In today’s trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange the prices of 8 stocks rose and 9 declined as 28 securities traded resulting in 8,384,697 shares trading valued at $39,568,098 but the two main market indices fell a bit to add to the losses on Wednesday. The advance decline ratio at the close was an improvement on Wednesday’s 5 to 9.
Main Market| 6 companies in the main market advanced and 7 declined as the indices moved down with the JSE Market Index shedding 555.97 points to 73,058.32 and the JSE All Jamaican Composite index fell by 621.68 points to close at 80,400.65 just a shade from the low for 2014 of 80,359.75 reached on January 7th.
Gains| Stocks recording gains at the end of trading in the main market are Carreras that gained 8 cents to close at $33.65 with only 1,000 units changing hands, Desnoes & Geddes trading 72,966 shares to close with a gain of 20 cents at $4.30, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 73,808 ordinary shares to close at $7.30 with 3 cents gain, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 8.50% preference share 72,000 units to close up a cent at $3.51, Sagicor Group with 415,594 shares to close at $9.10 up by 20 cents and Seprod with 968 units to close at $11 with a 20 cents gain.
Firm| There were 7 stocks in the main market to close without a change in price, with Gleaner trading 548,887 shares in closing at $1.10, Jamaica Broilers with 1,030,997 shares and closed at $4.85, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 8.75% preference share with 1,104,250 units and closed at $3.03, Mayberry Investments 20,560 shares as the price closed at $1.71, Proven Investments 8% preference share, 13,100 units to end at $5.09, Radio Jamaica 10,000 shares and closed at $1.28 and Scotia Investments with 18,790 units and closed at $23.10.
Declines| The number of stocks that declined in the main market are Cable & Wireless with 2,869,910 shares in losing 5 cents to end at 35 cents, Caribbean Cement with 71,784 shares to end at $3.50 with a 50 cents fall, Grace Kennedy 51,906 shares while closing at $56, down by 50 cents, National Commercial Bank 33,961 units as the price ended at $18 with a loss of 50 cents, Pan Jamaican Investment 4,000 units, closing at $48.50 for a fall of a cent, Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 3,464 units at $6 as it shed 50 cents and Scotia Group with 885,471 shares in closing at $20.06 for a 49 cents drop.
Junior Market| The JSE Junior Market Index declined by only 4.74 points to close at 745.65 as 8 stocks traded with 2 advancing and 2 declining.
Gains| Stocks recording gains at the end of trading in the junior market are Caribbean Producers trading 456,206 units to close at $3.10, up 10 cents and Lasco Distributors with 424,000 shares to close at $1.35 with a gain of 5 cents.
Firm Trades| Stocks in the junior market that traded to close at the same price as the day before are Access Financial with 6,000 units and closed at $11.50, Blue Power 4,000 units and closed at $9.01, General Accident Insurance 53,068 units, closing at $1.50 and Lasco Manufacturing with 77,934 shares as the price closed at $1.20.
Declines| Stocks declining in the junior market at the end of trading are Lasco Financial with 21,800 units at $1.25, down by 5 cents and Paramount Trading in trading 38,273 shares, landed at a 52 weeks low of $2.68 with a decline of 23 cents.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had only 3 stocks with the bid higher than the last selling price and 9 stocks with offers that were lower, continuing to indicate a negative market sentiment.
More losses for the market
JSE Market gives up much ground
In Wednesday’s trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange the market slipped more than it gained on Tuesday as big capitalisation stocks, Desnoes & Geddes, Sagicor Group and Cable & Wireless slipped in value with the prices of 5 stocks rising and 9 declining as 24 securities traded resulting in 8,461,785 shares changing hands valued at $29,734,524. At the close market sentiment was reflecting continued negative movements for a while.
Main Market| Only 4 companies in the main market advanced and 8 declined as the indices plummeted with the JSE Market Index dropping by 2,428.50 points to 73,614.29 and the JSE All Jamaican Composite index shedding 2,715.48 points to close at 81,022.33.
Gains| Stocks recording gains at the end of trading in the main market are Hardware & Lumber trading 64,500 shares to close with a gain of $1.30 cents at $11.80, National Commercial Bank with 7,976 units changing hands to close at $18.50and gained 40 cents, Caribbean Cement with 84,939 shares to close at $4, with an increase of 10 cents and Scotia Group only 500 shares to close at $20.55 for a 5 cents gain.
Firm| There were only 6 stocks in the main market to close without a price change as Jamaica Broilers with 22,080 shares closed at $4.85, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 8.50% preference share traded 10,000 units and closed at $3.50, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 8.75% preference share closed at $3.03 while exchanging 221,600 shares, Proven Investments 8% preference share traded 612,900 units at $5.09 followed by Seprod with 171,083 units at $10.80 and Supreme Ventures with 17,000 units to close at $2.10.
Declines| On a day when declining stocks overwhelmed advancing ones, the number of stocks that declined in the main market are Cable & Wireless with 1,903,766 shares as investors tried to get out of the stock as it the closed at 40 cents having slipped by 4 cents, Desnoes & Geddes with 697,860 shares while losing 40 cents to end at $4.10, Gleaner with 8,000 shares to close 5 cents lower at $1.10, Grace Kennedy 40,258 units in closing at $56.50 as the price slipped a cent, Pan Jamaican Investment with 97,716 shares in closing at $48.51 down by 54 cents, Radio Jamaica 24,000 units traded to close 4 cents lower at $1.28 and Sagicor Group with 576,077 shares closed at $8.90 with the fall of 13 cents.
Junior Market| The JSE Junior Market Index declined by 2.99 points to close at 750.39 as 7 stocks traded with only one advancing and 2 declining.
Gains| Lasco Financial traded 41,000 units to close at $1.30, up 10 cents, was the only stock with a gain at the end of trading in the junior market.
Firm Trades| 4 stocks in the junior market traded to close at the same price as the day before with Caribbean Flavours trading 11,121 units at $2.70, Caribbean Producers 121,513 shares to end at $3, Consolidated Bakeries 40,000 units in ending at $1.10 and Lasco Manufacturing with 1,066,000 shares to end at $1.20.
Declines| Stocks declining in the junior market at the end of trading are Dolphin Cove trading 222,681 units at $8.20 for a 3 cents fall and Lasco Distributors 2,399,215 shares at $1.30 down 5 cents.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator flashed negative sentiment showing 5 stocks with the bid higher than the last selling price and 9 stocks with offers that were lower.
Advancing stocks top declines
In Monday’s trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange the prices of 6 stocks rose and 3 declined as 21 securities traded resulting in 5,426,535 shares changing hands valued at $14,802,328. The IC market sentiment indicator is pointing to continued fluidity in prices with almost an even number of stocks with bids and offers above or below their last traded prices.
Main Market| 5 companies in the main market advanced, only 3 declined as the indices moved down with the JSE Market Index falling by 603.54 points to 73,988.69 and the JSE All Jamaican Composite index declining by 674.86 points to close at 81,440.97.
Gains| Stocks recording gains at the end of trading in the main market are Cable & Wireless trading 16,832 shares to close with a gain of one cent at 41 cents, Desnoes & Geddes gained 20 cents to close at $4.50 with 450 units changing hands, National Commercial Bank 1,690 shares to close at $18.30 with a gain of 20 cents, Pan Jamaican Investment with 101,574 shares to close at $49.28, up 23 cents. Radio Jamaica had 4,900,000 units changing hands to close with a 4 cents gain at $1.32.
Firm| There were only 6 stocks in the main market to close without a change in price as Gleaner with 22,980 shares closed at $1.10, Grace Kennedy 810 units helped the price to close at $56.51, Jamaica Broilers traded 113,552 shares to close at $4.85, Mayberry Investments with 1,020 shares closed at $1.70, Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 11,930 units to close at $6.50 and Scotia Group with 18,575 units closed at $20.50.
Declines| The number of stocks that declined in the main market are Jamaica Money Market Brokers with 1,298 shares in losing 2 cents to end at $7.22, Sagicor Group 106,867 shares to close down by 30 cents at $9.50 and Seprod with 1,022 at $10.80 for a 4 cents fall.
Junior Market| The JSE Junior Market Index advanced by 2.92 points to close at 754.26 as only 6 stocks traded in that market.
Gains| Lasco Manufacturing was the only stock recording a gain at the end of trading in the junior market as 44,697 shares changed hands to close up by 9 cents at $1.19.
Firm Trades| Stocks in the junior market that traded to close at the same price as the day before are AMG Packaging with 500 units at $3.50, Blue Power with 19,438 units at $9.01, Derrimon Trading 12,000 units at $2.28, Lasco Distributors 37,300 shares at $1.40 and Lasco Financial Services 14,000 units at $1.20. Access Financial 9% Unsecured Short Term Notes traded 9,000 units at $99.50.
Declines| No stock declined in the junior market at the end of trading on Monday.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 8 stocks with the bid higher than the last selling price and 9 stocks with offers that were lower.
Very moderate market movement
There was very moderate activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange at the close of the trading week as the prices of 10 stocks rose and 8 declined as only 25 securities traded in a very slow market session resulting in 1,571,377 shares trading valued at a mere $8,273,649.
Main Market| Six companies in the main and US dollar markets advanced and 6 declined as the indices moved down moderately with the JSE Market Index inching down by 6.80 points to 74,592.23 and the JSE All Jamaican Composite index shedding just 7.60 points to close at 82,115.83.
Gains| Stocks recording gains at the end of trading in the main market are Kingston Wharves with 9,534 shares to close with a gain of 48 cents at $5.99, National Commercial Bank gained 10 cents to close at $18.10 with 9,100 units changing hands, Proven Investments ordinary share, with 8,570 units to close up 0.02 us cents at 18 US cents, Sagicor Group 18,000 units closing at $9.80 for a 30 cents gain, Salada Foods 5,000 shares to close at $8 as the price gained 50 cents and Scotia Investments with only 700 shares to end at $23.10 for a gain of 10 cents.
Firm| There were only 4 stocks in the main market to close without a change in price as Cable & Wireless with 43,699 shares closed at 40 cents, Carreras with 5,000 units closed at $33.56, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share traded 500,000 and closed at $2 and Proven Investments 8% preference share with 381,800 units closed at $5.07.
Declines| The stocks declining in the main market are Gleaner with 2,500 shares while falling a cent to close at $1.10, Grace Kennedy lost $1.49 to end at $56.51 with 1,600 shares, Jamaica Broilers exchanged 20,538 units to close down a cent at $4.85. Pan Jamaican Investment 10,529 shares to end 55 cents lower at $49.05, Scotia Group had 110,308 units at $20.50 at the close as the price shed 12 cents and Supreme Ventures 3,800 shares to close with a 5 cents decline at $2.05.
Junior Market| The JSE Junior Market Index declined by 8.14 points to close at 751.34 as 9 stocks traded with 4 advancing and only 2 declining.
Gains| Stocks recording gains at the end of trading in the junior market are AMG Packaging that traded 5,560 units to close at $3.50, up by a cent, Access Financial with 72,600 units to close at $11.50 with a gain of $1.50, Caribbean Cream 3,000 units to close at 79 cents with a 4 cents increase and Caribbean Producers with 90,000 units in closing at $3, up 2 cents.
Firm Trades| The 3 stocks in the junior market traded to close at the same price as the day before are Blue Power with 3,400 shares in closing at $9.01, Lasco Financial 3,000 shares while closing at $1.20 and Medical Disposables 94,700 units, closing at $2.04.
Declines| Stocks declining in the junior market at the end of trading are General Accident with 2,000 units a $1.60, down 10 cents and Lasco Manufacturing with 166,439 shares to end down by 10 cents at $1.10.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 3 stocks with the bid higher than the last selling price and 4 stocks with offers that were lower.
Market directionless
In Thursday’s trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, the market was directionless with advancing stocks numbering just below declining ones and the IC market indicator showing investors in a tussle over the immediate future direction of the market. Prices of 6 stocks rose and 8 declined as 20 securities traded resulting in 3,602,192 shares changing hands valued at $19,621,158 in another lacklustre session.
Main Market| All advancing shares in the market was in the main market and all but one stock that declined was also in this market, but the indices moved up slightly, with the JSE Market Index inching up by just 1.23 points to 74,599.03 and the JSE All Jamaican Composite index edging up by only 1.38 points to close at 82,123.43.
Gains| Stocks recording gains at the end of trading in the main market are Berger Paints trading 89,657 unitss to close with a gain of a cent at $1.68, Caribbean Cement gained 21 cents to close at $3.91 with 20,500 units changing hands, Carreras traded 443 shares to close 6 cents higher at $33.56, Ciboney with 50,000 shares by increasing by a cent to close at 12 cents for a new 52 weeks high, Grace Kennedy 7,439 shares with a gain of $1 to close at $58 and Jamaica Money Market Brokers with 451,214 ordinary shares to close up by 4 cents at $7.24.
Firm| There were only 5 stocks in the main market to close without a change in price as Gleaner with 228,484 shares closed at $1.10, Hardware & Lumber traded 3,300 units and closed at $11.70, Mayberry Investments with 3,060 units closed at $1.70, Scotia Group had 59,888 units changing hands to close at $20.62 and Seprod traded 685 shares in closing at $10.84.
Declines| The number of stocks that declined in the main market are Cable & Wireless with 1,500,888 units while losing a cent to end at 40 cents, Desnoes & Geddes with 76,472 shares to end at $4.30 as the price lost 30 cents, Jamaica Broilers with 450,872 shares to close at $4.86, down 4 cents, Jamaica Producers that traded 6,600 units to close at $18.26 while losing 4 cents, National Commercial Bank 571,665 shares as the price closed with a 10 cents lost, at $18, Sagicor Group had 50,529 units changing hands to close with a fall of 71 cents to $9.50 and Salada Foods 2,400 shares to close 45 cents lower, to end at $7.50
Junior Market| The JSE Junior Market Index declined by 0.59 points to close at 743.20 as only 2 junior market stocks traded at the end of the trading session.
Gains| No stock gained at the end of trading in the junior market.
Firm Trades| Lasco Manufacturing was the only stock in the junior market that traded to close at the same price as the previous trading day with 27,096 units to end at $1.20.
Declines| Caribbean Producers was the only stock declining in the junior market at the end of trading as the price fell 9 cents to close at $2.91 as it traded a mere 1,000 units.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 5 stocks with the bid higher than the last selling price and 6 stocks with offers that were lower.
Proven – growth by acquisition
Proven Investments‘ growth by acquisition took a leap forward with the announcement that they came to an agreement with conglomerate Grace Kennedy to acquire all the shares of First Global Financial Services Limited (FGFS) from First Global Holdings Limited. The agreement was signed on April 24, 2014. This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval. Grace Kennedy stated in a release to the Jamaica Stock Exchange that the transaction is valued at $3.05 billion but excludes the seat on the exchange that the Grace group will keep.
First Global Financial Services Limited, FGFS was established in April 2004, as part of the Grace Kennedy Financial Services Division re-branding and consolidation exercise, when George & Branday Securities Ltd assumed the First Global brand name of First Global Financial Services Limited. Later, FGFS acquired the operations of FGB Securities Limited, First Global Stockbrokers Limited, Grace Kennedy Properties Limited, First Global Insurance Limited, and Grace Pension Management Limited.
The acquisition will swell the assets of Proven which stood at US$146.4 million at the end of 2013. It is expected that the two entities will be merged resulting in a cut in operating cost. FGS is said to have $22 billion in assets plus assets managed for third parties off the balance sheet amounting to $60 billion. Not all of the assets may move over as some clients could opt to shift to other entities within the financial industry. If history is anything to go by, the bulk of the assets should continue with the new owners once the deal is concluded.
Grace plans to use the proceeds to expand First Global Bank locally and the group’s financial services regionally.
Related post | FX gains & securities boost Proven
Securities traded up but prices mixed
There was trading in 16 securities on the Trinidad Stock Exchange on Wednesday, 4 advanced, 3 declined and 9 traded firm, as 157,712 shares traded with a value of $1,646,580.
Market activity lead to two new 52 weeks highs and moderate movements in the indices, with the Composite Index edging up 0.43 points to close at 1,169.87, the All T&T Index gaining 1.73 points, to close at 1,985.33 and the Cross Listed Index declining by 0.12 points to 46.49.
Gains| First Citizens Bank contributed 17,200 shares with a value of $596,996 and gained 70 cents, to close at $34.70, Praetorian Property Fund advanced by a cent to end at $3.41, as it traded 2,000 units, Republic Bank traded a mere 83 units, as the price moved up a cent, to close at $120.17 for a new 52 weeks high and Unilever Caribbean traded just 31 shares to close 2 cents higher at $58.22, a new 52 weeks high.
Firm Trades| Stocks trading with unchanged closing prices, are Angostura Holdings with 16,470 shares valued at $181,170, to close at $11, Flavorite Foods with 33 units at $7, Grace Kennedy with 45,600 shares changing hands for a value of $159,600 and closed at $3.50, National Flour Mills 10,000 shares at $1.26, Neal & Massy 100 shares at $66.31, Prestige Holdings 500 units at $9.35, Scotiabank 138 shares at $71, Trinidad Cement 895 units at $2.06 and West Indian Tobacco 216 units at $118.
Declines| Clico Investment Fund traded 13,277 shares valued at $288,603 as the price declined by 15 cents, to end at $21.70, Jamaica Money Market Brokers traded 6,300 shares to close down 2 cents to 54 cents and Sagicor Financial Corporation with a volume of 44,667 shares traded for $312,669 as the price shed 3 cents, to end at $7.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 5 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 stocks with offers that were lower.
4 stocks at new highs on TTSE
Four stocks closed at new 52 weeks high, on the Trinidad Stock Exchange, on the final trading day of the week, as 5 stocks advanced and 2 declined.
Market activity resulted in the trading in 15 securities with 170,619 shares changing hands valued at $2,121,879. The Composite Index was down by 0.49 points to 1,171.28 while the All T&T Index fell by 0.98 points to close at 1,987.20 and the Cross Listed Index remained at 46.62.
Gains| Stocks advancing are Ansa Merchant Bank that contributed 1,280 shares at $38.49 by gaining 11 cents, One Caribbean Media 200 shares at $20 while gaining 25 cents to record a new 52 weeks high at the close, Republic Bank 6,854 shares at a new 52 weeks high of $120.11, with a gain of a cent, Unilever Caribbean 332 units to close at $58.20 for a 13 cents gain and LJ Williams B shares 11,650 units to close at 90 cents up 11 cents, both at new 52 weeks highs.
Firm Trades| Stocks trading unchanged are Clico Investment Fund 3,763 shares to end at $21.85, First Caribbean International Bank contributed 21,520 shares with a value of $123,740 and closed at $5.75, Grace Kennedy 20,000 units at $3.50, Jamaica Money Market Brokers saw 21,000 shares changing hands valued at $11,790 as the price closed at 59 cents. National Commercial Bank had 26,435 shares changing hands for a value of $30,665 as it closed $1.16, National Flour Mills traded 22,175 shares for $27,941 to close at $1.26, Neal & Massy traded 3,494 shares to close at $66.31 and Sagicor Financial Corporation 4,100 units to close at $7.05,
Declines| Stocks declining are First Citizens Bank traded 8,500 shares valued at $197,169 as the price slipped by a cent to end at $34.99, and Guardian Holdings 11,765 shares at 25 cents lower at $13.50.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 3 stocks with the bids that were higher than their last selling prices and only 1 stock with the offer that is lower.
Strong arbitrage position in JMMB in JSE & TTSE
Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB) closed at 56 cents, the equivalent of JS$9.50 while it closed at J$7.50 in Jamaica, providing investors with a great arbitrage position, with a huge 26 percent price difference at the end of trading.
Trading overall in the Trinidad Stock market on Wednesday saw 12 securities changing hands of which 5 advanced, 5 declined and 2 traded firm resulting in the Composite Index declining by 4.54 points to close at 1,173.08, the All T&T Index falling by 8.83 points to close at 1,990.79 and the Cross Listed Index easing by 0.03 points to close at 46.62. Trading resulted in 653,357 shares changing hands, valued at $6,420,588.
Gains| (JMMB) was the volume leader with 186,000 shares changing hands for a value of $103,300, closing 3 cents higher to end at 56 cents, National Enterprises gained 2 cents to close at $18.27, National Flour Mills added 110,000 shares valued at $138,600 to close a cent higher at $1.26, a 52 weeks high, Neal & Massy traded only 35 units at $66.31 for a one cent gain.
Declines| First Caribbean International Bank traded 15,072 shares at $5.75, down a cent, First Citizens Bank 3,581 shares at $36.07, down 28 cents Grace Kennedy with 161,400 shares traded for $564,975 and fell 13 cents to $3.50, Scotiabank with 215 shares, close at $70.10, down $1.90 and Trinidad Cement contributed 118,574 shares with a value of $243,723 to close at $2.05.
Firm Trades| Angostura Holdings 900 shares to close at $11.00, Sagicor Financial Corporation had only 50 units changing hands to end at $7.05.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 2 stocks with the bids higher than their last selling price and 3 stocks with offers that were lower.
Trinidad’s sleepy market
Stock market activity in Trinidad on Tuesday, saw trading in 13 securities, of which 3 advanced, 2 declined and 8 traded firm as 603,335 shares changed hands, for $7,429,236. The Composite Index edged up by 0.41 points to 1,177.62, the All T&T Index declined by 0.14 points to close at 1,999.62 and the Cross Listed Index inched up by 0.13 points to 46.65.
Gains| Clico Investment Fund traded 70,814 shares valued at $1,540,905 and gained 6 cents, to end the day at $21.76. Jamaica Money Market Brokers with 230,942 shares changing hands for a value of $122,179, closed 3 cents higher at 53 cents, Republic Bank with 955 units at $120.05 up 2 cents, a new 52 weeks high.
Firm Trades| Stock trading unchanged are Agostini’s with 471 units at $17.75, ANSA McAL 10 shares at $66.49, Angostura Holdings 10 shares at $11, National Flour Mills with a volume of 172,504 shares traded for $215,574 to close at $1.25, Point Lisas Industrial Port Development 300 shares at $3.65, Sagicor Financial Corporation 13,200 shares to close at $7.05, Guardian Media 957 units at $19.75 and West Indian Tobacco which added 17,501 shares valued at $2,065,118 to close at $118.
Declines First Citizens Bank contributed 88,671 shares with a value of $3,223,211 to close 4 cents lower at $36.35, Grace Kennedy traded 7,000 units to close with a one cent fall at $3.63.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 3 stocks with the bid higher than the last selling price and 5 stocks with offers that were lower.
