The Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Monday after a merger announcement by Pan Jam Investment and Jamaica Producers gained 18 percent and 24 percent respectively and helped push the market higher at the close after the volume of stocks traded jumped 40 percent higher than on Friday but with 5 percent fall in values from the trading in 55 securities compared to 49 on Friday, with 20 rising, 20 declining and 15 ending unchanged.
JMMB Group traded at an intraday 52 weeks’ low of $32.50, Key Insurance closed at a 52 weeks’ low of$3.15 and Kingston Wharves closed at a 52 weeks’ low of $30.
A total of 12,066,242 shares were tradeded for $67,419,300 compared with 8,629,483 units at $70,734,289 on Friday.
Trading averaged 219,386 units at $1,225,805 versus 176,112 shares at $1,443,557 on Friday and month to date, an average of 209,746 units at $1,522,176 versus 209,050 units at $1,543,568 on the previous trading day. October closed with an average of 231,243 units at $1,464,224.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 6.55 million shares in accounting for 54.3 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 960,085 units for 8 percent of the day’s trade and Jamaica Producers with 883,329 units for 7.3 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 1,041.36 points to close at 379,341.61, the JSE Main Index rose 2,547.40 points to 337,924.43 and the JSE Financial Index climbed 1.28 points to 81.16.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 13.4 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows ten stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and nine with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement lost 99 cents to close at $57 with an exchange of 4,428 stock units, Eppley rose $1 to $35 with investors transferring 715 units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund declined $8.87 in closing at $36.02 with a transfer of 39 stocks. Guardian Holdings popped $24.98 to $574.98 as investors exchanged 670 shares, Jamaica Producers rose $4.50 to $22.81 in trading 883,329 stocks, Kingston Properties gained $1.38 after ending at $6.91 with a transfer of 35,000 stock units. Kingston Wharves shed $4 to end at a 52 weeks’ low of $30 in exchange of 156,604 units, NCB Financial fell 97 cents in closing at $84 trading 114,161 stock units, Palace Amusement advanced $2.13 to close at $719.01 with the swapping of one unit. PanJam Investment climbed $9 to finish at $58 in switching ownership of 63,430 shares, Proven Investments dropped 50 cents to $25.50 with 10,785 stocks changing hands, Sagicor Group declined 60 cents to $48.60 after exchanging 21,029 stock units. Scotia Group lost 80 cents to end at $35 in transferring 8,573 shares, Seprod fell $1.45 to close at $68.55 with the swapping of 12,621 units, Stanley Motta dipped 54 cents to $4.46 with 3,787 stocks crossing the market. Supreme Ventures rallied $2.87 to $25.93 as investors switched ownership of 90,833 stock units, Sygnus Credit Investments USD share popped $1.72 to close at $18.96 with ten stocks changing hands. Sygnus Credit Investments dropped $1.39 to $12 with 59,342 units clearing the market and Wisynco Group advanced 45 cents to end at $18 in exchanging 44,656 shares.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% rallied $169.23 to $3,000 in an exchange of 4 stock units, JMMB Group 7.25% preference share rose 40 cents in closing at $3.08 after 6,467 stocks cleared the market and Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share dropped $100 to $1,050 with a transfer of 260 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
PanJam & JPG push Jamaica Stock Exchange
Jamaica Producers and PanJam Investment shares climbed higher on Monday following the disclosure that the two groups reached an agreement to merge their operations, with a likely conclusion in 2023. The stock prices of both companies rose on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, with Jamaica Producers gaining 22.9 percent to $22.50 from a close on Friday of $18.31 and Pan Jam Investment jumping just over 18 percent to $58 from the last traded price of $49 on Friday.
The gains in the above two companies pushed the Main Market higher, at the same time that investors pushed the Junior Market down for another day, but the JSE US dollar market rose modestly at the close.
At the end of trading the Combined Market Index rose 1,988.03 points to 350,382.05, the JSE Main Index popped 2,531.53 points in ending at 337,908.71, the Junior Market Index dropped 41.57 points to 3,830.39 while the All Jamaica Composite Index shed 1,041.52 points to 379,320.32 and the JSE US dollar market rallied 1.62 points to end at 228.89.
Trading ended, with 22,782,785shares changing hands, for $91.10 million, versus $116.96 million, with 18,045,996 shares traded in all markets on the previous day. The JSE USD market ended with the value of stocks traded amounting to US$60,270 from US$22,001 on Friday.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 22.6 based on 2021-22 earnings and 12.4 times those for 2022-23 at the close of trading.
Investors need pertinent information to successfully navigate many investment options in the local stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational investment decisions by investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and put in on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The ICInsider.com PE Ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange. It shows companies grouped on an industry basis, allowing easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices. Dividends payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts that show the closing volume for the bids and offers.
The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2021 and 2022 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items. The PE Ratio is the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks.
PanJam and Jamaica Producers merger
Jamaica Producers and PanJam Investment announced an agreement to amalgamate their businesses to create a new group of companies, with the transaction expected to be completed within the first quarter of 2023 and is expected to take advantage of opportunities both locally and globally.
This arrangement, subject to the approval of the shareholders and the relevant regulators, will result in PanJam acquiring JP’s operating assets in exchange for JP taking a 34.5% interest in PanJam. Following the transaction, PanJam will ultimately hold the combined businesses and will be renamed Pan Jamaica Group Limited. JP will emerge as the largest shareholder of the Group, with its shares in the Group being its principal operating asset. Both companies will remain listed on the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
The combined entity “ is expected to deliver significant value for all shareholders through a strong and diverse portfolio of businesses not only in Jamaica but also internationally,” a release from the companies stated.
The new Group will have substantial holdings in real estate and infrastructure, speciality food and drink manufacturing, agri-business, financial services and a global services network of interests in hotels and attractions, business process outsourcing, shipping, logistics and port operations.
According to JP’s Chief Executive Officer, Jeffrey Hall: “This transaction is not our first opportunity to partner with PanJam. We achieved great commercial success for shareholders in our joint investment in Mavis Bank Coffee Company. We also experienced, first-hand, our compatibility around our shared commitment to integrity, seriousness of purpose, nation building and shareholder returns. JP and PanJam operate businesses that have been tested over time and always come out stronger. With a joint balance sheet of over $100 billion in assets, we will have the scale to be more formidable, more global and more resilient.” PanJam’s Chief Executive Officer, Joanna Banks stated: “PanJam has done exceptionally well by building great partnerships with like-minded entities. The proposed business combination represents the creation of the quintessential Jamaican conglomerate, a geographically and operationally diversified company focused on value creation for all stakeholders through investment in key sectors of the global economy. Our internal analysis points to a future that we are all excited about – one in which our combined enterprises become the regional investment vehicle and investor of choice.”
The expanded Pan Jamaica Group will be led by JP’s current CEO, Jeffrey Hall, who will hold the position of CEO and Executive Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. PanJam’s current CEO, Joanna Banks will hold the position of President of Pan Jamaica Group. Stephen Facey will serve as Chairman of the Group’s Board, which will include directors from both JP and PanJam. Charles Johnston, JP’s Chairman, Jeffrey Hall and Alan Buckland, JP’s current Chief Financial Officer, are expected to join the Group’s Board.
Both JP and PanJam have long legacies of investing in and contributing to the growth of Jamaica. JP, founded as a co-operative of banana growers over 90 years ago, has re-positioned itself as a multinational group of companies, with a strong footprint not only in Jamaica through its port operations at Kingston Wharves Limited and its agricultural holdings and food businesses, but also globally, through its European juice holdings, shipping line and global logistics businesses. Charles Johnston, the longstanding Chairman of JP will continue in that role. PanJam has invested in Jamaica for close to 60 years. It has an expansive real estate portfolio comprised of high-end commercial and hospitality properties, and is a well-known leader in real estate management and development. It is also a successful private equity investor with actively-managed and strategic holdings in an array of speciality food manufacturing and distribution, hospitality and business process outsourcing providers. Additionally, PanJam has a significant footprint in the financial services industry through its 30.2% stake in Sagicor Group Jamaica Limited.
The stock prices of both companies rose in the morning session on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, with Jamaica Producers rising 8.3 percent to $22 from a close on Friday of $18.31 and Pan Jam Investment jumping just over 18 percent to $58 form the last traded price of $49.
Major shake up of ICTOP10
The Jamaica stock market got hit in the past week as a new Initial Public offer of Regency Petroleum shares open to the public on Thursday. The market decline is now a very pronounced feature of the market as investors seek funds to invest in the new issue and pressure prices of existing stocks and provides opportunities for savvy investors to pick up stocks at depressed prices for the eventual rally after the IPO closes.
The pricing of the IPO issue does not provide enough likely gains for it to make the ICTOP10, but it is included in the Stocks to Watch as the price is expected to jump and deliver a decent profit.
In the past two weeks, several company results were released to the public, with varying outturns, some of which led to adjustments to earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Sterling Investments and VM Investments earnings were adjusted downward and fell out of the TOP 10 and were replaced by NCB Financial Group and Key Insurance. Earnings for Berger Paints and JMMB Group were also revised downward, but they remain in the Main Market TOP10. Access Financial and Iron Rock Insurance return to the Junior Market TOP10 as General Accident and Medical Disposables dropped out.
Seven stocks in the Junior Market TOP10 declined between 3 percent and 20 percent, with only one rising. The Main Market list had two stocks gaining for a second week and six declining between four and nine percent.
Notable price changes during the week include Paramount Trading that dropped 20 percent to an attractive $1.52, Elite Diagnostic and Lasco Financial dipping 10 percent to close at $3.35 and $2.71, respectively, Lasco Distributors lost 10 percent to $3.10 and Caribbean Cream fell 4 percent to $3.86.
In the Main Market, Guardian Holdings rose 10 percent to $550. VVM Investments dropped 7 percent to $4.07 while JMMB Group and 138 Student Living fell 9 percent to $34 and $4.50, respectively, Jamaica Broilers and VM Investments fell 7 percent to $26.35 and $4.07, respectively and Radio Jamaica lost 5 percent in closing at $1.91.
At the end of the week, the average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP 10 is 5.6, well below the market average of 13.4. At the same time, the Junior Market Top 10 PE sits at 5.8 versus the market at 12, important indicator of the level of undervaluation of the ICTOP10 stocks. The Junior Market is projected to rise by 247 percent and the Main Market TOP10, an average now of 275 percent, to May 2023.
The Junior Market has 13 stocks representing a third of the market, with PEs from 15 to 30, averaging 20 compared with the above average of the market. The top half of the market has an average PE of 17. This data shows the extent of potential gains that the TOP 10 stocks possess. The situation in the Main Market is similar, with the 16 highest valued stocks priced at a PE of 15 to 90, with an average of 27 and 22.6 excluding the highest valued one and 19.4 for the top half excluding the highest valued stock.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners, accordingly, the list includes some of the best companies in the market but not always. ICInsider.com ranks stocks based on projected earnings, allowing investors to focus on the most undervalued stocks and helping to remove emotions in selecting stocks for investments that often result in costly mistakes.
IC TOP10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns up to the end of May 2023 and are ranked in order of potential gains, computed using projected earnings for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate, resulting in weekly movements in and out of the lists. Revisions to earnings are ongoing, based on receipt of new information.
Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.
JSE USD Market plunges
The JSE US Denominated Equities market suffered a major reversal in trading on Friday, with the market index plunging 29.58 points to 227.27 after the major rise earlier in the week resulting from a big move by Productive Business Solutions was reversed and Proven Investments falling to a 52 weeks’ low as trading ended, with the volume of stocks exchanged rising 174 percent, valued 222 percent more than Thursday’s trades and resulting in an exchange of 10 securities, the same as on Thursday and ended with two rising, two declining and six unchanged.
A total of 182,935 shares were traded for US$22,001 compared to 66,713 units at US$6,828 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 18,294 units at US$2,200, versus 6,671 shares at US$683 on Thursday, with month to date average of 28,308 shares at US$3,437 versus 29,309 units at US$3,560 on the previous day. October ended with an average of 40,972 units for US$2,277.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 8.5. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending between November and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ended with a bid higher than the last selling prices and none with lower offers.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share dipped 0.5 of a cent in closing at 7.1 US cents with an exchange of 20,000 shares, Productive Business Solutions remained at US$1.70 while exchanging ten stocks, Proven Investments lost 1.41 cents to end at a 52 weeks’ low of 17.21 US cents and closed with an exchange of 23,176 units. Sterling Investments rallied 0.1 of a cent to 2 US cents, with 105,000 stock units changing hands, Sygnus Credit Investments J$ share ended at 14.62 US cents, with investors exchanging three units, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share ended at 11 US cents with a transfer of 8,321 shares and Transjamaican Highway remained at 0.92 of one US cent after an exchange of 17,902 stock units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 9.25% preference share advanced 90 cents to end at US$11.90 after 20 stocks passed through the market, Eppley 6% preference share remained at US$1.13 after a transfer of 3 shares and JMMB Group 5.75% ended at US$1.50 in switching ownership of 8,500 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
IPO jitters continue to hit Jamaican stocks
Investors put pressure on the prices of Jamaica Stock Exchange stocks on Friday as they seek funds to enter the latest IPO to hit the market, leading to an across the board decline in all three of the exchanges operated by the Jamaica Stock Exchange. The extent of the pullback shows up in the Combined Market index that is down 3,742.91 points in closing at 348,394.02.
At the close, the JSE Main Index dropped 3,408.56 points in closing at 335,377.18, the Junior Market Index dropped 61.65 points to 3,871.96 while the All Jamaica Composite Index shed 2,975.20 points to 380,361.84 and the JSE US dollar market surged 29.58 points to end at 227.27.
Trading ended, with 18,045,996 shares changing hands, for $116.96 million, versus $261.96 million, with 46,225,825 shares traded in all markets on the previous day. The JSE USD market ended with the value of stocks traded amounting to US$22,001 from US$6,828 Thursday.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 22.3 based on 2021-22 earnings and 12.2 times those for 2022-23 at the close of trading.
Investors need pertinent information to successfully navigate many investment options in the local stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational investment decisions by investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and put in on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The ICInsider.com PE Ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange. It shows companies grouped on an industry basis, allowing easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices. Dividends payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts that show the closing volume for the bids and offers.
The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2021 and 2022 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items. The PE Ratio is the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks.