Grace Kennedy sells H&L interest

Grace HStGrace Kennedy has sold its 58.15 percent interest in Hardware & Lumber (H&L) with the shares traded over the Jamaica Stock Exchange floor today by broker – GK Capital Management in the amount of 47,013,417 shares at $18.50 each.
The shares are sold to, Argyle Industries Inc. (“Argyle”) a St. Lucian Company special purpose vehicle incorporated for the purposes of acquiring and holding the Investor’s equity interests in Hardware & Lumber. The investors in Argyle include a group of investors led by, ABBECO INVEST S.A. ( a Bahamian investment company), Sterling Asset Management along with its affiliates and associates and Greystone Equity Partners Inc. along with its affiliates and associates a release from Grace Kennedy said.
Grace Kennedy Group CEO, Don Wehby, stated “As previously indicated GraceKennedy’s decision to sell our shares in H&L was not an easy one, however, this divestment is consistent with our present strategy of concentrating on the food business locally and internationally and financial services in the region.” He added, “I feel very positive about the continued growth of H&L under the prospective new owners, Argyle, who are excited about the possibilities for the future.”

Rapid True Value owned by Hardware & Lumber an associate of Pan Jam

Rapid True Value owned by Hardware & Lumber an associate of Pan Jam

Total revenue for the nine months to September this year was $5.37 billion or 2.3 percent more than the comparative period in 2014. Profit after tax for the nine-month to September 2015 was $64 million, 43.2 percent less than the $112.9 million for the same period in 2014.
H&L comprises the Rapid True Value and the Agro Grace business. There are currently 10 Rapid True Value outlets across Jamaica, along with six Agro Grace Retail Centres. The company is headquartered at in Kingston.
The buyers will be required to make an offer to buy the remaining shares at the same price of $18.50.

Another record for JSE majors – Tuesday

138 Student Living had 15.7m ordinary shares trading on Tuesday

138 Student Living had 15.7m ordinary shares trading on Tuesday

Trading ended on the Jamaica stock market with all three main indices climbing to new record highs, with gains of more than 1,300 points each. At the close 36 securities traded in all market segments. The junior market accounted for 986,076 units, valued at $3,374,729, of the trades with 22,819,782 units valued at $136,576,375 changing hands in all markets.
A total 16 stocks in the combined markets gained and 7 declined. Three stock traded at 52 weeks’ closing high and 2 at intraday 52 weeks’ high as the bull market continues to wind its way forward.
At the close the JSE Market Index climbed 1,335.32 points to 148,495.46, the all Jamaica Composite Index rose 1,492.29 points to end at 164,908.34 and the JSE combined index gained 1,485.93 points to close at 155,614.84. The main market faces resistance test around the 165,000 points level, on the all Jamaica composite index.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading of 14 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 with lower offers.
JSE Sum 29-12-15In trading, Cable and Wireless fell 3 cents with 526,770 units changing hands at $1.30, Caribbean Cement rose by 10 cents to end at $18.20, with 33,096 shares trading, Carreras closed at $60.75, with 11,295 units changing hands. Grace Kennedy fell 1 cent with 4,184 units changing hands, to finish at $80.10, Jamaica Broilers rose 45 cents to close at $10.50 with 193,627 shares changing hands, Jamaica Producers traded 128,125 shares to end at $32, JMMB Group fell 20 cents to close at $10.25 with 2,312,613 units changing hands. Kingston Wharves gained just 1 cent to close at $11.35 with 40,200 shares changing hands, Mayberry Investments had 64,197 shares trading at $4.35 for a loss of 5 cents, JSE Fn Qts 29-12-15National Commercial Bank lost 20 cents to end at $39.50, with 9,055 units changing hands, 138 Student Living ended with 15,679,334 units trading in 4 lots to close at $4.50. Pulse Investments traded 10,000 units with a gain of 20 cents to end at $2.95, Sagicor Group gained 90 cents and closed with 957,863 units changing hands at $18.50, Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 124,100 shares to close with an increase of 80 cents at $11, Scotia Group had 54,846 shares changing hands at $30, Sterling Investments had 17,049 units trading at $13, Supreme Ventures ended at $4.66 with 1,424,317 units changing hands and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share traded 228,650 units at $1.99.

Quiet day on TTSE – Tuesday

TTSE build The Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange continued trading on the last week of 2015 on a subdued but mixed note, with only 7 active securities. At the close the prices of 2 stocks rose, 2 declined and 3 remained unchanged as 80,119 shares changed hands valued at $1,213,579.
The Composite Index ended with a fall of 0.13 points to 1,159.90, the All T&T Index gained 0.02 points to 1,947.80 and the Cross Listed Index fell 0.04 points to end at 48.95.
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 9 stocks with bids higher than the last selling price and 6 stocks with offers that were lower.
Gains| Trinidad and Tobago NGL closed with a gain of 1 cent to end at $21.01 with 5,928 shares changing hands and West Indian Tobacco gained 1 cent with 4,528 units changing hands to close at a new 52 weeks’ high of $126.27 valued at $571,751.
TTSE 29-12-15 Declines| Grace Kennedy lost 5 cents with 60,245 units changing hands at $4.01, Massy Holdings ended with a loss of 1 cents at a 52 weeks’ low of $61.45 while trading 779 shares.
Firm Trades| Trading in First Citizens ended with 6,019 units changing hands to close at $35, One Caribbean Media traded 88 shares with the price remaining at $22 and Sagicor Financial Corporation traded 2,532 shares at $6.10.

TTSE up last Monday of 2015

Grace closed at a new high on TTSE on Monday

Grace closed at a new high on TTSE on Monday

The Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange commenced the last week of trading for 2015 on a positive note, closing with 12 active securities. Activity ended with price of 4 stocks rising, none declining and 8 remaining unchanged as 190,841 shares changed hands valued at $2,606,951.
The Composite Index ended with a gain of 0.61 points to 1,160.03, the All T&T Index gained 0.20 points to 1,947.78 and the Cross Listed Index gained 0.14 points to end at 48.99.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 5 stocks with bids higher than the last selling price and 5 stocks with offers that were lower.
Gains| Grace Kennedy gained 5 cents with 4,889 units changing hands at $4.05, Guardian Holdings with 7,613 shares changing hands and closed at $13.25 after rising 5 cents, JMMB Group traded 10,672 shares with a gain of 2 cents to end at 53 cents and Republic Financial Holdings rose 2 cents and ended with 500 shares at $111.91.
Declines| There were no declining stocks on Monday.
Firm Trades| Clico Investment Fund closed with just 127,180 shares changing hands to end at $22.75, TTSE 28-12-15First Citizens traded 7,475 units, to close at $35, Guardian Media traded 4,364 shares with the price remaining at $19.75, Massy Holdings ended at $61.47 while trading 10,065 shares with a value of $618,645. National Commercial Bank traded 8,931 shares at $2.05, Scotiabank closed with 215 shares changing hands unchanged at $61.98, Trinidad Cement closed at $4 with 317 shares changing hands and Trinidad and Tobago NGL closed at $21 with 87,518 shares valued at $1,837,878 changing hands.

20 stocks gained on JSE – Thursday

Sagicor Group HQ - its stock traded at a new high on the JSE

Sagicor Group HQ – its stock traded at a new high on the JSE

Trading ended on the Jamaica stock market with 3,528,863 units valued at $30,773,107 changing hands, in all market segments with 35 securities trading. The junior market accounted for 1,752,229 units, valued at $12,898,901 of the trades.
A total 20 stocks in the combined markets gained, 11 declined including 3 preference shares. Four stocks closed at 52 weeks’ high and one at an intraday high.
At the close the JSE Market Index climbed 450.69 points to 146,147.21, the all Jamaica Composite Index rose 503.67 points to end at 162,284.04 and the JSE combined index gained 748.48 points to close at 152,990.17. The main market faces resistance test around the 165,000 points level, on the all Jamaica composite index. JSE Sum 24-12-15
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading of 13 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 with lower offers.
Cable and Wireless gained 18 cents with 536,041 units changing hands to close at $1.33, Caribbean Cement gained 11 cents to end at $18.20 with 48,045 shares trading, Carreras lost 75 cents in closing at $60 with 78,450 units changing hands. Gleaner closed with 498,116 units changing hands at $1.10 for a fall of 20 cents, as it appears that the merger with Radio Jamaica in its present form, is in jeopardy. Grace Kennedy fell back by $4.98, with 6,100 units changing hands, to finish at $80.02, Jamaica Broilers fell by 35 cents to close at $9.85 with 36,600 shares changing hands, Jamaica Producers traded 20,000 shares to end at $32, JSE Fn Qts 24-12-15 Jamaica Stock Exchange rose by $2.99 to close at $18.99 with 11,270 units changing hands. Mayberry Investments had 133,277 shares trading at $4.30 for a gain of 10 cents, National Commercial Bank rose 20 cents to end at $39.90, with 29,018 units changing hands, Pulse Investments traded 34,270 units with a gain of 20 cents at $2.50. Sagicor Group closed with 55,026 units changing hands with a gain of 10 cents at $17.60 for a new 52 weeks’ closing high, but traded earlier at $18.50 for an intraday high, Scotia Group gained 9 cents with 141,900 shares changing hands at $28.70. Seprod traded 8,033 units and gained 25 cents in ending at $20.60, Supreme Ventures ended at $4.66 with a rise of 6 cents with 68,393 units changing hands and Proven Investments ordinary share traded 45,700 units with a rise of 3.2 cents to close at 22.75 US cents.

Subdued trading on TTSE – Thursday

The Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange had a sedate Christmas eve on Thursday, closing with just 7 active securities. Activity ended with price of 1 stock rising, 1 declining and 5 remaining unchanged as 190,841 shares changed hands valued at $2,606,951.
TTSE 24-12-15 The Composite Index ended with a rise of 0.17 points to 1,159.42, the All T&T Index gained 0.04 points to 1,947.58 and the Cross Listed Index gained 0.04 points to end at 48.85.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 5 stocks with bids higher than the last selling price and 5 stocks with offers that were lower.
Gains| Sagicor Financial traded at $6.10 with a 5 cent gain while 6,000 units changed hands.
Declines| The sole stock trading is Massy Holdings that suffered a decline of 1 cent to end at $61.47 for a 52 weeks’ low while trading only 10 units.
Firm Trades| Trading in First Citizens fell from the high level of 199,910 units on Wednesday, to 5,604 units on Christmas eve, to close at $35. Grace Kennedy had 18,000 units changing hands at $4, National Commercial Bank traded 100,000 shares at $2.05, Republic Financial Holdings, the new entity holding shares in Republic Bank, ended with 8,921 shares valued at $998,171 changing hands at $111.89 and Trinidad and Tobago NGL closed at $21 with 52,306 shares changing hands, valued at $1,098,426.

JSE majors rise moderately – Wednesday

JSE sign shrtpng Trading ended on the Jamaica stock market with 7,296,773 units valued at $35,344,599 changing hands, in all market segments with 35 securities trading. The junior market accounted for 1,962,619 units, valued at $7,767,219. A total 12 stocks in the combined markets gained, 13 declined. 5 stocks closed at 52 weeks’ high and 1 at an intraday high.
At the close the JSE Market Index climbed 530.12 points to 145,696.52, the all Jamaica Composite Index rose 592.44 points to end at 161,780.37 and the JSE combined index gained 298.10 points to close at 152,241.69. The main market continues to face a test around the 165,000 points resistance level, on the all Jamaica composite index.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading of 13 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 with lower offers.
JSE Sum 23-12-15In trading, Cable and Wireless fell 15 cent4 with 2,728,949 units changing hands to close at $1.15, Caribbean Cement fell 11 cents to end at $18.09 with 797,423 shares changing hands, Carreras closing at $60.75, with 4,700 units changing hands. Ciboney lost 3 cents to close at 20 cents with 270,000 shares, Gleaner closed with 964,454 units changing hands at $1.30, Grace Kennedy rose $4, with 4,066 units changing hands, to finish at a new 52 weeks’ high of $85, but the stock was offered at the end of trading at $84. Jamaica Broilers fell by 30 cents to close at $10.20 with 219,382 shares changing hands, Jamaica Producers traded 47,400 shares to end at $32, the Jamaica Stock Exchange did not trade but closed with the bid at $18.34 compared with Tuesday’s close of $16, offers declined to only two lots of 22,000 shares. JSE Fn Qts 23-12-15rJMMB Group traded 7,965 ordinary shares, but fell 39 cents to end at $10.11, Mayberry Investments had 68,466 shares trading at $4.20 for a gain of 10 cents, National Commercial Bank rose 69 cents to end at $39.70, with 55,480 units changing hands, Sagicor Group closed with 45,707 units changing hands with a gain of 30 cents at $17.50. Sagicor Real Estate Fund lost 2 cents in trading 5,000 shares at $10.20. Scotia Group declined by $1.39 with 1,470 shares changing hands at $28.61, Supreme Ventures ended at $4.60 with 66,460 units changing hands and JMMB87.5% preference share traded 35,700 units but fell 10 cents to close at $2.80.

JSE majors slip big on Tuesday

JSe online logo Trading ended on the Jamaica stock market with 30,385,484 units valued at $406,775,349 changing hands, in all market segments with 33 securities trading. The junior market accounted for 20,742,505 units, valued at $215,634,789. A total 16 stocks in the combined markets gained, 13 declined. 3 stocks closed at 52 weeks’ high 1 at a 52 weeks’ low and 1 at an intraday high.
At the close the JSE Market Index dipped 1,419.09 points to 145,166.40, the all Jamaica Composite Index declined 1,585.92 points to end at 161,187.93 and the JSE combined index dropped 1,556.54 points to close at 151,943.59. The main market continues to face a test around the 165,000 points resistance level, on the all Jamaica composite index.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading of 9 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 with lower offers.
JSE Sum 22-12-15In trading, Cable and Wireless fell 1 cent with 1,964,197 units changing hands to close at $1.30, Caribbean Cement gained 33 cents to end at $18.20 with 144,558 shares changing hands, Carreras closing at $60.75, with 6,795 units changing hands. Gleaner fell 4 cents with 44,000 units changing hands at $1.30, Grace Kennedy rose$1.12, with 274 units changing hands, to finish at a new 52 weeks’ high of $81. Jamaica Broilers closed at $10.50 with 35,591 shares changing hands, Jamaica Producers traded 49,462 shares while gaining 10 cents, to end at $32, the Jamaica Stock Exchange lost 70 cents with 38,776 units changing hands, to close at $16, JMMB Group traded 39,484 ordinary shares at $10.50, after rising by 30 cents. Mayberry Investments had 17,928 shares trading at $4.10 for a loss of 25 cents, Montego Bay Ice fell $2.60 in closing at $14.90 with 1,250 shares trading, National Commercial Bank ended at $39.01, with 3,136,195 units changing hands, 138 Student Living had another large trade, with 1,754,230 units at $4.50 following big trades on Friday and Monday.JSE Fn Qts 22-12-15r Pan Jamaican Investments traded 24,662 and gained 50 cents to end at $93, Radio Jamaica traded 16,000 units at $3, Sagicor Group closed with 757,157 units changing hands with a loss of 30 cents to $17.20, Sagicor Real Estate Fund gained 22 cents in trading 10,000 shares at $10.22. Scotia Group declined 98 cents with 654,660 shares changing hands at $30, Scotia Investments jumped $2.05 with 5,000 shares changing hands at $31, Supreme Ventures ended at $4.60 with 45,200 units changing hands. Proven Investments ordinary share had 811,000 units trading at 19.5 US cents, for a loss of 2.5 cents and JMMB7.5% Preference share traded 42,350 units and gained 9 cents to close at $1.99.

JSE majors slip on Monday

Carreras traded at a new 52 weeks' high of $60.75 on Monday

Carreras traded at a new 52 weeks’ high of $60.75 on Monday

Trading ended on the Jamaica stock market with 10,283,114 units valued at $50,915,307 changing hands, in all market segments with 33 securities trading. The junior market accounted for 1,290,587 units, valued at $4,845,099. A total 11 stocks in the combined markets gained, 10 declined while 4 stocks closed at 52 weeks’ high and 1 traded at an intraday high.
138 Student Living had another day of with a large trade of 8,520,000 units at $4.50, valued at $38.34 million, much less than the 58,949,590 units valued at $265,273,155 traded on Friday.
At the close the JSE Market Index fell 38.30 points to 146,585.49, the all Jamaica Composite Index eased 42.80 points to end at 162,773.85 and the JSE combined index added 156.87 points to close at 153,500.13. The main market continues to face a test around the 165,000 points resistance level, on the all Jamaica composite index.
JSE Sum 21-12-15 IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading of 9 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 with lower offers.
In trading, Cable and Wireless gained 1 cents with 77,265 units changing hands to close at $1.31, Caribbean Cement fell 33 cents to end at $17.87 with 16,000 shares changing hands, Carreras gained 75 cents, in closing at a new 52 weeks’ high of $60.75, with 42,612 units changing hands. Gleaner rose 8 cents with 8,320 units changing hands at $1.34, Grace Kennedy fell 12 cents, with 1,230 units changing hands, to finish at $79.88. Jamaica Broilers price jumped $1.86 to $10.50 with 19,726 shares changing hands, Jamaica Producers traded 1,000 shares at $31.90, The Jamaica Stock Exchange share lost $2.25 with 28,610 units changing hands to close at $16.70, Kingston Wharves had trading in 9,509 shares at $11.35. Mayberry Investments had 65,011 shares trading JSE Fn Qts 21-12-15at $4.35, for a loss of 35 cents, National Commercial Bank rose just 1 cent and ended at $39.01, with 29,432 units changing hands, Radio Jamaica traded 1,000 units early in the day at $2.25 and ended the day at $3 while 11,400 units changed hands. Sagicor Group closed with 61,827 units changing hands at $17.50, Salada Foods lost 51 cents in trading 51,562 shares at $8.50, Scotia Group declined by 1 cent with 8,741 shares changing hands at $30.98, Supreme Ventures rose 60 cents to end at $4.60, with 7,128 units changing hands and Proven Investments had 16,130 shares trading at 22 US cents, for a loss of 0.99 cents.

Record Friday for JSE stocks

138 Student Living led the majors with 59m shares on Friday.

138 Student Living led the majors with 59m shares on Friday.

The main market recorded another day of strong gains of more than 2,200 points on Friday to reach a new record. The market closed with 117,491,770 units valued at $587,527,747 changing hands, in all market segments with 34 securities trading.
The junior market accounted for 55,544,624 units, valued at $296,776,261 as 13 stocks in the combined markets gained, 6 declined, 4 stocks closed at 52 weeks’ high.
138 Student Living had the largest trade in the main market with 58,949,590 units valued at $265,273,155 to close 10 cents up at a 52 weeks’ high of $4.50 while Honey Bun traded 55.2 million units valued at $295,438,307 in the junior market.
At the close the JSE Market Index climbed 2,213.58 points to 146,623.79, the all Jamaica Composite Index rose 2,473.80 points to end at 162,816.65 and the JSE combined index added 2,381.16 points to close at 153,343.26. The main market continues to face a test at the 165,000 points resistance level, on the all Jamaica composite index, but based on the churning of price movements in recent weeks, it is likely to take some more trading days to break through that level if the break takes place.
JSE Sum 18-12-15 IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading of 8 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 with lower offers.
In trading, Berger Paints ended with 19,344 units trading at $3.15, Cable and Wireless lost 10 cents with 266,406 units changing hands to close at $1.30, at the close, there were over 1.84 million units on the offer at $1.40 with bids not looking particularly strong at $1.30 and below. Caribbean Cement closed with a rise of 20 cents to end at $18.20, with 19,955 shares changing hands, Carreras gained 99 cents in closing at $60 with 18,184 units trading, Ciboney traded at 27 cents with 54,500 units changing hands, Grace Kennedy gained 50 cents, with 77,778 units changing hands, to finish at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $80. Jamaica Broilers price fell $1.86 to $8.64, with 32,234 shares changing hands, the stock was offered for sale at $9.90 at the close, Jamaica Producers traded 13,000 shares at $31.90, JSE Fn Qts 18-12-15The Jamaica Stock Exchange share traded 5,000 units to close at $18.95, Kingston Wharves saw trading in 10,000 shares at $11.35 as the price slipped 5 cents. National Commercial Bank rose 30 cents and ended at $39 with 22,500 units changing hands, Pan Jamaican Investment had 20,000 units changing hands at $92.50, having risen 39 cents, Sagicor Group closed with 50,628 units changing hands but the price gained 69 cents to end at $17.50 for a new 52 weeks’ closing high. Scotia Group gained $1.99 with 73,780 shares changing hands at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $30.99 and Supreme Ventures fell 50 cents to end at $4, with 2,300,000 units changing hands.