IC Insider BUY RATED

Profit jumps 31% at Lasco Manufacturing

November 9, 2023 by IC Insider.com

Profit climbed 31 percent after taxation of $258 million to $615 million in the September quarter this year at Lasco Manufacturing, from $469 million after provision for taxation amounting to $210 million in 2022. For the half year, after taxation of $453 million, profit jumped 29 percent to $1.14 billion from $883 million in 2022 after taxation of $361 million.
Sales revenues rose 11 percent for the quarter, to $3.19 billion from $2.9 billion in 2022 and grew 10 percent for the year to date, to $6 billion from $5.5 billion in 2022.
After a brief one year dip in profit in the 2020 fiscal year, profit has been on a roll since and seems destined for a new record in the current fiscal year ending next March.
Management delivered an improvement in profit margin in the second quarter to 38 percent from 37 percent last year resulting in gross profit rising faster than sales with an increase of 13 percent, with a gross profit of $1.22 billion versus $1.08 billion in 2022. Gross profit for the half year soared 38 percent from 36 percent last year, resulting in an increase of 16 percent to $2.3 billion compared with $1.98 billion in 2022.
Operating expenses rose by just 4 percent in the quarter and half year to $394 million in the second quarter from $378 million in 2022 second quarter and in the half year to $755 million from $725 million in 2022. Finance cost declined in the quarter, to $23 million from $36 million in 2022 and from $15 million to $5 million for the six months period.

Lasco’s ICool drinks.

The operations generated Gross cash flow of $588 million and it was increased to $778 million after a reduction in funds previously tied up in working capital, additions to fixed assets of $309 million. After pumping $589 million into short term investments and $496 million in dividends the net cash position ended at $1.6 billion.
Current assets ended at $9.2 billion inclusive of trade and other receivables of $3.3 billion, cash and bank balances of $3.8 billion, while inventories were steady at $2 billion. Current liabilities ended at $1.86 billion. Net current assets was a solid $7.3 billion.

At the end of September, shareholders’ equity closed at $11.75 billion up from $9.9 billion at the end of September last year. There was no long-term borrowing, while short term loan was just $89 million.
Earnings per share for the quarter was 15 cents and 28 cents for the year to date. IC Insider.com computation projects earnings of 70 cents per share for the fiscal year ending March 2024 and 90 cents in 2025, with a PE of 6.7 times the current year’s earnings based on the price of $4.60 the stock traded at on the Jamaica Stock Exchange

Lasco’s products

Junior Market and the value is well down on the average for the market at 11.6, a clear indication of the potential gains ahead in the price. Net asset value ended the period at $2.85 with the stock selling at 1.6 times book value.
The company is in a healthy financial position to do a major acquisition, with no major loan commitment currently and a tidy wad of liquid funds, with more to come as profit increases in the rest of the fiscal year.
Buy and hold for a few years until growth in sales and profit slows considerably to single digits, investors should see a doubling in the stock price by next year June.
ICInsider.com gives the stocks Buy Rated seal of approval.

Filed Under: Buy Rated, Company News, Company Results Tagged With: Emerging markets, Emerging Stock, IC Insider BUY RATED, junior market, Lasco Manufacturing

Wisynco profit surge

May 10, 2023 by IC Insider.com

Wisynco Group reported another solid quarter of profit to March 2023, from a 23.4 percent growth in revenues to $12 billion for the quarter over the $9.7 billion achieved in the 2022 third quarter and contributed to a 26.8 percent rise in nine months revenues to $36 billion up from $28.4 billion in 2022 with profit after tax of $3.66 billion 23.77 percent higher than $2.96 billion in 2022.

Wisynco headquarters

The group achieved a Gross Profit of $4.1 billion in the current quarter, the same as the preceding quarter and represents a 32.2 percent increase over the $3.1 billion of the prior year and was helped by an improvement in Gross Profit Margin of 34.6 percent which, up from 32.3 percent for the same quarter last year.
Profit before Taxation for the quarter was $1.57 billion, an increase of 43 percent over the $1.1 billion in the comparative quarter in 2022.
After the provision of $416 million for corporate taxes, Net Profits Attributable to Stockholders amounted to $1.2 billion, or 31 cents per stock unit for the quarter, 38.6 percent greater than the $831 million or 22 cents per stock unit earned for the prior year and 98 cents for the nine months up from 79 cents in 2022.
The company ended the period with cash and investments of $11.4 billion, placing it in a great position to fund the planned major factory expansion into 2024.

Filed Under: Buy Rated, Company News, Company Results Tagged With: Emerging markets, IC Insider BUY RATED, Jamaica Stock Exchange, Jamaican stocks, Wisynco Group

Revenues & profit explode at Image Plus

May 2, 2023 by IC Insider.com

Revenue and profits surged solidly for the most recently Junior Market listed Image Plus Consultants for the financial year ended February 2023, with revenue jumping a robust 40.7 percent to a record $1.094 billion, up from $777 million in 2022 but, with a slower pace of 33 percent in the final quarter of $290 million compared with $218 million in 2022 as the company that specializes in diagnostic services delivered a convincing 123 percent growth in Profit before Tax to $252 million, up from $113 million in 2022.
Profit after tax jumped 139 percent to $236 million over the $94 million generated in 2022. Results equated to earnings per share of 23 cents up from 9 cents in 2022. ICInsider.com revised earnings for the current fiscal year to 40 cents from 30 cents previously and 85 cents for the fiscal year ending February 2025.
Revenue was driven by the growth in case count of 54,840, an increase of 8,469 cases or 18.3 percent over the 2022 financial year, the company advised shareholders in a release accompanying the financials.
Gross profit jumped 39 percent to $716 million from $505 million in the previous year as the company maintained a 39 percent cost of sales for a second year.
Administrative expenses rose 14 percent to $417 million from $365 in 2022, depreciation charge climbed to $43 million versus $36 million in 2022 and finance costs remained almost flat at $7 million.
Current liabilities stood at $138 million, Shareholders’ equity grew from $267 million to $945 million, helped by an infusion of $465 million in proceeds from the IPO earlier in 2023 coupled with the growth of $213 million in the year’s profit. Long term liabilities amount to $75 million, with current loans amounting to $39 million. Cash and investment funds totalled $492 million and helped to swell Current assets to $811 million from just $223 million at the end of the fiscal year 2022.

Dr. Karlene McDonnough – Chairman of Image Consultants Ltd.

Cash flow generated $271 million, but working capital absorbed $83 million as receivables Increased by $159 million due partially to greater business activity. Addition to fixed assets consumed $152 million, with Lab equipment taking $104 million and leasehold improvement $43 million.
According to management, “a new fluoroscopy unit was acquired for our Winchester location and the relocation of our Ocho Rios operations to a larger space in White River North Commercial Complex in Q3 drove growth in leasehold improvements. The significant increase in patient scan volumes resulted in a growth of $159 million in trade receivables. Management continues to actively manage these receivables and written commitments have been received from the largest payer, which gives us confidence that these receivables will continue to be honoured.”
The company incurred income tax on profit for ten months of the financial year 2023 before listing and will enjoy five years tax free status as JSE Junior Market listed company.
The stock, around $2, is attractive and can potentially deliver good returns for investors at the current price. Investors could benefit from cash dividends as the directors will meet this month to consider a dividend payment.

Filed Under: Buy Rated, Company News, Company Results Tagged With: Emerging markets, IC Insider BUY RATED, Image Plus Consultants, Jamaican stocks, junior market

Solid profit from concrete growth

April 13, 2023 by IC Insider.com

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Profit at Jamaica’s sole cement producer, Caribbean Cement Company was flat in the December quarter last year, with $1.48 billion earned compared with $1.5 billion in 2021, profit for the full year to December rose a solid 24 percent to a record $5.4 billion from $4.34 million in 2021.
The improved full year results flowed from an 8.4 percent rise in sales revenue to $25.8 billion, from $23.84 in 2021. Revenues were almost flat for the December quarter at $6.15 billion against $6.04 billion in 2021.
There was a notable improvement in gross profit margin that increased to 44 percent from 41 percent in 2021 as cost of sales rose by a mere 3.3 percent to $14.5 billion from $14 billion in 2021 that includes depreciation of $1.4 billion, down from $1.45 billion in 2021 and fuel and electricity that surged 37 percent from $4.1 billion, to $5.6 billion in 2022. The net effect is that Gross profit rose 15.5 percent for the year, to $11.36 billion from $9.8 billion in 2021. The moderate rise in direct cost, “was mainly attributable to the company’s decision not to undertake its planned major maintenance during the third quarter, compared to 2021,” the company stated in the release containing the results.
Administrative expenses rose close to the rise in revenues by 14 percent to $942 million in the year from $827 million while Selling Distribution and logistics expenses rose just 4 percent to $1.74 billion from $1.67 in 2021. Included in the administrative expenses are Management fees of $200 million, up slightly from $195 million in 2021 and royalty fees of $475 million with none in 2021 and write off of $120 million for non-recoverable GCT costs with none in 2021. Personnel remuneration and benefits amounted to $2.64 billion during the year, up from $2.5 billion in 2021, but actual salaries and wages were modestly lower at $1.97 billion versus $1.98 billion in 2021.
Finance cost declined in the year to $581 million from $671 million in 2021, which include a charge of $402 million during the year and $376 million for 2021 for unwinding discount on the redemption of the preference shares. The company has fully liq uidated the debt and there should be no charge in 2023 for this item
Gross cash flow generated from operations amounted to $8.8 million and was reduced by increased working capital of $5 billion to $3.8 billion. The net cash flow provided funding for the acquisition of fixed assets costing $1.26 billion, the payment of $1.26 billion in dividends. They also paid off the balance of $1.84 billion due on preference shares to Trinidad Cement.
At the end of December, shareholders’ equity stood at $20 billion with long term borrowings at a mere $608 million.
Current assets ended the period at $7.1 billion, up from $4.3 billion in 2021 including trade and other receivables of $650 million, cash and bank balances of $575 million with $5.48 billion of inventories up from $3.44 billion in 2021. Current liabilities ended the period at $6.1 billion, down from $8.5 billion in 2021. Net current assets ended the period at $1.1 billion.
Earnings per share came in at $6.33 when compared to $5.10 in 2021. IC Insider.com forecasts $7.50 per share for the fiscal year, with a PE of 7.7 times current year’s earnings based on the price of $57.50 the stock traded at recently on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market with a net asset value of $23.54 and 2.5 times book value.
The company paid a dividend of $1.53 cents for the first time in 17 years in September last year.
This cost incurred for the unwinding of the discount for the repayment of the preference shares will not recur in 2023 also the write off of non-recoverable GCT cost, countering these savings will be the annual major maintenance that was not incurred in 2022, at the same time Fuel and electricity cost should fall from the Ukraine war induced spike in worldwide oil prices that has since moderated form the peak of more than US$120 per barrel to around $80 currently.
The company outlook was summarized by management, “we will ensure that our operations remain resilient by employing sound cost management strategies in this challenging economic environment.
Additionally, we expect to have a similar or better level of productivity and efficiency of the kiln in the future on completion of our planned major maintenance in 2023. During the previous quarter, the groundbreaking of our major kiln expansion project took place. This important investment will improve the self-sufficiency of the industry in Jamaica to comfortably meet growing demand, while setting the foundation to supply other export markets, effectively strengthening the external sector of our economy and essentially the country’s growth.”
The above expansion plan projected to increase the plant capacity by up to 30 percent should be completed by the second half of 2024 and will lower the unit cost of producing cement if it leads to a sufficient increase in sales volume. That won’t take place until 2025.
The stock is selling at a discount to its normal value but seems to weight down by higher interest rates and a slowdown in activity in the construction sector, but all signs point to lower interest rates in the second half of the year and continuing for a while, as such these negative factors will soon pass. With the expansion to come on stream in 2024, the stock remains a good long term buy.

Filed Under: Buy Rated, Company News, Company Results Tagged With: Caribbean Cement, Cement producer, Emerging markets, IC Insider BUY RATED, Jamaica Stock Exchange, Jamaican stocks

Profit climbs at Lasco Manufacturing

November 6, 2022 by IC Insider.com

Profit rose 23 percent at Lasco Manufacturing for the three months to September to $469 million from $380 million in 2021 and 13 percent from $782 million in the six months to September 2021 to $883 million in 2022.
Gross profit margin fell in the first quarter to just 34 percent but rebounded to 37 percent in the second quarter to September this year, similar to what obtained in 2021 and brought the year to date margin to 36 percent compared to 37 percent the previous year, suggesting the company has now restored the margins to 2020 levels.
Revenues rose 22.6 percent in the quarter to $2.87 billion from $2.33 billion in 2021 and up 17.5 percent for the six months to $5.47 billion from $4.66 billion. Gross profit rose 18.4 percent to $1.07 billion in the quarter, from $870 million in 2021 and climbed 15.3 percent to $1.97 billion for the six months compared to $1.71 billion in 2021.
Operating expenses rose 18.5 percent to $378 million in the 2022 September quarter versus $319 million in the comparable quarter in 2021. They increased 10.75 percent to $690 million for the six months to September 2022 versus $623 million last year.
Finance cost fell to $7 million in the September quarter versus $13 million in the three months in 2021 and $15 million to the half year to September versus $29 million in the prior year, with taxation jumping to $210 million in the quarter versus $173 million in 2021 and to $361 million in the half year to September 2022 versus $327 million last year.

Some of Lasco’s products

Cash Flow generated inflows of $1.38 billion to September. Dividend absorbed $413 million and loan repayment $109 million while working capital took up $720 and $436 million went into short term investments and purchase of fixed assets, resulting in net outflows of $312 million.
Shareholders’ equity of $9.9 billion, up from $8.4 billion at the end of 2021. Long term borrowing is down to just $48 million, with the current portion due to be repaid over the next twelve months being $207 million, other current liabilities amount to $1.5 billion, leading to net existing assets of $5.8 billion after taking into account current assets of $7.5 billion that includes cash and equivalent of $2.9 billion.
Earnings per share was 11 cents for the quarter and 21 cents for the half year, with ICInsider.com projecting 60 cents for the entire year, giving it a PE of 6.5 at the stock price of $3.85 it closed at on Friday on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange and earnings of 80 cents per shares for the fiscal year 2024 that could see the stock hitting $15 by then.
According to executive chairman Lascelles Chin, the outlook is that they “remain cautiously optimistic for continued growth in the forthcoming quarters as we have seen an easing of supply chain bottlenecks and material cost inflation seems to have stabilized. With the ongoing geopolitical conflict in Europe, headwinds are, however, possible. Whatever may arise, we will remain focused and proactive in executing our business plan to deliver growth and margin progression.”

Filed Under: Buy Rated, Company News, Company Results Tagged With: Emerging markets, IC Insider BUY RATED, Jamaica Stock Exchange, junior market, Lascelles Chin, Lasco Manufacturing

Knutsford Express looking good

September 28, 2022 by IC Insider.com

Jamaica cross-country luxury bus operator, Knutsford Express is all smiles again having turned a loss of $96 million in 2021 into a profit of $78 million before other comprehensive income in the year to May 2022, but the position is even better when the loss of $33 million in the discontinued Florida business is considered.
Revenues for the year ending May 2022, jumped 77 percent to $1.11 billion from a covid19 battered 2021, with $629 million. Other income brought in $21.5 million for the year, with just about all, generated in the last quarter and appears to be from real estate rental. The audited statement says nothing about its source, but there was virtually no other income in the prior year.
The fourth quarter generated revenues of $339 million up 96 percent from $173 million in the May 2021 quarter, with profit surging to $82 million for the quarter, from a minuscule $10 million in 2021 before losses from the discontinued business.
Unfortunately, the company fails to compute direct operating costs, as such gross profit is not reported in their full year or quarterly reports. A clear backward step in an expanding financial space. Based on the audited financial statements, ICInsider.com computes gross profit before staff cost at 60 percent for 2022, up from 52 percent in 2021, with fuel accounting for the largest part, coming in at $150 million in 2022 from $73 million in the previous year. Parts and supplies accounted for $59 million, up from $29 million. Insurance costs rose to $37 million from $28 million last year, while Toll fees consumed $35 million against $20 million m 2021.
Operating expenses rose 40 percent to $979 million, from $698 million in 2021, with Salaries, wages and related expenses accounting for $306 million, up from $219 million in 2021, with the number of staff increasing from 178 to 221. Finance costs more than doubled from $15 million to $36.6 million.
Earnings per share for the year amounts to 16 cents, including losses from the discontinued business and 22 cents excluding it, while the fourth quarter delivered earnings of approximately 15 cents per share or 60 cents annualized. ICInsider.com projects full year 2023 earnings at 90 cents per share, with the PE ratio at 8.3 times 2023 earnings compared to a market average of just under 13, an indication that the stock is undervalued.
The company generated $267 million in gross cash inflows and expended $223 million on the purchase of fixed assets and was left with $54 million that helped in pushing total funds to $106 million at the end of the year, in addition, investments amounted to $92 million.
Borrowings moved from $487 million to $512 million, while payables rose from $98 million to $151 million. Shareholders’ equity rose from $666 million at the end of May last year to $751 million.
Knutsford Express is a buy, with the price more than doubling by the end of 2023.

Filed Under: Buy Rated, Company News, Company Results Tagged With: Emerging markets, IC Insider BUY RATED, Jamaica Stock Exchange, Jamaican stocks, junior market, Knutsford Express

Sygnus BUY RATED APO

December 22, 2020 by IC Insider.com

Sygnus Credit Investments public share offer that opened on December 18 is scheduled to close on Wednesday, December 23; the shares are attractively priced and should be eagerly taken up as investors traded the shares at $28 and 21 US cents in the last twelve months.
Sygnus is an international business company incorporated under the International Business Companies Act of Saint Lucia. It provides non-traditional financing to middle market businesses. The objective of SCI is to generate attractive risk adjusted returns with downside protection. SCI’s dividend policy is to pay out up to 85 percent of net income.
The company started operating successfully in 2017 in Jamaica, with its shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange in 2018, after offering 90.9 million shares to the public that were fully taken up by investors.
Jamaican denominated shares were then priced at J$13.72 for each and 11 US cents for each US dollar denominated share to raise US$10 million. Investors put down more than $3.8 billion to purchase the shares and the issue was up-sized to US$20.3 million. The FSC has now placed an upward limit on the upsizing of IPOs to no more than 50 percent of the initial amount offered.
The company is now offering 196.4 million shares to the public to raise US$22 million or J$3.3 billion equivalent in an additional public offering. The offer may be upsized to US$32 million or J$4.8 billion. The issue is priced at $14.70 and 13 US cents per share for existing shareholders and team members. The shares are available to other investors at $16.30 and 14 US cents each. The stock last traded on the Jamaica Stock Exchange at $16 and 15.7 US cents. The Minimum Subscription is 1,000 Shares.
Sygnus provides funding to mid-market businesses across a wide cross section of industries including, Manufacturing, Distribution, Energy, Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure by way of Notes or bonds, asset-backed debt, preference shares, leveraged debt, bridge financing, mezzanine debt, subordinated debt and other structured private credit instruments.
Mezzanine financing is a hybrid of debt and equity financing that gives the lender the right to convert to an equity interest in the company in case of default, generally, after venture capital companies and other senior lenders are paid.
Sygnus states that its industry exposure is limited to a maximum of 35 percent with no more than 25 percent in any single company or group of companies. The typical tenor is up to 5 years, with a maximum of 7 years in exceptional cases.
All investments they are involved in must have a clear exit strategy, which must be covered by, at a minimum, repayment of debt, sale of position, or Initial Public Offering.
The funds raised are to take advantage of pipeline opportunities in high quality middle-market firms, the company states. Increase flexibility to expand origination in trade, acquisition and asset-backed finance and play a leading role in financing the recovery and growth of middle-market firms. Pay down US$10M bridge notes and allow for more efficient utilization of debt markets in the future that will lower cost and improve the company’s flexibility in funding clients’ demands. Optimize the use of leverage to drive the rate of return on equity expansion and enhance dividends.
The company reports that the average annual dividend yield is 5 percent on USD shares and 5.5 percent on Jamaican dollar shares based on the IPO price of the stock in 2018.
The company has US$62.3 million invested in 29 Portfolio Companies in September 2020, an increase of 117 percent over September 2019, with an outlay of US$29 million in 18 Portfolio Companies. The company has commitments amounting to US$8.7 million to fund.
Investments are within the Caribbean, with 50 percent in Jamaica, the Dutch Caribbean islands account for 17 percent and St Lucia 12 percent, with the rest spread over other countries in the region.
The Company’s portfolio of investments surpassed the US$50 million for the year to June 2020 while generating US$4.5 million in total investment income and US$1.97 million in net profits, 3.8 percent less than the prior year with US$2.05 million. First quarter results to September saw Net profits climbing 51 percent to US$798,000 as total investment income grew 19.8 percent to US$1.3 million and portfolio investments grew 117 percent to US$62.3 million.
Shares will be allotted on a first come, first served basis. In other words, the first set of applicants will get full allotment until all the shares are issued as such late applications may end up getting no shares.
ICInsider.com projects earnings of $1.80 per share for the current year to June 2021 based on the existing issued shares with a PE ratio of 9 and 12 for the US dollar issue. The company is poised for growth. The stock is undervalued and should be bought for growth and income; accordingly, it gets ICInsider.com BUY RATED accolade.

Filed Under: Buy Rated, Feature Stories, Initial Public Offers Tagged With: APO, Daily Trading, Emerging markets, IC Insider BUY RATED, Jamaica Stock Exchange, Jamaican stocks, JSE US dollar market, Sygnus Capital Investments, Trading Activity

Q3 profit rises 33% at Grace Kennedy

November 13, 2020 by IC Insider.com

Grace Kennedy continues to enjoy a phenomenal year, with profit attributed to the company’s shareholders, rising 33 percent to $1.68 billion for the September quarter, from $1.26 billion for the 2019 third quarter and 35 percent for the nine months to September to $4.4 billion from $3.27 billion the corresponding period in 2019.

Don Wehby CEO of Grace

Taxation more than doubled in both periods, but profit before tax grew 49 percent in the third quarter to $2.8 billion and 51.5 percent to $7.3 billion for the nine-months.
Total comprehensive income increased by 5 percent for the three-month period to $2.2 billion but dropped by 37 percent for the nine months to September, from $9.2 billion to $5.8 billion.
The group had one of the best years for growth in revenues so far, with a rise of 16 percent for the quarter to $29.6 billion, from $25.5 billion in 2019 and up 12 percent $86 billion from $77 billion for the nine months. The previous best revenue performance was back in 2009 with a full-year increase of 19.7 percent and then 2015, with an increase of 12.6 percent, thereafter growth declined annually to 2019. Revenues grew 10.7 percent in 2016, 5.5 percent in 2017, 4.8 percent in 2018 and just 5.7 percent in 2019. According to the Managing Director Don Wehby, “the strong growth in revenues was fueled by the food division and particular international food business.”
Contributing to the 2020 growth is added revenue brought in with the acquisition of the majority shares in Key Insurance helping to drive revenue for the Insurance segment by 28 percent over 2019 to garner $7.7 billion. Food and trading segment continues to account for the lion’s share of the revenue tallying $68 billion for the nine months period, an 11 percent increase over 2019. Revenue for the Banking segment increased just 3 percent to $4.7 billion while Money Transfer grew 12 percent to $6.5 billion.

Grace Kennedy new headquarters in downtown Kingston

Expenses inclusive of net impairment losses increased 16 percent to $27.5 billion for the quarter and 12 percent to $81 billion for the year to date over the corresponding periods. While separating direct cost from the administrative cost in their audited accounts, Grace continues to short change investors by lumping all costs together in their interim reports.
Net Cash generating operations brought in $9.7 billion. Total assets grew by eight percent to $168 billion with growth in investment securities and receivables but a decline in inventories. At the end of September, shareholders’ equity stood at $56.5 billion and borrowings at $25 billion.
Profit for the quarter equates to Earnings per share of $1.69 and $4.47 for the nine months and should exceed $6.50 for the full year. The stock last traded at $58 on the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange with a PE ratio of 9 times 2020 earnings.

Filed Under: Buy Rated, Company News, Company Results Tagged With: Emerging markets, Grace Kennedy, IC Insider BUY RATED, Jamaica Stock Exchange

Mailpac Q3 profit surges 129%

November 11, 2020 by IC Insider.com

MailPac Group (MGL) continues to enjoy increasing strong profit growth despite the current pandemic, with revenue jumping 58 percent in the September quarter over the 2019 quarter and profit more than doubling.

Mailpac dominated trading on Thursday with 84% of the total volume of the market on Tuesday.

The company recorded net profit of $149 million for the quarter, a solid 129 percent jump from the $65 million the operation recorded for the September 2019 quarter. For the year-to-date, there was an even more sizeable growth of 150 percent, moving from $203 million in 2019 to $339 at the end of September 2020.
Revenues grew 58 percent over the September 2019 quarter, from $301 million to $477 million, and grew a stunning 30 percent over the June 2020 quarter with revenues of $366 million. For the year to September, revenues rose to $1.2 billion, 42 percent more than the $851 million recorded at the end of September 2019.
Gross profit rose to 50 percent from 44 percent in the June quarter but fell to 48 percent for the nine months compared to 52 percent in 2019.
Direct expenses jumped 57 percent from $150 million for the September 2019 quarter to $236 million for the September 2020 quarter and 15 percent over the June 2020 quarter. For the year to date, the expenses climbed by 52 percent from $410 million in 2019 to $623 million in 2020. Gross profit stood at $240 million for the quarter ending September 2020, up from $150 million in 2019 and $584 million for the year to date versus $442 million in 2019.
Administrative, selling and promotion expenses increased 22 percent over the second quarter and slipped two percent from the September 2019 quarterly figure of $86 million to $84 million. The Executive Chairman attributes the increase in expenses in the third quarter over the second quarter to its expanding operations, the partnership with PriceSmart presumably one such notable factor.
For the nine months to September, selling and promotion expenses amount to $30 million, up from $29 million in 2019, while administrative and general expenses dropped to $199 million, from $218 million in 2019. Overall, these expenses were down seven percent from $246 in 2019 to $228 million at the end of September 2020. The effect, operating profit, rose a strong 140 percent over the comparative quarter to $157 million from $65 million in 2019 and an 82 percent increase for the nine-month period, moving from $195 million to $356 million.
Finance costs rose for the quarter from $352,000 in 2019 to $11 million in 2020, while the nine months to September ended at $31 million from $3 million for 2019.

Mailpac CEO Khary Robinson.

Gross cash flow brought in $346 million but MGL recorded trade and other payables increase of $127 million, spent $12 million on the acquisition of fixed assets and paid $225 million in dividends to end with cash and equivalents of $309 million at the end of September. Shareholders’ equity stood at $467 million. Current assets ended the period at $369 million and Current liabilities at $185 million.
Earnings per share came out at 6 cents for the quarter and 14 cents to September. IC Insider.com is forecasting Mailpac will end the year at 20 cents per share for PE of 11 times earnings and they should go on to earn 33 cents in 2021.
At the IPO, the company projected a profit of $317 million in 2020, while IC Insider.com projected $356 and 14 cents per share. The nine months’ results are just below our full year’s forecast.
The stock is priced below the average of the Junior Market of 12 and offers strong upside potential. The strong current growth continues the trend since 2017, when revenues grew 12.2 percent, 25.7 percent in 2018 and 28.8 percent for the first half of 2019. The company offers a convenient way to shop and far less costly than traditional ways. Listing on the stock exchange provides greater credibility that augurs well for increased business. MGL provides clients with physical addresses in Miami, Florida, where they can receive all goods purchased are flown to Jamaica. The company clears all goods and delivers them to the customers at their homes or for collection.
On the negative side, the main asset owned is the brand and technology that drives the business. Other entities could break into the market and squeeze profit margin longer term.
Coming off a robust third quarter, MGL is entering what is normally the busiest time of the year for the company that should continue the solid growth experienced in 2020 so far.
The stock currently trades at $2.13 on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange. The company paid an interim dividend of 5 cents per share in July 2020 and 5 cents per share in October and more is expected, with the company promising at the time of the IPO that the Directors intend to pursue a dividend policy that projects an annual dividend of up to 75 percent of net profits available for distribution.

Filed Under: Buy Rated, Company News, Company Results Tagged With: Emerging markets, IC Insider BUY RATED, IPO, Jamaica Stock Exchange, Jamaican stocks, junior market, MailPac Group, Profit

Profit more than doubles at Kremi

October 16, 2020 by IC Insider.com

Profit after taxation at the IC Insider.com BUY RATED Caribbean Cream more than doubled, with a jump of 110 percent for the six months to August and 220 percent in the August quarter, to $74 million from $35 million in 2019 for the half-year and a rise from $14.7 million for the 2019 quarter to $47 million.
Operating revenues rose nine percent for the quarter, to $461 million from $422 million and six percent for the year to date, from $840 million in 2019 to $891 million. For the fiscal year to February, this year, revenues rose by 10 percent to $1.7 billion.
Improvement in profit margin resulted in gross profit rising faster than sales with 15 percent improvement in the first half of the year to $310 million versus $269 million in 2019 and 28 percent in the August quarter with gross profit of $171 from $133 million.
Selling, distribution and administrative expenses declined from $114 million in the 2019 quarter, to $111 million in 2020 and from $221 million in 2019, to $216 million in the six months to August. The decline in cost took place in spite of a sharp increase in depreciation charges in the current year, from $29 million to $59 million. Finance cost increased in the quarter to $6 million from $4 million in 2019 and from $10 million to $9 million for the six months period. Taxation doubled to $10.6 million for the half-year from $5 million in 2019 and moved from $2 million for the quarter to $6.7 million.
Historical results going back to the 2014 fiscal year shows steady annual growth in sales revenue but a more uneven increase in profits. The latter is partially due to the cost associated with expansion and the buying of market share that saw a less aggressive increase in selling prices for its products.
Earnings per share for the quarter came out at 12 cents and 20 cents for the six months.
Gross cash flow brought in $143 million, but growth in inventories, loan repayment offset by loan inflows and reduced payables pushed the cash funds to $152 million at the end of August, up from $58 million at the end of August 2019. With the increased profit for the year to date, shareholders’ equity now stands at $818 million, with borrowings at just $249 million. Net current assets ended the period at $191 million, including trade and other receivables of $63 million, while Current liabilities stood at $162 million.
The company paid 2.49 cents per share as the final dividend for the year ended February 29, 2020, on Friday, October 2. Net asset value is $2.16, with the stock selling at 2.3 times book value.
The results encouraged buying into the stock on Friday, with the price moving from $4.71 it last traded at on Thursday to a high of $5.25. IC Insider.com forecasts earnings of 60 cents per share for the current year that ends in February 2021 and 95 cents for 2022. The PE is currently 8.5 times the current year’s earnings based on the latest price of $5.15, the stock traded at on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.