Palace plunged $500 on Wednesday

November 14, 2018 by

Palace Dropped $500 back to $1,000.

After months with no trades, with investors offering the stock well below that last traded price of $1,500, Palace Amusement finally traded but with just 100 units, the trade took place on The Jamaica Stock Exchange on Wednesday for $500 less than the previous traded price. 
Market activity closed with 33 active securities in the main and US dollar markets, compared to 30 on Tuesday with the prices of 10 stocks rose, 9 declined and 14 remained unchanged.
The All Jamaica Composite Index lost 139.79 points to close at 390,797.85 and the JSE Index declined by 127.37 points to close at 356,061.07.
Main market trading closed with Jamaica Broilers leading with 2,506,851 units, or 34.7 percent of the day’s volume, Scotia Group with 1,533,780 units and 21 percent of volume traded and Radio Jamaica with 1,002,700 units accounting for 13.9 percent of main market volume.
IC bid-offer Indicator|At the end of trading, the Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows just 3 stocks ending with the bid higher than the last selling prices and 5 closing with lower offers.
Trading closed with 7,229,792 units valued at $190,325,727 changing hands compared with 2,275,042 units valued at $61,431,938 being exchanged, on Tuesday.
Trading resulted in an average of 225,931 units valued at over $5,947,679, in contrast to 81,252 shares valued at $2,193,998 on Tuesday. The average volume and value for the month to date, amounts to 265,815 valued at $3,175,481, compared to 270,542 valued at $2,810,418. October closed, with an average of 290,851 shares, valued $5,213,901, for each security traded.
In the main market activity, Barita Investments shed 50 cents to close at $20, trading 12,416 shares, Berger Paints shed $2.95 and ended at $20, trading 3,500 stock units, Caribbean Cement climbed $1 to close at $50 in trading of 13,030 shares, Grace Kennedy lost 70 cents and ended trading 63,596 shares at $55. Jamaica Broilers traded 40,054 stock units and rose $1.32 to close at $30, Jamaica Stock Exchange gained 50 cents, in closing at $11, trading 277,496 shares, JMMB Group fell 50 cents and ended at $32.50, with an exchange of 36,416 shares, Kingston Wharves climbed $2 to $78 trading 20,100 shares, Mayberry Investments added 43 cents to settle at $10, in exchanging 26,167 units, NCB Financial Group dropped $1.99 in trading of 91,041 shares at $130.01. Palace Amusement traded just 100 units but fell $500 in closing at $1,000, PanJam Investment lost $1.20 in closing at $64.50, with an exchange of just 3,690 stock units, Pulse Investments rose 60 cents in trading 3,000 units at $3.60, Sagicor Group rose 55 cents to $39.55, trading 222,240 shares, Salada Foods gained 50 cents and settled at $21.50, trading 14,000 shares, Scotia Group traded 1,533,780 shares and declined $1.70 at $48.80 and Seprod dived $8 to end trading 4,389 shares at $27.
Trading in the US dollar market saw Proven investments as the sole stock to trade and completed trading of a mere 367 shares and rose 0.5 cents to end at 20 U$ cents.The JSE USD Equities Index rose 1.86 points to close at 162.78.

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Julie live at Palace Cineplex – Sunday

November 10, 2018 by

“A superlative production’, ‘Exhilarating’, ‘Provocative and profound’- critics are raving about the new production of August Strindberg’s play Julie.
Broadcast live from the National Theatre in London, Vanessa Kirby (The Crown) and Eric Kofi Abrefa (The Amen Corner) feature in the cast of this brand new production, directed by Carrie Cracknell (NT Live: The Deep Blue Sea).
Wild and newly single, Julie throws a late night party. In the kitchen, Jean and Kristina clean up as the celebration heaves above them. Crossing the threshold, Julie initiates a power game with Jean – which rapidly descends into a savage fight for survival. This new version of August Strindberg’s play Miss Julie, written by Polly Stenham, remains shocking and fiercely relevant in its new setting of contemporary London. The National Theatre Live: Julie plays this Sunday, 11:30 am. at Palace Cineplex in Kingston Jamaica.

Filed Under: At the Movies Tagged With: ,

Barita is stock to watch this week

September 17, 2018 by

The main stock of interest this week is Barita Investments that came into buying interest this past week leading the price to move to $12.95, this one seems headed higher in the short term as the supply that  is on the market has been taken out with few stocks on offer now.
Bulls pushed the Jamaican stock market, to new heights last week, with the main market having 11 straight days of record highs and the Junior Market cleared the historical high reached in 2017, in the past week as well.
NCB Financial that was in the spotlight for the past two weeks, still has buying interest but seems to be having most bids around the $120 mark and may find it tough to break over the $130 mark where it traded during the past week.
While the stock is trading close the $130 mark in Jamaica, it is trading in Trinidad around J$115 and that may hold back the price from moving much higher locally until the price in the twin island state picks up. Scotia Group reported profit that showed gains, some of it was non-recurring income and exceptional foreign exchange gains that seems unlikely to repeat anytime soon.
While the supply of several of the main market stocks being scarce, the main market is just under 15,000 points from a major resistance level at 400,000 points and that could stymie much more movement in the short term, with some prices having moved quite a bit recently. There are several stocks priced well below the market’s average and that could encourage buying interest in them.

NCB stock closed at $129 on Friday.

Investors should keep their eyes on a number of stocks this week. NCB Financial that closed on $115, should move higher this week as demand continues to build and with limited supply on offer.
Grace Kennedy may not be ready to break out of the $60 range as yet but it’s a stock to keep an eye on. Caribbean Cement keeps trading between $46 to $50, but there appears no real desire to move the price forward. Kingston Wharves traded at a record high of $75 on limited volume in the past week but pulled back slightly to $72 at the close with a PE ratio of 46 is compared to a market average of 14.6. Supply of the stocks remain low, but some investors keep on buying. Sygnus Credit Investments picked up last week and moved back within a cent of the IPO price, buoyed by full year results of US$1.4 million. The PE ratio is 11.4, well below the market average of 14.6, that will encourage more interest in the stock. Jamaica Producers has very limited volume on offer and that could help buying at higher prices in spite of a PE of 28, twice the market average. Stanley Motta with a PE of 11 based on 2019 earnings has been recovering for the recent decline and is one to watch.
In the Junior Market, Indies Pharma, came in for continued buying that pushed the price to a record high of $4.10 on Friday against very limited supply. Some selling came into the market on Friday to ease the buying pressure on the price which could stick around the current level of $4 for a while. Bulls came in and bought out a big parcel of Access Financial that was on offer for weeks but the $50 level seems a barrier in the short term. Demand is building for Elite Diagnostic while supply has waned.

Jamaica Producers stock in demand in spite of high price.

General Accident could move higher as more demand comes in for it with limited selling, but investors may not want to be more aggressive with this stock at this time. If the company were to announce expansion into the Eastern Caribbean it may well make a difference.
Stocks with scarce supplies that could spring surprises include, Grace Kennedy, NCB Financial, Berger Paints, Caribbean Cement, Kingston Wharves, PanJam Investment, Sagicor Group, Salada Foods, Seprod and Scotia Group.
The Junior Market supplies continue to be limited for many of the listings. The list includes, Caribbean Flavours, Cargo Handlers, Derrimon Trading, Express Catering, General Accident, ISP Finance and Medical Disposables.
An overall view of stocks indicates that the main market continues to be steered higher by an upward sloping support line as well the 45 and 125 day moving averages, lending support just below, but the 400,000 points resistance could likely stall the rally in the main market for a while. The Junior Market now at an all-time high, is being steared by an upward rising long-term support line and a golden cross. The golden cross is a very strong bullish long-term signal.

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4 new additions to IC TOP 10

August 20, 2018 by

The bullishness continued on Jamaica Stock Market during the past week with the main market reaching new record level on Thursday and the Junior Market closing at the highest level since November 3, last year.
Several companies released results during the week, some showed strong gains and others were in line with the prior year’s period or slightly below and some were in line with expectations, investors reacted accordingly. The chronic shortage of many of the stocks continue to put upward pressure on prices. Following the release of results some companies profit forecast were adjusted. This resulted in Radio Jamaica and Palace Amusement falling from the TOP 10. Palace forecast for 2019 fiscal year is now placed at $100 per share up from earnings of $96 for 2018 including gain on sale of property. Key Insurance reported another quarter of losses and full year’s earnings were revised downwards putting it outside the top listing. Indies Pharma, the other Junior Market stock to jump ship, rose to $2.36 after listing earlier in the week and is up 57 percent from the IPO price of $1.50.
Paramount Trading fell to $2.10 on low volume to jump into the list and Lasco Distributors fell to $3.85 climbed in as well. Paramount is now in a new fiscal year and is expected to record much improved results over the outturn for the year to May as the company enjoys the benefits of increased revenues and profit from the two new ventures started earlier this year in chlorine, bleach and manufacturing of lubricants. Lasco reported improved results of the year to March with the first quarter to June this year recording improvement over 2017 an indication for increased sales and profit in 2019.
Existing TOP 10 stock, Caribbean Cement continues to undergo wild swings in prices and traded as high as $56 during the past week but closed the week at $47.50, on Friday as supply has virtually dried up, not surprising with the company cutting finance cost and reports of several projects slated to come on stream later this year. Berger Paints moved down from $21 to $18 during the past week as direct cost rose sharply by 46 percent in the June quarter to negate a 35 percent rise in revenues but profit after tax rose 13 percent over 2017.
Salada Foods was recently in the Top 10 but moved out based on increased price, reenters with a fall in price to $17 and benefits from improved nine months’ results suggesting earnings of $2 per share. Management expressed concerns as to the impact that the imposition of a cess on coffee could have on sales. Sygnus Credit Investment is a new entrance to the main market and enters as the price fell sharply during the week to $10, but closed with the bid at $10.50.
The PE ratio for Junior Market Top stocks averages 7.9 compared to an average PE for the overall market of 12.5, based on 2018 estimated earnings and the main market PE stands at 8 for the top stocks, compared to a market average of 13, a good indicator of the level of undervaluation of these stocks, currently. Work done by IC Insider.com suggest that the PE ratio is likely to end around 16 or 17 times earnings by year end, as investors continue to gradually upgrade the multiple they are prepared to pay for stocks, which would lift prices sharply over the next several months from current levels. In addition, the latest Treasury bill offer, saw rates dropping to 1.7 percent on the 91 days instrument and 1.88 percent on the 182 days instrument. These rates suggest more funds will be going into stocks as liquidity remains high.
The TOP 10 stocks now trade at an average discount of 37 percent to the average for the Junior Market Top stocks but it’s a third of what the average PE for the year is likely to be of 20 times earnings and main market stocks traded at a discount of 39 percent to the market.
TOP 10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns within a 12 months period. Stocks are selected based on projected earnings for each company’s current fiscal year. Based on an assumed PE for each, the likely gains are determined and then ranked, with the stocks with the highest potential gains ranked first followed by the rest, in descending order. Potential values will change as stock prices fluctuate and will result in movements of the selection in and out of the lists for most weeks. Earnings per share are revised on an ongoing basis based on new information received that can result in changes in and out of the list as well.

Filed Under: Buy Rated Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Medical Disposables out AMG in TOP 10

August 13, 2018 by

The main market of Jamaica Stock Market indices chalked up more records last and closed the week at another record high on Friday and the Junior Market closed at a 9 months’ high as the markets continue the usual summer bounce.
A number of positive results and chronic shortage of many of the stocks are helping in putting upward pressure on prices resulting in three changes to the IC TOP 10 at the end of the week.
Medical Disposables rose to $6.40 at the end of the week and was the sole stock moving out of the TOP 10 and AMG Packaging returned to the TOP 10. Caribbean Cement traded as high as $50 on Friday as supply has virtually dried up, not surprising with the company cutting finance cost and reports of several projects slated to come on stream later this year. Berger Paints also moved higher to $21 on Friday and remains scarce. Iron Rock jumped to a new high of $4.07 on Friday as the company shows promise of making a profit sooner than later.
The coming days will see a flood of quarterly results be released and could impact the prices of stocks.
The PE ratio for Junior Market Top stocks averages 7.9 compared to an average PE for the overall market of 12, based on 2018 estimated earnings and the main market PE stands at 8.2 for the top stocks, compared to a market average of 13, a good indicator of the level of undervaluation of these stocks. Work done by IC Insider.com suggest that the PE ratio is likely to end around 16 times earnings by year as investors continue to gradually upgrade the multiple they are prepared to pay for stocks, which would lift prices sharply over the next several months from current levels.
The TOP 10 stocks now trade at an average discount of 34 percent to the average for the Junior Market Top stocks but it’s a third of what the average PE for the year is likely to be of 20 times earnings and main market stocks traded at a discount of 39 percent to the market.
TOP 10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns within a 12 months period. Stocks are selected based on projected earnings for each company’s current fiscal year. Based on an assumed PE for each, the likely gains are determined and then ranked, with the stocks with the highest potential gains ranked first followed by the rest, in descending order. Potential values will change as stock prices fluctuate and will result in movements of the selection in and out of the lists for most weeks. Earnings per share are revised on an ongoing basis based on new information received that can result in changes in and out of the list as well.

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Medical Disposables back in IC TOP 10

August 6, 2018 by

Medical Disposables back in IC TOP 10

The main market of Jamaica Stock Exchange ended at a record close on Friday and the Junior Market closed at a 9 months’ high as the markets keep moving higher resulting changes to the IC TOP 10.
At the close on Friday, Proven Investments ended at 19 US cents and fell out of the top list and is replaced by Victoria Mutual Investments. Jetcon Corporation and Paramount Trading dropped out of the top flight, to be replaced by Fosrich Group and Medical Disposables. IC insider.com lowered profit forecast for Paramount with the company showing only a small profit of less than a million dollars in the fourth quarter compared to nearly $11 million in 2017 after gross profit rose 29 percent or $28 million. Jetcon squeezed out by price changes, elsewhere Medical Disposables rose to $5.80 but made it back in the list with strong profit out turn for the first quarter to June and an upgrade of earnings for the full year, of 65 cents per share from 60 cents.
The PE ratio for Junior Market Top stocks averages 7.4 compared to an average PE for the overall market of 12, based on 2018 estimated earnings and the main market PE stands at 8 for the top stocks, compared to a market average of 13, a good indicator of the level of undervaluation of these stocks.
The TOP 10 stocks now trade at an average discount of 38 percent to the average for the Junior Market Top stocks but it’s a third of what the average PE for the year is likely to be of 20 times earnings and main market stocks traded at a discount of 40 percent to the market.
TOP 10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns within a 12 months period. Stocks are selected based on projected earnings for each company’s current fiscal year. Based on an assumed PE for each, the likely gains are determined and then ranked, with the stocks with the highest potential gains ranked first followed by the rest, in descending order. Potential values will change as stock prices fluctuate and will result in movements of the selection in and out of the lists for most weeks. Earnings per share are revised on an ongoing basis based on new information received that can result in changes in and out of the list as well.

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Verdi’s Il Trovatore Sunday at Cineplex

July 14, 2018 by

Il Trovatore

Palace Amusement’s Met Summer Encores, continue this Sunday at Cineplex with Guiseppe Verdi’s Il Trovatore, a tale of mistaken identities, revenge and jealousy.
This latest offering commences this Sunday at 11: 30 at Palace Cineplex. Soprano Anna Netrebko’s dramatic and vocal skills are on full display in her role as—Leonora, the Verdi heroine who sacrifices her own life for the love of the gypsy troubadour. Tenor Yonghoon Lee sings the ill-fated Manrico, baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky is his rival, and mezzo-soprano Dolora Zajick is the mysterious gypsy with the troubled past. Marco Armiliato conducts Sir David McVicar’s Goya-inspired production.

Filed Under: At the Movies Tagged With: ,

Skyscraper – The heights of courage

July 14, 2018 by

Global icon Dwayne Johnson leads the cast of Legendary Entertainment’s Skyscraper as Will Sawyer- former FBI Hostage Rescue Team leader and US war veteran, who now assesses security for skyscraper buildings.
Johnson is on assignment in China when he finds the tallest, safest building in the world suddenly ablaze, and he’s being framed for it. A wanted man on the run, Will Sawyer must find those responsible, clear his name and somehow rescue his family, who is trapped inside the building, above the fire line. Written and directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber (Central Intelligence, We’re the Millers), the 3D action-thriller is produced by Beau Flynn (Rampage, San Andreas), Johnson, Thurber and Hiram Garcia (Rampage, San Andreas, Jumanji). The film also stars; Neve Campbell, Pablo Tell Schreiber and Byron Mann.

Filed Under: At the Movies Tagged With: ,

Record run for IC TOP stocks

July 8, 2018 by

Kingsley Cooper Chairman of Pulse that gained 67% during the past week.

Pulse Investments, in the main market TOP 10, up to the week starting June 25, jumped 67 percent this past week, to close at $3. Current listings, Caribbean Cement traded at $45 and Grace Kennedy at $56 both at 52 weeks’ highs during the week.
Former listing, Derrimon Trading ordinary share traded at an all-time high of $20.50 during the week while, the preference share traded at $2.45 for at a new high. The week closed out with 138 Student Living, falling to a 52 weeks’ low of $4.40 but C2W Music climbed to a 52 weeks’ high of $1.30 as the main market moved within just 300 points of the record high reached on June 13, while the Junior Market traded at the highest level during the week, since December last year.
There is just one change to the TOP 10 listings at the end of the week, with Stationery and Office Supplies that just slipped off the Junior Market list at the end of the previous week returning after Caribbean Producers that dethroned it in the previous week was squeezed it out, as Carib Producers rose to $5.50 from $5.10 at the end of the previous week.
With the average PE ratio for Junior Market Top stocks at 6.2 compared to an average PE for the overall market of 11, based on 2018 estimated earnings and the main market PE at 7.9 for the top stocks, compared to a market average of 13, suggest that the rest of the year should deliver better returns than the first half. A look back on the markets shows that they made noticeable rise in August last year, a pattern that goes back several years and could well do so again.
The sharp reduction in Bank of Jamaica policy rate to an unprecedented 2 percent and Treasury bill interest rates to record lows of 2.5 percent, is set to push stocks values much higher unless profits for most of the listed companies decline. The shortage of supply of many listings continues and is set to result in a big rise in prices going forward before supplies will be able to satisfy what is likely to be a rising demand.
Last week prospectuses for Stanley Motta and Mayberry Jamaican Equities were published and this week Indies Pharma is released. The first two are not priced to bounce based on the underlying nature of these companies. Stanley Motta is a real estate play that will provide income that is better than most fixed interest securities with moderate capital appreciation going forward, while Mayberry Jamaican Equities is a closed end mutual fund, growth is going to depend of appreciation in the investments held or to be acquired. Indies Pharma, with IC Insider.com preliminary earnings estimate for 2018 of 16 cents per share, could get a bounce sometime after listing and could reach $2.40. The stock sits in the mid-range of IC Insider.com’s ranking of Junior Market stocks with a PE of 10 just a bit less than the average of 11 for the market but most IPOs have traded around 15 times the current year’s earnings.
IC Insider.com’s TOP 10 stocks now trade at an average discount of 45 percent to the average for the Junior Market Top stocks but it’s a third of what the average PE for the year is likely to be of 20 times earnings and main market stocks traded at a discount of 39 percent to the market.
 Stocks to Watch The stocks to watch this week include, NCB Financial. PanJam Investment could move higher again, as there continues to be buying but there is very limited supply of the stock on offer. Radio Jamaica that came for increased buying recently seems to be seeing supplies coming to market at $1.20 or higher and could get more attention with the network broadcasting the popular world cup matches as adverting revenues should climb from the coverage. Others worth watching include Caribbean Cement, Berger Paints with little selling, Grace Kennedy for which there is also limited supply and Pulse Investments. In the Junior market, Demand for Derrimon Trading should continue with a resolution to be voted on at the upcoming AGM to split each share into 10 units. Supplies for Stationery and Office continue to trade around the $8 mark with limited supply, the stock could move higher in coming days or weeks. Jamaican Teas pulled back in the past week from $5.50 to $5 this week, but with limited stocks being offered for sale, is worth watching.

Filed Under: Buy Rated, Stock Market, Stocks to watch Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Grace, CPJ, Palace & Salada in TOP 10

July 1, 2018 by

Jamaican stocks have not had a spectacular year with six months having elapsed so far. The main market grew 6 percent and the Junior Market is up just over 11 percent for the year to date.
Palace Amusement with an increase of 164 percent was the only stock to double in price, C2W Music and Express Catering came close with more than 90 percent gain, while former TOP 10, Stationery and Office Supplies came in with an attractive 63 percent.
With the average PE ratio for Junior Market Top stocks at 6.2 compared to an average PE for the overall main market, of 11, based on 2018 estimated earnings and the main market PE is 7.9 for the top stocks, compared to a market average of 13, suggest that the rest of the year should deliver better returns than the first half. The sharp reduction in Bank of Jamaica policy rate to an unprecedented 2 percent and Treasury bill interest rates to record lows of 2.5 percent, is set to push stocks values much higher unless profits for most of the listed companies were to fall. A factor that is at play that is not known to the vast majority of investors, is the lack of supply for many stocks. The shortage of supply is set to result in a big rise in prices going forward before supplies will be able to satisfy what is likely to be a rising demand.
Out of the top lists are JMMB Group that rose by week end while Jamaica Broilers earnings was downgraded to $2 per share based on lower 2018 results from ongoing business operation and Pulse inched up in price to be squeezed out of the main market list. Stationery and Office Supplies slipped off the Junior Market list after Caribbean Producers just got squeezed in, with the price slipping to $5.10. Grace Kennedy, Palace Amusement and Salada Foods return to the top list with the latter price falling from $14.25 at the close of the previous week to $11.70 now. Importantly, Palace implemented price increases mainly between 4.8 and just over 8 percent for the movies, effective at the start of July, this resulted in projected earnings for 2019 now put at $150 per share, up from $140 at our last revision.
On Friday, prospectuses for Stanley Motta and Mayberry Jamaican Equity were published. These issues are not priced to bounce based on the underlying nature of these companies. Stanley Motta is a real estate play that will provide income that is better than most fixed interest securities with growth moderate going forward, while Mayberry is a close end mutual fund that growth is going to depend of appreciation in the investments held or to be acquired.
IC Insider.com’s TOP 10 stocks now trade at an average discount of 45 percent to the average for the Junior Market Top stocks but it’s a third of what the average PE for the year is likely to be of 20 times earnings and main market stocks traded at a discount of 39 percent to the market.
Stocks to Watch The stock closed without an offer at the close of the week. NCB Financial, PanJam Investment could move higher again this week as there continues to be buying but there is very limited supply of the stock on offer. Radio Jamaica that came for increased buying in the past week could get more attention with the network broadcasting the popular world cup matches as adverting revenues should climb as a result from the coverage. Others worth watching include Caribbean Cement, Berger Paints with little selling, Grace Kennedy for which there is also limited supply and Pulse Investments that traded a large volume on Wednesday and Thursday with the price shooting to $2.28 before pulling back on Friday. In the Junior market, demand for Derrimon Trading closed the week at a new high, during the past week and seems poised to move higher. Stationery and Office Supplies settled down during the week is set to rebound soon as selling around the $8 level starts to ease. Jamaican Teas pulled back in the past week to $5.50 but with limited stocks being offered for sale, it is worth watching.

Filed Under: Buy Rated, Feature Stories, Stock Market, Stocks to watch Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,