Trading on the main market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange saw increased number of securities changing hands including 6 preference stocks. The All Jamaica Composite Index surged 1,892.68 points to close at a new record of 268,601.52, the JSE Market Index jumped 1,724.45 points to a 4th consecutive record close, of 244,726.40.
The JSE US dollar market index rose 17.40 points to close at 201.17.
At the close of trading, 32 securities changed hands in the main market with 1 trading in the US dollar market, leading to 10 stocks advancing and 16 falling including 5 that ended at 52 weeks closing highs. At the close 7,902,954 units valued at 80,354,594 changed hands in the main market compared to 24,165,397 units valued at $225,427,641 at the close on Monday. Trading in the US dollar market accounted for 18,500 units valued at US$4,810 bringing the total of all trades to J$80,890,786.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and US dollar markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 8 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 with lower offers.
The main market ended trading with an average of 246,967 units valued at $2,511,081 for each security traded compared to an average of 1,006,892 units valued at $9,392,818. The average volume and value for July ended at 160,668 units with an average value of $2,691,438.
In market activity, Barita Investments closed at $6.65 with trades of 1,100 shares, Berger Paints lost 20 cents, closing at $18.50 exchanging 106,569 shares, Cable and Wireless closed at 96 cents, losing 9 cents trading 16,965 shares, Caribbean Cement closed at $30, with a loss of $1.20 exchanging 18,114 shares, Carreras closed at $110, advancing $17.50, with trades of 96,316 shares, Grace Kennedy closed at $40.50, with a loss of $1.25 exchanging 55,923 shares. Jamaica Broilers was down 1 cent to close at $19 trading 652,777 shares, Jamaica Producers traded 92 cents lower to close at $15 with 2,153,273 shares exchanged. Jamaica Stock Exchange closed with gains of 6 cents to $6.45 trading 25,297 shares, JMMB Group closed 70 cents lower to $20.25, with trades of 18,890 shares and Kingston Properties exchanged 400 units at $8. Mayberry Investments gained 1 cent to close at $4.61 trading 5,627 shares, NCB Financial Group added 1 cent to close at $81.01, after exchanging 49,807 shares, 1834 Investments closed at $1.50, with an exchange of 13,795 shares, 138 Student Living lost 1 cent to close at $5, with trades of 46,000 shares, PanJam Investment gained 45 cents, closing at $34.45 trading 100 units, Portland JSX traded 50 cents lower to $9 exchanging 22,000 shares, Pulse Investments lost 51 cents to close at $1.94, with trades of 64,423 shares and Radio Jamaica closed at $1.41 with 31,277 shares exchanged. Sagicor Group fell $3.49 to $30.01 trading 18,656 shares, Sagicor Real Estate fund lost 10 cents, closing at $11.92 trading 28,372 shares, Salada Foods closed at $8.61, with a loss of 72 cents and 60,000 shares changing owners, Scotia Group closed at $44.95, losing 3 cents with trades of 87,322 shares, Scotia Investments exchanged 3,000 shares at $35.50, Seprod closed at $30.05, with a gain of 4 cents and 95,000 shares changing hands and Supreme Ventures lost 10 cents to close at $7.70 with 25,235 shares exchanged. Proven Investments US ordinary shares closed at 26 US cents, gaining 0.04 US cents trading 18,500 units.
A large number of preference shares traded with 4 trading at 52 weeks’ highs.JMMB Group 7.50% preference share closed at $1.15, with a loss of 2 cents exchanging 3,950,000 units, JMMB 7.5% preference share closed at $1.90 trading 105,000 units, JPS 7% preference share gained 3 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ high of 48 cents with 41,300 units switching owners, JPS 5% C preference share closed with gains of 2 cents to a 52 weeks’ high of 38 cents trading 1,835 units, JPS 5% D preference share gained 2 cents, closing at a 52 weeks’ high of 38 cents with 71,921 units exchanged, JPS 6% preference share closed at 52 weeks’ high of 44 cents, gaining 3 cents trading 36,660 units.
Neveast the next office supplies IPO
It was a big giveaway for those familiar with companies prepping for listing, by way of a pending initial public offer of shares. The Jamaica Observer newspaper on Wednesday, July 26, carried an advertisement for Neveast Supplies Limited, telling readers that they were celebrating 55 years of service to its customers.
The advertisement also stated that they were leader in stationery, office furniture and office supplies. In true Jamaican nationalistic style, the advert was rapped in the black, green and gold of the Jamaican flag, no doubt in synch with the 55 years of independence celebration this year.
Industry players say, they may be one of the biggest in stationery and office supplies but not of the office furniture and fixtures. Regardless, checks by this publication with persons knowledgeable about the company’s future plans, confirmed that they are likely to be the next stationery and office equipment to list on the Junior Market of the Stock Exchange. Recently, competitor Stationery and Office Supplies concluded a successful initial public offering of shares that were several times oversubscribed and are set to be the first to list when trading in the stock is expected to commence on August 9.
The brokers to the issue when it does take place, will be Mayberry Investments. Our sources state that they have been contemplating this move from at least 2016, but there are a few issues that need sorting out and should definitely be going to the market to raise capital and be listed before the end of 2017.
According to the company’s website, Neveast Supplies Limited is a family owned Jamaican company that started in 1962 when Founder, Neville East, decided to service the country’s stationery needs. Through market penetration and the help of his wife, Pamela, Neveast Supplies Limited expanded operations to include the supply of office and systems furniture.
Today, the second generation of Easts are at the company’s helm to oversee the daily operations. Sons, David, Paul and Gregory together with thirty-two other members of staff are devoted to the company’s success and ensure that Neveast remains the leader in office furniture and supplies with competitive prices on high quality products and efficient company service.
Neveast continues to be the authorized local distributor for international brands such as Teknion Inc, Global Upholstery Inc, MIN Office Furniture, Godrej, Aurora, Moderco, Virco, and a host of stationery manufacturers from across the globe. With its headquarters located in Kingston, the company’s distribution network covers the entire island of Jamaica and recently includes coverage in neighboring Caribbean countries.
IC Insider.com has been reliably informed that Mayberry Investments should be brokering another two public offers by the end of September and possibly a third by the end of 2017, while there are listings being worked on by other brokers.
Big drop in main market index – Wednesday
Trading levels remained low on the main market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Thursday, with just $40 million worth of stocks changing hands. At the close of trading, 24 securities changed hands in the main market with 3 trading in the US dollar market, leading to 7 stocks advancing and 6 declining.
The All Jamaica Composite Index declined 1,669.64 points to close at 254,226.85, the JSE Market Index declined 1,521.23 points to 231,629.47 and the JSE US dollar market index jumped 11.41 points to close at 188.43.
The main market ended with 1,667,980 units valued at $ 40,302,237 changing hands compared to 5,694,099 units valued at $160,330,278 at the close on Tuesday. Trading in the US dollar market accounted for 2,760,256 units valued at US$1,001,978, bringing the total of all trades to J$168,555,462 .
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and US dollar markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 5 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 with lower offers.
The main market ended trading with an average of 69,499 units valued at $1,679,260 for each security traded compared to an average of 227,764 units valued at $6,413,211. The average volume and value for the month to date ended at 125,823 units at an average value of $2,791,942 compared with an average of 130,517 units with an average value of $2,884,666 on the previous trading day. The average volume and value for June ended at 218,951 units with an average value of $3,871,959.
In market activity, Berger Paints gained 50 cents to close at $14.50 while exchanging 7,080 shares, Cable and Wireless closed at 94 cents, with 63,481 stock units swapping owners, Caribbean Cement gained 20 cents to close at $24.70 with an exchange of 5,915 shares, Carreras closed at $89, with 5,704 units changing hands, Grace Kennedy declined 50 cents to close at $41 trading 51,098 shares. Jamaica Broilers closed at $18 exchanging 432,020 shares, Jamaica Producers traded at $14.98 with 6,438 shares changing hands. Jamaica Stock Exchange closed at $6.10, with of 86,353 shares trading, JMMB Group lost 1 cent, closing at $19 while exchanging 56,479 shares, Kingston Properties traded 13,150 units after losing 80 cents to close at $8, Kingston Wharves closed at $30.40, with gains of 10 cents trading 200 units. Mayberry Investments exchanged 72,745 shares at $4.52, NCB Financial Group held firm at $72.50, with 51,061 shares traded, 1834 Investments added 2 cents to close at $1.35, with trades of 77,058 units, PanJam Investment closed at $33.20 with 5,285 shares changing owners, Portland JSX lost 50 cents to close at $10 trading only 450 shares, Pulse Investments closed at $2, losing 35 cents with 5,000 shares changing owners, Radio Jamaica closed at $1.38, with trades of 60,959 shares. Sagicor Group exchanged 24,933 shares at $31.50, Sagicor Real Estate Fund closed at $12, with a loss of 24 cents and 22,021 units trading. Scotia Group exchanged 525,595 shares at $41.50, Scotia Investments gained 40 cents to close at $36.40 trading 353 units, Supreme Venture held firm at $7.90, with trades of 65,108 shares. Margaritaville Turks US ordinary shares closed at 36 US cents, with gains of 0.04 US cents in trading 2,700,000 units, Proven Investments US ordinary shares closed at 24 US cents, gaining 0.01 US cents exchanging 41,430 units and JMMB Group US 6% preference share traded 18,826 units at US$1.12.