The Jamaica Stock Exchange main market indices on Tuesday gave up much more than they gained on Monday, with losses exceeding 2.3 percent compared to more than 1.90 percent gained on Monday. The all Jamaica Composite index dropped more than 4,291 points on Tuesday, as Sagicor Group pulled back to $23 from $24, it closed at on Monday and Scotia Group trading at $31.05 at the close, well below the average price the indices are computed on.
A total of 37 securities changed hands, in all market segments with 13 stocks rising while 15 declined while two traded at new highs. Trading amounted to 6,138,410 units valued at $ $92,070,194 changing hands, in all markets, the junior market accounting for 1,514,172 units valued at $7,024,157.
The JSE Market Index dived 3,837.64 points to end at 150,050.00, the all Jamaica Composite Index plunged 4,291.88 points to 166,642.47 and the JSE combined index dropped 3,758.77 points, to close at 158,219.22.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading showed 8 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 with lower offers.
At the end of market activities, Cable & Wireless rose by 1 cent to close at $1.26, in trading 267,832 units. Caribbean Cement fell $2 to close at $21 with 55,406 shares changing hands, Carreras ended trading with 5,370 shares, to close at $66, Cidoney traded 112,440 shares but shed 8 cents to end at 15 cents, Grace Kennedy jumped $1.37 to close at $81.52 with 61,027 shares trading. Jamaica Broilers had 86,000 units changing hands, to close with a loss of 30 cents at $14.50. Jamaica Producers lost $1 and ended at $32 while trading 1,709,600 shares, JMMB Group had 42,000 shares changing hands with a gain of 48 cents to end at $9.98, Margaritaville Turks traded 577,051 shares to close at 17.47 US cents after rising by 2.47 cents, National Commercial Bank declined 25 cents with 14,283 shares changing hands to close at $40. Radio Jamaica traded 134,542 shares to close at $1.14, Sagicor Group fell $1 in ending with 29,060 shares changing hands to close at $23. Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 104,000 shares to close at $9.80 after falling 20 cents, Scotia Group traded just 836 shares to close at $31.05 after gaining $1.05 from Monday’s last traded price and the JMMB 7.50% preference share, traded 41,000 units with a loss of 1 cent at $1.06.
The Ciboney waste
Ciboney has just released another disappointing set of results for the nine months to February this year, with cash funds erosion continuing with $7.8 million being burnt from a year ago, as the company reported a loss of $2.8 million in the third quarter and $6.2 million in the nine months period. The above numbers may not appear large, but when viewed against revenue and foreign exchange gains of only $770,000 for the year to February and cost of $7 million then a better picture of things is seen.
Minority shareholders in Ciboney should demand that the directors restore the lost value in the company since 2013. At the end of February 2013 Ciboney cash and investments was $31.6 million today it nowhere close, as cost and poor investment decisions eroded it, it never had to be that way. In 2013, the company got an offer to merge with KIW International and turn the combined entity into an investment company with a proposal to go to the market in 2016 to raise funds for expansion and modernization of the KIW complex, in light of what is seen as increased business to come from port activities in Kingston. The matter was discussed formally with the Cibnoey’s board, but there were no further response from them although they did indicate that they would need to advertise the company for sale to comply with government’s divestment requirements.
Rules on mergers and takeovers of the Jamaica Stock Exchange suggest that the directors may have personally breached them. Relevant extracts from the rules state “At no time after a bona fide offer has been communicated to the Board of an offeree company or after it has reasonably come within the contemplation of the Board of an offeree company that a bona fide offer is likely to be forthcoming, shall any action be taken by the Board of the offeree company in relation to the affairs of the company, without the approval in general meeting of the shareholders of the offeree company, which could effectively result in any bona fide offer being frustrated or in the shareholders of the offeree company being denied an opportunity to decide on its merits.”
“A Board, so approached, is entitled to be satisfied that the offeror company is, or will be, in a position to implement the offer in full. When any firm intention to make an offer is notified to a Board from a serious source (irrespective of whether the Board views the offer favourably or otherwise), shareholders must be informed without delay by press notice.”
A few questions flow, especially in light of the near wiping out of the company’s cash. Why was there no formal response and why weren’t minority shareholders advised of the proposal? Recently other entities have made offers to Ciboney but minority shareholders have not been advised of them. Did the Ciboney board seek independent outside advise on the offer?
The proposal made to Ciboney included the following, Ciboney which is listed on the JSE has been recording losses consistently for years (with accumulated losses of $417 million). KIW which was once listed has been making small profit for the last three years to 2012 and appears to recording an increase in its 2013 fiscal year. The combination of both entities could result in positive profit, helping to restore greater level of interest in the stock and boost the KIW shareholders’ value as well.
KIW is proposing that both entities consider merging with a plan to raising fresh capital in 2016. A crude calculation shows that the company is worth approximately $150m, of this amount Finsac shares are worth $90m and the minority $60m. The Finsac debt could therefore be satisfied by the transfer of the property to them and by cancelling the shares or transferring them to minority shareholders.
KIW has about 3 ½ acres of land, a few investments in unit trust and stocks. There are buildings on the property which are rented presently providing rental income.
The facilities which is located close to the port, stands to benefit from expected surge in port activities that are planned for with the expansion of both Kingston Wharves and the Port Authority’s port.
Currently, the company is debt free and has about $14 million in cash and investments. The property is on the books at a value of $55 million but would be valued up to $105m.
If the above proposal was implemented, the combined entities would be worth approximately $115 million with the KIW shareholders having the majority of the shares. It could generate approximately $20 million in revenue in year 1 and profits of around $10m, not taking into account the impact of any new capital that may be raised.
Since that proposal was sent, Ciboney has lost $24 million in value while KIW has increased theirs to by around $30 million not factoring any increased value for the property that may have accrued since 2013. So Ciboney’s minority shareholders have lost out on improving their value by $40 million and as high as $100 million in increased value.
The question is with cash fast disappearing what will be the future of Ciboney without any viable offer to purchase the land owned by the company?
JSE Majors down again on Wednesday
The main indices of the Jamaica Stock Exchange fell again on Wednesday with 40 securities changing hands, in all market segments and ended with 13 stocks rising and 20 declining. Trading accounted for 7,303,091 units valued at $119,963,779 changing hands in all markets with the junior market accounting for 898,831 units valued at $4,498,985 changing hands.
The JSE Market Index suffered a loss of 587.05 points to end at 149,350.58, the all Jamaica Composite Index fell 656.54 points to 165,860.26 and the JSE combined index declined 530.26 points, to close at 157,213.08.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading showed 9 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 6 with lower offers.
At the end of the market activities, Barita Investments ended with 20,617 units traded, to close at $3.30, with a loss of 20 cents, Berger Paints traded only 2,300 shares to lose 20 cents and closed at $3.80, Cable & Wireless rose 8 cents to $1.21 in trading 1,222,482 units. Caribbean Cement dropped $2.61 to close at $19.89 with 1,335,571 shares changing hands Carreras ended trading only 66,741 shares to end $1 lower at $65, Ciboney gained 4 cents to close at 21 cents with 74,000 shares changing hands, Grace Kennedy lost $1 and closed with 41,858 shares changing hands at $80. Jamaica Broilers traded 27,750 units to close at $14.50. Jamaica Stock Exchange traded 13,110 shares but lost 50 cents to end at $19, JMMB Group had 10,352 shares changing hands at $9.75 after easing by 25 cents, National Commercial Bank fell by 4 cents with 1,817,770 shares changing hands to close at $40.01. Pan Jamaican Investment traded 17,626 shares to close at $90, Sagicor Group ended with 13,200 shares changing hands at $23. Scotia Group traded 8,700 shares to close with a gain of 50 cent at $30, Supreme Ventures gained 50 cents to close at $5.50 with 30,000 units changing hands, Proven Investments ordinary shares traded 62,418 units to end at 16 US cents and the JMMB Group 7.50% preference share fell 13 cents in trading 1,611,098 units at $1.07.
Modest gain for JSE on Thursday
The market closed with 4,035,008 units valued at $62,036,257 changing hands in all markets. The junior market accounted for 617,159 units that changing hands, valued at $2,081,398.
The JSE Market Index climbed 313.29 points to end at 153,854.67, the all Jamaica Composite Index jumped 350.11 points to end at 170,897.53 and the JSE combined index lost 59.93 points added, to close at 162,182.52.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading was 10 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 8 with lower offers.
At the end of the market activities, Cable & Wireless traded only 44,610 units, to close 5 cents down at $1.25, Caribbean Cement traded with a gain of $3.49 with 15,038 shares changing hands to end at $28.49, Carreras traded 36,750 shares to end at $66.15, Ciboney traded 80,463 shares at 18 cents. Gleaner traded 4,000 shares but lost 9 cents to end at $2, Grace Kennedy gained 50 cents in closing with 5,560 shares changing hands at $82, Jamaica Broilers traded 415,613 units to close with a gain of 52 cents at $14.80, JMMB Group traded 152,023 shares to close at $10 after falling 95 cents. Margaritaville (Turks) traded 273,730 shares to close at 13.5 US cents up from 12.99 cents, Mayberry Investments traded 9,180 shares and lost 10 cents to end at $4.08, National Commercial Bank gained 22 cents with 84,668 shares changing hands to close at $41.25, property company, 138 Student Living gained 24 cents to close at $5.50 while trading 17,000 shares. Pan Jamaican Investments lost $1 in trading 5,435 shares to close at $93, Pulse Investments gained 33 cents to end at $3.23 with 50,000 shares trading, Radio Jamaica traded for the first time after the company split the stock and closed at $1.46, with a loss of 20 cents while trading 34,355 units. Sagicor Group rose by 19 cents while 1,115,716 shares changed hands to end at $23.70, Scotia Group rose 23 cents while trading 405,979 shares to close at $30.62, Scotia Investments climbed $1.04 with 5,000 shares changing hands to end at $29.49. Supreme Ventures lost 1 cent to close at $4.99 with 30,650 units changing hands and JMMB 7.5% preference shares traded 619,293 units to end at $2.15.
Losses for JSE on Tuesday
The main market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange suffered losses on Tuesday, as declining stocks beat out advancing stocks. Indications continue to show weakness in the overall market. The number of stocks participating is down to lower levels compared to more recent trading and with the IC Indicator reflecting a weak signal.
For the overall market, 35 securities changed hands, in all market segments with 10 rising and 15 declining. The market closed with 3,907,504 units valued at $73,631,745 changing hands in all markets. The junior market accounted for 934,404 units changing hands, valued at $3,657,423.
The JSE Market Index shed 428.48 points to end at 153,150.85, the all Jamaica Composite Index lost 478.85 points to end at 170,111.01 and the JSE combined index fell 530.26 points to close at 161,848.77.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading was 6 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 11 with lower offers.
At the end of the market activities, Cable & Wireless traded 263,169 units to close with a loss of 4 cents at $1.35, Caribbean Cement ended at $23 with 10,000 shares trading, after rising 35 cents, Carreras gained $1 in trading 123,177 shares to end at $66, Desnoes and Geddes traded 4,074 at $24. Gleaner traded 1,834 shares at $2.09 essentially at the same price as before the media segment was taken over by Radio Jamaica. Grace Kennedy closed with 6,249 shares changing hands at $82, Jamaica Broilers dropped 80 cents in trading 12,999 units to close at $13.20, Jamaica Producers closed with a loss of $3 at $30 while trading only 2,000 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange dropped $1.90 in trading 17,993 units to close at $21, Kingston Wharves traded 7,400 shares to close at $11.45. Mayberry Investments traded 40,000 shares to end at $4.45, National Commercial Bank lost 3 cents with 200,254 shares changing hands to close at $41, Sagicor Group fell 14 cents with 2,146,337 shares changing hands to close at $23.60, Scotia Group traded 7,781 shares to close at $30.90. Scotia Investments lost $2.40 with 4,750 shares changing hands to end at $27, Supreme Ventures closed with a rise of 50 cents at $5 with 34,223 units changing hands and JMMB 5.75% preference share traded 40,972 units at $1.20 and 39,116 preference share of JMMB Group 7.5% traded to end at $2.15.
D&G back at $30 – Thursday
The market closed with 11,655,021 units valued at $94,676,748 changing hands in all markets. The junior market accounted for 8,580,380 units changing hands, valued at $31,720,793.
The JSE Market Index gained 562.77 points to 153,605.25 the all Jamaica Composite Index rose 628.93 points to end at 170,618.82 and the JSE combined index gained 43.88 points to close at 162,103.43.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading was 12 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 with lower offers.
At the end of the market activities, Cable & Wireless closed with a gain of 1 cent to $1.41 with 666,711 units, Caribbean Cement dropped $3.80 to more than erase the $3 rise on Wednesday to end at $19.20 with 145,972 shares trading. Carreras fell 1 cent to close at $64.99, while trading 402,191 units, Ciboney traded 109,574 units at 22 cents, Desnoes and Geddes jumped $7.12 with 60,280 shares changing hands to close at $29.99, Grace Kennedy closed with 12,897 shares trading at $83.50, well below the $97 equivalent, it traded at, in Trinidad on Thursday. Jamaica Broilers shed 5 cents after trading 188,789 units to close at $14.50, Jamaica Producers traded 489,450 shares but lost $2.72 to close at $30.28. Jamaica Stock Exchange traded 3,000 shares to end with a gain of $1 at $22, JMMB Group had 52,994 units changing hands but rose 21 cents in closing at $10.60, Margaritaville Turks had 199,000 shares trading at 13.1 US cents after slipping 0.90 cent, National Commercial Bank had 61,270 shares changing hands at $41 at the close. Pulse added 15 cents to close at $2.55 with 344,533 units changing hands, Sagicor Group gained 15 cents with 189,757 shares changing hands at $23.15, Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 44,310 shares at $11. Scotia Group had only 16,079 shares changing hands to close at $30.50. Seprod fell $2.80 with 11,625 units changing hands at $19.20 and Supreme Ventures closed at $4.70 with 274,835 units changing hands after shedding 29 cents.
JSE main market sharp turn – Wednesday
A total of 9,862,201 units valued at $166,875,309 changed hands in all markets. The junior market accounted for 2,918,009 units changing hands, valued at $20,407,860.
The JSE Market Index suffered a big fall of 1,632.23 points to 157,641.47 the all Jamaica Composite Index dropped 1,824.11 points to end at 175,129.53 and the JSE combined index dumped by 1,936.89 points to close at 167,385.98.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading was 16 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 9 with lower offers.
At the end of the market activities, Cable and Wireless closed with a gain of 10 cents as 103,800 units changed hands at $1.56. Caribbean Cement fell $4 to close at $30 with 1,133,522 shares changing hands, Carreras closed at $65, while trading 205,078 units, Ciboney ended at 14 cents with 210,000 shares trading, Grace Kennedy ended with 7,150 shares trading to close at $83. Jamaica Broilers climbed 45 cents with 426,559 units to close at $14.76, JMMB Group had 637,636 units changing hands with a loss of 59 cents to close at $10.41. Kingston Wharves had 14,225 shares trading with a gain of 5 cents at $11.45, Margaritaville Turks traded 506,000 shares at 15 US cents, Mayberry Investments traded 76,234 units to close at $4.80 for a rise of 10 cents, National Commercial Bank had 514,148 shares changing hands with a gain of 1 cent to close at $41. Pulse Investments traded 5,900 shares with a fall of 70 cents to end at $3.70, Sagicor Group fell 1 cent with 784,897 shares changing hands at $22.10, Sagicor Real Estate Fund fell 30 cents with 8,888 shares changing hands at $11.70, Salada Foods traded 19,327 units at $9.25. Scotia Group had 328,060 shares changing hands, to close with a loss of $1.50 to end at $31.50, Scotia Investments had 297,000 units changing hands at $30, after rising 75 cents, Supreme Ventures fell 1 cent to close at $5.51 with 1,230,000 units changing hands. JMMB Group 7.5% preference share traded 167,678 units at $2.10 and Proven Investments ordinary share traded 262,083 units at 20 US cents.