Trading ended on the Jamaica stock market with 7,296,773 units valued at $35,344,599 changing hands, in all market segments with 35 securities trading. The junior market accounted for 1,962,619 units, valued at $7,767,219. A total 12 stocks in the combined markets gained, 13 declined. 5 stocks closed at 52 weeks’ high and 1 at an intraday high.
At the close the JSE Market Index climbed 530.12 points to 145,696.52, the all Jamaica Composite Index rose 592.44 points to end at 161,780.37 and the JSE combined index gained 298.10 points to close at 152,241.69. The main market continues to face a test around the 165,000 points resistance level, on the all Jamaica composite index.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading of 13 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 with lower offers.
In trading, Cable and Wireless fell 15 cent4 with 2,728,949 units changing hands to close at $1.15, Caribbean Cement fell 11 cents to end at $18.09 with 797,423 shares changing hands, Carreras closing at $60.75, with 4,700 units changing hands. Ciboney lost 3 cents to close at 20 cents with 270,000 shares, Gleaner closed with 964,454 units changing hands at $1.30, Grace Kennedy rose $4, with 4,066 units changing hands, to finish at a new 52 weeks’ high of $85, but the stock was offered at the end of trading at $84. Jamaica Broilers fell by 30 cents to close at $10.20 with 219,382 shares changing hands, Jamaica Producers traded 47,400 shares to end at $32, the Jamaica Stock Exchange did not trade but closed with the bid at $18.34 compared with Tuesday’s close of $16, offers declined to only two lots of 22,000 shares. 
JMMB Group traded 7,965 ordinary shares, but fell 39 cents to end at $10.11, Mayberry Investments had 68,466 shares trading at $4.20 for a gain of 10 cents, National Commercial Bank rose 69 cents to end at $39.70, with 55,480 units changing hands, Sagicor Group closed with 45,707 units changing hands with a gain of 30 cents at $17.50. Sagicor Real Estate Fund lost 2 cents in trading 5,000 shares at $10.20. Scotia Group declined by $1.39 with 1,470 shares changing hands at $28.61, Supreme Ventures ended at $4.60 with 66,460 units changing hands and JMMB87.5% preference share traded 35,700 units but fell 10 cents to close at $2.80.
JSE majors rise moderately – Wednesday
JSE majors slip big on Tuesday
Trading ended on the Jamaica stock market with 30,385,484 units valued at $406,775,349 changing hands, in all market segments with 33 securities trading. The junior market accounted for 20,742,505 units, valued at $215,634,789. A total 16 stocks in the combined markets gained, 13 declined. 3 stocks closed at 52 weeks’ high 1 at a 52 weeks’ low and 1 at an intraday high.
At the close the JSE Market Index dipped 1,419.09 points to 145,166.40, the all Jamaica Composite Index declined 1,585.92 points to end at 161,187.93 and the JSE combined index dropped 1,556.54 points to close at 151,943.59. The main market continues to face a test around the 165,000 points resistance level, on the all Jamaica composite index.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading of 9 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 with lower offers.
In trading, Cable and Wireless fell 1 cent with 1,964,197 units changing hands to close at $1.30, Caribbean Cement gained 33 cents to end at $18.20 with 144,558 shares changing hands, Carreras closing at $60.75, with 6,795 units changing hands. Gleaner fell 4 cents with 44,000 units changing hands at $1.30, Grace Kennedy rose$1.12, with 274 units changing hands, to finish at a new 52 weeks’ high of $81. Jamaica Broilers closed at $10.50 with 35,591 shares changing hands, Jamaica Producers traded 49,462 shares while gaining 10 cents, to end at $32, the Jamaica Stock Exchange lost 70 cents with 38,776 units changing hands, to close at $16, JMMB Group traded 39,484 ordinary shares at $10.50, after rising by 30 cents. Mayberry Investments had 17,928 shares trading at $4.10 for a loss of 25 cents, Montego Bay Ice fell $2.60 in closing at $14.90 with 1,250 shares trading, National Commercial Bank ended at $39.01, with 3,136,195 units changing hands, 138 Student Living had another large trade, with 1,754,230 units at $4.50 following big trades on Friday and Monday.
Pan Jamaican Investments traded 24,662 and gained 50 cents to end at $93, Radio Jamaica traded 16,000 units at $3, Sagicor Group closed with 757,157 units changing hands with a loss of 30 cents to $17.20, Sagicor Real Estate Fund gained 22 cents in trading 10,000 shares at $10.22. Scotia Group declined 98 cents with 654,660 shares changing hands at $30, Scotia Investments jumped $2.05 with 5,000 shares changing hands at $31, Supreme Ventures ended at $4.60 with 45,200 units changing hands. Proven Investments ordinary share had 811,000 units trading at 19.5 US cents, for a loss of 2.5 cents and JMMB7.5% Preference share traded 42,350 units and gained 9 cents to close at $1.99.
JSE majors slip on Monday
Carreras traded at a new 52 weeks’ high of $60.75 on Monday
Trading ended on the Jamaica stock market with 10,283,114 units valued at $50,915,307 changing hands, in all market segments with 33 securities trading. The junior market accounted for 1,290,587 units, valued at $4,845,099. A total 11 stocks in the combined markets gained, 10 declined while 4 stocks closed at 52 weeks’ high and 1 traded at an intraday high.
138 Student Living had another day of with a large trade of 8,520,000 units at $4.50, valued at $38.34 million, much less than the 58,949,590 units valued at $265,273,155 traded on Friday.
At the close the JSE Market Index fell 38.30 points to 146,585.49, the all Jamaica Composite Index eased 42.80 points to end at 162,773.85 and the JSE combined index added 156.87 points to close at 153,500.13. The main market continues to face a test around the 165,000 points resistance level, on the all Jamaica composite index.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading of 9 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 with lower offers.
In trading, Cable and Wireless gained 1 cents with 77,265 units changing hands to close at $1.31, Caribbean Cement fell 33 cents to end at $17.87 with 16,000 shares changing hands, Carreras gained 75 cents, in closing at a new 52 weeks’ high of $60.75, with 42,612 units changing hands. Gleaner rose 8 cents with 8,320 units changing hands at $1.34, Grace Kennedy fell 12 cents, with 1,230 units changing hands, to finish at $79.88. Jamaica Broilers price jumped $1.86 to $10.50 with 19,726 shares changing hands, Jamaica Producers traded 1,000 shares at $31.90, The Jamaica Stock Exchange share lost $2.25 with 28,610 units changing hands to close at $16.70, Kingston Wharves had trading in 9,509 shares at $11.35. Mayberry Investments had 65,011 shares trading 
at $4.35, for a loss of 35 cents, National Commercial Bank rose just 1 cent and ended at $39.01, with 29,432 units changing hands, Radio Jamaica traded 1,000 units early in the day at $2.25 and ended the day at $3 while 11,400 units changed hands. Sagicor Group closed with 61,827 units changing hands at $17.50, Salada Foods lost 51 cents in trading 51,562 shares at $8.50, Scotia Group declined by 1 cent with 8,741 shares changing hands at $30.98, Supreme Ventures rose 60 cents to end at $4.60, with 7,128 units changing hands and Proven Investments had 16,130 shares trading at 22 US cents, for a loss of 0.99 cents.
Prices mostly steady on TTSE – Monday
Republic bank now trades as Republic Financial Holdings on the TTSE
At the close, the Composite Index ended with a fall of 0.19 points to 1,158.57, the All T&T Index declined 0.04 points to 1,949.42 and the Cross Listed Index slipped 0.04 points to 48.37.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 5 stocks with bids higher than the last selling price and 7 stocks with offers that were lower.
Declines| Massy Holdings had 75 shares changing hands with a loss of 2 cents to end at a new 52 weeks’ low of $61.48.
Firm Trades| Clico Investments traded 2,100 units to close at $22.75, JMMB Group traded 42,050 shares to close at 51 cents, National Flour Mills traded 119 units to end at $2.70, National Commercial Bank ended with 130,000 units changing hands at $2.05. Republic Financial Holdings, the new entity holding shares in Republic Bank ended with 53,329 shares valued at $5,966,982 changed hands at $111.89, Scotia Investments had with 81,028 units changing hands at $1.50 and Trinidad and Tobago NGL traded at $21 with 89,826 shares for $1,886,346 changing hands, valued at $9,687,468.
Record Friday for JSE stocks
138 Student Living led the majors with 59m shares on Friday.
The junior market accounted for 55,544,624 units, valued at $296,776,261 as 13 stocks in the combined markets gained, 6 declined, 4 stocks closed at 52 weeks’ high.
138 Student Living had the largest trade in the main market with 58,949,590 units valued at $265,273,155 to close 10 cents up at a 52 weeks’ high of $4.50 while Honey Bun traded 55.2 million units valued at $295,438,307 in the junior market.
At the close the JSE Market Index climbed 2,213.58 points to 146,623.79, the all Jamaica Composite Index rose 2,473.80 points to end at 162,816.65 and the JSE combined index added 2,381.16 points to close at 153,343.26. The main market continues to face a test at the 165,000 points resistance level, on the all Jamaica composite index, but based on the churning of price movements in recent weeks, it is likely to take some more trading days to break through that level if the break takes place.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading of 8 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 with lower offers.In trading, Berger Paints ended with 19,344 units trading at $3.15, Cable and Wireless lost 10 cents with 266,406 units changing hands to close at $1.30, at the close, there were over 1.84 million units on the offer at $1.40 with bids not looking particularly strong at $1.30 and below. Caribbean Cement closed with a rise of 20 cents to end at $18.20, with 19,955 shares changing hands, Carreras gained 99 cents in closing at $60 with 18,184 units trading, Ciboney traded at 27 cents with 54,500 units changing hands, Grace Kennedy gained 50 cents, with 77,778 units changing hands, to finish at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $80. Jamaica Broilers price fell $1.86 to $8.64, with 32,234 shares changing hands, the stock was offered for sale at $9.90 at the close, Jamaica Producers traded 13,000 shares at $31.90,
The Jamaica Stock Exchange share traded 5,000 units to close at $18.95, Kingston Wharves saw trading in 10,000 shares at $11.35 as the price slipped 5 cents. National Commercial Bank rose 30 cents and ended at $39 with 22,500 units changing hands, Pan Jamaican Investment had 20,000 units changing hands at $92.50, having risen 39 cents, Sagicor Group closed with 50,628 units changing hands but the price gained 69 cents to end at $17.50 for a new 52 weeks’ closing high. Scotia Group gained $1.99 with 73,780 shares changing hands at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $30.99 and Supreme Ventures fell 50 cents to end at $4, with 2,300,000 units changing hands.
Juniors jump, new record for majors
The junior market is enjoying major gain on Friday morning with a 2 percent or 34 point jump to sit just below the record reached in November of 1,676.68 points.
The main market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange also recorded gains in early trading pushing the indices to new record high. A total of 17 securities traded as 9 stocks rose and just 3 declined with 2,512,805 units changing hands.
At 10:45 am, the all Jamaica Composite Index gained 334.81 points to 160,677.66, the JSE Market Index gained by 299.59 points to 144,709.80, the JSE combined index gained 586.44 points to 151,548.54 and the junior market index is up 34 points to 1,670.95.
Interesting trades, with 75 minutes having elapsed are, Supreme Ventures traded 2,200,000 shares at $4.58 for an 8 cents gain, Grace Kennedy traded at a new 52 weeks’ high of $80 and so has Sagicor Group at $17.50, Jamaica Broilers dropped $1.90 to be at $8.60 and National Commercial Bank had gained $1.20 to $39.90.
Feedback from NCB Capital Markets is the tTech allocation should be known for the recently closed IPO by Monday coming.
Stocks eke out more gains – Thursday
Seprod hits new 52 weeks’ high on Thursday
The junior market accounted for 43,233,932 units, valued at $166,308,887 as 19 stocks in the combined markets gained, 14 declined, 5 stocks closed at 52 weeks’ high and 1 traded at an intraday high, but pulled back before the close.
While the main market indices rose, the gains were low at under 250 points with the JSE Market Index climbing 152.28 points to 144,410.21, the all Jamaica Composite Index rising 170.18 points to end at 160,342.85 and the JSE combined index adding 224.86 points aided by junior market gains, to close at 150,962.10. The main market faces a test at 165,000 points resistance level, on the all Jamaica composite index, but based on the churning of price movements in recent weeks, it is likely to take some more trading days to break through that level if the break takes place.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading of 12 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 with lower offers.In trading, Berger Paints ended with 45,252 units trading with a decline of 15 cents to $3.15, Cable and Wireless rose 9 cents with only 198,570 units changing hands to close at $1.40, at the close, there were over 2 million units on the offer at $1.40 with bids not looking particularly strong at $1.30 and below. Caribbean Cement closed with a loss of 20 cents to end at $18, with 53,180 shares changing hands. Carreras fell 4 cents in closing at $59.01 with a mere 20,543 units trading, Ciboney traded at 27 cents with 65,000 units changing hands, Gleaner traded at $1.26 down 14 cents with 228,000 units trading, Grace Kennedy gained $1.50, with 10,581 units changing hands, to finish at $79.50. Jamaica Broilers price rose $1.90 to $10.50, with 71,366 shares changing hands, the stock was offered for sale at $9.90 at the close. The Jamaica Stock Exchange share traded 22,665 units and lost 5 cents to close at $18.95, Kingston Wharves saw trading in 15,000 shares at $11.35 as the price slipped 5 cents,
National Commercial Bank rose 34 cents and ended at $38.70 with 173,608 units changing hands, Pan Jamaican Investment had 13,000 units changing hands at $92.11, having lost 89 cents. Pulse Investments traded 148,669 shares with a loss of 40 cents to end at $2.10, Radio Jamaica lost 60 cents to land at $3 with 12,900 shares trading, Sagicor Group closed with 24,780 units changing hands but the price gained 6 cents to end at $16.81. Scotia Group gained 89 cents with 94,242 shares changing hands at $29, Supreme Ventures fell 15 cents to end at $4.50 with 37,168 units changing hands. Proven Investments rose 0.99 US cents had 145,550 shares trading at 22.99 US cents, followed by Proven Investments 8% preference share with 17,675 units trading at $5.10 with a loss of 40 cents.
Prices continue down on TTSE – Thursday
Guardian is the only stock to gain in trading on Thursday
Activity ended with 108,171 shares changing hands valued at $1,521,787. One stock closed at 52 weeks’ low. At the close, the Composite Index ended with a fall of 1.53 points to 1,159.06, the All T&T Index fell 0.53 points to 1,949.43 and the Cross Listed Index slipped 0.34 points to 48.50.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 4 stocks with bids higher than the last selling price and 7 stocks with offers that were lower.
Gains| Guardian Holdings was the sole stock rising with 10,493 shares traded with a gain of 3 cents to end at $13.10.
Declines| First Citizens Bank lost 1 cents while 100 shares changing hands, at $34.98, Guardian Media traded 47,310 shares but lost 1 cent end at $19.75, Massy Holdings traded 200 units and lost 3 cents to end at a 52 weeks low of $61.50. National Commercial Bank lost 5 cents to end with 49,143 units changing hands at $2.05 and Unilever fell 10 cents with 4,533 units changing hands at $68.15Firm Trades| Clico Investments traded 6,835 units to close at $22.75 and West Indian Tobacco closed at $126 with 50 shares changing hands.
JSE inches up in early trading
The Jamaica stock market recorded small gains in early trading, in the main and junior markets. A total of 27 securities traded with 9 stocks rising and 8 declining as 1,112,484 units traded.
At 10:45 am, the all Jamaica Composite Index gained 7.16 points to 160,179.83, the JSE Market Index gained by 6.41 points to 144,264.34, the JSE combined index gained 20.50 points to 150,757.74 and the junior market index is up 1.62 points to 1,629.49.
Interesting trades, with 75 minutes having elapsed are, Gleaner that fell to $1.25 cents with 202,000 units trading, the decline in the stock is a sign that a number of investors are not sold on the merger of the Gleaner Media and Radio Jamaica. Jamaica Broilers added $1.90 to the last price on Wednesday to be at $10.50, National Commercial Bank had traded 111,750 shares up to $39.70, but with 2,000 additional shares traded, the price was down to at $38.51. In the junior market AMG Packaging and Caribbean Flavours traded at a new highs of $7.50 and $9.30 respectively.
Poor Carib capital market regulation
The glaring case of the abuse of power exercised by the Trinidad Cement board in the handling of the company’s right issue earlier this year, stands out as a clear case for regulatory action to protect investors. In this matter the company failed to properly inform shareholders of a strong improvement in the profit of the a for the first quarter and made it worse with Price Waterhouse Coopers signing a report that gave the impression that there was no profit for the quarter.
In Jamaica, we have a Financial Services Commission (FSC) that is said to be the regulator for the financial entities not regulated by Bank of Jamaica, much is lacking from them, their inaction in matters of critical import makes one wonder what taxpayers money given to them is really being used for?
When it comes to the FSC, one is reminded of a police station located across from a house of crime but does nothing, unless the neighbours complain about it. Here is a case be it small. One of the FSC regulated entities is late with its 2015 results, the company issued a statement to the stock exchange to say they would be late in releasing the audited statements and the audited figures would be released on December 4. They also had the lateness of the audited accounts in 2014, with December 5th being the promised date. Now the public is being told that Barita Investments Limited (BIL) the entity involved has advised that the Audited Financial Statements for the financial year-end 2014/2015 will be submitted to the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE)on or before December 29, 2015. That is a major shift in the time frame. No reason was given in the notice on the stock exchange site. The investing public has a right to know the reason for the lateness. The FSC that regulates the market, should be interested in knowing what the reasons are as well, but there is not even a peep out of them?
IC Insider spoke with Mrs Rita Humphries, Chairman of the company on Wednesday December 9, about the issues affecting the release and subsequently, the last posting was made on the JSE website. According to the Chairman, there were issues relating to reconciliation of a few accounts which required adjusting entries to be made. Barita had them reconciled and the auditors needed to go through the information and transactions to satisfy themselves that the end result is correct. Additionally, the auditors advised of none receipt of confirmation from clients some of which had already been sent on to the auditors we are advised. Last year the audit was held up by a difference of opinion between the auditors and the Barita over the issue of fully providing for the value of shares Barita held in Scotia Group on the basis the auditors said was the impairment of the investment. This was after they fully provided for the value of Barita’s investment in National Commercial Bank shares.
All this bring one back to the glaring errors in the audited accounts for Knutsford Express audited accounts for 2014 and 2015 for which there have been no request for revision of the reports, why? Are these regulators really serious in protecting investors? Take the most recent case of tTech. The prospectus for the company’s shares, made no mention of subscribers being asked to pay the JCSD fees. One day before the issue opens, a note is placed on the JSE website that the fee is to be paid by subscribers, even as the prospectus states that investors would not be paying any more than the $2.50, the shares were offered to the general public at. The JSE clearly did not intervene to prevent a chaotic situation from happening with some applicant including the fee and others did not as they were unaware of it. Thankfully, the management and brokers were sensitive to the issue and agreed to refund those who paid.
The FSC and the Stock Exchange police the system when companies are going to the public to raise money, but what happens after, very little? Goodyear was delisted from the JSE, shareholders got two payments form liquidation of the assets but about three years after, no information but there are no regulators dealing with the issue anymore, leaving many small investors to fend for themselves. That is not good enough.