Lasco Distributors rose from $2.85 to close at $3.25 after the company posted a 57 percent rise in first-quarter profit and Medical Disposables returns with the stock finding support just under $5 this past week after posting disappointing full-year results at the end of the prior week.
There was no change in the Main Market TOP 10 list for the week that saw the Main Market remaining relatively stable for the past week, while the Junior Market rose 35 points for the week on top of gains in the previous week.
Although Lasco Distributors is out of the TOP 10, investors should expect to see more gains, with the EPS of 38 cents for this fiscal year, as the stock trades at 8.7 times earnings compared with 11.2 for the Junior Market. Caribbean Cream reported good first-quarter results, suggesting a significant increase in full-year profits. The stock closed the week at $4, up from $3.65, and is poised for more gains in the weeks to come. There are limited offers to sell the stock while buying interest has picked up.
The top three stocks in each market saw little change in the rankings, leaving the top three Junior Market stocks, with the potential to gain between 239 to 695 percent by March 2021. The first is Caribbean Producers, followed by Lasco Financial and Stationery and Office Supplies.
The top three stocks in the Main Market, with expected gains of 182 to 233 percent, are Berger Paints followed by Radio Jamaica and JMMB Group.
Grace Kennedy new headquarters in downtown Kingston
This week’s focus: Grace Kennedy posted revenues of $56.5 billion, up 10 percent over the corresponding period of the prior year. Profit before tax was $4.5 billion, reflecting a 53 percent improvement over the same period in 2019. Net Profit after tax increased 36.5 percent to $2.75 billion after minority interest, with earnings per stock unit for the period of $2.77. The result to date is outstanding, projected earnings for 2021 is over $11 per share, putting the stock in the category of one of the best buys in the Main Market currently. IC Insider.com has upped its forecast for 2020 per share to $7.25, with a PE ratio of 8 at the closing stock price of $57.
QWI Investments just released its June quarter results, with a loss of $461 million for the year to date and a profit of $115 million in the latest quarter. The company’s portfolio comprises a mix of stocks mainly in Jamaica and the USA, with a smattering in Trinidad. At the end of July, the net asset value (NAV) continued to increase and ended the month at $1.06, up 11.5 percent from 95 cents at the end of March this year. The performance beats the JSE Main Market index that is down 2.5 percent over the same period and the JSE Combined Index down one percent for the same period. The NAV growth that reflects changes to the investment value plus dividend income after expenses is just behind the JSE Junior Market index that is up 12.4 percent over the same period. 
The stock price closed at 73 cents on the local market on Friday, at a steep discount of 41 percent to the net asset value.
Access Financial reported a first-quarter profit after tax to June of $33 million, compared to $165 million for the similar period in 2019 after additional provision for loan losses amounting to $67 million and loan write-off of $38 million. Income slipped as loans contracted, but the cost in some areas fell. The company is sound and is poised to return to higher levels of profit, and could even reverse some of the loan loss provisions going forward.
The targeted average PE ratio of the market is 20 based on the profits of companies reporting full year’s results from now to the second quarter in 2021. Both the Junior and Main markets are currently trading well below this level an indication of the potential gains ahead. 
The JSE Main Market ended the week, with an overall PE of 14.9 and the Junior Market at just 11.2, based on IC Insider.com’s projected 2020-21 earnings. The average PE ratio of the Junior Market has been slowly rising and narrowing the gap, with the Main Market as investors see better profit opportunities in this sector. The PE ratio for the Junior Market Top 10 stocks averages a mere 6.3 at just 56 percent to the average of the overall Junior Market. The Main Market TOP 10 stocks trade at a PE of 8.1 or 55 percent of the PE of the overall market.
The average projected gain for the IC TOP 10 stocks is 261 percent, for the Junior Market and 153 percent for the JSE Main Market, based on 2020-21 earnings, 
an indication that there is the potential to make greater gains in the Junior Market than in the Main Market.
IC TOP 10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns up to March 2021 and ranked in order of potential gains, based on likely gain for each company, taking into account the earnings and PE ratios for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate and will result in movements of the selection in and out of the lists for most weeks. Revisions to earnings per share are ongoing, based on receipt of new information.
Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.
At the close, the All Jamaican Composite Index carved out a gain of 4,915.75 points to settle at 405,893.04; the Main Index gained 4,474.49 points to end at 370,421.97, the JSE Financial Index advanced by 1.37 points to settle at 95.97.
An average of 374,929 units traded for the month to date at $2,445,605 for each security that traded, in contrast to 376,532 units at $2,496,231. Trading month to date compares adversely to June that ended with an average of 818,748 units at $7,498,308.
NCB Financial increased $2.50 to close at $138.50, with 12,621 stocks crossing the market, 138 Student Living carved out a loss 84 cents to settle at $6.04 with an exchange of 3,397 shares. PanJam Investment dropped 94 cents to end at $66.06, in finishing trading of 553 stock units, Sagicor Group rose 99 cents to end at $42.99 in exchanging 9,421 shares, Scotia Group increased $3.49 to $46.49 trading 55,656 units, Supreme Ventures gained 50 cents in ending at $15, with investors switching ownership of 24,033 units and Sygnus Credit Investments declined by 50 cents to close at $15.87 in an exchange of 13,780 shares.
At the close, the All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 2,282.23 points to settle at 400,977.29, the Main Index carved out a loss 1,985.25 points to close at 365,947.48 and the JSE Financial Index shed 0.64 points to end at 94.60.
An average of 293,833 units traded on Thursday at $1,749,718 for each security in comparison to an average of 486,116 at $3,097,438 on Wednesday. An average of 376,349 units traded for the month to date at $2,494,872 for each security that traded, in contrast to 380,152 units at $2,529,211. In contrast, June ended with an average of 818,748 units at $7,498,308.
Mayberry Jamaican Equities carved out a loss 65 cents, in ending at $8.05, after 153,810 stock units passed through the market. NCB Financial declined by $1 to close at $136 in trading 179,518 shares, 138 Student Living carved out a gain of 88 cents to settle at $6.88, with 107,744 units changing hands, Palace Amusement dropped $239 to $1550 while exchanging a mere one stock. PanJam Investment lost $1.98 to close at $67 with investors switching ownership of 51,626 shares, Proven Investments rose 50 cents to settle at $34.50 with an exchange of 5,079 stocks, Sagicor Group carved out a loss 97 cents to end at $42 in trading 266,591 units. Scotia Group fell $2.50 to settle at $43 and cleared the market with 132,151 stock units, Seprod shed $1.20 to close at $56 after exchanging 2,061 units and Wisynco Group rose 69 cents to $17.99 nd trading 6,314 shares.
At the close, the All Jamaican Composite Index gained 1,220.61 points to settle at 403,259.52. The JSE Main Index rose 1,024.69 points to settle at 367,932.73 and The JSE Financial Index gained 0.21 points to end at 95.24.
An average of 380,348 units traded for the month to date at $2,530,672 for each security that traded, in contrast to 374,963 units at $2,501,819. In contrast, June ended with an average of 818,748 units at $7,498,308.
Kingston Wharves increased by $3.99 to settle at $53 with investors switching ownership of 100 shares. NCB Financial Group declined by $1 to end at $137 in clearing the market with 274,124 stock units, Palace Amusement advanced by $6.50 to end at $1,789 in an exchange of one share, PanJam Investment increased $3.99 to settle at $68.98, after 396,216 stock units changed hands. Proven Investments rose $1.49 to end at $34 after exchanging 16 shares, Sagicor Group gained 97 cents to settle at $42.97 in trading 330,558 shares, Scotia Group advanced $2.50 to $45.50 in trading 321,309 units and Sterling Investments climbed 50 cents and ended at $3.25 in an exchange of 1,598 units.
Trading ended with 41 securities changing hands, two less than on Monday and the average PE Ratio of the market ended at 15 based on IC Insider.com’s forecast of 2020-21 earnings.
An average of 374,764 units traded for the month to date at $2,500,318 for each security that traded, in contrast to 379,528 units at $2,567,817. In comparison, June ended with an average of 818,748 units at $7,498,308.
Jamaica Stock Exchange carved out a loss of 45 cents to settle at $21.50 with an exchange of 64,430 stock units changing hands, JMMB Group gained 40 cents to end at $31.40 with 60,637 shares traded, Key Insurance advanced $1 to close at $7, with investors transferring 43,499 units. Kingston Wharves shed $2.49 to finish at $49.01 with 2,285 shares changing hands, Mayberry Investments fell 75 cents to settle at $5.75, with an exchange of just 100 stock units, Mayberry Jamaican Equities dropped $1.19 to finish at $8.75 in a transfer of 49,886 units. NCB Financial declined by $1.94 to close at $138 trading 43,164 shares, PanJam Investment fell $1.06 to end at $64.99 with an exchange of 12,874 stock units, Proven dropped 99 cents, to finish at $32.51, with 3,100 stock units changing hands. Sagicor Group lost $1.74 to end at $42 while exchanging 13,987 units, Scotia Group declined $1.20 to finish at $43 with investors swapping 40,961 units, Sterling Investments fell 45 cents in ending at $2.75 with 23,215 stock units passing through the market and Supreme Ventures dipped 60 cents to close at $14.50 with 290,089 shares crossing the exchange.
At the close, the prices of 16 stocks rising, the 17 stocks declining and ten remaining unchanged, with the average PE Ratio of the market, ending at 15.3 based on IC Insider.com’s forecast of 2020-21 earnings. In the end, the All Jamaican Composite Index just carved out a gain of 234.59 points to 406,241.88, the Main Index squeezed out a rise of 434.91 points to at 370,741.73, while the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.20 points to 95.91.
June ended with an average of 818,748 units at $7,498,308.
Jamaica Stock Exchange advanced by 45 cents to $21.95, with 11,122 stock units crossing the market, JMMB Group declined by 50 cents to end at $31 after exchanging 74,555 stock units, Key Insurance climbed $1 in closing at $6 and clearing the market with 49,631 shares. Mayberry Investments increased $1.20 t $6.50 with investors switching ownership of 10,421 shares, Palace Amusement jumped $232.50 to close at $1782.50 with investors trading just stock unit, PanJam Investment fell 96 cents after closing at $66.05 and exchanging 3,087 shares. Portland JSX declined by $1.10 to close at $7.25 trading 80,000 units, Proven Investments gained 50 cents to end at $33.50 with 18,517 stock units changing hands, Sagicor Real Estate Fund carved out a gain of $1.17 in ending at $8.92 with an exchange of 1,217 units. Scotia Group lost 30 cents closing at $44.20 with investors swapping 155,653 stock units and Seprod gained $1 to close at $57, with 24,527 shares changing hands.
There was no change in the Main Market TOP 10 list for the week that saw the Main Market stocks lopping 6,300 points off the market index while the Junior Market rose 26 points.
Profit from continuing operations grew at a slower pace at 38 percent for the second quarter and 41 percent for the half-year. Revenues increased 18 percent to $9.5 billion for the June quarter and 12 percent to $18.6 billion for the six months. The company shuttered its loss-making sugar operations last year and that is helping with the improvement in results.
IC Insider.com is projecting $4 per share earnings for the current year and it now trades at a PE ratio of 14, with limited upside potential in the short term.
The average projected gain for the IC TOP 10 stocks is 269 percent, for the Junior Market and 146 percent for the JSE Main Market, based on 2020-21 earnings, an indication that there is the potential to make greater gains in the Junior Market than in the Main Market.
At the close, the All Jamaican Composite Index declined by 727.14 points to 406,007.29, the Main Index carved out a loss 658.24 points to 370,306.82, the JSE Financial Index fell 0.37 points to 96.11.
An average of 160,072 units traded for the day at $1,063,508 for each security in comparison to an average of 129,202 at $1,050,176 on Thursday. An average of 381,808 units traded for the month to date at $2,640,059 for each security that traded, in contrast to 396,128 units at $2,741,845. In contrast, June ended with an average of 818,748 units at $7,498,308.
Palace Amusement dived $175 to $1,550 after exchanging one stock unit, PanJam Investment shed $2.99 in closing at $67.01 with investors swapping 1,112 shares, Proven Investments dropped $1 to settle at $33 in an exchange of 7,955 stock units. Sagicor Group carved out a gain of 75 cents to close at $43.75, with 3,908 units crossing the exchange, Salada Foods climbed 40 cents to settle at $28 trading 660 units, Scotia Group fell $1.75 to $44.50 and finishing trading with 32,231 shares. Seprod jumped $4 in ending at $56 with 137,391 units passing through the market after the company reported a strong increase in half-year profit. Sterling Investments climbed by 60 cents to settle at $3.15 after 100,977 shares crossed the market and Supreme Ventures lost 69 cents in closing at $14.86 with an exchange of 151,113 units.
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange gave back more of the gains enjoyed last week as investors cut, the All Jamaican Composite Index down by 2,574.66 points to 406,734.43 and slashed 2,330.72 points off the Main Index to close at 370,965.06. 
The market closed with an exchange of 4,909,660 shares for $39,906,681 compared to 5,825,935 units at $58,494,661 on Wednesday. Transjamaican Highway led trading with 1.52 million shares for 30.9 percent of total volume, followed by Carreras with 810,362 units for 16.5 percent of the day’s trade and Mayberry Investments with 707,749 units for 14.4 percent market share.
At the close of the market, Barita Investments carved out a loss $1 to end at $55 in trading 1,018 shares, Caribbean Cement gained 50 cents to settle at $45.50 to finish with 13,650 stock units changing hands, Eppley dropped 39 cents to close at $17 trading 50,142 units. Jamaica Broilers Group fell $1 to settle at $26.50 in exchanging 2,082 shares, Kingston Wharves gained $1.50 to settle at $51.50 with 1,290 stock units passing through the market, Proven Investments lost 50 cents to settle at $34, with 990 shares crossing the exchange. Sagicor Group fell $3 to settle at $43 while exchanging 61,960 units and Scotia Group carved out a gain of $1.25 and ending at $46.25, with 3,859 shares crossing the exchange.
At the close, the All Jamaican Composite Index lost 1,098.40 points to 409,309.09, the Main Index carved out a loss 911.96 points to 373,295.78 and the JSE Financial Index increased 0.35 points to close at 97.35.
An average of 153,314 units traded for the day at $1,539,333, for each security, in comparison to an average of 688,966 at $2,207,104 on Tuesday. An average of 411,515 units traded for the month to date at $2,839,392 for each security that traded, in contrast to 427,314 units at $2,918,945. In contrast, June ended with an average of 818,748 units at $7,498,308.
Caribbean Cement dropped $4.40 to close at $45 while exchanging 25,035 stock units, Gracekennedy advanced by $1 to $57 with an exchange of 14,296 units. Jamaica Broilers Group increased $2 to close at $27.50, with 409,695 stock units crossing the exchange, Kingston Wharves carved out a loss $3.90 to close at $50 after 1,077 units crossed the market, Mayberry Investments rose 68 cents to $5.98, with 5,015 stock units crossing the market. NCB Financial Group jumped 99 cents to end at $139.99 with investors swapping 15,784 stock units, Palace Amusement shed $25 to end at $1725 with investors switching ownership of 14 shares, PanJam Investment gained $5 to end at $70 in trading 59,013 units. Proven Investments jumped $1.50 to end at $34.50 in an exchange of 38,173 stock units, Sagicor Real Estate Fund dropped by 74 cents to $7.75 in an exchange of 43,000 stock units. Salada Foods fell $3.38 to close at $27.60, with 31,970 shares changing hands and Supreme Ventures advanced 48 cents to close at $15.70 in trading 1,067,865 units.