Junior market stocks climbed 23 percent on average in May as all but 5 stocks increased in price. Three stocks registered price losses and one, C2W, did not trade. Caribbean Cream, newly listed during the month, traded as a high as $1.15 but closed on the last day at the issue price of $1. Lasco Distributors gained 56 percent, Lasco manufacturing gained 46 percent, Lasco Financial Services 32 percent, Blue Power 24 percent and Consolidated Bakery fell 37 percent. A major part of the move was fueled by the announcement last week by Lacso companies that they were calling a meeting of shareholders to consider a 10 for 1 stock split for all three entities that are listed on the junior market.
The main market activity was not as robust as the junior market. In contrast to the 23 percent movement in the junior market index the JSE Market Index advanced by 4,101.54 points (4.68 percent) to close at 87,577.92. The JSE Cross Listed Index advanced by 8.29 points (1.02 percent) to close at 810.31, the JSE Combined Index advanced by 4,806.77 points (5.36 percent) to close at 89,724.01 and The JSE US Equities Index remained unchanged. The main market did have some attractive gains by some of the companies. Good results helped Kingston Wharves climbed 30 percent during the month, Ciboney recorded a gain of 50 percent, Berger Pzints moved up 22 percent, D&G 21 percent, Pan jam 15 percent, JMMB 13 percent as only 4 stocks fell and 21 gained in price.
While the junior market may have lead the main market so far, there are signs that the main market could do well in the weeks ahead as investors reassess the fortunes of some of the listed companies.
[…] 2nd July 2013 | The junior market that has been on a bull run from April closed today at a new all-time high of 812.02 as the index surpassed the previous all-time high of […]