More fall for JSE stocks – Tuesday

Salada Foods traded at a all-time high of $18 on Tuesday.

In moderate trading, the Jamaica Stock Exchange fell for the second day in a row on Tuesday, leading to, the All Jamaican Composite Index declining 2,005.90 points to 344,114.23 and the JSE Index shedding 1,827.60 points to 313,526.94.
Trading in the main market ended with 4,859,195 units valued at $60,716,560 compared to 4,879,200 units valued at $45,250,338 on Monday.
Market activities resulted in 28 securities trading including 2 in the US dollar market compared to 29 securities trading on Monday. At the end of trading, the prices of 13 stocks rose, 7 declined and 8 traded unchanged, including Grace Kennedy that ended at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $58.50 and Salada Foods at a closing all time high of $18.
The day’s volume was led by, Mayberry Jamaican Equities with 1,244,346 units and 25.6 percent of the main market volume, followed by 1834 Investments with 1,006,761 units and 20.7 percent of the day’s volume and Carreras with 740,950 units accounting for 15.25 percent traded volume.
Stocks with major price changes| Berger Paints ended at $22 after rising 99 cents with 4,801 stock units changing hands, Caribbean Cement dropped $5 to $45 exchanging 260,066 shares, Jamaica Broilers traded 17,670 stock units and added $1.50 to end at $25.50, JMMB Group lost $1 and ended at $29 trading 343,345 shares, PanJam Investment rose 50 cents and finished trading 28,787 shares at $52.50, Sagicor Real Estate Fund finished with a loss of 50 cents to close at $14, exchanging 57,552 units, Salada Foods jumped $1.50 to settle at an all-time high of $18, trading 13,000 shares Scotia Group traded 16,750 units and rose 52 cents to end at $52.52, Seprod jumped $2 in trading 6,994 units at $36 and Supreme Ventures fell 51 cents in trading 56,290 shares at $15.
Trading in the US dollar market closed with 60,825 units valued at US$11,992, as Proven Investments rose 12 cents and closed at 20 US cents trading 59,325 shares and Sygnus Credit Investments traded 1,500 shares at 10 US cents. The JSE USD Equities Index eased 0.07 points to 159.24.
Trading resulted in an average of 186,892 units valued at an average of $2,335,252 for each security traded. In contrast to 180,711 units for an average of $1,675,938 on Monday. For the month to date an average of 195,162 shares valued at an average of $3,826,002 versus 196,186 shares valued at an average of $4,035,512 on Monday. July closed with an average of 169,022 units valued at $3,514,756, for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 6 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 closing with lower offers.

Profit results could ignite market

There is little doubt that the summer rally is on for Jamaica stocks and is being helped by some good results for a number of the companies. Release of results over the next two days could be a huge catalyst for the market in the days ahead.
Last week a number of stocks traded at 52 weeks’ highs or historical highs. Profit results are expected to flood the market over the next two days and could have a big impact on prices.
Last week a number of on the Watch list traded at record high levels and more of that is expected this week.
Stocks with scarce supplies and could spring surprises include Grace Kennedy, NCB Financial, Berger Paints, Caribbean Cement, Kingston Wharves, PanJam Investment, Sagicor Group, Salada Foods, Seprod and Scotia Group. The main market is not the only segment with limited supplies. The Junior Market supplies continue to be limited for many of the listings. The list includes, Blue Power, Caribbean Flavours, Cargo Handlers, Caribbean Producers, Derrimon Trading, Express Catering, General Accident,Caribbean Cream, Medical Disposables and Stationery and Office Supplies.
The main market continues to be steered higher by an upward sloping support line as well the 45 and 125 day moving averages, lending support just below the index and the Junior Market that is at a 9 months’ high, is being steered by an upward rising long-term support line and the start of a golden cross. The golden cross is a very bullish long-term signal.

JSE lost altitude – Monday

Carib Cement jumped $7.99 to end at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $50.

In moderate trading, the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed down on Monday after the All Jamaica Composite Index hit a new high of 347,919.92 points in early trading.
At the close trading,  advancing stocks were the same as stocks, leading to the All Jamaican Composite Index to decline by 880.86 points to 346,120.15 and the JSE Index in shedding 802.56 points to end at a record close of 315,354.54.
Trading in the main market ended with 4,879,200 units valued at over $45,250,338 compared to 11,481,249 units valued $123,719,859 on Friday.
Market activities resulted in 29 securities trading including 2 in the US dollar market compared to 26 securities trading on Friday. At the end of trading, the prices of 9 stocks rose, 9 declined and 11 traded unchanged, including
Caribbean Cement traded at an all-time closing high of $50 with very low volume while the Jamaica Stock Exchange traded at a 52 weeks’ high of $8.50 but pulled back at the close to $8.
The day’s volume was led by, Mayberry Jamaican Equities with 2,626,900 units and 53.84 percent of the main market volume, followed by Jamaica Stock Exchange with 822,926 units and Victoria Mutual Investments with 298,913 units.
Stocks with major price changes| Barita Investments lost 50 cents and ended at $9, trading 7,186 stock units, Caribbean Cement jumped $7.99 to a 52 weeks’ closing high of $50 exchanging a mere 610 shares, but ended with the being offered at $45 Jamaica Broilers traded 27,922 stock units and added $1.90 to end at $24, Mayberry Investments lost 25 cents to end at $8 trading just 18,821 shares, Kingston Wharves lost 75 cents to end at $51.50, after trading 2,500 stock units, NCB Financial Group lost 50 cents and ended trading at $103.50, exchanging 42,838 shares, Scotia Group traded 9,910 units and shed 80 cents to end at $52, Supreme Ventures fell 29 cents in trading 81,921 at $15.51 and Wisynco Group fell 25 cents to close at $9.25 after trading 197,432 shares.
Trading in the US dollar market closed with 35,200 units valued at US$65,830 as JMMB Group 5.75% preference share rose 12 cents and closed at US$2.15 trading 35,200 shares and Margaritaville rose 1 cent in trading 5,000 shares at 18 US cents. The JSE USD Equities Index rose 0.47 points to 159.31.
Trading resulted in an average of 180,711 units valued at over $1,675,938, in contrast to 478,385 shares valued at $5,154,994 on Friday. For the month to date an average of 196,186 shares valued at an average of $4,035,512 versus 198,469 shares valued at an average of $4,438,731 on Monday. July closed with an average of 169,022 units valued at $3,514,756, for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 10 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 closing with lower offers.

Medical Disposables out AMG in TOP 10

The main market of Jamaica Stock Market indices chalked up more records last and closed the week at another record high on Friday and the Junior Market closed at a 9 months’ high as the markets continue the usual summer bounce.
A number of positive results and chronic shortage of many of the stocks are helping in putting upward pressure on prices resulting in three changes to the IC TOP 10 at the end of the week.
Medical Disposables rose to $6.40 at the end of the week and was the sole stock moving out of the TOP 10 and AMG Packaging returned to the TOP 10. Caribbean Cement traded as high as $50 on Friday as supply has virtually dried up, not surprising with the company cutting finance cost and reports of several projects slated to come on stream later this year. Berger Paints also moved higher to $21 on Friday and remains scarce. Iron Rock jumped to a new high of $4.07 on Friday as the company shows promise of making a profit sooner than later.
The coming days will see a flood of quarterly results be released and could impact the prices of stocks.
The PE ratio for Junior Market Top stocks averages 7.9 compared to an average PE for the overall market of 12, based on 2018 estimated earnings and the main market PE stands at 8.2 for the top stocks, compared to a market average of 13, a good indicator of the level of undervaluation of these stocks. Work done by IC Insider.com suggest that the PE ratio is likely to end around 16 times earnings by year as investors continue to gradually upgrade the multiple they are prepared to pay for stocks, which would lift prices sharply over the next several months from current levels.
The TOP 10 stocks now trade at an average discount of 34 percent to the average for the Junior Market Top stocks but it’s a third of what the average PE for the year is likely to be of 20 times earnings and main market stocks traded at a discount of 39 percent to the market.
TOP 10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns within a 12 months period. Stocks are selected based on projected earnings for each company’s current fiscal year. Based on an assumed PE for each, the likely gains are determined and then ranked, with the stocks with the highest potential gains ranked first followed by the rest, in descending order. Potential values will change as stock prices fluctuate and will result in movements of the selection in and out of the lists for most weeks. Earnings per share are revised on an ongoing basis based on new information received that can result in changes in and out of the list as well.

New closing high for JSE – Friday

The Jamaica Stock Exchange took another sizable jump to end at a record close on Friday as advancing stocks out-numbered declining stocks in continuation of the market’s record bull run.
At the close trading, the All Jamaican Composite Index rose 305.19 points to 347,001.01, the first time it closed above 347,000 points and the JSE Index climbed 278.07 points to end at a record close of 316,157.10. The market has gained 9.6 percent for the year to date, the shortage of stocks and low interest rates suggest that the gain for the rest of the year should exceed that of the first 7 months.
Trading in the main market ended with 11,481,249 units valued $123,719,859 compared to 7,873,698 units valued at $335,479,879 on Thursday.
Market activities resulted in 26 securities trading including 2 in the US dollar market compared to 28 securities trading on Thursday. At the end of trading, the prices of 13 stocks rose, 8 declined and 5 traded unchanged, including Caribbean Cement trading at an intraday high of $50 and Salada Foods trading at an all-time high of $17 before pulling back at the close, to a 52 weeks’ high of $16.50.
The day’s volume was led by, Mayberry Jamaican Equities with 9,408,575 units 81.95 percent of the main market volume, followed by Scotia Group with juts 351,092 units and Jamaica Stock Exchange with 281,270 units.
Stocks with major price changes| Berger Paints rose $1 and ended at $21, trading 9,539 stock units, Caribbean Cement fell $1.49 to $42.01 exchanging 76,432 shares, Jamaica Broilers traded 46,334 stock units and dropped $3.40 to end at $22.10, Jamaica Stock Exchange rose 49 cents to close at $8, with 281,270 shares changing hands, JMMB Group rose 50 cents and ended at $30, trading 27,350 shares. Mayberry Investments lost 75 cents to end at $8.25 trading just 8,335 shares, Kingston Wharves finished at $52.25, after rising 25 cents with 3,842 stock units, NCB Financial Group lost 80 cents and ended trading at $104, exchanging 27,159 shares, PanJam Investment jumped $1 to $52 trading 87,500 stock units. Salada Foods jumped $1.50 and ended trading at 52 weeks’ closing high of $16.50, with 35,500 stock units, Scotia Group traded 351,092 units and gained 80 cents to end at $52.80 and Sygnus Credit Investments fell 49 cents in trading 12,010 at $12.
Trading in the US dollar market closed with 174,520 units valued at US$31,642 as Proven Investments fell 1 cent and closed at 19 US cents trading 3,200 shares and Sygnus Credit Investments fell 0.25 cents in trading 12,010 at 0.0975 US cents. The JSE USD Equities Index rose 3.70 and closed at 154.43
Trading resulted in an average of 478,385 units valued at an average of $5,154,994 for each security traded. In contrast to 302,835 units for an average of $12,903,072 on Thursday. For the month to date an average of 198,469 shares valued at an average of $4,438,731 versus 185,362 shares valued at an average of $5,398,127 on Thursday. July closed with an average of 169,022 units valued at $3,514,756, for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 6 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and 6 closing with lower offers.

JSE end at a new close – Thursday

The Jamaica Stock Exchange took another sizable jump to end at a record close on Thursday as advancing stocks out-numbered declining stocks in continuation of the market’s record bull run.
At the close trading, the All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 2,217.67 points to 346,695.82 and the JSE Index climbed 2,020.55 points to end at a record close at 315,879.03.
Trading in the main market ended with 7,873,698 units valued at $335,479,879 compared to 3,458,733 units valued at $66,593,492 on Wednesday.
Market activities resulted in 28 securities trading including 2 in the US dollar market compared to 27 securities trading on Wednesday. At the end of trading, the prices of 12 stocks rose, 8 declined and 8 traded unchanged, including Grace Kennedy trading at an intraday high of $58 and Mayberry Investments trading at an all-time high of $9 before pulling back at the close.
The day’s volume was led by, Grace Kennedy with 5,253,678 units accounting for 66.72 percent of the main market volume, followed by Carreras with 899,233 units or just 11.42 percent of the day’s volume and JMMB Group 7.50% preference share with 500,000 units and 6.35 percent of the day’s volume.
Major price changes| Grace Kennedy jumped $1.01 to finish at a record high of $58.05, JMMB Group rose 40 cents ended at $29.50, trading 13,087 shares. Mayberry Investments climbed $1.60 to end a record closing high of $9 trading just 1,000 shares, Kingston Wharves finished at $52, after falling 50 cents with 3,842 stock units NCB Financial Group gained 60 cents and ended trading at $104.80, trading 27,159 shares, Sagicor Real Estate Fund rose 50 cents and settled at $14.50 exchanging 3,300 shares, Sterling Investments gained 40 cents to $14.50 after 68,200 shares traded, Scotia Group traded 351,092 units and gained $1.30 to end at $52.80 and Seprod added 99 cents to finish trading at $34, with an exchange of just 750 shares.
Trading in the US dollar market closed with 5,754 units valued at US$5,330 as JMMB Group 6% preference share completed trading of 16,500 stock units and rose 1 cent to end at $1.05, Proven Investments fell 1 cent and closed at 19 US cents trading 3,200 shares. The JSE USD Equities Index closed unchanged at 154.43
Trading resulted in an average of 302,835 units valued at an average of $12,903,072 for each security traded. In contrast to 138,349 units for an average of $2,663,740 on Wednesday. For the month to date an average of 185,362 shares valued at an average of $5,398,127 versus 157,082 shares valued at an average of $2,241,849 on Wednesday. July closed with an average of 169,022 units valued at $3,514,756, for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 8 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 closing with lower offers.

JSE takes breather from record run – Wednesday

Mayberry Investments hit an all time high of $9 on Wednesday.

The Jamaica Stock Exchange took a break from ending at record close on Wednesday but advancing stocks just out-numbered decliners but the indices close lower.
At the close, the All Jamaican Composite Index declined by 926.88 points to 344,478.15 and the JSE Index dipped 844.49 points to close at 313,858.48.
Trading in the main market ended with 3,458,733 units valued at over $66,593,492 compared to 3,687,476 units valued at over $83,983,141, on Tuesday.
Market activities resulted in 27 securities trading including 2 in the US dollar market compared to 33 securities trading on Tuesday. At the end of trading, the prices of 11 stocks rose, 9 declined and 7 traded unchanged, including Grace Kennedy trading at an intraday high of $58 and Mayberry Investments trading at an all-time high of $9.
The day’s volume was led by, Sagicor Group with 898,949 units accounting for 25.99 percent of the main market volume, followed by 1834 Investments with 624,732 units, 18.06 percent of the day’s volume and Radio Jamaica with 498,490 units and 14.41 percent of the day’s volume.
Major price changes| Caribbean Cement jumped $2.30 to finish at $43.50, with 29,172 shares, Jamaica Broilers rose 55 cents to $25.50, with 48,642 stock units trading, JMMB Group fell $1 to end at $29.10, trading 37,485 shares. Mayberry Investments rose 29 cents to end $7.40 trading 68,254 shares, Salada Foods ended trading at $16.50, with 35,500 stock units, Scotia Group traded 351,092 units and gained $1.30 to end at $52.80, Seprod added $1 and finished trading at $33.01, with an exchange of just 277 shares and Supreme Ventures ended at $15.80, with 115,692 shares after rising by 30 cents.
Trading in the US dollar market closed with 5,754 units valued at US$5,330 as JMMB Group 6 percent preference share completed trading of 4,300 stock units and fell 1 cent to end at $1.04, Productivity Business Solution closed at 59 US cents trading 1,454 shares. The JSE USD Equities Index closed unchanged at 154.43.
Trading resulted in an average of 138,349 units valued at an average of $2,663,740 for each security traded. In contrast to 122,916 units for an average of $2,799,438 on Tuesday. For the month to date an average of 157,082 shares valued at an average of $2,241,849 versus 162,724 shares valued at an average of $2,114,773 on Tuesday. July closed with an average of 169,022 units valued at $3,514,756, for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 3 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 closing with lower offers.

AJ Index new record of 345,405 points – Tuesday

The All Jamaican Composite Index of the Jamaica Stock Exchange traded at an intraday record high of 347,551.83 in the morning session but drifted lower to close just above 345,000 points for the second day in a row.
At the close, the All Jamaican Composite Index gained 354.82 points to end at a record close of 345,405.03 and the JSE Index advanced by 323.28 points to end at a record close of 314,702.97.
Trading in the main market ended with 3,687,476 units valued at over $83,983,141 compared to 4,818,830 units valued at $56,754,894, on Friday.
Market activities resulted in 33 securities trading including 3 in the US dollar market compared to 29 securities trading on Friday. At the end of trading, the prices of 11 stocks rose, 12 declined and 10 traded unchanged.
The day’s volume was led by, Scotia Group with 841,089 units for 22.81 percent of the main market volume, followed by Carreras with 764,451 units or 20.73 percent of the day’s volume and Radio Jamaica ended with 547,000 units and accounting for 14.83 percent of the day’s volume.
Major price changes| Berger Paints traded 8,650 shares with a gain of 74 cents to close at $20, Caribbean Cement lost 30 cents and finished at $41.20, with 171,284 shares, Grace Kennedy jumped $1.05 to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $57.05, trading with 122,139 shares, NCB Financial Group climbed $3 ended trading 45,133 shares, at $104, with 1834 Investments lost 15 cents traded at a 52 weeks’ low of 90 cents, with 18,000 shares. Mayberry Investments declined $1.14 to end $7.11 trading 24,638 shares, PanJam Investment concluded trading of 4,384 shares at $51.25, after slipping $1.30, Portland JSX climbed $1 and ended at $9, exchanging 20,000 units, Sagicor Real Estate Fund fell 50 cents to settle at $14.00, with 1,000 shares, Scotia Group traded 841,089 units and fell $1.50 to end at $51.50, Seprod lost 49 cents and finished trading at $32.01, with 2,500 shares. Sterling Investments gained 60 cents and closed at $14.10, with 13,727 shares, Supreme Ventures lost 30 cents and ended at $15.50, with 65,275 shares trading.
Trading in the US dollar market closed with 154,010 units valued at US$128,075 as JMMB Group 6% preference share completed trading of 115,000 stock units and gained 1 cent to end at $1.05, Proven Investments added 1 cent and closed at 20 US cents trading 38,800 shares and Sygnus Credit closed 10 US cents in trading 210 shares. The JSE USD Equities Index lost 0.71 points and closed at 154.43
Trading resulted in an average of 122,916 units valued at an average of $2,799,438 for each security traded. In contrast to 185,340 units for an average of $2,182,881 on Friday. For the month to date an average of 162,724 shares valued at an average of $2,114,773 versus 185,258 units traded for an average of $1,727,278 on Friday. July closed with an average of 169,022 units valued at $3,514,756, for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 5 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 closing with lower offers.

Grace set to make big price leap

Grace Kennedy traded at a 52 weeks’ high on JSE on Friday..

The Jamaica stock market is at an interesting stage, with supply of many stocks offered for sale, getting more scarce by the day, while interest rates are at their lowest levels in Jamaica’s history but are most are valued  at levels when interest rates were in the teens.
The main market has gained 8,387.30 points in July, and is now a record high as of Friday with gains of 9,486.57 since the start of July, thus mirroring the start of the usual summer rally on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, while the Junior Market continues to bounce and is now at a 9 months’ high.
Liquidity is very high and forcing interest rates lower as investors try to place funds on hands. As liquidity rise in the market supply of stocks is on the decline. Some of stock with scarce supplies include Grace Kennedy that has just one offer priced at $80 when the market closed on Friday, NCB Financial that is now trading over $100 is not far behind with limited offers. It has been years that the supply of Grace stock has been this low and suggest a big upward price move.

The All Jamaica Composite index now braking out of a narrow upward sloping channel going back to November 2017.

Berger Paints, Caribbean Cement, JMMB Group, Kingston Wharves, PanJam Investment, Sagicor Group, Seprod and Scotia Group with only 362,000 units on offer are amongst some that have very limited supplies being offered for sale on the market. But the main market is not the only segment with limited supplies.Over in the Junior market where demand is not as great as in 2017, supplies are limited for many of the listings. The list includes, Blue Power, Caribbean Flavours, Cargo Handlers, Derrimon Trading, Express Catering, Caribbean Cream, Medical Disposables and Stationery and Office Supplies. Caribbean Producers closed trading at $5.80 at the end of the previous week and ended this past week at $6.22 and may well go higher this coming week as it closed with a bid at $6.20. A number of these stocks could lead the break out of the markets in a big way when investors on a whole come to the realization that with interest rates now below 2 percent,

Medical Disposables profit jumps 49 percent before foreign exchange loss in Q1.

that the old accepted PE ratio of 10 being reasonable to value stocks, is no longer accepted and that ratios of 20 to 30 will become the norm going forward. Investors only need to look at stocks in in Trinidad and Tobago where PEs have been in the 20 level for years to understand where we will be heading in the not too distant future.
The main market continues to be steered higher by an upward sloping support line as well the 45 and 125 day moving averages, lending support just below the index and the Junior Market that is at a 9 month high, is being steered by an upward rising long term support line and the start of a golden cross.

Medical Disposables back in IC TOP 10

Medical Disposables back in IC TOP 10

The main market of Jamaica Stock Exchange ended at a record close on Friday and the Junior Market closed at a 9 months’ high as the markets keep moving higher resulting changes to the IC TOP 10.
At the close on Friday, Proven Investments ended at 19 US cents and fell out of the top list and is replaced by Victoria Mutual Investments. Jetcon Corporation and Paramount Trading dropped out of the top flight, to be replaced by Fosrich Group and Medical Disposables. IC insider.com lowered profit forecast for Paramount with the company showing only a small profit of less than a million dollars in the fourth quarter compared to nearly $11 million in 2017 after gross profit rose 29 percent or $28 million. Jetcon squeezed out by price changes, elsewhere Medical Disposables rose to $5.80 but made it back in the list with strong profit out turn for the first quarter to June and an upgrade of earnings for the full year, of 65 cents per share from 60 cents.
The PE ratio for Junior Market Top stocks averages 7.4 compared to an average PE for the overall market of 12, based on 2018 estimated earnings and the main market PE stands at 8 for the top stocks, compared to a market average of 13, a good indicator of the level of undervaluation of these stocks.
The TOP 10 stocks now trade at an average discount of 38 percent to the average for the Junior Market Top stocks but it’s a third of what the average PE for the year is likely to be of 20 times earnings and main market stocks traded at a discount of 40 percent to the market.
TOP 10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns within a 12 months period. Stocks are selected based on projected earnings for each company’s current fiscal year. Based on an assumed PE for each, the likely gains are determined and then ranked, with the stocks with the highest potential gains ranked first followed by the rest, in descending order. Potential values will change as stock prices fluctuate and will result in movements of the selection in and out of the lists for most weeks. Earnings per share are revised on an ongoing basis based on new information received that can result in changes in and out of the list as well.