For the six months ended March, this year, National Commercial Bank (NCB) reported net profit of $6 billion or $2.44 per share, an increase of $594 million or 11 percent over the similar period in 2015. Profit after tax ended 10.2 percent higher at $3.6 billion, $332 million more than for the 2015 period, as loans and advances grew $14.8 billion for a 9.4 percent increase to $172.7 billion.
For the six months period, operating income increased by 8.6 percent, or $2 billion, compared with the six months to March, 2015. Contributing to this increase, are net interest income increasing by 9.4 percent, or $1.2 billion, due to growth in the net loans and investment securities portfolios and a reduction in interest expenses driven by the decline in the repurchase agreements portfolio. Premium income grew by $687 million, or 18.5 percent, due to higher levels of life insurance and annuity contracts and net fee and commission income increasing by 7.9 percent, or $384 million, mainly due to credit related fees from the growth in the loan portfolio, corporate finance and unit trust commissions arising from growth in those product lines.
“Operating expenses increased by 10.8 percent, or $1.8 billion, over the six months ended March, 2015 as policyholders’ and annuitants’ benefits and reserves, were up by $977 million, or 51 percent, due to increased actuarial reserves related to life insurance and annuity contracts sold. Staff costs climbed by 9.4 percent, or $593 million. Other operating expenses, were up by $366 million, or 5.5 percent, due to technical, consultancy and professional charges, licensing and processing fees” NCB directors’ report to shareholders stated.
“We anticipate a steady performance for the second half of the financial year as we pursue our strategic objectives and implement various initiatives under our digitisation agenda.”
“Commercial banking activities, comprising the Retail & SME, Payments Services, Corporate Banking, and Treasury & Correspondent Banking segments, produced combined operating profits of $4.6 billion for the six months ended March, 2016, an increase of 6.9 percent, or $299 million, when compared to the six months ended March, 2015. Our Treasury & Correspondent Banking segment was the largest contributor to operating profit for the period.” The directors’ report went on to state.
IC Insider.com is projecting earnings of $5.65 for the year to September. The stock traded on Friday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange at $40 and would be valued at a PE of 7.2.
Non-performing loans totalled $8.5 billion as at March, down from $8.8 billion at March 2015, representing 4.8 percent of the gross loans compared to 5.4 percent a year ago. Customer deposits of $251 billion, increased by 19.5 percent over the twelve months, at a much slower pace than growth in the critical area of lending.
NCB ended with equity of $92 billion at the end of the quarter but lending only accounts for 58 percent of customers’ deposits and funds under securitisation arrangements.
Steady progress at NCB
1,700 points drop erased- Friday
Pan Jamaican jumped $5.50 to $94 on Friday.
The Jamaica Stock Exchange racked up big index losses in the early morning session on Friday, with all Jamaica Composite Index dropping 1,680.04 points but closed in a positive territory at the end. A total of 35 securities changed hands, accounting for 3,857,762 units valued at $55,590,365, in all market segments.
The junior market accounted for 1,443,534 units of the shares traded, valued at $5,505,458.
At the close of trading, 11 stocks in the overall market gained, 10 declined including 3 of the stocks rising and 4 declining, from the junior market.
The JSE Market Index gained 77.70 points to end at 153,433.79. 
The all Jamaica Composite Index rose 86.90 points to close at 170,426.79 and the JSE combined index climbed 9.38 points, to close at 164,347.30.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading showed 8 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 8 with lower offers.
At the end of market activities, Berger Paints traded 42,400 shares to close at $4, Cable & Wireless closed at $1.39 after rising 3 cents while trading 70,450 units, Caribbean Cement traded 3,459 shares as the price fell 1 cent to close at $26.49, Carreras shed 50 cents while trading 10,995 shares, to close at $63.50. Grace Kennedy ended at $83.50 with 11,270 shares changing hands, Jamaica Broilers had 12,370 units changing hands, to close at $14.55. Jamaica Producers dropped $1 with 10,000 units changing hands at $33.50, JMMB Group lost 50 cents in trading 8,774 shares to close at $10,,
Kingston Wharves traded 500,000 shares and fell $1.50, to close at $11.50, Mayberry Investments traded 31,380 shares and gained of 5 cents, to close at $4.10. National Commercial Bank fell 25 cents while trading 81,123 shares to close at $40 Pan Jamaican Investment jumped $5.50 with 117,925 shares trading at $94, Radio Jamaica traded 16,000 shares and gained 4 cents to end at $1.19, Sagicor Group ended with 28,010 shares changing hands at $23, Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 139,565 shares to close at $10 after falling 15 cents. Scotia Group climbed by 99 cents to close at $32.99 while 756,529 units changed hands, Scotia Investments ended trading 11,920 shares but fell 80 cents to $25.20, Supreme Ventures closed at $5.35 with 13,812 shares changing hands and JMMB Group 7.5% preference share traded 529,237 units at $1.05 for a rise of 1 cent.
4 new lows for TTSE – Thursday
NCB is the sole rising stock on the TTSE on Thursday.
Trading ended with 1,649,710 shares valued at $3,258,584 changing hands.
The Composite Index advanced by 0.81 points to close at 1,119.81, the All T&T Index fell 0.89 points to close at 1,786.12 and the Cross Listed Index rose by 0.35 points to 60.26.
IC bid-offer Indicator| The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator ended with 5 stocks with the bid higher than the last selling prices and 5 with offers that were lower.
Gains| National Commercial Bank rose 5 cents to close with 136,865 shares for a value of $328,376, trading at $2.40.
Losses| First Citizens Bank traded 1,565 shares but fell 7 cents to end at a new 52 weeks’ low of $33.03, Massy Holdings closed at 52 weeks’ low of $49.98 after losing 1 cent, to close with 15,150 shares changing hands. National Flour lost 10 cents to end at $2.20 as 451,652 shares valued at $993,596 changed hands, Republic Financial fell 1 cent to a 52 weeks’ low of $108.79 with a mere 14 units changing hands.
Scotiabank had 40 shares trading at $54.96 after falling 1 cent for a 52 weeks’ low and Trinidad and Tobago NGL fell 1 cent in closing at $19.60 with 7,686 shares trading.Firm Trades| Clico Investment Fund traded 12,587 units at $22.55, Guardian Holdings closed at $13 with 2,000 shares trading, Guardian Media closed at $19.75 with 500 shares traded. JMMB Group closed at 58 cents with 1,000,000 shares changing hands for a value of $580,000, Point Lisas Industrial Port Development traded 1,651 at $3.94 and Trinidad Cement ended with 20,000 units trading at $3.35.
Low volumes continue on JSE – Thursday
Kingston Wharves traded at a new high of $13 on Thursday.
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Thursday ended with very low volumes in the main market as just 2.27 million shares, including 1.48 million from the preference sector traded, well below the junior market. A total of 36 securities changed hands, accounting for 5,704,171 units valued at a mere $29,931,176, in all market segments.
The junior market accounted for 3,434,205 shares valued at $13,133,950. At the close of trading 17 stocks in the overall market gained, 13 declined including 6 of the stocks rising and 4 declining, from the junior market. Two stocks ended at 52 weeks’ closing highs including one in the junior market.
The JSE Market Index dropped 495.26 points to end at 153,356.09. The all Jamaica Composite Index pulled back 553.88 points to close at 170,339.89 and the JSE combined index climbed down 628.43 points, to close at 164,337.92.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading showed 9 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 with lower offers.
At the end of market activities, Cable & Wireless closed at $1.36 after losing 3 cents while trading 42,179 units, Caribbean Cement traded 4,120 shares but the price gained 50 cents to close at $26.50, Carreras recovered 50 cents while trading 18,220 shares, to close at $64. Ciboney traded 108,000 shares but fell 2 cents to end at 12 cents, Grace Kennedy gained 50 cents to end at $83.50 with 6,038 shares changing hands, Jamaica Broilers had 54,653 units changing hands, to close at $14.55, after rising by 5 cents. Jamaica Producers jumped $1.25 with just 250 units changing hands at $34.50, JMMB Group rose by 50 cents in trading 3,627 shares to close at $10.50,
Kingston Wharves traded just 200 shares and gained 70 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $13, National Commercial Bank fell 65 cents while trading 22,416 shares to close at $40.25. Radio Jamaica traded 39,500 shares but fell 4 cents to $1.15, Sagicor Group climbed by $1 to end with 323,077 shares changing hands at $23, Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 18,156 shares to close at $10.15 after falling 10 cents, Scotia Group declined by $1 to close at $32 while 43,830 units changed hands. Supreme Ventures fell 30 cents and closed at $5.35 with 80,300 shares changing hands, Proven Investments traded 24,067 share at 20 US cents and JMMB 7.5% preference shares traded 1,476,960 units at $2.14 for the loss of 1 cent.
Low volumes hit JSE’s stocks – Wednesday
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Wednesday ended with low volumes in the main market as just 1.48 million shares traded, well below the junior market. A total of 35 securities changed hands, accounting for 18,969,634 units valued at $146,769,004, in all market segments.
The junior market accounted for 17,488,687 shares valued at $129,088,773. At the close of trading 11 stocks in the overall market gained, 11 declined, including 6 of the stocks rising and 4 declining coming from the junior market. Two stocks ended at 52 weeks’ closing highs in the junior market and none in the main market.
The JSE Market Index gained 473.41 points to end at 153,851.35. The 
all Jamaica Composite Index rose 529.45 points to close at 170,893.77 and the JSE combined index climbed 550.16 points, to close at 164,966.35.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading showed 13 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 6 with lower offers.
At the end of market activities, Barita Investments traded 32,391 shares and gained 39 cents to close at $3.44, Cable & Wireless closed at $1.39 while trading 120,853 units, Caribbean Cement traded 37,772 shares but the price fell by 49 cents to close at $26, Carreras recovered 50 cents while trading 18,929 shares, to close at $63.50. Ciboney traded 399,444 but lost 1 cent to end at 14 cents, Jamaica Broilers had 309,968 units changing hands, to close at $14.50. JMMB Group lost 20 cents in trading 16,127 shares to close at $10, Kingston Wharves 
traded 16,000 shares and gained 30 cents to close at $12.30, Mayberry Investments dropped 25 cents in trading 165,669 shares to close at $4. National Commercial Bank fell 10 cents while trading 104,295 shares to close at $40.90, Sagicor Group fell 40 cents to end with 172,795 shares changing hands at $22, Scotia Group declined by 20 cents to close at $33 while 25,000 units changed hands, Seprod ended with 15,000 units trading but recovered from Tuesday’s loss, by adding $1.40 at $17. Supreme Ventures climbed 15 cents and closed at $5.65 with 7,760 shares changing hands, Proven Investments traded 13,398 share at 20 US cents and JMMB 6% US preference shares traded 16,730 units at $1.10.
All TTSE index down 8% in 2016 – Wednesday
Trading ended for the second consecutive days with 4 stocks closing at 52 weeks’ lows as demand for stocks remain low on the Trinidad & Tobago Stock Exchange as sellers offload stocks at lower prices, helping to push the all Trinidad index down nearly 10 percent for the year to date.
The market closed with 15 active securities changing hands on Wednesday with only 2 stocks gaining, 7 declining while 6 remained unchanged as selling pressure continues in the market. Trading ended with 570,894 shares valued at $6,951,799 changing hands. The Composite Index declined by 0.31 points to close at 1,119.00, the All T&T Index eased 0.57 points to close at 1,787.01 and the Cross Listed Index declined by 0.01 points to 59.91. Interestingly, the index for cross listed stocks is up 21 percent for the year to date and helped to negate the fall in the Composite Index to just 4 percent, the All T&T Index has lost 8 percent and seems destined to decline some more with weak demand for Trinidad stocks.
IC bid-offer Indicator| The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator ended with 6 stocks with the bid higher than the last selling prices and 7 with offers that were lower.
Gains| Trinidad and Tobago NGL gained 7 cents, to close at $19.62 with 4,461 shares trading and Guardian Holdings traded 470,714 shares valued at $6,119,282 to close at $13 after rising by 1 cent.
Losses| Clico Investment Fund traded 2,250 units at $22.55 after shedding 5 cents, First Citizens Bank traded 325 shares but fell 8 cents to end at a new 52 weeks’ low of $33.10, Massy Holdings lost 1 cent to close at 52 weeks’ low of $49.99 with 119 shares. Republic Financial fell to a 52 weeks’ low of $108.80 with a loss of 15 cents as 2,909 units changed hands, Sagicor Financial Corporation traded 69 units but fell 2 cents to $7.13.
Scotiabank had 2,525 shares trading at $54.97 after falling 3 cents for a 52 weeks’ low and Scotia Investments traded 57,768 shares and fell 2 cents to close at $1.62.
Firm Trades| Guardian Media closed at $19.75 with 495 shares traded, JMMB Group closed at 58 cents with 2,000 shares changing hands. National Commercial Bank closed with 20,000 shares trading at $2.35, One Caribbean Media traded just 70 shares and ended at $21.48, Point Lisas Industrial Port Development traded 9,000 at $3.94 and West Indian Tobacco traded 650 shares to close at $126.36.
Rising stocks dominate on JSE – Tuesday
Scotia Group jumped by $2.70 on Tuesday
At the close of trading there were 2 new 52 weeks’ closing highs in the junior market.
The JSE Market Index fell 122.57 points to end at 153,377.94. The all Jamaica Composite Index declined by 137.09 points to close at 170,364.32 and the JSE combined index eased 121.52 points, to close at 164,416.20.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading showed 14 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 with lower offers.At the end of market activities, Berger Paints traded 218,684 shares to close at $4, Cable & Wireless gained 4 cents and closed at $1.39 in trading 505,450 units, Caribbean Cement traded 14,180 shares but the price fell by 1 cent to close at $26.49, Carreras recovered 50 cents while trading 12,521 shares, to close at $63. Ciboney traded 615,712 and gained 2 cents to 15 cents, Rebranded Gleaner Company, 1834 Investments, fell 13 cent to close at $1.02 in trading only 8,500 shares, Jamaica Broilers gained 35 cents with 19,395 units changing hands, to close at $14.50. Jamaica Stock Exchange traded 20,000 shares but lost 45 cents to end at $20.55, JMMB Group rose 70 cents in trading 4,116 shares to close at $10.20, Kingston Properties traded 12,084 shares to close at $6.50, Mayberry Investments jumped 85 cents as it traded 73,642 shares to close at $4.25.
National Commercial Bank gained 50 cents while 20,091 shares traded, to close at $41, Pan Jamaican closed with a gain of 50 cents at $88.50 with 2,000 shares changing hands. Pulse Investments rose 51 cents to close at $3.01 as 3,987 units changed hands, Radio Jamaica traded 25,100 shares and lost 1 cent to close at $1.19, Sagicor Group fell 40 cents to end with 100,330 shares changing hands at $22, Scotia Group jumped $2.70 to close at $33.20 while only 1,035 units changed hands. Scotia Investments closed with 8,374 shares trading with a gain of 50 cents to $26, Seprod ended with 19,777 units trading with a loss of $1.30 at $15.60, Supreme Ventures climbed 50 cents and closed at $5.50 with 2,086 shares changing hands and Proven Investments traded 55,988 share at 20 US cents.
JSE sharp jump to start May – Monday
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday ended with sharply reduced volumes compared the levels traded on Friday and in recent weeks and months, with 37 securities changed hands, accounting for only 1,377,118 units valued at a mere $23,284,334, in all market segments. The junior market accounted for 534,047 shares valued at $3,394,975 as 15 stocks in the overall market gained, 12 declined including 8 of the stocks rising and 3 declining, from the junior market.
At the close of trading there were 2 new 52 weeks’ closing highs in the junior market.
The JSE Market Index rose sharply by 3,461.33 points to end at 153,500.51. The all Jamaica Composite Index surged 3,871.05 points to 
close at 170,501.41 and the JSE combined index jumped 4,179.76 points, to close at 164,537.72.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading showed 14 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 with lower offers.
At the end of market activities, Berger Paints traded 3,200 shares at $4, Cable & Wireless lost 2 cents and closed at $1.35 in trading 160,020 units, Caribbean Cement traded 7,498 shares but the price fell by 6 cents to close at $26.50, Carreras fell 50 cents while trading 6,000 shares, to close at $62.50. Rebranded Gleaner Company, 1834 Investments, gained 16 cent to close at $1.15 in trading only 833 shares, Jamaica Broilers had 14,350 units changing hands, to close at $14.15. JMMB Group fell by 50 cents in trading 6,250 shares to close at $9.50, Kingston Wharves traded just 1,000 shares to close with a gain of 85 cents at $11.15,
Mayberry Investments traded 32,088 shares but gained 10 cents to close at $3.40. National Commercial Bank declined by 50 cents while 20,586 shares traded, to close at $40.50, Pan Jamaican closed at $88 with 2,616 shares changing hands. Radio Jamaica traded 34,500 shares and climbed 5 cents to close at $1.20, Sagicor Group fell 10 cents to end with 5,705 shares changing hands at $22.40, Scotia Group closed with a rise of 50 cents, to end at $30.50 while 491,344 units changed hands. Scotia Investments closed with 8,374 shares trading with a gain of 50 cents to $26, Seprod ended with 19,777 units trading with a loss of $1.30 at $15.60 and Supreme Ventures fell 6 cents and closed at $5 with 9,000 shares changing hands.
JSE ends April positively – Friday
Mayberry Investments traded 17.65m shares on the JSE on Friday.
The JSE Market Index that plummeted sharply by 2,934.82 points on Thursday, recovered just 527.92 points on Friday to end at 150,039.18. The all Jamaica Composite Index gained 590.41 points on Friday but in contrast to the drop of 3,282.21 points on Thursday as it closed at 166,630.36 and the JSE combined index that dived 2,789.11 points on Thursday enjoyed a slight increase by 94.38 points, to close at 160,357.96. The decline in the movement in the main market on Friday, breaks the four consecutive trading days that the indices gained prior to today out turn.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading showed 21 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 with lower offers.
At the end of market activities, Berger Paints gained 10 in trading 2,472 shares at $4, Cable & Wireless lost 2 cents and closed at $1.37 in trading 349,000 units, Caribbean Cement traded 83,248 shares but the price fell $1.44 to close at $26.56, Carreras rose 50 cents while trading 16,265 shares, to close at $63. Rebranded Gleaner Company, 1834 Investments, gained 1 cent to close at 99 cents in trading 101,900 shares, Jamaica Broilers had 25,000 units changing hands, to close with a loss of 35 cents at $14.15. Jamaica Stock Exchange traded 5,000 units and declined by $1, to close at $21, Kingston Wharves traded 21,644 shares to close at $11.15, with a loss of 5 cents, Mayberry Investments traded 17,650,039 shares but fell 2 cents to close at $3.30.
National Commercial Bank gained $1.20 while 180,965 shares traded, to close at $41, after the company released improved results for the March quarter, Pan Jamaican lost $1 to close at $88 with 4,860 shares changing hands. Radio Jamaica traded 94,200 shares and climbed 7 cents to close at $1.15. Sagicor Group gained 45 cents to end with 12,844 shares changing hands at $22.50, Scotia Group closed with a loss of $1, to end at $30 while 10,421 units changed hands, Supreme Ventures gained 1 cent and closed at $5.06 with 160,489 shares changing hands. Proven Investments closed with 8,677 ordinary shares trading at 20 US cents and JMMB Group 6% preference share ended with 62,630 units trading with a loss of 5 cents at $1.10.
Guardian acquisition near complete
National Commercial Bank’s agreement November 2015 to purchase a 29.99 percent stake in Guardian Holdings Limited is much closer to completion with approval given by the two most important countries in the region.
According to a note in NCB’s March quarter results “the approvals in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago have been obtained, but a few others remain to be received but a few others remain to be received, following which it is expected that the transaction will be completed.”
The acquisition of the shares will be done through a private sale of shares from a group of large shareholders. The successful completion of the transaction required regulatory approval from territories in which both entities operate.
NCB reported profit for the six months ended March of $6 billion or $2.44 per stock unit an increase of $594 million or 11 percent and for the quarter profit of $3.6 billion was realised or earnings per share of $1.47. The group is on target to enjoy earnings for the full year, in the region of $5.50 per share.