Scotia Group had another financially successful quarter ending April this year, with profit climbing a solid 31 percent to $5.4 billion and earnings per share (EPS) of $1.74, up from $4.1 billion in 2023, with EPS of $1.32. For the six months to April, profit rose 14 percent to $8.54 billion with earnings per share (EPS) of $2.74, from a profit of $7.49 billion in 2023 and EPS of $2.41.
Scotia Group head quarters in Kingston.
Total comprehensive income climbed to $6.65 billion in the quarter from $4.79 billion in 2023. For the half year, it fell to $2.76 billion from $3.6 billion in 2023 as other comprehensive income suffered a loss of $5.78 billion in the 2024 period and $3.86 billion in 2023 as a result of an $11 billion increase in defined benefit obligations in 2024 and $9.3 billion in 2023.
Total revenues rose 20 percent for the quarter, to $16.9 billion from $14.1 billion and climbed a solid 18 percent for the year to date, to $33.3 billion from $28.3 billion in 2023. Interest income rose 18 percent in the April quarter to $11.7 billion from $9.9 billion in 2023 and 20.4 percent for the six months to $23.3 billion from $19.4 billion.
The critical and the single most important area of the group’s operation of lending helped to deliver a 17.6 percent increase in a net interest income of $11.24 billion in the second quarter of this year, from $9.56 billion in the prior year and, it rose 18.4 percent to $22.35 billion in the six months from $18.87 billion in the 2023 half year.
According to the group directors, “Our loan portfolio increased by $35.5 billion or 14.4 percent compared to April 2023, with loans net of allowances for credit losses increasing to $282.3 billion. Our core loan book continues to perform well with mortgages increasing year over year by 24 percent, consumer loans by 13 percent, credit cards by 15 percent and commercial loans by 8 percent.” Loans grew 2.2 percent in the January quarter over October, with the pace picking up to 2.25 percent in the April quarter over January, this year, for an annualized growth rate of 10 percent.
Deposits by the public increased by 6 percent or $27 billion to $464 billion. Investment securities increased marginally to $156.5 billion from $151.6 billion last year.
Net income from foreign currency trading, fees, commission and other income went up 22 percent from $3.6 billion to $4.4 billion in the April quarter and rose 14 percent from $7.7 billion in the half year in 2023 to $8.4 billion in the current year.
Insurance activities delivered profits of $530 million for the latest quarter, up from $493 million in the previous year. For the half year, it moved to $1.05 billion, from $1.03 billion in the comparative period in 2023. Foreign currency trading gains amount to $2.23 billion in the latest quarter compared with $1.94 billion in 2023 and for the year to date, $4.56 billion in the six months to April versus $4 billion in 2023.
Credit impairment losses jumped sharply to $1 billion in the April quarter from $665 million last year to $2 billion in the half year, compared with $1.75 billion in 2023.
Segment results show Retail Banking with revenues of $11.06 billion compared with $10.1 billion in 2023 and delivered segment profit of $1.6 billion versus $2.1 billion in 2023. Corporate and Commercial banking had a 13 percent growth in third party revenues to $7.9 billion and net segment results of $7.2 billion compared with revenues of $6.9 billion in 2023 as net results surged sharply over the $5.2 billion in 2023. Treasury generated revenues of $7.7 billion up from $5.8 billion with a net position of $1.13 billion in 2024 compared with $1.03 billion in the prior year.
Investment Management Services generated revenues of $1.5 billion and a net result of $780 million in 2024, with revenues of $1.56 billion in 2023 and a net outturn of $806 million in 2023. Insurance services had a mild increase in revenues to $2.08 billion in 2024 as net results slipped to $2.05 billion, compared with revenues of $2.45 billion in 2023 and net segment results of $2.15 billion.
Salaries and staff benefits rose 12.8 percent to $2.96 billion from $2.63 billion in 2023 and for the half year, it rose by 13 percent from $5.23 billion to $5.9 billion.
Scotia Group traded at a $58 on Friday.
Other operating expenses fell marginally from $3.28 billion to $3.23 billion in the quarter and increased slightly in the nine months to $6.7 billion from $6.55 billion in the previous year. Overall, total operating expenses moved from $6.57 billion in the second quarter last year to $6.78 billion. For the six months to April, it moved by 7 percent to $15.46 billion from $14.4 billion in 2023.
Taxation on profit amounted to $2.38 billion in the April quarter up from $1.89 billion in 2023 and it rose 15 percent to $4.47 billion in the half year from $3.89 billion in 2023.
Shareholders’ equity ended the period at $127 billion, up from $108 billion at the end of March 2023.
IC Insider.com computation projects earnings of $6.50 to $7 per share for the fiscal year ending October 2024, with a PE of 6.5 times the current year’s earnings based on the price of $44.41 the stock traded on the Jamaica Stock Exchange. Net asset value ended the period at $4.78 with the stock selling at xxx book value.
The company declared a dividend of 40 cents which in line with payment in April versus 35 cents in July 2023.
Trading closed with of 98,850 shares for $2,451,133 compared to 318,285 stock units at $1,799,795 on Thursday.
Ansa Merchant Bank declined 2 cents to $41.50 with an exchange of 2,019 stocks, First Citizens Group fell 99 cents to $43, with 528 shares changing hands, FirstCaribbean International Bank ended at $6.93 with investors trading 1,286 stocks. GraceKennedy skidded 13 cents to $3.57, with 6,550 units passing through the exchange, Guardian Holdings ended at $15.60 with investors swapping 155 stock units, JMMB Group rose 3 cents and ended at $1.28 with 8,408 shares crossing the market. Massy Holdings slipped 7 cents to end at $4.05 after an exchange of 4,040 stocks, National Enterprises dipped 5 cents in closing at $3.45 after 23,533 units passed through the market, National Flour Mills ended at $2.25 and closed with an exchange of 21,940 stock units. 
Prestige Holdings rallied 25 cents to $13 in trading 1,125 shares, Republic Financial gained $2 to $108 after investors traded 9,460 stocks, Scotiabank lost 76 cents in closing at $65.24 with 15,258 units clearing the market. Trinidad & Tobago NGL gained 6 cents to finish at $6.99 in an exchange of 240 units, Trinidad Cement closed at $2.60 with investors dealing in 60 shares, Unilever Caribbean slipped 2 cents to close at $11.70 after a transfer of 1,315 stocks and West Indian Tobacco shed 52 cents to $8.75 with 1,050 units crossing the market.
The market closed with trading of 318,285 shares valued at $1,799,795 compared to 82,230 stock units at $2,125,118 on Wednesday.
At the close, Agostini’s skidded 50 cents to close at $68.25 as investors exchanged 110 stocks, Ansa McAl fell $3.15 to $60.40 in switching ownership of 1,555 units, Ansa Merchant Bank popped 1 cent to end at $41.52, with 50 shares crossing the exchange. First Citizens Group slipped 31 cents in closing at $43.99 with investors trading 2,613 stock units, FirstCaribbean International Bank remained at $6.93 after 1,175 shares passed through the market, GraceKennedy sank 17 cents and ended at $3.70 with investors swapping 732 units. JMMB Group ended at $1.25 with a transfer of 60,557 stocks, Massy Holdings gained 8 cents to finish at $4.12 with investors trading 239,249 stock units, National Enterprises ended at $3.50 after an exchange of 990 shares. 
One Caribbean Media rose 3 cents in closing at $3.68 after 431 units were traded, Republic Financial declined $4 to end at a 52 weeks’ low of $106, with 3,856 stocks changing hands, Scotiabank climbed 76 cents to close at $66 in an exchange of 644 stock units. Trinidad & Tobago NGL ended at $6.93 with 3,346 shares crossing the market, Trinidad Cement ended at $2.60 with an exchange of 31 stock units, Unilever Caribbean popped 1 cent to close at $11.72 with 2,506 units clearing the market and West Indian Tobacco shed 73 cents and ended at $9.27 with investors dealing in 440 stocks.
The market closed with trading of 82,230 shares for $2,125,118 up from 51,735 stock units at $993,208 on Tuesday.
At the close of the market, Agostini’s remained at $68.75 with traders dealing in 360 stocks, Ansa McAl climbed $1.55 to $63.55 after a transfer of 8 units, First Citizens ended at $44.30 with 4,136 shares being traded. FirstCaribbean International Bank popped 43 cents and ended at $6.93 after closing with an exchange of 260 stock units, Guardian Holdings skidded $1.15 to end at $15.60 with investors transferring 820 shares, JMMB Group gained 4 cents in closing at $1.25 after the exchange of 12,936 units. Massy Holdings fell 14 cents to $4.04 in trading 23,491 stocks, National Enterprises declined 14 cents to end at $3.50 with 10,255 stock units clearing the market, National Flour Mills rose 1 cent in closing at $2.25 in an exchange of 88 shares.
One Caribbean Media shed 3 cents and ended at $3.65 with investors dealing in just 2 stocks, Republic Financial sank $5 to close at $110 after 13,919 units passed through the market, Scotiabank dipped 75 cents to finish at $65.24, with 1,304 stock units changing hands. Trinidad & Tobago NGL fell 49 cents to $6.93 in an exchange of 964 shares, Trinidad Cement ended at $2.60 with investors trading 8,903 stocks, Unilever Caribbean slipped 20 cents and ended at $11.71 in switching ownership of 986 units and West Indian Tobacco remained at $10, with 3,798 stock units crossing the exchange.
The market closed with trading of 51,735 shares for $993,208 compared to 139,847 stock units at $1,423,656 on Monday.
Calypso Macro Investment Fund rose 97 cents and ended at $24 after trading of 14 stock units, First Citizens Group rallied 5 cents in closing at $44.30 after 1,955 shares passed through the market, GraceKennedy dipped 1 cent to end at $3.87 with investors trading 126 units. Guardian Holdings increased $1.25 in closing at $16.75 with 141 stocks crossing the market, Guardian Media remained at $1.80 with traders dealing in 59 stock units, JMMB Group fell 7 cents to finish at $1.21 with 7,710 shares changing hands. Massy Holdings ended at $4.18 with investors transferring 2,269 stock units, National Enterprises declined 1 cent to close at $3.64 after an exchange of 295 stocks, National Flour Mills slipped 1 cent to end at $2.24 with investors dealing in 13 units. One Caribbean Media climbed 28 cents to $3.68 and closed with 670 stocks being traded, 
Prestige Holdings remained at $12.75 with an exchange of 3,989 units, Republic Financial dropped $1 in closing at $115 with 4,672 shares clearing the market. Scotiabank shed 1 cent and ended at $65.99 in an exchange of 1,011 stock units, Trinidad & Tobago NGL popped 62 cents to finish at $7.42 with investors swapping 10,239 shares, Trinidad Cement advanced 3 cents to close at $2.60 after a transfer of 12,000 units. Unilever Caribbean rose 36 cents to $11.91 with 1,806 stocks crossing the exchange and West Indian Tobacco skidded 10 cents and ended at $10 with a transfer of 3,658 stock units.
The market closed with trading of 139,847 shares at $1,423,656 up from 97,769 stock units at $1,040,061 on Wednesday.
Ansa Merchant Bank dipped 99 cents to $41.51 in trading 100 units, Endeavour Holdings climbed $1.70 in closing at $16.70 after investors traded 2,256 shares, First Citizens Group sank 50 cents to $44.25 with 2,583 stock units passing through the market. FirstCaribbean International Bank slipped 43 cents to $6.50 in switching owners of 8,075 units, GraceKennedy popped 13 cents to finish at $3.88, with 1,000 stocks crossing the exchange, Guardian Holdings fell $1.40 and ended at a 52 weeks’ low of $15.50 with investors dealing in 12,721 units. Guardian Media ended at $1.80 after an exchange of 10 stocks, JMMB Group gained 6 cents in closing at $1.28 with a transfer of 10 shares, Massy Holdings ended at $4.18 with investors swapping 46,353 stock units. National Enterprises remained at $3.65 in an exchange of 23,599 shares, National Flour Mills ended at $2.25 with 750 stock units crossing the market, One Caribbean Media declined 28 cents in closing at $3.40 as investors exchanged 5,936 stocks. 
Prestige Holdings shed 25 cents and ended at $12.75 after investors traded 90 units, Republic Financial remained at $116 after a transfer of 1,556 stocks, Scotiabank increased 50 cents to finish at $66 after 2,447 units passed through the market. Trinidad & Tobago NGL dropped 80 cents and ended at a 52 weeks’ low of $6.80 with an exchange of 16,946 shares, Trinidad Cement popped 1 cent to $2.57 with 497 stock units changing hands, Unilever Caribbean lost 36 cents to finish at $11.55 with investors trading 3,469 shares and West Indian Tobacco skidded 15 cents to end at $10.10 in an exchange of 9,632 stocks.
The dividend yields 4.8 percent based on Thursday’s closing price of $3.15 and four percent based on Friday’s closing of $3.83, almost twice the junior Market average of 2 percent.
The market closed with 97,769 shares being traded at $1,040,061 down from 149,149 stock units at $1,486,315 on Tuesday.
First Citizens Group popped 15 cents to end at $44.75 after trading of 2,990 stock units, FirstCaribbean International Bank shed 1 cent in closing at $6.93, with investors trading 14,204 shares, GraceKennedy fell 15 cents to close at $3.75 with 4,783 stock units being traded. Guardian Media ended at $1.80 after switching ownership of 1,000 units, JMMB Group slipped 6 cents to end at $1.22 after 5,168 stock units passed through the market, Massy Holdings slipped 1 cent to $4.18 after an exchange of 24,146 shares. National Enterprises remained at $3.65 with investors swapping 14,047 stock units, National Flour Mills ended at $2.25 after an exchange of 100 units, Point Lisas remained at $3.50 with 100 stocks crossing the market. 
Prestige Holdings ended at $13 after trading of 5,546 shares, Republic Financial advanced $1 and ended at $116 with 1,415 stock units crossing the market, Scotiabank ended at $65.50 after a transfer of 1,491 units. Trinidad & Tobago NGL ended at $7.60 with investors trading 8,205 stocks, Unilever Caribbean skidded 9 cents in closing at $11.91 in an exchange of 474 shares and West Indian Tobacco rose 25 cents to end at $10.25 with investors dealing in 12,555 units.
The market closed with trading of 149,149 shares for $1,486,315 down from 442,478 units at $2,184,391 on Monday.
At the close, Agostini’s rallied 3 cents and ended at $68.78 in an exchange of 3 stocks, Angostura Holdings popped $1.25 to $18.25 with investors transferring 13 units, Ansa McAl ended at $59 after an exchange of 1,122 shares. Ansa Merchant Bank remained at $42.50 with investors dealing in 924 stock units, First Citizens Group rallied 10 cents to finish at $44.60 after an exchange of 1,258 shares, L.J. Williams B share ended at $1.88 with investors trading a mere one stock unit. Massy Holdings dipped 1 cent to $4.19 after a transfer of 5,217 units, National Enterprises remained at $3.65, with 63,112 stock units crossing the exchange, National Flour Mills slipped 5 cents in ending at $2.25 in switching ownership of 695 shares. One Caribbean Media ended at $3.68 with 101 stock units clearing the market, Point Lisas remained at $3.50 in an exchange of 7 stocks, Prestige Holdings ended at $13 with traders dealing in 2,215 units. 
Republic Financial skidded $1.28 to a 52 weeks’ low of $115 as investors traded 2,716 shares, Scotiabank remained at $65.50 with a transfer of 3,562 units, Trinidad & Tobago NGL rose 10 cents to end at $7.60 and closed after 27,941 stocks were traded. Trinidad Cement remained at $2.56 with investors trading 19,447 stock units, Unilever Caribbean ended trading at $12 after 14,073 shares passed through the market and West Indian Tobacco lost 2 cents to finish at $10 with an exchange of 6,742 units.
The market closed with an exchange of 442,478 shares for $2,184,391 up from 141,778 stock units at $1,996,526 on Friday.
Endeavour Holdings ended at $15 in an exchange of 200 stock units, First Citizens Group fell 25 cents to $44.50 after investors traded 2,041 shares, FirstCaribbean International Bank popped 1 cent to close at $6.94 after 44,855 stock units were transferred. GraceKennedy rose 15 cents to $3.90 with investors trading 5,000 stocks, Guardian Holdings gained 40 cents to end at $16.90, with 136 stock units crossing the exchange, JMMB Group rallied 8 cents to $1.28 with investors swapping 29 shares. Massy Holdings remained at $4.20 in switching ownership of 3,457 stock units, National Enterprises ended the day at $3.65 with 13,931 stocks changing hands, NCB Financial ended at $2.70 with investors dealing in 322,087 units. One Caribbean Media rose 13 cents to end at $3.68, with 8 shares crossing the market, Prestige Holdings advanced 5 cents to close at $13 after an exchange of 9 units,
Republic Financial fell 72 cents and ended at a 52 weeks’ low of $116.28 with 352 stocks clearing the market. Scotiabank lost $1 in closing at $65.50 with an exchange of 3,340 stock units, Trinidad & Tobago NGL ended at $7.50 after closing with an exchange of 1,280 shares, Trinidad Cement remained at $2.56 with investors trading 14,624 units. Unilever Caribbean ended at $12 in an exchange of 174 stock units and West Indian Tobacco rallied 2 cents to $10.02 after 13,679 stock units passed through the market.