Jamaica Stock Exchange

Knutsford Express revenues & profit nearing normal

April 18, 2022 by IC Insider.com

Knutsford Express, the Montego Bay based cross country luxury transport, is set to deliver increased revenues and profit for the fiscal year to May, compared to 2021, but the results will be far from normal levels, nine months’ results to February show.
Revenues and profit for the third quarter reveal that things are not far from normal, following the economic fallout in 2020 from the impact of the covid-19 virus. Revenues for the nine months rose 70 percent to $775 million from $456 million in 2021 and delivered a profit of $52 million, a big turnaround from a loss of $55 million in 2021, but the third quarter numbers saw revenues jumping 63 percent to $301 million from $185 million same the similar quarter in 2021 with a profit of $37 million compared to a slight loss of $1 million.

Knutsford Express

Revenues in the latest quarter are just 5 percent below the $318 million generated in the February 2020 quarter when the company reported a profit of $40 million before tax and for the nine months with revenues then, of $925 million or 20 percent higher than the current period, with a profit of $113 million before tax.
Administrative and other operating costs rose 39 percent from $515 million in the nine months to February 2021 to $716 million in 2022, with the third quarter ending with $258 million, up 38 percent versus $187 million in 2021. Depreciation rose from $87 million for the nine months in 2021 to $107 million in 2022. Finance cost amounts to $7 million in the 2022 latest quarter against $4 million in 2021 and year to date $17 million, compared to $11.4 million in 2021.
Gross cash flow brought in $190 million, a $144 million addition to fixed assets offset by loan inflows of $50 million, increased payables and dividends paid of $40 million, resulting in cash on hand at the beginning of the period of $132 million falling by $36 million.
At the end of February, shareholders’ equity stood at $845 million, with long term borrowings at $223 million and short term debt at $21 million. Current assets ended the period at $357 million, including trade and other assets of $103 million, cash and equivalent of $236 million. Current liabilities amount to $94 million at the close of the period and net current assets of $263 million.
Earnings per share for the quarter was 8 cents and 9 cents for the nine months. ICInsider.com projections suggest earnings per share for the fiscal year to May at 20 cents and 2023 at 50 cents.
The February quarter results fall in a period when tourism flows to the country were down around a third compared with the 2020 period, suggesting a better period ahead for traffic as the company benefitted from patronage from visitors coming into the island. Accordingly, the coming fiscal year should see the company’s revenues and profit bouncing sharply over that of the current fiscal year.
The stock last traded on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange at $7.99, with a PE of 40 versus the market average of 24, the PE falls to 16 versus 13 for the market.

Filed Under: Company News, Company Results Tagged With: Emerging markets, Jamaica Stock Exchange, Jamaican Stock, junior market, Knutsford Express Services

Rate hike pushes earnings higher at Scotia

April 15, 2022 by IC Insider.com

If there was much competition in the banking sector in Jamaica, Scotia Group would be on its way out of business, unless they mended the poor service there are currently dishing out to customers.

Scotia Group stock could deliver handsomely in 2022.

The banking arm is delivering some atrocious customer service of late such as bouncing cheques for no funds when such accounts were adequately funded. Customers can’t get the use of the transfer of funds feature, for the credit cards are expired but no one within the bank advises of the expiration and the availability of the new card. Even when communication is made, with the bank, months pass without action. What about tokens that don’t work, leading to a nightmare trying to get the problem resolved. The service has rotted recently and they need to do something about it fast.
Though the service has gotten lousy of late and some may say it never was good, investors may find positives that they can profit from, at least that is what the group’s first quarter results to January this year show, thanks partly to the action by the country’s central bank. Most investors would not come to that conclusion from the net profit for the quarter compared to that in 2021, for while the 2021 quarterly profit came in at $1.75 billion, the latest results were only up marginally by $34 million to $1.784 billion. On the surface, there is nothing to get excited about, but closer examination tells a different story.
The results were vastly better than the $1.12 billion reported for the October quarter which suffered from a big drop in revenues. Loans fell in the quarter from $208 billion at the end of October to $201 billion at the end of January while investable funds grew to $339 billion from $321 billion at the end of October but net interest income climbed to $6.16 billion from $5.7 billion in the October quarter coming from a rise in gross interest income of $454 million quarter over quarter. Interest cost was static at $452 million. There was a strong improvement in net fee and commission income that rose from $1.1 billion in the October quarter to $1.5 billion but was a bit lower than the $1.67 billion in the January 2021 period, other revenues dropped from $973 million to $295 million in the latest quarter compared to January 2021.
Net interest income increase “was primarily attributable to an increase in interest earned on the investment portfolio and improved retail loan performance,” Scotia Group reported in their release of the quarterly results.

Audrey Tugwell Henry Scotia group’s CEO

Since the end of January, the Bank of Jamaica hiked the overnight rate to 4.50 percent from 2.5 percent, this move will drive an increase in net interest income for the group as the cost of funds will remain fairly flat while investments income balloons.
Expected credit losses on loans rose from $430 million in 2021 to $569 million in the January quarter this year but show an improvement over the $819 million in the October quarter. Net interest income after credit losses rose to $5.6 billion from $5.4 billion in 2021. Net fees and other income fell from $5.44 billion in the January 2021 quarter to $4.78 billion in 2022, resulting in a total net income of $10.37 billion, down from $10.8 billion in 2021.
Lower costs helped with the 2022 results, with expenses falling to $6 billion from $6.5 billion, net of asset tax of $1.36 billion in 2022 versus $1.26 billion in 2021, Other operating costs fell by $500 million from January 2021 to $2.8 billion in 2022.
Other comprehensive income shows an unrealized loss of $1 billion on investments compared to just $123 million in the 2021 first quarter.
Segment results provide another view of developments within the group that could point to the way forward. The Treasury segment delivered 22.4 percent more revenues from third parties to hit $763 million with a profit before tax of $138 million up from $120 in 2021. The retail division suffered a decline of 15 percent, with revenues from third parties hitting $4.57 billion from $5.38 billion in 2021 resulting in profit before tax of $103 million, down sharply from $492 million in 2021. Corporate and Commercial Banking pulled in net income of $2.7 billion, down from $2.8 billion, with profit surging to $1.44 billion versus $967 million in 2021. Investment Management pulled in $822 million in revenues with a profit of $404 million, from revenues of $878 million in 2021 with a profit of $718 million. The insurance division raked in $1.33 billion in revenues up from $984 million, with profit jumping to $857 million from $567 million. The segment classified as Other, generated revenues of $217 million and a profit of $175 million and delivered revenues of just $83 million and a profit of $30 million in 2022.
The Group’s assets grew by $38 billion or 6.9 percent to $591 billion at January 2022. This was predominantly, a result of the growth in cash resources of $42 billion or 32.4 percent due to increased deposits and places the group in a good position to expand the loan portfolio when demands pick up, with the resurgence now taking place in the wider economy.
A dividend of 35 cents per stock unit in respect of the first quarter, was approved for payment on April 20 to stockholders on record as of March 29.

Filed Under: Buy Rated, Company News, Company Results Tagged With: Emerging markets, Jamaica Stock Exchange, Jamaican Stock, Scotia Group

Trading jumps but Main Market index drops

April 14, 2022 by IC Insider.com

Market activity ended on Thursday, with the volume of shares trading declining by 26 percent with a 28 percent higher value than on in trading 0n Wednesday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market as rising stocks exceeded those falling.
The All Jamaican Composite Index lost 953.08 points to settle at 449,225.19, the JSE Main Index fell 1,195.68 points to close at 394,486.85 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.01 points to 93.42. Trading ended with 60 securities against 59 on Wednesday, with 26 rising, 23 declining and 11 ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a formula for computing appropriate stock values, averages 14.7. The PE ratio for the JSE Main and USD Market closing quotes is based on ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending between August 2022 and August 2023.
Overall, 70,371,025 shares were exchanged for $1,275,443,556 versus 95,428,562 units at $992,647,318 on Wednesday. Jamaica Stock Exchange led trading with 48.03 million shares for 68.3 percent of total volume, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 5.61 million units for 8 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway ended with 3.96 million units for 5.6 percent market share. JMMB Group 7.35% – 2028 closed with 2.79 million units for 4 percent market share, 138 Student Living ended with 2.04 million units for 2.9 percent market share and Pulse Investments exchanged 1.27 million units for 1.8 percent market share.
Trading averages 1,172,850 units at $21,257,393 versus 1,617,433 shares at $16,824,531 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 765,733 units at $7,831,791 compared to 717,931 units at $6,255,399 on the previous trading day. March closed with an average of 610,787 units at $6,967,031.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Berger Paints shed 87 cents to close at $11.60, with 4,512 shares crossing the exchange, Caribbean Cement increased 35 cents to end at $71.99 in trading 3,528 stocks, Caribbean Producers climbed 20 cents to $18.40, with 121,072 units clearing the market. Eppley gained 85 cents in ending at $42.85 and closed after 436 stock units were traded, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund lost 60 cents to $44.40 in switching ownership of 4,000 stock units, GraceKennedy fell 59 cents to $104.81 after 235,955 stocks changed hands. Jamaica Producers popped 64 cents in closing at $23, trading 11,143 units, JMMB Group dropped 85 cents in ending at $46.25 with an exchange of 1,198,543 shares, Kingston Wharves rose 70 cents to close at $41.70 while exchanging 13,294 stock units. Massy Holdings declined $1 to end at $99, with 22,492 shares changing hands, Mayberry Investments advanced 30 cents to close at $7.20, with 228,978 stocks crossing the market, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy lost $3 to close at $111 after exchanging 184 units. NCB Financial rallied $9.15 to end at $117, with 25,463 units crossing the market, Proven Investments rose $1.20 in closing at $38.20 after exchanging 1,800 stocks, Sagicor Group increased $1.98 to $56.98 in an exchange of 7,639 stock units. Scotia Group dropped $1.88 in ending at $35 after exchanging 93,519 shares, Seprod climbed 88 cents to end at $61.98 with the swapping of 6,700 units, Supreme Ventures declined 51 cents in closing at $24.49 in an exchange of 362,832 stock units and Wisynco Group shed $1.10 to close at $23.20 after trading 700,949 shares.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living Preference shares fell $1.44 to $15.06, clearing the market with 133 stocks, Eppley 5% preference share lost $1 to $21, changing hands 301 units. Eppley 7.50% preference share rallied 70 cents in closing at $6.61, crossing the market 150 stock units and Eppley 7.75% preference share advanced 40 cents ending at $20.40 in trading 301 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, JSE Main Market, Stock Market Tagged With: 138 Student Living, Barita Investments, Berger Paints, Caribbean Cement, Carreras, Community & Workers Credit Union, Daily Trading, Emerging markets, Eppley, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund, First Rock Capital, Grace Kennedy, Jamaica Broilers, Jamaica Producers, Jamaica Stock Exchange, Jamaican stocks, JMMB Group, Key Insurance, Kingston Properties, Kingston Wharves, Mayberry Investments, Mayberry Jamaica Equities, NCB Financial, PANJAM Investment, Portland JSX, Proven Investments, QWI Investments, Radio Jamaica, Sagicor Group, Sagicor Real Estate Fund, Sagicor Select Fund, Salada Foods, Scotia Group, Seprod, Stanley Motta, Sterling Investments, Supreme Ventures, Sygnus Credit, Trading Activity, Transjamaican Highway, Victoria Mutual Investments, Wigton Windfarm, Wisynco Group

Trading drops on JSE USD market

April 14, 2022 by IC Insider.com

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Trading on Thursday ended with the volume and the value of stocks changing hands declining 28 percent and 80 percent, respectively, at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market, compared to Wednesday and resulted in an even number of stocks rising than falling.
Seven securities were traded versus six on Wednesday, with one rising, three declining and three ending unchanged. The JSE US Denominated Equities Index lost 0.20 points to end at 221.43.
The PE ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.4. The PE ratio incorporates ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial year ending up to August 2023.
Overall, 165,771 shares traded for US$10,795 down from 230,992 units at US$54,610 on Wednesday. Trading averaged 23,682 units at US$1,542, compared to 38,499 shares at US$9,102 on Wednesday, with the month to date averaging 101,489 shares at US$5,460 versus 109,618 units at US$5,869 on the previous day. March ended with an average of 59,258 units for US$6,669.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ending with bids higher than the last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share remained at 7.95 US cents with an exchange 1,238 shares, Margaritaville finished at 16 US cents in trading 124 units, Productive Business Solutions ended unchanged at US$1.19 while exchanging 653 stock units. Proven Investments rose 1 cent to close at 25 US cents with 13,416 stocks changing hands, Sterling Investments declined 0.25 of a cent to end at 2 US cents with 33,169 stock units crossing the market, Sygnus Credit Investments USD share shed 0.4 of a cent in ending at 12.45 US cents after an exchange of 41,171 shares and Transjamaican Highway dropped 0.07 of a cent to 0.98 of a US cent after trading 76,000 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Filed Under: Global Market, Stock Market Tagged With: Daily Trading, Emerging markets, Eppley, First Rock Capital, Jamaica Stock Exchange, Jamaican stocks, JSE US dollar market, Margaritaville, Productive Business Solution, Proven Investments, Sterling Investments, Sygnus Credit Investments, Trading Activity, Transjamaican Highway

Junior Market trading jumps ahead of holidays

April 14, 2022 by IC Insider.com

Trading levels jumped on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market on Thursday, with the volume of stocks traded surging 383 percent and the value jumping 453 percent higher than on Wednesday, Jamaican Teas and EduFocal controlling 79 percent of the volume.

Jamaican Teas was the leading trade with 34 million shares on Thursday.

Market activity led to 43 securities trading compared to 44 on Wednesday and ended with 20 rising, 15 declining and eight closing unchanged. At the close, the Junior Market Index advanced 20.89 points to 4,253.26.
The PE Ratio, a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.2. The PE ratio of each stock in the chart below is based on ICInsider.com earnings forecast for companies with financial years up to August 2023.
Overall, 59,575,175 shares were traded for $234,063,113 compared to 12,336,057 units at $42,328,019 on the Wednesday. Jamaican Teas led trading with 34 million shares for 57.1 percent of total volume, followed by EduFocal with 12.84 million units for 21.6 percent of the day’s trade and Honey Bun with 4.03 million units for 6.8 percent market share. Elite Diagnostic chipped in with 1.34 million units for 2.3 percent market share, Derrimon Trading, 1.25 million units for 2.1 percent market share and Tropical Battery ended with 1.06 million units for 1.8 percent market share.
Trading averaged 1,385,469 shares at $5,443,328 up from 280,365 shares at $962,000 on Wednesday with the month to date, averaging 515,088 units at $1,916,603 compared to 418,128 units at $1,523,729 on the previous trading day. Trading in March averaged 719,276 units at $2,636,802.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial rose 11 cents to $22 with the swapping of 135,553 shares, AMG Packaging gained 15 cents in ending at $3.70 after exchanging 444,178 units, Blue Power rallied 49 cents to $4.09 trading 16,610 stocks. CAC 2000 shed 50 cents to end at $7 as 3,801 stock units were traded, Caribbean Assurance Brokers declined 10 cents to close at $2.60 while exchanging 89,226 stocks, Caribbean Cream dropped 19 cents to $4.80 in switching ownership of 7,655 stock units. Dolphin Cove climbed $1.07 to end at $22.87 in an exchange of 9,428 shares, Elite Diagnostic fell 12 cents to $3.67 after 1,344,708 units crossed the market, Express Catering popped 28 cents in closing at $6.43 after finishing trading of 12,500 shares. Fontana popped 90 cents to close at $10.90 in trading 84,769 units, Fosrich lost $1.69 to end at $22.11, with 68,399 stock units changing hands, Honey Bun dropped 35 cents to close at $9.60 after exchanging 4,026,875 stocks. iCreate advanced 16 cents in closing at a 52 weeks’ high of $1.36 after trading 773,133 shares, Indies Pharma advanced 15 cents to $3, with 83,580 units crossing the market, Jamaican Teas increased 10 cents ending at $3.54 after 34,000,140 stock units crossed the exchange but only after the price hit an intraday 52 weeks’ low of 43.01. Jetcon Corporation rose 12 cents to end at $1.30, clearing the market with 468,547 stocks, KLE Group popped 10 cents in closing at $2.68 with an exchange of 24 shares, Main Event shed 29 cents to close at $7.85, with 119,562 units crossing the market. Stationery and Office Supplies rallied 68 cents in ending at $7.95 with the swapping of 218,236 stocks and tTech lost 13 cents to $4, trading 75 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, JSE Junior Market, Stock Market Tagged With: Access Financial, AMG Packaging, Best performing stock market, Blue Power, CAC2000, Cargo Handlers, Caribbean Assurance Brokers, Caribbean Cream, Caribbean Flavours, Caribbean Producers, Consolidated Bakeries, Daily Trading, Derrimon Trading, Dolphin Cove, Edufocal, Elite Diagnostic, Emerging markets, Everything Fresh, Express Catering, FESCO, Fontana, FosRich, Future Energy Source, General Accident, GWest, Honey Bun, iCreate, Indies Pharma, Jamaica Stock Exchange, Jamaican stocks, Jamaican Teas, Jetcon Corporation, JFP Limited, KLE Group, Knutsford Express, Lasco Distributors, Lasco Financial, Lasco Manufacturing, Limners and Bards, Main Event, Medical Disposables, Paramount Trading, SSL Venture Capital, Stationery and Office, Trading Activity, tTech

Juniors Market rises Main Market falls

April 14, 2022 by IC Insider.com

The Junior Market closed higher at the close on Thursday, but the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market slipped with all three Main Market indices slipping. The JSE Combined Index lost 933.92 points to end at 407,093.73.
The All Jamaican Composite Index lost 953.08 points to 449,225.19, the JSE Main Index fell 1,195.68 points to 394,486.85. The Junior Market index rallied 20.89 points to end at 4,253.26 and the JSE USD market index slipped 0.20 points to end at 221.43.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 23.4 based on 2021-22 earnings and 13.1 times those for 2022-23 at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
Investors need a series of measures and pertinent information to successfully navigate the many investment choices in the local stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help with decision-making.
Investors should make use of the chart to help make rational investment decisions by investing in stocks that are close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to take emotions out of the investment decision and put in on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The ICInsider.com PE Ratio chart covers all ordinary shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange. It shows companies grouped on an industry basis, allowing easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices. Dividends payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts that show the closing volume for the bids and offers.
The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2021 and 2022 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items. The PE Ratio is the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks.

Filed Under: JSE Combined, Stock Market Tagged With: Daily Trading, Emerging market, Jamaica Stock Exchange, Jamaica Stock Exchange Combined Index, Jamaican stocks, JSE Main Index, junior market, Junior Market index, Net asset Value of Jamaican stocks, PE Ratio of Jamaican stocks, Trading Activity

Trading slips on the JSE USD market

April 13, 2022 by IC Insider.com

Trading on Wednesday ended on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market with the volume of shares changing hands declining 77 percent and the value dropping 41 percent below Tuesday, resulting in declining stocks edging out those rising.
A total of six securities traded, similar to Tuesday, with two rising, three declining and one ending unchanged. The JSE US Denominated Equities Index slipped 0.17 points to end at 221.63.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 10.7. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending up to August 2023.
Overall, 230,992 shares traded for US$54,610 down from 994,124 units at US$93,195 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 38,499 units at US$9,102, versus 165,687 shares at US$15,533 on Tuesday, with the month to date average of 109,618 shares at US$5,869 up from 116,613 units at US$5,551 on the previous day. March ended with an average of 59,258 units for US$6,669.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ended with a higher bid than the last selling price and one with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share rallied 0.35 of a cent to 7.95 US cents after trading 1,509 shares, Proven Investments shed 0.71 of a cent to close at 24 US cents in trading 211,139 units, Sterling Investments lost 0.02 of a cent in closing at 2.25 US cents after exchanging 400 stock units. Sygnus Credit Investments USD share ended unchanged at 12.85 US cents, with 16,419 stocks changing hands and Transjamaican Highway declined 0.04 of one cent to 1.05 US cents with an exchange of 25 shares.In the preference segment, JMMB Group 6% popped 14.83 cents to close at US$1.15 after trading 1,500 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Filed Under: Global Market, Stock Market Tagged With: Daily Trading, Emerging markets, Eppley, First Rock Capital, Jamaica Stock Exchange, Jamaican stocks, JMMB Group, JSE US dollar market, Proven Investments, Sterling Investments, Sygnus Credit Investments, Trading Activity, Transjamaican Highway

JSE Main market inches higher

April 13, 2022 by IC Insider.com

Trading surged on Wednesday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market Market, with an exchange of 412 percent more shares valued 1,067 percent higher than on Tuesday, resulting in a mild rise in the market indices at the close with rising after rising stocks just edged out by those declining.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 1,270.23 points to 450,178.27, the JSE Main Index edged 195.57 points higher to 395,682.53 and the JSE Financial Index dipped 0.23 points to 93.43.
Trading ended with 59 securities compared to 58 on Tuesday, with 21 rising, 23 declining and 15 ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute stock values, averages 14.7. The PE ratio for the JSE Main and USD Market closing quotes is based on ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending to August 2023.
Overall, 95,428,562 shares traded for $992,647,318 versus 18,631,554 units at $85,039,171 on Tuesday. Mayberry Jamaican Equities led trading with 77.7 million shares accounting for 81.4 percent of total volume, followed by Pulse Investments, 3.58 million units for 3.8 percent of the day’s trade. Sagicor Select Financial Fund exchanged 2.97 million units for 3.1 percent market share, Transjamaican Highway ended with 2.87 million units for 3 percent market share, Wigton Windfarm traded 2.36 million units for 2.5 percent market share and Massy Holdings with 1.52 million units for 1.6 percent market share.
Trading averages 1,617,433 units at $16,824,531, up from 321,234 shares at $1,466,193 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 717,931 units at $6,255,399, compared to 600,518 units at $4,875,800 on the previous trading day. March closed with an average of 610,787 units at $6,967,031.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows ten stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints climbed $1.17 to close at $12.47 with the swapping of 8,016 shares, Caribbean Cement rose 42 cents to end at $71.64, clearing the market with 3,168 stock units, Eppley dropped 33 cents in closing at $42, with 544 stocks changing hands. GraceKennedy popped $1.35 in, ending at $105.40 after exchanging 100,275 units, Guardian Holdings shed $10 to $520 with an exchange of 5,611 shares, Jamaica Broilers advanced 99 cents to end at $28.99 while 1,993 units changed hands. Jamaica Producers fell 74 cents to $22.36, with 1,032,168 stocks crossing the exchange, Jamaica Stock Exchange gained 40 cents in closing at $23.70 after exchanging 21,531 stock units, Kingston Properties declined 70 cents to close at $7.50 in trading 174,744 units. Kingston Wharves increased 90 cents to $41 with 1,372 shares passing through the market, Massy Holdings lost 45 cents to end at $100, with 1,515,090 stocks crossing the market, Mayberry Investments rallied 40 cents to $6.90 in an exchange of 511,626 stock units. Mayberry Jamaican Equities rose $3.07 to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $12.27 in switching ownership of 77,696,272 stocks, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy shed $1 in ending at $114 after trading 181 shares, Palace Amusement dropped $49.99 in closing at $950.01 with 18 stock units changing hands. Portland JSX climbed $1.20 to $11 in trading 283 units, Proven Investments lost $1.50 to close at $37 after 45,802 stock units crossed the market, Pulse Investments declined 53 cents to end at $4.18 after trading 3,581,096 units. Sagicor Group fell $2.09 in ending at $55 after exchanging 10,570 shares, Scotia Group advanced $1.38 in closing at $36.88 with an exchange of 11,638 stocks, Seprod rallied $1.45 to $61.10, trading 18,753 units. Stanley Motta shed 55 cents to end at $5.35 with 9,233 stock units changing hands, Supreme Ventures gained $2 to close at $25 in an exchange of 66,809 shares, Sygnus Credit Investments popped 58 cents in closing at $15.38 in switching ownership of 17,994 stocks. Sygnus Real Estate Finance increased 68 cents to end at $16.29 after an exchange of 1,681 units and Wisynco Group popped $1.80, in ending at a 52 weeks’ high of $24.30 in trading 160,489 stocks units.
In the preference segment, Eppley7.50% preference share declined 74 cents to $5.91 while exchanging 1,150 shares and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% Preference share gained $17.70 to close at $117.70, with seven stock units clearing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

New Junior Market record but index ends lower

April 13, 2022 by IC Insider.com

Trading closed on Wednesday, on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market, with the volume of and the value of stocks traded declining by 43 percent and 47 percent lower respectively compared to trading on Tuesday and ended with the Market index closing 14.36 points lower to settle at 4,232.37 after the market opened at an intraday record high of 4,303.77.
As was the case on Tuesday, trading was broad-based with 44 securities changing hands and ended with prices of 22 rising, declining and 11 closing unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 12.8. The PE ratio of each stock in the chart below is based on ICInsider.com earnings forecast for companies with financial years up to August 2023.
Overall, 12,336,057 shares traded for $42,328,019, down from 21,499,543 units at $79,329,070 on the Tuesday. Indies Pharma led trading with 2.67 million shares for 21.6 percent of total volume followed by Lumber Depot with 1.28 million units for 10.4 percent of the day’s trade and Express Catering with 1.05 million units or 8.5 percent market share.
Trading averaged 280,365 shares at $962,000 in contrast to 488,626 shares at $1,802,933 on Tuesday with the month to date, averaging 418,128 units at $1,523,729 compared to 435,852 units at $1,595,999 on Tuesday the previous trading day. March closed with an average of 719,276 units at $2,636,802.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial rallied 39 cents to $21.89 in switching ownership of 57 shares, AMG Packaging declined 10 cents to end at $3.55, with 278,333 stocks changing hands, CAC 2000 rose 45 cents to close at $7.50 in trading 3,487 stock units. Caribbean Assurance Brokers advanced 33 cents in ending at $2.70 with 88,049 units crossing the market, Dolphin Cove shed 55 cents in closing at $21.80, with 23,389 stocks clearing the market, Elite Diagnostic rallied 19 cents to end at $3.79 with an exchange of 777,460 shares. Express Catering fell 35 cents to $6.15 after exchanging 1,046,233 stock units, Fosrich popped 90 cents in closing at $23.80 in an exchange of 62,225 units, Honey Bun increased 25 cents to close at $9.95 with the swapping of 22,944 units. Indies Pharma dropped 30 cents in ending at $2.85 after exchanging 2,666,673 shares, KLE Group climbed 26 cents to end at $2.58 after trading 340 stocks, Knutsford Express advanced 20 cents to close at $7.90, with 17,876 stock units changing hands. Limners and Bards increased 14 cents to $3.29 after just 950 stock units crossed the market, Lumber Depot lost 12 cents in ending at $3.55 after trading 1,278,664 shares, Main Event gained 14 cents in closing at $8.14 after 12,106 units crossed the exchange. Paramount Trading rose 10 cents in closing at $1.76 in an exchange of 62,462 stocks, SSL Venture popped 17 cents to end at $1.84 while exchanging 11,262 stocks, Stationery and Office Supplies dropped 62 cents to $7.27 while trading 10,977 shares and tTech climbed 13 cents to close at $4.13 in switching ownership of 204 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, JSE Junior Market, Stock Market Tagged With: Access Financial, AMG Packaging, Best performing stock market, Blue Power, CAC2000, Cargo Handlers, Caribbean Assurance Brokers, Caribbean Cream, Caribbean Flavours, Caribbean Producers, Consolidated Bakeries, Daily Trading, Derrimon Trading, Dolphin Cove, Edufocal, Elite Diagnostic, Emerging markets, Everything Fresh, Express Catering, FESCO, Fontana, FosRich, Future Energy Source, General Accident, GWest, Honey Bun, iCreate, Indies Pharma, Iron Rock Insurance, Jamaica Stock Exchange, Jamaican stocks, Jamaican Teas, Jetcon Corporation, JFP Limited, KLE Group, Knutsford Express, Lasco Distributors, Lasco Financial, Lasco Manufacturing, Limners and Bards, Main Event, Medical Disposables, Paramount Trading, SSL Venture Capital, Stationery and Office, Trading Activity, tTech

Juniors hit new record high as Main Market rallies

April 13, 2022 by IC Insider.com

The Junior Market opened at 4,303.77 points for the first time, on Wednesday, but the market failed to hold on to the gains and drifted down to close below Tuesday’s close but the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market closed higher with all three Main Market indices moving up on Tuesday’s close, with the JSE Combined Index adding just 55.59 points to end at 408,027.65.
The All Jamaican Composite Index gained 1,270.23 points to 450,178.27, the JSE Main Index rose 195.57 points to 395,682.53. The Junior Market index dropped 14.36 points to end at 4,232.37 and the JSE USD market index slipped 0.17 points to end at 221.63.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 23.4 based on 2021-22 earnings and 13.1 times those for 2022-23 at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
Investors need a series of measures and pertinent information to successfully navigate the many investment choices in the local stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help with decision-making.
Investors should make use of the chart to help make rational investment decisions by investing in stocks that are close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to take emotions out of the investment decision and put in on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The ICInsider.com PE Ratio chart covers all ordinary shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange. It shows companies grouped on an industry basis, allowing easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices. Dividends payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts that show the closing volume for the bids and offers.
The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2021 and 2022 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items. The PE Ratio is the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks.