Lasco Distributors blow out profits

October 29, 2015 by

Lasco Distributors with responsibility to distribute "I Cool" drink.

Lasco Distributors with responsibility to distribute “I Cool” drink.

Lasco Distributors reported an 87 percent increase in profit after tax for the six months to September, of $379 million over 2014 and a 121 percent increase in the September quarter of $247 million over the similar quarter last year.
The Gross profit for the period was S1.1 billion, an increase of $299 million or 36 percent over the prior year. The Gross Profit margin for the quarter was $628 million, or 32 percent over the same period last year. Gross profit margin for the august 2015 quarter is 17.26 percent versus 17.5 percent in 2014 and year to date 16.2 percent in 2015 and 16.28 percent in 2014.
The huge gain came from increased revenues of 34 percent for the quarter, amounting to $6.95 billion and 36 percent for the six months of $3.64 billion.
“This growth was driven mainly by contributions from our iCool and Unilever lines of business, both of which have been doing very well”, Peter Chin, Managing Director reported to shareholders in the directors’ report accompanying the financial data.
An interesting element of the results is the 10 percent growth in revenue over the June quarter a continuation of the quarter over quarter growth evident from late in 2014 with an average of 8 percent for the last three quarters.
Earnings per stock for the six months amount to 11 cents and 7 cents for the quarter. IC Insider projects profit of 34 cents for the current year and 50 cents for the year to March 2017.
Cost were held well below the growth in revenues with Operating Expenses in the latest quarter rising to $396 million from $377 in 2014 and for the six months this year the company incurred $779 million versus $658 million in 2014 for a rise of 18 percent.
Cash flow from operations increased by 94 percent to $391 million from $202 million for the similar period to September 2014 swelling Cash and Equivalents at the end of the Period to $904,043 compared with $191,277.
The company’s shares are listed on the junior market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange. Its principal activity is the distribution of pharmaceutical and consumable items, ii distributes all of Lasco Manufacturing’s products locally.
The stock may be considered fully priced currently with a PE of 10 being one of the higher priced junior market stocks, but with strong growth expected and lower interest rates to come, investors with a long term time horizon may want to accumulate from now, bearing in mind the limited supply available.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Buy Rated, Company News, Company Results Tagged With: , , , , ,

Access sheds 22% in 2 days

October 28, 2015 by

Access fell 22% in 2 days to $10.50

Access fell 22% in 2 days to $10.50

Access Financial shed 22 percent in value in just two days as one investor speedily offloaded 228,000 shares between today and Tuesday. The junior market enjoyed wide spread trading as 13 securities were active but the market index fell 8.06 points to close at 1,288.35.
A total of 3,241,986 units, valued at $12,588,381 changed hands as 3 stocks advanced and 8 declined. The market ended with 1 stock closing at a 52 weeks’ high while 3 securities ended with no bids to buy and 6 had no stocks being offered for sale. A total of 5 stocks closed with bids higher than the last traded prices and none closed with a lower offer.
In trading, Access Financial closed with a loss of $2 to $10.50 with 170,271 units changing hands, AMG Packaging lost 1 cent to close at $4.99 with 200 units changing hands, Caribbean Cream fell 15 cents and closed at $3.20 with 19,195 shares changing hands. Caribbean Flavours closed at $4 with 145,904 shares changing hands, Caribbean Producers traded 557,978 units for a loss of 2 cents to end at $3.08, Consolidated Bakeries traded 17,444 shares to end at $1.65, Derrimon Trading ended with 1,400 shares changing hands at a 52 weeks’ high of $3. Dolphin Cove lost $1.20 with 295,515 units changing hands to end at $10, after trading, the company reported a 4 percent increase in profit after tax for the nine months to September, of $412 million over the outturn for the 2014 and a 17 percent increase in the September quarter, to $128 million. JM - Trade sht 28-10-15 General Accident ended with 400,882 shares changing hands and fell 15 cents to $1.90, Lasco Distributors with 442,302 shares changing hands, closed 5 cents higher at $3.06 after hitting $3.40 during trading. Lasco Financial lost ground with results that were flat, but with promise of improvement later, fell 18 cents to $2.45, after trading earlier at $2.65, with 841,230 shares changing hands, Lasco Manufacturing traded 270,065 shares to end at $3.25 while gaining 14 cents and Medical Disposables ended with 80,000 units changing hands for 5 cents lower to end at $2.50.

Filed Under: JSE Junior Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Junior market slips below 1,300 on Tuesday

October 27, 2015 by
Consolidated Bakeries with their Purity brand closed at a new 52 weeks' high on Tuesday

Consolidated Bakeries with their Purity brand closed at a new 52 weeks’ high on Tuesday

The junior market enjoyed wide spread trading as 13 securities changed hands leading to the market index falling 19.83 points to close at 1,296.41. A total of 3,546,444 units, valued at $11,640,858 changed hands as 7 stocks advanced and 5 declined.
The market ended with 4 stocks closing at 52 weeks’ high and one traded at an intraday high. At the close 3 securities ended with no bids to buy, while 5 had no stocks being offered for sale. A total of 5 stocks closed with bids higher than the last traded prices and none closed with a lower offer.
In trading, Access Financial closed with a loss of 36 cents to $12.50 with 57,729 units changing hands, AMG Packaging closed with a gain of 63 cents at $5 with 43,796 units changing hands for a 52 weeks’ high, Caribbean Cream rebounded with a 15 cents rise and closed at $3.35 with 1,170,036 shares changing hands. Caribbean Flavours fell 8 cents to $4 with 300,685 shares changing hands, Caribbean Producers traded 346,000 units for a gain of 14 cents end at $3.10, Consolidated Bakeries traded 20,556 shares with a gain of 15 cents to end at $1.65, to close at a new 52 weeks’ high.JM indx 27-10-15 Dolphin Cove had 4,585 units changing hands to end at $11.20 having lost $1.80, KLE Group ended with 39,000 shares changing hands and gained 2 cents to end at 45 cents. Lasco Distributors with 532,514 shares changing hands, closed 5 cents lower at $3.01 after hitting an intraday for a 52 weeks high of $3.40, Lasco Financial gained 23 cents and closed at $2.63 to close at a 52 weeks high while 740,049 shares changed hands. Lasco Manufacturing traded 283,090 shares to end at $3.11 while shedding 34 cents, Paramount Trading ended with 4,504 units changing hands for 10 cents higher to end at $7.10 and Derrimon Trading preference share ended with 1,400 shares changing hands to end at $2.20

Filed Under: JSE Junior Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

C&W at $1.02 in morning session

October 26, 2015 by

Cable and Wireless traded at 97 cents up 18 percent from Friday’s close of 82 cents with 29.092 shares trading leading to a 1 hour halt in trading. On resumption of trading the stock had the bid up to $1.02. The stock is on offer at $1.20 to sell 20,000 units. Subsequent to 10.45am, Cable & Wireless traded at $1.02.
JSE int 26-10-15The Jamaica stock market after 75 minutes of trading, recorded another morning of increases in the indices. Trading resulted in 15 securities changing hands with a volume of 1,243,459 units as 8 stocks gained and 3 declined.
The All Jamaican Composite index jumped 880.02 points to 138,390.30 JSE Market Index rose 787.45 points to 124,766.87 the JSE combined index rose 839.35 points to be at 129,598.03 and the junior market index rose 10.74 points to 1,321.39.
Jamaican Teas traded 118,989 shares at $3.45, Lasco Distributors had 608,300 shares changing hands at $3, Lasco Manufacturing 183,474 shares between $3.25 and $3.50.

Filed Under: JSE Main Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , , ,

Junior market brakes 1,300 Mark

October 23, 2015 by
AMG Packaging closed at a new 52 weeks' high on Friday

AMG Packaging closed at a new 52 weeks’ high on Friday

The junior market closed over the 1,300 mark for the first time on Friday, gaining 91 percent so far for 2015 and is heading even higher as several junior market stocks are undervalued. Trading resulted in 14 securities traded as the market index rose by 17.52 points to 1,310.65 for a new closing high. A total of 1,446,535 units, valued at $6,684,912 changed hands as 10 stocks advanced and 1 declined.
The market ended with 4 stocks closing at 52 weeks’ high. 4 securities ended with no bids to buy, while 7 had no stocks being offered for sale. A total of 8 stocks closed with bids higher than the last traded prices and none closed with a lower offer.
In trading, AMG Packaging closed with a gain of 57 cents at a 52 weeks’ high of $4.37 with 13,830 units changing hands, Caribbean Cream rebounded with a 20 cents gain and closed at $3.30 with 97,766 shares changing hands. Caribbean Flavours rose 18 cents to $3.98 with 270,000 shares changing hands to close at a new 52 weeks’ high. Caribbean Producers traded 31,000 units with a loss of 49 cents end at $2.50, Derrimon Trading had 32,804 units changing hands to end at $2.40 having gained 10 cents, Dolphin Cove rose 10 cents in trading 220,000 shares, to end at $13. General Accident ended with 80,000 shares changing hands, gained 30 cents and ended at a 52 weeks’ high of $2.20,JM - Trade sht 23-10-15 Jamaican Teas had 30,000 units changing hands for 9 cents higher to end at $3.44. Lasco Distributors with 22,240 shares changing hands, closed 8 cents higher at $2.95, Lasco Financial gained 4 cents and closed at $2.45 while 427,767 shares changed hands. Lasco Manufacturing traded 192,350 shares to end at $3.30, Medical Disposables closed at $2.55 with 883 shares trading, Paramount Trading ended with 15,000 shares changing hands with a rise of 50 cents to end at $7 for a 52 weeks’ high and Eppley 9.5% preference share, closed at $6 with 12,095 units trading.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, JSE Junior Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Juniors just shy of the 1,300 mark

October 22, 2015 by

Caribbean Flavours traded at a 52 weeks' high of $3.80.

Caribbean Flavours traded at a 52 weeks’ high of $3.80.

The junior market ended with mixed results as 9 securities traded, the junior market index rose marginally by 11.18 points to 1,293.13 for a new closing high. A total of 1,295,041 units, valued at $4,032,383 changed hands as 5 stocks advanced and 3 declined.
The market closed with 5 securities ending with no bids to buy, while 4 had no stocks being offered for sale. A total of 7 stocks closed with bids higher than the last traded prices and 1 closed with a lower offer.
In trading, Caribbean Cream rebounded with a 20 cents gain and closed at $3.10 with 69,419 shares changing hands. Caribbean Flavours rose 30 cents to $3.80 with 400,000 shares changing hands to close at a new 52 weeks’ high, Derrimon Trading had 54,665 units changing hands to end at $2.30 having lost 3 cents, JM - Trade sht 22-10-15Dolphin Cove rose 90 cents in trading 19,357 shares, to end at $12.90. Honey Bun ended with 5,000 shares changing hands to gain 8 cents and end at $4.08, KLE Group had 50,000 units changing hands at 43 cents, Lasco Distributors with 28,800 shares changing hands, closed 1 cent higher at $2.87 but traded as high as $3. Lasco Financial lost 19 cents and closed at $2.41 while 439,750 shares changed hands, the stock traded at $2.60 during the day, Lasco Manufacturing traded 228,050 shares to end at $3.30 after trading 19 cents lower.

Filed Under: JSE Junior Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

7 juniors stocks rose 2 fell

October 21, 2015 by

JSE sign shrtThe junior market ended with 11 securities traded as the junior market index fell 3.83 points to 1,281.95 with 1,300,792 units, valued at $14,184,687, changing hands as 7 stocks advanced and 2 declined.
The market ended with 5 securities ended with no bids to buy, while 2 had no stocks being offered for sale. A total of 7 stocks closed with bids higher than the last traded prices and 1 closed with a lower offer.
In trading, Caribbean Cream price slipped 33 cents and closed at $2.90 with 120,000 shares changing hands. Caribbean Flavours traded at $3.50 with 19,392 shares changing hands, Caribbean Producers traded 414,000 units to end at $2.99, Consolidated Bakeries rose 10 cents in traded 59,878 shares, to end at $1.30. General Accident Insurance ended with 127,562 shares changing hands to gain 5 cents and end at $1.90,JM - Trade sht 21-10-15 KLE Group had 116,279 units changing hands at 43 cents, Knutsford Express traded 132,617 shares at $6.20 after adding 5 cents to end at a new 52 weeks’ high, Lasco Distributors with 10,763 shares changing hands, closing 3 cents higher at $2.86. Lasco Financial closed at a new all-time closing high of $2.60 while 147,651 shares changed hands with the price rising 10 cents, the stock traded at $2.65 during the day, Lasco Manufacturing traded 147,651 shares to end at $3.49 after trading 14 cents higher and Medical Disposables closed at $2.55 with a rise of 20 cents with 10,000 shares traded.

Filed Under: JSE Junior Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Another new record close for juniors

October 20, 2015 by
Caribbean Flavours traded at a 52 weeks' high of $3.50.

Caribbean Flavours traded at a 52 weeks’ high of $3.50.

The junior market ended at a new record  high at the close, with 13 securities traded and the junior market index rising by 23.09 points to 1,285.78 with 1,356,689 units, valued at $3,717,777 changing hands while 7 stocks advanced and 3 declined.
The market ended with 5 securities closing with no bids to buy, while 4 had no stocks being offered for sale. A total of 8 stocks closed with bids higher than the last traded prices and 1 closed with a lower offer.
In trading, AMG Packaging closed with a loss of 8 cents with 26,909 units changing hands at $3.80 at the end of trading, Cargo Handlers ended with 712 shares changing hands, for a gain of $1 and closed at a new all-time high of $32, Caribbean Cream price slipped 7 cents and closed at $3.23 with 75,719 shares changing hands. Caribbean Flavours traded at a new 52 weeks’ high of $3.50 with 23,708 shares as the price rose 20 cents, Caribbean Producers traded 7,100 units to end at $3, Consolidated Bakeries rose 2 cents in traded 173,007 shares, to end at $1.20. Derrimon Trading ended with 335 shares changing hands to gain 3 cents and end at $2.33, Honey Bun had 10,222 units changing hands at $4, for an increase of 35 cents. Jamaican Teas had just 7,175 shares changing hands at $3.35, Knutsford Express traded 5,000 shares at $6.15 after adding 15 cents for a new all-time high, Lasco Distributors with 66,215 shares changing hands, closed at $2.83. Lasco Financial closed at a new all-time high of $2.50 while 549,875 shares changed hands with the price rising 24 cents and Lasco Manufacturing traded 410,712 shares to end at $3.35 after trading shedding 10 cents.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, JSE Junior Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Juniors up strongly on Friday with 7 gains

October 16, 2015 by

Lasco Financial traded at a new 52 days high high of $2.26.

Lasco Financial traded at a new 52 days high high of $2.26.

The junior market closed with 9 securities traded and the junior market index was up 30.52 points to 1,262.69 with 1,086,466 units, valued at $3,165,918 changing hands as 7 stocks advanced and none declined.
The market ended with 5 securities ended with no bids to buy, while 5 had no stocks being offered for sale. A total of 6 stocks closed with bids higher than the last traded prices and 2 closed with lower offers.
In trading, Caribbean Cream closed at $3.30 with 17,895 shares changing hands, Caribbean Producers traded 174,822 units to end at $3. General Accident had 27,000 units changing hands at $1.85 JM - Trade sht 16-10-15for an increase of 10 cents, Jamaican Teas had just 1,515 shares changing hands at $3.35, Lasco Distributors rose 3 cents with 264,325 shares changing hands and closed at $2.83. Lasco Financial closed at a new all-time high of $2.26 while 175,263 shares changed hands, Lasco Manufacturing traded 370,646 shares to end at $3.45 after trading gaining 16 cents, Medical Disposables traded 45,000 at $2.52 for a 2 cents gain and Paramount Trading had 10,000 shares trading at $6.50 for a gain of 49 cents as the company recently reported increased profit for the August quarter.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, JSE Junior Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , ,

The JSE up strongly on Friday morning

October 16, 2015 by

The Jamaica stock market for the second consecutive morning, is enjoying slow trading with only 15 securities being active at 10.45 ,but the indices have so far climbed quite a bit with all main market indices up by more than 1,000 points. Jamaica Broilers trades at new 52 weeks’ high of $8. Trading accounted for a volume of 1,206,561 units with 6 stocks gaining and 5 declined.
In trading, Carreras exchanged 109,500 shares at $51.99 to gain 19 cents, Jamaica Stock Exchange had 10,000 shares trading at $8.60 for a rise of 65 cents as the company stands to see increased income if trading continues to be bullish. JSE int 16-10-15JMMB Group exchanged 35,096 shares at $8.55 for a small gain, Scotia Investments had 420,000 units changing hands at $27.50, Caribbean Producers traded at $3 with 65,000 shares. Lasco Distributors 109500 shares traded at $2.79, Lasco Financial Services 105,000 shares traded at $2.25, Lasco Manufacturing 198,172 shares traded at $3.50.
The All Jamaican Composite index jumped 1,124.16 points to 132,131.96 JSE Market Index rose 1,005.91 points to 123,570.27, the JSE combined index rose 1,281.46 points to be at 123,840.64 and the junior market index rose 37.15 points to 1,269.32.

Filed Under: JSE Main Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,