The Jamaica Stock Exchange on Wednesday closed with main market indices recording big losses, cancelling out the gains made in yesterday’s trading. The market closed with a fairly high participation rate of 33 securities changing hands accounting for 3,862,624 units trading, valued at $45,895,747 with 9 stocks rising, 16 declining with 1 stock closing at 52 weeks high, in all market segments.
At the close, the JSE Market Index fell 2,316.03 points to 99,099.31, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index dived 2,588.67 points to close at 109,705.40 and the JSE combined index dropped 2,164.74 points to end at 102,674.88.
The eve of and the actual Treasury bill auction days, historically have not been good for the local stock market. Stockbrokers main focus is on the outcome of the auction and interest rates out turn as well as how successful their bidding was. Wednesday’s sluggishness and pull back in prices could be related to this development with today being the day when Treasury bill bids are opened. At the close of trading on Tuesday the signals were for a weaker market on Wednesday as such today’s declines should come as no great surprise.
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 that is better than Tuesday’s reading, with only of 3 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 9 with offers that were lower. Today’s reading is 4 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 6 with offers that were lower, a reading that still carries some negative undertone.
In trading, Cable and Wireless had 306,499 shares changing hands with a loss of 3 cents, to end at 40 cents, Caribbean Cement had 19,000 units changing hands at $8, Gleaner closed with 23,326 shares and fell 17 cents to $2. Grace Kennedy traded firm at $64 with 54,439 shares, Jamaica Broilers traded at $6.05 with 42,876 shares changing hands, Jamaica Producers traded at $18.25 with 4,000 shares changing ownership with a loss of 25 cents. JMMB Group traded 5,909 shares at $7.95 to add 22 cents, with the company reporting strong increase in profit for the first quarter. Jamaica Stock Exchange lost altitude and traded with a decline of $1.50 to $7.50 with only 7,100 shares changing hands.
Mayberry Investments had 242,254 shares trading down 26 cents to $3.14, National Commercial Bank traded 421,180 shares to end at $30, Palace Amusement gained $10 in trading 2,500 shares to end at $75, Pan Jamaican Investment closed at $60.70 after trading 1,539 shares with a loss of $1.30. Sagicor Group with 1,077,602 shares changing hands, closed 50 cents up, at $13.50, Sagicor Real Estate Fund gained 95 cents to close at $8.75 while trading 10,095 units, Scotia Group traded 471,710 units to close at $23.70, down 80 cents, Supreme Ventures ended at $3.50 with 56,004 units to be down by $1 and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share traded 150,200 units at $2.
JSE up but looks weak at close
Jamaica Stock Exchange Traded at a new high of $9 on Tuesday.
At the close, the JSE Market Index jumped 687.52 points to 101,415.34, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index rose 768.46 points to close at 112,294.07 and the JSE combined index gained 530.40 points to end at 104,839.62.
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 that was very negative with only of 3 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 9 with offers that were lower.In trading, Cable and Wireless with 154,750 shares changing hands with a loss of 1 cent to end at 43 cents, Caribbean Cement had 50,227 units changing hands with a gain of 50 cents at $8, Carreras traded at $50 with 8,706 shares changing hands, Gleaner closed with 63,082 shares and fell 56 cents at $2.17. Grace Kennedy traded at $64 down $1 with 79,842 shares, Hardware & Lumber ended up at $17, after adding $1 with just 500 units changing hands. Jamaica Broilers traded at $6.05 with 8,300 shares changing ownership and lost 94 cents, Jamaica Producers traded at $18.40 with 4,198 shares changing ownership with a loss of 60 cents. JMMB Group traded 20,084 shares at $7.73 to lose 26 cents, with the company reporting strong increase in profit for the first quarter, Jamaica Stock Exchange traded 70 cents up at a new high of $9 with only 9,990 shares changing hands. Mayberry Investments had 50,000 shares trading at $3.40, National Commercial Bank traded 62,888 shares at $30,
Palace Amusement gained $5 in trading 566 shares to end at $65, encouraged by the company reporting earnings of $26.56 per share for the year ended June. Pan Jamaican Investment closed at $62 after trading 27,303 shares to gain $1. Sagicor Real Estate Fund lost 30 cents to close at $7.80 while trading 140,000 units, Salada Foods ended with 2,750 units trading at $8.50 with a loss of $1.90. Scotia Group traded 25,980 units to close at $24.50, up 50 cents, Supreme Ventures ended at $4.50, with 20,000 units to be up 50 cents but the bid at the end of the day was at $4 to sell 300,000 units and Proven Investments ordinary share traded 137,105 units at 19 US cents, up from 18.5 US cents.
JSE slips slightly at close Monday
The Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday closed with main market indices undergoing small losses. The Jamaica stock market closed with 8 stocks rising, 12 declining as 28 securities changed hands with 3,402,118 units trading, valued at $40,255,758, in all market segments.
At the close, the JSE Market Index dropped 80.85 points to 100,727.82, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index shed 90.37 points to close at 111,525.61 and the JSE combined index dipped 54.59 points to end at 104,309.22.
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 7 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 6 with offers that were lower.
In trading, Berger Paints had 27,080 shares changing hands with a gain of 5 cents to end at $2.60, Carreras dropped $1.50 to $50 with 157,969 shares changing hands, Gleaner closed with 70,665 shares and gained 2 cents at $2.73 after the price had fallen in the morning session to $2.30. Hardware & Lumber ended up at $16, after adding $1 with 13,500 units changing hands. Jamaica Producers traded at $19 with 100,000 shares changing ownership. 
JMMB Group traded 12,000 shares up to $7.99 to gain 19 cents, with the company reporting strong increase in profit for the first quarter, National Commercial Bank traded 99,530 shares at $30 while losing 10 cents. Pulse Investments lost 10 cents in trading 57,000 shares to end at 35 cents, Radio Jamaica traded 27,440 shares to end at $4, with a gain of 5 cents, Sagicor Group ended trading with 1,770,848 units at $13, Sagicor Real Estate Fund lost 20 cents to close at $8.10 while trading 23,990 units. Scotia Group did not trade but had a bid at $24.51 that is higher than the last selling price of $24 and Scotia Investments traded 9,157 with decline of 69 cents to $27.30.
138SL 2016 profit could hit $80M
“Handing over of the buildings by the contractor will be in stages, scheduled for August 10, August 20 and mid-September. The Management team is now in place and support staff have been recruited to deliver a new experience in student living and to welcome the first batch of 576 students at 138 Student Living in early August 2015,” John Lee, Chairman of the company advised shareholders recently in the release of their June quarter financials.
Based on the completion the units, the company looks set to earn around $80 million in profit in its first full year of operating, well above a loss of $71 million that was projected in the prospectus. By year 2 profits should be hitting the $120 million mark or 30 cents per share, on the assumption that the exchange rate will remain relatively stable versus the US dollar.
Phase 1 of the Construction commenced September 2014 and is being financed by a joint $1.35B loan from Jamaica Mortgage Bank (JMB) and National Commercial Bank (NCB) and from proceeds of the public share issue of more than $500 million raised. Long term funding, by way of a bond, to repay the construction loan received from Jamaica Mortgage Bank and National Commercial Bank has been secured and will be paid on the completion of the buildings, Lee stated.
Construction of phase 2 consisting of another 576 rooms is scheduled to commence in September 2015 and will come into operation in August 2016. Negotiations have commenced with the preferred contractor which should lead to a final construction contract.
The company has signed a new concession agreement with UWI Mona for the restoration and
138 Student Living, artist impression of a block.
The company incurred cost on construction of just over $1 billion up to June that was partially financed by $617 million in loans.
The company has not yet commenced operation, as such there is no income statement as all cost is capitalized as a part of the construction expenditure.
Profit or loss| The company had projected rental income of $335 million based on the exchange rate being at $122 by September 2015 and J$131 by September 2016. Nevertheless, rental income is more likely to be in the region of $320 million, assuming all rooms are rented for 12 months. On the plus side, the cost of electricity that was projected at $67 million may come in under that amount with the fall in the cost of electricity since last year. Interest cost was projected at $270 million but that seems to be far over the actual figure that is likely to be incurred and charged against income in the year to September 2015. Actual interest plus preference dividend chargeable against income in 2016 is likely to be the order of $100 million based on the amount borrowed to complete phase 1 and the issued preference shares of $168 million.
Scotia Group fall hits JSE indices
Scotia lost $2 on Friday
At the close, the JSE Market Index dropped 1,377.83 points to 100,808.67, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index shed 1,540.03 points to close at 111,615.98 and the JSE combined index dipped 1,378.55 points to end at 104,363.81.
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 6 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 with offers that were lower.In trading, Cable and Wireless ended with 636,069 units changing hands to close 5 cents higher at 45 cents, Caribbean Cement stock rose 35 cents to close at $7.50 with 353,986 units traded, Gleaner closed with 127,400 shares traded to close at $2.71 for a loss of 1 cent, Jamaica Broilers traded at $7 with 18,345 shares changing ownership. Jamaica Stock Exchange traded 14,875 shares at a new all-time high of $8.30 to gain $1.29, JMMB Group
traded 6,545 units with the price rising 30 cents to end at $7.80, National Commercial Bank traded only 7,843 shares at $30.10. Pan Jamaican Investment closed at $61 after trading 5,484 shares, 9 cents higher, Proven Investments closed at 18.55 US cents after declining 0.45 US cents with 40,884 shares changing hand. Pulse Investments lost 15 cents in trading 62,750 shares to end at 45 cents, Radio Jamaica traded just 20,296 shares to end at $3.95, for a 5 cents fall, Sagicor Group ended trading with 46,300 units at $13 to fall by 10 cents. Sagicor Real Estate Fund closed at $8.30 while trading 15,274 units, Scotia Group lost $2 and ended with 89,612 units trading at $24 and Jamaica Money Market 7.5% preference ended at $2 with 54,500 units changing hands.
12 stocks up 15 down as JSE indices jump
JSE main market pierced resistance at 108,000 points & is heading to the next resistance level at 115,000 points.
At the close, the JSE Market Index gained 676.72 points to 102,186.50, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index rose 756.39 points to close at 113,156.01 and the JSE combined index climbed 660.25 points to end at 105,742.36.
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 10 with offers that were lower.
In trading, Cable and Wireless ended with 990,000 units changing hands at 40 cents, Caribbean Cement stock fell $1.35 to close at $7.15 but traded as high as $8.60 with 669,805 units traded, Carreras traded 3,200 units to close 50 cents off at $51.50, Desnoes & Geddes had 43,637 shares changing hands at $6.80, up 29 cents. Gleaner closed with 377,400 shares traded at new closing 52 weeks’ high of $2.72 for a gain of 21 cents. Grace Kennedy traded 138,893 shares to end at $64.01, Jamaica Producers gained 20 cents to end at $19 with 3,160 units trading. JP yesterday reported earnings for the second quarter attributable to shareholders of $414 million but the bulk of that it, $319 million came from gain on sale of fixed assets and investments. The year-to-date to June net profit attributable to JP shareholders was $589 million compared to $138 million in 2014 of which $429 million came from gains on disposal of fixed assets and investments. JMMB Group traded 
30,000 units and fell 10 cents to end at $7.50, Mayberry Investments had 149,575 shares trading at $3.15, National Commercial Bank traded 109,682 shares at $30.10 with a decline of 90 cents. Radio Jamaica traded just 59,325 shares to end at $4, for a 30 cents decline, Proven Investments closed at 19 US cents after gaining 1.50 US cents with 255,000 shares changing hands, Sagicor Group ended trading with 30,528 units at $13.10 to add 5 cents. Sagicor Real Estate Fund closed at $8.30 while trading 27,548 units, Scotia Group lost 45 cents and ended with 61,898 units trading at $26, and Supreme Ventures traded 27,997 shares at $4 after shedding 50 cents and Proven Investments 8% preference ended at a new 52 weeks’ low of $4.96 with 418,000 units changing hands after losing 2 cents.
20 stocks rose to 6 falling on JSE
RJR closed at a new 52 weeks high of $4.30.
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 5 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 with offers that were lower.
In trading, Cable and Wireless ended with 1,182,806 units changing hands at 40 cents, Caribbean Cement stock gained 51 cents to close at $8.50, Carreras traded 6,834 units to close at $52, Desnoes & Geddes had 43,637 shares changing hands at $6.80, up 29 cents. Gleaner closed with 250,132 shares traded at new closing 52 weeks’ high of $2.51 for a gain of 36 cents. The stock had traded as high as $2.70 during trading. Grace Kennedy traded 72,578 shares to end at $64, Jamaica Broilers had 11,419 shares changing hands, in closing at $7 for a gain of 30 cents. Jamaica Producers (JP)dropped $1.20 to $18.80 with 986,248 units trading. JP reported earnings for the second quarter attributable to shareholders of $414 million but the bulk of that it, $319 million came from gain on sale of fixed assets and investments. The year-to-date to June net profit attributable to JP shareholders was $589 million compared to $138 million in 2014 of which $429 million came from gains on disposal of fixed assets and investments. JMMB Group traded 10,600 units and fell 39 cents to end at $7.60, 
Mayberry Investments had 219,866 shares trading at $3.15 for a loss of 35 cents, National Commercial Bank traded 44,926 shares at $31 with a gain of 50 cents. Radio Jamaica traded just 8,132 shares to end at $4.30, a new 52 weeks’ high, Sagicor Group ended trading with 17,790 units at $13.05, and lost 15 cents. Proven Investments closed at 17.5 US cents after falling 0.50 US cents with 200,000 shares, Sagicor Real Estate Fund closed at $8.30 while trading 295,742 units, Scotia Group gained 44 cents and ended with 109,216 units trading at $26.45, Scotia Investments ended with 15,000 shares changing hands at $27.99, up 99 cents and Supreme Ventures traded 1,974,455 shares at $4.50, a new all-time high by adding 92 cents.
Bulls & bears jostling for control on JSE
The Jamaica stock market closed with 7 stocks rising, 10 declining as 27 securities changed hands with 2,264,841 units trading, valued at $15,471,105 and 6 stocks closed at new 52 weeks’ high in all market segments.
At the close, the JSE Market Index gained 638.23 points to 101,233.39, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index rose 713.37 points to close at 112,090.69 and the JSE combined index climbed 601.76 points to end at 104,875.03.
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 6 with offers that were lower.
In trading, Cable and Wireless ended with 286,500 units changing hands to end at 39 cents, Caribbean Cement stock gained 74 cents to close at $7.99, Carreras traded 11,949 units to close at $52 after trading at a 52 weeks, intraday high of $52.50, Desnoes & Geddes had 21,400 shares changing hands at $6.51, down 4 cents. Gleaner traded at $2.15, and gained 26 cents after 386,946 shares changed hands. At the close, Gleaner closed with the bids above the last traded price at $2.20 to buy 1,000 shares. Grace Kennedy traded 8,000 shares to end at $63, Jamaica Broilers had 61,000 shares changing hands, in closing at $6.70 for a fall 
of 30 cents. National Commercial Bank traded just 89,384 shares at $30.50 with a gain of 49 cents, at the close the stock was offered at $30.50 to sell 51,623 shares and then after that the bid is at $32.50 to sell 245 units, the only other offers posted are, at $33 to sell 503 units and at $60 to sell 2,000 shares. Radio Jamaica traded just 25,185 shares to end at $4, Sagicor Group ended trading with 195,878 units at $13.20, and lost 30 cents. Sagicor Real Estate Fund closed at $8.30 while trading 155,507 units, Scotia Group ended with 138,986 units trading at $26.01, Scotia Investments ended with 44,735 shares changing hands at $27 and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference traded 46,000 units at $2.
Bulls rampant with 6 new highs on Monday
Supply is virtually dried up for NCB
At the close, the JSE Market Index slipped 397.37 points to 100,596.16, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index fell 444.16 points to close at 111,377.32 and the JSE combined index declined 363.68 points to end at 104,273.27.
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 7 with offers that were lower.
In trading, Cable and Wireless ended with 734,138 units changing hands and lost 1 cent to
end at 39 cents, Carreras traded 9,440 units to close at $52, Desnoes & Geddes had 64,610 shares changing hands at $6.55, down 15 cents. Gleaner traded at $1.89, and gained 37 cents after just 100 shares changed hands, in continued response to the merger of the company’s media operations, with that of Radio Jamaica. At the close, Gleaner closed with the bids above the last traded price at $2.09 with 6,238 shares for a new 52 weeks high. Grace Kennedy lost $1 in trading 10,933 shares to end at $63,
had 29,700 shares changing hands, in closing at $7 for a rise of 63 cents. Jamaica Producers traded 24,294 shares to end at $20 by gaining $1.15, The Jamaica Stock Exchange stock traded 104,900 units at $6.60, for a loss of 20 cents, Kingston Wharves ended with 699,999 shares changing hands at $7.05, to gain 5 cents. Mayberry Investments had 116,000 shares trading at $3.50 to gain 40 cents, for a new 52 weeks’ high, National Commercial Bank traded 66,421 shares at $30.01 after it traded earlier in the day at $30.50. At the close theJamaica Broilers
stock was offered at $32.50 to sell 245 units, the only other offers posted are, at $33 to sell 503 units and at $60 to sell 2,000 shares, the bid was at $30.01 to buy 51,091 units. Radio Jamaica traded just 106,922 shares to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $4 as the price gained 10 cents, Sagicor Group ended trading with 97,240 units at $13.50, to gain 54 cents. Sagicor Real Estate Fund lost 20 cents and closed at $8.30 while trading 48,229 units, Scotia Group ended with 768,044 units trading at $26 but traded as low as $23.66 during the day and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference traded 882,500 units at $2 after shedding 1 cent.
Big jump at JSE on Friday
Scotia Group pushes market sharply up on Friday
At the close, the JSE Market Index jumped 1,849.21 points to 100,992.53, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index climbed 2,066.95 points to close at 111,821.48 and the JSE combined index rose 1,994.84 points to end at 104,636.95.
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 7 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 6 with offers that were lower.In trading, Cable and Wireless ended with only 5,877 units changing hands and lost 4 cents to end at 40 cents, Caribbean Cement traded 47,000 shares to close at $7.10 after gaining 10 cents, Gleaner traded at $1.52, up 22 cents after 28,300 shares changed hands, in response the merger of the company’s media operations with that of Radio Jamaica. At the close, Gleaner closed with ten bids above the last traded price with the highest at $1.72, during the day the bid was as high as $2.22. Grace Kennedy traded 13,372 shares at $64, Hardware & Lumber lost $2.25 to close at $12.75 with just 2,006 shares changing hands, Jamaica Broilers had 11,888 shares changing hands, in closing at $6.37, to record a loss of 63 cents.
The Jamaica Stock Exchange stock traded 67,824 units at $6.80, for a loss of 20 cents, Mayberry Investments had 292,002 shares trading at $3.10 to gain 10 cents. National Commercial Bank had 35,410 shares trading to close with a 49 cents loss at $30, Radio Jamaica traded just 1,200 to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $3.90 as the price gained 45 cents. Sagicor Group ended trading with 1,017,852 units at $12.96, down 4 cents, Sagicor Real Estate Fund closed at $8.50 while trading 34,000 units, Scotia Group ended with 794,735 units trading as high as $26 but ended at $24, Scotia Investments traded 10,000 shares at $27.08 for an 8 cents rise and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference traded 166,500 units at $2.01..