The Main Market surged more than 8,300 points on Jamaica Stock Exchange on Thursday, while the Junior and JSE USD inched higher at the close, with both volume and value lower than on Wednesday.
In the preference section of the market that is not reflected in the TOP10 graphs, JPS 7 percent dropped $43.39 to $220 and JPS 9.5 percent dived $98 to $2,900 and PBS 19.75% fell $16.05 to $90.95.
At the close, investors exchanged 45,525,550 shares in all three markets, compared with 71,333,661 units on Wednesday, with the value of trading on Thursday amounting to $183.2 million, down from $318.78 million on the previous trading day. Trading on the JSE USD market resulted in investors trading 1,608,959 shares for US$20,097 compared to 1,034,991 units at US$21,566 on Wednesday.
The JSE Combined Market Index jumped sharply by 7,994.08 points to 346,528.89, the All Jamaican Composite Index surged 8,472.58 points to 377,465.17, the JSE Main Index gained 8,348.24 points to 335,070.77, the Junior Market climbed 23.51 points to close at 3,701.89 and the JSE USD Market Index rose 2.26 points to close at 231.64.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 18.6 based on 2021-22 earnings and 12.2 times those for 2022-23 at the close of trading.
Investors need pertinent information to successfully navigate numerous 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 decisions when 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 and 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 also show the closing volume pertaining to the bids and offers for each company.
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.
Trading surges on Jamaica Stock Exchange
Trading surged on Jamaica Stock Exchange on Wednesday, with both volume and value jumping but sharply over that on Tuesday as the first quarter for the year, is only a few days away.
Movements in the preference section of the market that is not reflected in the TOP10 graphs, JPS 7 percent dropped $41.61 to $263.39 and JPS 9.5 percent jumped $98 to $2,998.
At the close, investors exchanged 71,333,661 shares in all three markets, compared with 25,677,581 units on Tuesday, with the value of trading on Wednesday amounting to $318.78 million, up sharply from $109.6 million on the previous trading day. Trading on the JSE USD market resulted in investors exchanging 1,034,991 shares for US$21,566 compared to 339,743 units at US$36,245 on Tuesday.
The JSE Combined Market Index rose 760.40 points to 337,774.41, the All Jamaican Composite Index surged 3,756.40 points to 368,992.59, the JSE Main Index advanced 976.04 points to 326,722.53, the Junior Market shed 15.98 points to close at 3,678.38 and the JSE USD Market Index rose 1.13 points to close at 192.61.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 18.3 based on 2021-22 earnings and 12 times those for 2022-23 at the close of trading.
Investors need pertinent information to successfully navigate numerous 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 decisions when 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 and 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 also show the closing volume pertaining to the bids and offers for each company.
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.
All Jamaican Stock Markets closed higher
Trading dropped back from Monday’s increased activity on Jamaica Stock Exchange on Tuesday but led to gains for all three markets following lower trading activity than on Monday.
At the close, investors exchanged 25,677,581 shares in all three markets, compared with 87,702,748 units on Monday, with the value of trading on Tuesday amounting to $109.6 million, down from $173.1 million on the previous trading day. Trading on the JSE USD market resulted in investors exchanging 339,743 shares for US$36,245 compared to 620,736 units at US$61,293 on Monday.
The JSE Combined Market Index jumped 2,733.45 points to close at 337,774.41, the All Jamaican Composite Index popped 40.23 points to 365,236.19, the JSE Main Index rose 2,546.17 points to 325,746.49, the Junior Market gained 38.90 points to settle at 3,694.36 and the JSE USD Market Index rose 1.13 points to close at 192.61.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 18.5 based on 2021-22 earnings and 12.1 times those for 2022-23 at the close of trading.
Investors need pertinent information to successfully navigate numerous 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 decisions when 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 and 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 also show the closing volume pertaining to the bids and offers for each company.
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 & Main Markets closed higher
Trading picked up on Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday, with the Junior Market opening trading at just over 3,717 points for an 87 points early jump higher than Friday’s close but ended lower at the close, with a smaller gain while the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market rallied higher at the close, but the USD market dropped sharply lower by the close of trading.
The market closed with the volume and value of stocks traded jumping sharply higher compared with trading on Friday.
TransJamaica Highway dominated trading with 75.6 million shares with an exchange of a total of 87,702,748 shares in all three markets, compared with 16,410,081 units on Friday, with trading on Monday amounting to $173.1 million, in contrast to $82.4 million on the previous trading day. Trading on the JSE USD market resulted in an exchange of 620,736 shares for US$61,293 compared with 273,362 units at US$7,044 on Friday.
The JSE Combined Market Index popped 968.55 points to 335,040.96, the All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 2,102.98 points to 365,195.96, the JSE Main Index climbed 780.03 points to 323,200.32, the Junior Market gained 26.01 points to settle at 3,655.46 and the JSE USD Market Index fell 1.66 points to close at 191.48.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 18.2 based on 2021-22 earnings and 11.8 times those for 2022-23 at the close of trading.
Investors need pertinent information to successfully navigate numerous 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 decisions when 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 also show the closing volume pertaining to the bids and offers for each company.
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.
Key Insurance highest ICTOP10 jumps 37%
Stocks dropped to their lowest levels this past week after falling even lower than they did to close of the previous week as investors continue to shun the market, but the time is not far off that Bank of Jamaica will begin lowering interest rates and fuel a market resurgence as they sent the clearest signal that interest rates have not only peaked but will be headed downwards this past week.
The first signs of an easing of rate came this past week with BOJ CDs rates plunging 16 percent to an average of 8.85 percent from over 10 percent where it stood for several months. Importantly, the central bank cut the stock of CDS it holds from a peak of $109.5 billion on March 3, down to $82 billion at the latest auction, far less than from mid-January to the end of February, as more than $58 billion chasing after the $18 billion that was offered last week. While this happened the foreign exchange market looks very liquid with the rate falling under $152 to one US dollar from $155 earlier in February.
Performance in the past week for the Junior Market TOP10 saw only two stocks rising and seven falling, the majority of the declining stocks registering fell by 3 percent or less. General Accident jumped 20 percent to $5.98, but the bids are not there at the close, to support the price, but selling has abated for this stock currently. Everything Fresh rose 9 percent to close at $1.55 and actually traded at $1.65 during the week. Iron Rock Insurance fell 13 percent to $2 and Caribbean Assurance Brokers lost 6 percent to $1.90.
The Main Market TOP10 saw the highest gaining stock rising just 34 percent, after Key Insurance jumped to $3.50 and was followed by 138 Student Living with an 8 percent rise to $5.40, but Caribbean Producers dropped 8 percent to $9.07. All other movements were 3 percent or less.
The Junior Market has a long term pattern, with the market starting to rise around a month before quarterly results are due and declining shortly after results are released. This is a pattern worth noting that can be built into investment decisions that can improve returns.
At the end of the week, the average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP 10 is 5.5, well below the market average of 13.2, while the Junior Market Top 10 PE sits at 5.9 compared with the market at 10.6. The differences are important indicators of the level of likely gains for ICTOP10 stocks. The Junior Market is projected to rise by 248 percent and the Main Market TOP10 an average of 274 percent, to May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings.
The Junior Market has 9 stocks representing 19 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 24, averaging 19, well above the average of the market. The top half of the market has an average PE of 15, suggesting that this may be a logical value for junior market stocks currently.
The Main Market 16 most valued stocks are priced at a PE of 15 to 100, with an average of 29 and 19 excluding the highest valued stocks and 18 for the top half excluding the stocks with the highest valuation. The above average shows the extent of potential gains for the TOP 10 stocks.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners, accordingly, the list includes some of the best companies in the market but not always. ICInsider.com ranks stocks based on projected earnings, allowing investors to focus on the most undervalued stocks and helping to remove emotions in selecting stocks for investments that often result in costly mistakes.
IC TOP10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns up to the end of May 2023 and are ranked in order of potential gains, computed using projected earnings for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate 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.
More declines for Jamaican stock markets
The Jamaica Stock Exchange Main and Junior Markets rose at the close of trading on Friday, but the USD market slipped lower with the volume and value of stocks traded falling compared with trading on Thursday.
At the close of trading, JPS 7% preference shares jumped $50 to an unrealistic record high of $$00 after investors exchanged 1,295 shares, with an exchange of 16,410,081 shares in all three markets, compared with 43,111,953 units, with a value of $82.4 million, in contrast to $101.4 million on the previous trading day. JSE USD market closed with investors trading 273,362 shares for US$7,044 compared to just 21,983,490 units at US$1.63 million on Thursday.
The JSE Combined Market Index climbed 1,499.50 points to close at 334,072.41, the All Jamaican Composite Index rose 861.71 points to 363,092.98, the JSE Main Index rallied 1,262.43 points to 322,420.29, the Junior Market gained 34.78 to end at 3,629.45 and the JSE USD Market Index fell 1.66 points to close at 215.70.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 18.2 based on 2021-22 earnings and 11.7 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 decisions when 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 also show the closing volume pertaining to the bids and offers for each company.
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.
Profit bolted 45% at Derrimon in 2023
Profit popped 45 percent higher in 2022 at Derrimon Trading Company to $580 million for shareholders, following a mere 3.8 percent rise in revenues to $18.4 billion from $17.74 billion in 2021 and following a fall in cost of sales to $13.78 billion from $14.34 billion in 2021 resulting in gross profit rising a solid 36 percent to $4.6 billion from just $3.4 billion, with profit margin climbing to 25.2 percent from just 19.2 percent in 2021.
Sales revenue fell in the final quarter compared with 2021, with $4.6 billion generated in the December 2022 quarter, down from $5.6 billion in 2021, as segment data shows the wholesale and retail segment suffering a $1.8 billion decline for the year to $8.4 billion. “We took deliberate strategic steps to focus more on our retail business that has greater margins and improves cash flows,” Derrick Cotterell, Managing Director, advised ICInsder.com in response to a question about the reasons for the lower sales in the December quarter. He continued to indicate that “going forward, there will be more focus on brands with a higher margin and less on bulk products.” He said it does not mean they are getting out of the bilk products.
Other operating income includes rental, $82 million from a gain on acquiring a subsidiary, management fees and dividend. Debt recovery generated $237 million in 2022, up from $104 million in 2021.
Operating and administrative expenses rose 28.7 percent to $2.995 billion in 2022 from $2.33 billion in the previous year. Sales and distribution expenses increased by a hefty 71 percent to $689 million from $402 million in 2021. The shift in focusing on retail business is also based on increased borrowing costs, with interest rates having risen sharply in the country and forcing attention on improving cash flows to keep borrowings down and, by extension, interest cost. Finance costs more than doubled to $464 million from $231 million in 2021.
Going forward, the group will benefit from opening a supermarket in May Pen in the last quarter, which Cotterell says is doing very well.
Gross cash flow brought in $1.25 billion, which was used to fund increased working capital of $720 million, capital expenditure amounted to $1.47 billion that was partially financed by loans inflows net of repayment of $600 million.
At the end of December, shareholders’ equity stood at $6.1 billion, with long term borrowings at $4.7 billion and short term at $476 million. Current assets ended the period at $7.3 billion inclusive of trade and other receivables of $2.2 billion, cash and bank balances of $900 million. Current liabilities ended at $4.3 billion and net current assets at $2.9 billion.
Earnings per share came out at 12.8 cents for the year, up from 9.4 cents in 2021. IC Insider.com forecasts 16 cents per share for 2023, with a PE of 14 times the current year’s earnings based on the price of $2.10, the stock traded at on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market.
The company did not pay a dividend during the year and ended with a net asset value at the end of the year at $1.22, with the stock selling at 1.73 book value.
More declines for Jamaican stocks
The bearish sentiment continued on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market and Junior Market on Thursday but the USD market inched just higher at the close with the volume and value of stocks traded rising compared with Wednesday helped by a big climb in JSE USD Market trading.
At the close of trading, 43,111,953 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 24,794,436 units, with a value of $101.4 million, in contrast to $63.6 million on the previous trading day. Trading on the JSE USD market ended with investors exchanging 21,983,490 shares for US$1.63 million versus just 193,894 units at US$13,133 on Wednesday.
The JSE Combined Market Index dropped 2,830.79 points to close at 332,572.91, while the All Jamaican Composite Index dived 3,601.74 points to 362,231.27, the JSE Main Index shed 2,550.95 points to close at 321,157.86, the Junior Market fell 48.88 points to end at 3,594.67 and the JSE USD Market Index rose 1.22 points in closing at 217.36.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 17.9 based on 2021-22 earnings and 11.6 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 decisions when 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 also show the closing volume pertaining to the bids and offers for each company.
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.
Main Event leads in latest quarterly profit
The vast majority of listed companies have now released earnings for the period ending in December or January, recently showing various degrees of success and some failures. Results during the past week, a number of results were released to the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
Main Event revenues growing nicely profit stalls.
The star performer was Main Event posting a 211 percent rise in revenues to $627 million from just $202 million in 2022 and generating a 390 percent rise in profit to $120 million from a loss of $41 million in 2022, with earning per share of 39 cents for the January first quarter showing and seeming poised to earn $1.80 for the year.
Blue Power reported an increase in revenues year over year, with a profit of $13 million compared with a profit of $9 million for the third quarter to January 2022. For the nine months, revenues rose 82 percent to $633 million from $347 million in 2022 with profit slipping from $204 million to $29 million, with earnings per share a mere 5 cents. The 2022 results included gain on sale of Investment property amounting to $346 million. For the January quarter revenues amounted to $194 million up from $135 million with a profit of $13 million up from $9 million in 2022.
CAC 2000 reported reduced revenues of $128 million for the first quarter to January from $222 million in 2022 and a loss of $52 million down from a loss of $32 million in 2022. Management stated that the results was affected by “delays in delivery of goods due to longer lead and delivery times.”
Fosrich released full year results to December, with profit jumping to $325 million from $199 million in 2021 as revenues climbed a solid 43.4 percent to $3.37 billion and delivered earnings per share of just 6 cents and placing the stock in a seriously overvalued position. The company recorded a $61 million loss in the final quarter with revenues rising 19.5 percent in the quarter to $795 million from $665 million in 2021, with the September quarterly growth being higher at 31 percent.
Dolla Financial posted increased profit of $280 million or 18 cents per share from revenues of $746 million up 115 percent from profit of $130 million in 2021, with revenues up 90 percent on the $395 million in 2021. The company should go on to earn 40 cents in 2023. In the earning call, Trevene Mckenzie, the Chief Financial Officer stated that they expected first quarter revenues to come in around $250 million with profit rising at least 50 percent year over year. The company also indicates that they plan to open a second branch in Guyana in Berbice town, in the second quarter.
Limners and Bards delivered disappointing first quarter results of just $7 million, down from $66 million in 2022 as revenues dropped sharply by 44 percent to $248 million from $443 million. The fall came from the Production segment, with revenues down from $58 million from $140 million with segment profit down from $62 million to $29 million while Media segment revenues dipped to $135 million from $243 million with segment fell from $35 million to $18 million while Agency was relatively steady with revenues came in at $54 million with profit of $44 million from $60 million in revenues in 2022 and profit of $46 million.
Lumber Depot suffered 7 percent decline in revenues for the January quarter with $373 million in the 2023 period versus $400 million in 2022 and profit of $29 million, a fall of 19 percent from $36 million in 2022, while revenues for the nine months to January 2023 amounts to $1.15 billion, marginally below $1.16 million garnered in 2022 and profit of $107 million in 2023 down 25 percent from $143 million in 2022.
TransJamaican Highway reported a US$7 million loss for 2022, but only after accounting for a net loss of $14 million on the acquisition of a subsidiary, which compares with a profit of US$4 million in 2021 from revenues of $53 million, with improved traffic delivering a record US$65 million in revenues in 2022. Without the exceptional loss, profit for 2022 would have been US$6.7 million or earnings per share amounting to 0.0006 US cents or 9 cents Jamaican.
Steady trading on the JSE USD market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Wednesday, with a 13 percent fall in the volume of stocks changing hands, with a value that was 21 percent lower than on Tuesday and resulting in the trading of six securities, compared to seven on Tuesday with two rising, three declining and one ending unchanged.
Investors traded 193,894 shares for US$13,133, down from 223,523 units at US$16,568 on Tuesday.
Trading remains consistent for the month to date with an average of 32,316 shares at US$2,189 on Wednesday, versus 31,932 shares at US$2,367 on Tuesday, with a month to date average of 13,503 shares at US$2,816 compared with 12,496 units at US$2,849 on the previous day. February ended with an average of 43,793 units for US$2,015.
The JSE USD Equities Index jumped 21.31 points to end at 216.14.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 8.8. The PE ratio is computed based on the last traded price of each stock divided by projected earnings forecasts done by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ended with bids higher than the last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share rose 0.1 of a cent to 6.5 US cents after an exchange of 30 shares, Productive Business Solutions remained at US$1.75 trading one stock unit, Proven Investments lost 1.5 cents in closing at 16.5 US cents, with 21,425 stocks clearing the market. Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share rallied 1.08 cents to 7.18 US cents after three units crossed the market and Transjamaican Highway dipped 0.06 of a cent to close at 0.9 of one US cent with a transfer of 171,800 shares.
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions 9.25% preference share declined 40 cents to US$12.50 with the swapping of 635 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
