Trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Wednesday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 11 percent and the value surging 36 percent more than on Tuesday, following trading in 51 securities compared with 58 on Tuesday, with 18 rising, 24 declining and nine ending unchanged.
A total of 8,316,427 shares were traded valued at $88,916,615 compared with 7,470,394 units at $65,380,690 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 163,067 shares at $1,743,463 versus 128,800 shares at $1,127,253 on Tuesday, compared to October with an average of 214,410 stock units at $1,325,907.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 1.54 million shares for 18.5 percent of total volume, followed by Scotia Group with 1.51 million units for 18.1 percent of the day’s trade and Wigton Windfarm with 1.33 million units for 16 percent of the day’s trade.
The All Jamaican Composite Index shed 2,746.69 points to close at 348,729.70, the JSE Main Index dipped 4,097.53 points to 314,703.29 and the JSE Financial Index shed 1.17 points to conclude trading at 68.26.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.1. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 10 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement declined $1.98 to $49.01 and closed with an exchange of 46,234 stocks, GraceKennedy rallied 50 cents to close at $73.50 after investors traded 4,585 units, Guardian Holdings fell $30 in closing at $410 after 3,848 shares were traded. Jamaica Broilers skidded 98 cents to end at $32.99 with 44,119 stock units clearing the market, Jamaica Producers popped 82 cents and ended at $19.90 with traders dealing in 7,100 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange lost 60 cents to $8.50 after a transfer of 5,664 stocks. 
Kingston Properties dipped 70 cents to close at $7, with 730 units changing hands, Kingston Wharves advanced 50 cents in closing at $28.50 in an exchange of 25,283 stock units, Massy Holdings dropped 80 cents to end at $98, with 824 shares crossing the market. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy rose $11.47 and ended at $87.97 after exchanging 10 stock units, Proven Investments gained 64 cents to finish the day at $23.69 in trading 939 units, Sagicor Group shed $2 and ended at $42.60, with 25,185 stocks crossing the exchange. Scotia Group declined 70 cents to end at $34 with a transfer of 1,505,779 units, Seprod lost $2 in closing at $76.50 with stakeholders exchanging 1,699 stocks, Supreme Ventures shed 50 cents to close at $26, with 187,628 shares crossing the market and Sygnus Real Estate Finance dropped $1.40 to $9.55 with an exchange of 16,028 stock units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% preference share fell 78 cents to end at $19.22 after 500 shares passed through the market and Jamaica Public Service 7% increased $6.46 in closing at $48.46 while exchanging 361 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise
JSE Main Market jumps to end October
Trading activity picked up on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market from the lacklustre levels on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 30 percent and the value 310 percent more than on Monday, with trading in 58 securities compared with 55 on Monday, with 20 rising, 25 declining and 13 ending unchanged.
A total of 7,470,394 shares were traded for $65,380,690 compared with 5,763,109 units at $15,955,473 on Monday.
Trading averaged 128,800 shares at $1,127,253 compared to 104,784 shares at $290,100 on Monday and month to date, an average of 214,410 units at $1,325,907, compared with 218,949 units at $1,336,439 on the previous day. September closed with an average of 218,512 units at $1,768,691.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 2.46 million shares for 32.9 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 1.07 million units for 14.3 percent of the day’s trade and Carreras with 701,528 units for 9.4 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index popped 4,665.94 points to close at 351,476.39, the JSE Main Index jumped 4,914.30 points to finish at 318,800.82 and the JSE Financial Index rose 0.79 points to close at 69.43.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.2. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 14 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints lost $1.20 to close at a 52 weeks’ low of $6.20, with 1,138 units crossing the market, Caribbean Cement rose $1.99 to $50.99 in switching ownership of 34,273 stocks, First Rock Real Estate skidded $1.36 to end at a 52 weeks’ low of $6.55 with investors transferring 19,332 shares. General Accident rallied 36 cents in closing at $5.56 after an exchange of 19,809 stock units, GraceKennedy increased 50 cents and ended at $73 with traders dealing in 40,025 shares, Jamaica Producers fell 87 cents to $19.08 while exchanging 363 stocks. JMMB Group climbed 49 cents in closing at $27.50 with shareholders swapping 55,168 units, Key Insurance dropped 29 cents to close at $2.21 after investors ended trading of 34,312 stock units, Kingston Properties popped 30 cents and ended at $7.70 with an exchange of 63,719 shares. 
Kingston Wharves gained 50 cents to end at $28, with 72,619 stocks changing hands, Margaritaville advanced $2.45 to $16.50, after just one unit passed through the market, Massy Holdings popped $7.93 and ended at $98.80 after a transfer of 28 stock units. NCB Financial shed 30 cents to end at $62.85, with 146,019 shares crossing the exchange, Proven Investments declined 45 cents in closing at $23.05 with investors dealing in 1,356 stock units, Sagicor Group rallied $1.10 to close at $44.60 after 25,814 stocks crossed the market. Sagicor Real Estate Fund increased 20 cents to $8.30 after an exchange of 9,794 units, Scotia Group climbed 20 cents in closing at $34.70, with 35,513 stocks clearing the market, Seprod rose $7.50 and ended at $78.50 with an exchange of 91,825 units. Sygnus Real Estate Finance dipped 95 cents to close at $10.95 as investors exchanged 10 shares and Wisynco Group advanced $1.05 to end at $21.95 in trading 676,252 stock units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% fell $3.22 to $42 after exchanging 1,110 shares and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share shed $1 and ended at $122 with a transfer of 11 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main Market falls Monday
Trading activity closed on Monday, with an exchange of 5,763,109 shares for a mere $15,955,473 that was down 49 percent compared with the value of $31,523,597 on Friday from trading in 5,448,012 units on Friday, 
on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market in ending, with trading in 55 securities similar to Friday, and ending with prices of 16 rising, 16 declining and 23 ending unchanged.
Trading averaged 104,784 shares at $290,100 versus 99,055 shares at $573,156 on Friday and month to date, an average of 218,949 units at $1,336,439, compared with 224,992 units at $1,391,827 on the previous trading day. Trading during September ended with an average of 218,512 units at $1,768,691.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 2.39 million shares for 41.4 percent of total volume followed by JMMB Group 7.5% with 1.25 million units for 21.7 percent of the day’s trade and Wigton Windfarm with 597,959 units for 10.4 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index slipped just 9.86 points to 346,810.45, the JSE Main Index dropped 1,512.64 points to end at 313,886.52 and the JSE Financial Index dipped 0.03 points to finish at 68.64.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.1. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints rose 90 cents to end at $7.40 with shareholders swapping 90 units, Caribbean Cement declined $1.32 in closing at $49, with 18,894 stocks crossing the market, Jamaica Broilers climbed 97 cents to $33.97 with stakeholders exchanging 34,920 shares. Jamaica Producers increased 95 cents and ended at $19.95 in trading 20 stock units, JMMB Group fell 49 cents to close at $27.01 after 9,356 shares passed through the Market, 
Massy Holdings dropped $7.93 to $90.87 with traders dealing in 155 stock units. Proven Investments popped $2 in closing at $23.50 while investors traded 202 stocks, Scotia Group rallied 95 cents and ended at $34.50, after 25,702 units passed through the market, Seprod dropped 50 cents to close at $71 in an exchange of 3,594 shares, Wisynco Group gained 95 cents to end at $20.90 with investors transferring 41,836 stock units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% shed $4.68 to end at $45.22 after an exchange of 239 stocks, 
138 Student Living preference share jumped $12 and ended at $107, with 61 units crossing the market and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share dipped $2 in closing at $123 as investors exchanged 1,094 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Profit at Dolla jumps 59% in Q3
Microlender Dolla Financial reported results for the quarter ending September, with profit rising a solid 59 percent to $102 million after tax, from $70 million in the prior year’s September quarter and a profit of $328 million for the nine months to September a b 74 percent increase over the $188 million generated in 2022 for the similar period.
Profit for the September quarter was marginally lower than the June quarter. Still, revenues from loans of $300 million in the September period were slightly higher than the $294 million in the June quarter.
After provision for loan impairment losses, net interest income climbed 65 percent to $243 million in the quarter, from $150 million in the prior year and by 75 percent to $724 million for the nine months versus $414 million in 2022.
Administrative costs climbed faster than revenues, with a jump of 83 percent for the quarter to $150 million and the nine months by 92 percent to $420 million.
Loans receivable net of provision for loss amount to $2.6 billion, an increase of $1.5 billion or 125 percent over September 2022, and grew by just $69 million over the June quarter. Funds borrowed amount to $1.85 billion and increased $100 million over the June quarter. Funds on hand are almost $147 million, with most available for lending.
The company needs to take on additional debt to maintain the hectic growth in the loan portfolio and profitability going forward. The significant acquisition of shares in the company by Mayberry Investments and Supreme Venture should provide them with a constant potential source of funding to maintain the growth in the loan portfolio, supportive of an annual increase in profits going forward.
According to the company’s commentary on the results, “business loans accounted for 82 percent of the total loan portfolio, while personal loans accounted for the remaining 18 percent. Secured loans constituted 81 percent of the portfolio, with unsecured loans making up the remaining 19 percent. The collateralised loan strategy has proven instrumental in maintaining the loan portfolio quality, with non-performing loans holding steady at 9 percent, remaining within budgeted expectations and below the sector average.”
As of September, shareholders’ equity stood at $938 million, up from $715 million at the end of September last year.
Profit resulted in earnings per share of 4 cents for the quarter and 13 cents for the year to date. IC Insider.com computation estimates earnings of 20 cents per share for the fiscal year ending December 2023, with a PE of 12.8 times the current year’s earnings based on the price of $2.56, the stock traded on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market. The PE ratio compares with an average of 10.9 for the Junior Market but less than 19.5 times the top 9 stocks. Net asset value ended the period at 38 cents, with the stock selling at 6.6 times book value.
Main Market trading drop drags index down
Trading activity slipped on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Thursday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 36 percent and the value 4 percent lower than on Wednesday, after 
trading took place in 51 securities compared with 49 on Wednesday, with 20 rising, 20 declining and 11 stocks ending unchanged.
A total of 8,555,217 shares were traded for $65,664,035 compared to 13,455,754 units at $68,332,119 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 167,749 shares at $1,287,530 compared to 274,607 shares at $1,394,533 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 232,031 units at $1,437,586, compared with 235,545 units at $1,445,789 on the previous day. September closed with an average of 218,512 units at $1,768,691.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 3.87 million shares for 45.2 percent of total volume, followed by Wisynco Group with 1.36 million units for 15.9 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 980,131 units for 11.5 percent of market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dipped 951.42 points to settle at 346,651.73, the JSE Main Index dropped 1,727.61 points to 311,809.96 and the JSE Financial Index fell 0.17 points to close at 68.48.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.1. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, Eppley dropped 75 cents and ended at $33.20 after exchanging 1,087 shares, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund popped 50 cents to end at $40 with traders dealing in 7,359 units, General Accident rallied 47 cents to close at $5.48 with investors dealing in 1,765 stock units. GraceKennedy shed 50 cents in closing at $72, with stakeholders exchanging 74,624 stocks, 
Guardian Holdings dipped $19 to $411, with 58 stocks changing hands, Jamaica Producers increased 95 cents to $19.95 after an exchange of 10,698 units. Kingston Wharves fell 45 cents and ended at $27.50 after investors traded 2,077 stock units, Margaritaville skidded $2.55 to end at $14.05, with 15 shares crossing the market, Massy Holdings lost $6 in closing at $90 with an exchange of 1,068 stocks. NCB Financial declined 90 cents to close at $63.15 with investors transferring 57,166 stock units, Pan Jamaica shed $2.50 to close at $47 after investors traded 28,177 units, Proven Investments advanced $1.23 to end at $23.74, with 2,066 shares crossing the market, Seprod skidded $1.50 and ended at $71 as investors exchanged 95 shares and Wisynco Group fell $2.26 in closing at $19.24 after a transfer of 1,359,434 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading jumps on the JSE Main Market
Trading activity picked up on Wednesday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market and ended with the volume of stocks traded rising 87 percent and the value 278 percent more than on Tuesday, and ending with trading taking place in 49 securities compared with 56 on Tuesday, with 16 rising, 19 declining and 14 ending unchanged after Wisynco Group hit a 52 weeks intraday high of $22.
In contrast, First Rock Real Estate hit a 52 weeks intraday low of $6.71 and VM investments traded at an intraday low of $2.60 and bounced higher by the close.
A total of 13,455,754 shares were traded for $68,332,119 compared with 7,194,041 units at $18,098,887 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 274,607 shares at $1,394,533 compared to 128,465 shares at $323,194 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 235,545 units at $1,445,789, compared with 233,380 units at $1,448,630 on the previous day. September closed with an average of 218,512 units at $1,768,691.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 7.78 million shares for 57.8 percent of total volume, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.91 million units for 14.2 percent of the day’s trade, Wisynco Group ended with 1.23 million units for 9.1 percent of market share and JMMB Group 7.5% with 1.04 million units for 7.7 percent of the total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rose 309.44 points to close at 347,603.15, the JSE Main Index dropped 524.74 points to end at 313,537.57 and the JSE Financial Index declined 0.03 points to close at 68.65.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.1. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows nine stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and seven with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments advanced 48 cents to end at $71.98, with 6,338 shares crossing the exchange, Eppley rallied $1.63 in closing at $33.95 after an exchange of 1,035 units, General Accident fell 55 cents and ended at $5.01 often investors traded 11,035 stocks. Jamaica Stock Exchange popped $1 to close at $9.30 with investors dealing in 2,762 stock units, 
Kingston Wharves gained 59 cents to close at $27.95 with shareholders swapping 873 stocks, Massy Holdings rallied $5 and ended at $96 with an exchange of 642 shares. NCB Financial lost 95 cents to $64.05 with an exchange of 4,868 stock units, Proven Investments climbed $2.35 to end at $22.51 with investors trading 322 units, Sagicor Group declined $1.39 to close at $42.11, with 79,903 shares crossing the market. Seprod rose 50 cents in closing at $72.50 with an exchange of 7,110 stocks, Supreme Ventures rallied 55 cents to end at $26.60 after 14,862 stock units passed through the market, Victoria Mutual Investments dropped 58 cents to close at $2.71 with traders dealing in 98,307 units.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share dipped 71 cents in closing at $95 as investors exchanged nine stocks and Transjamaican Highway 8% climbed 46 cents and ended at $2.10, with 242,529 shares clearing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main Market rallies as value plunges
Trading plunged on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Tuesday, with only 7,194,041 shares being traded for a mere $18,098,887 compared with 5,650,950 units at $35,185,337 on Monday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 27 percent and the value plunging 49 percent lower than on Monday, with trading in 56 securities compared with 54 on Monday and ended with prices of 24 rising, 19 declining and 13 ending unchanged.
Trading averaged 128,465 shares at $323,194 versus 104,647 shares at $651,580 on Monday and month to date, an average of 233,380 units at $1,448,630,compared with 240,476 units at $1,524,746 on the previous day. Trading in September closed with an average of 218,512 units at $1,768,691.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 4.32 million shares for 60 percent of the total volume and was followed by Transjamaican Highway in trading 1.06 million units for 14.8 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 367,451 units for 5.1 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rose 262.79 points to 347,293.71, the JSE Main Index rose 2,426.08 points to settle at 314,062.31 and the JSE Financial Index rose 0.01 points to finish at 68.68.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments skidded 70 cents to $71.50 in an exchange of 36,509 shares, Eppley shed $1.68 in closing at $32.32, with 1,211 stock units changing hands, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund popped $3.30 and ended at $39.50 after an exchange of 2,789 stocks. GraceKennedy lost 70 cents in ending at $72.50 after an exchange of 14,225 units, Jamaica Broilers advanced 44 cents to close at $33 with investors trading 24,339 shares, Jamaica Producers dropped $1.48 to close at $19 with traders dealing in 1,752 stock units. 
Kingston Properties increased 59 cents to end at $7.49 after 39 units passed through the market, Kingston Wharves fell 58 cents in closing at $27.36 while exchanging 5,367 stocks, Massy Holdings gained $1 and ended at $91 in switching ownership of 1,000 stocks. Pan Jamaica rose $2.50 to $49.50 with stakeholders exchanging 581 stock units, Portland JSX rallied 35 cents to $10.85 as investors exchanged 166 units, Proven Investments dropped $3.63 and ended at $20.16 with shareholders swapping 7,373 shares. Seprod declined $2 in closing at $72 with a transfer of 6,022 stock units, Sygnus Real Estate Finance climbed $1.76 to end at $11.90, with 50 stocks crossing the market and 
Wisynco Group rose 50 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $21.50, with 94,427 units crossing the exchange.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% preference share gained 78 cents to end at $20 after 2 shares crossed the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Big price moves inched Main Market higher
Stock prices swung sharply both ways up and down on the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday, with Seprod leading the way up with $4 bounce, followed by Kingston Wharves with a gain of $2.44, NCB Financial Group up by $1.50 with Barita Investments coming in with the 92 cents gain in helping to lift the Main Market on Monday, with Guardian Holdings falling $10, followed by Pan Jamaica with $3.10, GraceKennedy down $1.70 as Caribbean Cement skidded $1, Jamaica Broilers 94 cents and Scotia Group dropping 93 cents.
Trading activity ended on Monday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 95 percent and the value falling 12 percent lower than on Friday, with trading in 54 securities compared with 52 on Friday, with 19 rising, 23 declining and 12 ending unchanged.
A total of 5,650,950 shares were traded for $35,185,337 compared with 2,896,830 units at $40,206,193 on Friday.
Trading averaged 104,647 shares at $651,580 compared to 55,708 shares at $773,196 on Friday and month to date, an average of 240,476 units at $1,524,746 compared to 249,952 units at $1,585,665 on the previous day. September closed with an average of 218,512 units at $1,768,691.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 2.61 million shares for 46.2 percent of total volume, followed by Transjamaican Highway with 630,504 units for 11.2 percent of the day’s trade and Wisynco Group with 318,083 units for 5.6 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 813.68 points to settle at 347,030.92, the JSE Main Index climbed 136.65 points to end at 311,636.23 and the JSE Financial Index fell 0.47 points to 68.67.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 13 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments advanced 92 cents and ended at $72.20 with stakeholders exchanging 19,677 shares, Berger Paints rose 45 cents to end at $7.44 after investors ended trading 581 stocks, Caribbean Cement skidded $1 to $49 while exchanging 5,598 stock units. Eppley gained 50 cents in closing at $34 with investors dealing in 301 units, GraceKennedy fell $1.70 to close at $73.20 with dealers transferring 9,741 units, Guardian Holdings dropped $10 to $430 with shareholders swapping 2 stock units.
Jamaica Broilers shed 94 cents in closing at $32.56 in an exchange of 6,946 stock units, Kingston Properties dipped 60 cents to close at $6.90, with 10,106 stocks crossing the market, Kingston Wharves rallied $2.44 to end at $27.94 with 819 shares changing hands. Mayberry Investments popped 48 cents to end at $7.48, with 126 stock units crossing the exchange, Mayberry Jamaican Equities climbed 49 cents and ended at $10.49 after an exchange of 406 stocks, NCB Financial increased $1.50 to close at $65 as 35,384 units passed through the market. Pan Jamaica dropped $3.10 to end at $47 after a transfer of 1,087 stock units, Sagicor Group rose 45 cents in closing at $43.50 with traders dealing in 20,920 stocks, Scotia Group declined 93 cents to $33.52 in an exchange of 255,607 shares, 
Seprod gained $4 and ended at $74 with an exchange of 62,271 units and Wisynco Group popped $1.07 to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $21 with 318,083 units clearing the market.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% increased $7.88 to $49.90, with 192 stocks crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Disappointing early Q3 results
Profits are the primary driver of stock prices. The early release of third quarter results for 2023 for some listed companies has been less than inspiring, with the majority reporting lower revenues and profits for the third quarter and, in some cases, reduced revenues and profits for the year to date. That is not the results the market needs to lift a sagging market weighted down by some poor profit results for the year and tight monetary policy being pursued by Jamaica’s Central Bank.
Margaritaville, located in the Turks & Caicos Islands
So far, Companies reporting include AMG Packaging, Caribbean Cream with it trading brand Kremi, Express Catering, Image Plus Consultants, Knutsford Express, Margaritaville, Mayberry Investments, Paramount Trading and Portland JSX Fund.
AMG Packaging reported a slight drop in full year earnings to August of $94 million. The 2023 performance is better than that of 2022, with the current year’s figures including a one-off charge and vastly increased taxation than in the previous year.
Profit after tax is down from $105 million in the previous year, but this is after taxation that climbed from $18 million to $39 million in the current year. Revenues in the current year come out at $1 billion, up from $996 million in the prior year. For the quarter, revenues fell to $230 million from $257 million, with profits after tax of $19 million, down from $25 million in the previous year. The 2023 result was dragged down by a one off charge relating to payroll tax credits that were not allowed in prior years, amounting to $11 million, had this not been the case, profits would have been higher than for the previous year. Additionally, the taxation charge for the year was $11 million versus just $5 million in the prior year’s fourth quarter.
Caribbean Cream reported revenues of $646 million for the 2023 August quarter versus $645 million in 2022, with the year to date revenues slipping into $1.25 billion from $1.257 billion in 2022. Profit fell to $3.6 million in the August quarter, down from $7 million in 2022, but is up to $10 million for the six months from $8.5 million in 2022.
Revenues and profits rebounded strongly at Express Catering in the first quarter to August 2023 versus 2022. Net profit for the quarter ended at US$843,114 for EPS of 0.051 US cents, up 29 percent from a profit of US$652,841, with EPS of 0.040 US cents in the similar period in 2022 as revenues climbed 30 percent to US$5.4 million from US$4.9 million in 2022 aided by a strong rebound in tourism traffic passing through the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, as well as the opening of new restaurants in the airport.
Image Plus reported sharply lower second quarter results, a 40 percent drop in earnings from $64 million before tax in 2022 to just $39 million for the second quarter as revenues declined by 7 percent to $254 million from $274 million in 2022 but remained flat for the half year at $554 million, resulting in pretax profit falling 33 percent from $153 million down to $103 million. The company indicated that revenues decreased due to machine breakdown.
Revenues at Knutsford Express jumped 18.5 percent for the first quarter ending August to $492 million from $415 million in the 2022 first quarter. The revenue improvement translated to slight growth in profit as cost rose nearly 26 percent to $380 million from $303 million. The company stated that it increased its workforce to manage growth. Before tax, profit increased marginally to $86 million from $84 million in the prior year.
Margaritaville was one company delivering improved revenues and profit for the 2023 first quarter, primarily reflecting improvement in tourism traffic in the Caribbean region. The company generated revenues of US$1.8 million in the August 2023 quarter, up solidly from US$1.42 million in the prior year and delivered gross profit of $1.33 billion this year versus US$1.03 million. Net profit surged to US$230,000 for the year to date against just US$94,000 in 2022.
Mayberry Investments released nine months’ results with a $985 million loss for the third quarter and $693 million loss for the nine months after reporting significant investment losses of around $2 billion in both periods, but shareholders’ equity remains strong at $15.75 billion.
Paramount
Paramount Trading reported lower revenues and profits in the first quarter ending August, following what the company states is the conclusion of the best major six month contract to supply admixture to the construction sector. Revenues declined by 28 percent to $426 million from $595 million the year before and profits fell by 32 percent to $65 million from $97 million the previous year.
Portland JSX Fund reported a worsened loss of US$1,457,327 for the quarter to August this year, up from US$416,643 in the similar quarter in 2022 and a loss of US$8.71 million versus a profit of US$376,681 profit for the six months to August 2022.
The results reflect net fair value losses on investments of US$1.3 million in the quarter and US$8.3 million for the half year.
JSE Main Market in weekend rally
Trading activity dropped sharply on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Friday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 36 percent, with the value 52 percent lower than on Thursday, after dealing in 55 securities compared with 51 on Thursday, with 20 rising, 15 declining and 20 ending unchanged.
The market rally benefitted from some significant price increases after Guardian Holdings jumped $29, Massy Holdings rose $8.80, Pan Jamaica climbed $3.46, followed by Sagicor Group, adding $1.29 and Caribbean Cement gaining $1.27.
A total of 5,448,012 shares were traded for $31,523,597, down from 8,555,217 units at $65,664,035 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 99,055 shares at $573,156 versus 167,749 shares at $1,287,530 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 224,992 units at $1,391,827, compared with 232,031 units at $1,437,586 on the previous day. September closed with an average of 218,512 units at $1,768,691.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 1.56 million shares for 28.7 percent of total volume, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.41 million units for 25.9 percent of the day’s trade and JMMB Group 7.35% – 2028 with 688,813 units for 12.6 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 168.58 points to finish at 346,820.31, the JSE Main Index popped 3,589.20 points to end at 315,399.16 and the JSE Financial Index rose 0.19 points to close at 68.67.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.1. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints dipped 93 cents in closing at a 52 weeks’ low of $6.50 in trading 6,563 units, Caribbean Cement rallied $1.27 to $50.32 and closed with an exchange of 13,083 stocks before the company reported nine months results with profit for the quarter rising bly from $1.2 billion in the 2022 third quarter to $1.94 billion on increasing revenues, with the nine months profit up modestly to $4.39 billion from $4.25 billion in 2022. Eppley rose 80 cents and ended at $34 with investors dealing in 209 shares, Guardian Holdings climbed $29 to close at $440 after an exchange of just one stock unit, 
Jamaica Producers lost 95 cents to end at $19 with 4,000 shares, clearing the market. JMMB Group popped 50 cents to $27.50 after trading 36,025 units, Massy Holdings gained $8.80 and ended at $98.80, with just three stocks crossing the market, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy skidded $13.50 in closing at $76.50 as investors exchanged 100 stock units. Pan Jamaica increased $3.46 to close at $50.46 after a transfer of 50 shares, Proven Investments fell $2.24 to end at $21.50 with stakeholders trading 6,000 units, Sagicor Group advanced $1.29 to $43.50 in switching ownership of 3,697 stocks. Seprod popped 50 cents to close at $71.50 after 2,054 stock units crossed the market and Wisynco Group advanced 71 cents in closing at $19.95 in an exchange of 107,030 shares.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% dropped $9 to end at $2,890, with one stock changing hands and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share rose $4.25 and ended at $125 with traders dealing in 10 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
