Following a successful initial public offer of 280 million shares that were offered to the public to raise $280 million by JFP Limited a décor and furniture manufacturing company, amassed a total of 5,062 shareholders following the public issue.
The company was listed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange and Monday brought the total listings on the market to 44, the number of listed companies to 43 and the listing of companies on the exchange to 97 companies.
“The JFP could not be listed without the work of its founder Stephen Sirgany and the staff of JFP, who worked tirelessly to ensure that the Company is what it is today and to achieve the status of being listed on the Board of the Exchange,” Metry Seaga, Chief Executive Officer stated in his address at the listing ceremony.
“I want to encourage SMEs to stay the course, overcome the hurdles and you will be able to achieve great results, such as listing on the Board of the Exchange,” JFP’s CEO advised.
“The markets have been busy creating millionaires and we are happy that the Jamaica Stock Exchange could have provided the facilities for persons in Jamaica to create wealth. Companies are creating wealth through JSE’s facilities. Jamaicans don’t have to sit on the sideline and watch these companies create wealth, but they can now share in the whole process”, Ryan Strachan, VP Investor Relations at GK Capital Management Limited, the Lead Broker, stated in addressing the audience.
The stock that was issued at $1 each traded on Thursday morning at $1.91 for a gain of 91 percent over the issue price.
JFP IPO pulls in 5,062 shareholders
JFP & EduFocal dominate Junior Market
Trading Newly listed JFP Limited and EduFocal dominated Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market on Wednesday and rose to record highs in helping the volume of stocks traded to rise 45 percent more than on Tuesday with a 43 increase in value and were the main reason for the market Index to eke out a modest 8.04 points rose to settle at 4,003.47.
Market activity led to 43 securities trading, similar to Tuesday and ended with 15 rising, 19 declining and nine closing unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 20.3. The PE ratios of stocks reported in the chart below are based on ICInsider.com earnings forecast for companies with financial years up to August 2022.
A total of 31,775,636 shares traded for $79,249,482 compared to 21,910,635 units at $55,555,327 on the Tuesday JFP Limited led trading with 20.42 million shares for 64.3 percent of total volume, followed by Lumber Depot with 3.03 million units for 9.5 percent of the day’s trade and EduFocal, 2.15 million units for 6.8 percent market share, while Future Energy Source ended with 1.83 million units changing hands for 5.7 percent market share.
Trading averaged 738,968 shares at $1,843,011 up from 509,550 shares at $1,291,984 on Tuesday, with the month to date, averaging 531,620 units at $2,211,575, compared to 510,084 units at $2,249,855 on the previous day. February closed with an average of 370,064 units at $1,402,517.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Access Financial rallied 45 cents to $18.45, with 4,443 shares crossing the market, Blue Power dropped 51 cents in closing at $3.39 with an exchange of 629 stocks, Caribbean Cream popped 5 cents to $4.72 with the swapping of 1,802 stock units. Dolphin Cove lost 90 cents to end at $22 after exchanging 23,157 units. EduFocal gained 43 cents to close at a record high of $1.75 after trading 2,154,085 stocks, Elite Diagnostic shed 6 cents ending at $2.97, with 27,678 units clearing the market. Everything Fresh fell 6 cents to close at $1.15 while exchanging 35,264 stock units, Express Catering advanced 29 cents in closing at $5.17 with 3,549 shares changing hands, Fontana fell 6 cents to $9.72 in trading 58,977 stocks. Fosrich declined 5 cents to end at $16.95 after 46,783 shares crossed the exchange, Future Energy Source dropped 27 cents to $6.02, with 1,827,068 units changing hands, General Accident shed 29 cents to $5.90 in switching ownership of 2,163 stock units. 
Indies Pharma popped 5 cents to end at $3.08 after an exchange of 5,797 units, Jamaican Teas increased 31 cents to close at $3.48 after 456,342 stock units changed hands, Jetcon Corporation lost 6 cents in closing at 83 cents trading 5,279 stocks. JFP Limited rose 17 cents to end at $1.85 with 20,417,992 shares crossing the market, Mailpac Group rallied 5 cents to $3.05 with 569,061 units changing hands, Spur Tree Spices fell 10 cents in closing at $3.70 in an exchange of 863,248 stocks and Tropical Battery dropped 5 cents to $2.13 trading 672,301 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
New listing enriching investors
In Wednesday’s trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, this week’s listed EduFocal climbed to $1.75 and JFP climbed to $1.85, after trading as high as $1.90, with both helping the Junior Market Index to rise 8.03 points to settle at 4,003.47 at the close.
The Combined Index dropped 1,013.51 points to 396,342.20 the All Jamaican Composite Index lost 1,779.45 points to settle at 432,406.50, the JSE Main Index dipped 1,158.80 points to end at 385,372.01.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 19 based on 2021-22 earnings and 11.7 times those for 2022-23 at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
Investors need a series of measures and pertinent information to successfully navigate the many investment choices in the local stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart along with the more detailed daily report charts, provide investors with regularly updated information to help with decision making.
Investors should make use of the chart to help make rational investment decisions, by investing in stocks that are close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it, unless there are compelling reasons to do so. 
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. This approach helps to take emotions out of the investment decision and put in on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors.
The ICInsider.com PE Ratio chart covers all ordinary shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange and shows companies grouped on an industry basis, allowing for easy comparisons between same sector companies as well as the overall market.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to easily assess the value of stocks based on this measure. 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 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.
New listings enjoy big price bounce
In trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market on Tuesday, newly listed EduFocal moved from its IPO price of $1 to close at $1.32 on the first day of trading, while JFP Limited continued from its opening price on Monday to $1.68 at the close on Tuesday and helped maintained the volume of stocks and the value traded moderately above that on Monday.
Market activity led to 43 securities trading compared to 42 on Monday and ended with 14 rising, 18 declining and 11 closing unchanged.At the close, the Junior Market Index shed 38.05 points to settle at 3,995.43.
The PE Ratio, the most used measure to compute stock values, averages 19.9. The PE ratios in the chart below are based on ICInsider.com earnings forecast for companies with financial years to August 2022.
Overall, 21,910,635 shares traded for $55,555,327 versus 19,487,231 units at $50,742,595 on the Monday. JFP Limited led trading with 13.15 million shares for 60 percent of total volume followed by Lumber Depot with 2.77 million units for 12.6 percent of the day’s trade, Jamaican Teas ended with 2.22 million units for 10.1 percent market share and Future Energy Source ended with 1.44 million units changing hands for 6.6 percent market share.
Trading averaged 509,550 shares at $1,291,984 compared to 463,982 shares at $1,208,157 on Monday and month to date, averaging 510,084 units at $2,249,855, compared to 510,146 units at $2,360,875 on the prior day. February closed with an average of 370,064 units at $1,402,517.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Access Financial dropped $1.51 in closing at $18 after 51,516 shares changed hands, AMG Packaging rose 20 cents to $3.20 while exchanging 3,180 stocks, Cargo Handlers fell $1.50 to end at $9.10, trading 12,219 stock units. Dolphin Cove declined $1.10 to close at $22.90, with 24,692 units crossing the market, EduFocal increased 32 cents to $1.32, with 9,662 shares clearing the market, Everything Fresh popped 11 cents to $1.21, with 366 stocks crossing the market. Express Catering lost 29 cents in closing at $4.88 in exchanging 4,100 units, Fontana advanced 27 cents to close at $9.78, with 14,711 stock units changing hands, Fosrich shed 48 cents to end at $17 with 10,057 units crossing the exchange. 
Honey Bun fell 20 cents to end at $8.90 after exchanging 2,447 stocks, Jamaican Teas dropped 33 cents to close at $3.17 with an exchange of 2,220,989 shares, JFP Limited rallied 37 cents in closing at $1.68 after exchanging 13,153,656 stock units. Lasco Distributors bounced 24 cents to $3.79 in switching ownership of 95,474 units, Lasco Financial declined 10 cents to $3.45 in an exchange of 12,500 shares, Lasco Manufacturing lost 17 cents to end at $4.33 trading 95,149 stock units. Lumber Depot shed 66 cents to close at $3.28 in trading 2,771,346 stocks, Main Event fell 20 cents to $6.90 with the swapping of 21,457 stocks and Paramount Trading shed 12 cents to $1.70 with 30,147 stock units. Changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Edufocal jumps 31% on first day trading on Junior Market
Shares of EduFocal were listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Tuesday following the recent initial public offer of shares following the listing of JFP Limited on Monday. Edufocal hit the maximum of $1.32 for the day with a small number of shares trading, with nearly 33 million on the bid at the close, while JFP climbed to $1.68, up 68 percent from the IPO price of $1.
The Combined Index dived 3,528.93 points to 397,355.68, the All Jamaican Composite Index declined 4,236.02 points to 434,185.95, the JSE Main Index dropped 3,408.49 points to end at 386,530.80 while the Junior Market Index dropped 38.05 points to settle at 3,995.43.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 20.7 based on 2021-22 earnings and 12.8 times those for 2022-23 at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
Investors need a series of measures and pertinent information to successfully navigate the many investment choices in the local stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart along with the more detailed daily report charts, provide investors with regularly updated information to help with decision making.
Investors should make use of the chart to help make rational investment decisions, by investing in stocks that are close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it, unless there are compelling reasons to do so. 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. This approach helps to take emotions out of the investment decision and put in on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors.
The ICInsider.com PE Ratio chart covers all ordinary shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange and shows companies grouped on an industry basis, allowing for easy comparisons between same sector companies as well as the overall market.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to easily assess the value of stocks based on this measure. 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 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.
JFP gain saves Junior Market on Monday
The price of JFP Limited stock that was a recent Initial Public Offer climbed 31 percent when trading in stock commenced at the start of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market on Monday and contributed over 53 percent in the overall market volume that jumped 106 percent over trading on Friday.
Market activity led to 42 securities trading compared to 40 on Friday and ended with nine rising, 27 declining and six, ending unchanged, but the Junior Market Index eked out a 1.59 points rise to close at 4,033.48. The PE Ratio, one of the most popular measures to value stocks, averages 19.1 as a multiple of earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with financial year ends, up to August 2022.
Overall, 19,487,231 shares were traded for $50,742,595 compared to 9,481,171 units at $48,828,789 on the Friday. JFP Limited led trading with 10.19 million shares for 52.3 percent of total volume followed by Tropical Battery with 3.27 million units for 16.8 percent of the day’s trade and Future Energy Source with 2.29 million units for 11.7 percent market share and Spur Tree Spices ended trading 1.14 million units accounting for 5.8 percent market share.
Trading averaged 463,982 shares at $1,208,157 in contrast to 237,029 shares at $1,220,720 on Friday and month to date, an average of 510,146 units at $2,360,875, compared to 516,040 units at $2,508,031 on the prior trading day. February closed with an average of 370,064 units at $1,402,517.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Access Financial dropped $1.74 in ending at $19.51 with 138 shares crossing the market, AMG Packaging lost 20 cents in ending at $3 in exchanging 36,497 stocks, Cargo Handlers shed $1.40 to $10.6 with an exchange of 28,043 units. Caribbean Cream declined 50 cents to close at $4.70, with 12,000 stock units crossing the exchange, Dolphin Cove fell 14 cents to end at $24 after 91,275 units changed hands, Everything Fresh lost 11 cents to end at $1.10 after exchanging 130,801 shares. Express Catering shed 10 cents to close at $5.17, with 23,119 stocks clearing the market, Fontana declined 29 cents to $9.51 in an exchange of 52,394 stock units, Fosrich climbed 97 cents to $17.48, with 21,632 stock units crossing the market. Future Energy Source fell 30 cents in closing at $6.20 in trading 2,288,325 shares, General Accident popped 19 cents to $6.10 while exchanging 23,555 stocks, Honey Bun dropped 13 cents to $9.10 in switching ownership of 85,019 units.
Iron Rock Insurance declined 20 cents in closing at $3.11 and trading 2,215 stocks, ISP Finance advanced $5.86 to close at $32.20 finishing at 119 units changing hands, newly listed JFP Limited gained 31 cents to end at a record high of $1.31 with the exchanging of 10,194,843 stock units. Lasco Manufacturing shed 15 cents in closing at $4.50 after trading 109,808 shares, Spur Tree Spices lost 16 cents to end at $3.75 and closed with an exchange of 1,138,242 units, Stationery and Office Supplies dropped 20 cents to $7 after trading 16,151 stocks and tTech fell 30 cents to $3.95 after 1,500 stock units were traded.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JFP jumps 31% Massy drags down JSE Index
The recent initial publicly offered stock, JFP Limited listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday and closed 31 percent higher than the issue price of $1, but the move up was just barely able to keep the junior market from falling at the close, with the Combined Index diving 10,223.74 points to 400,884.61 after Massy Holdings dropped in price.
The All Jamaican Composite Index declined a more moderate 1,713.39 points to settle at 438,421.97, JSE Main Index dropped 10,931.95 points to 389,939.30, while the Junior Market Index added just 2.59 points to end the week at 4032.48, after rising to 4,109 points shortly after the market opened.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 17.6 based on 2021-22 earnings and 11 times those for 2022-23 at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
Investors need a series of measures and pertinent information to successfully navigate the many investment choices in the local stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart along with the more detailed daily report charts, provide investors with regularly updated information to help with decision making.
Investors should make use of the chart to help make rational investment decisions, by investing in stocks that are close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it, unless there are compelling reasons to do so. 
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. This approach helps to take emotions out of the investment decision and put in on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors.
The ICInsider.com PE Ratio chart covers all ordinary shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange and shows companies grouped on an industry basis, allowing for easy comparisons between same sector companies as well as the overall market.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to easily assess the value of stocks based on this measure. 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 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.
JFP lists on Monday
Trading of shares that were recently offered to the public in JFP Limited, will commence on Monday on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange and bring the total listings on the market to 44 and will move to 45 on Tuesday after the listing of Edufocal.
A total of 280 million ordinary shares were offered to the public with the issuing opening on February 21 and closed the offer being oversubscribed.
JFP production
Employee Reserve Pool applicants received 100 percent of their application with the balance not applied for was made available for Key Partner Reserve Pool who received all they applied for. GK Investments Reserve Pool applicants got all shares applied for, applicants from the General Public got 12,500 shares plus approximately 22.8 percent of the excess shares applied for above the Base Allotment. The oversubscription should provide a bounce for the stock when it opens.
JFP ipo requires careful thought
Jamaican investors will get another shot of investing in a new initial public offer of shares when JFP Limited issue of 280 million ordinary shares opens on February 21 at a price of $1 each on the Jamaican market as the second such issue for the year to date.
The company, a custom manufacturer of furniture was formerly operated as Jamaica Fibreglass Products Limited, up to December last year. The Company manufactures furniture for offices, hotels, restaurants and laboratories, schools, point-of-sale items and boasts many large companies in Jamaica and internationally as customers. “Historically, the Company’s revenues have been derived from the hotel industry, government agencies and restaurants. Combined, these three (3) industries have been the source of an average of 72 percent of revenues for the past five (5) years with one third of the Company’s revenues being earned from the restaurant industry,” the prospectus states.
The share offer is set to close on February 28, with such a small amount is expected to close earlier. Half of the offering is being sold by one existing shareholder, with the balance of 140 million units is offered by the company, with the proceeds to boost working capital to enable it to mobilize efficiently and take advantage of more opportunities for revenue and profit growth.
The company is slated to list on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange shortly after the offer closes. A total of 111.6 million of the shares are Reserved Shares, not initially available to the wider public. The company currently has 980 million shares issued and after the issue closes will end at 1.12 billion units.
The prospectus states that the directors intend to pursue a liberal dividend policy that projects an annual dividend of between forty percent and eighty percent of net profits available for distribution, subject to the need for reinvestment in the Company from time to time.
Metry Seaga is the Chief Executive officer and Ian Levy is the chairman of the board that comprises seven members in total.
Historical operating performance has not been all perfect with sales declining between 2016 and 2018 from $285 million to $244 million with negligible profit and loss, but sales rose to $503 million in 2019 and slipped to $443 million in 2020, but profit before tax rose to $69 million from a small $2 million loss and climbed further in 2020 to $83 million. While profit to September 2020 amounted to $87 million from revenues of $312 million but profit dropped to a mere $4.8 million from sales of $210 million for the nine months to September last year.
Indications are that revenues could get back to the $400 million region, in 2022 and profit around $75 million for earnings per share of 7 cents. With the company producing to order there are likely to be swings in revenues and profit that could result in big swings in the price of the stock. Of course, results could be better or worse as past results show.
Gross profit for the 2020 financial year was $233 million and was flat compared to the year prior. Gross margins increased from 46.5 percent in 2019 to 52.5 percent. The prospectus stated that improved margins were due to a reduction in staff complement and streamlining its importation process as well as sourcing material locally where possible. Over the past five years, gross margin averaged 52 percent.
The Company’s revenues from contracted work for the nine (9) months to September last year was said to be delayed as a result of multiple unforeseen contract delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the various COVID– 19 containment measures reduced the number of working hours which slowed the production and completion of work. The expected revenues from these delayed projects were $81 million.
The company reports a pipeline of $255 million in contracts for the nine months to September this year and includes a $153 million contract awarded to the Company to manufacture and outfit the check in counters and baggage scales at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, slated to be completed in the September quarter of 2022 and $32 million in revenues remaining to be recognized from a contract to furnish the ROK Hotel to be completed in the second quarter.
Investment in the stock carries added risk, but it is well noted that the last two Junior Market listings are trading well over the market average of 17.5, based on 2021 earnings and 10 times 2022 projected earnings, with Future Energy Source trading at an incredible PE of 40 times last year earnings and 29 times 2022/23 earnings, with Spur Tree Spices at 28 times last year’s earnings and 16 times that of 2022, both having strong medium term growth prospects.
There are distinct differences between the two previous listings and the latter. The former two have a very clear path that suggests fairly consistent growth, the same is not so for JFP as such the latter should trade at a discount to the former in a rational market.
