Pulse’s directors put before the annual general meeting held on Tuesday at the company’s Villa Ronai complex a resolution to increase the capital of the company but agreed to withdraw it after a number of shareholders suggested that it should be postponed.
The resolution was incorporated into the agenda after the annual reports were printed and was asking shareholders to vote to increase the authorised capital from 336,835,181 shares to 450 million shares without par value. Shareholders argued that the request was being presented without any explanation for the increase. In addition, based on the points put forth by the directors that the expectation is to raise funds to help finance the property expansion with the building of townhouses, shareholders were of the view that thye needed to be presented with a plan for the development and its funding. Such plans shareholders felt should include some debt financing that could include preference shares or bonds issued to the public.
Pulse released interim results to December showing profits of $131.9 million for the six months up by 33 percent from the $99 million reported in 2014. For the December quarter profit amounted to 51.6 million or 26 percent higher than the $41 million in 2014.
Operating revenues rose 25 percent to $65 million from $63 million for the quarter and percent for the half year to $151 million from $132 million in 2014.
The net profit results include fair value appreciation on investment property of $25.4 million for the latest quarter versus $20.7 million in 2014 and $51.8 million for the six months to December 2015 and $42.3 million in 2014.
Earnings per share for the quarter came in at 19 cents and 49 cents for the six months and should reach $1 per share for the full year.
Pulse pushes back capital increase
Market activity picked up on Tuesday
Main market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed with moderate gains in the indices on Tuesday with trading volumes being light. Market activities picked up from the 33 securities that traded on Monday to close with 43 changing hands in all market segments of which 22 securities in the combined markets gained and 14 declined.
Eight stocks closed at 52 weeks’ highs and one traded at intraday highs as 4,319,632 units valued at $43,703,774 changed hands in all markets. The junior market accounted for 1,200,794 units changed hands, valued at $5,249,310.
The JSE Market Index advanced by 147.39 points to 159,472.83 the all Jamaica Composite Index closed with a gain of 164.72 points to end at 177,176.18 and the JSE combined index rose 175.31 points to close at 170,513.05.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading was 8 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 with lower offers.
At the end of the market activities, Berger Paints gained 29 cents to end at $3.60 as 103,176 units traded, Cable and Wireless ended with 268,670 units changing hands to close with a gain of 1 cent at $1.57, Caribbean Cement rose $1 to close at $25, with 54,507 shares changing hands. Carreras traded 86,825 shares at $62.50, Gleaner traded 10,560 units with a loss of 7 cents at $2.60, Grace Kennedy jumped $1.49 and closed at $83.49, with 13,200 units changing hands. Jamaica Broilers rose by 49 cents and closed at 52 weeks’ high of $14 with 561,626 shares changing hands. Jamaica Producers lost $2 to end at $29 with 15,812 shares changing hands, Jamaica Stock Exchange gained 3 cents to close at $19.70 while trading 199,677 shares, JMMB Group traded 112,847 units to end with a rise of 28 cents at $11. Kingston Properties traded 79,853 shares but lost 24 cents to end at $6.80, Kingston Wharves traded 11,310 units to close with a fall of 1 cent at $11.14, Margaritaville Turks traded 27,000 shares at 11.05 US cents with a rise of 0.05 cents. Mayberry Investments traded 201,632 shares and fell 35 cents to close at $4.50. 
National Commercial Bank traded with a rise of $1.75 to close at $41.75, with 45,227 units changing hands, Pan Jamaican Investment gained $2 with 10,830 units changing hands to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $98, Pulse Investments gained 10 cents to end at $2.60 while trading 19,848 shares. Sagicor Group fell by 5 cents to close at $23 with 189,997 units changing hands, Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 74,254 shares but the price rose 1 cent to $11.60, Scotia Group had 460,994 shares changing hands to close with a loss of $1.50 at $30.50, Seprod had 10,000 units changing hands at $20, for a rise of $1. Supreme Ventures closed at a 52 weeks’ high of $6.49 to record a gain of $1.49 with 223,971 units changing hands, the stock traded at an all-time high of $6.90 during the day. Proven Investments ordinary share traded 184,364 units at 22 US cents, JMMB 7.5% preference share traded 152,692 units at $2.25 after rising 15 cents and Proven Investments preference share traded 77,800 units at $5.
C&W trades 51.4m shares on Thursday
C&W traded 51.4 Million shares on Thursday
Cable & Wireless traded over 51 million shares on Thursday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange as Sagicor Investments crossed more than 48 million on behalf of clients. The market continues to enjoy wide securities participation with 40 changing hands on Thursday in all market segments. At the close, 13 securities in the combined markets gained and 18 declined with the market indices climbing sharply.
Five stocks closed at 52 weeks’ highs and two traded at intraday high as 54,222,475 units valued at $114,953,664 changed hands in all markets. The junior market accounted for 1,498,422 units changed hands, valued at $9,013,294.
The JSE Market Index eked out an increase of 1,207.54 points to 157,025.07, the all Jamaica Composite Index closed with an increase of 1,349.49 points to end at 174,440.67 and the JSE combined index rose 1,080.44 points to close at 168,293.36.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice
bid-offer indicator reached an elevated level indicating several rising prices ahead with reading of 15 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 with lower offers.
In trading, Barita Investments traded 20,000 shares and gained 72 cents to close at $6, for a 52 weeks’ high, at the close that stock had 10,000 offered to sell at $5, Berger Paints closed at $3.60 as 11,893 units traded, Cable and Wireless ended with 51,362,980 units changing hands to close with the loss of 1 cent at $1.49. Caribbean Cement fell 50 cents to close at $24.50, with 53,086 shares changing hands, Carreras lost $1 in trading 50,666 shares at $60, Desnoes & Geddes traded 24,527 units at a loss of 2 cents at $28.51, Grace Kennedy lost $1.52 and closed at $81.50, with 83,802 units changing hands. Jamaica Broilers closed at $13.50 with 107,799 shares changing hands to record a gain of 99 cents. Jamaica Producers lost $2.13 with 37,716 shares trading, to close at $31, Jamaica Stock Exchange lost 14 cents to close at $19.66 while trading 4,899 shares, JMMB Group traded 25,606 units to end with a loss of 79 cents at $11.01, 
Kingston Wharves lost 5 cents, in trading 23,750 units to close at $11. Margaritaville Turks traded 41,800 shares at 11 US cents. National Commercial Bank ended with a gain of 30 cents at $41.20, with 14,298 units changing hands, Pan Jamaican Investments closed at $96 with 10,779 shares trading. Pulse Investments traded 30,100 shares but fell 20 cents to $2.50, Sagicor Group rose by 40 cents to close at $22 with 32,585 units changing hands, Scotia Group lost 7 cents with 228,567 shares changing hands to close at $30.41. Sterling Investments closed with 157,800 shares changing hands at $13 and Supreme Ventures rose 35 cents to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $5.50 with 400,000 units changing hands.
JSE main market stocks retreat on Friday
JMMB Group closed at new 52 weeks’ high on Friday
Thirteen stocks closed at 52 weeks’ highs, as the Jamaica Stock Exchange’s main markets dipped but the junior market surged 8.7 percent to a new record high. Sharp gains in the three Lasco companies along with gains in 7 others, helped push the junior market index to it new heightened levels.
The JSE Market Index fell 361.01 points to 156,723.37, the all Jamaica Composite Index dropped 403.44 points to end at 174,103.51 and the JSE combined index rose 1,175.06 points to close at 166,676.48. At the close, 14,781,285 units valued at $108,053,355 changed hands in all markets with the junior market accounting for of 10,672,995 units changed hands, valued at $46,214,999. Trading was broad based with a total of 43 active securities in all market segments as 25 in the combined markets gained and 12 declined.
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 15 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 with lower offers.In trading, Berger Paints ended with 362,381 shares trading at $3.20, for a fall of 50 cents. Cable and Wireless rose 8 cents, with 430,114 units changing hands to close at $1.40, Caribbean Cement dropped $5.45 to end at $21.05, with 90,201 shares trading, Carreras fell $1 and closed at $60 with 102,883 units changing hands. Ciboney traded only 32,159 shares with price rising 1 cent to 25 cents, Desnoes and Geddes traded 2,000 shares but closed at $29.01, Gleaner Company traded 255,400 shares with a gain of 10 cents to close at $2.70, Grace Kennedy closed with 154,940 units changing hands at $84. Hardware and Lumber traded 599,470 shares at $18.50, Jamaica Broilers fell 1 cent and closed at $10.75 with 462,348 shares changing hands, Jamaica Producers traded 121,252 shares to end at $31. JMMB Group traded 223,017 units and rose 36 cents to end at a 52 weeks high of $12.36, Kingston Wharves rose 25 cents in trading 62,559 units at $11.25, National Commercial Bank gained $1.55 to end at $43.05, with 10,886 units changing hands at a new 52 weeks’ closing high. Radio Jamaica had 153,706 shares trading 45 cents higher at $5.50.
Sagicor Group jumped 52 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $23.03 with 464,643 units changing hands, Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 66,500 shares but the price jumped $1.60 to $11.60. Scotia Group closed with 62,862 shares changing hands at 52 weeks’ closing high of $32 for a gain of $1.90, Scotia Investments fell by 85 cents to close at $29.05 after trading 10,000 shares, Supreme Ventures fell 6 cents to end at $4.60 with 166,144 units changing hands. Proven Investments traded 36,200 ordinary shares to end at 21.5 US cents after declining by 1.49 US cents, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share traded 50,000 units for a gain of 2 cent to end at $2 and Proven Investments preference share traded 182,905 units to close at $5.
26 stocks rose over 100%
The Jamaica stock market ended a momentous 2015 with the overall market doubling, aided by a 160 percent in the junior market to land the Jamaican market as the leader in the world in 2015. At the close, all three main market indices made huge gains to reach new record highs.
The JSE combined market index recorded gains of 102 percent for the year, the all Jamaica composite up 99 percent with the JSE Market Index climbing 97 percent.
In a year when just about anyone could use a dart to pick winning stocks out of the 51 securities that rose with gains ranging from a low of 1 percent to a high of 1,086 percent. Five stocks fell up to 17 percent and one ended with the price unchanged. A total of 25 securities rose by 103% or more and 16 between 50% and 95 percent.
After nearly 11 years passed, with the market not rising above the record set in 2005, the record was finally broken in the second half of 2015 as an announced takeover offer for the shares of Desnoes and Geddes helped push the market to new highs, but it was more than that. Treasury bill rates peaked at 9 percent in March 2014, falling to 6 percent by the end of 2015 was a major catalyst in igniting prices higher, aided by some strong increases in profit of a wide range of companies. The top 15 performing stocks for 2015 are those in the table. The Jamaica Stock Exchange delivered a stunning 1,085 percent gain for investors that were invested in the stock from the start of the year, followed by Pulse Investments with 757 percent and Caribbean Cement with 726 percent.
JSE stock gained 1,085% in 2015
With the level of gains in 2015, the PE ratio of the market rose sharply to an average around 10 times 2015 earnings. Some stocks are selling above the average. Interest rates on Treasury bills are around 6 percent but that should fall in 2016 and will result in higher PE ratios as stocks become more attractive as an investment means than before. The local economy grew 1.5 percent in the September quarter, much higher than the previous two quarters, suggesting potential for higher growth levels in 2016, if so corporate profits should continue to grow, hence 2016 should be seeing continuation of the market growing.
With data going back to the start of the Jamaica stock market, indicating that on average only 2 out of the top 10 stocks in a year repeat that performance in the subsequent year, investors should be looking outside the top 10 performing stocks for big winners in 2016. Of the top ten ones that could do very well are Pulse, Caribbean Flavour, Honey Bun. Jamaica Stock Exchange should continue to see attractive gains, with increased stock market activities in 2016. That should mean more revenues and profits, but it will be difficult to see them in the top 10. With the company paying a high level of dividends, investors could see the stock as very attractive for income and thus drive the price higher than profits may suggest is possible.
Another record for JSE majors – Tuesday
138 Student Living had 15.7m ordinary shares trading on Tuesday
A total 16 stocks in the combined markets gained and 7 declined. Three stock traded at 52 weeks’ closing high and 2 at intraday 52 weeks’ high as the bull market continues to wind its way forward.
At the close the JSE Market Index climbed 1,335.32 points to 148,495.46, the all Jamaica Composite Index rose 1,492.29 points to end at 164,908.34 and the JSE combined index gained 1,485.93 points to close at 155,614.84. The main market faces resistance test around the 165,000 points 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 14 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 with lower offers.
In trading, Cable and Wireless fell 3 cents with 526,770 units changing hands at $1.30, Caribbean Cement rose by 10 cents to end at $18.20, with 33,096 shares trading, Carreras closed at $60.75, with 11,295 units changing hands. Grace Kennedy fell 1 cent with 4,184 units changing hands, to finish at $80.10, Jamaica Broilers rose 45 cents to close at $10.50 with 193,627 shares changing hands, Jamaica Producers traded 128,125 shares to end at $32, JMMB Group fell 20 cents to close at $10.25 with 2,312,613 units changing hands. Kingston Wharves gained just 1 cent to close at $11.35 with 40,200 shares changing hands, Mayberry Investments had 64,197 shares trading at $4.35 for a loss of 5 cents, 
National Commercial Bank lost 20 cents to end at $39.50, with 9,055 units changing hands, 138 Student Living ended with 15,679,334 units trading in 4 lots to close at $4.50. Pulse Investments traded 10,000 units with a gain of 20 cents to end at $2.95, Sagicor Group gained 90 cents and closed with 957,863 units changing hands at $18.50, Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 124,100 shares to close with an increase of 80 cents at $11, Scotia Group had 54,846 shares changing hands at $30, Sterling Investments had 17,049 units trading at $13, Supreme Ventures ended at $4.66 with 1,424,317 units changing hands and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share traded 228,650 units at $1.99.
New record for JSE majors – Monday
Jamaican stock market closed at a new all-time high on Monday.
The number of shares changing hands ended at 13,211,348 units valued at $79,384,406.
A total 17 stocks in the combined markets gained and 5 declined. One stock traded at 52 weeks’ closing high and one at intraday 52 weeks’ high as the bull market continues to wind its way forward.
At the close the JSE Market Index climbed 1,012.93 points to 147,160.14, the all Jamaica Composite Index rose 1,132.01 points to end at 163,416.05 and the JSE combined index gained 1,138.74 points to close at 154,128.91. The main market faces resistance test around the 165,000 points 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 15 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 6 with lower offers.In trading, Barita Investments ended with a loss of 5 cents as 105,000 shares traded at $3.80, Berger Paints traded 143,510 shares at $3.15, Cable and Wireless had 92,427 units changing hands at $1.33, Caribbean Cement lost 10 cents to end at $18.10, with 2,979,782 shares trading, Carreras rose 75 cents to close at $60.75, with 610 units changing hands. Grace Kennedy gained 9 cents with 561 units changing hands, to finish at $80.11, Jamaica Broilers rose 20 cents to close at $10.05 with 32,000 shares changing hands, Jamaica Producers traded 20,000 shares to end at $32, JMMB Group rose 30 cents to close at $10.45 with 4,454 units changing hands.
Kingston Wharves gained just 1 cent to close at $11.35 with 40,200 shares changing hands, Mayberry Investments had 20.000 shares trading at $4.40 for a gain of 10 cents, National Commercial Bank lost 20 cents to end at $39.70, with 4,100 units changing hands, Pulse Investments traded 5,370 units with a gain of 25 cents at $2.75. Sagicor Group closed with 44,400 units changing hands with a gain of 90 cents to $18.50 for a new 52 weeks’ closing high, Scotia Group gained 30 cents with 36,408 shares changing hands at $30, Supreme Ventures ended at $4.66 with 15,000 units changing hands and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.25% preference share traded 50,000 units at $2.02.
20 stocks gained on JSE – Thursday
Sagicor Group HQ – its stock traded at a new high on the JSE
A total 20 stocks in the combined markets gained, 11 declined including 3 preference shares. Four stocks closed at 52 weeks’ high and one at an intraday high.
At the close the JSE Market Index climbed 450.69 points to 146,147.21, the all Jamaica Composite Index rose 503.67 points to end at 162,284.04 and the JSE combined index gained 748.48 points to close at 152,990.17. The main market faces resistance test around the 165,000 points 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 2 with lower offers.
Jamaica Stock Exchange rose by $2.99 to close at $18.99 with 11,270 units changing hands. Mayberry Investments had 133,277 shares trading at $4.30 for a gain of 10 cents, National Commercial Bank rose 20 cents to end at $39.90, with 29,018 units changing hands, Pulse Investments traded 34,270 units with a gain of 20 cents at $2.50. Sagicor Group closed with 55,026 units changing hands with a gain of 10 cents at $17.60 for a new 52 weeks’ closing high, but traded earlier at $18.50 for an intraday high, Scotia Group gained 9 cents with 141,900 shares changing hands at $28.70. Seprod traded 8,033 units and gained 25 cents in ending at $20.60, Supreme Ventures ended at $4.66 with a rise of 6 cents with 68,393 units changing hands and Proven Investments ordinary share traded 45,700 units with a rise of 3.2 cents to close at 22.75 US cents.
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.
Jamaican stocks churning forward
JSE stock traded at a new high on Wednesday
The junior market accounted for 2,721,358 units, valued at $9,118,051 as 11 stocks gained, 14 declined, 1 stock closed at a 52 weeks’ high and 2 traded at an intraday high but pulled back before the close.
While the main market indices rose, the gains were very low at under 300 points each with the JSE Market Index climbing just 53.41 points to 144,257.93, the all Jamaica Composite Index rose a mere 59.69 points to end at 160,172.67 and the JSE combined index added 287.46 points thanks to gains in the junior market to close at 150,737.24.
Notwithstanding today’s gains, the main market faces the next test at 165,000 points 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 good reading of 15 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 with lower offers.
In trading, Cable and Wireless rose 1 cent with only 110,997 units changing hands to close at $1.31, Caribbean Cement closed trading at $18.20, with 25,936 shares changing hands. Carreras fell 85 cents in closing at $59.05 with a mere 250 units trading, Ciboney traded at 27 cents with 215,700 units changing hands, Grace Kennedy declined by $1, with 3,246 units changing hands, to finish at $78. Jamaica Broilers traded at a 52 weeks’ high of $10.50, by the close the price fell 65 cents in trading 65,576 shares, to close at $8.60, Jamaica Producers jumped $2.99 in trading 3,125 units at $31, the Jamaica Stock Exchange shares traded 23,288 units at $19, but traded at a new intraday 52 weeks’ high of $19.05.
Kingston Wharves saw trading in 5,500 shares at $11.40 as the price slipped 10 cents, Mayberry Investments gained 30 cents with 400,114 units changing hands to end at $5, National Commercial Bank fell 14 cents and ended at $38.36 with 17,175 units changing hands, Pan Jamaican Investment had 4,581 units changing hands at $93. Radio Jamaica rose by 60 cents and landed at $3.60 with 24,000 shares trading, Sagicor Group closed with 1,867,437 units changing hands but the price fell by 25 cents to end at $16.75, Scotia Group dropped $1.89 with 55,916 shares changing hands at $28.11. Seprod traded 5,000 shares at $20.50, Supreme Ventures fell 30 cents to end at $4.35 with 61,988 units changing hands and Proven Investments fell 0.9 US cent as 37,468 shares traded to close at 22 US cents.