Big fall for juniors on Tuesday

Honey Bun dropped $5.45 to $16.50 on Tuesday

Honey Bun dropped $5.45 to $16.50 on Tuesday

The junior market dropped lower at the close on Tuesday, with 1,770,629 shares valued at $9,957,555 changing hands. The market index lost 41.79 points to end at 2,138.64 as a total of 19 securities traded, with 6 advancing and 8 declining. The junior market ended with bids for 4 stocks closing higher than their last selling prices and 1 ending with a lower offer.
At the end of trading, CAC 2000 closed while trading 1,000 shares to end at $6.41 after losing 1 cent, Caribbean Cream lost 44 cents with 220,634 shares changing hands at $4.50, Caribbean Flavours traded 120,000 shares with a fall of $1.30 to end at $7.20, Consolidated Bakeries closed at $1.60 with 67,535 shares changing hands. Dolphin Cove lost 24 cents while trading 1,160 units to close at $12.51, General Accident fell by 55 cents to $2 with 16,037 shares trading, Honey Bun closed with a loss of $5.45 to $16.50, with 16,302 shares trading. Iron Rock Insurance gained 10 cents in trading 386,468 shares to close at $3.50, Jamaican Teas traded 50,000 shares and rose by 35 cents to end at $3.90, Jetcon Corporation traded 7,000 units to close with a loss of 10 cents at $2.80. Key Insurance traded firm at $2.50 as 15,129 units changed hands,JM Trdng Sht-17-5-16 KLE Group rose 8 cents in trading 20,000 shares and closed at $1.68, Knutsford Express closed with 8,366 shares trading at $18, Lasco Distributors closed with 718,998 units trading with the price declining 21 cents to close at $7.30, but the stock traded down to $6.51 during the trading session. Lasco Financial closed at $3.20 with 39,926 shares changing hands for a fall of 29 cents. Lasco Manufacturing closed at $4.75 with 52,632 shares trading, but rose by 7 cents and Medical Disposables closed with a rise of 2 cents as 7,900 units changed hands at $3.42, tTech traded 20,000 units at $4.50 and Derrimon Trading 11.75% preference shares traded 1,542 units at $2.13.

Juniors slip slightly on Monday

JSE sign The junior market edged lower at the close on Monday, with 632,321 shares valued at $2,290,950 changing hands. The market index lost 4 points to end at 2,180.43 as a total of 15 securities traded, with 5 advancing and 6 declining. The junior market ended with bids for 5 stocks closing higher than their last selling prices and 3 ending with a lower offer.
At the end of trading, CAC 2000 closed while trading 800 shares to end at $6.40, Caribbean Cream lost 1 cent with 25,000 shares changing hands at $4.94, Caribbean Producers traded 100,000 shares with a gain of 10 cents to end at $4, Consolidated Bakeries gained 15 cent to close at $1.60 with 127,159 shares changing hands. Dolphin Cove rose 20 cents while trading 1,515 units to close at $12.75, Honey Bun closed with a loss of 5 cents to $21.95, with 7,962 shares trading. Iron Rock Insurance traded 180,416 shares at $3.40, JM Trdng Sht-16-5-16Jamaican Teas traded 59,474 shares to end at $3.55, Jetcon Corporation traded 26,000 units to close with a loss of 10 cents at $2.90, KLE Group rose 20 cents in trading 20,000 shares and closed at $1.60. Knutsford Express closed with 1,570 shares trading at $18, Lasco Distributors closed with 22,730 units trading with the price declining 14 cents to close at $7.51, Lasco Financial closed at $3.49 with 49,843 shares changing hands for a fall of 1 cent. Lasco Manufacturing closed at $4.68 with 7,852 shares trading, but fell by 8 cents and Paramount Trading closed with a rise of 55 cents as 2,000 units changed hands at $11.05.

Juniors close up on Friday

One Honey Bun's Products - the stock ended at a new closing high of $22

One Honey Bun’s Products – the stock ended at a new closing high of $22

The junior market inched forward at the close on Friday, with a mere 193,019 shares valued at $1,341,812 changing hands. The market index added just 8.11 points to end at 2,184.43 as a total of 13 securities traded, with 3 advancing and 5 declining. The junior market ended with bids for 3 stocks closing higher than their last selling prices and 2 ending with lower offers.
At the end of trading, CAC 2000 closed while trading 10,000 shares to end at $6.40, Caribbean Cream fell 5 cents with 9,000 shares changing hands at $4.95, Derrimon Trading dipped 30 cents while trading 400 units to close at $4.50, Honey Bun closed at a new 52 weeks’ high of $22, after rising $1.50, with 19,637 shares trading. Iron Rock Insurance traded 2,725 shares at $3.40, JM Trdng Sht-13-5-16Jamaican Teas traded 612 shares and fell 25 cents to end at $3.55, Jetcon Corporation traded 60,000 units to close at $3, Key Insurance lost 17 cents in trading 3,000 shares and closed at $2.50. Knutsford Express gained $1 to close with 6,200 shares trading at $18, Lasco Distributors closed with 42,370 units trading with the price rising 4 cents to close at $7.65, Lasco Financial closed at $3.50 with 15,715 shares changing hands. Lasco Manufacturing closed at $4.76 with 21,890 shares trading, to gain 1 cent and tTech closed with 1,470 units at $4.50.

Juniors barely moved on Thursday

JM sign The junior market inched forward at the close on Thursday, with 446,394 shares valued at $1,996,471 changing hands. The market index added just 0.37 points to end at 2,176.32 as a total of 12 securities traded, with 3 advancing and 6 declining. The junior market ended with bids for 4 stocks closing higher than their last selling prices and 6 ending with lower offers. One stock traded at a new high, at the close.
At the end of trading, AMG Packaging lost $1.49 while trading just 6,606 shares to end at $10.51, General Accident Insurance gained 5 cents while trading 45,784 units to close at $2.55, Honey Bun closed at a new 52 weeks’ high of $20.50, after rising 50 cents, with 21,440 shares trading, the stock rose to an intraday high of $22. Jamaican Teas traded 42,736 shares at $3.80,JM Trdng Sht-12-5-16 Key Insurance traded 4,600 shares at $2.67 for a loss of 13 cents, KLE Group lost 21 cents in trading 82,012 shares and closed at $1.40, Lasco Distributors closed with 29,698 units trading with the price falling 4 cents to close at $7.61, Lasco Financial closed at $3.50 with 175,000 shares changing hands. Lasco Manufacturing closed at $4.77 with 21,600 shares trading, to gain 12 cents, Medical Disposables lost 2 cents to close at $3.40 while trading 519 shares, Paramount Trading lost 49 cents to $10.50 with 10,000 shares and tTech closed with 6,399 units at $4.50.

Juniors inched up on Wednesday

Honey Bun at new high of $20 on Wednesday

Honey Bun at new high of $20 on Wednesday

The junior market inched forward at the close on Wednesday, with 952,289 shares valued at $5,433,865 changing hands. The market index added 7.80 points to end at 2,175.95 as a total of 17 securities traded, with 9 advancing and 5 declining. The junior market ended with bids for 4 stocks closing higher than their last selling prices and 1 ending with a lower offer.
At the end of trading, AMG Packaging lost $1 while trading just 1,064 shares to end at $12, Blue Power had 2,000 units changing hands with a gain of 40 cents to close at $13.90, Caribbean Cream traded 7,200 units to end at $5, CAC 2000 ended at $6.40 with a loss of 10 cents as 7,500 shares changed hands. Consolidated Bakeries ended with 26,500 shares changing hands at $1.45 after gaining 22 cents, Dolphin Cove had 11,346 units trading with a loss of 20 cents, to end at $12.55, after the company reported improved first quarter results, that rose 34 percent to 47 cents per share after tax versus 34 cents. General Accident Insurance lost 15 cents while trading 71,500 units to close at $2.50, Honey Bun closed at a new 52 weeks’ high of $20, after rising 50 cents, with 26,600 shares trading.JM Trdng Sht-11-5-16 Iron Rock traded 1,000 shares at $3.40, ISP Finance traded 281 shares but gained 9 cents to end at $2.79, Jamaican Teas traded 7,267 shares and fell 10 cents to $3.80. Jetcon Corporation closed at $3 while 5,000 units traded, KLE Group rose 21 cents in trading 10,000 shares and closed at $1.61, Lasco Distributors closed with 314,461 units trading with the price rising 10 cents to close at $7.65, Lasco Financial gained 1 cents to close at $3.50 with 132,560 shares changing hands. Lasco Manufacturing closed at $4.65 with 207,030 shares trading, to gain 5 cents and tTech added 25 cents in closing with 120,980 units at $4.50.

Jamaican Teas profit rises

Jamaican Teas Door A 55 percent jump in the profit before tax for the quarter to March 2016, to $31 million over the previous year’s quarter, was one of the highlights of Jamaican Teas’ 2016 performance to date. After tax profit jumped for the quarter by 30 percent to $26 million. There was no taxation provision in the 2015 period.
For the six months to March, profit before tax was up 69 percent to $73 million but after accounting for tax, in the current year ended 44 percent higher at $62 million for the 2015 period. Total comprehensive income which includes unrealized gain on sale on investments was up year over year at $95 million versus $57 million in 2015.
Sales for the Quarter of $326 million exceeded the $293 million for the previous year’s quarter by 11 percent, while for the six months, sales grew 17 percent to $713 million. Gross profit for the group increased faster than revenues, with an increase of 22 percent to $73 million for the quarter to March and for the year to date, by 24.5 percent to $152 million.
The manufacturing division recorded growth of local sales of 11 percent to $94 million for the quarter and 14 percent for the half year to $190. Exports grew 12 percent for the quarter to $90 million and 8 percent for the six months period to $199 million. Retails sales grew ahead of inflation with an increase of 12 percent to $141 for the quarter and an increase of 10 percent for the half year, to $257 million. There were no sales recorded for residential property for the quarter but sales of $40 million were recorded in the year to date results.
Profit before tax for the manufacturing division was $47 million compared to $34 million for the six months to March while for the retail segment profit was just $1 million compared to $577,000 in 2015. Share of associated company loss amounted to $5.10 million versus $3.34 million in 2015.
JamTs trck Expenses for quarter to March rose 18.5 percent and 18 percent for the six months to March but the increase was less than that of gross profit. Sales and Marketing cost rose by 24 percent to $18 million, Administration cost rose 17 percent to $66 million, Finance cost ended the period at $20 million, an increase of 16 percent, partially due to delay in completing sales in the real estate development, as well loans used in the funding of equity investment.
Investments contributed $8.6 million to profit from sale of investments for the half year leaving unrealized gains of $44 million at the end of March, with the gains included in the investment portfolio of $119 million.
Inventories grew from $396 million in March 2014 to $434 million, including $240 million cost of the real estate development. Amounts due from purchasers of houses in the development, totalling $75 million, helped to push receivable balance to $275 million.
Payables increased by $42 million over the year-end, due mainly to the purchase of inventories which increased by $45 million, or 11 percent over the September 2015 balance.
Cash generated from operations amounted to $38 million after paying corporate taxes of $20 million and repaying loans of $36 million and cash and cash equivalent ended at $35 million.
Shareholder’s equity stood at $820 million for a book value per share of $2.43 compared to a stock price of $3.90 on the junior market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange. (John Jackson is a director of Jamaican Teas).

Juniors move up on Tuesday

Honey Bun closed at a new high of $19.50 on Tuesday.

Honey Bun closed at a new high of $19.50 on Tuesday.

The junior market inched forward at the close on Tuesday, with 1,364,688 shares valued at $9,672,342 changing hands. The market index added 11.24 points to end at 2,168.15 as a total of 15 securities traded, with 7 advancing and 3 declining.
The junior market ended with bids for 5 stocks closing higher than their last selling prices and 3 ended with lower offers.
At the end of trading, Caribbean Cream traded 68,300 units and gained 20 cents to end at $5, Consolidated Bakeries ended with 7,500 shares changing hands at $1.23, Dolphin Cove had only 162 units trading with a gain of 20 cents to end at $12.75. General Accident Insurance gained 5 cents while trading 432,078 units to close at $2.65, Honey Bun closed at a new 52 weeks’ high of $19.50, after rising $1.50, with 49,201 shares trading. Jamaican Teas traded 20,896 shares to end at $3.90 after it traded earlier at $3.80. Jetcon Corporation closed at $3 while 8,000 units traded, KLE Group fell 20 cents in trading 57,164 shares and closed at $1.40, JM Trdng Sht-10-5-16Knutsford Express had 19,430 shares trading, but lost $1.90 to end at $17, Lasco Distributors closed with 112,755 units trading at $7.55, Lasco Financial closed at $3.49 with 13,000 shares changing hands. Lasco Manufacturing closed at $4.60 with 69,460 shares trading, to gain 10 cents, Paramount Trading ended with 500,000 shares changing hands at $10.99, after rising 19 cents, Derrimon Trading 11.75% preference share closed with 1,742 units trading at $2.13, to add 1 cent and Eppley cumulative redeemable preference share eased 1 cent with 5,000 units changing hands at $6.09.

Juniors inch up on Monday

JM sign The junior market inched forward at the close on Monday, after trading 1,306,308 shares valued at $6,667,614. The market index added 10.11 points to end at 2,156.91, while a total of 14 securities traded, with 5 advancing and 5 declining.
The junior market closed on a soft note with a total of 5 stocks closing with bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 ended with lower offers.
At the end of trading, Blue Power traded 560 units and gained $1.50 to close at $13.50, Caribbean Cream traded 793,503 units and gained 9 cents to end at $4.80, Consolidated Bakeries ended with 5,000 shares changing hands at $1.23, Dolphin Cove had 40,524 shares trading with a gain of 4 cents to end at $12.55. Honey Bun lost 25 cents to end at $18 with 27,551 shares trading, ISP Finance traded 20,719 shares but fell 10 cents to close at $2.70, Jamaican Teas traded 5,000 shares to end at $3.90. JM Trdng Sht-09-5-16Jetcon Corporation closed at $3 while 5,044 units traded, KLE Group fell 60 cents in trading 53,000 shares and closed at $1.60, Lasco Distributors closed with 41,950 units trading, to close with a gain of 5 cents at $7.55, Lasco Financial closed with a rise of 2 cents at $3.49 with 38,362 shares changing hands. Lasco Manufacturing closed at $4.50 with 252,544 shares trading, Paramount Trading ended with 175 shares changing hands at $10.80, after losing 5 cents and tTech fell 20 cents and ended with 22,376 shares changing hands, to close at $4.25.

Juniors slipped mildly on Friday

Jetcon traded the most shares on the junior market with 785,615 units at $3 on Frday

Jetcon traded the most shares on the junior market with 785,615 units at $3 on Friday.

The junior market closed on Friday after undergoing a day of subdued activity with 1,443,534 shares valued at $5,505,458 traded. The market index slipped 6.11 points from Thursday’s close, to end at 2,146.80. A total of 12 securities traded, with 3 advancing and 4 declining.
The junior market closed on a soft note with a total of 3 stocks closing with bids higher than their last selling prices and 7 ended with lower offers.
At the end of trading, Caribbean Cream traded 25,000 units and rose 1 cent to end at $4.71, Consolidated Bakeries ended with 51,500 shares changing hands at $1.23, General Accident ended trading with 1,541 shares, to close at $2.60. Honey Bun gained 5 cents to end at $18.25 with 7,290 shares trading, as investors interest in the stock continues with the proposed stock split is expected to be approved later in May. JM Trdng Sht-06-5-16Iron Rock Insurance traded 37,000 shares at $3.40, Jamaican Teas traded 33,174 shares to end at $3.90 with a loss of 1 cent. Jetcon Corporation closed at $3 while 785,615 units traded, KLE Group jumped 37.5 percent in trading 16,550 shares to gain 60 cents and closed at $2.20, Lasco Distributors closed with 185,483 units trading, to close at $7.50, Lasco Financial closed with a loss of 2 cents at $3.47 with 178,184 shares changing hands. Lasco Manufacturing fell 10 cents to close at $4.50 with 121,972 shares trading and tTech ended with 225 shares changing hands, to close at $4.45.

Back to normal for juniors – Thursday

Recently listed Jetcon Corporation traded at a new high of $3 on Thursday .

Recently listed Jetcon Corporation traded at a new high of $3 on Thursday .

The junior market closed on Thursday with much less trading than for the past two trading days as trading fell back to more normal levels. At the close a total of 3,434,205 shares valued at $13,133,950 traded and the market index slipped from Wednesday’s close.
One stock ended at a 52 weeks’ high as 15 securities traded, with 7 advancing and 5 declining. The junior market index fell 16.48 points, to end at 2,152.91. A total of 3 stocks closed with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 ended with lower offers.
At the end of trading, AMG Packaging closed at $13 with 1,399 units changing hands, CAC 2000 traded 1,227 shares but fell 40 cents, to $6.50. Caribbean Cream traded 278,527 units and rose 10 cents, to end at $4.70, as demand increased and selling eases for the stock, after the company reported strong gains in profit, for the year to February. Caribbean Producers traded 227,325 units a fell by 11 cents to end at $3.90. Consolidated Bakeries fell 15 cents with 5,000 shares changing hands at $1.23, General Accident ended trading with 649,313 shares, to close at $2.70, Honey Bun fell 10 cents to end at $18.20 with 21,190 shares trading, as investors interest in the stock continues with the proposed stock split is expected to be approved later in May. Jamaican Teas traded 2,455 shares to end at $3.91. JM Trdng Sht-05-5-16Jetcon Corporation rose 10 cents and ended at a 52 weeks’ high of $3 while 10,477 units traded as selling pressure eases for this stock with only 4 offers posted at the close of trading. KLE Group had 518,582 shares trading and gained 15 cents to close at $1.60, Lasco Distributors closed with 84,517 units trading, ended with a gain of 5 cents to close at $27.50, Lasco Financial closed at $3.49 with 43,670 shares changing hands. Lasco Manufacturing rose 2 cents to close at $4.60 with 1,578,723 shares trading, Medical Disposables traded 4,000 shares to close 27 cents higher at $3.42 and tTech ended with 7,800 shares changing hands and gained 30 cents to close at $4.45.