JSE: NCB hits $20 as market keeps gaining

May 27, 2013 by

Friday, 24th May 2013  | Gains from National Commercial Bank up $1.16, Carreras up $1, Pan Jamaican Investment Trust up 99 cents and JMMB up 30 cents were strong enough to overcome the $1.54 decline in Jamaica Producers, 33 cents fall in the price of Sagicor Life and $1.13 in Scotia Group to help the main indices post positive gains on Friday.

Junior market | The junior market saw AMG Packaging climbing 50 cents to $4.50 a new 52 weeks high with 58,512 shares trading, Cargo Handlers picked up 17 cents in trading 10,000 units. Lasco Distributor gained 29 cents. The stock traded only traded 3,080 shares but the bid closed above the last selling price with 55,344 units on the bid, at the end of trading. Lasco Financial traded at an all time high of $8.25 up 14 cents on the day. New junior market listed Caribbean Creams traded 650,473 units to close at $1.09 having traded as high as $1.12 on the day. Grace was one of three stocks that traded at 52 weeks high.

BullMarket280x150Level of trade | Investors poured $20 million into 19 stocks with 1.6 million units changing hands, on a day when advancing stocks again outnumbered declining ones 9 to 6. All of the market’s indices continue to move up on Friday with the exception of the index for cross listed stocks and the US dollar index. In both cases, no stocks were traded.

Indices gain | The all Jamaica composite gained 2,023 points for the week or just over twice the gains of the prior week closing at 86,596.66 points. The junior market gained 15 points less than the 24 points picked up in the previous week, to close at 667.61 points.

Bids above last price | 9 stocks closed with bids that were higher than the last traded price and none closed with offers that were less than the last traded price, an indication that price gains are likely to continue into the coming week.

Stocks to watch | Stocks to watch this coming week include Scotia Group that reported better 6 months results than last year’s half year profit. Others to watch are Grace Kennedy, Blue Power, Lasco Financial, Desnoes & Geddes and JMMB and Sagicor Life.

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Filed Under: JSE Main Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , ,

Pan Jam’s profit dented too

May 26, 2013 by

Pan Jamaican investment trust reported net profit of $224 million, down 55 percent on 2012 earnings of $502 million for the quarter ending March.  The results were impacted significantly by Sagicor Life Jamaica Limited (SLJ) participation in the Government of Jamaica National Debt Exchange in February. SLJ recorded a realised loss on the exchange of bonds tendered in the NDX of $1.1 billion. Associated and joint venture companies contributed less profit for the quarter, declining by $136 million compared to the 2012 1st quarter amount of $373 million. The share of SLJ’s earnings, decreased by $175 million (47%) to $194 million.

The earnings per stock come out at $1.05 (2012: $2.36).  The fall in earnings from the associates is temporary and will not affect the company’s operations in a major way going forward. The effect is a reduction in interest income as the bonds swapped carry lower coupon rates than the original ones.

Increased cost | The group incurred an increase in finance costs of $179 million and a decrease of $136 million in the share of results of associated and joint venture companies, this was partly offset by increased investment income of $67 million resulting from foreign exchange gains on our US$ investments. Property income was flat year on year, as a $10 million improvement in rental income was offset by reduced net lease recoveries and property appreciation. Operating expenses increased 13 percent or $28 million, driven principally by a 27% increase in general and administrative costs as a result of staff realignment and increased professional fees.

Sagicor150x150As per the company’s report: “Finance costs increased by $179 million to $195 million for the quarter, resulting from increased debt used to fund the purchase of an additional 8% of SLJ’s shares in July, 2012 and the drawdown of the remainder of the US$17.5 million IFC loan in December, 2012. We have, however, retained a net long position in US$ to ensure that our stockholders’ equity is appropriately protected against devaluation risk. Rentable properties enjoyed occupancy levels exceeding 95% for the 1st quarter, while segment operating profit of $184 million for the quarter was $26 million, 16%, better than last year. Our investment management segment posted operating profit of $28 million for the quarter, more than double last year’s 1st quarter segment operating profit of $12 million.”

Associate & Joint Ventures | “Associated companies consist principally of our 32.8% investment in SLJ. We also hold minority positions in New Castle Co. Limited (owners of the Walkerswood and Busha Browne lines of sauces and seasonings), Mavis Bank Coffee Factory Limited (“Mavis Bank”), Hardware & Lumber Limited (“H&L”), Caribe Hospitality Limited (developers of the planned New Kingston Marriott Courtyard Hotel) and Chukka Caribbean Adventures (“Chukka”) acquired in April 2012.”

PamJamChukkaCove150x150H&L reported net earnings of $9.9 million for the 1st quarter, compared to $3.9 million for the same period last year. Revenue and gross margin both increased compared to last year. The investments in Chukka and Mavis Bank produced solid results.

Total assets amount to $21.7 billion and stockholders’ equity increased to $16.5 billion, equating to a book value per stock unit of $78.

Stock outlook | A dividend of $1.10 per stock unit was paid March 2013.  The company will not pay the usual quarterly dividend in June, having doubled up on the one paid in March.The stock which traded on Wednesday, 22nd May at $54 is considered to be severely undervalued and is a good long term investment.

To read IC Insider’s latest report “Sagicor undervalued despite $B NDX hit” , click here.

Filed Under: Company News, Company Results Tagged With: , ,

SVL: Revenues down, big profit increase

May 26, 2013 by

Supreme Ventures Limited posted net profit after tax for the first quarter of $301 million, a 64 percent increase over $184 million for the comparative period in 2012. The improvement was directly attributable to low lottery game payments for the quarter and a huge change to taxation charge on profit. While pretax profit climbed by $38 million, the tax on profit fell from $162 million in 2012 to just $82 million in 2013. The reduction in taxation is not sustainable. The rate used in the quarter was 25 percent, going forward it will be 30 percent. In all likelihood the charge for the first quarter may also have to be adjusted upwards to 30 percent as well.

“We continue to remind our investors that volatilities in game liabilities can adversely impact profitability in any financial quarter. The overall profitability of the company was also positively impacted by a $791.3 million reduction in direct expenses, reorganization of the company’s operating structure and interest income”, a management statement said.

SupremeVenturesSVLlogo_150x150Challenges | The second quarter onwards is poised to be a very challenging, as new tax measures for the sector took effect in April 2013. The tax package aims to collect a further $1.5 billion from the gaming industry.

The measures increase the tax rate for each lottery game from 17 percent to 20 percent and 23 percent to 25 percent respectively. The Company has taken the decision to absorb the fees for 2013, in light of what they see as uncertainty with the implementation process for this new licensing regime. They also speak of the elimination of the unclaimed prize allocation previously retained by the company. This allocation now has to be paid over to the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission. The effect of these new tax measures will no doubt affect the Company’s ability to achieve the levels of profitability projected over 2012.

SupremeVenturesSVLAcropolislogo150x150Revenues | Revenue for the quarter was down 9 percent to $7.4 billion compared to $8.15 billion for the corresponding quarter in 2012. The gaming company management indicated that the decline was mainly due to decreases in lottery and VLT revenues of 11 percent and 39 percent respectively when compared to the same period in 2012. The significant decline in VLT revenues was directly attributable to closure of the Coral Cliff gaming lounge in Montego Bay for refurbishing which was rebranded and reopened as Acropolis Montego Bay on 7th March. Acropolis Portmore was also temporarily closed in January for refurbishing and new layout of the gaming floor. It is yet to be reopened. The Odyssey Gaming Lounge opened on 7th February and is enjoying early market support.

The Earnings per Share was $0.11, compared to $0.07 for the corresponding period in 2012.

The company has equity of $4 billion and borrowed debt of only $324 million. Cash was $1.45 billion at the end of March, more than enough to cover short term liabilities.

SupremeVenturesSVL_150x150A dividend of $0.10 per share amounting to $263.725 million was paid in March. The company says it continues to execute an aggressive dividend payment policy, of quarterly payments based on the company’s performance.

During the quarter, the company commenced a scheme of amalgamating the betting, gaming and lottery operations of its subsidiaries into a single operating entity called Prime Sports (Jamaica) Limited.

The Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission renewed the lottery license which has been issued to Prime Sports (Jamaica) Limited and will expire in January 2033. The company’s Bookmaker’s Permit was also renewed and issued to Prime Sports (Jamaica) Limited with the next renewal date being 31st March 2015.

Stock outlook | The stock traded on Monday, 2oth May at $3, up from $2.80 before the release of the results and is up from $2.60 at the start of May. Investing in the stock with the hope of short-term gains seem to be a bit of a gamble at this time.

Filed Under: Company News, Company Results Tagged With: ,

Pulse looking better

May 23, 2013 by

Pulse Investments disclosed earnings in the March quarter of $45.4 million a slight improvement over the $44.3 million generated in the 2012 period. For the nine months to date, earnings are up to $148 million against $136 million in 2012. The company generated revenues of $210 million and $171 million for the nine months to March 2012. While the net earnings are close to 2012 figures, the quality this year is better with $99 million being earned to date before a $51.5 million appreciation in investment property (2012 $82.5 million) was booked as income thus boosting the net profits.

Administrative expenses declined in both the quarter and for the nine months this year versus 2012. Earnings per share is put at 16 cents in the quarter and 53 cents year to date suggesting that around 70 cents earnings per share for the full year to June is possible.

Pulse280X150The company’s statement of financial position is undergoing a slow metamorphic change as loan liability is down to $24.4 million from $26 million in 2012. Cash funds are up to $13.3 million from $9.9 million in March last year. Trade receivables are down from $50 million at the end of March last year to $22 million this year. Payables are up from $38.3 million to $45.5 million.

Pulse shares last traded at $1.60 but there haven’t been any serious takers for them with an offer in place for several months at $1.60. The stock is undervalued but there is not likely to be any strong demand for a while. All that could change, if the stock market continues to push the prices of the better quality stocks upwards forcing investors to look elsewhere for stocks to invest in. Pulse could come into its own.

Pulse Investments’ business is focused on grooming models and contracting them out to the trade, staging Caribbean Fashion Week, ownership of shops and other property for rent.

Filed Under: Company News, Company Results Tagged With: ,

JSE: Wednesday, 22nd May 2013

May 23, 2013 by

JSE flashes a strong bull signal  | When the Jamaica stock market closed there were 12 stocks which had bids higher than the last selling price with no offers below the last selling price, a strong bull signal. Additionally 3 stocks traded at 52 weeks high and the advance/decline ratio was 3 to 1 with 13 stocks gaining and 4 down.

The all Jamaica index closed up 1,025 points ending the day at 86,150 and the main market index was up 582 points closing at 86,275.28.  The all Jamaica index is just below the February 6th level of 87,430 points. The most telling bullish sign is that the market index has decisively broken through the upper resistance level of the major downward slopping channel that goes back to 2004. There is one short-term resistance level to break through and this should happen in a day or two as the all Jamaica index is just touching that line. With the positive number of stocks that can’t get orders filled at current levels, the break will happen soon.

Newly listed Caribbean Cream traded as high as $1.20 but closed at $1.1 as over 861,000 shares traded. The offer closed at $1.10 with a bid of $1.07. Carreras closed up $2.48 trading over 86,000 units to close at $60. D&G was up 30 cents closing at $4.90 on very small volume. Grace gained 50 cents closing at $60.50 with only 2,000 shares trading. Junior Market Honey Bun lost 50 cents closing at $3.50 but only 1,000 shares changed hands. Lasco Manufacturing posted a $1.19 gain trading at $12.50 with just 6,000 of the stock traded. Pan Jam lost $3.59 to close down at $54.01 and 11,619 shares traded. Scotia group gained $1.39 closing at $$21.60 and Scotia Investments is up $3 to close at $26.50 with 246,800 units by one buy order on the bid at the last selling price.

Trading took place in 2,700,407 shares with a value of $20,978,749.

JSEINdicesMay22

Filed Under: JSE Main Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , ,

Carreras gives 15.3% return

May 23, 2013 by

Carreras Limited has declared an interim dividend of $1.30 per share and a special dividend of $0.94 per share payable on June 20, 2013 to shareholders on record as at June 6, 2013. The ex-dividend date is June 4, 2013.

This latest dividend brings the total paid since June last year to $7.64. Shareholders who bought shares around the $50 level when Lascelles sold a block of the Carreras shares last year, have enjoyed a 15.3 percent dividend income return. The stock closed today at $60, making a total gain of 35 percent within a year.

Carreras paid an interim dividend of $1.40 per share and a special dividend of $1.20 per share on March 13, 2013, an interim dividend of $1.30 per share was paid on December 11, 2012 and another of $1.50 per share was paid on August 23, last year.

Filed Under: Company News, Company Results Tagged With: , ,

C&W: Less jobs, more capital spend

May 22, 2013 by

As the Cable & Wireless worldwide operations strive to adjust to changes in market forces and consumer demand, the group has been undergoing changes. Within the Caribbean region, stiff completion and tight economies as well as changes in the way people communicate have forced changes in their businesses in the region.

In an effort to improve results for the future, Cable & Wireless Caribbean incurred net exceptional items (excluding impairments) of US$50 million relating to redundancy and restructuring programmes in the Caribbean. The prior year charge of US$66 million was primarily in respect of restructuring activities in The Bahamas and Panama.

What about Jamaica? |  Cable & Wireless Caribbean incurred US$26 million as an exceptional charge for cash payouts for redundancy and restructuring programmes. This charge was related to Jamaica and the eastern Caribbean but our calculations suggest that the bulk relates to Jamaica. Cable & Wireless Jamaica had indicated that it was making 300 persons redundant earlier this year and outsourcing the field force technician services to Erickson. The redundancy charge will wipe out any hope that may have existed for the Jamaican operation to return to profit in March 2013. In addition, the Jamaican operation would have picked up a large exchange rate adjustment charge on its foreign currency denominated debt. The stage should, however, be set for it to return to profitability in the 2013/14 year.

cable-and-wireless280x150There was also exceptional impairment and depreciation charge of US$86 million in the year ended March 2013. This was mainly due to the difficult environment in the Eastern Caribbean. The prior year charge consisted of a non-cash impairment and accelerated depreciation charge of US$244 million primarily due to poor financial performance in Jamaica.

Capital spend continues | C&W continues to spend on capital improvements within the Caribbean basin which includes Panama. Capital investments continued to be in 4G/HSPA+ mobile data networks supporting smartphone sales in Panama, The Bahamas, Barbados, BVI, St Lucia and Cayman, selective pay TV investments, and improvements to the fixed broadband network. These fixed broadband investments include continuing the fibre roll-outs in the Caribbean and completing the Next Generation Network in The Bahamas. They have also pursued strategic investments in transmission capacity and cable systems to support both retail and carrier sales asa well as advancing billing and customer relationship management systems.

They have completed the second year of investment in the Bahamas having invested around US$100 million in capital projects during that period.

Filed Under: Company News, Company Results Tagged With: ,

C&W Caribbean still restructuring

May 22, 2013 by

The Caribbean contributed revenue of US$1,120 million to Cable & Wireless Worldwide revenues in the year ending March 2013. The revenues for the region were down 4% on the prior year.

Mobile revenue of US$527 million was down 1% on the prior year driven principally by lower average rate per unit (ARPU). Subscriber numbers were broadly flat on the prior period with a 16 percent growth in Jamaica following regulatory changes which enabled improved competitive positioning, stimulating subscriber and usage growth offset by churn in the Eastern Caribbean. There has been sustained growth in mobile data usage following the launch of high-speed networks in a number of islands during the year and the Company plans to expand on this where commercially viable.

Broadband & TV | Revenue fell by 2% to US$120 million for broadband & TV operations. LIME TV was launched in Barbados during the year and over 3,000 customers have signed up subscriptions to date with plans to roll out IP based TV services to a number of islands in the coming year.

cable-and-wireless-cables150x150Fixed voice revenue at US$290 million was 10% down compared to the prior year. Voice substitution continued across the region, although the ARPU and revenue decline this year was mainly influenced by Jamaica where regulatory changes and the introduction of a special telecommunications tax led to lower revenues. Enterprise, data and other revenue at US$183 million was down 7% on last year due principally to a lower level of cable capacity sales in the period.

Gross margin | Operating costs were 5% down compared to the prior year at US$578 million. Across the Caribbean, the Company has embarked on targeted cost reduction programmes to improve efficiency and build a sustainable operating base. During this year, staffing headcount has reduced by 12% to 3,421 and there was further outsourcing of field force technician services in Jamaica. Much of the improvement came from the Bahamas business which has seen a full year’s benefit of the restructuring undertaken following acquisition of the company in 2011.

What about C&W Jamaica? | Read IC Insider’s ‘C&W: Less jobs, more capital spend‘

Filed Under: Company News, Company Results Tagged With: ,

FX gains boost Kingston Wharves

May 22, 2013 by

Revenues for Kingston Wharves were up 42 percent for the quarter ended March to $1.17 billion. The amount includes $148.86 million or a 91 percent increase in interest income and a large amount of foreign exchange gains flowing from changes in the Jamaican dollar value for assets denominated in United States dollars, as well as a 38 percent increase in transshipment and domestic container movements.

Port revenues | Increased revenue and cost saving initiatives implemented by the group contributed to positively to the profit performance for the quarter. Revenues for port activities were $999 million up from $804 million for the similar period in 2012, an increase of $195 million or 24 percent. A combination of volume increases and the impact of the declining value of the Jamaican dollar are factors that contributed in a major way to the results.

Profit | Operating Profit increased 142 percent for the first quarter, moving from $155 million in 2012 to $374 million. Profit attributable to stockholders was $153 million compared to $65 million for the same period in 2012. Earnings per stock for the first three months was 10.63 cents compared to 5.90 cents for the corresponding period in 2012.

KingstonWharves150x150Without the gain from the movement of the local currency, profits for the quarter would have been much lower, which is something for investors to bear in mind in considering the company’s stock as an investment. The stock is now selling for more than 17 times this year’s likely earnings, well ahead of other companies on the market presently.

Management stated the group will be making substantial long term investments in order to participate fully in the Kingston port expansion. During the quarter, the first phase of the initiative aimed at the expansion and improvement of the range of services offered was implemented. These include steps to acquire container handling equipment and provide stevedoring services for a new client.

Financial strength | Kingston Wharves is in a healthy financial position with borrowings of $2 billion and equity of $12 billion. The group has $3 billion in cash which will be used in the expansion and modernization of the operations in preparation for increased business when the expanded Panama canal opens.

Filed Under: Company News, Company Results Tagged With: ,

JSE: 38m shares for IPO

May 22, 2013 by

The Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) is to issue 28 million shares to the public during this quarter and have the total share capital listed in the exchange thus confirming what IC Insider reported last week.

In a release to the public, the JSE stated that the Shareholders of the Jamaica Stock Exchange have given their approval to list the ordinary shares of the Company on the local equity market via an Initial Public Offer (IPO). The Company will offer, by way of Subscription, 28,050,000 new ordinary shares equal to 20% of its ordinary shares to the public. Upon completion of the sale, the Company will apply for its shares to be listed on the JSE. The Company expects to make the Offer to the Public in the 2nd Quarter of 2013.

An additional 10,200,000 existing ordinary shares will also be available for sale to investors, bringing the total ordinary shares available to 38,250,000 units. This means that the JSE has split the existing 28 million ordinary shares into 140 million units. It appears that existing shareholders will be selling off some of their holdings to the public at the same time. The JSE did not indicate the likely price the issue will be coming to market at.

jse_logo150x150According to the Chairman of the JSE, Donovan H. Perkins, “The Board of the Exchange has approved the listing of its shares to allow the public to participate in the success of the JSE. We think it appropriate that the very entity that is supporting and seeking to expand the capital markets, should also participate in these markets.”

Marlene Street Forrest, General Manager of the JSE also added that, “with the green light given by the shareholders, this is a natural and positive progression of the organization as it is another step in the direction towards maximizing shareholders’.

The issue could come to the market at a time when trading interest would have reached new heights than a few months ago.

Filed Under: Initial Public Offers, JSE Main Market, Stock Market Tagged With: