Cargo Handlers profit for the year to September was barely higher than for that of 2014 at $136 million versus $132 million but the company had some one-off expenses amounting to $16 million. Revenues climbed to $252 million from $236 million in 2014.
The final quarter of the year saw lower revenues of $67 million, down from $79 million in the September 2014 quarter while profit fell 40 percent to $29 million from $48 million in 2014. Cargo Handlers recorded earnings per share of $3.63 versus $3.52 in 2014.
Going forward, the tax free holiday the company enjoyed from December 2010, ends in November this year and moves to 12.5 percent for the next 5 years. This will dent profits a bit, added to that, the company made $6 million in foreign exchange gains in 2015, that looks uncertain going forward with the adjustment in the value of the Jamaican dollar that now seems appropriately valued, but for likely moderate movements in 2016.
Unless there is a dramatic change in revenues, profit after tax for 2016 should grow marginally to around $145 million or $3.87 per share.
The company ended the year with $151 million in cash included in current assets of $203 million and only $15 million in current liabilities. Equity is $245 million with virtually no interest bearing debt. The stock which is listed on the junior market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange last traded at $37.50. Two dividends amounting to $2.35 per share were paid during the year.
Cargo Handlers growth slows
Another record for JSE majors – Tuesday
138 Student Living had 15.7m ordinary shares trading on Tuesday
A total 16 stocks in the combined markets gained and 7 declined. Three stock traded at 52 weeks’ closing high and 2 at intraday 52 weeks’ high as the bull market continues to wind its way forward.
At the close the JSE Market Index climbed 1,335.32 points to 148,495.46, the all Jamaica Composite Index rose 1,492.29 points to end at 164,908.34 and the JSE combined index gained 1,485.93 points to close at 155,614.84. The main market faces resistance test around the 165,000 points level, on the all Jamaica composite index.
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 14 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 with lower offers.
In trading, Cable and Wireless fell 3 cents with 526,770 units changing hands at $1.30, Caribbean Cement rose by 10 cents to end at $18.20, with 33,096 shares trading, Carreras closed at $60.75, with 11,295 units changing hands. Grace Kennedy fell 1 cent with 4,184 units changing hands, to finish at $80.10, Jamaica Broilers rose 45 cents to close at $10.50 with 193,627 shares changing hands, Jamaica Producers traded 128,125 shares to end at $32, JMMB Group fell 20 cents to close at $10.25 with 2,312,613 units changing hands. Kingston Wharves gained just 1 cent to close at $11.35 with 40,200 shares changing hands, Mayberry Investments had 64,197 shares trading at $4.35 for a loss of 5 cents, 
National Commercial Bank lost 20 cents to end at $39.50, with 9,055 units changing hands, 138 Student Living ended with 15,679,334 units trading in 4 lots to close at $4.50. Pulse Investments traded 10,000 units with a gain of 20 cents to end at $2.95, Sagicor Group gained 90 cents and closed with 957,863 units changing hands at $18.50, Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 124,100 shares to close with an increase of 80 cents at $11, Scotia Group had 54,846 shares changing hands at $30, Sterling Investments had 17,049 units trading at $13, Supreme Ventures ended at $4.66 with 1,424,317 units changing hands and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share traded 228,650 units at $1.99.
20 stocks gained on JSE – Thursday
Sagicor Group HQ – its stock traded at a new high on the JSE
A total 20 stocks in the combined markets gained, 11 declined including 3 preference shares. Four stocks closed at 52 weeks’ high and one at an intraday high.
At the close the JSE Market Index climbed 450.69 points to 146,147.21, the all Jamaica Composite Index rose 503.67 points to end at 162,284.04 and the JSE combined index gained 748.48 points to close at 152,990.17. The main market faces resistance test around the 165,000 points level, on the all Jamaica composite index.
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 lower offers.
Jamaica Stock Exchange rose by $2.99 to close at $18.99 with 11,270 units changing hands. Mayberry Investments had 133,277 shares trading at $4.30 for a gain of 10 cents, National Commercial Bank rose 20 cents to end at $39.90, with 29,018 units changing hands, Pulse Investments traded 34,270 units with a gain of 20 cents at $2.50. Sagicor Group closed with 55,026 units changing hands with a gain of 10 cents at $17.60 for a new 52 weeks’ closing high, but traded earlier at $18.50 for an intraday high, Scotia Group gained 9 cents with 141,900 shares changing hands at $28.70. Seprod traded 8,033 units and gained 25 cents in ending at $20.60, Supreme Ventures ended at $4.66 with a rise of 6 cents with 68,393 units changing hands and Proven Investments ordinary share traded 45,700 units with a rise of 3.2 cents to close at 22.75 US cents.
JSE majors rise moderately – Wednesday
Trading ended on the Jamaica stock market with 7,296,773 units valued at $35,344,599 changing hands, in all market segments with 35 securities trading. The junior market accounted for 1,962,619 units, valued at $7,767,219. A total 12 stocks in the combined markets gained, 13 declined. 5 stocks closed at 52 weeks’ high and 1 at an intraday high.
At the close the JSE Market Index climbed 530.12 points to 145,696.52, the all Jamaica Composite Index rose 592.44 points to end at 161,780.37 and the JSE combined index gained 298.10 points to close at 152,241.69. The main market continues to face a test around the 165,000 points resistance level, on the all Jamaica composite index.
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 5 with lower offers.
In trading, Cable and Wireless fell 15 cent4 with 2,728,949 units changing hands to close at $1.15, Caribbean Cement fell 11 cents to end at $18.09 with 797,423 shares changing hands, Carreras closing at $60.75, with 4,700 units changing hands. Ciboney lost 3 cents to close at 20 cents with 270,000 shares, Gleaner closed with 964,454 units changing hands at $1.30, Grace Kennedy rose $4, with 4,066 units changing hands, to finish at a new 52 weeks’ high of $85, but the stock was offered at the end of trading at $84. Jamaica Broilers fell by 30 cents to close at $10.20 with 219,382 shares changing hands, Jamaica Producers traded 47,400 shares to end at $32, the Jamaica Stock Exchange did not trade but closed with the bid at $18.34 compared with Tuesday’s close of $16, offers declined to only two lots of 22,000 shares. 
JMMB Group traded 7,965 ordinary shares, but fell 39 cents to end at $10.11, Mayberry Investments had 68,466 shares trading at $4.20 for a gain of 10 cents, National Commercial Bank rose 69 cents to end at $39.70, with 55,480 units changing hands, Sagicor Group closed with 45,707 units changing hands with a gain of 30 cents at $17.50. Sagicor Real Estate Fund lost 2 cents in trading 5,000 shares at $10.20. Scotia Group declined by $1.39 with 1,470 shares changing hands at $28.61, Supreme Ventures ended at $4.60 with 66,460 units changing hands and JMMB87.5% preference share traded 35,700 units but fell 10 cents to close at $2.80.
JSE majors slip big on Tuesday
Trading ended on the Jamaica stock market with 30,385,484 units valued at $406,775,349 changing hands, in all market segments with 33 securities trading. The junior market accounted for 20,742,505 units, valued at $215,634,789. A total 16 stocks in the combined markets gained, 13 declined. 3 stocks closed at 52 weeks’ high 1 at a 52 weeks’ low and 1 at an intraday high.
At the close the JSE Market Index dipped 1,419.09 points to 145,166.40, the all Jamaica Composite Index declined 1,585.92 points to end at 161,187.93 and the JSE combined index dropped 1,556.54 points to close at 151,943.59. The main market continues to face a test around the 165,000 points resistance level, on the all Jamaica composite index.
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 4 with lower offers.
In trading, Cable and Wireless fell 1 cent with 1,964,197 units changing hands to close at $1.30, Caribbean Cement gained 33 cents to end at $18.20 with 144,558 shares changing hands, Carreras closing at $60.75, with 6,795 units changing hands. Gleaner fell 4 cents with 44,000 units changing hands at $1.30, Grace Kennedy rose$1.12, with 274 units changing hands, to finish at a new 52 weeks’ high of $81. Jamaica Broilers closed at $10.50 with 35,591 shares changing hands, Jamaica Producers traded 49,462 shares while gaining 10 cents, to end at $32, the Jamaica Stock Exchange lost 70 cents with 38,776 units changing hands, to close at $16, JMMB Group traded 39,484 ordinary shares at $10.50, after rising by 30 cents. Mayberry Investments had 17,928 shares trading at $4.10 for a loss of 25 cents, Montego Bay Ice fell $2.60 in closing at $14.90 with 1,250 shares trading, National Commercial Bank ended at $39.01, with 3,136,195 units changing hands, 138 Student Living had another large trade, with 1,754,230 units at $4.50 following big trades on Friday and Monday.
Pan Jamaican Investments traded 24,662 and gained 50 cents to end at $93, Radio Jamaica traded 16,000 units at $3, Sagicor Group closed with 757,157 units changing hands with a loss of 30 cents to $17.20, Sagicor Real Estate Fund gained 22 cents in trading 10,000 shares at $10.22. Scotia Group declined 98 cents with 654,660 shares changing hands at $30, Scotia Investments jumped $2.05 with 5,000 shares changing hands at $31, Supreme Ventures ended at $4.60 with 45,200 units changing hands. Proven Investments ordinary share had 811,000 units trading at 19.5 US cents, for a loss of 2.5 cents and JMMB7.5% Preference share traded 42,350 units and gained 9 cents to close at $1.99.
JSE majors slip on Monday
Carreras traded at a new 52 weeks’ high of $60.75 on Monday
Trading ended on the Jamaica stock market with 10,283,114 units valued at $50,915,307 changing hands, in all market segments with 33 securities trading. The junior market accounted for 1,290,587 units, valued at $4,845,099. A total 11 stocks in the combined markets gained, 10 declined while 4 stocks closed at 52 weeks’ high and 1 traded at an intraday high.
138 Student Living had another day of with a large trade of 8,520,000 units at $4.50, valued at $38.34 million, much less than the 58,949,590 units valued at $265,273,155 traded on Friday.
At the close the JSE Market Index fell 38.30 points to 146,585.49, the all Jamaica Composite Index eased 42.80 points to end at 162,773.85 and the JSE combined index added 156.87 points to close at 153,500.13. The main market continues to face a test around the 165,000 points resistance level, on the all Jamaica composite index.
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 4 with lower offers.
In trading, Cable and Wireless gained 1 cents with 77,265 units changing hands to close at $1.31, Caribbean Cement fell 33 cents to end at $17.87 with 16,000 shares changing hands, Carreras gained 75 cents, in closing at a new 52 weeks’ high of $60.75, with 42,612 units changing hands. Gleaner rose 8 cents with 8,320 units changing hands at $1.34, Grace Kennedy fell 12 cents, with 1,230 units changing hands, to finish at $79.88. Jamaica Broilers price jumped $1.86 to $10.50 with 19,726 shares changing hands, Jamaica Producers traded 1,000 shares at $31.90, The Jamaica Stock Exchange share lost $2.25 with 28,610 units changing hands to close at $16.70, Kingston Wharves had trading in 9,509 shares at $11.35. Mayberry Investments had 65,011 shares trading 
at $4.35, for a loss of 35 cents, National Commercial Bank rose just 1 cent and ended at $39.01, with 29,432 units changing hands, Radio Jamaica traded 1,000 units early in the day at $2.25 and ended the day at $3 while 11,400 units changed hands. Sagicor Group closed with 61,827 units changing hands at $17.50, Salada Foods lost 51 cents in trading 51,562 shares at $8.50, Scotia Group declined by 1 cent with 8,741 shares changing hands at $30.98, Supreme Ventures rose 60 cents to end at $4.60, with 7,128 units changing hands and Proven Investments had 16,130 shares trading at 22 US cents, for a loss of 0.99 cents.
Record Friday for JSE stocks
138 Student Living led the majors with 59m shares on Friday.
The junior market accounted for 55,544,624 units, valued at $296,776,261 as 13 stocks in the combined markets gained, 6 declined, 4 stocks closed at 52 weeks’ high.
138 Student Living had the largest trade in the main market with 58,949,590 units valued at $265,273,155 to close 10 cents up at a 52 weeks’ high of $4.50 while Honey Bun traded 55.2 million units valued at $295,438,307 in the junior market.
At the close the JSE Market Index climbed 2,213.58 points to 146,623.79, the all Jamaica Composite Index rose 2,473.80 points to end at 162,816.65 and the JSE combined index added 2,381.16 points to close at 153,343.26. The main market continues to face a test at the 165,000 points resistance level, on the all Jamaica composite index, but based on the churning of price movements in recent weeks, it is likely to take some more trading days to break through that level if the break takes place.
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 5 with lower offers.In trading, Berger Paints ended with 19,344 units trading at $3.15, Cable and Wireless lost 10 cents with 266,406 units changing hands to close at $1.30, at the close, there were over 1.84 million units on the offer at $1.40 with bids not looking particularly strong at $1.30 and below. Caribbean Cement closed with a rise of 20 cents to end at $18.20, with 19,955 shares changing hands, Carreras gained 99 cents in closing at $60 with 18,184 units trading, Ciboney traded at 27 cents with 54,500 units changing hands, Grace Kennedy gained 50 cents, with 77,778 units changing hands, to finish at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $80. Jamaica Broilers price fell $1.86 to $8.64, with 32,234 shares changing hands, the stock was offered for sale at $9.90 at the close, Jamaica Producers traded 13,000 shares at $31.90,
The Jamaica Stock Exchange share traded 5,000 units to close at $18.95, Kingston Wharves saw trading in 10,000 shares at $11.35 as the price slipped 5 cents. National Commercial Bank rose 30 cents and ended at $39 with 22,500 units changing hands, Pan Jamaican Investment had 20,000 units changing hands at $92.50, having risen 39 cents, Sagicor Group closed with 50,628 units changing hands but the price gained 69 cents to end at $17.50 for a new 52 weeks’ closing high. Scotia Group gained $1.99 with 73,780 shares changing hands at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $30.99 and Supreme Ventures fell 50 cents to end at $4, with 2,300,000 units changing hands.
Stocks eke out more gains – Thursday
Seprod hits new 52 weeks’ high on Thursday
The junior market accounted for 43,233,932 units, valued at $166,308,887 as 19 stocks in the combined markets gained, 14 declined, 5 stocks closed at 52 weeks’ high and 1 traded at an intraday high, but pulled back before the close.
While the main market indices rose, the gains were low at under 250 points with the JSE Market Index climbing 152.28 points to 144,410.21, the all Jamaica Composite Index rising 170.18 points to end at 160,342.85 and the JSE combined index adding 224.86 points aided by junior market gains, to close at 150,962.10. The main market faces a test at 165,000 points resistance level, on the all Jamaica composite index, but based on the churning of price movements in recent weeks, it is likely to take some more trading days to break through that level if the break takes place.
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 5 with lower offers.In trading, Berger Paints ended with 45,252 units trading with a decline of 15 cents to $3.15, Cable and Wireless rose 9 cents with only 198,570 units changing hands to close at $1.40, at the close, there were over 2 million units on the offer at $1.40 with bids not looking particularly strong at $1.30 and below. Caribbean Cement closed with a loss of 20 cents to end at $18, with 53,180 shares changing hands. Carreras fell 4 cents in closing at $59.01 with a mere 20,543 units trading, Ciboney traded at 27 cents with 65,000 units changing hands, Gleaner traded at $1.26 down 14 cents with 228,000 units trading, Grace Kennedy gained $1.50, with 10,581 units changing hands, to finish at $79.50. Jamaica Broilers price rose $1.90 to $10.50, with 71,366 shares changing hands, the stock was offered for sale at $9.90 at the close. The Jamaica Stock Exchange share traded 22,665 units and lost 5 cents to close at $18.95, Kingston Wharves saw trading in 15,000 shares at $11.35 as the price slipped 5 cents,
National Commercial Bank rose 34 cents and ended at $38.70 with 173,608 units changing hands, Pan Jamaican Investment had 13,000 units changing hands at $92.11, having lost 89 cents. Pulse Investments traded 148,669 shares with a loss of 40 cents to end at $2.10, Radio Jamaica lost 60 cents to land at $3 with 12,900 shares trading, Sagicor Group closed with 24,780 units changing hands but the price gained 6 cents to end at $16.81. Scotia Group gained 89 cents with 94,242 shares changing hands at $29, Supreme Ventures fell 15 cents to end at $4.50 with 37,168 units changing hands. Proven Investments rose 0.99 US cents had 145,550 shares trading at 22.99 US cents, followed by Proven Investments 8% preference share with 17,675 units trading at $5.10 with a loss of 40 cents.
tTech IPO JCSD fee breaches prospectus terms
NCB Capital Markets imposes cess on tTech investors in breach prospectus terms.
The imposition of JCSD processing fee is not only untidy, it is in breach of the terms of the prospectus and must be returned to those investors who paid it. There are no references to JCSD processing fee in the prospectus and under the heading of Statutory and General Information items 6 of the prospectus states, “All Applicants (including Reserved Share Applicants) will be required to pay in full the Subscription Price of $2.50 per Share, subject to discounts, where applicable. No further sum will be payable on allotment”. Most junior market IPOs, are highly anticipated, with several issues closing shortly after opening, leading most investors to apply for shares ahead of the opening day and so ensure that their application are on a timely basis. On Tuesday ahead of the opening of the tTech issue, a statement appeared on the website of the Jamaica Stock Exchange, to indicate that the “application form found in Appendix 1 of IPO Prospectus did not include any mention of the JCSD processing fee of J$134.00 (inclusive of GCT) that each application would be subject to. As such, the application form has been updated to include such commentary”.
Most persons would not have been aware of the charge and so put in their applications without it while some included it, having seen the change. This places some applicants at a disadvantage small though it may be. Some investors are shocked that, the company and the broker did not absorb the charge for the cess and that the Financial Services Commission and the Jamaica Stock Exchange have permitted the late imposition of it. The charging of the JCSD processing fee inclusive of GCT is an irritant for investors and there are few solid reasons why companies are not treating the cess as a part of the cost of listing rather than asking investors to pay for it directly.
Poor Carib capital market regulation
The glaring case of the abuse of power exercised by the Trinidad Cement board in the handling of the company’s right issue earlier this year, stands out as a clear case for regulatory action to protect investors. In this matter the company failed to properly inform shareholders of a strong improvement in the profit of the a for the first quarter and made it worse with Price Waterhouse Coopers signing a report that gave the impression that there was no profit for the quarter.
In Jamaica, we have a Financial Services Commission (FSC) that is said to be the regulator for the financial entities not regulated by Bank of Jamaica, much is lacking from them, their inaction in matters of critical import makes one wonder what taxpayers money given to them is really being used for?
When it comes to the FSC, one is reminded of a police station located across from a house of crime but does nothing, unless the neighbours complain about it. Here is a case be it small. One of the FSC regulated entities is late with its 2015 results, the company issued a statement to the stock exchange to say they would be late in releasing the audited statements and the audited figures would be released on December 4. They also had the lateness of the audited accounts in 2014, with December 5th being the promised date. Now the public is being told that Barita Investments Limited (BIL) the entity involved has advised that the Audited Financial Statements for the financial year-end 2014/2015 will be submitted to the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE)on or before December 29, 2015. That is a major shift in the time frame. No reason was given in the notice on the stock exchange site. The investing public has a right to know the reason for the lateness. The FSC that regulates the market, should be interested in knowing what the reasons are as well, but there is not even a peep out of them?
IC Insider spoke with Mrs Rita Humphries, Chairman of the company on Wednesday December 9, about the issues affecting the release and subsequently, the last posting was made on the JSE website. According to the Chairman, there were issues relating to reconciliation of a few accounts which required adjusting entries to be made. Barita had them reconciled and the auditors needed to go through the information and transactions to satisfy themselves that the end result is correct. Additionally, the auditors advised of none receipt of confirmation from clients some of which had already been sent on to the auditors we are advised. Last year the audit was held up by a difference of opinion between the auditors and the Barita over the issue of fully providing for the value of shares Barita held in Scotia Group on the basis the auditors said was the impairment of the investment. This was after they fully provided for the value of Barita’s investment in National Commercial Bank shares.
All this bring one back to the glaring errors in the audited accounts for Knutsford Express audited accounts for 2014 and 2015 for which there have been no request for revision of the reports, why? Are these regulators really serious in protecting investors? Take the most recent case of tTech. The prospectus for the company’s shares, made no mention of subscribers being asked to pay the JCSD fees. One day before the issue opens, a note is placed on the JSE website that the fee is to be paid by subscribers, even as the prospectus states that investors would not be paying any more than the $2.50, the shares were offered to the general public at. The JSE clearly did not intervene to prevent a chaotic situation from happening with some applicant including the fee and others did not as they were unaware of it. Thankfully, the management and brokers were sensitive to the issue and agreed to refund those who paid.
The FSC and the Stock Exchange police the system when companies are going to the public to raise money, but what happens after, very little? Goodyear was delisted from the JSE, shareholders got two payments form liquidation of the assets but about three years after, no information but there are no regulators dealing with the issue anymore, leaving many small investors to fend for themselves. That is not good enough.