Profit rose a cool 16 percent at Jamaica Broilers Group for the quarter to July 2023, to $1.2 billion over the $1.1 billion in the July 2022 quarter from a mere two percent increase in revenues to $23.4 billion from $23 billion in 2022.
Jamaica Broilers
Gross profit grew faster than revenues, with an increase of 8 percent to $5.7 billion from $5.3 billion in the prior year. The Jamaica Operations had segment results of $1.75 billion, down 7 percent below last year’s result of $1.88 billion. “The reduction was mainly driven by increased pressure from high levels of imports, affecting baby chick sales to our small farmers,” Robert Levy, Chairman and Christopher Levy, Group President & CEO advised investors in their comments on the quarter’s performance.
“The Jamaica Operations showed an increase of 5 percent over the corresponding quarter, which was mainly driven by poultry sales. Our US Operations reported a b segment result of $1.2 billion for the first quarter, 44 percent above last year’s results,” the directors went on to state. The group earned $815 million in segment results in 2022 from segment revenues of $9.2 billion which slipped to $9.1 billion in 2023 from external business in the US Operations.
“We did have a 3 percent decline in total revenue due primarily to falling prices in most of our product lines. However, a 56 percent year over year increase in poultry volumes assisted in offsetting the negative market pressures. Our South Carolina plant which produces the Best Dressed Chicken line of products has gained impressive market acceptance in the United States,” the directors reported.
The Caribbean operations segment that had positive results of $106 million in 2022 recorded a loss of $480 million in 2023.
Administrative costs declined marginally from $2.98 billion to $2.92 billion in the current period, distribution costs rose four percent from $690 million to $720 million, finance costs almost doubled, moving from $320 million to $633 million, taxation moved up from $332 million to $393 million during the 2023 quarter.
Total comprehensive income ended the quarter at $1.45 billion up from $920 million in 2022.
The group reported earnings per share of $1.24 versus $1.07 in 2022. ICInsider.com projects earnings of $7 for the current fiscal year and $9 for the following one. The stock last traded at $32.50, with a price earnings ratio of just under 5, compared to the average of the market of 12.4 based on current year’s earnings.
The group continues to fund expansion with $952 million invested in fixed assets during the quarter, down from $1.2 billion in the similar quarter in 2022, with net fixed assets climbing almost $7 billion from $15.4 billion to $22.2 billion at the end of the quarter. Funds were borrowed to finance the investment in fixed assets, with new loan funding of $2.44 billion during the quarter compared to $3.7 billion in the previous year. Loans repaid amounted to just $664 million versus $1.6 Billion in the previous year. The increased borrowing is the major factor in the climb in interest costs during the quarter, in addition to movement in interest rates internationally.
Cash inflows before working capital requirements for $3.4 billion and is up from $2.6 billion in the previous year after working capital funding rose, the group ended up with a negative cash flow of $2 billion that is up from $1 billion in the previous year.
After the investment in fixed assets, loan payments and receipts, the group was left with negative cash flows for the quarter of $1.9 billion which reduced cash from $4.6 billion at the beginning of the year to $2.8 billion.
The statement of financial position shows a healthy financial status with equity capital of $34 billion net current assets of $17 billion, total current assets amounting to $51 billion and total current liabilities of $34 billion which includes short term borrowings of $21 billion.
A total of 22,184,532 shares were traded for $189,538,021 compared with 13,644,908 units at $75,752,827 on Thursday, including General Accident that was added to the Main Market but only traded 100 shares at the price of $6.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 13 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and seven with lower offers.
Mayberry Investments dropped $1 to end at $7 in an exchange of 279,105 stocks. Mayberry Jamaican Equities lost 50 cents and ended at $10 after exchanging 6,074 stock units, NCB Financial rose $4.97 to $69.97 in an exchange of 51,699 stocks, Proven Investments dipped $1.87 to close at $20.12 with stakeholders exchanging 11,810 units, Pulse Investments fell 36 cents and ended at $2.06 with investors dealing in 10,577 shares. Radio Jamaica increased 38 cents to end at $1.79 as investors exchanged 2,318,438 units, Sagicor Group gained $3.48 in closing at $48.48, with 202,225 shares crossing the market, Seprod climbed $4.91 to $74.90 after 75,505 stock units passed through the exchange and Stanley Motta advanced 35 cents to close at $5.95 in trading 6,053,426 stocks.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% popped $6.40 and ended at $48.40 after an exchange of 113 stock units and JMMB Group 7% preference share rallied 43 cents in closing at $2.30 after 522 shares were traded.
A total of 13,644,908 shares were traded for $75,752,827 down from 45,685,912 units at $335,401,719 on Wednesday.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.6. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Kingston Wharves rose $1 in closing at $29, with 17,510 stocks changing hands, Mayberry Jamaican Equities dipped 75 cents and ended at $10.50 after hitting an intraday 52 weeks’ low of $8.01, with 3,441 shares clearing the market, NCB Financial dropped $3 to $65 after 227,799 stock units passed through the market. Pan Jamaica rallied $1.20 to end at $50.20 with an exchange of 12,890 stocks, Portland JSX advanced 30 cents to close at $10.80 in switching ownership of 1,939 shares, Proven Investments increased $1.99 and ended at $21.99 with traders dealing in 12,480 units. Sagicor Group rallied 40 cents to $45 with a transfer of 204,396 shares, Seprod rose 74 cents in closing at $69.99, with investors trading 4,137 stock units and Stanley Motta advanced 32 cents to end at $5.60, with 2,117,321 units crossing the market
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share gained $2 to end at $105 with shareholders swapping 1,400 stocks.
A total of 45,685,912 shares were traded for $335,401,719 compared to 6,414,893 units at $41,595,803 on Tuesday.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.3. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Kingston Wharves rallied 51 cents and ended at $28 with a transfer of 93,940 shares, Mayberry Investments advanced 50 cents to $8 with stakeholders exchanging 42,900 stocks. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy jumped $13 to end at $83 while exchanging 1,477 shares, NCB Financial increased $2.50 to close at $68, with 37,557 stocks crossing the market, Pan Jamaica gained $3.25 in closing at $49 with investors dealing in 40,529 stock units. Portland JSX popped $2.07 in closing at $10.50 after 20,000 units changed hands, Supreme Ventures dipped $1.52 to close at $27, with 202,492 stock units changing hands and Wisynco Group rallied 56 cents and ended at $17.90 in an exchange of 175,282 shares.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 7% preference share lost 53 cents to close at $1.87 after a transfer of 3,787 stocks, 138 Student Living preference share leapt $22.70 to end at $103 with investors trading 3,889 units and Productive Business Solutions 10.5 % preference share dipped $1 and ended at $1,214 in switching ownership of 11 shares.
A total of 6,414,893 shares were traded for $41,595,803, far adrift from 14,060,598 units at $91,699,748 on Monday.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.3. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Kingston Properties dropped 78 cents in closing at $6.50 with investors exchanging 5,498 units. Kingston Wharves advanced $2.49 to $27.49, with just 32 stocks changing hands, Massy Holdings dipped 52 cents and ended at $103.88 with an exchange of 250 stock units, Mayberry Investments climbed 38 cents to close at $7.50 after investors traded 15,050 shares. Pulse Investments rose 39 cents to end at $2.39 with investors transferring 278,723 stocks, Scotia Group gained $2.05 in closing at $34.05 with a transfer of 1,941 units, Seprod skidded 41 cents and ended at $68.99 after 1,725 stocks passed through the market and Supreme Ventures increased $1.17 to end at $28.52 after exchanging 59,109 units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share popped 43 cents to close at $6.58 after 201 shares were exchanged, Jamaica Public Service 7% lost $11.07 to close at $42 with shareholders swapping 1,650 stock units and Productive Business Solutions 10.5 % preference share jumped $195 to $1,215 with investors dealing in 21 stocks.
A total of 14,060,598 shares were traded for $91,699,748 compared to 3,872,550 units at $72,059,401 on Friday.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.2, the JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
NCB Financial advanced 40 cents to end at $65.50 with investors transferring 103,724 stocks, Pan Jamaica rallied 75 cents in closing at $45.75, with 35,700 units clearing the market, Proven Investments skidded $4.20 to $20 after a transfer of 3,396 stock units. Sagicor Real Estate Fund gained 30 cents and ended at $8.30 in an exchange of 112 stock units, Scotia Group declined $2 to close at $32 with traders dealing in 265,169 stocks and Seprod dipped 39 cents to end at $69.40 after 2,428 units passed through the market.
Jamaica Public Service 7% climbed $8.78 and ended at $53.07 after trading 197 units and 138 Student Living preference share lost $24.70 to close at $80.30, with 4,300 shares crossing the market.
The Main Market had just two stocks with notable price changes this past week, with 
The PE of the Junior Market Top 10 sits at 5.2 just half of the market at 10.4. There are 10 stocks or 26 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 29, averaging 19 that are well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 15, possibly the lowest fair value for Junior Market stocks currently, and projected to rise by 288 percent to May 2024.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners, accordingly, the list includes some of the best companies in the market but not always. ICInsider.com ranks stocks based on projected earnings, allowing investors to focus on the most undervalued stocks and helping to remove emotions in selecting stocks for investments that often result in costly mistakes.
Overall, 3,872,550 shares were traded for $72,059,401 up from 6,606,269 units at $40,160,944 on Thursday.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 10 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
Kingston Wharves skidded $3.72 to close at a multiyear low of $24 with stakeholders exchanging 45,945 stocks. Massy Holdings dipped 23 cents to end at $104.17 with traders dealing in 178 shares, Mayberry Investments shed 81 cents to $7.10 after a transfer of 18,129 stocks, Pan Jamaica increased $3.90 in closing at $45 with 230,694 stock units crossing the market, Sagicor Group climbed 80 cents in closing at $44.60 with investors transferring 15,345 units. Sagicor Real Estate Fund dipped 34 cents to close at $8, with 20,000 shares changing hands, Scotia Group popped 50 cents and ended at $34 in trading 92,228 stocks and Supreme Ventures gained 50 cents to end at $27.50 after exchanging 19,296 units.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 7.25% preference share advanced 23 cents to $1.90 after an exchange of 544 stock units and 138 Student Living preference share jumped $11.52 and ended at $105 as investors exchanged 114 units.
A total of 6,606,269 shares were traded at $40,160,944 compared to 4,914,260 units at $86,517,288 on Wednesday.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE of 12.2. The JSE Main and USD Market PEs are based on last traded prices and earnings projected by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Margaritaville rose 30 cents to close at $16.30 after trading in just 2 units, Mayberry Investments climbed 91 cents in closing at $7.91 after an exchange of 6,021 stock units, Pan Jamaica dropped $4.65 to $41.10 after investor traded 4,743 stocks, Proven Investments popped $2.66 to $24.18 with shareholders swapping 54 shares. Sagicor Group declined 20 cents to end at a 52 weeks’ low of $43.80, with 18,994 stocks clearing the market, Scotia Group rallied $1.30 and ended at $33.50 with a transfer of 7,270 units, Stanley Motta increased 48 cents to close at $5.33 with investors transferring 25,900 stock units, Victoria Mutual Investments advanced 26 cents to end at $2.98 after 2,400 shares passed through the market and Wisynco Group dipped 71 cents and ended at $17, with 19,911 stocks crossing the exchange.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share lost $1.30 in closing at $18.65 after a transfer of 2 units, Jamaica Public Service 7% shed $12.71 to land at $44.29 in an exchange of 809 stock units and JMMB Group 7.25% preference share skidded 23 cents to close at $1.67 in switching ownership of 1,902 shares.
A total of 4,914,260 shares were traded for $86,517,288 up from 4,072,123 units at $39,480,185 on Tuesday.
The Main Market closed with an average PE Ratio of 12.2. The JSE Main and USD Market PEs are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Mayberry Jamaican Equities rose 34 cents to close at $11.25 clearing the market with 2,300 shares, NCB Financial dropped $2.50 in closing at $65 with a transfer of 97,064 stock units, 138 Student Living increased 21 cents to end at $4.31 closed at 12,878 stocks, Pan Jamaica lost 25 cents and ended at $45.75 after exchanging 14,580 stock units, Proven Investments dipped 48 cents to close at $21.52 crossing the exchange 14,426 stocks, Pulse Investments declined 21 cents to $1.84 after an exchange of 130,001 shares, Scotia Group lost $1.75 and ended at $32.20 crossing the market 31,010 units, Seprod gained $3.89 in closing at $69.90 trading 6,819 units, Supreme Ventures rose 50 cents to end at $27 with traders dealing in 169,979 shares, Wisynco Group dropped 29 cents to close at $17.71 while exchanging 125,1stock units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share dipped $1.21 to $5.56 changing hands 156,664 stocks and Jamaica Public Service 7% rallied $15 to $57 passed through the market 222 stocks.