115% gain for IC TOP 10 winner

Caribbean Cream rose 115 percent from the end of June to the closed of the week, with the price ending at $5.30, up from $4, last week and along with General Accident that closed the week at $7.50 and gained 70 percent since the start of May, are out of the TOP 10. That is why it pays to follow IC Insider.

Caribbean Cream gained 115% since the end of June

The two stocks sit just outside the TOP 10 with good potential to make further gains in the weeks and months ahead.
Coming back to the IC Junior Market TOP 10 are Lasco Distributors and Mailpac Group. Lasco Distributors profit is revised to 40 cents per share, for the current fiscal year, from 38 cents previously. The stock trades at a PE of 8 times earnings compared, with the average Junior Market PE over 11 and provides investors with the potential for substantial gains.
There was no change in the Main Market TOP 10 list for the week that saw the Main Market slipping modestly for the past week, while the Junior Market continued to inch higher, with a few points for the week, on top of gains in the previous two weeks.
The top three stocks in each market saw little change in the rankings, leaving the top three Junior Market stocks, with the potential to gain between 239 to 685 percent by March 2021. Caribbean Producers heads the list, followed by Lasco Financial and Stationery and Office Supplies.
The top three Main Market stocks, with expected gains of 191 to 223 percent, are Berger Paints followed by Radio Jamaica and JMMB Group.
This week’s focus: Former IC TOP 10 candidate, Barita Investments reported strong results for the third quarter and nine months to June with profit after tax hitting $991 million in the latest quarter, up modestly from $911 million in 2019 and for the nine months profit of $2 billion, up from $1.4 billion in 2019. Earnings per share ended the third quarter at $1.21 and $2.45 for the year to date. The broker house seems set to come close to IC Insider.com projection for the full year of $3.75. The company declared a dividend of $2.216 per share payable on October 7, with an Ex-dividend date, of September 21.
The targeted average PE ratio of the market is 20 based on the profits of companies reporting full year’s results, from now to the second quarter in 2021. Both the Junior and Main markets are currently trading well below this level, an indication of the potential gains ahead. The JSE Main Market ended the week, with an overall PE of 15.1 and the Junior Market at just 11.1, based on IC Insider.com’s projected 2020-21 earnings. The average PE ratio of the Junior Market has been slowly rising better profit opportunities the Main Market and narrowing the gap. The PE ratio for the Junior Market Top 10 stocks averages a mere 6.4 at just 58 percent to the average of the overall Junior Market. The Main Market TOP 10 stocks trade at a PE of 8.3 or 55 percent of the PE of the overall market.
The average projected gain for the IC TOP 10 stocks is 257 percent, for the Junior Market and 149 percent for the JSE Main Market, based on 2020-21 earnings, an indication that there is the potential to make greater gains in the Junior Market than in the Main Market.
IC TOP 10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns up to March 2021 and ranked in order of potential gains, based on likely gains for each company, taking into account the earnings and PE ratios for the current fiscal year.  Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate and will result in movements of the selection in and out of the lists for most weeks. Revisions to earnings per share are ongoing, based on receipt of new information.

Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.

TTSE inching slowly higher

The Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange ended trading on Friday, with the market inching higher after investors exchanged slightly fewer shares than on Thursday, resulting in more stocks rising than falling.
The market closed with twelve securities trading with three advancing, two declining and seven stocks remaining unchanged.  Trading resulted in 122,491 shares valued at $2,157,481 passing through the market, down from 131,310 stocks for $2,321,854 on Thursday from 17 securities.
The average trade on Friday amounted to 10,208 units at $179,790 versus an average of 7,724 stock units for $136,580 for each security. July closed with an average of 12,712 shares for $166,390.
The T&T Composite Index gained 0.63 points to 1,322.73, the All T&T Index rose 1.25 points to 1,786.58, while the Cross Listed Index was unchanged at 116.06.
IC bid-offer Indicator│ The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator ended with the bids of two stocks closing higher than the last selling prices and five with lower offers.
Stocks rising│ Republic Financial Holdings gained 50 cents to close at $141.50, with 2,281 units changing hands, Trinidad Cement ended 10 cents higher at $2.10, in trading 50,000 shares and Unilever Caribbean had 5,000 stock units exchanged at $17, after picking up 10 cents.
Stocks declining│ Clico Investments lost 2 cents exchanging 36,977 shares to finish at $27.83 and Guardian Holdings closed at $19.48, with a loss of 2 cents trading 12,273 stock units.
Stocks trading firm│ Ansa McAL traded 3,416 units at $50, Calypso Macro Index Fund transferred 350 units at $14, First Citizens closed at $47, with an exchange of 385 units. Grace Kennedy ended with 9,000 stock units changing hands at $3.70, Massy Holdings remained at $58, with an exchange of 2,419 units, Scotiabank closed at $54.99, with 90 units crossing the market and Trinidad and Tobago NGL ended at $17.25 trading 300 units.

Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

JSE Main Market slips again

The Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended trading on Friday with the market declining for a third consecutive trading day after more stocks rose than fell after the market activity, resulted in a 61 percent increase in shares changing hands than on Wednesday.
At the close, the All Jamaican Composite Index declined 714.74 points to close at 404,150.40, the Main Index shed 703.29 points to settle at 368,853.34 and JSE Financial Index fell 0.43 points to end at 95.34.
Trading ended with 44 securities changing hands with the prices of 21  stocks rising, the prices of 16 declining and seven remaining unchanged and the average PE Ratio of the market ended at 15.4 based on IC Insider.com’s forecast of 2020-21 earnings.
The market closed with an exchange of 12,279,679 shares for $35,735,006  compared to 7,635,914 units at $44,926,751  on Wednesday. Transjamaican Highway led trading with 6.28 million shares for 51 percent of total volume, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 2.11 million units for 17.2 percent of the day’s trade. Newly listed Community & Workers Credit Union Preference share traded with 1.32 million units for 10.7 percent market share and Ciboney Group was the only other stock to exceed a million shares to end with 1.07 million units changing hands.
The average trade for the day was 279,084 units at $812,159 for each security, in comparison to 173,544 shares at $1,021,063 on Wednesday. An average of 394,720 units traded for the month to date at $1,810,039 for each security that traded, in contrast to 432,976 units at $2,140,165. Trading month to date compares well to July that ended with an average of 392,128 shares for $2,444,356.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading for the market shows six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close of the market, Barita Investments gained $3.85 to end at $57.85, with an exchange of 935 units, Caribbean Cement fell $3.90 to $42 with investors switching ownership of 12,887 units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund shed $3.82 in ending at $46.18, with 52,321 stocks crossing the exchange. First Rock Capital fell 79 cents after closing at $14.01 and clearing the market with 21,629 stock units, Jamaica Producers Group lost $1 to close at $22.75 after exchanging 6,400 stocks. Jamaica Stock Exchange gained $1 to close at $23 trading 1,000 stock units, Key Insurance dropped 45 cents to end at $8.50, with 33,481 shares crossing the market, Kingston Wharves gained $1 to end at $51, with 3,270 stocks changing hands. Mayberry Investments climbed 90 cents to close at $5.90 with an exchange of 300 shares,  Mayberry Jamaican Equities advanced by 44 cents to end at $9.19 with investors switching ownership of 10,750 units, Palace Amusement rose $11 to close at $1561, with nine units clearing the market. PanJam Investment shed $1 to close at $68 trading 6,594 stocks, Proven Investments carved out a gain of $1.05 to finish at $34.95 with investors switching ownership of 4,371 stock units, Sagicor Group dropped 50 cents to close at $42 with investors exchanging 33,395 stocks. Sagicor Real Estate Fund gained $1.02 to end at $8.88 while exchanging 110 stock units, Seprod gained 96 cents to settle at $56.96, with 36,600 shares crossing the exchange and Wisynco Group advanced 50 cents to $17.60 with investors wapping 85,689 stock units.
In the preference segment of the main market, Eppley 8.25% advanced $1.04 to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $7.94, with 100 stock units changing hands.

Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

 

Some of Wednesday’s TTSE gains eroded

The Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange gave back some of Wednesday’s gains when trading closed on Thursday, with the market rising after investors traded 34 percent fewer shares than on Wednesday, even as more stocks rose than declined.
The market closed with seventeen securities trading with three stocks advancing, two declining and twelve remained unchanged.  The volume of stocks passing through the market amounted to 131,310 shares valued at $2,321,854 compared to 198,535 shares valued at $3,608,553 on Wednesday from fifteen securities.
The average trade on Wednesday amounted to 7,724 shares at $136,580 versus an average of 13,236 stocks at $240,570 for each security. For the month to date, trading resulted in an average of 13,691 units for $193,393, compared to an average of 16,165 units for $216,950 up to Tuesday, which is above the average for July of 12,712 shares for $166,390.
At the close of the market, the T&T Composite Index fell 2.87 points to end at 1,322.10. The All T&T Index lost 6.75 points to 1,785.33, while the Cross Listed Index added 0.15 points to 116.06.
IC bid-offer Indicator│ The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator ended with the bids of four stocks higher than its last selling price and three with lower offers.
Stocks rising│ Guardian Holdings picked up 15 cents in trading 926 shares to close at $19.15, Grace Kennedy finished 10 cents higher at $3.60, with 18,610 stock units changing hands and Trinidad & Tobago NGL traded 46 shares and added 23 cents to close at $17.25.
Stocks declining│ First Citizens Bank shed 90 cents to close at $47, with 1,000 units changing hands and National Enterprises traded 5,800 shares after falling 49 cents to close at $4.01
Stocks trading firm│ Agostini’s traded 62 shares at $25. Angostura Holdings exchanged 7,297 units at $15.30, Ansa McAl exchanged 3,310 stocks and closed at $50, Calypso Micro Index Fund traded 370 shares to close at $14. Clico Investments closed at $27.85, with a transfer of 36,232 shares, First Caribbean International Bank closed at $7 after transferring 2,000 stock units. Massy Holdings traded 2,316 units at $58, NCB Financial ended at $7.86, with 393 stock units crossing the market, One Caribbean Media exchanged 19,920 stock units at $5.25. Prestige Holdings closed at $8.35 in exchanging a mere five stocks and Republic Financial Holdings closed at $141 after an exchange of 356 shares and Unilever Caribbean traded 29,303 stocks to end at $16.90.

Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Good gains for TTSE stocks – Wednesday

The Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange ended trading on Wednesday, with the market rising after investors traded 43 percent fewer shares than on Tuesday, resulting in more stocks rising than falling.
The market closed with fifteen securities trading with the prices of six stocks advancing, three declining and six unchanged.  The volume of stocks passing through the market amounted to 198,535 shares valued at $3,608,553 compared to 346,932 shares for $2,070,714 on Tuesday from 14 securities.
The average trade on Wednesday amounted to 13,236 shares at $240,570 versus an average of 24,781 stock units for $147,908 for each security. For the month to date, trading resulted in an average of 16,165 units for $216,950, compared to an average of 17,855 shares at $84,154 up to Tuesday, above the average for July of 12,712 shares for $166,390.
At the close of the market, the T&T Composite Index advanced 8.20 points to 1,324.97. The All T&T Index jumped 14.91 points to 1,792.08, while the Cross Listed Index added 0.19 points to 115.91.
IC bid-offer Indicator│ The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator ended with the bids of three stocks higher than its last selling price and three with lower offers.
Stocks rising│ Guardian Holdings closed at $19.15, having picked up 15 cents in transferring 926 shares, Grace Kennedy finished 10 cents higher at $3.60 trading 18,610 stock units, National Flour gained 5 cents to close at $1.95, with 72,504 shares changing hands. Republic Financial Holdings climbed $5 to $141, with an exchange of 2,793 units, Scotiabank settled at $54.99, with gains of 9 cents and 3,752 stock units crossing the market and West Indian Tobacco closed $4 higher at $39, in trading 36,652 shares.
Stocks declining│ CinemaOne lost 50 cents in trading a mere 10 shares to close at an all-time low of $5, First Caribbean International shed 5 cents to close at $7, in transferring 5,908 stock units and First Citizens Bank shed 9 cents to close at $47.90, with 210 units changing hands.
Stocks trading firm│ Angostura Holdings exchanged 647 units at $15.30, Clico Investments closed at $27.85, with a transfer of 39,143 shares, Massy Holdings traded 2,971 units at $58. NCB Financial finished at $7.86, with 13,230 stock units crossing the market, Point Lisas closed at $3.10, in exchanging 1,060 units and Trinidad & Tobago NGL traded 129 shares at $17.02.

Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Second day of losses for JSE majors

The Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended trading on Wednesday with the market declining for a second day after more stocks fell than rose and investors exchanged 82 percent fewer shares than and 30 percent of the value of Tuesday’s amounts.
At the close, the All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 2,905.64 points to close at 404,865.14, the Main Index shed 2,630.02 points to settle at 369,556.63 and the JSE Financial Index 1.24 points to close at 95.77.
Trading ended with 44 securities changing hands, the same as Tuesday, with the prices of 18 stocks rising, the prices of 20 declining and six remaining unchanged and the average PE Ratio of the market ended at 15.4 based on IC Insider.com’s forecast of 2020-21 earnings.
The market closed with an exchange of 7,635,914 shares for $44,926,751 compared to 41,738,542 units at $151,520,182 on Tuesday.
Sagicor Select Financial Fund and Wigton Windfarm led trading with 1.70 million shares and 22 percent of total volume each, followed by QWI Investments with 1.40 million units for 18.4 percent market share. Transjamaican Highway was the only other stock to exceed a million shares and ended with 1.01 million units changing hands.
An average of 173,544 units traded for the day at $1,021,063 for each security, in comparison to an average of 948,603 shares at $3,443,641 on Tuesday. An average of 432,976 units traded for the month to date at $2,232,352 for each security that traded, in contrast to 561,234 units at $2,693,430. Trading month to date compares well to July that ended with an average of 392,128 shares for $2,444,356.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading for the market shows 9 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close of the market, Barita Investments shed $3.80 in ending at $54 while exchanging 13,432 shares, Caribbean Cement gained $2 to settle at $45.90, with 7,733 stocks passing through the market, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rose $1.05 and closed at a 52 weeks’ high of $50, with investors switching ownership of 1,090 units. First Rock Capital carved out a gain of 81 cents to settle at $14.80 after finishing with 123,805 stock units changing hands, Jamaica Producers Group increased $1.75 to settle at $23.75, with 12,456 units passing through the market. Jamaica Stock Exchange carved out a loss $1 in ending at $22, with 6,985 shares passing through the market, Key Insurance rose 35 cents in ending at $8.95 with investors switching ownership of 92,094 shares, Kingston Wharves carved out a loss $3.50, with $50 569 units passing through the market. Mayberry Investments lost 99 cents to close at $5 trading 104,727 stocks, Mayberry Jamaican Equities lost 55 cents to end at $8.75 in trading 51,450 units, Palace Amusement dropped by $232.50 to end at $1,550 while exchanging 172 shares. PanJam Investment gained $3 to sit at $69, with 2,258 shares crossing the exchange, Sagicor Group carved out a loss $1.45 to close at $42.50, after 111,287 units changed hands, Scotia Group fell $3.95 to $44.05 in an exchange of 25,815 shares and Sygnus Credit Investments declined by 50 cents to settle at $16 while exchanging 9,658 stock units.
Community & Workers Credit Union preference share jumped 59 cents to close at a record closing high of an incredible $3.10 after exchanging 123,000 stock units and closed with a dividend yield of just two percent.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Most of Monday’s JSE MM gains ceded

The Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended trading on Tuesday with declining stocks having the upper hand after investors traded five times Monday’s volume and 172 percent the value.  
At the close, the All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 4,525.87 points to settle at 407,770.78, the Main Index dived 4,032.21 points to settle at 372,186.65 and the JSE Financial Index carved out a loss of 1.35 points to end at 97.01.
Trading ended with 44 securities changing hands with the prices of 17 stocks rising, 21 declining and six remaining unchanged, with the average PE Ratio of the market ending at 15.5 based on IC Insider.com’s forecast of 2020-21 earnings.
The market closed with an exchange of 41,738,542 shares for $151,520,182 compared to 8,211,306 units at $88,195,049 on Monday.
138 Student Living Preference shares led trading with 12 million units for 28.8 percent of total volume, followed by Transjamaican Highway with 11.06 million stock units for 26.5 percent of the day’s trade. Wigton Windfarm was next with 9.46 million units, for 22.7 percent market share, QWI Investments closed, with 3.1 million units for 7 percent of the day’s volume and Pulse Investments was the next, with 2.3 million units for 6 percent of the market activity.
Market activity ended, with an average of 948,603 units trading for the day at $3,443,641 for each security, in comparison to an average of 182,473 shares at $1,959,890 for Monday. An average of 561,234 units traded for the month to date at $2,693,430 for each security. Trading for the month to date compares well to July that ended with an average of 392,128 shares for $2,444,356.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading for the market shows 10 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close of the market, Barita Investments gained $1.40 to settle at $57.80 after exchanging 3,433 shares, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rose $1.95 to close at $48.95 with 6,960 units traded, Jamaica Stock Exchange dropped 60 cents to finish at $23 with 2,744 shares changing hands. JMMB Group carved out a loss of 60 cents to end at $31 with investors transferring 132,605 units, Key Insurance fell 39 cents to settle at $8.60, after an exchange of 41,219 stock units, Kingston Wharves advanced $2.80 to finish at $53.50, with investors switching ownership of 1,824 shares. NCB Financial Group lost $1.51 to close at $138.47 with 45,636 units changing hands, Proven Investments fell 50 cents to settle at $33.80 in an exchange of 4,424 stock unit. Sagicor Real Estate Fund dropped $1.03 to end at $7.86 trading 455 stocks. Salada Foods shed $2 to close at $27 in an exchange of 265 stock units, Scotia Group lost $3.70 to settle at $48 with 41,184 shares traded, Supreme Ventures lost 39 cents to finish at $15.10 with 130,605 shares changing hands. Sygnus Credit Investments fell 30 cents to end at $16.50, with an exchange of 11,550 stock units, Victoria Mutual Investments gained 53 cents to finish at $7.03, with investors transferring 257,519 units and Wisynco Group carved out a loss 57 cents to close at $17.05 with 64,103 units crossing the exchange.
In the preference segment, Community & Workers Co-operative Credit Union preference share advanced by 49 cents to end at an all-time high of $2.51 with 210,189 shares traded and 138 Student Living gained 76 cents to settle at $5.96, with 12,002,207 units passing through the market.

Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

50% less trades on TTSE – Monday

The Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange ended trading on Monday, with the market declining after investors traded 50 percent fewer shares than were traded on Friday, resulting in more stocks falling than rising.
The market closed with twelve securities trading with two advancing, five declining and five remained unchanged.  Trading accounted for 117,290 shares valued at $3,215,698 compared to 232,343 stocks for $5,720,884 from 13 securities on Friday.
The average trade on Monday amounted to 9,774 units at $267,975, versus an average of 17,873 stock units for $440,068, for each security. July closed with an average of 12,712 shares for $166,390.
The T&T Composite Index lost 0.98 points to 1,314.46, the All T&T Index shed 1.95 points to 1,775.97, while the Cross Listed Index was unchanged at 115.25.
IC bid-offer Indicator│ The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator ended with the bids of four stocks higher than its last selling price and one with a lower offer.
Stocks rising│ Point Lisas gained 10 cents to close at $3.10, with an exchange of 15,000 stock units and Scotiabank finished 15 cents higher at $54.90, after 392 units crossed the market.
Stocks declining│ First Citizens Bank lost 15 cents to end at $48.35, in transferring 500 units, Massy Holdings closed at $57, with a loss of 98 cents trading 32,978 shares, Republic Financial Holdings dropped $3.50 to close at $136, in exchange for 130 units. Trinidad Cement shed 10 cents to settle at $2, with 500 units changing hands and Unilever Caribbean closed 5 cents lower at $16.90 after trading 738 units.
Stocks trading firm│ Angostura Holdings exchanged 1,474 units at $15.30, Ansa Merchant Bank traded 266 units at $36.30, Clico Investments closed with 42,152 shares changing hands at $26. Guardian Holdings closed at $19, with an exchange of 806 units and Grace Kennedy remained at $3.50, after trading 22,354 shares.

Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Bullish trading in Jamaican stocks

The Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended trading on Monday with the market rising in a bullish session at the start of August after more stocks rose than fell after investors exchanged 39 percent fewer shares with 70 percent higher value than they did on Friday.
At the close, the All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 6,403.61 points to settle at 412,297.65. The Main Index gained 5,796.89 points to end at 376,218.86 and the JSE Financial Index advanced by 2.39 points to settle at 98.36. The price of Scotia Group jumped sharply, by $5.21 and was a major contributor to the significant rise in the market indices.
Trading ended with 45 securities changing hands with the prices of 23 stocks rising, the prices of 15 declining and seven remaining unchanged and the average PE Ratio of the market ended at 15.5 based on IC Insider.com’s forecast of 2020-21 earnings.
The market closed with an exchange of 8,211,306 shares for $88,195,049 compared to 13,543,115 units at $51,906,344 on Friday.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 2.52 million shares for 30.7 percent of total volume, followed by Transjamaican Highway with 1.37 million units for 16.7 percent of the day’s trade and Supreme Ventures with 1.13 million units for 13.8 percent market share.
An average of 182,473 units traded on Monday at $1,959,890, in comparison to an average of 338,578 shares at $1,297,659 on Friday. Trading compares adversely to, July that ended with an average of 392,128 shares at $2,444,356.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading for the market shows six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close of the market, Barita Investments rose $2.40 and closed at $56.40 after exchanging 644 stock units, Caribbean Cement dropped $4.25 in ending at $43.75 after trading 7,168 stocks, Eppley advanced $2.54 in closing at $17.44, with 1,141 units changing hands. First Rock Capital climbed 74 cents $13.75 with investors switching ownership of 19,689 shares, Jamaica Broilers Group rose $1.99 to settle at $27.49, in exchanging 40,355 units, Jamaica Producers fell $1.70 to close at $22, with investors trading 4,312 stock units. Key Insurance gained 84 cents to finish at $8.99, with investors exchanging of 44,663 units, Kingston Properties gained 92 cents to end at $7.03, trading 400 shares, Kingston Wharves declined by 30 cents in ending at $50.70 after exchanging 90 stock units. Mayberry Jamaican Equities increased 60 cents to close at $9.35, with 14,901 shares changing hands, NCB Financial Group carved out an increase of $1.48 to close at $139.98 and finishing with 9,557 units crossing the exchange. Palace Amusement jumped $232.50 to close at $1,782.50 in an exchange of just four units, Proven Investments declined by 45 cents in ending at $34.30 in an exchange of 832 units, Sagicor Group rose $1.01 to settle at $44, with 3,938 stock units trading. Salada Foods rose $1 to settle at $29 with investors swapping just one stock, Scotia Group climbed sharply by $5.21 to close at $51.70 with investors trading 518,331 shares, Stanley Motta rose by 43 cents to close at $5.13 in trading 10,010 stock units. Supreme Ventures gained 49 cents in ending at $15.49 after 1,129,584 shares crossed the exchange, Sygnus Credit Investments rose 93 cents to end at $16.80 trading 1,500 shares and Victoria Mutual Investments carved out a loss 53 cents to close at $6.50 while exchanging 126,311 stock units.

Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Lasco out Medi Disposables back in IC TOP 10

Lasco Distributors rose from $2.85 to close at $3.25 after the company posted a 57 percent rise in first-quarter profit and Medical Disposables returns with the stock finding support just under $5 this past week after posting disappointing full-year results at the end of the prior week.
There was no change in the Main Market TOP 10 list for the week that saw the Main Market remaining relatively stable for the past week, while the Junior Market rose 35 points for the week on top of gains in the previous week.
Although Lasco Distributors is out of the TOP 10, investors should expect to see more gains, with the EPS of 38 cents for this fiscal year, as the stock trades at 8.7 times earnings compared with 11.2 for the Junior Market. Caribbean Cream reported good first-quarter results, suggesting a significant increase in full-year profits. The stock closed the week at $4, up from $3.65, and is poised for more gains in the weeks to come. There are limited offers to sell the stock while buying interest has picked up.
The top three stocks in each market saw little change in the rankings, leaving the top three Junior Market stocks, with the potential to gain between 239 to 695 percent by March 2021. The first is Caribbean Producers, followed by Lasco Financial and Stationery and Office Supplies.
The top three stocks in the Main Market, with expected gains of 182 to 233 percent, are Berger Paints followed by Radio Jamaica and JMMB Group.

Grace Kennedy new headquarters in downtown Kingston

This week’s focus: Grace Kennedy posted revenues of $56.5 billion, up 10 percent over the corresponding period of the prior year. Profit before tax was $4.5 billion, reflecting a 53 percent improvement over the same period in 2019. Net Profit after tax increased 36.5 percent to $2.75 billion after minority interest, with earnings per stock unit for the period of $2.77. The result to date is outstanding, projected earnings for 2021 is over $11 per share, putting the stock in the category of one of the best buys in the Main Market currently. IC Insider.com has upped its forecast for 2020 per share to $7.25, with a PE ratio of 8 at the closing stock price of $57.
QWI Investments just released its June quarter results, with a loss of $461 million for the year to date and a profit of $115 million in the latest quarter. The company’s portfolio comprises a mix of stocks mainly in Jamaica and the USA, with a smattering in Trinidad. At the end of July, the net asset value (NAV) continued to increase and ended the month at $1.06, up 11.5 percent from 95 cents at the end of March this year. The performance beats the JSE Main Market index that is down 2.5 percent over the same period and the JSE Combined Index down one percent for the same period. The NAV growth that reflects changes to the investment value plus dividend income after expenses is just behind the JSE Junior Market index that is up 12.4 percent over the same period. The stock price closed at 73 cents on the local market on Friday, at a steep discount of 41 percent to the net asset value.
Access Financial reported a first-quarter profit after tax to June of $33 million, compared to $165 million for the similar period in 2019 after additional provision for loan losses amounting to $67 million and loan write-off of $38 million. Income slipped as loans contracted, but the cost in some areas fell. The company is sound and is poised to return to higher levels of profit, and could even reverse some of the loan loss provisions going forward.
The targeted average PE ratio of the market is 20 based on the profits of companies reporting full year’s results from now to the second quarter in 2021. Both the Junior and Main markets are currently trading well below this level an indication of the potential gains ahead. The JSE Main Market ended the week, with an overall PE of 14.9 and the Junior Market at just 11.2, based on IC Insider.com’s projected 2020-21 earnings. The average PE ratio of the Junior Market has been slowly rising and narrowing the gap, with the Main Market as investors see better profit opportunities in this sector. The PE ratio for the Junior Market Top 10 stocks averages a mere 6.3 at just 56 percent to the average of the overall Junior Market. The Main Market TOP 10 stocks trade at a PE of 8.1 or 55 percent of the PE of the overall market.
The average projected gain for the IC TOP 10 stocks is 261 percent, for the Junior Market and 153 percent for the JSE Main Market, based on 2020-21 earnings, an indication that there is the potential to make greater gains in the Junior Market than in the Main Market.
IC TOP 10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns up to March 2021 and ranked in order of potential gains, based on likely gain for each company, taking into account the earnings and PE ratios for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate and will result in movements of the selection in and out of the lists for most weeks. Revisions to earnings per share are ongoing, based on receipt of new information.

Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.