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.
Grace & Carib Producers back in TOP 10
the past week was very eventful for the Jamaica Stock market as the main market surged to a new all-time high and the Junior market surges more than 100 points in the early part of the week and broke through resistance before pulling back.
Importantly, although the results for the first quarter of 2018 for many companies did not show strong gains while some showed declines compare with 2017, both the junior and main markets are at points to break out of a wedge formation. The moves are bias to the upside.
Medical Disposables jumped to $5 from $4.30 last week and was eased out of the top stocks and replaced by Caribbean Producers. Stationery and Office Supplies fell by the end of the week to $7.80, moving up on the list in the process, the order book of the stock suggest further decline before it bottoms out. Jamaican Teas price moved to $5.25 during the latter part of the week as demands picks up and supplies appear to have been declining, but by the end of the week it closed at $5.
In the main market, Jamaica broilers jumped to a record close of $26.30 on Friday, up from $21 at the end of the prior week and moved well outside the top 10 list, replaced by Grace Kennedy that slipped 50 cents in price by week end.
At the close of Friday, the average PE ratio for Junior Market Top stocks ended at 6,2 compared to an average PE for the overall main market of 11, based on 2018 estimated earnings. The main market PE is 7.6 for the top stocks, compared to a market average of 13.
IC Insider.com’s TOP 10 stocks now trade at an average discount of 44 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 41 percent to the market.
Stocks to watch. Scotia Group reported half year results during the past week, but there was nothing about them for investors to be excited about, as they showed lower profits in the April quarter than a year ago period. The stock price pulled back sharply on release of the results. The stock yields a dividend of 4 percent which is higher than treasuries and this could be an attraction for some investors while they await return to profit growth. NCB sits just below the TOP 10 list and has good growth prospects for patient investors. PanJam Investment that IC Insider.com reported on in a separate article last week caught the eyes of some investors who moved the price up to $51.98 and it could go higher this week has there is very limited supply for this one. Investors should also keep an eye out for Sygnus Credit that could have its shares listed by next week.
tTech, LasFin & Blue Power in TOP 10
The Junior Market is up 7.5 percent for the year to date, helped considerably by three new listings since late December and recovery in the prices of three Lasco companies and a few others.
Investors pushed Treasury bill rates sharply down by 22 percent from 4.63 in December to 3.593 percent in February, while the central bank cut their overnight rates in sympathy to 2.75 percent. On the other hand profit results of companies have been mixed with some showing strong gains and others no so strong. So far stocks prices have yet to move to factor in the lower interest rates.
One company that had good 2017 results was ISP Finance but increased bad debt provisioning curtailed the growth in profits to just one percent after tax, but 20 percent ahead of the net 2016 profits with a 25 percent rise in revenues. The results for 2017 resulted in earnings per share being reduced to $1.20 for 2018 and with a rise in the stock price to $11.05 it is no longer in the TOP stocks. Also going out are, Access Financial and Paramount Trading. Access earnings have been reduced following their third quarter 2017 results.
Entering the TOP 10 Junior Market list are tTech, Lasco Financial and Blue Power. While Lasco Financial had lower profit in the December 2017 quarter than in 2016 that was due to added cost associated with the acquisition of Credi Scotia. The company will see a big jump in profit as a result of the acquisition. tTech is said to be seeing strong growth in clientele following a few years of soliciting new clients business. General Accident had a temporary setback in profit in 2017 due to a major claim but rising premium income margin should help boost profit in 2018 barring any major catastrophic claims. Key Insurance despite incurring cost associated with staff separation amounting to close to $50 million reported improved results for 2017 over 2016 and should go on to record the highest levels of profit in 2018 with expected better margin on insurance underwriting barring any unusually large claims. Stationery and Office had a record 2018 performance and is expected to show improve results in 2018 that will move the price upwards.
At the close of Friday, the average PE ratio for Junior Market Top stocks ended at 6.3 compared to an average PE for the overall main market is 10 based on 2018 estimated earnings.
IC Insider.com’s TOP 10 stocks now trade at an average discount of 39 percent to the average for the Junior Market Top stocks but its less than 50 percent of what the average PE for the year is likely to be, of 15 to 20 times earnings.