Stocks continue to trade on a positive note with all major indices increasing in mid-morning trading to new record highs and a number stocks recording new 52 weeks’ highs up to 11 am. Interest in the stocks is wide spread with 34 securities traded
amounting to 1,456,993 units changing hands with 14 rising, while 7 declined.
The all Jamaica Composite Index rose 851.87 points to 169,083.72 the JSE Market Index gained 762.26 points to 152,231.62 the JSE combined index added 880.33 points to 160,095.23 and the junior market index is up 17.99 points to 1,832.77.
Trades of some interest include Hardware & Lumber with 300,000 units at $18.50, National Commercial Bank with 2,956 units at a new high of $40.65, 138 Student Living with 138,798 shares at $4.60, Radio Jamaica back at $5 with a small volume, General Accident with 63,115 units at $2.19, Jamaican Teas with 37,500 shares at a new 52 weeks’ of $5.25, Lasco Distributors with 220,487 shares at $5.52 but after trading at $5.60 and Lasco Manufacturing with 172,614 units at $3.55.
JSE continues in positive mode
Jam$ starts 2016 with gains
The Jamaican foreign exchange market trading activity on the last percent in 2015, fell below Thursday’s levels with dealers selling more funds than they purchased. The value of the local currency slipped against its major counterpart currencies.
In trading dealers bought the equivalent of US$44,360,218 and sold US$40,052,989, compared with US$32,723,774 purchased and US$42,295,648 sold on Thursday. Sale of US dollars , was almost equal to the amount purchased with dealers buying US$39,298,993 compared to US$29,243,474 on Thursday. The buying rate for the US dollar slipped 10 cents to $119.54.
A total of US$38,905,100 was sold versus US$40,545,786 on Thursday as the selling rate declined by 5 cents to $120.37. The Canadian dollar buying rate declined 57 cents to end at $82.71 with dealers buying C$2,074,068 and selling C$741,397, at an average rate that gained 36 cents to $85.27. The rate for buying the British Pound dropped $2.61 to $173.12 for the purchase of £1,343,622, while £328,665 was sold, with the rate rising $1.49 to $175.63. At the end of trading, it took J$130.81 to purchase the Euro, for a decline of 53 cents from Thursday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$128.02, for a fall of 56 cents from Thursday’s rate. The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$1,680,259 being bought, while US$143,150 was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for US dollar, the lowest buying and the highest selling rates were unchanged at $120.70, $98.61 and $126.37 respectively but for some inexplicable reason the lowest selling rate plummeted by $78 to only $38. The Canadian dollar highest buying rate declined by 30 cents to $86.50, the lowest buying rate ended unchanged at $68.48. The highest selling rate declined by 7 cents to $88.78 and the lowest selling rate slipped 50 cents to end at $81. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, declined $1.36 to $177.80, the lowest buying and the highest selling rates remained unchanged at $142.84 and $184.15 respectively while the lowest selling rate nosedived by $94.65 to $76.
TTSE starts 2016 on negative note
Activity on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange started 2016 on a negative note with the two main indices as 3 stocks advanced and 3 declining but with National Enterprises falling sharply as the market closed with 10 active securities with the prices of 4 remaining unchanged. A total of 218,617 shares changed hands valued at $3,451,788.
The Composite Index ended with a fall of 1.90 points to 1,160.40, the All T&T Index fell 4.51 points to 1,943.99 and the Cross Listed Index rose 0.10 points to end at 49.61.
IC bid-offer Indicator| The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 6 stocks with bids higher than the last selling price and 4 stocks with offers that were lower.
Gains| Guardian Holdings ended with 260 shares trading at $13.25, for a 2 cents gain, National Commercial Bank closed at $2.11 with a I cent gain while trading 14,610 shares and Sagicor Financial Corporation rose 5 cents in trading 9,248 shares and closed at $6.25.
Declines| Angostura Holdings closed with 20,000 shares changing hands with a 2 cents loss to end at $13.95, National Enterprises with 66,090 shares changing hands for a value of $1,057,442, dropped 37 cents to end at a 52 weeks’ low of $16 and Grace Kennedy closed with a loss of 1 cent at $4.04 with 27,606 shares changing hands.
Firm Trades| Trading in Clico Investment Fund traded 28,926 shares valued at $658,067 but remained at $22.75, First Citizens ended with 450 units changing hands at $35, One Caribbean Media had 2,041 units changing hands at $22 and Trinidad and Tobago NGL ended at $21.50 with 46,875 shares changing hands, valued at $1,007,812.
Juniors start 2016 at new high
Lasco Financial traded at a new 52 weeks’ high high of $3.90
The junior market started 2016 with the index gaining 23.73 points to end at 1,814.78 for a new record high. The market closed with 13 securities trading 6 of which advanced, 2 declined with 4 closing at a new 52 weeks high and one at an intraday high. A volume of 1,707,388 units changed hands, valued at $6,741,784.
At the close, 1 security ended with no bids to buy and 8 securities had no stocks being offered for sale. A total of 2 stocks closed with bids higher than their last traded prices while 1 closed with a lower offer.
In trading, Access Financial Services closed at $16 with 8,510 units changing hands, C2W Music closed with a gain of 1 cent as 256,277 units changed hands to a new 52 weeks’ high of 40 cents, Caribbean Cream ended with 500,000 shares changing hands at $4.08, Caribbean Flavours traded 45,000 units to close with a loss of 44 cents at $9. Caribbean Producers traded 3,340 units to close with a gain of 5 cents, at $5.50, Consolidated Bakeries gained 4 cents to end at $1.49 with 111,500 units changing hands,
General Accident traded 5,600 shares to close at $2.05, Honey Bun rose 3 cents, to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $6.18 with 120,000 units changing hands. Jamaica Teas ended at $5.05 with a loss of 5 cents while 28,634 units traded, KLE Group ended at $1.87 with 17,920 shares changing hands, Lasco Distributors closed with 389,944 shares changing hands at $5.50, but traded at an intraday 52 weeks’ high of $5.55. Lasco Financial closed at a 52 weeks’ high of $3.90, with a rise of 20 cents with 50,001 shares changing hands and Lasco Manufacturing closed at $3.58 with 170,662 shares trading, for an 8 cents rise.
Jam$ dips to close out year down
The Jamaican foreign exchange market trading activity on the last Thursday in 2015, fell below Wednesday’s levels with dealers selling more funds than they purchased. The value of the local currency slipped against its major counterpart currencies.
In trading dealers bought the equivalent of US$32,723,774 and sold US$42,295,648, compared with US$35,663,399 purchased and US$42,378,801 sold on Wednesday.
Sale of US dollars , exceeded the amount dealers bought by US$11 million as dealers bought US$29,243,474 compared to US$31,547,200 on Wednesday. The buying rate for the US dollar rose 3 cents to $119.64.
A total of US$40,545,786 was sold versus US$40,319,564 on Wednesday as the selling rate rose 8 cents to $120.42. The Canadian dollar buying rate declined 27 cents to end at $83.28 with dealers buying C$1,528,540 and selling C$863,232, at an average rate that gained 15 cents to $84.91. The rate for buying the British Pound dropped 40 cents to $175.74 for the purchase of £1,513,957, while £686,125 was sold, with the rate rising $2.04 to $177.12. At the end of trading, it took J$131.34 to purchase the Euro, for a gain of 11 cents from Wednesday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$128.58, rising 6 cents from Wednesday’s rate. The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$192,608 being bought, while US$131,968 was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for US dollar rose 5 cents to $120.70, 
the lowest buying, the highest and lowest selling rates were unchanged at $98.61, $126.37 and $116 respectively. The Canadian dollar highest buying rate gained 30 cents to $86.80, the lowest buying rate rose 17 cents to $68.48. The highest selling rate declined by 65 cents to $88.85 and the lowest selling rate ended unchanged at $81.50. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, rose 16 cents to $179.16, the lowest buying rate remained unchanged at $142.84, the highest selling rate climbed $2.10 to $184.15 while the lowest selling rate rose 65 cents to $170.65.
TTSE ends 2015 mixed
The last trading day of 2015 saw mixed fortune for the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange with 2 stocks rising and 2 declining as the market closed with 10 active securities with the prices of 6 remaining unchanged. A total of 285,623 shares changed hands valued at $826,260.
The Composite Index ended with a gain of 0.44 points to 1,162.30, the All T&T Index fell 0.05 points to 1,948 50 and the Cross Listed Index rose 0.12 points to end at 49.51.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading there are signs that the number of stocks gaining could rise with IC Bid indicator showing an increase number of stocks with higher bids than in recent trading days. The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 6 stocks with bids higher than the last selling price and 6 stocks with offers that were lower.
Gains| JMMB Group gained 2 cents in trading 235,000 shares to close at 55 cents and Trinidad and Tobago NGL gained 7 cents, to end at $21.50 with 25,000 shares changing hands valued at $537,500.
Declines| Scotiabank closed with 500 shares changing hands with a 1 cent loss to end at $61.94 and Trinidad Cement closed with a loss of 1 cent at $3.99 with 100 shares changing hands.
Firm Trades| Trading in First Citizens ended with 939 units changing hands to close at $35, Grace Kennedy had 7,212 units changing hands at $4.05, Guardian Holdings ended with 260 shares trading at $13.25. National Commercial Bank closed at $2.10 while trading 14,610 shares and National Flour Mills contributed 300 shares in closing at $2.70 and Sagicor Financial Corporation traded 372 shares and closed at $6.20
JSE down early Thursday trading
The JSE main market suffered reversal of the big gains recorded on Wednesday, as Scotia Group pulled back from the closing price of $31.49 to $30, helping to knock 1,006 points off the all Jamaica composite index and pushing the other main market indices down sharply as well. The junior market inched up a bit as trading volumes are light on the final trading day of 2015.
The all Jamaica Composite Index declined by 1,006.49 points to 165,379.60 the JSE Market Index declined 900.62 points to 148,917.14, the JSE combined index fell by 843.70 points to 156,609.79 and the junior market index is up 0.75 points to 1,792.90.
A total of 23 securities traded amounting to 423,132 units changing hands with 13 rising, while 4 declined.
Interesting trades include, Gleaner Company with just a small volume at $1.30 but now has a bid to buy 16,000 units at $2 with the offer at $2.50, this comes after shareholders in Radio Jamaica and the Gleaner voted on Wednesday to approve the merger of the Gleaner’s media business with Radio Jamaica. Pan Jamaican Investment traded just 4,140 shares at $94 for a $1 gain, Sagicor Group traded only 424 shares at $18.51 but has a bid at $19 which is 49 cents higher than they last sale price with only one offer at $20.05 to sell a mere 2,000 shares and Scotia Group traded 95,636 units with the last transaction at $30.
161% up for junior record – Wednesday
New closing high for Lasco Distributors on Wednesday.
The market closed with 11 securities trading 7 of which advanced, 1 declined with 2 closing at a new 52 weeks high. Volume changing hands amounted to 886,844 units, valued at $4,712,436.
At the close there was 1 security ending with no bid to buy and 6 securities had no stocks being offered for sale. A total of 4 stocks closed with bids higher than their last traded prices while 2 closed with lower offers.
In trading, C2W Music closed with 4,000 units changing hands at 38 cents, Caribbean Cream rose 18 cents with 64,025 shares changing hands at $3.98, Caribbean Producers traded 8,730 units to close at $5. Dolphin Cove ended with 2,908 shares changing hands at $15.75 by gaining 13 cents, General Accident ended with 1,000 shares trading close at $2.08.
KLE Group ended at $1.86 with 86,054 shares changing hands to record a gain of 3 cents to close at a new 52 weeks’ high, Knutsford Express ended at $9.60 with 178,474 shares changing hands, Lasco Distributors rose by 40 cents and closed with 124,055 shares changing hands at $5.40 for a 52 weeks’ closing high, Lasco Financial closed at $3.70, with 6,101 shares changing hands, Lasco Manufacturing closed at $3.50 with 278,997 shares trading and Eppley 2019 preference share gained 2 cents in trading 131,500 units at $6.10.
New junior record up 151% in 2015 – Tuesday
KLE closed at a 52 weeks’ high in closing at $1.83 on Tuesday.
Trading ended with 12 securities trading of which 7 advanced and 1 declined with 3 closing at a new 52 weeks high. Volume changing hands amounted to 986,076 units, valued at $3,374,729.
At the close there was 1 security ending with no bid to buy and 5 securities had no stocks being offered for sale. A total of 4 stocks closed with bids higher than their last traded prices while none closed with a lower offer.
In trading, Access Financial closed with 6,490 units changing hands at $16, Caribbean Cream slipped 8 cents with 44,600 shares changing hands at $3.80, Caribbean Flavours closed at $9.44 with 18,938 shares changing hands, Caribbean Producers rose 42 cents in trading 52,000 units to close at $5. Dolphin Cove ended with 1,092 shares changing hands at $15.62 by gaining 12 cents, General Accident gained 20 cents with 1,000 shares trading close at $2.08. Jamaican Teas ended up by 55 cents with only 2,529 shares trading,
KLE Group ended at $1.83 with 10,000 shares changing hands to record a gain of 28 cents, Lasco Distributors rose by 5 cents and closed with 157,804 shares changing hands at $5 for a 52 weeks’ high, after trading earlier at an all-time high of $5.50. Lasco Financial rose 17 cents to close at a new 52 weeks’ high of $3.70, with 26,998 shares changing hands, Lasco Manufacturing closed at $3.50 with 264,625 shares trading, the stock traded earlier as low as $3.10 and Derrimon Trading preference share ended with 400,000 shares trading at $2.10.
J$ moves to $120.42 to US dollar
The Jamaican foreign exchange market trading activity on the final Monday in 2015, fell well below Thursday’s levels with dealers buying almost $11 million less than they sold, as the value of the local currency slipping further against the US dollar. The inflows of funds into the market were unusually low for this time of the year, the closure of some businesses for the holiday may account for it.
Dealers bought the equivalent of US$31,609,960 and sold US$32,521,826, compared with US$34,740,726 and US$44,288,308 respectively on Thursday.
Sale of US dollars , exceeded the amount dealers bought by US$2.7 million. Dealers bought US$28,536,776 compared to US$32,213,491 on Thursday. The buying rate for the US dollar fell 25 cents to $119.45. A total of US$31,277,510 was sold versus US$42,468,505 on Thursday as the selling rate rose 7 cent to $120.42. 
The Canadian dollar buying rate fell by 37 cents to end at $82.75 with dealers buying C$1,131,418 and selling C$1,198,716, at an average rate that rose 63 cents to $87.01. The rate for buying the British Pound climbed by $1.03 to $176.48 for the purchase of £1,470,687, while only £150,953 was sold, with the rate falling 89 cents to $177.24. At the end of trading, it took J$131.88 to purchase the Euro, for a rise of 96 cents from Thursday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$129.21, rising by 80 cents from Thursday’s rate. The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$116,372 being bought, while US$156,024 was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, fell 5 cents to $120.70, 
the lowest buying, the highest and lowest selling rates were unchanged at $98.70, $126.47 and $116, respectively. The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar dropped $1.75 to $86.45, the lowest buying rate fell 20 cents to $68.61. The highest and lowest selling rates remained at $90 and $80.50 respectively. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, jumped $4.10 to end at $182.80. The lowest buying, the highest and the lowest selling rates were unchanged at $142.84, $184.15 and $170.70 respectively.
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