Trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Tuesday with a 53 percent fall in the volume of stocks traded with the value ending 88 percent lower than on Monday following trading in 53 securities compared to 57 on Monday, with 22 rising, 18 declining and 13 ending unchanged.
A total of 5,344,520 shares were exchanged for a mere $29,834,911 compared with 11,450,226 units at $243,197,157 on Monday.
Trading averaged 100,840 units at $562,923 versus 200,881 shares at $4,266,617 on Monday and month to date, an average of 173,546 units at $2,176,105 compared to 181,268 units at $2,347,445 on the previous day. Trading in January closed with an average of 205,236 units at $1,805,558.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 2.0 million shares for 37.4 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 1.30 million units for 24.2 percent of the day’s trade and Carreras with 511,278 units for 9.6 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index advanced 2,011.35 points to 381,415.78, the JSE Main Index rose 1,590.42 points to end at 336,737.30 and the JSE Financial Index gained 0.42 points to close at 80.62.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 13.6 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints fell 60 cents to close at $9.30 trading 6,512 shares, Caribbean Cement shed 50 cents to end at $57.50 with a transfer of 3,192 units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rallied $6 in closing at $48 after 408 stock units passed through the market. Jamaica Broilers rose 50 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $33 with an exchange of 109,861 stocks, Jamaica Stock Exchange popped 65 cents to finish at $14.90 after trading 15,826 units, 
JMMB Group rallied 50 cents to $32.50 with 43,177 shares crossing the exchange. Palace Amusement climbed $75 to $2,400 in transferring 61 stock units, Sagicor Group lost 40 cents to settle at $53.10 after 14,875 stocks changed hands, Scotia Group advanced 50 cents to $34.50 with the swapping of 9,074 shares. Seprod gained 50 cents to close at $65.50 after investors traded 12,402 stocks, Stanley Motta dipped 51 cents to end at $4.31 closed with 1,888 stock units changing hands and Wisynco Group gained 53 cents in closing at $17.78 in switching ownership of 115,243 units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% preference share advanced $2 to close at $20 as investors exchanged 55 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Main Market trading rises but prices fall
Trading jumped sharply on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Monday with a marginal decline in the volume traded with a 164 percent surge in value over Friday, resulting in trading in 57 securities compared to 53on Friday, with 17 rising, 25 declining and 15 ending unchanged.
A total of 11,450,226 shares were traded for $243,197,157 versus 11,840,614 units at $92,145,603 on Friday.
Trading averaged 200,881 units at $4,266,617 versus 223,408 shares at $1,738,596 on Friday and month to date, an average of 181,268 units at $2,347,445 compared to 178,739 units at $2,099,950 on the previous day. Trading in January averaged 205,236 units at $1,805,558.
Scotia Group led trading with 4.13 million shares for 36.1 percent of total volume followed by QWI Investments with 1.51 million units for 13.2 percent of the day’s trade, Wigton Windfarm with 1.51 million units for 13.2 percent and Transjamaican Highway with 1.01 million units for 8.8 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 1,641.15 points to 379,404.43, the JSE Main Index fell 1,138.54 points to 335,146.88 and the JSE Financial Index shed 0.10 points to close at 80.20.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 13 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement dropped $1.18 to $58 with a transfer of 63,366 shares, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund declined $4 in closing at $42 as investors traded 1,619 stock units, Guardian Holdings advanced $4.30 in ending at $510 with 40,354 stocks crossing the market. JMMB Group shed $1.40 to close at $32 trading 15,984 units, Mayberry Investments popped 69 cents to end at $8.50 after exchanging 4,120 stocks, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy dropped $15 to finish at $71 with 100 units changing hands. 
NCB Financial rose $3 to close at $78 after a transfer of 4,277 shares, 138 Student Living lost 49 cents to settle at $4.51 after 3,019 stock units passed through the market, Palace Amusement climbed $22.90 to $2,325 in switching ownership of 64 units. Proven Investments fell $1.30 in closing at $28 after trading 1,130 stock units, Sagicor Group gained 50 cents to end at $53.50 with investors transferring 1,645 stocks, Scotia Group dipped 85 cents in closing at $34 with an exchange of 4,131,234 shares. Seprod rose $1 to end at $65 with the swapping of 7,501 stock units, Stanley Motta rallied 52 cents to close at $4.82 after an exchange of 4,980 units, Supreme Ventures shed 51 cents in ending at $26.49 in transferring 365,798 stocks. Sygnus Credit Investments USD share gained $1.90 to finish at $20.90 after clearing the market with 12 shares, Sygnus Real Estate Finance lost 43 cents in closing at $9.07 as investors traded 1,000 shares, 
Wisynco Group fell 73 cents to $17.25 with the swapping of 320,246 units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 10.50% preference share climbed $84.09 to close at $1,200 after exchanging 176 stocks and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share dropped $13 to end at $107 with a transfer of 10 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading drops on JSE Main Market
Trading dropped on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Friday with a 30 percent drop in the volume of stocks traded at a 77 percent lower value than on Thursday, after trading in 53 securities up from 51 on Thursday, resulting in prices of stocks 24 rising, 19 declining and 10 ending unchanged.
A total of 11,840,614 shares were traded for $92,145,603 compared to 16,899,213 units at $398,378,363 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 223,408 shares at $1,738,596 compared to 331,357 shares at $7,811,340 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 178,739 stock units at $2,099,950 compared with 172,653 stocks at $2,149,183 on the previous day. January closed with an average of 205,236 units at $1,805,558.
Sagicor Select Financial Fund led trading with 4.40 million shares for 37.1 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 2.34 million units for 19.7 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway with 1.21 million units for 10.2 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index advanced 466.42 points to 381,045.58, the JSE Main Index rose 302.30 points to close at 336,285.42 and the JSE Financial Index rallied 0.57 points to settle at 80.30.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.2 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are computed based on the last traded price and earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 12 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments lost 50 cents in closing at $84 in trading 4,996 shares, Caribbean Cement advanced $2.41 to $59.18 with a transfer of 26,011 units, Caribbean Producers dipped 77 cents to $10.80 with 274,070 stock units changing hands after trading at an intraday 52 weeks’ low of $10.19 following the release of half year results showing reduced profit in the December quarter compared with that of 2021. GraceKennedy shed 90 cents to end at $77.10 after an exchange of 174,611 stocks, Guardian Holdings rallied 69 cents to close at $505.70 with the swapping of 20,423 shares, 
Jamaica Broilers gained 50 cents in closing at a 52 weeks’ high of $32.50 after 946,442 stocks passed through the market. Jamaica Producers fell $1 in ending at $20 after trading 32,439 stock units, JMMB Group popped 45 cents to close at $33.40 with investors transferring 83,865 units, Kingston Properties shed 50 cents to finish at $6.60 in an exchange of 147,000 units. Mayberry Jamaican Equities rose 99 cents to end at $12.39 in switching ownership of 49,660 stocks, NCB Financial declined $1 in closing at $75 with the swapping of 27,651 stock units, Palace Amusement dropped $185.90 to close at $2,302.10 while trading 549 shares. Seprod dipped $1.20 to end at $64 with an exchange of 25,136 units, Stanley Motta fell 93 cents to settle at $4.30 with 47,129 shares changing hands, Supreme Ventures rose $1 to $27 in an exchange of 25,496 stock units. 
Sygnus Real Estate Finance shed 50 cents to end at $9.50 after 1,100 stocks cleared the market and Wisynco Group popped 78 cents in closing at $17.98 in a transfer of 325,355 units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 10.50% preference share advanced $15.91 to end at $1,115.91 trading 60 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading picks for JSE Main Market
Trading jumped sharply on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Thursday with the volume of stocks traded jumping 78 percent with the value surging 323 percent above Wednesday’s level, after an exchange of 51 securities compared to 52 on the previous day, with 19 rising, 27 declining and five ending unchanged.
A total of 16,899,213 shares were exchanged for $398,378,363 versus 9,512,250 units at $94,127,743 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 331,357 units at $7,811,340 compared with 182,928 shares at $1,810,149 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 172,653 units at $2,149,183 compared with 148,706 units at $1,294,834 on the previous day. January closed with an average of 205,236 units at $1,805,558.
Kingston Wharves led trading with 6.18 million shares for 36.6 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 4.13 million units for 24.4 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 966,026 units for 5.7 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index advanced 1,288.52 points to 380,579.16, the JSE Main Index rose 1,520.99 points to 335,983.12 and the JSE Financial Index gained 0.43 points to end at 79.73.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.3 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 12 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and one stock with a lower offer.
At the close, Caribbean Cement declined $2.73 in closing at $56.77 with an exchange of 302,365 shares, Eppley fell $1.51 to end at $37.49 after 2,522 stock units were traded, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund advanced $6.09 to finish at $46.09 with 52 stocks crossing the market. First Rock Real Estate shed 65 cents to settle at $12.10 in transferring 26,411 units, Jamaica Broilers rose 67 cents to close at $32 with 699,263 stocks clearing the market, Jamaica Producers popped 85 cents to close at $21 with the swapping of 500,397 stock units. 
Jamaica Stock Exchange shed 65 cents to end at $14.50 in exchanging 2,345 units, JMMB Group fell 95 cents to $32.95 in switching ownership of 6,127 shares, Massy Holdings gained $1 to close at $80 as investors traded 848,567 shares. Mayberry Jamaican Equities lost $1 in ending at $11.40 with the swapping of 1,344 stock units, NCB Financial popped $2 to finish at $76 in an exchange of 20,998 units, 138 Student Living lost 72 cents to end at $5 in switching ownership of 103,573 stocks. Palace Amusement climbed $38 in closing at $2,488 after 272 shares passed through the market, Portland JSX shed $1 after ending at $9 as investors traded 299,950 stock units, Proven Investments advanced $2.80 to $29.30 in trading 6,447 stocks. Scotia Group rose 89 cents to $34.89 with an exchange of 41,685 units, Seprod fell $1.05 to end at $65.20 with investors transferring 6,225 shares, Supreme Ventures declined 93 cents in closing at $26 with the swapping of 101,847 units. Sygnus Credit Investments dipped $1.02 to t $11.96 after an exchange of 8,965 stocks, 
Sygnus Real Estate Finance shed 45 cents in ending at $10 with a transfer of 100 stock units and Wisynco Group dipped 40 cents to close at $17.20 as investors switched ownership of 39,946 stock units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% advanced $1 in closing at a 52 weeks’ high of $7 after a transfer of 5,808 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main Market falls
Trading ended on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Wednesday with a 20 percent rise in the volume of stocks traded as the value dipped 7 percent below that on Tuesday, resulting from 52 securities trading, down from 57 on Tuesday with prices of 20 rising, 20 declining and 12 ending unchanged.
A total of 9,512,250 shares were exchanged for $94,127,743 versus 7,945,794 units at $100,709,129 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 182,928 units at $1,810,149 compared with 139,400 shares at $1,766,827 on Tuesday and month to date an average of 148,706 units at $1,294,834 compared to 142,484 units at $1,201,140 on the previous day. January closed with an average of 205,236 units at $1,805,558.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 3.49 million shares for 36.7 percent of total volume followed by Jamaica Broilers with 1.54 million units for 16.2 percent of the day’s trade and JMMB Group 7.5% with 1.01 million units for 10.6 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 3,460.05 points to 379,290.64, the JSE Main Index advanced 1,544.69 points to 334,462.13 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.24 points to end at 79.30.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.2 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 13 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and 7 with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement popped 50 cents to close at $59.50 after 4,816 shares passed through the market, Eppley fell 98 cents to $39 in an exchange of 248 stocks, Guardian Holdings dropped $20 to $505 with a transfer of 11,287 units. Jamaica Broilers gained 83 cents to close at $31.33 with the swapping of 1,541,933 stock units, Jamaica Producers dipped $1.72 to $20.15 after trading 7,727 units, Jamaica Stock Exchange rose 63 cents to close at $15.15 in switching ownership of 2,015 shares. Kingston Wharves shed 50 cents to finish at $31.50 with an exchange of 6,579 stock units, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy rose $11 to $86 with 17 stocks changing hands, 
NCB Financial declined $3 to a 52 weeks’ low of $74 with 8,463 stock units clearing the market. Palace Amusement dropped $30 to close at $2,450 in trading 420 stocks, Proven Investments declined $2.51 to close at $26.50 with the swapping of 10,349 units, Sagicor Group rallied $4 to $53 with investors transferring 86,606 shares. Seprod fell $1.65 to end at $66.25 with a transfer of 2,886 units, Supreme Ventures rose 86 cents in closing at $26.93 after exchanging 4,917 stock units and Wisynco Group gained 48 cents in ending at $17.60 after a transfer of 219,667 shares.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 10.50% preference share dived $400 in closing at $1,100 with the swapping of 11 stocks, 
Eppley 5% preference share declined $5.93 in ending at $17.01 and trading 113 shares, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% climbed $50 to settle at $3,000 as investors exchanged 34 units and JMMB Group 7% preference share shed 41 cents to close at $2.42 in an exchange of 271 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading climbs on JSE Main Market
Investors pumped 211 percent more money into the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Tuesday and purchased16 percent fewer shares than on Monday and sending more stocks closing higher than those falling with57securities trading, as was the case on Monday, and ended with prices of 27 rising, 21 declining and nine ending unchanged.
A total of 7,945,794 shares were exchanged for $100,709,129 compared to 9,434,901 units at $32,400,825 on Monday.
Trading averaged 139,400 units at $1,766,827 versus 165,525 shares at $568,436 on Monday and month to date, an average of 142,484 units at $1,201,140 compared with 143,252 units at $1,060,336 on the previous day. January closed with an average of 205,236 units at $1,805,558.
JMMB Group 7.35% – 2028, led trading with 2.23 million shares for 28.1 percent of total volume, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.57 million units for 19.8 percent of the day’s trade and Jamaica Broilers with 855,784 units for 10.8 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index declined 2,558.42 points to 375,830.59, the JSE Main Index fell 2,316.43 points to 332,917.44 and the JSE Financial Index shed 0.64 points to close at 79.06.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.2 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows seven stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints rose $1.06 to $10.41 in an exchange of 1,687 shares, Caribbean Cement advanced $2.23 to $59 in trading 1,133 stocks, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund fell $4 in closing at $40 after 4,657 units crossed the market. First Rock Real Estate gained 60 cents in ending at $12.75 in transferring 1,620 stock units, GraceKennedy rose 89 cents to end at $77.99 in switching ownership of 479,100 stocks, Guardian Holdings declined $9.80 to close at $525 with an exchange of 2,389 units. Jamaica Broilers popped 50 cents to finish at $30.50 in switching ownership of 855,784 stock units, Jamaica Producers rallied $1.87 to close at $21.87 after a transfer of 138 shares, JMMB Group advanced $2.38 in ending at $33.88 with 8,657 stock units changing hands.
Kingston Wharves dipped $1 in closing at $32 after 3,129 shares passed through the market, Mayberry Investments lost 40 cents to end at $8.10 after exchanging 39,563 stocks, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy dropped $23 to end at $75 with a transfer of 75 units. NCB Financial rallied $2 in closing at $77 as investors exchanged 23,990 shares after the price hit a new one year low of $72, 138 Student Living gained 55 cents to settle at $5.70 with the swapping of 1,123 stocks, Palace Amusement popped $31 to close at $2,480 with 409 stock units changing hands. Portland JSX shed $1.54 to settle at $10 with 512 units clearing the market, Proven Investments lost 49 cents in ending at $29.01 with investors transferring 3,048 units, Sagicor Group fell $1.96 to end at $49, trading 73,873 shares. Scotia Group rose 69 cents to close at $33.79 in exchanging 191,619 stocks, Seprod advanced $2.40 to $67.90 after trading 100 stock units, Supreme Ventures lost 43 cents to close at $26.07 in switching ownership of 38,042 shares and Sygnus Credit Investments rose $1.10 to $12.99 with the swapping of 33,048 stock units.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 7% preference share gained 42 cents in closing at $2.83 with a transfer of 3,904 stocks and 138 Student Living preference share advanced $2.50 to close at a record high of $78 in trading 1,024 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading activity drops of the JSE Main market
Trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Monday with a 14 percent increase in the volume of stocks traded and the value 68 percent lower than on Friday, from 57 securities trading compared to 60 on Friday, with 16 rising, 31 declining and 10 ending unchanged.
A total of 9,434,901 shares were exchanged for $32,400,825 versus 8,306,314 units at $100,793,32 on Friday.
Trading averaged 165,525 units at $568,436 versus 138,439 shares at $1,679,857 on Friday and month to date, an average of 143,252 units at $1,060,336 compared to 135,871 units at $1,223,350 on the previous trading day. January closed with an average of 205,236 units at $1,805,558.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 4.07 million shares for 43.2 percent of total volume followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.35 million units for 14.3 percent of the day’s trade, Transjamaican Highway with 1.32 million units for 14 percent of market share and QWI Investments with 1.13 million units for 12 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 2,647.57 points to 378,389.01, the JSE Main Index fell 2,561.70 points to end at 335,233.87 and the JSE Financial Index lost 0.99 points to settle at 79.70.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.5 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 10 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and eight with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints lost 40 cents to close at $9.35 in trading 6,000 shares, Caribbean Cement declined $2.23 to end at $56.77 with 5,525 stocks crossing the exchange, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund dropped $4 to close at $44 with a transfer of 1,361 stock units. First Rock Real Estate dipped 58 cents in closing at $12.15 with 4,153 units changing hands, 
GraceKennedy shed $1.70 in ending at $77.10 in switching ownership of 30,914 units, Jamaica Producers fell $1.90 to $20 in exchanging 61,707 stocks. JMMB Group declined $2.97 in closing at $31.50 with the swapping of 28,300 shares, Kingston Wharves shed $2 to end at $33 as investors exchanged 14,071 stock units, Massy Holdings fell $1 to close at $79 with a transfer of 171 units. NCB Financial shed $2 to end at a 52 weeks’ low of $75 after 51,005 stocks cleared the market, 138 Student Living dipped 41 cents to end at $5.15 in exchanging 24,651 stock units, Palace Amusement climbed $49.01 to $2,449 in switching ownership of 929 shares. Proven Investments lost 50 cents to end at $29.50 after an exchange of 691 stock units, Scotia Group shed $1.40 to close at $33.10 after trading 16,328 units, Seprod gained 50 cents in closing at $65.50 with investors transferring 19,541 stocks. Supreme Ventures advanced $1.50 to $26.50 after trading 17,652 shares and Sygnus Credit Investments fell $1.11 to end at $11.89 with an exchange of 59,284 shares.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 10.50% preference share popped $250 to a 52 weeks’ high of $1,500 with 336 stock units changing hands. Eppley 5% preference share rallied 94 cents to close at $22.94 after 11 stocks crossed the market, Eppley 7.25% preference share declined $3.31 in ending at $18.79 after exchanging 2,427 units, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% dropped $42 to $2,950 trading 142 stocks. JMMB Group 7% preference share lost 43 cents to end at $2.41 as 444 shares passed through the market and JMMB Group 7.25% preference share dipped 47 cents to $3.11 with a transfer of 2,000 stock units but after it traded at a 52 weeks’ intraday high of $3.94.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
13 Junior Market stocks to watch in 2023
To make the 2023 ICTOP15, projected gains have to exceed 280 percent over the next 18 months at a projected PE of 22.5 times earnings. That level of growth is what the lowest on the list, Access Financial is projected to deliver over the period.
So great are the prospects of the Junior Market that IC Insider.com thought it important to highlight these additional companies for investors to see the great potential to make money over the next 18 months. This publication has never before put out such a list to start the year, in addition to the ICTOP15.
While the IC TOP15 2023 listings reflect 15 companies that show the greatest potential to be the top performers up to May 2024, a number of companies have the potential to do exceedingly well over the period but are likely to underperform those in the ICTOP15, even then, the future is not assured and some in the watch list could outperform projections and end in the top performers for the period.
The watch list shows that investors do not have to hit home runs to make decent gains in the stock market, but observation in the local market suggests that many persons may not have the patience to build gains over time.
These may or may not be the best companies in the market based on management, products or services and financial health, but they are undervalued and could deliver above average gains as well as pay attractive dividends in the 2023 to 2024 period.
The market has demonstrated that the ability to increase profits is the most important factor that will drive stock prices and is the primary area for investors to focus on going forward.
CAC2000 Projection EPS $1.
The company has the potential to do exceedingly well, especially with an upsurge in the construction of homes and hotels. But it is not without risk and disappointment from quarter to quarter as projects take time to complete, resulting in jerkiness in earnings. This is definitely a stock to consider from a longer time horizon and not one that can be relied on to deliver instant gains, but it could surprise.
Cargo Handlers
This company is not one that will be on every investor’s list for 2023, don’t let that dissuade you from taking a closer look. One of the smaller Junior Market companies and is highly profitable and holds over $500 million in cash funds and with add to it yearly. The company serves one of the fastest growing regions of Jamaica with the continued expansion of the tourist sector that fuels above average economic activities and the BPO sector that lead to increased imports through the Montego Bay port where its operation is centred. Last year’s earnings per share were 77 cents and ICInsider.com is forecasting $1.10 for the current year, that should be enough to push the price towards $20 or more.
An important factor to consider is the cash that they hold which is available for investment in other entities that could add to improved profits going forward. By the way, don’t ignore the dividends they pay.
Dollar Financial came to the Junior Market in June last year and is now accredited by Bank of Jamaica to operate as a micro financial institution. For the nine months to September 2022, profit before tax amounted to $201 million, 257 percent higher than in 2021. Profit before tax for the quarter ending September 2022 increased a solid 214 percent to $70 million, an indication of what could be coming down the road.
The increase in profits was fueled by loans receivable of $1.2 billion to September 2022, an increase of $650 million or 125 percent over the September 2021 position. Up to September, secured loans represented 72 percent of total loans and unsecured 28 percent.
The company recently raised $1.17 billion in debt financing and expanded the resources available for lending. These funds plus additional cash from profit to be generated provide more than adequate fuel for strong loan expansion that will result in continued above average profit growth. The company plans to use some of the funds raised to expand to the Bahamas and the Eastern Caribbean and capitalize Ultra Financier Limited, their asset based lender. The company could turn out to be exceptionally profitable if the resources are managed well to prevent heavy loan loss provisioning that could eat away at profits. ICInsider.com projects earnings of 35 cents per share for 2023 and that should be good enough to send the stock flying with gains of more than 200 percent.
Express Catering EPS is projected at 65 cents for 2023/4
The company started to benefit from the rebound in tourism but importantly the first half of the 2022 calendar year saw a decline in visitor arrivals compare to 2019, with the numbers for 2023 set to show a major increase over 2022first quarter numbers. The first quarter should be up over 50 plus percent compared with that of 2022. That will have a major impact on the revenues, with its entire operation within the Sangster International Airport. It is worth noting also that the company will have additional restaurants within the airport during the new fiscal year and this is going to add to revenues and profitability for the company.
With the stock price hovering around $5 per share this stock is selling slightly less than eight times earnings and shows the potential to do even better than the revenues and the earnings per share projections. With many Junior Market companies selling at PE ratios around 20 one should expect the stock to deliver a 200 percent rise in value over the next 18 months or so.
Fontana stock could gain 150 percent for the period. looking back, for the first quarter to September, revenues rose a healthy 26 percent and profit jumped 43 percent to $87 million. The projection is for revenues to continue to grow around the 26 percent level into 2023, with profit to rise to 80 cents per share for the year and $1.50 in the 2024 fiscal year ending June. With the stock priced around $9 it is nicely positioned for a bounce to provide an excellent return over the next year and a half.
The company is adding a new store in Portmore that should come into operation during the first half of 2023 and add revenues and profits to the business, but this may not be significant until the 2024 fiscal year. Expected growth in the local economy and a big bounce in tourism traffic will have a positive impact on stores in the western end of the country and deliver increased revenues and increased profit as a result. For the year to June 2022, profit was up 12 percent to $415 million from a 21 percent rise in revenues to $4.7 billion.
Image Plus Consultants – EPS 30 cents 2023 and $0.35 for 2023-4
The Image Plus stock failed to sparkle on listing in January, rising just 10 percent by the close of its first day on the market in heavy trading of nearly 12.4 million shares, the second heaviest traded Junior Market stock on opening, following an IPO. The price has now fallen below the issue price providing a good entry point for investors but has since bounced just above $2 with the release of nine months’ results to November. (See articles on analyzing the IPO and the nine months’ results.)
Jamaican Teas – earnings could hit 30 cents per share for the current fiscal year. Some input costs have declined following shipping facilities normalizing, resulting in lower shipping costs as well a reduction in some raw material prices worldwide. The forecast includes a sizable contribution from QWI Investments and a contribution from the real estate development that should see sales of its current development being concluded in the current fiscal year.
The group is expanding the product range for the local and export markets which will add to revenues and profits going forward.
The stock has seen increased buying from individual and institutional investors which is an excellent sign as it lends solid support for trading.
Knutsford Express
Knutsford Express – projected EPS of $1 and $1.40 for 2024.
The company suffered, in a meaningful way, from lower revenues when business activities were severely curtailed with the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic in Jamaica which resulted in major disruption in the economy. In the latest fiscal year to May, revenues were back to pre-pandemic levels in dollar terms but profits lagged as increased costs grew faster than revenues, resulting in the 2022 full year results being 38 percent of 2019 but more than twice 2020.
For the August quarter, revenues rose 78 percent to $415 million and profit jumped from $9 million to $84 million. For the half year to November, revenues rose to $813 million from $473 million in 2021 with profit surging from $13 million after tax to $143 million. Third quarter profit rose from just $2 post-tax to $59 million. The Drax Hall Business Centre is contributing fully to profit with all available space occupied with several tenants already open for business and the company looking to generate income in the order of $100 million a year from the complex.
The company is benefiting from the upsurge in visitor arrivals both directly and indirectly from persons working in the industry.
Main Event returns to IC TOP 10.
Main Event – EPS is projected at $1.10 for 2023
There is the potential for the stock price to gain 180 percent over the next 18 months. Profits for the nine months last year jumped 147 percent to $243 million over 2021 as revenues rose from $501 million to just over $1 billion dollars representing 85 percent increase over the previous year. Revenues for the September quarter rose 147 percent to $602 million with profits for the quarter jumping a solid 332 percent to $104 million as profits rose by $95 million over the previous year, suggesting that the results of 2022 will be outstanding and that could carry over well into 2023.
What is worth noting is that revenues for the first quarter were just $203 million and for the April quarter $290 million, well below third quarter numbers. By contrast, revenues were $458 million in the first quarter of 2019 and $438 million in the second quarter, well ahead of those for the 2022 periods, this has a lot of significance for revenue growth in the first half of the 2023 year. The data show that there should be a significant pick up in revenues and profitability in the corresponding 2023 period and a major uptick in revenues for the year and profits. There is a bit of seasonality in earnings and this could have implications in 2023. The final results for 2022 will provide good guidance on this.
The lesson to be drawn from the numbers for the first three quarters of the year is that profit for 2023 will be up substantially up on the ultimate results for 2022. There is a level of uncertainty along with various developments in the local economy that makes it challenging to project with certainty the level of business that Main Event will undertake, this is the major reason why the stock is placed on the watch list. The final numbers could impact the stock price significantly.
Of note, the third quarter revenues are the highest record in the company’s history in the quarter. The company indicates that the increased business was due to added activity in its core business. The entertainment industry has seen a strong return to outdoor events and lifestyle experiences after a two year break.
Medical Disposables EPS is projected at 40 cents for fiscal 2023 and 70 cents for 2024
This company is not one to take at face value as they quietly build the infrastructure on which to deliver increased business going forward. The company is focusing on laying the foundation for growth in consumer products as increased business opportunities in the medical area slow. The dental area that is operated by the newly formed subsidiary has room for expansion outside of the western region and should be able to ride on the parent company’s infrastructure that currently exists in the next year or two.
The company in the meantime has increased expenditure to attract and keep talent within its employ to grow business, this development resulted in increased costs in the current fiscal year and negatively affected growth in profits for the fiscal year to date.
There is the possibility that more shares could be available in the market over the next year or so.
One on One Educational EPS is projected at 20 cents
The stock raced out the blocks on the fifth day of listing in the latter part of last year to hit $2.50 but the price has fallen to a low of $1.10 in December, with investors concerned that they may have lost a major client and the negative impact that may have on profit. The prospectus stated that in August 2021, 63 percent of the Company’s revenue came through Business to Business contracts and 37 percent through the Company’s end user consumers’ business line. Neither the 2022 audited accounts nor the first quarter results show any fall out of business, in fact, revenues almost doubled in the quarter with profit rising to $12 million before tax from a loss of $1.8 million in 2021. The price could be considered appropriate based on results released so far but as more results become available, the current price may appear to be a gift.
Funds raised in the public issue in 2022 net of loan repayment were earmarked for the development of technological infrastructure for expansion. Regardless, the major reasons to invest in this company is not its short-term fortunes or misfortunes but the major potential its operations have to deliver above average growth within Jamaica and overseas.
Spur Tree Spices EPS is projected at 40 cents.
The company recorded a 9.4 percent growth in revenues to $672M for the nine-months ended September 2022, from $614 million in 2021. Gross Margin increased from 31 percent in 2021 to 35.4 percent in 2022.
For the September quarter revenues slipped to $233 million from $247 but improved profit margin resulted in a gross profit of $75 million versus $73 million in the prior year. Profit before Taxation fell to $30 million in the quarter from $33 million in 2021, but climbed 30 percent to $119 million for the year to September compared with $91 million in 2021 and was just shy of the $124 million for the full year in 2021.
The company implemented investment projects to expand the Exotic Products factory infrastructure to double production capacity, purchase of building in Port Morant to establish a production facility and upgraded the Spur Tree Spices production capacity.
They also advanced $100 million to purchase a controlling interest in Canco, an ackee canning company, and if combined with Exotic Products could result in a major jump in production and improved efficiency. They also appointed Massy Distributions agents for regional distribution.
This company has a lot of promise but the valuation placed on the stock ran ahead of results as such improved results in 2023 are unlikely to be reflected fully in the stock price and provide above average growth for the stock but it could be good enough to deliver a reasonable gain that investors would be normally pleased with even if it does not put it in the top ranking of stocks. Additionally, it has growth potential going beyond 2023 that could help deliver above average long term growth.
Stationery & Office Supplies recording record 2022 profits.
Stationary and Office Supplies should deliver gains of 250 percent for the period. The company has done exceptionally well in 2022 and is one of the top performing stocks for that year, gaining 140 percent as a result of very strong profit performance during the year that came from an incredible 60 percent increase in revenues that should end close to $1.8 billion for the year and $2.3 billion for 2023. The company generated a profit of $250 million for the nine months to September that should reach $360 million for the full year and just over $550 million in 2023.
ICInsider.com does not expect the performance to be at the same level in 2023 but sees continued attractive growth in earnings that should put it at about $2.20 per share, up from around $1.35 per share in 2022.
The business continues to increase from local and overseas demand. Information is that a deal was struck with a Trinidad company to sell their furniture in that market in addition the possibility exists that they could be getting into other Caribbean countries to add to the organic growth of the business. There is the possibility for acquisitions of small businesses during the year that could benefit from synergies within the company and deliver above average returns from such investments. Investors should not ignore the possibility of a stock split that could provide additional spice to make the performance of the stock an attractive one.
Finally, the company is well managed and financially healthy with limited debt and increasing shareholders’ equity.
JSE Main Market edged up on trading gains
Trading gained strength on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Friday with the volume of stocks traded rising 48 percent with a 188 percent rise in value compared to Thursday, after 60 securities changed hands compared to 55 on Thursday, with 23 rising, 20 declining and 17 ending unchanged.
A total of 8,306,314 shares were traded for $100,793,237 compared to 5,605,407 units at $34,963,663 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 138,439 shares at $1,679,857 compared with 101,916 units at $635,703 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 135,871 units at $1,223,350 compared with 134,495 units at $978,777 on the previous day. January closed with an average of 205,236 units at $1,805,558.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 4.53 million shares for 54.5 percent of total volume followed by Massy Holdings with 699,277 units for 8.4 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 435,064 units for 5.2 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index advanced 394.82 points to 381,036.58, the JSE Main Index rallied 796.94 points to 337,795.57 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.13 points to close at 80.69.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.7 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with financial year ends between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and 10 with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Producers lost 45 cents in closing at $11.53 with an exchange of 12,342 shares, Eppley advanced $2.49 to $39.99 after trading 30 units, Guardian Holdings rallied $10 to close at $535 after exchanging one stock unit. Jamaica Broilers popped $1 to $30 with a transfer of 179,133 stocks, JMMB Group fell 48 cents to $34.47 with the swapping of 18,477 units, Kingston Properties gained 41 cents to close at $7.40 in switching ownership of 9,606 shares. Kingston Wharves advanced $1 to $35 with one stock unit changing hands, Margaritaville rose 95 cents to $22.95 with an exchange of one stock unit, 
Massy Holdings climbed $1.39 to close at $80 after 699,277 stock units crossed the market. Mayberry Investments rose 76 cents to $8.77 after a transfer of 101 units, Mayberry Jamaican Equities advanced $1.81 to close at $12.91 in an exchange of 1,055 shares, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy climbed $5.69 to $98 after trading one stock. NCB Financial declined $3 to a 52 weeks’ low of $77 after 122,024 units passed through the market, following the release of first quarter results to December with lower profit before other comprehensive income. 138 Student Living shed 44 cents in ending at $5.56 after 2,450 shares were traded, Palace Amusement climbed $201.99 in closing at $2,399.99 after switching ownership of 375 stocks. Sagicor Group rallied $2 to settle at $51 with the swapping of 25,843 stock units, Scotia Group lost 40 cents to finish at $34.50 as investors exchanged 353,714 units, Seprod dipped $1 to end at $65 in transferring 3,550 shares and Supreme Ventures shed 50 cents to close at $25 after 117,645 stock units cleared the market.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 10.50% preference share popped $150 after ending at a 52 weeks’ high of $1,250 with 30 stocks changing hands, Jamaica Public Service 7% gained 50 cents in closing at a record high of $6 in exchanging 128 shares and 138 Student Living preference share rose $1.50 to $75.50 with investors transferring 516 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main Market Trading drops as rising stocks beat
For a second consecutive day, trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market fell at the close of market activity on Thursday, flowing from a 41 percent decline in the volume of stocks passing through the market with a 53 percent fall in value compared to Wednesday, resulting from 55 securities trading versus 57 on Wednesday, with 24 rising, 17 declining and 14 ending unchanged.
A total of 5,605,407 shares were exchanged for $34,963,663 versus 9,458,006 units at $74,659,322 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 101,916 units at $635,703 compared with 165,930 shares at $1,309,813 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 134,495 units at $978,777 well below the average of 205,236 units at $1,805,558 for January.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 2.30 million shares for 41.1 percent of total volume, followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 734,269 units for 13.1 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway with 712,258 units for 12.7 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index shed 1,290.43 points to end at 380,641.76, the JSE Main Index dipped 784.27 points to 336,998.63 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.09 points to close at 80.56.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.3 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ends between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows nine stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement gained 47 cents to end at $58.99 after 1,620 shares were traded, First Rock Real Estate fell $1.19 to $12.75 as investors traded 22,840 stock units, GraceKennedy advanced $3.99 to $78.49 with 48,856 stocks changing hands. Guardian Holdings rose $1 to close at $525 with 896 units crossing the market, Jamaica Broilers fell $1.99 ending at $29 with the transfer of 180,788 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange shed 70 cents to finish at $14.50 with the swapping of 24,001 units. JMMB Group advanced $1.95 to $34.95 in an exchange of 35,031 stock units, 
Kingston Properties rallied 44 cents to $6.99 after 395 stocks cleared the market, Kingston Wharves dipped $1 to $34 trading 10,600 stock units. Massy Holdings declined $1.39 in closing at $78.61 after switching ownership of 5,190 units, Mayberry Investments shed 76 cents to end at $8.01 with investors transferring 723 shares, Mayberry Jamaican Equities declined $1.83 to close at $11.10 after 94,250 stocks passed through the market. NCB Financial advanced $2.50 in closing at $80 in transferring 15,495 units, 138 Student Living popped $1 to $6 with 197,838 shares changing hands, Palace Amusement climbed $8 in ending at $2,198 with a transfer of 667 stocks. Sagicor Group gained 40 cents to settle at $49 trading 2,252 stock units, 
Sterling Investments lost 40 cents to close at $2.60 with the swapping of 10,000 shares and Supreme Ventures shed 60 cents to end at $25.50 after an exchange of 91,761 units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 5% preference share lost 94 cents to end at $22 after a transfer of 6 stocks and 138 Student Living preference share fell $1.50 in closing at $74 in switching ownership of 427 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
