JMMB Group is offering 266,737,797 ordinary shares to the public with the option to upsize it to 325 million units and raise up to J$12.4 billion that would lift the existing capital from 1,630,552,532 units to 1.96 billion.
The shares are priced at J$38 for existing shareholders, team members and key investors and J$38.75 for non-reserved share applicants resident in and making applications in Jamaica. Subject to receipt of regulatory approvals for the Invitation in Trinidad and Tobago, TT$1.90 per new ordinary share for existing shareholders and team members and key investors for applicants resident in and making applications in Trinidad and Tobago and TT$1.94 per new ordinary share for non-reserved share applicants.
The offer opens in Jamaica on October 22 at 9 am and in Trinidad and Tobago on October 25 at 9 am and scheduled to close on November 7. The Company reserves the right to close the offer prior to the closing date, provided that, early closure of the application list in Jamaica shall not occur prior to the end of a period of seven days following the Opening Date.
JMMB Group enjoyed moderate growth in earnings over in the past three years with earnings per stock unit for the 2019 fiscal year being $2.34 just slightly higher than the $2.18 in the previous year and $2.03 in 2017 after it jumped from $1.39 in 2016. Total comprehensive income better reflects the quality of management of the operation, by this measure with the exception of 2017 when total comprehensive income hit $4.76 billion profit have not reached that level since, with 2019 hitting $3.4 billion. Dividend payout ratio declined from 26.24 percent in 2016 to 20.65 percent in 2019 although the total amounts paid out have grown.
The group started in Jamaica in 1992 as a broker in money market instruments and expanded into other areas in the financial market since. It now has operations in the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago and plans to use some of the proceeds to acquire indirectly 22 percent of Sagicor Financial Corporation, a Caribbean based Life insurance group.
Earnings per share amounted to 68 cents for the quarter ended in June this year, up from 57 in the June 2018 first quarter. Net profit recorded year over year growth of 17 percent moving from $957 million to J$1.12 billion for the first quarter this financial year.
Net operating revenue stood at J$5.84 billion as at the end of the period representing growth of 25 percent or J$1.18 billion over the prior comparable period. This growth resulted from increases in net gains on securities trading, FX trading gains, fees and commission income and net interest income. Net interest income grew 6 percent over the prior comparable period ending the June 2019 quarter at J$2.2 billion. Operating expenses for the reporting period totaled J$3.84 billion, 15 percent higher than the prior period.
JMMB Group has a number of positives, the main one being the diversification of countries it operates in. Growth in the Jamaican economy and the substantially larger population of the Dominican Republic relative to Jamaica and Trinidad provides a strong platform for above-average growth of the group. There are political and economic risks associated with the diverse locations but the group capital base is growing and that will allow it to expand the business into areas that can deliver an above-average return.
The price the stock is offered at is fair with modest potential for growth short term with a PE around 14 times this year’s earnings versus a market average of 16, but the stock peaked at J$55 earlier this year.
QWI Investments list on Monday
The latest initial public offering of shares QWI Investments was approved for listing on the main market the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Friday and will be listed on Monday.
The offer of shares was initially for 600 million units but was upsized to 900 million after the issue was oversubscribed. The issue saw more than 4,000 applicants applying for more than 1.6 million shares and pulled in just over $2 billion with more investors who never caught the IPO wanting shares.
As a result of the oversubscription, applicants from the General Public received the first 100,000 units plus 31.2188 percent of the excess applied for. NCB Capital Markets and Directors of QWI Investments get the full allotments. All other applicants got a portion of what they applied for with a minimum of 76,000 units for applicants in the Jamaican Teas and KIW International pool.
QWI Investments IPO oversubscribed
NCB Capital Markets advised that the invitation for subscription of 600 million shares with an option to upsize to 900 million units by QWI Investments closed on Wednesday morning.
The share offer was by way of a prospectus dated September 9, 2019, in respect of ordinary shares at the price of $1.35 to the general public, with shares reserved at discounted prices of $1.20 and $1.25 for some investors. The issue attracted more than 4,134 applicants but more than 4,550 applications for an estimated $1.5 billion at an interim count stage with a number of persons who wanted to buy in not being able to do so. With the level of oversubscription, the company exercised the option to upsize the issue to 900 million to raise just under $1.3 billion.
QWI Investments is an investment company that will be added to the JSE Financial Index JSE sources say.
IC Insider.com is reliably informed, that there are two pending IPOS coming to the market soon. JMMB Group and the Lumber Shop both sought and got approval from shareholders to arise added capital and these could be the next two to come but Tropical Battery should not be far off. There could be two others before the year closes.
New IPO coming in days
The Jamaica Stock Exchange should be welcoming another new main market listing, before too long as the latest new entrant to come with an initial public offer, is expected to present their case to the investment public in the coming week.
The issue hopes to raise just over $1 billion that would see shareholders’ equity moving from $700 million to nearly $2 billion if the maximum target is reached. The pricing of the issue is expected to be less than $1.40 per share.
5 hot summer IPOs
Initial public offers have been extremely popular amongst investors who have made good money from the vast majority of them. Come this summer investors will get five more opportunities to invest in IPOS.
The last issue, Wigton Windfarm made several thousands investors happy, with the price rising as high as 90 percent over the IPO price of 50 cents. Even now that it is trading lower than the peak, investors are still more than 40 percent up on the initial price. Investors in the year’s first IPO, iCreate are not that lucky as the $1.01 they paid for the stock fell as low as 70 cents since and remains well below the IPO price.
Coming this summer are, The Lab that styles itself as a fully integrated 100 percent Jamaican born and bred advertising agency with global reach and an island swagger.
Kimala Bennett is the company’s Managing Director. NCB Capital Markets are the brokers for The Lab, that could be looking at regional expansion. Clients include National Commercial Bank, JPS. Wendy’s Dominos, Supreme Ventures, Wray and Nephew, Grace Kennedy, Caribbean Broilers, Digicel. Persons in the know say this is one of those IPOs to plan for, as it is unique and profitable. NCB Capital Markets is also taking Eppley Property Fund, a company that owns property across the Caribbean, to market this summer as well as QWI Investments, a new company that invests in listed shares.
NCB Capital Markets is also brokers to Tropical Battery Company. The company expects to come to market in July, to raise around $200 million in an IPO our sources state. The company was founded in 1950 and later purchased by John Melville and remains in the family, since. The company’s core business is the sale of automotive batteries, complemented by the distribution of several local and world renowned automotive consumer brands. Tropical Battery’s headquarters is located in Kingston, with distribution centres in Kingston and Montego Bay.
Another that will be coming to market is Sagicor Select Funds Limited an Exchange Traded Fund that is going to market in June to raise $5 billion. The fund according to Sagicor Investment CEO, Kevin Donaldson, will track the JSE Financial Index and will be rebalanced if needed, monthly. Donaldson indicates that the fund currently has assets of $1.2 billion already. Sagicor Investments could have 2 to 3 additional listings before the year ends.
When completed, the new listings on the Jamaica Stock Exchange will raise the listed ordinary shares to more than 80 and total listings to more than 100 securities.