Trading dropped from Friday’s heady levels

Stocks started out October with the Markets in positive territory but failed to hang onto most of the early gains with the market slipping mildly at the close as trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange fell back from Friday’s big volume.  
JSE Combined Index, a measure of the overall market, fell 1,125.60 points to end at 375,096.12, the All Jamaican Composite Index popped 189.12 points to close at 414,132.43, the JSE Main Index fell 989.99 points to 360,701.61, the Junior Market Index shed 22.14 points to 4,207.40 and the JSE USD market Index slipped 2.89 points to close 212.66.
Trading ended, with 21,708,505 shares changing hands, valued at $280.7 million shares down from $2.47 billion, with 236,220,291 shares traded in all markets on the previous day. The JSE USD market ended with the value of stocks traded at US$10,692 from US$51,064 on Friday.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 23.8 based on 2021-22 earnings and 12.8 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.

 

Junior Market delivered 2022 JSE best

The eleven best performing stocks on the Jamaica Stock Exchange for 2022 to the end of September, all came from the Junior Market with Fosrich, a company that expanded into manufacturing, put in an incredible run of 326 percent, the 2022 listed Spur Tree Spices was second with gains of 285 percent and Tropical Battery coming in at tenth position with gains of 99 percent.

Future Energy, distributors of gasoline, produced a rise of 96 percent to cap a spectacular two year run. 1834 Investments climbed 83 percent to be the best performing main market stock, after the company agreed to be acquired by Radio Jamaica, followed by Portland JSX, with 52 percent and Supreme Ventures the gaming company came next at 46 percent, in a period when the main market declined in value.

Access jumps ICTOP10 with 24% gains

Access Financial leaves the ICTOP10 this past week following the prior week’s 12 percent gain to $22.30 and a sizable 24 jump in the past week to close at $27.72, with 38,331 shares trading on Friday and leaving just nine lots being offered for sale at the close.

Access Financial Services head office.

For the first time in weeks, Access had more bids at the close on Friday than offers, a positive sign for more gains ahead. With month end window dressing, it is unclear what the coming weeks may hold for this stock.
For the overall market, there are positive signs for the market. Despite Jamaica’s central bank having overdone interest rate increases, investors continue to pump more money into local stocks, Jamaica Stock Exchange data show. Main and Junior market stocks closed September higher than August, with funds accompanying trading substantially higher in each case. These are positive signals for the months ahead for the markets, with the Main Market having the lowest monthly trade of less than $2 million in July, with January the next lowest with $2.7 million.
Action in IC TOP10 stocks had some strong gains in the Junior Market the past week, with Lasco Distributors gaining 9 percent this past week to $3.10, Elite Diagnostic climbing 6 percent to $3.50, Lasco Financial gaining 5 percent to $2.83 as Caribbean Cream dropped 8 percent to $4.12.
In the Main Market, Productive Business Solutions rose 5 percent to US$1.39, Key Insurance gained 4 percent to $3.50, but Berger Paints shed 9 percent to $10, followed by Caribbean Producers, with a 6 percent to $13.14.
At the end of the week, the average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP 10 is 6.2, well below the market average of 14.2, while the Junior Market Top 10 PE sits at 5.9 versus the market at 12.8, important indicators of the level of undervaluation of the ICTOP10 stocks. The Junior Market is projected to rise by 246 percent and the Main Market TOP10 s projected to gain an average of 243 percent, by May 2023.
The Junior Market currently sells at an average PE of around 12.8 but already there are 13 stocks representing 25 percent of the market, with PEs from 16 to 36, averaging 22. The top half of the market has an average PE of 18. The data shows the extent of potential gains that the TOP 10 stocks possess. The situation in the main market is similar, with the 15 highest valued stocks priced at a PE of 16 to 100, averaging 27.5 and 22 excluding the highest valued one.
Currently, the Junior Market reflects a positive positioning and is poised to move higher in the weeks ahead. The recent negative clouds that hang over the main markets seem to be lifting with the market index slowly bouncing off a recent bottom.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners. The list includes some of the best listed companies 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 and result 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.

Barita jumps to record high of $115.04

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Barita Investments climbed $11.54 to a record high of $115.04 in market activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Friday after 6.5 million of the company’s shares were traded for a consideration of $706 million, at the end of trading there were only two lots on offer with the lowest offer of 7,200 shares at $140 and the other includes just 50 units at $200, three bids closed at $115 and $115.04 to buy over 400,000 shares.

Barita headquarters

Barita was not the only big as Sagicor Real Estate Fund led trading with 189.69 million shares for 89.3 percent of total volume, valued $1.56 billion. Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 7.07 million units for 3.3 percent of the day’s trade followed. The Barita Investments trade accounted for 3.1 percent of stocks trading. Stanley Motta traded 1.77 million units for 0.8 percent market share, Sagicor Select Manufacturing and Distribution Fund ended with 1.36 million units for 0.6 percent of market activity and Transjamaican Highway saw trading of 1.06 million units for 0.5 percent market share.
The total volume of stocks traded increased by 14 percent with 203 percent greater consideration than Thursday, resulting in trading in 60 securities compared to 50 on Thursday, with 36 rising, 15 declining and 11 ending unchanged.
A total of 212,535,654 shares were exchanged for $2,391,952,140 up from 186,827,923 units at $789,529,362 on Thursday. Trading averages 3,542,261 units at $39,865,869,  compared to  3,736,558 shares at $15,790,587 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 533,719 units at $5,494,321 versus 377,970 units at $3,714,948 on the previous trading day. August closed with an average of 533,719 units at $5,494,282. The All Jamaican Composite Index popped 3,872.20 points to 413,943.31, the JSE Main Index rallied 3,792.45 points to 361,691.60 and the JSE Financial Index gained 1.47 points to settle at 87.70.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.2 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 20 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments climbed $11.54 to $115.04, with 6,539,692 stocks crossing the market, Berger Paints dipped $1.30 to end at $10 after a transfer of 4,259 units. Caribbean Producers fell 75 cents to close at $13.14 in exchanging 15,371 stock units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund advanced $3.04 to end at $49.99 in trading 26,168 shares, First Rock Real Estate rallied 40 cents to close at $1, with 1,163 units changing hands. GraceKennedy declined 47 cents in closing at $89.50 with the swapping of 298,310 units, Guardian Holdings increased $10 to $510 after exchanging 106 stocks, Jamaica Broilers rose 50 cents to $29.50 as investors exchanged 137,737 stock units, Jamaica Producers gained $1.74 to end at $20.74, with 169,921 stock units crossing the market, Jamaica Stock Exchange climbed $2.52 to $17.60 in trading 103,903 units, JMMB Group dipped 50 cents to $39.50 with a transfer of 375,498 shares. Kingston Properties advanced $1 to $8, with 935,835 stock units crossing the exchange, Kingston Wharves gained $1 to end at $38 in exchanging 25,446 units, Margaritaville lost $4.45 in closing at $22 with investors transferring 1,237 shares. Massy Holdings increased 90 cents to end at $82 in switching ownership of 525 stocks, Mayberry Jamaican Equities popped 72 cents to close at $13.35 with an exchange of 2,450 stocks, Proven Investments shed 92 cents in closing at $30.08, with 3,497 stock units changing hands. Sagicor Group rose $2.01 ending at $53.51 in finishing treading of 285,915 shares, Scotia Group rallied $1.90 to $35.90 with 61,627 units clearing the market, Seprod rose $1.95 to $67 while exchanging 6,208 stock units. Supreme Ventures shed 50 cents in closing at $27 in trading 75,206 units and Sygnus Real Estate Finance increased $1.24 to $10.30 while exchanging 4,000 stocks.
In the preference segmentJamaica Public Service 9.5% climbed $10 to $2800 after 127 shares crossed the market, 138 Student Living preference share advanced $11.50 to close at $69, with 1,891 stocks changing hands and newly listed Productive Business Solutions preference share popped $200 in closing at $1200 in an exchange of 43 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

New listing for JSE US dollar market

Productive Business 9.25% preference share was added to the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market this week with the trading on Friday and rising by the close. The volume of stocks traded in the overall market on Friday, climbed 17 percent, with 8 percent less value than on Thursday, resulting in seven securities traded, similar to Thursday and ended with three rising, four declining and none ending unchanged.
Overall, 3,796,627 shares were traded for US$51,064 compared to 3,235,927 units at US$55,292 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 542,375 shares at US$7,295 versus 462,275 units at US$7,899 on Thursday, with a month to date average of 87,926 shares at US$4,746 versus 68,044 units at US$4,634 on the previous trading day. August ended with an average of 53,206 units for US$7,288.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index lost 0.66 points to end at 215.55.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 8.9. 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 a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share shed 0.08 of a cent to end at 6.82 US cents in swapping 6,367 shares, Proven Investments fell 1 cent to 20 US cents with a transfer of 500 units, Sterling Investments popped 0.02 of a cent to 2.11 US cents after trading 28,086 stock units. Sygnus Credit Investments USD share lost 1.21 cents to close at 9.77 US cents, with 2,000 stocks crossing the exchange and Transjamaican Highway gaining 0.03 of a cent to end at 1.02 US cents after exchanging 3,757,139 units.
In the preference segment, the newly listed Productive Business 9.25% preference share rose US$0.50 to a new high of US$10.50 with investors transferring 894 stock units and JMMB Group 5.75% declined 4 cents to US$1.76 after exchanging 1,641 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

September gains for Junior Market

The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Friday, closed September 61.5 points higher than August close with a 23.4 percent gain for the year to date with the volume and the value of stocks trading marginally higher than on Thursday resulting in an exchange of 46 securities versus 41 on Thursday with 18 rising, 16 declining and 12 closing unchanged.
A total of 19,888,010 shares were traded for $79,051,861 up from 17,734,945 units at $68,426,190 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 432,348 shares at $1,718,519 in contrast to 432,560 stocks at $1,668,931 on Thursday, with trading month to date, averaging 470,099 units at $1,578,445 compared to 471,994 stock units at $1,571,411 on the previous day. August closed with an average of 407,186 units at $1,330,946.
Several stocks traded in large volume led by Fosrich with 6.28 million shares for 31.6 percent of total volume, followed by Spur Tree Spices with 2.91 million units for 14.6 percent of the day’s trade, Future Energy Source came in with 2.40 million units for 12.1 percent market share, ONE on ONE Educational chipped in with 1.26 million units for 6.4 percent if stocks traded and Dolla Financial, 1.20 million units for 6 percent of the market.
At the close, the Junior Market Index advanced 36.11 points to settle at 4,229.54. The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values, averages 12.8. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks incorporate ICInsider.com projected earnings for companies with financial year end that falls between November this year and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial popped $3.03 in closing at $27.72 in an exchange of 38,331 shares, AMG Packaging declined 38 cents to end at $3.51 and closed with trading of 40,203 stocks, Cargo Handlers increased 40 cents to $11.51 with 8,160 stock units changing hands. Consolidated Bakeries dipped 25 cents to end at $2.66 with a transfer of 27,908 units, EduFocal dropped 20 cents to $2.45, with 171,853 units clearing the market, Express Catering shed 30 cents to close at $5.30 with the swapping of 727,822 shares. Fosrich advanced 32 cents in closing at $4.35 in trading 6,280,600 stock units, iCreate lost 35 cents to end at $2.45 with investors transferring 800,462 stocks, Indies Pharma gained 18 cents in ending at $3.20 after a transfer of 509,797 stocks. Iron Rock Insurance fell 26 cents to $2.50 in switching ownership of 2,048 units, KLE Group rose 19 cents to $2.17, with 593 shares crossing the market, Main Event rallied 46 cents to close at $9.45 while exchanging 222,157 stock units. MFS Capital Partners declined 20 cents to end at $3, 410,493 stock units crossing the exchange, Paramount Trading climbed 16 cents to $1.97 after exchanging 125 shares, Spur Tree Spices popped 39 cents in closing at $3.85, with 2,910,027 stocks changing hands. Stationery and Office Supplies jumped $1.70 to close at $17.80 with an exchange of 243,643 units and tTech dropped 45 cents in closing at $2.54 as investors exchanged 138,790 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Jamaica Broilers flees Haiti

After several years of operating in a challenging and economically hostile environment, Jamaica Broilers decided to pull the plug on their loss making Haitian operation that once showed promise of long term viability.

The Board of Directors on Wednesday “accepted the recommendation of management to discontinue its operations in Haiti as conducting business in that jurisdiction has become unviable.”
For the fiscal year to April 2022, the Haitian market suffered a big blow, with sales nose-diving 44 percent to $1.3 billion from $2.4 billion in 2021 as that country continues to suffer from economic and social instability.
That segment results showed a worsening outturn with a loss of $365 million, from a loss of just $7 million in 2021. Up to the January quarter, the results showed a loss of just $11 million from revenues of $1.1 billion, but the company made an impairment provision of $141 million for this operation which is charged to cost of sales and administration and other expenses. Overall the group wrote down the value of their investment in Haiti by $904 million to just $308 million. The Haitian operation reported a loss of $83 million in the quarter to July, up from a loss of$48 million in 2021, with revenues of $86 million down from $426 million in 2021.
Revenue for the group in the July quarter this year amounted to $22.98 billion, up 30.5 percent from $17.6 million in 2021, with profit surging 288 percent to $1.1 billion from just $275 million in 2021.
In early trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, on Friday, Jamaica Broilers opened at $29.

Big jump in main market trading

Investors pushed the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market higher on Thursday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 561 percent, with 116 percent greater value than Wednesday, following trading in 50 securities compared to 57 on Wednesday, with prices of 21 rising, 18 declining and 11 ending unchanged.
A total of 186,827,923 shares were traded for $789,529,362 up from 28,254,323 units at $365,934,690 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 3,736,558 units at $15,790,587 versus 495,690 shares at $6,419,907 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 377,970 units at $3,714,938, compared to 226,546 units at $3,170,510 on the previous day. August closed with an average of 738,534 units at $5,975,613.
JMMB Group 7.25% preference share due 2024, led trading with 175 million shares for 93.7 percent of total volume traded, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 2.66 million units for 1.4 percent of the day’s trade, Pulse Investments accounted for 1.67 million units with 0.9 percent market share. Sagicor Select Financial Fund closed with 1.51 million units for 0.8 percent of traded shares, Transjamaican Highway had an exchange of 1.38 million units for 0.7 percent of market share and Barita Investments ended with 1.34 million units for 0.7 percent of trading.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 1,658.74 points to 410,071.11, the JSE Main Index increased 1,851.88 points to 357,899.15 and the JSE Financial Index inched 0.10 points to 86.23.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 13.9 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 13 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments advanced 65 cents to end at $103.50 with the swapping of 1,344,652 shares, Caribbean Cement rose 49 cents in ending at $61.49 with an exchange of 2,137 stock units, Eppley gained $2.50 in closing at $41 after exchanging 240 units. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund popped $2.95 to close at $46.95, with 13,708 stocks crossing the market, First Rock Real Estate lost 40 cents to close at $13.35, with 837 stock units changing hands, Guardian Holdings rallied $3 in closing at $500 after exchanging 52 stock units. Jamaica Stock Exchange declined $1.42 to close at $15.08 after trading 50,036 units, Massy Holdings dropped $6.35 to $81.10 after 172 shares were exchanged, Mayberry Investments increased 40 cents to $8.20 after a transfer of 30,000 stock units. 138 Student Living fell $1 to end at $5.50 as investors exchanged 80,604 units, PanJam Investment dipped 99 cents to close at $59 with an exchange of 4,888 shares, Proven Investments climbed 98 cents to end at $31 in trading 1,018 stocks. Scotia Group shed $1 to end at $34 while exchanging 27,206 shares and Seprod rose 52 cents in closing at $65.05 with investors transferring 5,923 units.
In the preference segmentJamaica Public Service 9.5% gained $140 to close at $2,790, after 36,603 stocks changed hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

6 days of gains for JSE US dollar market

The Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market rose for a sixth consecutive on Thursday, with a 175 percent rise in the volume of stocks exchanged, and a 214 percent rise in value over Wednesday, resulting in the trading of seven securities, compared to eight on Wednesday, with four rising, one declining and two ending unchanged.
Investors traded 3,235,927 shares for US$55,292, sharply up from 174,023 units at US$17,600 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 462,275 units at US$7,899 from 21,753 shares at US$2,200 on Wednesday, with a month to date average of 68,044 shares at US$4,634 compared to 50,007 units at US$4,485 on the previous trading day. August ended with an average of 53,206 units for US$7,288.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index gained 6.54 points to end at 216.21.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9. 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 no stock ending with a bid higher than the last selling price and one with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share climbed 0.97 of one cent to 6.9 US cents after exchanging 159,937 shares, Productive Business Solutions increased 6.75 cents to US$1.39 after 681 units were traded, Proven Investments rose 2 cents to close at 21 US cents with investors trading 61,193 stocks. Sygnus Credit Investments USD share remained at 10.98 US cents as investors exchanged 10,564 stock units, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share dropped 0.01 of a cent to end at 12.37 US cents with the swapping of 3,545 stocks and Transjamaican Highway rallied 0.06 of a cent to end at 0.99 of one US cent after a transfer of 3,000,000 shares.
In the preference segmentEppley 6% preference share ended at US$1.13 after 7 units were traded.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Buoyant Junior Market

Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Thursday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 15 percent with a 20 percent lower value than on Wednesday resulting from 41 trading of securities versus 43 on Wednesday and ended with 21 rising, 16 declining and four closing unchanged.
A total of 17,734,945 shares were traded for $68,426,190 compared to 20,778,103 units at $85,799,358 on Wednesday.
The day’s trading averaged 432,560 shares at $1,668,931 compared to 483,212 stocks at $1,995,334 on Wednesday, with the month to date, averaging 471,994 units at $1,571,412 in line with the 473,842 stock units at $1,566,843 on the previous day. August closed with an average of 407,186 units at $1,330,946.
Future Energy Source led trading with 5.34 million shares for 30.1 percent of total volume, followed by Jamaican Teas with 4.83 million units for 27.2 percent of the day’s trade, Dolla Financial closed with 1.40 million units for 7.9 percent market share, Fosrich accounted for 1.26 million units or 7.1 percent of traded shares and ONE on ONE Educational with 1.07 million units for 6 percent if the market.
At the close, the Junior Market Index rose 10.66 points to settle at 4,193.43. Consolidated Bakeries traded at a 52 weeks’ high in closing at $2.91.
The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values, averages 12.9. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks incorporate ICInsider.com projected earnings for companies with financial year end that falls between November this year and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, AMG Packaging rose 33 cents to $3.89 with a transfer of 6,579 shares, Blue Power gained 10 cents to close at $3.23 in switching owners of 545 units, Cargo Handlers dipped $2.89 to $11.11 after finishing trading of 2,500 stock units. Dolphin Cove advanced $1.39 to end at $14.49 with investors transferring 9,991 stocks, EduFocal popped 28 cents in closing at $2.65 after an exchange of 133,064 units, Elite Diagnostic climbed 17 cents in closing at $3.50 after 13,732 stock units changed hands. Express Catering increased 19 cents to $5.60 in exchanging 119,573 stocks, General Accident lost 75 cents in ending at $5 and trading 5,000 shares, Honey Bun dropped 36 cents to close at $7.90, with 143,821 shares crossing the market. iCreate declined 20 cents to end at $2.80 with an exchange of 440,985 stock units, Jamaican Teas rallied 24 cents to close at $2.95 after a transfer of 4,827,665 stocks, Knutsford Express advanced 15 cents to end at $7.40 in trading 4,508 units. Spur Tree Spices rose 16 cents to $3.46, with 797,951 units clearing the market, Stationery and Office Supplies popped 45 cents in closing at $16.10 while exchanging 8,000 stock units and tTech gained 39 cents to $2.99 after an exchange of a mere one share.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.