Commercial Bank traded 29,953 shares, to close at $40 after losing 25 cents. Pulse Investment traded 5,600 shares and gained 10 cents to close at $3.20, 
Radio Jamaica gained 2 cents in trading 73,776 shares at $1.35, Sagicor Group rose 40 cents and ended with 56,021 shares changing hands at $22.90. Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 83,944 shares at $10.12, Scotia Group jumped $1.70 to close at $32.70, while 14,350 units changed hands, Seprod traded 1,343 shares with the price falling 49 cents to $16.50. Sterling Investments closed at $11.95 in the main market with 10,000 shares trading, while the 20,000 shares traded in the US dollar market at 11 US cents. Supreme Ventures closed at $4.87 with 37,960 shares changing hands, after losing 28 cents, Proven Investments lost 3 cents in trading 209,562 shares at 17 US cents and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share, traded 3,671,900 units at $2.11.
Palace jumped $55 on Thursday
May 26, 2016 by
Palace Amusement Company jumped $55 to end at a 52 week’s high of $150.
Investors pushed the price of 16 stocks in the overall market up, 10 down, including 5 stocks rising and 6 declining, from the junior market as two stocks in the main market hit new highs.
The JSE Market Index gained 763.41 points to end at 154,068.02. The all Jamaica Composite Index rose 853.77 points to close at 171,136.09 and the JSE combined index climbed 426.46 points, to close at 164,439.57.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading showed 10 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 with lower offers.At the end of market activities, Cable & Wireless closed with a 9 cents gain at $1.37 after trading 2,156,546 units, Caribbean Cement traded 58,012 shares and gained 1 cent and closed at $25, Carreras rose $1.44 with 13,016 units trading to close at $66.44, Ciboney traded 161,517 units and gained 3 cents to close at 21 cents. Grace Kennedy jumped $8 in trading 3,985 units to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $100, Jamaica Producers traded 97,862 shares at $40, Kingston Wharves closed with 5,572 shares at $11.80, National Commercial Bank traded 268,497 shares, to close at $40 after losing 25 cents. Palace Amusement traded 1,950 shares and gained $55 to close at a 52 weeks high of $150,
Pan Jamaican Investment rose 20 cents to close trading at $121 as 21,000 shares changed hands, Radio Jamaica rose by 2 cents in trading 66,216 shares at $1.33, Sagicor Group ended with 11,348 shares changing hands at $22.50. Sagicor Real Estate Fund gained 12 cents trading 948,689 shares and ended at $10.12, Scotia Group rose 50 cents to close at $31, while 51,927 units changed hands, Seprod traded 10,392 shares with the price rising 9 cents to $16.99. Sterling Investments lost 3 cents to close at $11.95 with 10,410 shares trading, Supreme Ventures closed at $5.15 with 24,700 shares changing hands, after losing 9 cents and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share, traded 559,100 units at $2.11.
Juniors suffer big drop on Thursday
May 26, 2016 by
ISP Finance at new high on Thursday.
A total of 15 securities traded of which 5 advanced and 6 declined. The market ended with bids for 7 stocks closing higher than their last selling prices and 2 ending with lower offers.
At the end of trading, Access Financial Services traded 8,300 units to close at $16.50 after trading at $17.15, AMG Packaging had 1,259 shares trading at $11.65, Caribbean Cream traded early in the morning session at $5 but closed unchanged for the day at $4.47, having traded 326,000 shares. Caribbean Producers traded 65,070 units at $3.90 after falling 65 cents, General Accident traded 49,000 units to close at $2.15. Honey Bun dropped $3.95 and closed at $18 with 10,000 shares traded,
Iron Rock fell 55 cents in trading 1,395 shares to close at $3.20, ISP Finance rose by 15 cents in trading 8,688 shares to end at a new high of $3, Jamaican Teas traded 21,059 units but fell 30 cents to $3.55. Jetcon Corporation traded 137,712 shares and gained 17 cents to close at $3, Lasco Distributors fell 5 cents and closed with 76,820 units trading to close at $7.45. Lasco Financial closed at $3.29 with 2,800 shares changing hands having shed 1 cent, Lasco Manufacturing traded 441,563 shares and rose 10 cents to close at $4.30, Medical Disposables had 37,000 shares changing hands to close at $3, for a 5 cents gain and tTech fell 20 cents and ended with 6,821 units changing hands at $4.30.
JSE loses ground on Tuesday
May 24, 2016 by
Grace traded at a new 52 weeks’ high on the JSE Tuesday.
Investors pushed the price of 13 stocks in the overall market up, 13 down, including 4 stocks rising and 6 declining, from the junior market as two stocks in the main market hit new highs.
The JSE Market Index moved down by 1,629.32 points to end at 152,050.95. The all Jamaica Composite Index declined by 1,822.18 points to close at 168,891.44 and the JSE combined index dropped 1,945.68 points, to close at 162,532.10.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading showed 17 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 with lower offers.At the end of market activities, Cable & Wireless closed at $1.28 after trading 14,655 units, Caribbean Cement traded 100,000 shares and fell $2 and close at $24, Carreras gained 69 cents with 69,370 units trading to close at $65.20. The price of 1834 Investments gained 2 cents to close at $1.01 with 89,139 units, Grace Kennedy traded 12,167 units to gain $1 and closed at $91. Jamaica Broilers closed with a rise of 39 cents to $14.60 while trading 2,600 shares, Jamaica Producers traded 98,860 shares at $34.99, after a loss of 1 cent, JMMB Group traded 156,747 shares but declined 43 cents to close at $9.50, Kingston Properties closed with a rise of $3.30, to a 52 weeks’ high of $9.80, after trading 3,000 units.
Margaritaville Turks traded 49,500 to end at 20 US cents, National Commercial Bank traded 82,360 shares, to close with a rise of 45 cents at $40.25. Pan Jamaican Investment fell back $1.70 to close trading at $121 but with 14,738 shares changing hands, Radio Jamaica rose 2 cents in trading 12,525 shares at $1.32, Sagicor Group ended with 963,187 shares changing hands, to end at $22.30. Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 9,981 shares but ended with a loss of 15 cents at $10, Scotia Group closed at $30 while 249,275 units changed hands, Supreme Ventures closed at $5.24 with 19,300 shares changing hands, after gaining 24 cents and JMMB Group 7.5% preference share traded with 20,000 shares at $1.04 with a loss of 1 cent.
Proposed bonus pushes Jamaica Producers
May 17, 2016 by
Jamaica Producers stock price pushed by proposed stock bonus
Investors pushed the price of 14 stocks in the overall market up, 17 down, including 5 stocks rising and 6 declining, from the junior market.
The JSE Market Index jumped 172.33 points to end at 153,423.94. The all Jamaica Composite Index rose 192.72 points to close at 170,415.77 and the JSE combined index dropped 268.79 points, to close at 164,254.49.IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading showed 10 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 with lower offers.
At the end of market activities, Berger Paints traded 20,000 units with the price rising by 3 cents to $4.28, Cable & Wireless lost 5 cents and closed at $1.42 after trading 1,292,404 units, Caribbean Cement traded 629,300 shares to close at $26 after rising $1. Carreras traded 20,000 units with the price falling 40 cents to close at $63.60, Grace Kennedy dropped $2 with 2,920 shares trading to close at $88. The price of 1834 Investments declined by 2 cents in trading 118,100 units to close at $1, Jamaica Broilers closed with a rise of 15 cents at $14.65 while trading 2,634 shares.
JMMB Group traded 439,275shares at $9.90, for a 9 cents loss. Kingston Wharves traded 62,199 shares and fell 15 cents to $11.65, Margaritaville Turks traded 427,500 shares at 17.5 US cents after rising half a cent, National Commercial Bank traded 308,396 shares, to close with a loss of 25 cents at $39.75. Pan Jamaican Investment closed trading at $125 with 55,085 shares changing hands, Radio Jamaica traded 85,158 shares at $1.10, Sagicor Group ended with 2,464,160 shares changing hands, but gained 20 cents, to end at $23. Scotia Group closed at $30 while 293,780 units changed hands after dropping 50 cents, Supreme Ventures closed at $4.65 with 468,462 shares changing hands after rising 15 cents and JMMB Group 6% preference share ended with 185,730 units trading at $1.10 after rising 1 cent.
Deflation continues to April
May 16, 2016 by
Jamaica is currently passing through a period of deflation according to data released by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica. According to the state entity responsible for gathering economic data, the consumer price index declined for the 4th consecutive month to April compared with the prior months, with the rare falling 0.40 percent in April compared to March 2016.
For the year to date there has been negative inflation of 1.7 percent.
The data was released today by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN). According to STATIN “impacting the movement were the divisions Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages recording a negative 0.5 percent and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels declining by 2.2 percent”. The fall recorded for the division Food and Non-
Alcoholic Beverages was due primarily fall in the prices of the group of Vegetables and Starchy Foods, falling by 2.6 percent. Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels decrease, was due to lower electricity and water rates. Increased prices were seen Transport, due mainly to higher prices for petrol, Clothing and Footwear, Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance, Health, Recreation and Culture, Restaurants and Accommodation Services and Miscellaneous Goods and Services.
Jamaica’s $ competitiveness may be up 5%
May 16, 2016 by
The Jamaican dollar may have gained 5 percent in competitiveness for the year to date against the US dollar. The closing selling rate for 2015 ended at $120.42 and has so far slipped by 3.5 percent to Monday, with inflation being negative 1.7 percent between January and April this year, the Jamaican dollar has picked competitiveness above the change in the rate of exchange.
The foreign exchange market closed on Monday, with dealers buying the equivalent of US$47,761,762 and selling US$44,338,122, in contrast to US$35,541,148 purchased and US$47,935,497 sold on Friday with the rate for the important US dollar rising to record new lows for the Jamaican dollar.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$44,507,300 compared to US$32,883,247 on Friday, as the buying rate for the US dollar rose 5 cents to $123.83.
A total of US$42,340,729 was sold versus US$41,138,924 on Friday with the selling rate rising 8 cents to $124.65. The Canadian dollar buying rate dipped 8 cents to end at $92.26 with dealers buying C$1,069,725 and selling C$866,429, at an average rate that rose 86 cents to $96.50. The rate for buying the British Pound fell 89 cents to $174.92 for the purchase of £1,621,031, while £658,096 was sold, with the rate falling $1.81 to $177.42.
At the end of trading, the selling rate for Euro, fell $1.08 to close at J$140.75, from Friday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$137.76, for a fall of $1.14 from Friday’s rate. The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded amounts to US$167,489 being bought, while US$390,004 was sold.
Highs & Lows| Notable changes to the highest and lowest rates the Jamaican dollar traded at in the foreign exchange market on Monday, include, a decline in the highest selling rate of $29.21 for the US dollar to $130.79, a drop of $19.40 in the lowest selling rate to end at $100.70. There was a rise of $3.45 in the highest buying rate of Canadian dollar to end at $98.75 and a rise of $3.11 in the lowest buying rate to end at $76.11, while the lowest selling rate fell $2 to $89. The highest buying rate for the British Pound dropped $3.35 to $179.65 and the highest selling rate slipped $1.08 to $184.68.