Top 15 Junior market stocks for 2019

January 20, 2019 by

Selection of stocks is not isolated from the environment in which the companies operate. Accordingly, investors need to take developments in the wider economy and in certain sectors that can impact profit.
The data available suggest that Junior Market stocks should do better than those in the main market, in 2019. The TOP 15 Junior market stocks, selected based on the lowest PE ratio, using 2019 projected earnings and stock prices at the start of the year, are listed below.
AMG Packaging – PE 6. AMG suffered from losses incurred in their venture into the production of toilet tissue that failed, resulted in losses and dragging down profit in the box making business. Now that the segment of the business is closed, focus can be on their core business for which there is demand. Revenues should grow along powered by growth in the wider economy. The company reported a big jump in profit for the first quarter to November, from an increase in revenues and improved profit margin. The earnings projected is that for the fiscal year that ends in June 2020, when they would have implemented price adjustments to recover the fall in profit margin. IC Insider.com sees management as a weak area of its operation. Hopefully, changes in the composition of the board will address this frontally. Since the start of the year the price has moved up to $2.70 in response to the strong gains in the first quarter profit.Caribbean Cream – PE 9. The company enjoyed increased sales for the nine months to November last year but with flat sales in the second quarter and pick up in the third quarter. Importantly, the raw material prices for a number of production items fell sharply on the world market and will lower cost for them. The latest is the fall in the price of crude oil that will result in cheaper electricity cost as well and as JPS switches to lower electricity production the savings should gather steam during the year. The combination of lower input cost and increased sales will make the stock a winner in the current year. An investment in the stock around the $5.50 level that it is trading at may not pay off until the second half on 2019 when higher profit is expected. Caribbean Producers – PE 6. The company has more going for it that it has so far
delivered. The interim report to September recorded a loss of $1.3 million, but that was mostly due to write down of computer software cost and cut in the selling prices of some items that affected profit margins negatively. The core business is not affected and margins were, restored in the second quarter. The company benefits from growth in the tourism sectors in both Jamaica and St Lucia where it operates.
General Accident –PE 4.5. Investors are not seriously looking at this stock but they should. The stock is undervalued based on a PE and net asset value. Up to September, the company posted strong gains in profit for the nine months. Reports suggest that the company is looking to expand outside of Jamaica. Increased premium rates and a large pool of investible funds, are expected to deliver higher revenues and profit for the company for awhile. Continued growth in the Jamaican economy will provide a basis for above average growth in premium income and profit.
Fontana – PE 10. The PE is 10 based on current fiscal year’s earning but 7 times based on the next fiscal year results. Investors are unlikely to get this stock in the secondary market close to the IPO price any time soon. Expansion plans will make it a good investment for long term investors if bough in the $3 region. The company will be opening their newest branch in Kingston by the second half of 2019. That will result in increased revenues and profit for the 2020 fiscal year that ends in June. They also have plans for the opening of 3 more stores in the island, when completed they will result in above average growth in revenues and profit.
Elite Diagnostic PE is 6. The company recorded increased cost in 2018 as expenses associated with two new branches impacted profit negatively. The second branch is now in operation and reporting profit, while the one to open in St Anns Bay in the middle of this year should lay the foundation for continued above average growth for another year or two.
Iron Rock Insurance – PE 6. Iron Rock made profit in the September quarter for the first time and was set to report a full year of profit. Moving into 2019, revenues from increased premium income and low overhead cost and growth in the local economy are set to land a decent profit for them.
ISP Finance – PE 6. One of the smaller micro lenders ISP continues to grow and had to float a new bond to raise funds to service increased demand for loans. The September 2018 quarterly results show that interest rates charged on loans fell and that may have helped in stimulating increased demand. Loans should continue to rise and profit as well going into 2019, as cash flow from profits is invested in new loans.
Jamaican Teas – PE 7.5. The group will benefit from continued growth in the local economy and increased purchasing power of Jamaicans. The star performer, export sales have grown healthily for a number of years and should continue the growth path again. Added to this, some cost incurred in 2018, are unlikely to repeat in 2019. Importantly, accounting policy IAS 9 will see all gains or losses on investments being booked through the regular profit and loss statement and that could lift profit in 2019 as local stocks continue to grow in value.
Lasco Financial – PE 6.5. The company continues to earn from Money transfer business but the real growth potential rest in the micro lending area that enjoys high profit margin. The area is crowded but entities with size can have an advantage. Additionally, Lasco has a wide network of branches, used to reach a wide potential group for granting loans.
Lasco Manufacturing – PE 8. New products and the streamlining of the business with potential for more product lines that can be added make this entity a compelling long term investment.
Medical disposables – PE 7.5. The company started as a distributor of medical and pharmaceutical distributors but has now broadened their offering to involve consumer products. The base is established for a wider range of products, using a lot of the existing infrastructure that is adding to the attractiveness of the stock. Results for the June quarter showed strong increased revenues and profit but their usually slow second quarter saw modest increased revenues and flat profit. Importantly, gross profit increased well ahead of the growth in revenues and but for a big increase in foreign exchange losses, profit in quarter and six months would have climbed strongly. Revaluation of the Jamaican dollar in the December quarter will result in a reversal of some of the foreign exchange losses.

Stationery & Office Supplies MoBay Office

PTL- PE 7.5. The company reported growth in revenues for the half year to November resulting in improvement in gross profit. Administrative cost grew higher than revenues with depreciation accounting for 25 percent of the increased cost. The company’s joint venture lubricant plant, was operational during the period and resulted in cost and revenues excluded from the six months results but included in the 2017 figures.  Only the company’s share of profit is now included in the results amounting to $2 million. The company had moved into the repackaging of chlorine and bleach production in 2018. The last quarterly results have not shown much increased business from these two ventures, while they incurred increased staff cost to serve the market. Major improvement in profit, is not expected until the 2020 fiscal year that starts in June 2019 and will probably hold back the stock price for the greater part of the year.
Stationery and Office Supplies – PE 6. SOS delivered two good years on the Junior Market for early investors. IC Insider.com is forecasting another year of strong stock gains for the company. The company moved into the production of exercise books, mostly for schools and added note pads for the local and overseas markets.  Other products could be added to their line up in 2019.   
tTech – PE 6. Results for the September quarter almost doubled, with earnings per share reaching 12 cents, versus 6 cents in 2017, with operating revenues rising an attractive 25 percent. Profit for 2018 should hit 40 cents for the year. Management indicates that they are proactive in seeking new business locally and overseas and sees past marketing effort to attract new business now bearing fruit.

Filed Under: Buy Rated, Investment 2024, Stock Market 2019 Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Case against hanging on to stocks

January 14, 2019 by

Many stocks listed are undervalued based on projected earnings but many offer attractive potential gains but the likely gains are inadequate to put them into the TOP 15. So attractive is the market that many below the TOP 15 have potential to gain in excess of 50 percent in 2019.
Not all growth companies will deliver the same level of returns, a feature of markets that investors need to bear in mind to optimize return on investment. Expansion of smaller companies can have a far more telling impact on profit that larger ones. For example, Grace Kennedy would need to acquire a large entity to make a big improvement to its profit than the typical Junior Market company that are vastly smaller but could acquire a business that will make a big impact on profits.
The 80/20 Rule in the market suggest that only around 2 out of the Top 10 stocks repeat in the subsequent year, this is the results from nearly 40 years of tracking the market. The data shows that around 40 percent of the worst performing stocks in a year are likely to enter the TOP 10 in the subsequent year. What the data suggest is that investors need to be careful in identifying top performing stocks and that top performers with above average growth are likely to come from the worst performers of the prior year.  The year 2018 was unusual with three stocks repeating their 2017 top 10 appearance from the Junior Market and four in the main market. The Junior Market had C2W renamed SSL Venture Capital repeating and in the main market 5 repeated including Pulse Investments and Palace Amusement.
Half of the Junior Market TOP 15 list have either acquired new businesses or actively expanded operation in the past year or plan expansion in the coming year and a boost in revenues and profit is expected. The average PE ratio for the Junior Market based on 2019 projected earnings is 12 but the market closed out 2018 at 16.5. This is an indication of how far the market may rise as well as the extent to which the top 15 stocks are undervalued.

Filed Under: Investment 2024, Stock Market 2019 Tagged With: , , , ,

PE expansion highly likely in 2019

January 14, 2019 by

An overall view of stocks indicates that the main market continues to be steered higher by an upward sloping support line as well the 45 and 125 day moving averages, lending support just below. The Junior Market is currently guided by an upward rising long-term support line, pointing to more gains ahead.
The market is also supported by a golden cross. The  golden cross is a strong bullish long-term signal. The market needs the fuel of rising profits.
Profit performance, in 2018 was mixed, but helped move some stocks higher, falling interest rates however, pushed up PE ratios to 16.5 times 2018 earnings by year end, up from 14 at the end of 2017. PE ratios on average are set to rise above current levels toward 20 in 2019. The Junior Market has 10 stocks and the main market has 6, trading around and above this level. Investors seem more at ease with higher PE ratio than in the past, with interest rates now around 2 percent and economic stability now in the system.
Local economic performance should have a positive impact on profit of most companies as demand grows in the system from greater employment that is expected to continue growing in 2019 as well as increased disposable income.
Nine IPOs made it to the market in the year with three in December, giving investors more investment choices than in 2017, with even more to come in 2019. ICreate will be the first IPO in 2019, but that is a new company, then Wigton Wind Farm’s IPO will be launched early 2019, but it is not one for all investors, as it is mainly an income play. However,

Junior Market stocks should out perform JSE main market stocks in 2019

there are others, namely, a central Jamaica manufacturing entity with a strong export base, the possibility of a paint company plus one in the BPO sector. IC Insider.com gathers that there are at least another three IPOs, that should make it to the market this year, but the Jamaica Stock Exchange is expecting 21 new listings for the year, including preference shares.
Business mergers and acquisitions are likely as some companies shed smaller segments of their operations and others, getting together for greater economies of scale. Stocks comprise different features. Growth plays an important role in many stock selections; examples are Access Financial Services, Elite Diagnostic, Fontana, Derrimon Trading, Jamaica Producers, Kingston Wharves, NCB Financial, PanJam Investment, Paramount Trading, as they grow by acquisition and expansion of current facilities. Carreras is a value play with good dividend yield along with Grace Kennedy.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, Investment 2024, Stock Market 2019 Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jamaican economy to grow in 2019

January 13, 2019 by
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Economic growth picked up in 2018 over 2017 with Alpart Alumina plant resuming production and major road works, increased activity in building of housing, hotels and commercial buildings as well as continued growth in the tourism sector and other service sectors.
As the end of 2018 approached, concerns about the continued robust strength in the Global Economy surfaced with forecast for slower growth worldwide. There were even concerns that the United States could well be entering a recession in 2019 as the Fed increased interest rates and some industries starting to report softer performance.
Foreign exchange movement has been relatively stable, after climbing briefly to J$138 to the US dollar, before backing down with the central bank’s B-FIXITT buying earlier in the year to close the year below J$128 to the US dollar. The revaluation took place sometime after the central bank sold funds into the system, in the usually dryer period for foreign exchange inflows relative to demand ahead of the Christmas period.
Deflation over the first 5 months of the year encouraged a decline in interest rates, which influenced an adjustment in the FX rate and an uptick in the inflation rate, with the inflation for the period to October being 3.5 percent. November ended with zero inflation and December looks as if it will record levels similar to November and should leave the inflation for the twelve months around 3.5 percent. Interest rates are at now the lowest on record with Treasury bill rates hitting a low of 1.7 percent during the year but climbed back to 2.06 percent in December. Technical reading suggest that T-bill rates could trend up to 2.5 percent in 2019. The price of oil could change this, if it remains around US$50 per barrel for a prolonged period in 2019.
Expect growth to increase as improving government fiscal numbers allow for more spending on infrastructure and social services such as health, education and crime fighting. The improving fiscal position with debt to GDP continuing to fall, will maintain downward pressure on interest rates and magnify the case for tax adjustment. Increasing productivity by many businesses will result in low inflation as companies moderate price adjustments. Bank lending is projected to rise, aided by low interest rates that will encourage increased borrowing by customers. Unemployment levels will continue declining with increased employment that will increase spending as real growth in the economy continues to picks up, resulting increased demand for more workers. Government divestments should see some high profile sale that will place added cash in government’s coffers.
Imports increased but a big hike in the price of petroleum on the world market helped to push total imports above normal levels. Oil prices declined in late 2018 and carrying over to 2019 and the country Jamaica should see a decline in the category. The fall in world oil price below $50 per barrel, will reduce foreign exchange demand in 2019 and could result in a large amount of foreign currency savings for the country depending on how long the depressed prices last. The savings along with low inflation and increased productivity could pressure the value of the Jamaica dollar into some revaluation. The other factor of note is the switch over of new 190 MWH gas powered electricity generating plant along with the solar plant to come on stream in 2019 that will reduce imports of petroleum for power generating.
During 2018, road construction in the Kingston area caused dislocation for some businesses, resulting in lower sales, this will carry over into the first half of 2019 but should start to ease in the second half as some are completed are substantially complete.

Growth in tourism expected in 2019


The tourism sector performed in an incredible way in 2018, rising 5.3 percent, for the period, January to October over the similar period in 2017. Stopover arrivals jumped 12.7% in 2017 over 2016, with May to October rising 16.8 percent in 2017, but 2018 was still able to increase 5.5 percent over the robust 2017 increase 2018 is just incredible. The sector should continue to grow around 5 percent for the coming year and bring in another US$150 to $200 million over 2018.
Real Estate should continue to benefit from low mortgage rates and increased disposable income and greater stability of the local currency that will discourage funds going into the US dollar as the ideal investment vehicle. There was no sign that mortgage rates declined in 2018, in response to the sharp fall in Treasury bill rates, as such there is likely to be downward adjustments in mortgage rates during the year.
The Business process outsourcing sector is one of the fastest growing BPO is one of the fastest growing industries, employing around 30,000 individuals with over 55 active entities operating across the island and is said to contributing in excess of US$450 million to Jamaica’s economy. Based on current trajectory, the sector is estimated to grow at a rate of 20 percent per annum and is on a path to contribute more than US$750 million by 2020. A company operating in the sector is expected to list on the JSE in 2019.

Filed Under: Economy 2019, Investment 2024

Aggressive growth stocks pay big

January 13, 2019 by

Stocks of companies that have the potential for active expansions, are likely to do better than those companies relying mainly on agronomic growth.
Investors in these aggressive growth companies may well enjoy slower growth in the early years of a large expansion, but pick up explosive growth in the latter stage of the investment cycle. Smaller companies in strong growth cycle are likely to do better than large companies unless the latter makes a really big expansion.
Listed companies with aggressive growth based on actual or planned expansion are: main market stocks – NCB Financial, Barita Investments, PanJam Investment, Jamaica Broilers, Jamaica Producers, Kingston Wharves, Proven Investments and Seprod. Others in the main market to have above average growth include Jamaica Stock Exchange due to continued new listings and increase in the number of investors coming to the market. Caribbean Cement, who have completed an upgrading of the plant in 2018, Palace Amusement with expansion into Portmore with a new cinema house comprising 4 separate cinemas and Wisynco Group that continues to focus on expanding its range of products either to manufacture or distribute for third parties are three that offer above average growth prospects.
In the Junior Market- Access Financial, Derrimon Trading, Elite Diagnostic, Eppley, Express Catering, Fontana, Indies Pharma, Jamaican Teas, Knutsford Express, Lasco Financial, Lasco Manufacturing, Medical Disposables and Paramount Trading,
Cargo Handlers may not be an aggressive growth company but it has amassed a good pool of cash that will allow it to expand by acquisitions if the directors so desire.

Filed Under: Buy Rated, Investment 2024, Stock Market 2019 Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Scotia Premium Growth up 37% in 2017

February 20, 2018 by

Scotia Investments was the top performing unit trust in 2017.

The Jamaica stock market enjoyed strong growth between 2015 and 2017 with several stocks recording more than 100 percent gains in each of the years. The vast majority of Jamaicans have not participated in the gains offered by the market.
The vast majority of Jamaicans have not enjoyed the benefits of investing directly in the stock market because they do not fully understand it while some are just scared to lose their money. Many investors have taken the hassle or concerns out of investing directly in stocks by investing in equity based unit trust schemes that have delivered better gains than those in the fixed income market.
For while the combined market index of the Jamaica Stock Exchange racked up gains of 43 percent in 2017, the top performing equity based fund, Scotia’s Premium Growth Fund recorded gains of 37 percent for their investors in 2017 on top of a 25 percent gain in 2016. The Scotia Fund displaced Barita’s Capital Growth Fund, the 2016 front runner that ended at number 6 in 2017, delivering a 21.5 percent return, down slightly from 26.7 percent in 2016
Many investors have benefit from the strong performance of the local stock market in a number of ways. Pension funds that a large number of Jamaicans are members of, hold shares of many companies on the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE). There are also insurance company funds that rely on the shares as part of their investment portfolios. The National Insurance Scheme also invests in these companies and many more Jamaicans benefit from the market’s performance than they may be aware of. Others persons invest through unit trusts to enjoy the growth in the market and thus lower their risk. How does this work?

Barita Unit Trust equity drop from #1 in 206 to 6th spot in 2017 with a gain of 21.5%

A unit trust is a pooled investment scheme that allows anyone without expert knowledge and time to invest in a diverse portfolios of most stocks, to invest in them and therefore benefit from the gains that the funds can deliver. The investments, which comprise local and foreign equities, bonds, corporate paper, government securities, real estate, among others, are professionally managed to optimize gains for the investor.
Investing in a unit trust is an attractive option as the portfolios are not only diverse but they also cater to those with or without an appetite for risk. A few of the benefits to be derived are tax free gains, depending on the portfolio, lower levels of market volatility given the mix of securities in each portfolio as well as other perquisites.
From year to year, the performance of investments in equity based unit trust funds may in part reflect the highs and lows of the economy, the percentage share of investments in the local stock market shares and fixed income funds. Most importantly, the management of the funds can make a big difference as can be seen from the varied performance of funds in Jamaica. Additionally, in recent years there have been new players entering the market and new products being offered, thereby creating greater diversity so as to capture new investors and a greater share of the market of the non-investing market.
At present, there are eight schemes managed locally, namely Barita Unit Trust, JMMB Fund Managers, JN Fund Managers, NCB Capital Markets, Proven Fund Managers, Sagicor Investments, Scotia investments Jamaica and  Victoria Wealth Management. All offer varied slate of funds denominated in Jamaican dollars and US dollars. Sagicor Investments has fifteen (15) portfolios, the most diverse of all, followed by Barita Unit Trust, JMMB and NCB, VM, Scotia and newcomer Proven.
Funds under management as at October 2017 stood at $229 billion with Sagicor still commanding the lion’s share with Scotia and NCB holding their double-digit portion while the others shared the remainder of the pie.
In the next article, IC Insider.com will look at the performance of the unit trust equities’ portfolio in 2017 compared to previous years to give investors a better view of the best performing funds.

Filed Under: Investment 2018, Investment Tips Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Main market stocks can gain 40% in 2018

February 20, 2018 by

Chart of main market showing the market trading in an upward sloping channel with the market currently trading just below the upper resistance line.

Last year was a great one for Jamaican stocks but an assessment of the market suggests that 2018 could be a grand year as well with overall price gains likely to be in excess of 40 percent.
Based on projected earnings for 2018, the average PE ratio suggests that the main market stock prices should grow by 26 percent. Falling interest rates could add another 20 percent to gains during the year, bringing overall gains to be in excess of 40 percent.
Technical readings of the market have the main market heading initially to around 390,000 points or 23 percent ahead of the December close, for the all Jamaica Index, before resistance sets in, before moving much higher, later on.
Currently, the main market is caught in a wedge and trading just below the upper end of channel that can be traced to late 2015. The wedge could hold the market in consolidation mode for a short time, a month or two, before breaking out, most likely to the upside. (See Chart of market index.)
Last year was a great one for Jamaican stocks, with 14 of the 64 ordinary shares of companies that were listed prior to the December new listings, rising 100 percent or more and 16 rising between 50 and 81 percent.
IC Insider.com projects that many of the main market heavy weights will find it tough to repeat the strong gains they enjoyed in 2017, if that is the case, their impact on the market index is likely to be less than for 2017. Another factor that could make a repeat of 2017 tough, is the movement of interest rates. Last year, Treasury bill rates fell 29 percent from 6.56 percent to 4.83 percent, that level of decline, is unlikely to happen in 2018, even as some of the decline in the latter part of 2017 is yet to be fully reflected in the prices of stocks to date and should positively affect prices in 2018. IC Insider.com is forecasting rates on 182 days Treasury bill hitting 3 percent by the end of the 2018 first quarter. New listings could help move the indices in 2018, the likely impact is unknown at this point.
There are a number of other factors at play that are set to impact the market. Increasing employment is taking place with the highest number of persons employed in the country’s history. Attendant with that is the sharp fall in unemployment from more than 16.3 percent in 2013, to just over 10 percent in 2017. The annual net employment is growing around 30,000 persons per year and that could rise as the economy gains steam. This will mean more spending and increased tax collection for government. Alpart resumption of Alumina production is a big positive for the overall economy, for increased government revenues and more demand for local goods and services, some of which are provided by listed companies. The tourism sector is enjoying strong growth, apart from increasing foreign exchange intake for the country, will have direct impact on Jamaica Producers and Sagicor X Fund. Jamaica seems to be going through a construction boom with several new buildings under construction, Caribbean Cement and Berger Paints should benefit considerably from such developments.
Lower interest rates will reduce cost for many companies and revaluation of the Jamaican dollar also means lower cost but could result in lower revenues in some cases. More listings on the stock market will result in increased fee income for JSE and brokerage houses, from increased trading volumes.
The TOP 10 stocks include a few surprises while there are others that sit just outside the top stocks that investors may still want to keep a keen eye on. Investors should be looking beyond 2018 as medium term gains beyond 2018 could be strong for stocks that will benefit from current developments long term.
The TOP 10 selection is selling well below the average PE of the Main market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange at just over 6.3 versus nearly 12 at the end of 2017. The hallmark of successful investing is buy low so one can sell high that is why the huge discount of the TOP 10 make them compelling choices. Successful investing is to work to be on top of the market so current sexy stocks are not the ones likely to be in the IC Insider.com’s list.
Barita Investments has moved more into fee based income and that is working well for them, with sharp growth, while net interest income stagnates. The prospects for continued strong growth in fee income continues with more investors seeking better returns than in the fixed interest market. The company should see a change in ownership soon and that could see a more aggressive approach to management that could optimize returns from exiting business and newer lines. Unrealized gains on investment ought to be factored into its earnings in valuing the stocks and that would boost its value considerably, the market is not paying attention.
Berger Paints is set to be a big winner with increasing sales coming from a buoyant construction sector resulting in increased profit and what IC Insider.com expects to be a healthy dose of dividend payments. It could become the next Carreras from a dividend yield standpoint but with growing profits. The company will benefit from lowering of overhead cost which was evident in 2017.
Jamaica Broilers continues to grow organically and from new business being acquired. Growth will continue as the Haitian market deliver greater returns form a growing market while the poultry demand in Jamaica continues to grow.
Caribbean Cement will benefit from lower operating cost, increased sales and a planned cut in financing of the lease which is said will cut hundreds of millions of dollars out of it cost that could come close to $2 per share per annum.
Palace Amusement Company, currently enjoying sell out cinemas with block busters hit is one of those unusual choices. It enjoys minimal trading but it could surprise on the upside if all goes well. Growth in the economy and increased employment will help to boost patronage going forward and will aid in profit growth as well.
JMMB Group put out outstanding Q3 results with a 39 percent increase in profit and strong gains in revenues, auguring well for 2019 outcome.

JMMB Group Q3 profit jumped 39% in 2018

The growth potential remains strong and investors in the stock will reap rich rewards down the road. Just one stock that requires patience. By the way fees and commission income jumped an impressive 71 percent to $512 million in the quarter and 53 percent in the nine months, over the similar period in 2016 and should continue to do so going forward.
Radio Jamaica continues to disappoint with below expected revenues and profit. It could return to favour but needs to generate more income from advertising. This is one to accumulate for a payoff down the road.
The other three stocks, Sterling Investments, Grace Kennedy and Sagicor Group are undervalued and could deliver some decent returns to patient investors.
Below the TOP 10 are strong candidates to deliver decent returns this year and beyond, the list includes NCB Financial that is on a strong growth trajectory and recently listed Wisynco Group that should generate earnings around $1.10 for the 2019 fiscal year that starts in July.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, Investment 2018, JSE Main Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Junior stocks set for strong 2018

January 23, 2018 by

IC Insider.com Junior Market TOP 10 stocks for 2018

Junior market stocks performed better than main market stocks in 2017 but that performance does not show in the gains in the market indices of both markets.
The Junior Market rose just 5.3 percent at the end of the year, down from a high of 31 percent in May.
The pull back of the index from its peak pushed the market into very negative technical readings. The first negative is a head and shoulder pattern, then the deadly cross where the short and medium term moving averages have fallen below the long term moving average and to that is an examination of the potential gains for individual stocks show that more two third of them are valued around or above the market average for 2017 earnings. That means that there is not much ammunition left to seriously push this market much higher based on 2017 profit out turn. Weighting down on the juniors is a series of company results that are not reflected positive price driven data.

General Accident could be a leader in the Junior Market in 2018 as they benefit from higher premium rates.

The reports include, Paramount Trading with strong rise in revenues for the November quarter but lower profits as administrative cost rise Caribbean Cream enjoyed a strong 18 percent increase in revenues but that could not overcome a rise in administrative and direct cost in the November quarter, resulting in profit falling from $19 million in 2016 to less than $1 million in 2017 and helped to push six months profit to $71 million versus $137 million in 2016. AMG Packaging revenues jumped 24 percent in the quarter to November but increased cost wipe the sales gains away and more to leave a profit of $10 million versus $18 in the prior year period.
Express Catering is continuing to deliver strong increased earnings but the stock is already well priced and so too is Knutsford Express at which revenues rose by 18 percent in the November quarter but at a slower pace than in the prior year. For the August quarter and profit grew by just 15 percent, with half year earnings per share coming in at 19 cents, full year earnings should come close to 50 cents but the stock is already a high price relative to the overall market.
The positives in the market is that the 45 days moving average is now over stretched and should enjoy some rebound sooner than later. Looking fully at 2018 thinks appear brighter with IC Insider.com pointing to 14 stocks including the IPO, Elite Diagnostics that could double in price and around 8 that could gain over 50 percent.

Elite Diagnostics could be in the Junior Market TOP 10 by the end of 2018.

Based on projected earnings for 2018, the average PE ratio suggests that Junior Market stock prices should grow by 36 percent. Technical readings have the junior market moving to 3,900 points, 43 percent higher than the end of 2017, before major resistance sets in.
The Top 10 Junior market stocks are taken from those listed at the start of 2018. The list therefore excludes Elite Diagnostics which should end in the top of 2018 best Junior Market stocks at the end of the year.
The list comprise some 2017 under performers, insurance companies that should benefit from increased premium income and in the case of Key Insurance reduced administrative cost. Paramount Trading is adding new product lines that should not only boost top line but with bottom-line growth, while Caribbean Producers and Dolphin Cove will benefit from the strong growth in tourism.

Filed Under: Buy Rated, Investment 2024, JSE Junior Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Jamaican dollar could hit $116 to the US

January 21, 2018 by

Chart shows that the Jamaican dollar could go back to 120 to US dollar in 2018.

The rate to purchase the US dollar with the Jamaican dollar peaked at J$131.31 and closed 2017 at J$125. Talk to a number of persons they will tell you to use the inflation differential with the US as the measure to determine what the annual change should be. That may be true but it is just a guide not gospel.
But some say we have been there before only to see the local currency continuing on a runaway train. This time around it could indeed be vastly different. The fundamentals of the economy seems strongly in support of the local dollar that may well have exceeded an accepted competitive level, much lower than the 2017 lowest value. A number of positives have taken place. The fall in the price of oil on the world market has been a major savings and gone a long way to ease pressure on the Jamaican dollar. But other imports have fallen as well with the devaluation of the local currency while non-traditional exports have been rising fast. The BPO sector along with tourism, have done very well in earning added inflows. The net result is that the country’s current account has improved considerably at sustainable levels. The full restoration of Alpart’s operation means even more foreign exchange earnings for the country.
The Jamaican dollar lost value almost directly as a result of prolong period of excessive fiscal deficit that government ran for decades. Government is now running fiscal surpluses and that will keep inflation and interest rates low for a prolonged period and should result in a sustained value for the local currency. Importantly, with increased production of goods and services many Jamaican companies are enjoying a period of increased productivity that augurs well for increased competitiveness which lends support to the recent revaluation. Come 2019, a major portion of electricity generation will be at reduced rates as JPS switch to new sources of electricity generation that should add more to productivity.
Technically, the long term trend suggests continuation of depreciation of the dollar but shorter term chart shows a neck and shoulder pattern suggesting that the currency could correct lower to J$120 to the US while the upper trend line of the channel which was broken in 2014 could be broken if the positive trend in the economy continues, in such a situation the local dollar could fall below J$120 to the US with J$116 seems like a possible level. A look at the chart since 2016 suggests that the continuing weakness over several years may well give way to a break below the long term channel top during 2018, which may have long term implications for the local dollar, it could mean that the continuing decline in the value for several years may be arrested for some, provided the fiscal discipline is maintained.

Filed Under: FX Market, Investment 2024

Great period ahead for stocks

January 15, 2018 by

Interest rates are falling and will drive stocks higher in 2018.

Last year was a great one for Jamaican stocks but an assessment of the market suggests that 2018 could be a grand year as well with overall price gains likely to be in excess of 40 percent.
Based on projected earnings for 2018, the average PE ratio suggests that the main market stock prices should grow by 26 percent and Junior Market by 36 percent. Falling interest rates could add another 20 percent to gains during the year, bringing them to be in excess of 40 percent.
Technical readings of the markets have the main market heading initially to around 390,000 points or 23 percent ahead of the December close, for the all Jamaica Index, with the junior market moving to 3,900 points, 43 percent higher than the end of 2017, before resistance sets in. Before moving much higher, the Junior Market must break through the 3,000 and 3,200 levels which were set when the market dropped after Lasco Distributors fell from the $7 level to below $4 late in 2017, helped by a fall in Lasco manufacturing.
Last year was a great one for Jamaican stocks, with 14 of the 64 ordinary shares of companies that were listed prior to the December new listings, rising 100 percent or more and 16 rising between 50 and 81 percent.
Although, the Junior and Main Market index rose just 5.3 percent and 51 percent respectively, at the end of the year, only 9 of the 34 listings at the end of the year recorded losses, while the main market recorded just 5 declining stocks.

Elite Diagnostics is the first 2018 IPO out of 9, that is expected this year.

Importantly, the average gains for the Junior Market is 79 percent and losses, averaging of 20 percent, for a net gain of 59 percent. The average main market stock rose 68 percent while losses averaged 22 percent, for a net of 48 percent.
2017 IPOS|The past year saw 9 new companies listing on the exchange, another 9 could list in 2018. If the trend of the 2017 IPOs with all ordinary IPO shares rising, repeats for 2018 IPOs, then investors can look forward to another round of profitable new offerings. Added to that, a number of last year’s listings should continue to deliver above average returns in 2018.
Stocks to grow in 2018| IC Insider.com projects a better performance in the Junior Market Index in 2018 than for 2017 but the main market may be challenged to deliver a similar performance. Many of the main market heavy weights will find it tough to repeat the strong gains they enjoyed in 2017, if that is the case, their impact on the market index is likely to be less than for 2017. Another factor that could make a repeat of 2017 tough, is the movement of interest rates. Last year, Treasury bill rates fell 29 percent from 6.56 percent to 4.83 percent, that level of decline, is unlikely to happen in 2018, even as some of the decline in the latter part of 2017 is yet to be fully reflected in the prices of stocks to date and should positively affect prices in 2018. IC Insider.com is forecasting rates on 182 days Treasury bill hitting 4 percent by the end of the 2018 first quarter. New listings could help move the indices in 2018, the likely impact on them is unknown at this point.

Growth in tourism is expected to directly impact a number of companies positively in 2018.

Increasing GDP| There are a number of other factors at play that are set to impact the market. Increasing employment taking place should continue in 2018 as economic activity gains momentum, this will mean more spending and increased tax collection for government. Alpart resumption of Alumina production is a big positive for the overall economy, for increased government revenues and increased demand for local goods and services, some of which are provided by listed companies. The tourism sector is enjoying strong growth, apart from increasing foreign exchange intake for the country, will have direct impact on Jamaica Producers, Dolphin Cove, Express Catering, Caribbean Producers and Sagicor X Fund. Jamaica seems to be going through a construction boom with several new buildings under construction, Caribbean Cement and Berger Paints should benefit considerably while Blue Power’s lumber segment should see improved sales from such developments.
Lower interest rates mean lower cost for many companies and revaluation of the Jamaican dollar also means lower cost but could result in lower revenues in some cases. More listing on the market means more fee income for JSE and brokerage houses, from increased trading volumes.

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