Inflows of foreign exchange for the week to Thursday netted US dollar equivalent of $28 million while in United States currency, the surplus is US$24.5 million. Dealers bought the US dollar from a high of J$127.81 to a low of J$127.02, the average selling rate only moved between J$128.50 to $128.44 for the week so far.
On Thursday, dealers sold the US dollar for an average which was 1 cent higher than on Wednesday, to close at $$128.45, only the second day the rate moved up, in more than a month. On Thursday, US$44.3 million entered the market with US$38.9 million leaving, of all currencies. On Wednesday, inflows into the market generated just US$58.7 million in all currencies, while US$42.25 million was sold to the public.
At the close, the Jamaican dollar value slipped, with the selling rate of J$128.45 for one US dollar, down from J$128.44 it ended at on Wednesday. Dealers bought the United States dollar at J$127.49 down from JS$127.81 previously.
In USA dollar trading, inflows into the system ended at US$30.9 million versus US$46.87 million on Wednesday while selling amounted to only US$25.4 million compared to US$34.3 million on Wednesday.
The selling rate for the Canadian dollar climbed to J$99.63 compared to J$99.37 at the close on Wednesday, while the British Pound cost more at the close on Thursday with J$166.06 buying the British currency versus J$165.94 on Wednesday and the Jamaican dollar lost value against the euro, with it taking J$150.78 to buy the European common currency on Thursday versus Wednesday’s rate of J$147.8.
J$ lose in FX trading – Thursday
Big increase in FX trading – Wednesday
Trading levels, picked up sharply from the low levels on Tuesday, with US$58.7 million entering the market and US$42.25 million leaving. On Tuesday, inflows into the market generated just US$23.84 million in all currencies while US$22.52 million was sold to the public.
At the close of the market on Wednesday, the Jamaican dollar recorded moderate gains, with the selling rate of J$128.44 for one US dollar, down from J$128.46 it ended at on Tuesday. Dealers bought the United States dollar at J$127.81 up from JS$127.02.
In USA dollar trading, inflows into the system ended at US$46.87 million versus US$21.54 million on Tuesday while selling amounted to only US$34.3 million compared to US$20.36 million on Tuesday.
The selling rate for the Canadian dollar inched up to J$99.37 compared to J$98.01 at the close on Tuesday, while the British Pound cost less at the close on Wednesday with J$165.94 buying the British currency versus J$166.91 on Tuesday and the Jamaican dollar lost value against the euro, with it taking J$147.8 to buy the European common currency on Wednesday versus Tuesday’s rate of J$145.42.
Radio Jamaica looks promising
Radio Jamaica generated revenues of $1.2 billion in the March 2017 quarter, $156 million less than the December quarter but had $49 million more in direct expenses in the March quarter when it was expected that direct expenses would have fallen in keeping with the reduced income.
The group also reported lower profits in the March quarter compared with the December quarter and suffered a loss before taxation of $30 million and $65 million after an increased taxation charge of $35 million, bringing the full year taxation provision to $75 million. RJR ended the fiscal year with profit after tax of $145 million or just 6 cents per share. Results for 2018 should be much better as staff cost will fall with reduction in staffing while some one off cost that affected profit, should not recur.
In the March quarter, general expenses fell by $110 million from the December quarter to reach $562 million. The sharp change could result from reclassification of some expenses to direct cost, resulting in the jump in this area in the last quarter of the fiscal year. In the December quarterly report, the company stated that “increased cost of $64 million was incurred largely from further operational investments and one- off costs”. The areas that incurred the cost are continued rollout of 1 Spot Media, legal expenses incurred in protecting copy rights and defending legal action and repairs to broadcast transmitters. This was reconfirmed by Managing Director, Gary Allen in response to questions posed by IC Insider.com as the reason why profit in the Television segment had fallen even as revenues rose.
“The figures have seven months of the old structure. Only five months of HR synergies were realised in the financial year under review, as redundancies took place in September/November” Gary Allen, Managing Director advised IC Insider.com, in response to our question of how much staff cost is in the 2107 figures for person who were made redundant?
Prior to the merger investors were advised of major cost reduction and improved revenues that will flow from the merged entity. Allen stated ‘they have started with the HR synergies. Others are being realised as we integrate systems in the operations. Most elements will be implemented by the end of 2018/2019.”
Cash flow from operating activities was $363 million but $248 million was spent on acquiring fixed assets with the group ending with cash and equivalent of $291 million at the end of the year. RJR also has investments in bonds and Government of Jamaica securities amounting to $487 million.
The RJR Group underwent major changes with the acquisition of the Gleaner media business. Comparing the 2017 fiscal year’s results with that of 2016 makes little sense with the latter having very little financial data of the acquired business.
Data contained in the segment results, provide some indication as to the performance of various parts of the group. The performance of the segments in 2017 over 2016 show, Audio Visual generating just $65 million more in revenues in 2017 to end with $1.868 billion and contributed $72 million to profits compared to $157 million in 2016, Audio comprising radio operations had revenues of $711 million compared to $567 million and contributed profit of $238 million versus $112 million, Independent Radio coming on stream and growth in Outside Broadcasts contributed to the increase. The print division showed revenues of only $78 million in 2016 and a loss of $190 million saw a major about turn, with revenues of $2.8 billion and profit of $173 million for 2017.
Allen went on to state that “the market will remain competitive and the economic conditions of Jamaica will continue to impact media spend. Improvements will come from those able to leverage market leadership positions, product diversification, overseas earnings and new marketing strategies. RJR has all the necessary ingredients to meet these challenges and the opportunities on the horizon.”
The stock traded at $1.60 on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Friday and with IC Insider.com projecting earnings of 25 cents per share for 2018 fiscal year ending in March, the stock seems attractive coming against a back ground of continued growth in the Jamaican economy.
Express Catering heading for Junior Market
2017 is set to be the year with the most listing on the Jamaica Stock Exchange even as just four listings have made it to the market so far in 2017. At the end of 2016, eighteen new listings were expected based on feedback the stock exchange obtained from brokers and companies expressing an interest in listing.
Express Catering a company operating in the Montego Airport is being brokered by Mayberry Investments in a bid to raise funds for existing shareholders. The company shares are expected to be listed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange. Existing shareholders plan to sell between 20 to 40 percent of the company to raise around $400 to $500 million at a price range between $1 and $2.50 per share, our source informs IC Insider.com.
The company would be valued around $1 billion and using a PE of 10 times earnings would put the profit at around $100 million. The bulk of passengers passing through the Montego Bay airport are tourist, with the continued increase in hotel rooms passenger traffic will keep growing for some time and provide the company with increased opportunity for growth.
Not much more has so far been disclosed, but an indication of the company’s size can be gleaned from the fact that Montego Bay Airport Ltd generated revenue from Express Catering for rental and commission on food and beverages sales of U$$2.7 million in for 2016, an increase from US$2.5 million in 2015.
In April this year The Gleaner reported that the company has annual revenues at US$14 million from being an exclusive provider of food and beverage products in the post-security lounge of the Sangster International Airport. The company has a diverse group of proprietary brands and international franchises to include such brands as Quiznos Subs and Salads, Aunt Annie’s Pretzels, Nathans Famous Hot Dogs, Cinnabon, Moe’s South Western Grill, Wendy’s, Dominos and Dairy Queen.
Elsewhere, the Musson’s subsidiary, Productive Business Solutions prospectus is said to be at the FSC for vetting, from about three weeks ago and should be close to being released to the public. Productive Business Solutions operates in the Caribbean, Central America and the USA and will come to the market with a US$41 million offer of ordinary shares. Stationery and Supplies Limited is also expected to be coming to the market anytime now.