JSE main market stocks rose – Wednesday

August 15, 2018 by

Caribbean Cement traded at a new high of $56 on Wednesday.


At the close of trading on Wednesday, the Jamaica Stock Exchange moved higher with stocks gaining edging out declining stocks by a ratio 3 to 2.
At the close the All Jamaican Composite Index added 625.35 points to end at 344,739.60 and the JSE Index gained 569.76 points to 314,096.70
Market activities resulted in 29 securities trading including 2 in the US dollar market compared to 28 securities trading on Tuesday. At the end of trading, the prices of 12 stocks rose, 8 declined and 9 traded unchanged. Caribbean Cement traded at an intraday high of $56 but ended at $45 by the close.
Trading in the main market ended with 7,397,463 units valued at $122,484,133 compared to 4,859,195 units valued at $60,716,560 on Tuesday.
The day’s volume was led by, Wisynco Group with 2,011,245 units and 27.2 percent of the main market volume, followed by Sagicor Group exchanging 1,110,079 shares and 15 percent of the day’s trades and Carreras with 737,830 units accounting for 10 percent of traded volume.
Stocks with major price changes| Barita Investments gained 60 cents to $9.60 exchanging 82,479 shares, Berger Paints dropped $4 and ended at $18 after 251,380 stock units changing hands, Jamaica Broilers traded 667,653 shares and shed $2.50 to end at $23, JMMB Group rose $1 to $30 trading 40,771 shares, NCB Financial lost 50 cents and finished trading 64,477 shares at $103, Portland JSX fell 50 to settle at $8.50, trading 836 shares, Sagicor Group gained 53 cents to close at $38, in exchanging 1,110,079 units and Supreme Ventures rose 30 cents in trading 66,987 shares at $15.30.
The Trading in the US dollar market closed with 10,189 units valued at US$1,891 as Margaritaville traded 2,339 shares at 18 US cents and Proven Investments cents and closed at 20 US cents trading 2,850 shares. JSE USD Equities Index rose 0.12 points to 159.36.
Trading resulted in an average of 273,980 units valued at an average of $4,536,449 for each security traded, in contrast to 186,892 units for an average of $2,335,252 on Tuesday. For the month to date an average of 203,253 shares valued at an average of $3,906,599 versus 195,162 shares valued at an average of $3,826,002 on Tuesday. July closed with an average of 169,022 units valued at $3,514,756, for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 8 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 closing with lower offers.

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JSE lost altitude – Monday

August 13, 2018 by

Carib Cement jumped $7.99 to end at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $50.

In moderate trading, the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed down on Monday after the All Jamaica Composite Index hit a new high of 347,919.92 points in early trading.
At the close trading,  advancing stocks were the same as stocks, leading to the All Jamaican Composite Index to decline by 880.86 points to 346,120.15 and the JSE Index in shedding 802.56 points to end at a record close of 315,354.54.
Trading in the main market ended with 4,879,200 units valued at over $45,250,338 compared to 11,481,249 units valued $123,719,859 on Friday.
Market activities resulted in 29 securities trading including 2 in the US dollar market compared to 26 securities trading on Friday. At the end of trading, the prices of 9 stocks rose, 9 declined and 11 traded unchanged, including
Caribbean Cement traded at an all-time closing high of $50 with very low volume while the Jamaica Stock Exchange traded at a 52 weeks’ high of $8.50 but pulled back at the close to $8.
The day’s volume was led by, Mayberry Jamaican Equities with 2,626,900 units and 53.84 percent of the main market volume, followed by Jamaica Stock Exchange with 822,926 units and Victoria Mutual Investments with 298,913 units.
Stocks with major price changes| Barita Investments lost 50 cents and ended at $9, trading 7,186 stock units, Caribbean Cement jumped $7.99 to a 52 weeks’ closing high of $50 exchanging a mere 610 shares, but ended with the being offered at $45 Jamaica Broilers traded 27,922 stock units and added $1.90 to end at $24, Mayberry Investments lost 25 cents to end at $8 trading just 18,821 shares, Kingston Wharves lost 75 cents to end at $51.50, after trading 2,500 stock units, NCB Financial Group lost 50 cents and ended trading at $103.50, exchanging 42,838 shares, Scotia Group traded 9,910 units and shed 80 cents to end at $52, Supreme Ventures fell 29 cents in trading 81,921 at $15.51 and Wisynco Group fell 25 cents to close at $9.25 after trading 197,432 shares.
Trading in the US dollar market closed with 35,200 units valued at US$65,830 as JMMB Group 5.75% preference share rose 12 cents and closed at US$2.15 trading 35,200 shares and Margaritaville rose 1 cent in trading 5,000 shares at 18 US cents. The JSE USD Equities Index rose 0.47 points to 159.31.
Trading resulted in an average of 180,711 units valued at over $1,675,938, in contrast to 478,385 shares valued at $5,154,994 on Friday. For the month to date an average of 196,186 shares valued at an average of $4,035,512 versus 198,469 shares valued at an average of $4,438,731 on Monday. July closed with an average of 169,022 units valued at $3,514,756, for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 10 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 closing with lower offers.

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Medical Disposables out AMG in TOP 10

August 13, 2018 by

The main market of Jamaica Stock Market indices chalked up more records last and closed the week at another record high on Friday and the Junior Market closed at a 9 months’ high as the markets continue the usual summer bounce.
A number of positive results and chronic shortage of many of the stocks are helping in putting upward pressure on prices resulting in three changes to the IC TOP 10 at the end of the week.
Medical Disposables rose to $6.40 at the end of the week and was the sole stock moving out of the TOP 10 and AMG Packaging returned to the TOP 10. Caribbean Cement traded as high as $50 on Friday as supply has virtually dried up, not surprising with the company cutting finance cost and reports of several projects slated to come on stream later this year. Berger Paints also moved higher to $21 on Friday and remains scarce. Iron Rock jumped to a new high of $4.07 on Friday as the company shows promise of making a profit sooner than later.
The coming days will see a flood of quarterly results be released and could impact the prices of stocks.
The PE ratio for Junior Market Top stocks averages 7.9 compared to an average PE for the overall market of 12, based on 2018 estimated earnings and the main market PE stands at 8.2 for the top stocks, compared to a market average of 13, a good indicator of the level of undervaluation of these stocks. Work done by IC Insider.com suggest that the PE ratio is likely to end around 16 times earnings by year as investors continue to gradually upgrade the multiple they are prepared to pay for stocks, which would lift prices sharply over the next several months from current levels.
The TOP 10 stocks now trade at an average discount of 34 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 and main market stocks traded at a discount of 39 percent to the 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.

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AJ Index new record of 345,405 points – Tuesday

August 8, 2018 by

The All Jamaican Composite Index of the Jamaica Stock Exchange traded at an intraday record high of 347,551.83 in the morning session but drifted lower to close just above 345,000 points for the second day in a row.
At the close, the All Jamaican Composite Index gained 354.82 points to end at a record close of 345,405.03 and the JSE Index advanced by 323.28 points to end at a record close of 314,702.97.
Trading in the main market ended with 3,687,476 units valued at over $83,983,141 compared to 4,818,830 units valued at $56,754,894, on Friday.
Market activities resulted in 33 securities trading including 3 in the US dollar market compared to 29 securities trading on Friday. At the end of trading, the prices of 11 stocks rose, 12 declined and 10 traded unchanged.
The day’s volume was led by, Scotia Group with 841,089 units for 22.81 percent of the main market volume, followed by Carreras with 764,451 units or 20.73 percent of the day’s volume and Radio Jamaica ended with 547,000 units and accounting for 14.83 percent of the day’s volume.
Major price changes| Berger Paints traded 8,650 shares with a gain of 74 cents to close at $20, Caribbean Cement lost 30 cents and finished at $41.20, with 171,284 shares, Grace Kennedy jumped $1.05 to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $57.05, trading with 122,139 shares, NCB Financial Group climbed $3 ended trading 45,133 shares, at $104, with 1834 Investments lost 15 cents traded at a 52 weeks’ low of 90 cents, with 18,000 shares. Mayberry Investments declined $1.14 to end $7.11 trading 24,638 shares, PanJam Investment concluded trading of 4,384 shares at $51.25, after slipping $1.30, Portland JSX climbed $1 and ended at $9, exchanging 20,000 units, Sagicor Real Estate Fund fell 50 cents to settle at $14.00, with 1,000 shares, Scotia Group traded 841,089 units and fell $1.50 to end at $51.50, Seprod lost 49 cents and finished trading at $32.01, with 2,500 shares. Sterling Investments gained 60 cents and closed at $14.10, with 13,727 shares, Supreme Ventures lost 30 cents and ended at $15.50, with 65,275 shares trading.
Trading in the US dollar market closed with 154,010 units valued at US$128,075 as JMMB Group 6% preference share completed trading of 115,000 stock units and gained 1 cent to end at $1.05, Proven Investments added 1 cent and closed at 20 US cents trading 38,800 shares and Sygnus Credit closed 10 US cents in trading 210 shares. The JSE USD Equities Index lost 0.71 points and closed at 154.43
Trading resulted in an average of 122,916 units valued at an average of $2,799,438 for each security traded. In contrast to 185,340 units for an average of $2,182,881 on Friday. For the month to date an average of 162,724 shares valued at an average of $2,114,773 versus 185,258 units traded for an average of $1,727,278 on Friday. July closed with an average of 169,022 units valued at $3,514,756, for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 5 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 closing with lower offers.

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

Grace set to make big price leap

August 6, 2018 by

Grace Kennedy traded at a 52 weeks’ high on JSE on Friday..

The Jamaica stock market is at an interesting stage, with supply of many stocks offered for sale, getting more scarce by the day, while interest rates are at their lowest levels in Jamaica’s history but are most are valued  at levels when interest rates were in the teens.
The main market has gained 8,387.30 points in July, and is now a record high as of Friday with gains of 9,486.57 since the start of July, thus mirroring the start of the usual summer rally on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, while the Junior Market continues to bounce and is now at a 9 months’ high.
Liquidity is very high and forcing interest rates lower as investors try to place funds on hands. As liquidity rise in the market supply of stocks is on the decline. Some of stock with scarce supplies include Grace Kennedy that has just one offer priced at $80 when the market closed on Friday, NCB Financial that is now trading over $100 is not far behind with limited offers. It has been years that the supply of Grace stock has been this low and suggest a big upward price move.

The All Jamaica Composite index now braking out of a narrow upward sloping channel going back to November 2017.

Berger Paints, Caribbean Cement, JMMB Group, Kingston Wharves, PanJam Investment, Sagicor Group, Seprod and Scotia Group with only 362,000 units on offer are amongst some that have very limited supplies being offered for sale on the market. But the main market is not the only segment with limited supplies.Over in the Junior market where demand is not as great as in 2017, supplies are limited for many of the listings. The list includes, Blue Power, Caribbean Flavours, Cargo Handlers, Derrimon Trading, Express Catering, Caribbean Cream, Medical Disposables and Stationery and Office Supplies. Caribbean Producers closed trading at $5.80 at the end of the previous week and ended this past week at $6.22 and may well go higher this coming week as it closed with a bid at $6.20. A number of these stocks could lead the break out of the markets in a big way when investors on a whole come to the realization that with interest rates now below 2 percent,

Medical Disposables profit jumps 49 percent before foreign exchange loss in Q1.

that the old accepted PE ratio of 10 being reasonable to value stocks, is no longer accepted and that ratios of 20 to 30 will become the norm going forward. Investors only need to look at stocks in in Trinidad and Tobago where PEs have been in the 20 level for years to understand where we will be heading in the not too distant future.
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 index and the Junior Market that is at a 9 month high, is being steered by an upward rising long term support line and the start of a golden cross.

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Medical Disposables back in IC TOP 10

August 6, 2018 by

Medical Disposables back in IC TOP 10

The main market of Jamaica Stock Exchange ended at a record close on Friday and the Junior Market closed at a 9 months’ high as the markets keep moving higher resulting changes to the IC TOP 10.
At the close on Friday, Proven Investments ended at 19 US cents and fell out of the top list and is replaced by Victoria Mutual Investments. Jetcon Corporation and Paramount Trading dropped out of the top flight, to be replaced by Fosrich Group and Medical Disposables. IC insider.com lowered profit forecast for Paramount with the company showing only a small profit of less than a million dollars in the fourth quarter compared to nearly $11 million in 2017 after gross profit rose 29 percent or $28 million. Jetcon squeezed out by price changes, elsewhere Medical Disposables rose to $5.80 but made it back in the list with strong profit out turn for the first quarter to June and an upgrade of earnings for the full year, of 65 cents per share from 60 cents.
The PE ratio for Junior Market Top stocks averages 7.4 compared to an average PE for the overall market of 12, based on 2018 estimated earnings and the main market PE stands at 8 for the top stocks, compared to a market average of 13, a good indicator of the level of undervaluation of these stocks.
The TOP 10 stocks now trade at an average discount of 38 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 and main market stocks traded at a discount of 40 percent to the 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.

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Another record close for JSE stocks – Monday

July 30, 2018 by

The main market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed at a new record high on Monday at the end of a moderate trading session, following Friday’s record closing high, as technical indicators points to the market hitting over 380,000 points before hitting major resistance.
At the close, the All Jamaican Composite Index advanced by 444.90 points at 340,879.89 and the JSE Index gained 405.35 points to close at 310,580.06. Earlier in trading session, the All Jamaica hit a new intraday high of 341,987.04 points and the JSE Index 311,588.81.
Trading in the main market ended with 2,332,453 units valued at $28,665,085 compared to 5,657,684 units valued at $158,095,077 on Friday.
Market activities resulted in 31 securities trading including 2 in the US dollar market compared to 25 securities trading on Friday. At the end of trading, the prices of 13 stocks advanced, 11 declined and 7 traded unchanged.
The day’s volume was led by, Radio Jamaica with 649,627 shares, Carreras with 596,249 units and 1834 Investments Limited with 250,000 units.
Major price changes| Barita Investments gained 51 cents to end at $9.51 trading 938 shares, Berger Paints traded just 200 shares changing hands, with the price falling 50 cents to $19, Grace Kennedy added 40 cents to $53, with 18,100 stock units trading, Jamaica Broilers lost 50 cents and closed trading at $7.50 trading 6,857 shares. JMMB Group traded 173,185 shares but fell 50 cents to $28, Kingston Wharves jumped $1.95 to $52.05 in trading 5,534 units, NCB Financial Group rose 51 cents in trading 90,387 shares at $100.52, Proven Investments fell 50 cents trading 12,235 shares at $26, Sagicor Real Estate Fund settled at $14.50, after slipping 45 cents in trading 35,365 shares, Salada Foods jumped $3.39 to end at $15.89, exchanging just 370 units, Scotia Group gained 60 cents in trading 10,980 units at $52.10 and Seprod finished trading at $34.00, after jumping $1.99 with 11,556 shares changing hands.
Trading in the US dollar market closed with 170,635 units valued at US$27,064 as Proven Investments rose 1 cent to 19 US cents with 112,235 shares trading and Sygnus Credit Investments closed with 58,400 units trading at 10 US cents. The JSE USD Equities Index rose 3.05 points to 147.76.
Trading resulted in an average of 80,429 units valued at an average of $988,451 for each security traded. In contrast to 245,986 units for an average of $6,873,699 on Friday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts 169,022 units valued at $3,514,756 compared to 173,907 units valued at $3,499,633 on Friday. June closed with an average of 250,168 shares with a value of $5,895,281, for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 3 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 closing with lower offers.

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

Stocks to Watch this week

July 23, 2018 by

The main market pulled back on but blasted to a new intraday high on Friday confirming that the bull run is in its early stages, while the Junior Market continues to bounce around.
The main market has gained nearly 3,600 points for July, thus mirroring the start of the usual summer rally on the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
The main market is being steered higher by an upward sloping support line as well the 45 and 125 day moving averages, lending support just below the index and the Junior Market is being steered by an upward rising long term support line and the start of a golden cross.
The market saw many developments that confirm that a bull market is in place with all three initial public offers closing ahead of the scheduled close.
The past week saw a few strong results being posted and more are expected this week that should include NCB Financial and Proven Investments. Barita Investments got the offer to buy 75% of the shares at $9.20 each. IC Insider.com is of the view that the stock is worth much more with good prospects to build on the strong foundation that it has. Jamaican Stock Exchange released strong gains in profit and announced a dividend as well, and could benefit from both, with eyes focused on even greater improvement in 2019. Caribbean Cement stock is another to watch, with the annual general meeting on this week and results for the June quarter due. Margaritaville had a bid of 16.9 cents versus a last sale of 15 cents and is being offered at 18 cents to sell 43,795 units, Proven Investments had a bid of 16 cents versus a last sale of 15 cents and is being offered at 18.5 cents to sell 1,050 units.
Medical Disposables came in for strong demand in the past week with the price going as high as $5.50. Trading during the week removed supplies that was overhanging the market leaving little supply at the end of the week and could go higher in the coming week. Caribbean Cream after posting a 59 percent increase in profit for the 2019 first quarter saw no more continuation of the demand that lifted the price into the $6 region but could well make some increased interest this week.

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$9.20 offered for 75% of Barita shares

July 19, 2018 by

Barita last traded on the JSE on Wednesday at $9.

The long awaited formal offer to acquire majority shares in Barita Investments has been released.
Cornerstone Investments Holdings is offering $9.20 per share for 334.4 million Barita shares to acquire no more and no less than 75 percent of the company. The intention is for the company to remain listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange
The offer opens on July 26 will cost $3 billion. The company signed a lock up agreement with Rita Humphries-Lewin and Karl Lewin who have 77.5 percent of the shares to sell amounts to allow for the 75 percent acquisition as such the offer is all but done.
The company has 445.877 million shares issued contributing to shareholders’ equity of $2.86 billion or $6.40 per share.
For the March quarter comprehensive income was $165 million and $492 million for the half year or just over $1 per share and puts the purchase price at about 5 times earnings. But the acquisition is even more attractive to the buyers. Both Humphries will cease being executives that will result in cost savings. The new link up could see a more aggressive stance taken in increasing business and profit within a relatively short time frame from existing offerings as well as new ones. The Unit Trust business is a potential storehouse of huge income down the road while more can be eked out of the portfolio of investments. Investors who hold on to their shares will benefit from a promised 80 percent pay out of profit going forward.

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JSE falls again on Wednesday

July 18, 2018 by

The main market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange suffered more declines on Wednesday, following losses on Tuesday and the All Jamaican Composite Index lost 724.91 points to close at 336,508.12 and the JSE Index declined 660.48 points to 306,596.88.
Trading in the main market ended with 2,665,607 units valued $71,318,160 compared to 2,832,561 units valued at over $81,949,830 on Tuesday.
Activities in the main market and US dollar market resulted in 26 securities trading including 2 from the US dollar market, compared to 30 securities trading on Tuesday. At the end of trading, the prices of 10 stocks advanced, 12 declined and 4 closed unchanged.
The day’s volume was led by, Caribbean Cement led with 37.64 percent of trading in an exchange of 1,003,349 shares, followed by Barita Investments with 500,653 units and Sagicor Group with 461,652 shares.
Stocks with major price changes are, Berger Paints lost $1.50 to close at $19.50 trading just 1,637 shares, Caribbean Cement lost $2.14 and finished at $39.01, exchanging 1,003,349 shares, Grace Kennedy rose $1.48 to $53, trading 1,000 shares, Jamaica Producers added 50 cents to $17.50 trading 116,704 units. Kingston Wharves dropped $3.12 and closed at $50.85 with 350 stock units, NCB Financial Grouprose $1.75 to $98, trading 14,980 shares, Pulse Investments rose 65 cents trading 25,000 shares to close at $2.95, Sterling Investments fell 51 cents to $10.50 with the trading of 2,700 units.
Trading resulted in an average of 111,067 units valued at an average of $2,971,590 for each security traded. In contrast to 108,945 units for an average of $3,151,917 on Tuesday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts 152,906 units valued at $3,041,409 compared to 155,968 units valued at $3,046,939 on Tuesday. June closed with an average of 250,168 shares with a value of $5,895,281, for each security traded.
Trading in the US dollar market closed with 62,614 units valued at $7,800 as Proven Investments rose marginally to close at 15.01 US cents trading 22,614 shares and Sygnus Credit traded 40,000 units and inched up to 11.01 US cents. The JSE USD Equities Index rose 0.09 points up to 139.65.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 4 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 closing with lower offers.

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