The bullishness of Jamaica Stock Exchange continued on Thursday with all three main indices representing the main market being up, at the end of trading. A total of 44 securities were active, leading to 9,435,523 units valued at $123,466,769 changing hands, in all market segments. at the close 26 securities rose and 9 declined with 9 stocks ending at 52 weeks’ closing high and 1 at an intraday 52 weeks’ high.
The JSE Market Index shed 301.69 points to 132,432.68 the all Jamaica Composite Index gained 337.15 points to end at 146,957.28 and JSE combined index dipped 859.23 points to end at 138,361.33.
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 are lower.
In trading, Barita Investments closed at a new 52 weeks’ high of $3.66 while trading 61,000 shares to end at with a gain of 16 cents, after trading at $4, Berger Paints dropped jumped 80 cents to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $3.80 after 207,422 shares were traded. Cable and Wireless recover some lost grounds and gained 15 cents, with 2,120,843 shares changing hands. On the offer were 39,129 shares at 95 cents with bid in at 86 cents to buy 79,702 units. Caribbean Cement rose 10 cents to end at $18.10, with 183,769 shares changing hands. 
Carreras had a big trade with 1,006,300 units to close at $54 but with 1 million units being a cross, the stock gained 99 cents to end at a 52 weeks’ high, Gleaner Company traded 37,300 shares to end at $1.92, Grace Kennedy closed at $68.50 while gaining 30 cents with 16,379 shares changing hands. Jamaica Broilers traded 207,000 shares to close at $9 for a gain of 50 cents, Jamaica Producers traded 1,237 shares and gained 20 cents to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $23.70, Jamaica Stock Exchange closed with 46,000 shares trading with a gain of 21 cents at $10.86. JMMB Group traded 164,806 shares to close at $11 with the price gaining $1 for new 52 weeks’ closing high, Kingston Wharves traded 44,395 units to close at $11.10 for a 52 weeks’ closing high, after rising by 10 cents,Mayberry Investment rose 10 cents to end at $4.20 by trading 54,500 shares. National Commercial Bank with 47,367 shares changing hands declined 50 cents to end at $32.50. 
Pan Jamaican jumped $3.49 in trading 19,650 shares to end at $85, Pulse Investments traded 60,000 shares to gain 15 cents and ended at $1.35 for a 52 weeks’ high. Sagicor Group dropped 20 cents with 1,225,725 shares trading, to close at $14.50, Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 11,929 units, the price closed at $9.50 after falling $1, Scotia Group ended with 110,716 shares changing hands and closed at $26.17 after declining $1.03. Scotia Investments fell 70 cents to close at $26.80 as 811,400 units traded, Supreme Ventures ended at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $4.65, after rising 15 cents with 222,596 shares changing hands and Proven Investments ordinary share ended at 22.98 US cents with 73,500 units changing hands.
JSE falls as 15 stocks rise 12 down
Barita Investments closed at a new 52 weeks’ high on Wednesday
The JSE Market Index shed 559.17 points to 132,130.99 the all Jamaica Composite Index dropped 624.90 points to end at 146,620.13 and JSE combined index dipped 246.22 points to end at 137,502.10.
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 13 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 with offers that are lower. In trading, Barita Investments closed at a new 52 weeks’ high of $3.50 while trading 24,500 shares to end at with a gain of 60 cents, Berger Paints dropped 45 cents to end at $3 after 13,162 shares were traded. Cable and Wireless continued under selling pressure and closed with a loss of 3 cents, but the volume increased over the 771,778 shares changing hands on Tuesday with 3,545,542 units changing hands to end at 80 centsJSE-sum-4-11-15.png”>
On the offer were 200,000 shares at 86 cents with bid in at 75 cents to buy 325,000 units. Caribbean Cement rose 12 cents to end at $18, with 50,537 shares changing hands. Desnoes & Geddes had 2,860 units changing hands, to close with a gain of 15 cents at $30.15, Gleaner Company traded 14,400 shares to end at $1.92, Grace Kennedy closed at $68.20 while gaining 20 cents with 12,493 shares changing hands. Jamaica Broilers traded 272,250 shares to close at $8.50, after trading at an intraday 52 weeks’ high of $9.20, Jamaica Producers traded 15,000 and gained 50 cents to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $23.50, Jamaica Stock Exchange closed with 26,000 shares trading with a loss of 35 cents at $10.65. JMMB Group traded 10,900 shares to close at $10 with the price gaining 14 cents, Kingston Wharves traded 31,347 units to close at $11, Mayberry Investments rose 10 cents to end at $4.20 by trading 2,049,700 shares. National Commercial Bank with 17,450 shares changing hands declined 50 cents to end at $32.50. Pan Jamaican jumped $3.49 in trading 19,650 shares to end at $85, Radio Jamaica closed at $4.82 for a fall of 18 cents in trading 12,330 shares.
Sagicor Group dropped 20 cents with 94,908 shares trading, to close at $14.50, Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 3,000 units, the price closed at $10.50 after falling 50 cents, Scotia Group ended with 14,324 shares changing hands and closed at $26.17 after declining $1.03. Scotia Investments rose $1 to close at $27.50 as 6,000 units traded, Supreme Ventures traded at an intra-day high of $4.75, and closed at $4.50 with 10,100 shares changing hands and Proven Investments ordinary share ended at 22.98 US cents with 30,116 units changing hands.
Profit gains 12% at Medical Disposables
Profit after tax for the six months of the financial year to September for Medical Disposables of $42.7 million rose 11.5 percent over the similar period last year. For the September quarter, profit after tax came in at $23.4 million, an increase of only $1.9 million or 9.2 percent.
“The increase in profit was as a direct result of the improved performance in sales revenue for the period ended September, 2015”, Kurt Boothe, General Manager stated in the report to shareholders accompanying the interim financials.
Operating profit rose more impressively than net profit, with a rise to $30 million from $22.5 million, an increase of 33.6 percent and for the half year, 29.6 percent to $53.8 million from $41.5 million in 2014. Increases in finance cost, foreign exchange loss and provision for taxation helped to reduce the final numbers to a moderate increase. Cash flows for the six months before interest cost rose to $57 million from $45 million in 2014.
Earnings per share rose to 9 cents per share in the quarter and 16 cents for the six months and should end around 35 cents for the year ending March 2015.
Sales revenue rose to $599 million, increasing by $59 million or 10.9 percent for the six months to September compared to the same period last year. Revenue for the six months rose 8.9 percent to $308 million from $283 million.
Gross profit for the six months ended at $166.7 million and increased by $30.6 million or 22.5 percent compared to last 2015. “This improvement was due to increased sales in all product categories, changes in the product mix and maintaining gross margin efficiency the company said,” Boothe stated. For the quarter gross profit rose 17 percent to $82.6 million from $70.46. Gross profit margin increased to 26.8 percent in the September quarter from 24.9 percent last year for the similar quarter and for the six months period 27.8 percent versus 25.2 percent.
“Total operating expenses of $113 million reflected an increase of $18.4 million or 19.4 percent over the same period last year. The increase in expenses was driven mainly by staff related costs, insurance, utilities, professional fees, information technology services and expenses related to the new property purchased earlier in the year. Staff related expenses, in particular, increased because of the strategic decision to realign the staff complement and compensation to sustain the current growth, development and expansion of the business,” Boothe further stated in his report.
Current assets amounts $587 million inclusive cash funds of $77 million and current liabilities of $253 million, including short term borrowings of $74 million. Shareholders’ equity increased to $435 million with total borrowings of $324 million.
The main activity of the company is the sale of medical disposables and supplies. The company’s shares are listed on the junior market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange since December 2013. The stock last traded at $3.50 and is up 43 percent for the year to date. it is now priced at a PE of 10, based on IC Insider full year estimated earnings.
Another day of records for JSE
The Jamaica stock Exchange closed at yet another high at the end of trading on Tuesday. All three main indices representing the main market, rose at the end of trading. The market closed with 34 securities trading, leading to 6,392,200 units valued at $68,464,086 changing hands, in all market segments. A total of 20 securities rose and 8 declined, with 8 stocks ending at 52 weeks’ closing highs and 5 at an intraday 52 weeks’ high.
The JSE Market Index shot up 500.20 points to 132,690.16, the all Jamaica Composite Index gained 559.00 points to end at 147,245.03. JSE combined index climbed 906.22 points to end at 137,748.32. 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 9 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 6 with offers that are lower.
In trading, Cable and Wireless continued under selling pressure and closed with a loss of 11 cents, with 771,778 shares changing hands to end at 83 cents. Trading in the stock was between 83 and 90 cents, closing with a bid at 83 cents, to buy 246,781 shares.
On the offer were 69,365 shares at 90 cents. By the close the number of serious offers increased dramatically and now total 44, ranging up to $3.10, for a total of 11 million units. The offers at $1.20 and below covers 2.1 million units. Caribbean Cement fell back 12 cents to end at $17.88, with 16,595 shares changing hands. Desnoes & Geddes had 98,677 units changing hands, to close at $30, Gleaner Company traded 72,840 shares to end at $1.92, after rising 2 cents, Grace Kennedy traded at $68 while gaining 30 cents with 4,695 shares changing hands. Jamaica Broilers traded 7,384 shares to close at $8.50 as the price gained shed 50 cents. Jamaica Producers traded 10,000 and gained $2 to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $23, Jamaica Stock Exchange closed with 27,272 shares trading to end at $11, JMMB Group traded 1,030,443 shares to close at $9.86, Kingston Wharves gained 40 cents in trading 6,000 units to close at $11, for a new 52 weeks’ high. Mayberry Investment rose 8 cents to end at $4.10 by trading 83,731 shares. 
National Commercial Bank with 257,400 shares changing hands dropped back by $3 to end at $33. Pan Jamaican traded 14,700 shares to end $3.49 lower at $85, Radio Jamaica closed at a new 52 weeks’ high of $5 to gain 50 cents in trading 13,896 shares, but ended with the offer at $4.44 by the end of trading. Sagicor Group rose 19 cents with 78,700 shares trading, to close at $14.70, Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 23,000 units, the price closed at $11, Scotia Group ended with 1,059,827 shares changing hands and closed at $26.20, after rising 21 cents. The stock traded up to $28.50 for an intraday high, Scotia Investments fell $1.50 to close at $26.50 as 10,000 units traded and Supreme Ventures ended with a rise of 32 cents to $4.47 with 50,000 units changing hands.
JSE starts November positively
NCB’s new Constant Spring Rd. branch the company’s stock last traded at $36 on Monday
A total of 37 securities traded leading to 6,392,200 units valued at $48,320,406 hanging hands, in all market segments. A total of 21 securities rose and 10 declined with 6 stocks ended at 52 weeks’ closing highs and 2 at an intraday 52 weeks’ high.
The JSE Market Index shot up 905.92 points to 132,189.96, the all Jamaica Composite Index gained 1,012.42 points to end at 146,686.03. JSE combined index and climbed 1,059.06, points to end at 136,842.10. All Three indices are at new closing highs.
IC bid-offer Indicator At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the <strong> 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 $2.90 as the price gained 15 cents while 50,000 shares were traded, the stock closed with the bid at $3 to buy 60,000 shares, no stocks were offered at the close.
Cable and Wireless continued under selling pressure and closed with a loss of 36 cents, with 1,456,839 shares changing hands to end at 94 cents. Trading in the stock was between 94 cents and $1.20 and it closed with a bid at 85 cents, to buy 57,000 shares. On the offer were 800,562 shares at 94 cents. By the close the number of offers increased dramatically and now total 36, ranging up to $3.10, for a total of 9.5 million units down from 10,689,005 units on Friday. Caribbean Cement rose 27 cents to end at $18, with 27,310 shares changing hands. Carreras ended with 5,212 shares trading at $53.05, Desnoes & Geddes had 53,472 units changing hands, to close at $30, Gleaner Company traded 948,928 shares to end at $1.90, Jamaica Broilers traded 145,457 shares to close at $9 as the price gained 12 cents. Jamaica Stock Exchange closed with 56,824 shares trading to endat $11, JMMB Group traded 172,798 shares to close with a rise of 34 cents to end at $9.85. Kingston Wharves traded 13,193 units to close at $10.60 for a new 52 weeks’ high, Mayberry Investments rose 2 cents to end at $4.02, by trading 38,701 shares. National Commercial Bank with 14,604 shares changing hands jumped $3.50 to end at $36, for a new 52 weeks’ high.
Pan Jamaican traded 9,124 shares to end $4.88 cents higher, at $85, Radio Jamaica closed at a new 52 weeks’ high of $4.50 to gain 50 cents in trading 31,200 shares. Sagicor Group fell 15 cents with 102,492 shares trading, to close at $14.51, Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 69,495 units, the price closed down 60 cents at $11, Scotia Group ended with 11,923 shares changing hands and closed at $26.17, after falling by 81 cents. Scotia Investments gained 50 cents to close at $28 as 936,435 units traded, Supreme Ventures ended at $4.20 with 581,769 units changing hands and Proven Investments ordinary share, closed with a fall of 0.9 US cents, with 24,650 units traded, to end at 23 US cents.
Paramount more than doubles dividend
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.
Q4 Profit jumps 215% at AMG
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
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
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.
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.
