Scotia Group could see strong growth in 2019 profit.
Scotia replaced Berger Paints that was merely squeezed out to sit just outside the TOP 10 at the number 11 spot. Top 10 list movements were modest for the past week, following the previous week of volatility. In the Junior Market, Honey Bun sneaked into the TOP 10 by easing out Jamaican Teas in the process.
Scotia Group, reported flat profits for the nine months from normal ongoing operations. Gains from sales of Credi Scotia and exceptional foreign exchange gains in the July quarter push profit
up well above that of 2017. Importantly, the best indicator going forward for increased profitability, is growth in loans. During the July quarter loans grew a strong 3.7 percent between April which works out at an attractive 15 percent per year that should equate to 25-30 percent profit growth in 2019 if the trend continues.The main market closed the week with the overall PE slipping to 15.3 from 15.6 from the previous week, the PE of the Junior market remained unchanged at 5.5 from the prior week.
The PE ratio for Junior Market Top 10 stocks average 9.3 and the main market PE is now 9.7.
The TOP 10 stocks now trade at an average discount of 40 percent to the average for the Junior Market Top stocks but it’s a third of what the average PE for the year is likely to be of 20 times earnings. The main market stocks trade at a discount of 37 percent to the overall market.TOP 10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns within a 12 months period. Stocks are selected based on projected earnings for each company’s current fiscal year. Based on
an assumed PE for each, the likely gains are determined and then ranked, with the stocks with the highest potential gains ranked first followed by the rest, in descending order. Potential values will change as stock prices fluctuate and will result in movements of the selection in and out of the lists for most weeks. Earnings per share are revised on an ongoing basis based on new information received that can result in changes in and out of the list as well.
The Jamaica Stock Exchange, started the final quarter of the year in record territory with the all Jamaica Composite Index jumping more than 9,000 points over the 402,000 mark. 
The Jamaica Stock Exchange, started the final quarter of the year in record territory and is within just 535 points of the critical 400,000 points milestone at 9.35 am and with just under 35 minutes of trading the market jumped over the 400,000 mark. 
The Jamaica Stock Exchange, started the final quarter of the year in record territory and is within just 535 points of the critical 400,000 points milestone at 9.35 am. 
Express Catering traded more than 23 million with the price dropping from $8.02 at the close on Thursday to $6.40 in the morning session of trading on the Junior Market and along with Lasco Distributors that fell to $3.50 and Main Event that traded at $5.10 from $6.50 did immense damage to the market index on Friday.
The Jamaica Stock Exchange climbed sharply within just a minute of the opening of trading on Thursday, with the All Jamaican Composite Index surging to just under 5,800 points to a new record high and pushing the index within 1,700 points of the critical 400,000 points mark. 
The gains in the two markets is driving the PE ratio of the market higher with the overall PE for the Junior Market rising from to 13 and the main market from 13.7 last week to 13.7 and 14 respectively, this week. Recent movement in the PE suggest that average PE for the market will end 2018 around 18 and 20 by the end of January as conditions continue to favour stocks as the preferred investment of choice along with real estate.
The latest valuation compares to an average PE for the overall market of 14.3, based on 2018 estimated earnings. The main market PE is now 8.8 and is the up from 8.5 last week, for the top stocks, compared to a market average of 14.6.
Stocks are selected based on projected earnings for each company’s current fiscal year. Based on an assumed PE for each, the likely gains are determined and then ranked, with the stocks with the highest potential gains ranked first followed by the rest, in descending order. Potential values will change as stock prices fluctuate and will result in movements of the selection in and out of the lists for most weeks. Earnings per share are revised on an ongoing basis based on new information received that can result in changes in and out of the list as well.