Jamaica Stock Exchange

Heavy indices losses on JSE – Monday

December 7, 2015 by IC Insider.com

NCB ended at a new closing 52 weeks’ high on Monday

The main market suffer a big reversal in trading on Monday with the number of securities trading below recent elevated levels of over 40 to 35 trading on Monday as the market closed with 12,726,363 units valued at $81,049,348 changing hands, in all market segments.
A total of 13 securities recorded gains and 8 declined as 5 stocks closed at a 52 weeks’ high but the JSE Market Index dropped 1,571.80 points to 140,840.88 the all Jamaica Composite Index dived 1,756.57 points to end at 156,353.92 and the JSE combined index erased 1,409.79 points to close at 147,465.66.
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 1 with a lower offer.
In trading, Berger Paints ended with 43,063 units trading at $3.45 after gaining 30 cents,

Cable and Wireless closed with 2,427,885 units changing hands down to $1.35 for a loss of 14 cents, Caribbean Cement closed trading at $17 having lost 1 cent with 29,527 shares changing hands. Carreras closed at $56 with 6,893 units trading. Ciboney closed at a 52 weeks’ closing high of 24 cents with 125,816 shares changing hands, Gleaner Company traded 65,126 shares at $1.40, Grace Kennedy ended with 116,251 units changing hands with a gain of 49 cents to $76, a 52 weeks’ closing high, Jamaica Broilers lost 48 cents in trading 48,100 shares, to close at $8.02. Jamaica Producers rose by 50 cents to close at $32 with 917,122 units trading, JMMB Group lost 35 cents in trading 396,832 shares, to close at $10. Kingston Wharves traded 1,000 units to end at $11.50, with a gain of 20 cents,

Mayberry Investments ended with 61,048 shares changing hands with a gain of 30 cents to $5, National Commercial Bank ended at $39.99, having risen $2.49 and closed with 6,460 units changing hands at a 52 weeks’ closing high. Pulse Investments had 32,620 units trading at $2.50, Radio Jamaica lost 44 cents in trading 1,000 units at $4.06, Sagicor Group with 108,541 units changing hands, ended at $16.70, Sagicor Real Estate Fund ended with 22,365 shares trading, to finish at $10.25. Scotia Group had 21,181 shares changing hands at $27.50 to record a 32 cents gain, Supreme Ventures closed with 1,105,941 units changing hands, 20 cents lower at $4.70 and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share rose 9 cents and ended trading 445,500 units at $1.90.

Filed Under: JSE Main Market, Stock Market Tagged With: Berger Paints, Cable & Wireless, Caribbean Cement, Ciboney, Gleaner, Grace Kennedy, Jamaica Broilers, Jamaica Money Market Brokers, Jamaica Stock Exchange, Kingston Wharves, Mayberry Investments, National Commercial Bank, Pulse Investments, Sagicor Group, Sagicor Real Estate Fund, Scotia Group, Supreme Ventures

JSE stock up 887% could end higher

December 6, 2015 by IC Insider.com

The Jamaica Stocks Exchange stock rocketed from $1.57 to a record $15.50 topping the market as the best performing stock over 52 weeks with gains of 887 percent. The JSE benefitted from a big jump in profits from $8 million in 2014 to $139 million in nine months to September this year, as revenues jumped from $242 million in 2014 to $521 million.
For the quarter, profit amounts to $37 million up from $11 million in 2014, from operating revenues of $157 million versus $89 million in 2014. In addition to operating revenues, the JSE earned $16 million from investment income in the latest quarter, compared to $8 million in the September 2014 quarter and $34 million in the nine months in both years.
Earlier in the year, IC Insider stated, “the stock remains IC Insider BUY RATED and is now available at $3.50 which it last traded at, but won’t remain that way forever and investors should be buying this one for big long-term gains,” since then the stock has shot up to $15.50 for a gain of 933 percent for the year.
For the September quarter, cost rose from $90 million to $109 million due mainly to staff cost jumping b $12 million. For the nine months, cost rose from $273 million to $340 million with staff cost accounting for $20 million of the increase and securities commission fees jumping to $37 million from $10 million in 2014.
The exchange has cash and investments of $448 million with a working capital ratio of 2.4:1 and equity of $624 million, there is no borrowed debt on the books.
Factors that investors should be considering looking forward which will be critical to the fortunes of the stock exchange are the levels of trading that could point them to future income and profit. Up to December 4, this year, the JSE traded $8.4 billion in normal trades compared to $3.7 billion in December 2014, in the September quarter, trading amounted to $8.68 billion up from $3.74 billion in the June 2015 quarter and $5.15 billion in September 2014. The increase in the 4th quarter stock trading activity to date, is just below the 3th quarter level, in addition there will be a full quarterly income from repo business.
In the March quarter 2015, a total of $4.9 billion was involved in trading up from $3.8 billion in March 2014. Both the December and the March quarters in 2015 have a few one off type trades, regardless the trend is pretty clear pointing to the possibility of a strong 2016. The last two quarters suggest that trading levels in dollar terms could be up around 40 percent and it could be more. That would mean a sharp increase in revenues for the exchange in addition the managing of the repo business will provide added income for the entire year compared with two months in the September quarter and 5 months for the year to December.
Back in 2004, the market traded $28 billion in regular trading activity when the Jamaican dollar was trading around $62 to the US dollar with trading in 2005 being slightly behind at $26 billion. Trading would need to get to $51-55 billion for a year to match trading levels back in 2004 and 2005.
Profit should close out the year on a high with monetary trading levels set to exceed that of the third quarter and well ahead of the fourth quarter of 2014. IC Insider is forecasting earnings of $1.40 for the 2015 not factoring the trade that could flow from the Heineken buyout of the minority shares in Desnoes and Geddes.

Filed Under: Buy Rated, Company News, Company Results Tagged With: Jamaica Stock Exchange

Heavy trading on JSE on Friday

December 4, 2015 by IC Insider.com

NCB’s trades on Friday amounted to $90.6m

The number of securities trading on Friday increased and remains at elevated levels of over 40, with 43 being active. The market closed with 15,466,535 units valued at $206,946,075 changing hands, in all market segments. A total of 2 stocks closed at a 52 weeks’ high others while others traded intraday at highs but fell away at the close.
The JSE Market Index rose 365.33 points to 142,412.68, the all Jamaica Composite Index shot up 408.27 points to end at 158,110.49 and the JSE combined index climbed 497.86 points to end at 148,875.45.
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 10 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 with lower offers.
In trading, Berger Paints ended with 135,245 units trading at $3.15 after falling 45 cents, Cable and Wireless closed with 445,330 units changing hands down to $1.49 for a loss of 3 cents, Caribbean Cement closed trading at $17.01 having lost $1.49 with 8,054 shares changing hands. Carreras closed at $56 with 9,880 units trading.

Ciboney traded at an intraday 52 weeks’ high of 26 cents but ended at 23 cents with 763,857 shares changing hands, Desnoes & Geddes ended with 100,000 shares trading at $30, Gleaner Company traded at 100,000 shares and fell 30 cents to $1.40, Jamaica Broilers lost 10 cents in trading 124,557 shares, to close at $8.50. Jamaica Producers fell 50 cents to close at $31.50 with 24,145 units trading, JMMB Group gained 10 cents in trading 153,315 shares, to close at $10.35. Kingston Wharves traded 4,903,085 units to end at $11.30, with a gain of 10 cents, Mayberry investments ended with 294,647 shares changing hands at $4.70, National Commercial Bank ended back at $37.50 having traded at a 52 weeks’ high of $40 during the day and closed with 2,394,692 units changing hands.

Pan Jamaican ended fell $2 with 930 shares trading, to finish at $92, Pulse Investments had 7,380 units changing hands to close at $2.50, Radio Jamaica lost 31 cents in trading 16,886 units at $4.50, Sagicor Group with 227,120 units ended at $16.70, Scotia Group had 885,356 shares changing hands at $27.18 to record an 18 cents gain. Scotia Investments had 5,400 units trading but fell $1 to end at $27, Supreme Ventures closed with 57,500 units changing hands, 20 cents higher at $4.90, Proven Investments ordinary share traded 124,217 units at 23 US cents and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share rose 9 cents and ended trading 181,747 units at $1.90.

Filed Under: JSE Main Market, Stock Market Tagged With: Berger Paints, Cable & Wireless, Caribbean Cement, Ciboney, Desnoes and Geddes’, Gleaner, Grace Kennedy, Jamaica Broilers, Jamaica Money Market Brokers, Jamaica Stock Exchange, Kingston Wharves, Mayberry Investments, National Commercial Bank, Pan Jamaican, Proven Investments, Pulse Investments, Sagicor Group, Scotia Group

JSE jumps sharply on Thursday

December 3, 2015 by IC Insider.com

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Jamaica Producers closed at a new 52 weeks’ high of $32 on Thursday.

The number of securities trading on Thursday increased and remains at elevated levels over 40 as the market closed with 11,309,612 units valued at $179,784,674 changing hands, in all market segments and the market indices jumped sharply by the close. A total of 4 stocks closed at a 52 weeks’ high.
The JSE Market Index climbed 1,796.81 points to 142,047.35, the all Jamaica Composite Index shot up 2,008.04 points to end at 157,702.22 and the JSE combined index jumped 1,764.62 points to end at 148,377.59.
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 2 with lower offers.
In trading,

Berger Paints ended with 478,260 units trading at $3.60 after adding 9 cents, Cable and Wireless closed with 760,826 units changing hands at $1.52, Caribbean Cement closed trading at $18.50, with 18,695 shares changing hands. Carreras closed at $56 with 52,742 units trading, Ciboney closed at a 52 weeks’ high of 23 cents after gaining 2 cents with 65,930 shares changing hands, Desnoes & Geddes ended with 14,000 shares trading at $30, Gleaner Company traded at 105,031 shares and but fell 21 cents to $1.70, Jamaica Broilers rose 14 cents in trading 343,265 shares, to close at $8.60, Jamaica Producers climbed $2 to close at 52 weeks’ high of $32 with 5,197 units trading Jamaica Stock Exchange jumped $1.50 in trading 2,000 units to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $15.50, JMMB Group ended trading 737 shares, to close at $10.25. Kingston Wharves traded 8,079 units to end at $11.20, Mayberry ended with 318,784 shares changing hands at $4.70, after rising 41 cents, National Commercial Bank closed with 3,367,608 units changing hands at $37.50 with a loss of $1.50.

Pan Jamaican ended with 42,553 shares and jumped to $5 to a 52 weeks’ high of $95, Pulse Investments had 90,089 units trading at the price rose 32 cents to close at $2.50, Radio Jamaica lost 24 cents in trading 32,794 units at $4.81, Sagicor Group rose $1.20 with 555,102 units to end at $16.70. Scotia Group had 212,574 shares changing hands at $27, Scotia Investments had 57,245 units trading with a gain of 16 cents to end at $28, Seprod lost 1 cent in trading 22,794 units at $18.60. Supreme Ventures closed with 1,192,628 units changing hands at $4.70 with a 1 cent loss, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 8.750% preference share ended trading 348,115 units at $2.65.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, JSE Main Market, Stock Market Tagged With: Berger Paints, Cable & Wireless, Caribbean Cement, Ciboney, Desnoes and Geddes’, Gleaner, Jamaica Broilers, Jamaica Money Market Brokers, Jamaica Stock Exchange, Kingston Wharves, Mayberry Investments, National Commercial Bank, Pan Jamaican, Pulse Investments, Sagicor Group, Sagicor Real Estate Fund, Scotia Group, Seprod, Supreme Ventures

No rescuer for JSE on Wednesday

December 2, 2015 by IC Insider.com

NCB closed at new high of $39 on Wednesday.

The number of securities trading on Wednesday increased and remains at elevated levels over 40 as the market closed with 9,838,406 units valued at $28,674,620 changing hands, in all market segments, but the market indices declined by the close.
At the close, 3 stocks ended at 52 weeks’ high and 1 at an intraday high in both markets.
The JSE Market Index fell 229.17 points to 140,250.54, the all Jamaica Composite Index declined by 256.11 points to end at 155,694.18 and the JSE combined index dipped 483.84 points to end at 146,612.97.
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 lower offers.

In trading, Cable and Wireless closed with 822,927 units changing hands at $1.52 after the price fell by 2 cents, Caribbean Cement traded at an intraday 52 weeks’ high of $20.44 but settled back at $18.50 having shed 60 cents, with 300,860 shares changing hands. Carreras closed at $56 with 19,808 units trading. Desnoes & Geddes ended with 5,000 shares trading at $30, Jamaica Broilers lost 4 cents in trading 156,111 shares, to close at $8.46, Jamaica Stock Exchange traded 10,000 units to end at $14 for a 52 weeks’ high, with a gain of 55 cents, JMMB Group rose 24 cents while trading 129,084 shares, to close at $10.25. Kingston Wharves traded 65,116 units and fell 27 cents to end at $11.20, Mayberry Investments ended with just 198 shares changing hands but fell 42 cents to $4.29, National Commercial Bank closed at a 52 weeks’ high of $39 with a gain of $2.66 while trading 7,840 units. 138 Student Living ended with 6,350 shares and recovered 35 cents to end at $4.35,

Pulse Investments had 20,000 units trading at the close at $2.18 after it traded earlier at $2.50, Radio Jamaica lost 4 cents in trading 58,547 units at $5.05, Sagicor Group fell 50 cents in trading 146,805 units to end at $15.50. Sagicor Real Estate X Fund gained 25 cents with 5,500 units changing hands at $10.25. Scotia Group had 42,660 shares changing hands at $27, Seprod gained 6 cents in trading 14,880 units at $18.61. Proven Investments closed with 16,020 units changing hands at 23 US cents, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share ended trading with 117,000 units at $1.81 and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 8.50% preference share traded 110,800 at $4.19, with a fall of 31 cents.

Filed Under: JSE Main Market, Stock Market Tagged With: 138 Student Living, Cable & Wireless, Caribbean Cement, Desnoes and Geddes’, Gleaner, Jamaica Broilers, Jamaica Money Market Brokers, Jamaica Stock Exchange, Kingston Wharves, National Commercial Bank, Proven Investments, Pulse Investments, Sagicor Group, Sagicor Real Estate Fund, Scotia Group, Seprod, Supreme Ventures

NCB rescues JSE on Tuesday

December 1, 2015 by IC Insider.com

NCB stock traded at a high of J$40 on the JSE on Tuesday.

With news that National Commercial Bank will be buying 30 percent of Guardian Holdings shares, the stock traded higher the moment the market opened and ended up as high as $40 for an intraday high. The move in NCB’s price, helped the Jamaica Stock Exchange main market to eke out gains, even as the declining stocks were more than those advancing.
The market closed with a volume of 9,838,406 units valued at $181,361,434 changing hands, in all market segments. National Commercial Bank accounted for 3,818,003 units carrying a value of $140,419,998. Activity took place in 40 securities, leading to 11 rising and 20 declining with 2 stocks ending at 52 weeks’ closing high but with none from the main market but there were trading at 52 weeks intraday high.
The JSE Market Index gained 305.74 points to 140,479.71, the all Jamaica Composite Index rose 341.68 points to end at 155,950.29 and the JSE combined index increased by 120.88 points to end at 147,096.81.
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 lower offers.

In trading, Barita Investments had 18,700 units trading at $3.81 for a loss of 24 cents, Cable and Wireless closed with 1,235,040 units changing hands at $1.54 after the price fell by 1 cent, Caribbean Cement traded at an intraday 52 weeks’ high of $20 but settled back at $19.10 having gained 10 cent, with 40,662 shares changing hands. It closed with a bid at $19.10 to buy 508 units and at $19 are 22,900 units, on offer are 150,000 shares at $20.44, Carreras rose 90 cents to close at $56 with 30,898 units trading. Ciboney did not trade but closed with the bid at 23 cents to buy with 38,830 shares. Desnoes & Geddes ended with 11,850 shares trading at $30, Jamaica Broilers lost 20 cents in trading 1,375,039 shares, to close at $8.50, Jamaica Stock Exchange traded 14,635 units to end at $13.45, JMMB Group fell 8 cents while trading 303,051 shares, to close at $10.01. Kingston Wharves traded 83,754 units and rose 17 cents to end at $11.47, Mayberry Investments ended with 10,600 shares changing hands at $4.70, after falling 15 cents, National Commercial Bank closed with a gain of 59 cents to end at $36.34.

138 Student Living ended with 1,108,650 shares but lost 35 cents to $4, Pulse Investments had 250,658 units trading at the close at $at $2 after it traded earlier at $2.45, Sagicor Group fell 54 cents in trading 596,988 units to end at $16. Salada Foods gained $1.15 with 10,000 units changing hands at $10, Scotia Group had 18,000 shares changing hands and closed at $27, Scotia Investments traded 3,729 units but dropped $6 to $27.50, Supreme Ventures gained 5 cents with 20,000 units changing hands at $4.85 and Proven Investments ended trading 44,259 units with the price ending at 22.9 US cents.

Filed Under: JSE Main Market, Stock Market Tagged With: Barita Investments, Berger Paints, Cable & Wireless, Caribbean Cement, Ciboney, Desnoes and Geddes’, Gleaner, Grace Kennedy, Jamaica Broilers, Jamaica Money Market Brokers, Jamaica Stock Exchange, Kingston Wharves, Mayberry Investments, National Commercial Bank, Pan Jamaican, Proven Investments, Pulse Investments, Sagicor Group, Sagicor Real Estate Fund, Scotia Group, Scotia Investments, Seprod, Supreme Ventures

Bulls retreat again from JSE – Monday

November 30, 2015 by IC Insider.com

The Jamaica Stock Exchange main market suffered another day of losses in the indices on Monday. The market closed with a volume of 6,907,239 units valued at only $20,441,816 changing hands, in all market segments. Activity took place in 37 securities, leading to 11 rising and 12 declining with 3 stocks ending at 52 weeks’ closing high but with just 1 from the main market.
The JSE Market Index lost 451.99 points to 140,173.97, the all Jamaica Composite Index fell 505.12 points to end at 155,608.61 and the JSE combined index declined 315.54 points to end at 146,975.93.
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 10 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 with lower offers.
In trading, Berger Paints had 61,778 units trading at $3.60 for a gain of 45 cents, Cable and Wireless closed with 1,748,946 units changing hands at $1.60 after the price gained 8 cents, Caribbean Cement slipped 20 cents to end at $19, with 68,922 shares changing hands. It closed with a bid at $19.05 to buy 25,450 units, with bids at $19 to buy 26,411 units and 10,000 shares at $16.55, on offer are 4,000 at $19.99, beyond this, are 11,500 units at $20 and 150,000 units at $20.44. Carreras rose 90 cents to close at $56 with 17,739 units trading. Ciboney gained 5 cents to close at a new 52 weeks’ high of 21 cents with 35,200 shares. Desnoes & Geddes ended with 14,723 shares trading at $30, Gleaner fell by 2 cents in trading 20,427 units at $1.93, Grace Kennedy traded with a loss of 44 cents to close at $75.06 with 36,734 shares, Jamaica Broilers lost 60 cents as it traded 189,334 shares to close at $8. Jamaica Stock Exchange traded 94,365 units to end at $13.45 with a gain of 30 cents, JMMB Group gained 7 cents while trading 11,071 shares to close at $10.18,Mayberry ended with 9,600 shares changing hands at $4.85 after rising 35 cents. National Commercial Bank closed with a loss of 25 cents as 62,323 shares changed hands to end at $35.75. After the market closed news broke that the banking group is to acquire nearly 30 percent of Guardian Holdings shares, from a group of shareholders, subject to regulatory approval. Radio Jamaica declined by 39 cents to end at $5.11 with 11,100 units changing hands. Sagicor Group fell 11 cents in trading 12,143 units to end at $16.54. Scotia Group had 6,023 shares changing hands and closed at $27, Supreme Ventures had 58,975 units changing hands at $4.80 and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share traded 25,000 units with the price ending at $1.81.

Filed Under: JSE Main Market, Stock Market Tagged With: Berger Paints, Cable & Wireless, Caribbean Cement, Ciboney, Desnoes and Geddes’, Gleaner, Grace Kennedy, Jamaica Broilers, Jamaica Money Market Brokers, Jamaica Stock Exchange, Mayberry Investments, National Commercial Bank, Pulse Investments, Sagicor Group, Scotia Group, Supreme Ventures

Bulls retreat on JSE – Friday

November 27, 2015 by IC Insider.com

Carib Cement closed at a new 52 weeks’ high on Friday.

The Jamaica Stock Exchange main market suffered another day of reversal in the indices on Friday. The market closed with a volume of 6,907,239 units valued at $34,171,808 changing hands, in all market segments. Activity took place in 37 securities, leading to 14 securities rising and 12 declining with 5 stocks ending at 52 weeks’ closing high but with just 1 from the main market.
The JSE Market Index lost 480.67 points to 140,626.96, the all Jamaica Composite Index fell 537.18 points to end at 156,113.73 and the JSE combined index declined 149.43 points to end at 147,291.47.
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 8 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 7 with lower offers.

In trading, Cable and Wireless closed with 1,389,853 units changing hands at $1.52 after the price gained 9 cents, Caribbean Cement climbed 20 cents to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $19.20, with 75,115 shares changing hands, Carreras rose 90 cents to close at $56 with 13,048 units trading. Ciboney did not trade but had a bid to buy 125,000 units at 19 cents and just below, are bids between 16 cents and 18 cents to buy 2.38 million units. Desnoes & Geddes ended with 44,130 shares trading at $30, Gleaner traded 23,325 units at $1.95, Jamaica Broilers lost 60 cents as it traded 266,093 shares to close at $8. Jamaica Producers traded 18,661 shares to end at $31, JMMB Group lost 14 cents while trading 5,400 shares to close at $10.11. Kingston Wharves ended with 76,220 shares changing hands at $11.30 after losing 17 cents,

National Commercial Bank closed with a loss of $1.19 as 105,766 shares changed hands to end at $36. Pan Jamaican Investments declined by $1 to end at $89 with 12,618 units changing hands. Pulse Investments traded 10,000 shares and ended at $2.50 after falling 50 cents, Sagicor Group fell 5 cents in trading 39,505 units to end at $16.65. Scotia Group had 19,600 shares changing hands and closed at $27, Supreme Ventures had 250,643 units changing hands but the price rose 10 cents to $4.80. Proven Investments ended at 22.9 US cents with 108,528 changing hands, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share traded 75,000 units with the price ending at $1.80.

Filed Under: JSE Main Market, Stock Market Tagged With: Berger Paints, Cable & Wireless, Caribbean Cement, Ciboney, Daily Trading, Desnoes and Geddes’, Gleaner, Grace Kennedy, Jamaica Broilers, Jamaica Money Market Brokers, Jamaica Stock Exchange, Jamaican Stock, JMMB Group, Kingston Wharves, Mayberry Investments, National Commercial Bank, Pan Jamaican, Proven Investments, Pulse Investments, Sagicor Group, Sagicor Real Estate Fund, Scotia Group, Seprod, Supreme Ventures, Trading Activity

Huge profit turn at Honey Bun – BUY RATED

November 27, 2015 by IC Insider.com

Honey Bun turned around a loss of $17 million in the September 2014 quarter into a profit of $4 million in 2015 and a profit of only $23 million into a one of $68 million for the 2015 fiscal year or earnings per share of 72 cents.
The performance and IC Insider’s forecast for the next two years, (See EPS forecast below) have elevated the status of the stock to BUY RATED.
The change came from a 22 percent rise in revenue in the quarter to $215 million from $169 million in 2014 and from a 19 percent growth in revenues for the full year, to $887 million from $747 million in 2014. The profit in the September quarter is a major achievement for the company it being the first time since 2012 when a small profit of $550,000 was realized that the company is reporting a profit.
“The company services lots of schools and so the summer months are normally reduced due to the holiday season for July and August. We will always have this challenge but we have somewhat overcome a significant portion of it by way of the development of new products that are not directly geared for schools and by targeting other markets also.

One Honey Bun’s Products

This has made a significant impact,” Chong stated in response to questions posed to her by IC Insider.com subsequent to the release of the June quarterly report.
Helping the growth in profits was an improvement in gross profit and gross profit margin with the latter being 42.8 percent up from 41 percent in 2014 and from a 9.5 percent increase in administrative and other expenses, selling & distribution costs of $307 million from $280 million.
Investments, cash and equivalents rose to $92 million, net current assets stood at $102 million, borrowed funds fell from $73 million in 2014 to $51 million while equity rose to $368 million.
The company’s shares are listed on the junior market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange and last traded at $5.50, with the price being up 164 percent since 2015, and now sports a PE of 7.6 times 2015 earnings. IC Insider is forecasting earnings per share (EPS) of $1.15 for the 2016 fiscal year which gives it a PE of 4.8 and EPS of $1.70 for 2017.
The company advised that the Board of Directors will meet on Monday, December 7 to consider the declaration of a dividend. An interim dividend of 12 cents per stock, amounting to $11.3 million was paid in May this year.

Filed Under: Buy Rated, Company News, Company Results Tagged With: Dividends, Honey Bun, Jamaica Stock Exchange

Bulls take charge of JSE on Thursday

November 26, 2015 by IC Insider.com

Jamaica Producers closed at a new 52 weeks’ high of $31 on Thursday.

The Jamaica Stock Exchange main market suffered another day of reversal in the indices on Thursday, even as more stocks gained than declined. The market closed with a volume of 10,536,571 units valued at $65,677,281 changing hands, in all market segments.
Activity took place in 42 securities, leading to 22 securities rising and 10 declining with 4 stocks ending at 52 weeks’ closing highs and one stock closed at a 52 weeks’ low. The JSE Market Index rose 1,159.84 points to 141,106.63, the all Jamaica Composite Index climbed 1,296.19 points to end at 156,650.91 and the JSE combined index gained 1,523.05 points to end at 147,440.90.
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 8 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 7 with lower offers.
In trading, Cable and Wireless closed with 1,296,078 units changing hands at $1.42 and gained of 2 cents, Caribbean Cement climbed $1 to $19 with 250,137 shares changing hands,

Carreras fell $3.90 to close at $55.10 with 5,319 units trading, Ciboney did not traded but had a bid to buy 400,000 at 17 cents and just below that are bids to buy 1.9 million units at 16 cents. Desnoes & Geddes ended with 67,000 shares trading at $30, Gleaner traded 105,270 units at $1.94, Jamaica Broilers traded 1,102,100 shares to close at $8.60. Grace kenned traded 70,834 units 40 cents higher at $75.50, Jamaica Producers jumped $2 while trading 8,779 shares to end at $31 for a 52 weeks’ high, The Jamaica Stock Exchange had 43,000 shares changing hands but fell 13 cents, to end at $13.15, JMMB Group rose 5 cents while trading 161,362 shares to close at $10.25. Kingston Wharves ended with 11,638 shares changing hands at $11.47, Mayberry Investments closed with 21,830 units trading with a gain of 50 cents and ended at $4.50, National Commercial Bank closed with a rise of 18 cent as 105,002 shares changed hands to end at $37.19. Pan Jamaican Investments dropped $5 to end at $90 with 6,531 units changing hands. Pulse Investments traded 20,000 shares and ended at $3 after falling 65 cents, Radio Jamaica ended at a 52 weeks’ high of $5.50, after rising 43 cents, with 11,610 units changing hands, Sagicor Group rose 20 cents in trading 239,919 units to end at $16.70.

Scotia Group had 9,055 shares changing hands and closed with a rise of 65 cents at $27, Scotia Investments jumped $5.50 to $33.50 but with only 1,000 units changing hands, Supreme Ventures had 29,320 units changing hands but the price slipped 19 cents to $4.70. Proven Investments ended at 22.9 US cents with 108,528 changing hands, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 8.50% preference share traded 107,067 units with the price jumping $1.01 to end at $4.50 and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 8.75% preference share, traded 89,000 units at $2.65.