JSE at 20 months high heading higher

Activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, took the market to a new 20 month high resulting from the prices of 7 stocks rising and 8 declining as 20 securities changed hands, ending in 10,902,372 units trading, valued at $48,753,888, in all market segments. Gleaner Company accounted for the bulk of the shares trading with 8 million units while Sagicor Group and Scotia Group each accounted for more than 1 million units.

The chart shows the all Jamaica composite index just crossing over short term resistance. Resistance from July 2007 at 91,700 points is the more important resistance level for it to break through to move to the next critical point of 100,000.

The chart shows the all Jamaica composite index just crossing over short term resistance. Resistance from July 2007 at 91,700 points is the more important resistance level for it to break through to move to the next critical point of 100,000.

Main Market| The JSE Market Index gained 1,090.31 points to 82,990.60, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index rose 1,219.01 points to close at 91,505.64 and the JSE combined index gained 1,014.48 points to close at 84,571.92. The market is at a critical stage with resistance level going back to 2007 of 91,700 points is a shade away. Events in the market suggest that this will be broken and the market should close in on the 100,000 points mark soon, the results for Scotia Group to be released on Thursday will be one decisive development.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 9 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 stocks with offers that were lower.
Gains| Stocks gaining with last traded prices, at the end of trading in the main market are, Gleaner in having 8,267,155 shares changing hands, closed higher by 19 cents at $1.10, Grace Kennedy closed trading with 15,600 shares trading to gain 50 cents to end at $62, Hardware & Lumber ended trading with 5,000 shares changing hands for 83 cents greater at $7.40, Mayberry Investments saw trading in 17,130 units to close with a gain of 16 cents to a 52 weeks’ high of $2.36 and Sagicor Real Estate Fund ended with 6,300 shares the price rose by 10 cents to $6.80.
JSE sum 4-3-15 Firm| The stocks in the main market to close without a change in the last traded prices are, Cable & Wireless dealing in only 17,500 shares at 55 cents, Jamaica Broilers contributing 3,000 shares at $4.06. National Commercial Bank concluding trading with 37,691 shares at $23, Radio Jamaica exchanging 5,000 shares at $1.37 and Scotia Group with 1,114,723 shares changing hands to close at $21.
Declines| The last traded prices of stocks with losses at the end of trading in the main market are, Carreras closed with 6,800 units as the price slipped 18 cents to $44, Desnoes & Geddes finished with 155,000 shares trading lower for 15 cents to $5.35. Jamaica Money Market Brokers with 149,000 ordinary shares closed with a loss of 2 cents at $6.90, Sagicor Group in trading 1,025,226 and lost 9 cents to $10.21 and Supreme Ventures finished trading with 28,487 shares with a loss of 20 cents to $2.20.

Margins squeezed Grace’s profit

Grace HQGrace Kennedy reported flat profits for the 2014 year although revenues grew 20 percent for the year to reach $83.5 billion. Grace ended with net profits of $3.29 billion compared with $3.22 billion due to shareholders of the group.
Not even lower taxes that delivered savings of $200 million could push the performance that saw lower pretax profit of $4.85 billion versus $5 billion in 2013.
Gross profit climbed from $64 billion to $74.9 billion but profit margin declined to 4.13 percent from 5.23 percent in 2013. Frank James Group Chief Financial Officer attributed some of the decline to one off cost associated with the acquisition of the Le Fe subsidiary during the year and tightness in the local economy that placed pressure on the margin as the devaluation to the local currency pushed up cost which they were not able to pass on in full. But there is more to it than that. Grace’s segment results showed no growth in segment profits between the September and December quarters, in food trading and insurance, two important profit areas of the group. Profit in the last quarter was make primarily by Hardware and Lumber and money transfer.
Results for segments were mixed with money transfer ending with $2.39 billion up from $1.9 billion, Insurance rose from $122 million to $454 million. Food retailing ended at $875 million from $1.145 billion in 2013 and hardware & Lumber reported $284 million versus $343 million in 2013.
The group reported earnings of $9.90 per share and announced an interim dividend of 75 cents per share payable on May 18, 2015 to shareholders on record as at April 28 with the ex-dividend date being April 24. Return on equity for the group is only 9.5 percent a relatively low rate in a country where Treasury bill rates were close to that level during the year.

One stock gained on TTSE – Wednesday

Trading on the Trinidad Stock Exchange on Wednesday closed with 8 securities changing hands, 1 advanced, 4 declined and 3 traded firm with a total of 320,027 units, valued at $3,798,765.
TTSE -4-3-15At the close of the market, the Composite Index lost 0.24 points to close at 1,146.48, the All T&T Index fell by 0.42 points to close at 1,974.92 and the Cross Listed Index eased by a mere 0.01 points to end at 41.65.
Gains| National Flour Mills was the only stock gaining on Wednesday as 78,955 shares changed hands for a value of $122,380, the price rose 3 cents to end the day at 52 weeks’ high of $1.55.
Declines| The stocks declining at the end of trading are, Clico Investment Fund trading 85,000 shares valued at $1,920,500 and declined by 5 cents to end at $22.55 while Grace Kennedy added 30,000 shares valued at $108,018, to close at $3.60, down a cent. Guardian Holdings with a volume of 65,713 shares traded for $854,440 closed at $13 after falling 1 cent and Republic Bank lost 13 cents to close at $118.22 while trading only 1 share.
Firm Trades| Stocks closing with prices unchanged at the end of trading are, National Enterprises contributed 34,593 shares with a value of $601,918 to close at $17.45, Guardian Media exchanged 4,080 shares at $19.75 and Sagicor Financial Corporation trading 21,685 shares to end at $5.11.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 2 stocks with the bid higher than their last selling prices and 5 stocks with offers that were lower.

JSE quiet bullishness continues

SupremeVenturesSVL_150x150 Interest in the Jamaica stock market, improved on Tuesday resulting in 24 stocks securities changing hands and the main market indices gaining more than 1,000 points. There were 11 stocks advancing, 8 declining, ending in 8,794,289 units trading, valued at $42,590,814, in all market segments. A almost doubling of profits of Supreme Ventures and a the decision by the company to pay out over $800 million in dividends, helped to push the market.
strong> Main Market| The JSE Market Index gained 1,092.76 points to 81,900.29, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index rose 1,221.75 points to close at 90,286.63, the highest it has been since early July 2013 and the JSE combined index gained 1,016.39 points to close at 83,557.44.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 8 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 stocks with offers that were lower.
Gains| Stocks gaining with last traded prices, at the end of trading in the main market are, Cable & Wireless concluding trading with 111,000 shares changing hands to close higher by 7 cents at 55 cents, Carreras exchanging 25,000 shares while trading of 8 cents higher to $44.18. For Desnoes & Geddes there was dealing in 98,827 shares at 10 cents higher to $5.50, Jamaica Money Market Brokers contributing 17,448 shares in trading for 2 cents more at $6.92. Jamaica Producers closed trading with 1,013,600 shares changing hands while gaining $1.30 to $17, National Commercial Bank closed with 58,458 shares changing hands and rising 91 cents to a new 52 weeks’ high of $23, Proven Investments finished trading with 421 units and put on 0.49 cents to 18 US cent. Radio Jamaica saw trading in 7,422 shares, to end with an increase of 2 cents to $1.37, Scotia Investments ended with 5,000 units with a gain of $2.45 at $27.50 and Supreme Ventures closed with 3,295,614 shares to close 40 cents up at $2.40, after the company release large gain in profits for 2014 and announced increased dividend payments.
Firm| The stock in the main market to close without a change in the last traded prices is, Grace Kennedy that contributed 16,959 shares at $61.50.
JSE sum 3-3-15 Declines| The last traded prices of stocks with losses at the end of trading in the main market are, Gleaner closing with 20,000 units as the price slipped 4 cents to 91 cents. Jamaica Broilers finishing with 8,008 shares trading lower by 4 cents, to $4.06, Sagicor Group in trading 532,911 shares lost 15 cents to $10.30 and Scotia Group finishing trading with 48,092 shares with a loss of 50 cents to $21.
Preference| Jamaica Money Market Brokers 8.75% preference share traded 17,000 shares trading at $3.04, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share traded 2,635,000 shares at $2, Proven Investments 8% preference share traded with 260,593 shares changing hands at $5.

It’s a 747 Tuesday on TTSE

Trading on the Trinidad Stock Exchange on Tuesday closed with 18 securities changing hands, 7 advanced, 4 declined and 7 traded firm with a total of 126,256 units, valued at $1,103,934.
TTSE 3-3-15At the close of the market, the Composite Index gained 0.21 points to close at 1,146.72, the All T&T Index fell by 0.16 points to close at 1,975.34 and the Cross Listed Index rose 0.08 points to end at 41.66.
Gains| Agostini’s added 6,550 shares valued at $115,280 and gained 25 cents to end the day at $17.60, ANSA McAL had just 50 units changing hands with a 1 cent gain to end at $66.87, Clico Investment Fund trading 18,137 shares valued at $409,896 advanced by 9 cents to end at $22.60. Grace Kennedy added only 229 shares, to close at $3.61, with a gain of 1 cent, Guardian Holdings with 100 shares traded to close at $13.01 after gaining 1 cent, National Commercial Bank gained 1 cent to end at a new 52 weeks’ high of $1.23 and Scotiabank closed with 900 shares and gained 1 cent to end at $62.16.
Declines| The stocks declining at the end of trading are, Angostura Holdings ended at $15 while 655 units of the stock changed hands for a loss of 6 cents, First Citizens Bank exchanged 975 units and lost 1 cent, in closing at $35.49. Massey Holdings ended at a 52 weeks low of $63.45 after trading 2,935 shares and lost 12 cents and Republic Bank lost 13 cents to close at $118.22 while trading only 1 share.
Firm Trades| Stocks closing with prices unchanged at the end of trading are, Firstcaribbean International Bank exchanged 1,000 shares at $5.03. Jamaica Money Market Brokers had 50,230 shares changing hands at 43 cents, National Flour Mills traded 29,834 shares to close at $1.52, Prestige Holdings contributed 2,509 shares to close at $9.90, and Sagicor Financial Corporation trading 1,802 shares to end at $5.11, One Caribbean Media traded 250 units at $23.95 and Trinidad Cement contributed 7,800 shares at $2.50.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 2 stocks with the bid higher than their last selling prices and 5 stocks with offers that were lower.

Moderate trading greets the week

Grace traded over 2 million shares on Monday

Grace traded over 2 million shares on Monday

Monday’s activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange saw moderate trading taking place, for the second consecutive trading day, resulting in the prices of 5 stocks rising, 8 declining as just 16 securities changed hands, ending in 115,617,230 units trading, valued at $1,209,811,786, in all market segments. Access Financial accounted for 112.4 million units of the stocks trading and Grace Kennedy over 2 million units.
Main Market| The JSE Market Index lost 300.42 points to close at 80,807.53, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index fell 335.88 points to 89,064.88 and the JSE combined index declined by 260.87 points to 82,541.05.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator is showing a fluidity in price movements with 6 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 stocks with offers that were lower.
Gains| Stocks gaining with last traded prices, at the end of trading in the main market are, Grace Kennedy finishing with 2,011,264 shares, put on 99 cents to close at $61.50, Jamaica Broilers ending with 6,034 shares changing hands to close $4.10 after adding 5 cents. Mayberry Investments finished trading with 50,000 units to end with an increase of 20 cents to at a new 52 weeks’ high of $2.20 and National Commercial Bank saw trading in 9,000 shares while gaining 9 cents, to close at $22.09.
JSE sum 2-3-15 Firm| The stocks in the main market to close without a change in the last traded prices are, Barita Investments trading in 1,000 units to close at $2.25 and Sterling Investments with 150 shares closing at $134.
Declines| The last traded prices of stocks with losses at the end of trading in the main market are, Caribbean Cement closing with 500,000 shares changing hands and lost 30 cents to end at $2.30, Carreras lost 40 cents to $44.10 with 22,900 units trading, Desnoes & Geddes ending with 2,300 units traded at $5.40, after dropping 10 cents. Jamaica Money Market Brokers in trading 102,117 ordinary shares and ending 1 cent lower at $6.90, Jamaica Producers finished with 5,002 units trading, declined by $1.30 to $15.70, Sagicor Group closed with 228,167 shares trading at $10.45, having declined by 5 cents and Scotia Group 41,274 shares as the price fell 50 cents to $21.50.

JSE closes down

JSE mn mkt close 2-3-15The Jamaica Stock Exchange main market closed with trading in 2,979,208 shares with Grace Kennedy dominating with more than 2 million units. the all Jamaica Composite index fell nearly 336 points and the JSE market index dropped just above 300 points.
The closing trading data shows the volumes for the highest bids and lowest offers for each stock that investors can use as guides as to where demand and supply may be like. Other than the shares traded in Grace volumes were moderate and only 12 securities were active.

JSE trade data at 10.55 Monday

The Jamaica Stock Exchange started the week off with moderate trading so far with Grace being the only major stock to trade in sizeable volume. Grace gained 99 cents to end at $61.50. JSE 1055 -03-15

Moderate JSE trading – Friday

Friday’s activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange saw moderate trading taking place, resulting in the prices of 8 stocks rising, 8 declining as 25 securities changed hands, ending in only 751,397 units trading, valued at $3,640,271, in all market segments.
JSE sum 27-2-15 Main Market| The JSE Market Index lost 33.26 points to close at 81,107.95, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index fell 37.18 points to 89,400.76 and the JSE combined index declined by 137.46 points to 82,801.92.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator is showing a fluidity in price movements with 7 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 6 stocks with offers that were lower.
Gains| Stocks gaining with last traded prices, at the end of trading in the main market are, Carreras closing with an increase of 45 cents to $44.50 as only 210 units traded. Gleaner finished with a mere 1,000 shares changing hands, the price jumped at 10 cents to 95 cents, Mayberry Investments finished trading with 35,551 units to end with an increase of 5 cents to $2 and Scotia Group saw trading in 2,897 shares as the price jumped at $1 to $22.
Firm| The stocks in the main market to close without a change in the last traded prices are, Caribbean Cement closing with 1,050 shares changing hands at $2.60, Desnoes & Geddes ending with 3,000 units traded at $5.50, Grace Kennedy finishing with 5,000 shares at $60.51. Jamaica Broilers ending with 19,937 shares changing hands to close $4.05, Jamaica Producers finished with 1,000 units trading at $17, Radio Jamaica ended trading with 816 units to close at $1.35 and Sagicor Group closed with 199,800 shares at $10.50.
Declines| The last traded prices of stocks with losses at the end of trading in the main market are, Cable & Wireless closed with 29,952 units trading as the price slipped 2 cents to 48 cents, Jamaica Money Market Brokers in trading 7,936 ordinary shares ended 19 cents lower at $6.91, Jamaica Stock Exchange closing with 3,000 units trading slipped 15 cents to $2, Kingston Wharves closed with 3,750 shares changing hands to close lower by 10 cents to $6.40 and Pan Jamaican Investment had only 128 units trading to end down 73 cents to $52.78.
Preference| Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share traded 118,650 units at $2.

JSE near 20 months’ high

RED STRIPE  factThursday’s activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, ended with big gains in the main market indices, as heavily weighted National Commercial Bank traded as high as $24, Desnoes & Geddes end at $5.50, Kingston Wharves closed up at $6.50 and Sagicor Group gained 10 cents. At the end, the prices of 8 stocks rose 5 declined as 21 securities changed hands, with 3,414,320 units trading, valued at $11,037,316, in all market segments.
Main Market| The JSE Market Index gained 922.34 points to 81,141.21, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index rose 1,031.22 points to close at 89,437.94, the highest since July 15, 2013 and the JSE combined index gained 841.81 points to close at 82,939.38.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 5 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 stocks with offers that were lower.

Scotia Investments put on $2.05 on Thursday.

Scotia Investments put on $2.05 on Thursday.

Gains| Stocks gaining with last traded prices, at the end of trading in the main market are, Desnoes & Geddes trading 55,000 units, gained 50 cents to end at $5.50. Jamaica Broilers closed with 26,000 units, 3 cents higher to $4.05, Jamaica Money Market Brokers closed with 79,568 ordinary shares changing hands, with a 20 cents increase to $7.10, Kingston Wharves ending with 699,136 shares, closed 75 cents higher to $6.50, Pan Jamaican Investment finished with 20,000 shares trading, while adding 1 cent to $53.51. Sagicor Group in closing with 2,000 units ended with an increase of 10 cents to $10.50, Scotia Investments finished with only 1,000 shares trading as the price jumped $2.05 to $25.05 and Supreme Ventures closing with 16,800 shares and increase 18 cents to end at $2.
Firm| The stocks in the main market to close without a change in the last traded prices are, Gleaner ending with 2,007,266 units trading at 85 cents. Grace Kennedy finishing with 1,000 shares at $60.51, followed by 138 Student Living, closing with only 2,500 units at $4.40, Radio Jamaica ending with 1,200 shares changing hands to close at $1.35 and Scotia Group finishing with 20,450 shares trading at $21.
JSE sum 26-2-15 Declines| The last traded prices of stocks with losses at the end of trading in the main market are, Berger Paints concluding trading with 49,151 shares changing hands, to close down by 2 cents at $1.55. Caribbean Cement closing with 20,172 units trading as the price slipped 25 cents to $2.60, Carreras ending trading with 17,074 shares trading lower by 45 cents to $44.05, National Commercial Bank in having 40,112 shares changing hands, closed 15 cents lower at $22 after trading at a new intraday 52 weeks’ high of $24.