Junior Market stocks ran out of steam at the commencement of trading in the second half of the year and could not add to a b 5.2 percent gain last week, resulting in a minor 23 points fall in the market index on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday. 
Trading ended with an 82 percent drop in the volume of stocks traded, with an 89 percent lower value than Friday following trading in 45 securities up from 41 on Friday and ending with prices of 11 rising, 23 declining and 11 closing unchanged.
EduFocal traded at an intraday low of 50 cents. CAC 2000 ended trading at a 52 weeks’ low of $2.94 and so did Paramount Trading in closing at $1.10.
The market closed with trading of 8,840,186 shares for $12,066,585 compared with 50,135,125 units at $113,211,858 on Friday.
Trading averaged 196,449 shares at $268,146 compared with 1,222,808 units at $2,761,265 on Friday and June with an average of 318,732 units at $696,979.
EduFocal led trading with 3.82 million shares for 43.2 percent of total volume followed by Spur Tree Spices with 1.29 million units for 14.6 percent of the day’s trade and ONE on ONE Educational with 571,549 stocks for 6.5 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index fell 23.11 points to end the day at 3,820.12.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.9, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for financial years ending around August 2025.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Derrimon Trading dipped 12 cents in closing at $2.15 in an exchange of 40,983 stocks, Dolla Financial lost 38 cents to close at $2.62 with investors trading 25,148 units, Express Catering fell 34 cents to finish at $3.65, with 131,475 shares changing hands. Fosrich skidded 11 cents and ended at $2.28 as investors exchanged 239,343 stock units, Future Energy slipped 30 cents to end at $3.35 with a transfer of 184,930 shares, 
Indies Pharma dropped 22 cents to close at $2.57 after 22,397 units were traded. ISP Finance shed $2.50 to $27.45 after just one stock crossed the market, JFP Ltd declined 10 cents to end at $1.16 after a transfer of 395,242 stock units, Knutsford Express rallied $1.20 in closing at $11.20, with 2,678 shares crossing the market. Lasco Financial increased 22 cents to finish at $2.17 in an exchange of 510 stocks, Limners and Bards slipped 7 cents and ended at $1.48 after 20,907 units passed through the market, Spur Tree Spices fell 10 cents to close at $2.20 trading of 1,291,745 stock units and tTech climbed 25 cents to $2.35 with 3,831 shares clearing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
10 Junior Market stocks for 10 years run
Most Junior Market listed companies don’t have the depth of management that most Main Market companies have. What most may lack in Management they make for by their agility and ability to grow faster than the more matured counterparts in the Main Market and this feature can deliver above average growth for stock prices. This factor alone can determine winners from losers in business.
Junior Market trades
Some elements are common to companies in both markets; as such, the investors who don’t have the time and inclination to monitor their investments regularly may want to invest for the long haul with the expectation that their investment will grow appreciably over time. There are some factors to consider in investing long term, these include continued growth of companies, inflation, possible shifts in government policies as well as social and economic policy changes that can affect investment returns in the short and long term.
Over the next ten years, many of the companies in the Junior Market could see changes in the leadership of many of the Junior Market companies and change in ownership as some of the majority owners retire. The ownership shift may be negative or positive, but it is a major factor. Continuity of ownership is a major factor to consider and this is more critical for Junior Market companies, with the largest shareholders being the lead executive management.
Access Financial Services is the first company to list on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market and enjoyed years of growing revenues and profit, but the stock price declined sharply in 2020 and 2021 as profits fell in the fiscal year 2020 and 2021 due to heightened provision for doubtful loans and slowdown in lending. Corrective measures were put in place and loans and profits are growing again, with improvement in the economy and a reduction in unemployment. The company stands a great chance of continuing to grow to provide the unbanked with alternative financing. The potential for tapping into this underserved area would position AFS as an interesting company to follow over the next ten years.
Elite Diagnostic – Health care services are a never ending need and demand will continue to grow as the local population ages and individual wealth improves. The company recently expanded from one location to three. They encountered major operating problems with machinery that increased cost and negatively affected revenues but now seems over that, with revenues growing again. They have plans for another branch to be established, which is delayed for the time being, but they added to machinery at the Hope Road branch to meet increasing demand. This company should be able to innovate and stay relevant for years to come. The company has the potential to expand into other areas of the country, bringing services closer to the consumers and generating higher income and profit.
Express Catering provides services directly to the tourism industry, with its restaurant operations housed within the Sangster International Airport. The future is tied into the growth in that industry, seemingly poised for more growth with the continued expansion of hotel rooms on the country’s north coast. The airport in Montego Bay is expanding and will provide opportunities for greater expansion for the company. Now focused solely on Montego Bay but could well move into Kingston, bringing additional growth possibilities.
Fontana stock is richly priced currently, as such, the time may not be right to buy into it as it could well fall back in price. It stood the test of time and seemed set for the next level of expansion and performance. It possesses good management has room for expansion by adding new products or acquiring others pharmacies as current owners of other existing pharmacies retire. A new branch is planned for the Portmore to come on stream in late 2022. The area with a growing population in Jamaica and therefore company’s expansion should attract good and profitable business. Spanish Town, another area, earmarked, with Montego Bay, could follow. The company is well positioned to acquire the many family owned pharmacies when the owners decide to retire.
General Accident has an excellent track record of growing the business and has adequate liquid funds to fund expansion and meet its operating commitments. The Jamaican operation is very profitable. Recently they expanded into Trinidad and Barbados, which could add to profits in 2022 but will be highly beneficial to the growth in revenues and profits in the years to come. This expansion will result in reduced reinsurance costs as the company spreads the risk over a wider geographical area. Further regional expansion is expected and will improve revenue and profit growth and swell cash funds for continued attractive dividend payments leaving sufficient amounts for investments and helping in reducing reinsurance costs. Guyana is growing strongly from oil production and will be enticing for the company to expand into that market, either directly or through one of the entities in the eastern Caribbean.
Fosrich has diversified into manufacturing pipes and has also gone into refurbishing electrical transformers, two new areas that it has a competitive advantage and is generating profits from. These ventures resulted in diversification away from being solely a retailer in the construction and energy sectors. With a growing Jamaican economy, that company will find room to increase revenues and profits as the years roll on and sales within the region.
The Beechwood Av. gas station
Future Energy is relatively a small player in the sector and has much room for growth, with only 16 service stations under its brand. The company is branching out into LNG and LPG gas sales to expand revenues in the future. The company plan to grow the number of service station under its name to 22, within three years, including one more to be owned and operated by the company. The great scope for expansion across the country makes FESCO one to watch over the next ten years as it could expand service stations in many more areas within the country. The stock is currently highly overvalued, and any investment should await a big pullback in price.
Honey Bun has made great strides since it was listed on the Junior Market in 2011. In 2009 sales were $404 million and has climbed to $1.67 billion in 2020 and rose climbed 28 percent to $2.145 billion for the 2021 fiscal year, with profit before tax moving from $191 million to $290 million. The impressive growth continued for the first quarter to December last year, with a net profit of $45.5 million that rose 31 percent above the prior year from sales that grew 44 percent to $665 million over the prior year. The company enjoys good Management that is expected to continue guiding the operations successfully, resulting in increased revenues and profit at attractive rates.
Jamaican Teas.
Jamaican Teas is a diversified group and continues to add new products. Exporting has been a strong growth area, with North America and the Eastern Caribbean being big markets for them, with sales exceeding those on the Jamaican market. The group spun off its investment arm into a separately listed company, allowing for greater focus on an area that has been very profitable for them. The manufacturing arm is to be spun off into a separate company that will allow for greater focus on that operation and provide greater exposure for the Caribbean Dreams brand. The group is unique amongst the Junior Market companies due to its diverse business. The strong and continued growth in exports is a great asset that is expected to provide a good basis for continued growth. The group is cash flow positive and possesses the ability to expand from mergers and acquisitions. The investment arm offers good prospects to add to profit going forward.
SOS anticipates maximising profits from every business line in 2022
Lasco Manufacturing is a low cost manufacturer with room for expansion either by producing its own brands or products under license from others. The business is cash flow positive and is building up cash at a healthy pace, with loans taken on to expand the factory almost fully paid off. They are in a good position to acquire brands or other entities and do production for third parties. It could be the subject of an acquisition by others, considering the main owner cannot be very far from retirement.
Stationery and Office Supplies is more than the name implies. While stationery and office equipment are the main lines, it also has a book manufacturing business that manufactures exercise books for children’s note pads. It also operates a paper shredding business with banks being clients of theirs and other entities, which is a high profit margin part of the business. They have stood the test of time and seem set for the next level. They possess good management that will deliver strong gains in the years ahead. The company posted its best fourth quarter results in the past year and that performance is said to have carried over into 2022, with revenues for the first two months running ahead of 2021. Looking forward, expect to see expansion by acquisitions and adding new products.
Lasco Manufacturing hits IC TOP10
Lasco Manufacturing returns to IC TOP10 best performing stock in the past week, replacing Honey Bun closing at $6 in a week that the Junior Market climbed to a new eleven month high and posted a five percent gain for the year to date.
While the Junior Market had a new addition, the Main Market TOP10 continued with the same stocks as the week before but Grace Kennedy price rose from $68 to $73.45 with the stock moving from 5th spot to 7th.
The 2021 winner to date, Jamaican Teas lost a cent this past week after trading at a record high of $3.04 and moved down to the ninth spot this week with the price closing at $2.88 on Friday. Caribbean Cream price closed at $4.50 down from $4.95 at the end of the previous week to sit at 7th spot now. Lumber Depot one of the better Junior Market movers held at $1.95 after hitting $2.12 during the week to remain at eight position.
The Junior Market is up 4.9 percent for 2021 and is currently powered by a bullish golden cross, setting to take the market beyond 3,000 points. The release of company results in the next two weeks will play a big role in the next few weeks that will add fuel to the current rally. 
In this regard, based on 2020 release of results, interim financials are expected this week, from Access Financial, Barita Investments, Iron Rock Insurance, NCB Financial, the Lasco group of companies and Jamaican Teas.
The Main Market continues to slip in January, but technical indicator points to it heading towards the 460,000 points level on the All Jamaica Composite Index, in months.
The current TOP 10 report is based on earnings for 2020/21 as there are substantial gains ahead, for many stocks in the listings.
The top three stocks in the Junior Market with the potential to gain between 196 to 381 percent are Caribbean Producers followed by Elite Diagnostic and Lasco Financial. With expected gains of 135 to 315 percent, the top three Main Market stocks are, Berger Paints followed by Scotia Group and Carreras.
The local stock market’s targeted average PE ratio is 20 based on profits of companies reporting full year’s results, from now to the second quarter in 2021. The Junior and Main markets are currently trading well below the market average, indicating strong gains ahead. The JSE Main Market ended the week, with an overall PE of 18.9 and the Junior Market 14.8, based on ICInsider.com’s projected 2020-21 earnings. The PE ratio for the Junior Market Top 10 stocks average a mere 7.8 at just 53 percent of the market average. The Main Market TOP 10 stocks trade at a PE of 9.1 or 48 percent of the PE of that market.
The average projected gain for the Junior Market IC TOP 10 stocks is 181 percent and 132 percent for the JSE Main Market, based on 2020-21 earnings. 
IC TOP10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns up to March 2021 and ranked in order of potential gains, based on likely gain for each company, taking into account the earnings and PE ratios for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate and result in movements in and out of the lists weekly. Revisions to earnings per share are ongoing, based on receipt of new information.
Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.
SOS up 154% since public issue
Stationery & Office Supplies shares that were listed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Thursday traded as high as $5.80 but closed at a record closing high of $5.08 to record a rise of 154 percent at the close.
Trading in the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed on Friday with a number of stocks advancing out pacing those declining 2 to 1. The volume and value of stocks traded rose sharply compared to that on Thursday as Express Catering traded 12.4 million shares and the market index closed higher by 16.57 points to close at 3,149.79 points to close at 3,133.22.
The Market index traded 15,732,911 shares valued at $100,160,789.54 compared with 554,002 shares valued at $2,805,282 on the previous day. A total of 25 securities traded compared 18 on Thursday with 9 stocks advancing 5 declining and 11 traded firm.
Trading ended with an average of 629,316 units for an average of $4,006,432 in contrast to 30,778 units for an average of $155,849 on Thursday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 210,256 units valued at $1,210,863 compared to 140,412 units valued at $744,935 previously. In contrast, July closed with average of 536,395 units at $1,905,441 for each security traded.
At the close of the market, stocks trading and their last traded price are: Access Finance added 50 cents to close at $46.50 with 15,230 shares, AMG Packaging trading 30,000 units at $3.50, Blue Power closed at $41.50 with 12,277 shares, Cargo Handlers closed with a loss of 50 cents at $11 with 6,848 shares, Caribbean Cream closed at $6.80 with 13,080 shares, Caribbean Flavours ended $1.95 higher and closed at $12.95 with 9,503 shares, Caribbean Producers closed at $3.50 with 109,654 shares, Consolidated Bakeries closed at $2.62 with 4,000 shares, Dolphin Cove lost $2.50 and closed at $17.50 with 1,272,104 shares. 
Express Catering rose 49 cents to $5.50 with 12,431,073 shares, General Accident closed 5 cents higher to $3 with 38,644 shares, Honey Bun dipped 50 cents, to a 52 weeks’ low of $4.50 with 13,400 shares, Jamaican Teas ended 5 cents higher at $4.60 with 3,000 shares, Jetcon Corporation closed 5 cents higher at $5.20 with 124,479 shares, KLE Group closed at $2 with 60,400 shares. Knutsford Express gained 10 cents and closed at $15 with 6,900 shares, Lasco Distributors closed at $6.70 with 202,957 shares, Lasco Financial closed with 22,593 shares trading at $4, Lasco Manufacturing ended at $4.50 with 8,881 shares, Main Event traded at $5 with 14,253 shares, Sweet River closed 3 cents higher at $3.55 with 2,000 shares, tTech dropped $1.45 to $8.05 with 20,513 shares, Eppley 8.25% preference share closed with a loss of 5 cents at $6 with 400 units and Eppley 9.5% preference share closed at $6.60 with 1,000 shares.
The TOP 10 no brainer investing
Caribbean Cement highly rated in TOP 10
Investors would be well advised to leave emotions out of investment decision making and get and stick to facts. Investors who bought Jamaica Stock Exchange at $14 now and now seeing it trading at $7 after just a few weeks, can attest to that. Even investors at current prices may find that the price could fall further when the company post its first quarter results. Those results will not enjoy the big income generated in the first quarter of 2016, estimated at $110 million, from the transfer of the shares in Desnoes and Geddes and should result in a big fall in profit for the 2017 quarter.
Investors also pushed Jamaica Producers to dizzying heights, only to see a marked decline in the share price after, from $22 down to the $16 level and may have cause to worry with 2016 earnings from continuing operations not supporting the high valuation placed on it.The market appears to be consolidating with a number of 2016 results not sending strong buy signals currently.
Prices of Access Finance, Dolphin Cove and Jetcon Corporation rose during the past week and exited the IC Insider.com’s Top 10 junior market list. These stocks are still within striking distance for the top tier listing but market activity in the coming week could change all of that.
Jetcon rose 22 percent during the week and 522 percent since it was listed in March last year. Entering the top list are Lasco Distributors, the expectations are that the company will benefit from the claim for damages, with much of the funds retained for income generation purposes,Lasco Manufacturing and AMG Packaging as the prices of all three slipped during the week. AMG Packaging approved 5 for 1 stock split, is to be effected on March 10, after much delay.
In the main market of teh Jamaica Stock Exchange, Cable & Wireless reported larger losses than expected in the nine months to December, as a result IC Insider.com revised the forecast for 2017 down to just 10 cents on the assumption of continued strong growth in revenues. The stock fell out of the top list as a result of the earnings down grade. The move by Cable & Wireless let Jamaica Broilers into the list with the stock prices falling to $14.54 on Friday.
Changes for TOP 10 stocks
Gains in the overall market of 20 percent for the year to date have spawned some attractive gains for many stocks, but there is likely to be much more to come for the rest of the year.
The junior market hit new highs during the past week but pulled back quite a bit on Friday, leading to positive and negative price changes. ISP Finance had two sizable trades during the week, the price was up to a new high of $10 but closed the week at $9. Medical Disposables slipped by $1.40 to $6 at the end of the week. Access Finance closed 
with the bid at $38 compared to $35 last week. Earnings for Lasco Manufacturing and Lasco Financial were reduced following release of the December results and partially accounted for the fall out of the TOP 10 for the two. Lasco Manufacturing sits just below the TOP 10 with a PE of 9 while Lasco Financial is in 16th spot with a PE of 10, both are below the junior market average of 12. The space left by the two, have been filled by General Accident having a PE of 8 and Caribbean Producers valued at a PE of just under 9.
In Main market TOP 10 trading activity during the past week, Jamaica Broilers jumped to $16 from $14.50 to end up be edged out of the top list by Scotia Investments. Strong demand pushed the number 1 main market stock, Cable & Wireless to $1.50 from $1.28 at the start of the week with more news on a potential offer to buy out minority shareholders by Liberty Global, 
while Caribbean Cement jumped to a new high of $39.60 but closed with just limited selling at $45. The company reported profit of $1.3 billion for 2016 down from $1.55 billion in 2015. In 2016 there were exceptional costs of $807 million while 2015 had one off income of $168 million. The cost savings that will flow from the cut in the labour force will have a positive effect on cost for 2017. Broilers that now sits just below the TOP 10 boast a PE of just 8 compared to an average for the main market of 12 and a potential of 20 for the year.
10 TOP Junior market stocks for 2017
tTech, one of ICI Insider.com top selections for 2017.
With just over one month of 2017 slipping by, the junior market is up more than 14 percent in a relative short time. Market movement delivered some stunning gains with five stocks rising between 54 percent and 77 percent up to Friday.
The PE ratio, the best measure of valuing stocks, for this market is at 10.5 times 2017 estimated earnings and 16 times 2016, with 9 stocks selling above this level, including Cargo Handlers selling at a rich 51 times 2016 and 40 times 2017 earnings. The top 10 stocks have PE ratios for 2017 between 4.3 and 7.4 times estimated earnings compared to the average of 10.5. Nine socks are priced higher than the average.
Technical indicators show the junior markets braking through major resistance levels at 2,600 points and seem poised to reach new highs around 3,400 points before the next level of resistance is met, that is 15 percent away from the close on Friday.
What makes junior market stocks attractive, is their size, relative to the majority of main market stocks and their ability to grow at a much faster pace, from existing business or expansion into new ventures, delivering superior profits and greater growth in the stock prices.
ISP Finance has very limited supply of stocks available for sale, this should ensure that the price should surge to match seller and buyers. The company could see a sharp rise in profits if the $145 million raised in a bond issue last year is invested in new loans. Based on its interim results to September last year, interest income works out at 100 percent per annum. At these levels and with the infusion of cash from the bond and the cash to flow from profits, the stock could enjoy and explosive blast, if they are able to put the funds into profitable loans.
tTech revenues for this technology company grew strongly by 34.3 percent for the nine months to September and stronger 43 percent for the September quarter, with very good demand for its services. A negative is that cost has been growing just as fast, as they add personnel to service customers need. At September 2016, the company had 33 full-time employees compared to 24 at the same period in 2015. While staffing grew 57 percent between September 2015 and September 2016, the growth in the September quarter was only 7 percent over the June quarter. The sharp growth in cost slowed growth in profits, from a relatively small base. The slowdown in staffing in the September quarter, should allow more revenues to flow into profits in 2017 onwards.
Lasco Manufacturing
Lasco Manufacturing has enjoyed very strong demand for its new drinks, resulting in major expansion of the factory. Total revenue to September 2016 was $4 billion, an increase of 28 percent over the same period last year, resulting from increased production volumes brought to market, as part of the expansion of the manufacturing plant.
The company indicated that production at the liquid plant continues to grow steadily. The plan is for increase capacity to meet strong market demand for the iCool line of beverages, by ramping up production with the installation of additional equipment by the end of the financial year. The new Dry Plant at White Marl is fully operational together with the existing Red Hills Road Dry Plant. New products will be introduced by the end of 2016 to enhance the product line which is projected to continue to realize significant sales and profits, the company stated.
Main Event is the latest public issue to hit the market. The issue was heavily oversubscribed. The price is set to enjoy a big bounce when it list this week Wednesday with the PE ratio of just 7, based on 2016 earnings and less based on estimated 2017 profit. The funds raised will be used to expand its operation, including setting up a branch in Montego Bay.
Medical Disposables focussed on increasing the product line it represents in 2016, reflecting in a strong 38 percent sales growth for the first six months of the financial year, but at lower margins. Increased cost associated with the expanded sales has so far kept profit from growing a great deal in 2016. That should change in 2017, as sales growth, out pace cost increases. With the focus on rapidly expanding products and sales, this is clearly a stock for investors to keep a keen eye on.
Caribbean Flavours traded at $9.50 on the junior market last week
Caribbean Flavours is a company with much promise for growth, with potential for increased exports and new product lines for sale, locally and with the Caribbean region. The stock is selling below many other in the junior market currently, and the price has room to run, having fallen to $9.50 with the confusion investors faced, with the acquisition majority shares by Derrimon Trading.
Access Financial is undervalued based on a number of factors but the stock is extremely scarce. Earnings for the fiscal year ending March, should be in the order of $2.80 and based on this and with 10 junior market companies selling at more than 17 times 2016 earnings, the stock should be trading over $45. As the company makes profit, most of the funds are reinvested in its operation to expand loans, this in turn fuels strong increased profit. Access seems set to generate earnings of $4.35 per share for the 2018 fiscal year, which will push the price much higher than its current level.
Key Insurance nine months profit ended at $66 million compared to $68 million for the 2015 period and seems set to reach $120 million for the full year, for earnings per share of 35 cents. The company should benefit from the lowering of restriction on investments that insurance companies could undertake which should free up funds for more profitable investments as the companies see fit. Investing in general insurance companies can be riskier than for many other companies, in the short term.
Jetcon Corporation revenues enjoyed strong growth for 1st nine months of 2016
Jetcon Corporationlisted at $2.25 in 2016, is shot to $10.50 for a rise of 366 percent. An announcement of a stock split and dividend gave the stock added push as investors bought more shares at higher prices. The company more than doubled profits to September last year over results for 2015 for the same period. Jetcon benefitted from the capital injection of the public share issue. It helped boosts inventory, and in turn grew sales by 61 percent to $610 million for the nine months to September and 86 percent for the September quarter. The publicity from the listing seems to have enhance the company’s image in the minds of potential customers which has also helped sales. The trend of increased sales for the past two years suggest that sales growth may continue to be strong in 2017 and should be helped by the continued attractive financing terms available in the market, strengthening of the economy and reduction in PAYE that some workers will enjoy, when the tax threshold increases in April thus increasing take home pay.
Dolphin Cove was the darling of the investing public when the company was listed but seems to have lost its lustre as profit growth slowed sharply. With continued growth in the tourism industry and more cruise ships coming to the country, the company should get a boost in revenues and earnings for this undervalued stock.
Persons associated with this article may have an interest in the companies commented on.