Paramount Trading will be paying a final dividend of 39 cents on November 23, 2015 to shareholders on record as at November 12.The ex-dividend date is November 10, 2015.
The company made profit of 95 cents per share for the fiscal year to May 2015 and 61 cents in 2014. The 2015 payment represents 41 percent of profit and equates to a dividend yield of 14.89 percent based on the price of $2.62 at the start of the year. For the quarter ending August earnings grew 27 percent to 28 cent per share versus 22 cents in the same period in 2014.
Paramount Trading paid a dividend of 15.1 cents per share payable on December 12 last year.
the company’s shares are listed on the junior market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange and last traded at $7.10.
Paramount more than doubles dividend
November 2, 2015 by
Q4 Profit jumps 215% at AMG
October 31, 2015 by
AMG Packaging enjoyed a great year to August, with 74 percent jump in profits to $79 million over 2014 and 86 percent before expenses incurred for the new toilet tissue operation. For the last quarter of the fiscal year things were even better with a 215 percent jump to $27 million.
AMG Packaging report big gains in profit for 2015
A sharp $4.5 million fall in fuel cost and repairs and maintenance respectively, a 50 percent cut in selling and distribution expenses amounting to $7 million, and lesser declines in wages, electricity along with an increase in revenues helped to improve gross profit, margins and the results for the year.
Gross cash flow generated from operations came in at $92 million, up from $58 million in 2014. Going forward its unclear what impact the new operations will have, barring any major losses IC Insider is forecasting $1.05 per share after tax for 2016, the first year of reduced taxation will be payable. The company paid dividends of $18.4 million during the fiscal year and in the prior year $20.5 million.
Looks like a greater stability in raw material cost and attention paid to cost in a number of areas, paid rich dividend in the past four quarters and in particular the final quarter. Cost of sales fell from $491 million in 2014 to $484 million and gross profit jumped to $149.4 million from $116 million, an increase of 28.6 percent. Revenues rose moderately by 3 percent for the quarter to $172 million and 4 percent increase for the full year to hit $633 million. While the growth in revenues may not appear electric closer look indicates a growth of around 7 percent on a quarter over quarter basis for the last 4 quarters.
Administrative expenses rose from $48.5 million to $51.4 million in 2015 and finance cost declined form $10 million to $8.7 million.
Borrowings grew to $151.6 million while cash funds rose $64 million from $22 million in 2014. The balance sheet shows $59 million deposited to purchase equipment for the new tissue operation. Current assets stood at $335 million and current liabilities at $60 million. Equity capital grew to $377 million from $316 million.
AMG Packaging is in the business of manufacturing paper based boxes for the packaging and its shares are listed on the junior market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange and last traded at $4.80 with a gain of 82 percent for the year to date.
JSE gains over 35% for October
October 30, 2015 by
Sagicor Group HQ – its stock was market leader on Friday on the JSE
A total of 39 securities traded, leading to 13,797,226 units valued at $170,547,669 changing hands, in all market segments. A total of 10 securities 15 rose and 17 declined with 7 ended at 52 weeks’ closing highs and one at an intraday 52 weeks’ high.
The JSE Market Index shot up 621.25 points to 131,284.04, the all Jamaica Composite Index gained 694.29 points to end at 145,673.61. JSE combined index climbed 706.30, points to end at 135,783.04. All Three indices are at new closing highs.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading of 12 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with an offer that was lower.
In trading, Barita Investments ended at a 52 weeks’ closing high, of $2.75 as the price gained 19 cents while 3,000 shares were traded. Selling came in for Cable and Wireless on Friday. The stock closed with a loss of 20 cents, with 1,813,418 shares changing hands to end at $1.20. Trading in the stock was between $1.10 and $1.40 and it closed with a bid at $1.11, to buy 146,000 shares. On the offer were 830,752 shares at $1.20. By the close the number of offers increased dramatically and now total 32, ranging up to $3.10, for a total of 10,689,005 units with 10.68 million having a top offer of $1.80, the majority are at $1.50, or below. On the bid, between 80 cents and $1.11, are 4 million units. Caribbean Cement lost 27 cents to end at $17.73, with 67,416 shares changing hands. Unlike Thursday when the market closed with just two offers to sell 140,000 units at $24, at the close on Friday there were 11 offers on the board, between $17.89 up to $25 with more than 600,000 units. Bids are for over 230,000 units at $17.73, the next lot is at $16.80. Carreras ended with 1,001,700 shares trading at $53.05, a 52 weeks high, after gaining 5 cents. Desnoes & Geddes had 832,106 units changing hands, to close 15 cents lower at $30, Jamaica Broilers traded 93,884 shares to close at $8.88 as the price slipped 12 cents. Jamaica Stock Exchange closed with 20,000 shares trading to end at $11 and gained $1.25, for an all-time high, JMMB Group traded 184,433 shares to close at $9.51 after declining 29 cents. Kingston Wharves traded 10,500 units to close at $10, Mayberry Investment lost 10 cents to end at $4, by trading 918,658 shares. 
National Commercial Bank with 112,524 shares changing hands, closed 50 down at $32.50, Pan Jamaican traded 6,888 shares to end 12 cents higher, at $80.12, Sagicor Group fell 85 cents with 3,120,466 shares trading, to close at $14.66, for a rise of 51 cents. Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 262,107 units, the price closed unchanged at $11, Scotia Group ended with 8,000 shares changing hands and closed at $26.17, after falling by 81 cents. Scotia Investments gained 50 cents to close at $27.50 as 50,000 units traded, and Proven Investments ordinary share, closed with a rise of 1.9 US cents, with 445,000 units traded, to end at 23.9 US cents.
C&W falls to $1.17 in morning session
October 30, 2015 by
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Cable and Wireless fell to $1.17 in early trading on Friday with 1,026,780 units between $1.17 and $1.40 to record the last traded at $1.17. The stocks now has bid of $1.02 to buy 1,195,115 shares on the offer is 25,300 units at $1.16. The next closest offer is at $1.38 with 913,000 shares.
Trading resulted in 28 securities changing hands with a volume of 4,089,472 units as 8 stocks gained and 12 declined and a number of new all-time highs were reached with the Jamaica Stock Exchange, Medical Disposables, Sagicor Real Estate Fund and all hitting new highs and Mayberry Investment at a new 52 weeks’ high. The other main trades 
Caribbean Cream with 556,000 shares changing hands at $3.40, Lasco Distributors with 329,102 shares changing hands at $3.25, Medical Disposables saw a jump in price to $3 with 331,133 shares changing hands and Proven Investments with 445,000 units at 23.9 US cents. At a minute after 11am Barita Investments crossed 3 million units of Sagicor Group at $14.75.
The Jamaica stock market after 90 minutes of trading, recorded mixed results in the indices. The All Jamaican Composite index jumped slipped 71.14 points to 144,908.18 JSE Market Index fell 63.66 points to 130,599.13 the JSE combined index rose 73.57 points to be at 135,150.31 and the junior market index rose 14.97 points to its highest level of 1,326.51.
25 stocks gained on JSE on Thursday.
October 29, 2015 by
Jamaica Broilers closed at a new 52 weeks’ high of $9 on Thursday.
A total of 25 stocks rose, 10 declined as 8 securities, totalling 12,318,211 units valued at $61,415,667 changed hands, in all market segments. A total of 9 stocks ended at 52 weeks’ closing highs and one at an intraday 52 weeks’ high.
The JSE Market Index shot up 33.96 points to 130,662.79, a new closing high, the all Jamaica Composite Index gained 37.95 points to end at 144,979.32. JSE combined index climbed 239.17, points to end at a new closing high of 15076.74.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading of 3 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with offers that were lower.
In trading, Berger Paints lost 40 cents in trading 6,500 shares to close at $3, Cable and Wireless closed with a gain of 10 cents with 4,167,792 shares changing hands to end at 52 weeks’ closing high of $1.40. The stock closed with a bid at $1.35 to buy 269,759 shares and with 14,700 shares on the offer at $1.40. Caribbean Cement lost 1 cent to end at $18, with 159,792 shares changing hands. Cement closed with only two offers to sell 140,000 units at $24, with bids are 100,000 at $17.75, at $17.73 only 32,887 units and at $17.70 one bid of 243,000 shares, as the sellers continue to hold the upper hand currently. Carreras ended with 182,073 shares trading at $53 after. Desnoes & Geddes had 34,421 units changing hands, to close at $30.15, the stock price gained 15 cents for the day. Gleaner moved up 14 cents to $2, as trading ended with 68,200 shares changing hands, Grace Kennedy lost some altitude, with 4,833 shares changing hands at $67.94, to close with a loss of $2.00, Jamaica Broilers traded 208,432 shares to close at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $9. Jamaica Producers gained 6 cents to $20.76 with only 93,468 units in closing at a new 52 weeks high, Jamaica Stock Exchange closed unchanged with only 1,000 shares trading to end at $9.75, JMMB Group traded 20,935 shares to close at $9.80 after declining 5 cents. Kingston Wharves traded 29,500 units to close with a gain of 95 cents at a 52 weeks’ high of $10, Mayberry Investment also closed at a new 52 weeks’ high, as the price rose 29 cents to reach $4.10, by trading 159,650 shares. 
National Commercial Bank with 42,039 shares changing hands closed $1.50 higher at $33, Pan Jamaican traded 73,657 shares to end at $80 with the price falling back by $10, Sagicor Group fell 85 cents with 640,958 shares trading, to close at $14.15, Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 15,310 units as the price closed at $11, Scotia Group ended with 19,258 shares trading and closed at $26.98 after rising by 98 cents. Seprod exchanged 29,445 units and lost 69 cents, and ended at $16, Supreme Ventures ended at $4.20 with 162,100 units changing hands and gained 39 cents and Proven Investments ordinary share, closed with a loss of 1.98 US cents, with 442,900 units traded, to end at 22 US cents.
Lasco Distributors blow out profits
October 29, 2015 by
Lasco Distributors with responsibility to distribute “I Cool” drink.
The Gross profit for the period was S1.1 billion, an increase of $299 million or 36 percent over the prior year. The Gross Profit margin for the quarter was $628 million, or 32 percent over the same period last year. Gross profit margin for the august 2015 quarter is 17.26 percent versus 17.5 percent in 2014 and year to date 16.2 percent in 2015 and 16.28 percent in 2014.
The huge gain came from increased revenues of 34 percent for the quarter, amounting to $6.95 billion and 36 percent for the six months of $3.64 billion.
“This growth was driven mainly by contributions from our iCool and Unilever lines of business, both of which have been doing very well”, Peter Chin, Managing Director reported to shareholders in the directors’ report accompanying the financial data.
An interesting element of the results is the 10 percent growth in revenue over the June quarter a continuation of the quarter over quarter growth evident from late in 2014 with an average of 8 percent for the last three quarters.
Earnings per stock for the six months amount to 11 cents and 7 cents for the quarter. IC Insider projects profit of 34 cents for the current year and 50 cents for the year to March 2017.
Cost were held well below the growth in revenues with Operating Expenses in the latest quarter rising to $396 million from $377 in 2014 and for the six months this year the company incurred $779 million versus $658 million in 2014 for a rise of 18 percent.
Cash flow from operations increased by 94 percent to $391 million from $202 million for the similar period to September 2014 swelling Cash and Equivalents at the end of the Period to $904,043 compared with $191,277.
The company’s shares are listed on the junior market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange. Its principal activity is the distribution of pharmaceutical and consumable items, ii distributes all of Lasco Manufacturing’s products locally.
The stock may be considered fully priced currently with a PE of 10 being one of the higher priced junior market stocks, but with strong growth expected and lower interest rates to come, investors with a long term time horizon may want to accumulate from now, bearing in mind the limited supply available.
Dolphin Cove Q3 profit gains 17%
October 29, 2015 by
Image courtesy of Bill Longshaw/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Cash flow from operations increased by 26 percent to $486 million, compared to $385 million for the similar period to September 2014.
Earnings per stock unit for the nine months amounts to $1.05 and 32.6 cents for the quarter and could end around $1.40 for the year, for the full 2014 year earnings was $1.12.
“The improved results were largely reflective of a 10 percent growth in ancillary revenue and better receivables collections in 2015. There was also noticeable growth in the number of customers who visited our Hanover and Half Moon Parks and the Group also benefited from the devaluation in the Jamaican dollar in the third quarter, 2015 as most of our income is earned in United States dollars”.
“Overall revenue grew by 5 percent although, as anticipated, there was a reduction in the number of hotel guests who visited the Ocho Rios Park given the temporary closure (for expansion) of one of the major hotels in this region. The resulting reduction in revenue and profit in this area was however surpassed by strong growth in the other operating segments and an increase in local business on account of our summer promotion which was introduced in September quarter, 2015”.
Stafford Burrowes and his wife
An interim dividend of 15 cents per share will be paid in December quarter. This brings the total dividend declared to date to 45 cents and equals the same level of dividend which was declared as at September quarter, 2014.
Property, plant and equipment jumped to $2.19 billion at the end of September from $1.11 billion at the end of September last year as revaluation surplus added $930 million. Revaluation and retained profits helped to swell equity to $2.7 billion while borrowed funds stood at $240 million.
The company’s stock is traded on the Jamaica Stock Exchange and closed on Wednesday at $10 but with these results should be heading back upwards to the $13 range before long.
Bulls tamed a bit still active on JSE
October 28, 2015 by
Grace Kennedy traded at a new 52 weeks’ high of $70.
A total of 13 stocks rose, 16 declined as 37 securities, totalling 12,318,211 units valued at $44,798,394 changed hands, in all market segments. A total of 6 stocks ended at 52 weeks’ closing highs and one at a 52 weeks’ low. The JSE Market Index shot up 1,599.02 points to 13,628.83, a new closing high. JSE combined index climbed 1,437.67, points to end at a new closing high of 134,837.57.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading of 8 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 with offers that were lower.
In trading, Barita Investments trading for only the fifth time in October, lost 4 cents in trading 77,450 shares at $2.56, Berger Paints traded 58,499 shares to close at $3.40, Cable and Wireless closed with a gain of 4 cents as with 7,878,875 shares changed hands to end at 52 weeks’ high of $1.30. The stock traded between $1.25 and $1.50 with an average price of $1.44 and closed 1,850 units on the bid at $1.25 and with 63,000 shares on the offer at $1.30. Thursday’s trading could set the stage for the next few days of trading in the stocks. Caribbean Cement lost 49 cents to end at $18.01, with 12,658 shares changing hands. Cement closed with seven lots being offered amounting to just under 375,000 shares between mostly between $18.90 and $24, bids are 100,000 at $17.80 and 293,000 at $17.51, with the sellers having the upper hand currently. Carreras ended at with 9,664 share trading at $53 after. Desnoes & Geddes had 152,548 units changing hands to close at $30, Gleaner traded 150,833 shares at $1.86 for a 6 cents gain, Grace Kennedy exchanged 26,870 shares at $70 to close at a new 52 weeks High as the price gained $3.50, Jamaica Broilers traded 95,595 shares to close at $8.01. Jamaica Producers gained 10 cents to $20.70 with only 3,000 units in closing at a new 52 weeks high, Jamaica Stock Exchange also closed at a new 52 weeks high with 3,380 shares trading to end at $9.75, JMMB Group gained 10 cents in trading 107,923 shares to close at $9.85. 
National Commercial Bank with 29,361 shares changing hands closed at $31.50, Pan Jamaican price traded 34,410 shares to end at $90, for a new 52 weeks’ high, Sagicor Group jumped 70 cents with 197,308 shares trading to close at a new 52 weeks’ high of $15. Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 6,680 units as the price gained $1 to close at $11 for a 52 weeks’ high. Scotia Group ended with 74,384 shares trading closed at $26 after falling by 50 cents, Supreme Ventures ended at $3.81 with 78,000 units changing hands and lost 9 cents and Proven Investments ordinary share closed with a small loss 67,987 units traded to end at 23.98 US cents.
Bulls continue rampage on JSE
October 27, 2015 by
After clearing the near 11 year record high set back in January 2005 on Monday on Jamaica Stock Exchange bulls continued their rampage and pushed the market on Tuesday to a new record high of 143,154 points after adding 2,959.73 points on the all Jamaica Composite Index.
A total of 24 stocks rose, 10 declined as 40 securities, totalling 6,809,889 units valued at $47,476,253 changed hands, in all market segments. A total of 12 stocks ended at 52 weeks’ closing highs and 3 traded at 52 weeks’ intraday high. The JSE Market Index shot up 2,648.39 points to 129,029.81, a new closing high. JSE combined index climbed 2,323.43, points to end at a new closing high of 133,399.90.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading of 12 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 with offers that were lower.
In trading, Berger Paints traded 15,000 shares and gained 40 cents to close at $3.40 for a 52 weeks’ high, Cable and Wireless closed with a gain of 24 cents as with 338,626 shares changed hands to end at 52 weeks’ high of $1.26. The stock closed 76,499 units on the bid at $1.27 and with over 2,168,716 million shares on the bid at $1.26. Caribbean Cement gained $1 to end at $18.50 for a new 52 weeks’ closing high, with 193,583 shares changing hands.
Cement closed with seven lots being offered amounting to just over 400,000 shares between $18.50 and $24. Carreras ended at 52 weeks’ high with 5,000 share trading at $53 after adding 98 cents, Ciboney Group traded 200,000 shares to end at 9 cents after gaining 1 cent. Desnoes & Geddes had 451,515 units changing hands to close at $30, Grace Kennedy exchanged 1,200 shares at $67.50 to close at a new 52 weeks High as the price gained $2.40, Jamaica Broilers traded 162,859 shares to close at $8.01. JMMB Group lost 45 cents in trading 115,050 shares to close at $9.75, Mayberry Investments traded 49,431 shares and gained 31 cents to end at a 52 weeks high of $3.81, National Commercial Bank rose 12 cents to end with 73,630 shares trading at $31.50. Pan Jamaican price traded 12,771 shares to end at $80, Pulse Investments traded 118,971 and close at 5 by gaining 4 cents, Sagicor Group lost 20 cents with 68,757 shares trading to close at $14.30.
Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 25,000 units as the price gained 80 cents to close at $10 for a 52 weeks’ high. Scotia Group ended with 125,411 shares trading closed at $26.50 after rising by 50 cents, Seprod traded 31,400 shares at $14.96, Sterling Investments traded 216,400 shares to close at $13, Supreme Ventures ended at $3.90 with 808,203 units changing hands and lost 10 cents. Jamaica Money Market Brokers 8.75% preference share, had 100,000 units changing hands at $2.70 and Proven Investments 8% preference share closed with a loss of 10 cents as 120,500 units traded to end at $4.95.
All Jamaica at record high 140,195 points
October 26, 2015 by
Cable & Wireless HQ – the stock traded at a new 52 weeks’ high on Thursday, Friday and Monday
The Jamaica Stock Exchange closed on Monday at a record high of 140,194.65 points after adding 2,684.37 points with 22 stocks rising, 7 declining as 37 securities, totalling 9,954,429 units valued at $35,061,223 changed hands, in all market segments. A total of 6 stocks ended at 52 weeks’ closing highs.
Today’s gain pushed the market well over the old record of 138,917.59 set on 24th of January 2005 and ends the longest period in the market’s history, that it failed to exceed a previous high. The all Jamaica Composite Index is the last of the JSE indices to hit new highs in October.
The JSE Market Index shot up 2,402.00 points to 126,381.42, a new closing high. JSE combined index climbed 2,317.79, points to end at a new closing high of 131,076.47.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading of 11 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with offers that were lower.
In trading, Berger Paints traded 295,658 shares and gained 25 cents to close at $3, Cable and Wireless closed with a gain of 20 cents as with 307,231 shares changed hands to end at 52 weeks’ high of $1.02. Trading in the stock was suspended for an hour as the as the trade was executed at 97 cents, a price in excess of 15 per cent from the closing price on Friday as investors continue to respond to the news that Liberty Global planned on making a bid to acquire Cable and Wireless’ parent company. The stock closed with over 4.33 million shares on the bid at $1.02 with 2.8 million units at $1 and five offers amounting to only 47,649 shares between $1.13 and $1.70 and at 3.3 million units at $30. Caribbean Cement gained $2.70 to end at $17.50 for a new 52 weeks’ closing high, with 170,368 shares changing hands. Investors were responding to the company’s reported earnings of 72 cents for the September quarter and $1.75 for the nine months. Cement closed with only two lots being offered, amounting to 13,000 shares at $19 and $24. Ciboney Group traded 5,358,999 shares to end at 8 cents after shedding 1 cent. Desnoes & Geddes had 413,169 units changing hands to close at $30, Grace Kennedy exchanged 1,621 shares at $65.10 and gained 35 cents, Jamaica Broilers lost 49 cents in trading 55,596 shares to close at $8.01. JMMB Group gained 30 cents in trading 101,850 shares to close at $10.20, Mayberry Investments traded 8,050 shares and gained 50 cents to end at $3.50, National Commercial Bank fell 62 cents to end with 7,356 shares trading to end at $31.38.
Pan Jamaican price jumped $5 in trading 5,720 shares to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $80, Pulse Investments traded 200,000 and close at 61 by gaining 6 cents, Sagicor Group with 21,192 shares closed at $14.50. Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 1,104 units but the price gained $1.05 to close at $9.20 and closed with a bid to buy 99,296 units at $9.20 and with only three offers posted with two at $10 to sell 25,000 units and 19,000 at $11, Scotia Group ended with 11,554 shares trading closed at $26 after rising $1.24. Seprod traded 20,700 shares at $14.96, Supreme Ventures ended at $4 with 308,224 units changing hands and gained 10 cents and Proven Investments ordinary traded 6,875 shares and fell 1.5 cents to end at 23 US cents.
