The Jamaica Stock Exchange indices declined at the close on Monday, although up to 12:20 Pm the major indices were up but at the close more stocks rose than declined. The JSE Market Index slipped 847.88 points to end at 158,922.21, the all Jamaica Composite Index fell 948.22 points to close at 176,564.93 and the JSE combined index fell 840.82 points, to end at 169,492.16.
The market closed another day of moderate trading, with 4,507,109 units valued at $44,852,228 changing hands, in all market segments. The junior market accounted for 969,188 units traded valued at $4,657,054, of all trades. A total of 34 securities traded, with the prices of 15 stocks rising, 11 declining, including 3 stocks rising and 3 declining from the junior market, as the main market continues to consolidate while waiting for fresh news to move out of the narrow trading range.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the 
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading showed 9 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 with lower offers.
At the end of market activities, Berger Paints fell 5 cents in trading 14,014 shares at $4.45, Cable & Wireless traded 33,428 shares but rose 4 cents to close at $1.15, Caribbean Cement climbed $1 in trading 18,191 shares to close at $23.50, Carreras recovered 50 cents in trading 3,440 shares at $65. Trading in 1834 Investments resulted in 25,054 shares changing hands after rising 15 cents to close at $1.15, Grace Kennedy jumped $2.01 to close at $122.50 with 5,160 units changing hands. Jamaica Broilers ended with 9,018 units changing hands to close at $15, Jamaica Producers traded 3,543 shares but fell 40 cents to $8, Jamaica Stock Exchange jumped $2.65 with just 200 shares changing hands at $24, JMMB Group traded 499,703 units but fell 50 cents to end at $9.50. Kingston Wharves had 9,315 units changing hands at $14.70, having shed $1.29. Margaritaville Turks traded gained 1 US cents with 1,109,980 shares at 21 US cents, Mayberry Investments lost 20 cents in trading 22,900 units at $3.30, National Commercial Bank ended with 7,895 units changing hands but lost 30 cents to close at $41.50, 
Pan Jamaican Investment Trust traded 11,771 shares to close at $23. Portland JSX ended with 6,700 shares changing hands at $12.90, Radio Jamaica traded 16,891 shares to close at $1.46 after losing 9 cents, Sagicor Group ended with 2,000 shares changing hands, but gained 5 cents to $23.15, Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 18,000 shares and lost 2 cents to close at $10.10. Scotia Investments gained $1.79 trading 1,000 shares, to close at $27.79. Supreme Ventures traded 118,100 shares to end at $4.60, Proven Investments ordinary shares traded 35,650 units at 16.95 US cents, up from 16.94 US cents, Sterling Investments traded 15,224 in the US dollar market at 11 US cents and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.5% preference share traded 1,522,620 units at $2.10 by gaining 1 cent.
JSE majors fall again – Monday
Kremi hits new high of $7.55
Jamaica stocks gained in trading on Monday in the main market but there was some slippage in the junior market although Caribbean Cream traded at a new high of $7.55,
up by 90 cents with 21,157 units as investors continue to respond to the company’s first quarter results.
The all Jamaica Composite Index gained 130.80 points to 179,643.95, the Jamaica Stock Exchange Market Index gained 109.96 points to 159,887.05, the Jamaica Stock Exchange combined index climbed 1,499.13 point to close at 171,976.49 points andthe junior market index slipped 0.22 points to 2,157.12.
Subsequent to 12:20PM the main market indices enter negative territory.
Trading at 12:20 pm, resulted in 28 securities changing hands, accounting for a volume of 3,097,628 shares with 14 securities rising and 7 falling. The average number of shares traded amounts to 110,630 units compared to an average of 63,379 units on Friday.
Business confidence set to recover
Business confidence levels dipped in May this year, as measured by the Bank of Jamaica Perception of Present and Future Business Conditions survey and by the stock market movements. The local stock market has since rebounded and is close to its historic peak at Mid July, an indication that business confidence levels are set to rebound when measured in the summer months.
No new data is out from Jamaica’s central bank, of the latest levels. With the stock market having been rebounding, government fiscal program ahead of target and the Jamaica dollar settling down recently, the prospect of a rebound in survey numbers seems to be on the cards. Historical data indicate that the stock market is one of the best measure of business confidence levels, with the chart showing how closely the market index tracks the movement of future business confidence.
According to the survey findings, the perceptions of both present and future business conditions moderated compared to the record highs of the previous two surveys (see chart). Notably, the index of present business conditions fell 6 percent to 213.1 from the 226.1 attained in the previous survey. The index of future business conditions declined more slowly than the current measure by 2.6 percent from 171.5 in the previous survey to 167.1.
Both indices reflected declines in the proportion of respondents of the view that conditions were or will be “better.” In addition there were increases in the number of respondents indicating that conditions were or will be “worse.” There was, however, an increase in the proportion of respondents that indicated that conditions were or would be ‘about the same’ for both indices.
JSE fails to build on Thursday’s gains
The Jamaica Stock Exchange indices declined moderately at the close on Friday, down sharply from the big gains on Thursday, as more stocks declined than gained. The JSE Market Index slipped 141.33 points to end at 159,770.09, the all Jamaica Composite Index fell 158.06 points to close at 177,513.15 and the JSE combined index fell 144.38 points, to end at 170,332.98.
The market closed another day of moderate trading, with 2,802,737 units valued at $23,002,742 changing hands, in all market segments. The junior market accounted for 1,509,505 units traded valued at $8,532,147, of all trades. A total of 31 securities traded, with the prices of 9 stocks rising, 15 declining, including 8 stocks rising and 6 declining from the junior market, as the main market continues to consolidate while waiting for fresh and important news to move out of the narrow trading range.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading showed 9 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 with lower offers.
At the end of market activities, Berger Paints traded 8,793 shares at $4.50, Cable & Wireless traded 320,300 shares but fell 2 cents to close at $1.11, Caribbean Cement traded 3,140 shares to close at $22.50, Carreras fell 50 cents in trading 2,000 shares at $64.50 at the close. 1834 Investments traded 496,750 shares after falling 14 cents to close at $1, Grace Kennedy dropped $2.01 to close at $120.49 with 16,697 units changing hands. Jamaica Broilers ended with 66,000 units changing hands with a rise of 1 cent to close at $15, JMMB Group traded 8,579 units to end at $10. Mayberry Investments lost 20 cents in trading only 100 units at $3.30, National Commercial Bank ended with 34,174 units changing hands but lost 20 cents to close at $41.80,
Pan Jamaican Investment Trust traded 32,730 shares to close at $23 after falling $2, Portland JSX ended with 15,700 shares changing hands and declined 10 cents to $12.90. Sagicor Group ended with 28,605 shares changing hands, but lost 40 cents to $23.10. Scotia Group lost 73 cents with 177,931 shares trading, to close at $30.07, Scotia Investments traded 12,900 shares to gain $1 and close at $26, Supreme Ventures traded 4,007 shares and gained 30 cents to end at $4.60 and Proven Investments ordinary shares traded 46,550 units at 17 US cents up from 16.95 US cents.
JSE off to rousing start – Friday
Jamaica stocks started trading on Friday where they left off on Thursday with both the main market and the junior market indices rising. Caribbean Cream traded at a new high of $6.78 with 56,000 units as investors continue to respond to the company’s first quarter results.
The all Jamaica Composite Index jumped 1,506.48 points to 179,177.69, the Jamaica Stock 
Exchange Market Index gained 1,347.06 points to 161,258.48, the Jamaica Stock Exchange combined index climbed 1,499.13 point to close at 171,976.49 points andthe junior market index gained 19.20 points to 2,177.83.
Trading after 75 minutes of the market’s opening resulted in 23 securities changing hands, accounting for a volume of 1,330,966 shares with the average number of shares traded amounts to 63,379 units compared to an average of 45,559 units on Thursday. Trading has so far resulted in 10 stocks gaining and 6 declining as stocks trading over 100,000 units include Cable & Wireless that traded 167,000 at $1.12, Consolidated Bakeries traded 400,000 shares at $2.10, Honey Bun with 185,000 units traded at $5.60 and Lasco Manufacturing with 236,850 shares trading at $5.05. Scotia Group gained $1.10 while trading 18,490 shares at $31.90 while Pan Jamaican Investments lost $1 in trading 27,900 units at $24.
JSE majors surged – Thursday
Grace Kennedy jumped $2.50 to close at $122.50 on Thursday .
The market closed another day of moderate trading, with 5,066,464 units valued at $183,411,832 changing hands, in all market segments. The junior market accounted for 422,443 units traded valued at $1,648,134, of all trades. A total of 39 securities traded, with the prices of 19 stocks rising, 10 declining, including 8 stocks rising and 6 declining from the junior market, as the main market continues to consolidate while waiting for fresh and important news to move out of the narrow trading range.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading showed 9 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 with lower offers, suggesting a day of more subdued gainers on Friday versus the numbers on Thursday.
At the end of market activities,
Berger Paints traded 504,496 shares at $4.50, Cable & Wireless traded 46,700 shares to close at $1.13, Caribbean Cement traded 1,000 shares and rose 50 cents to close at $22.50, Carreras fell 50 cents in trading 332,166 shares at $65 at the close. Ciboney traded 43,899 shares after falling 1 cent to close at 20 cents, Grace Kennedy jumped $2.50 to close at $122.50 with 767,291 units changing hands. Jamaica Broilers ended with 284,857 units changing hands with a rise of 15 cents to close at $14.99, Jamaica Producers traded 381,670 units and gained 90 cents to end at $7.50, Jamaica Stock Exchange traded 6,616 shares at $21.35 with a gain of 2 cents, Kingston Wharves traded 8,000 shares and rose by 99 cents to close at $15.99. Mayberry Investments traded 24,478 units at $3.50, 
National Commercial Bank ended with 117,095 units changing hands and rose $1 to $42. Pan Jamaican Investment Trust traded 1,211,217 shares to close at $25 after rising $1.05, Portland JSX ended with 172,701 shares changing hands and gained 25 cent at $13. Sagicor Group ended with 284,121 shares changing hands, to end with a rise of 45 cents at $23.50. Scotia Group climbed 78 cents with 407,100 shares trading, to close at $30.80, Seprod traded 11,330 shares and gained 50 cents to end at $17,Proven Investments ordinary shares traded 4,100 units at 16.95 US cents and Jamaica Money Market 7.5% preference share traded 23,000 units at $2.09.
More declines for JSE majors – Wednesday
Trading in Jamaica Stock Exchange resulted in more decline in the main market indices on Wednesday with the JSE Market Index dropping 771.47 points to end at 157,357.18. The all Jamaica Composite Index dived 862.77 points to close at 174,814.69 and the JSE combined index fell 309.19 points, to end at 167,339.18.
The market closed another day of moderate trading, with just 1,145,903 units valued at $13,391,660 changing hands, in all market segments. The junior market accounted for 209,776 shares trading with a value of $1,025,220, of all trades.
A total of 29 securities traded, with the prices of 8 stocks rising, 11 declining, including 4 stocks rising and 1 declining from the junior market as the main market continues to consolidate while waiting for fresh and 
important news to move out of the narrow trading range it’s been in for a while.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading showed 17 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 with lower offers, suggesting a day of increasing stocks over decliners on Thursday.
At the end of market activities, Cable & Wireless rose by 3 cents while trading 212,938 shares to close at $1.13, Caribbean Cement traded 31,891 shares and fell 10 cents to close at $22, Carreras fell 50 cents in trading 1,512 shares at $65.50 at the close. 1834 Investments traded 51,659 shares after falling 5 cents to close at $1.14, Grace Kennedy rose 5 cents to close at $120 with 14,439 units changing hands. Jamaica Broilers ended with 239,781 units changing hands with a rise of 50 cents to close at $15, Jamaica Producers traded 88,340 units and fell $1.10 to end at $7.50, Jamaica Stock Exchange traded 3,000 shares at $21.35 with a gain of 2 cents,
JMMB Group traded 24,479 shares but declined 13 cents to close at $9.72. National Commercial Bank ended with 26,150 units changing hands with the loss of $1 at $41. Pan Jamaican Investment Trust traded 28,025 shares to close at $23.95 after falling 5 cents, Portland JSX ended with 65,502 shares changing hands at a new closing high of $12.75. Radio Jamaica traded at $1.55 after 60,000 shares changed hands, with a loss of 4 cents, Sagicor Group ended with 3,700 shares changing hands, to end at $23.65. Scotia Group fell 4 cents with 51,362 shares trading, to close at $30.02 and Proven Investments ordinary shares traded 30,225 units at 16.95 US cents.
JSE off rocky start – Wednesday
Jamaica stocks started trading on Wednesday with a rocky start with the main market indices continuing to make sharp declines, while the junior market jumped, with Lasco Distributors price climbing to $6.55 from $6.05 and Caribbean Cream trading at $5.50, 
as investors respond to the company’s first quarter results, with an increase of 81 percent in profits.
The all Jamaica Composite Index dropped 1,216.89 points to 174,460.57, the Jamaica Stock Exchange Market Index dived 1,088.11 points to 157,040.54, the Jamaica Stock Exchange combined index declined 572.41 point to close at 167,075.96 points andthe junior market index gained 42.58 points to 2,086.66.
The session had low volumes trading overall after 75 minutes of the market’s opening resulting in 24 securities changing hands, accounting for a volume of just 418,777 shares 5 stocks gained and 12 declined, including a fall of 95 cents in Grace Kennedy, 80 cents in Jamaica Producers, $1.40 fall in National Commercial Bank and $2.80 in Scotia Investments price. The average number of shares traded amounts to 17,449 units.
Tuesday’s report which was unavoidable absent due to technical issues.
Profit jumps 81% for Kremi
Profit jump 81 percent to $71 million for Caribbean Cream in its latest quarter to May this year, the company reported, from a rise of 9 percent in sales to $316 million resulting in earnings per share of 19 cents.
Gross profit climbed faster than revenues by 24 percent to $138 million as production cost dipped slightly to $177.5 million from $178.4 in 2015, as the company continues to benefit from lower prices of sugar and milk based major production ingredients and from energy savings.
Administration cost declined by $2 million to $54.3 million while selling and distribution cost came in at $10.8 million from $11 million in 2015 and finance costs fell to $3 million from $4.6 million as the amount of loan funding declined from $140 million to $120 million, Gross cash flow amounted to $85 million up from $53 million in 2015. Having funded loan repayment and acquisition of fixed assets, the cash inflows helped push cash at the end of 2016 quarter to $194 million, from $50.75 million at the end of May 2015. Shareholders’ equity climbed to $509 million at the end of the quarter.
The company has declared an interim dividend of 5 cents per share or $19 million payable in September. The stock traded at $5.50 but should head higher with earnings projected by IC Insider at $1 per share for the full year.
JSE majors suffer big losses – Tuesday
Jamaica Producers traded on Tuesday at new 52 weeks’ high.
The market closed another day of moderate trading, with just 3,350,232 units valued at $30,238,950 changing hands, in all market segments. The junior market accounted for 724,885 shares trading with a value of $2,996,936, of all trades.
A total of 38 securities traded, with the prices of 11 stocks rising, 16 declining, including 6 stocks rising and 6 declining from the junior market as the market continues to consolidate while waiting for fresh and important news to move the market out of the narrow range its been traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading showed 14 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 6 with lower offers.
At the end of market activities, Berger Paints traded 107,426 units to close at $4.50, Cable & Wireless lost by 3 cents while trading 751,041 shares to close at $1.10, Caribbean Cement traded 37,682 shares and fell 10 cents to close at $22.10, Carreras dropped 45 cents in trading 5,832 shares to close at $66. Ciboney closed at 21 cents close at 21 cents with 102,534 units, Grace Kennedy gained 45 cents to close at $119.95 with 51,096 units changing hands.
Jamaica Broilers ended with 218,848 units changing hands with a loss of 40 cents to close at $14.50, Jamaica Producers closed at a 52 weeks’ high $8.60 with a rise of 65 cents with 19,348 shares traded. Jamaica Stock Exchange traded 10,000 shares at $21.35, JMMB Group traded 20,333 units and gained 13 cents to end at $9.85, with Kingston Wharves trading 39,567 units at $15 with a fall of $1.35, after trading as high as $16.30, National Commercial Bank ended with 142,306 units changing hands at $42. Pan Jamaican Investment Trust traded 7,695 shares to close at $24 after falling 30 cents, Portland JSX fell 74 cents and ended with 108,852 shares changing hands at a new closing high of $12.75. Pulse Investments traded 30,000 shares with a rise of 5 cents to end at $2.55, Sagicor Group ended with 47,036 shares changing hands, the price dropped 60 cents to end at $23.05. Scotia Group lost 15 cents with 43,100 shares trading, to close at $30.06, Scotia Investments climbed $1.80 and ended with 94,054 shares trading, to close at $27.80, Proven Investments accounted for 43,335 units to end at 17 US cents and JMMB 7.50% preference share accounted for 732,325 at $1.05.