Persons interested in investing in stocks should open an account at a brokerage company so they can start investing when they decide to take the plunge.
Stocks are not like fixed interest securities where the returns are usually known, up front. Put another way, there are no guarantees about the returns on stock market investments, that is a negative. History shows it to be a huge positive with no limit to possible gains. The basic principle is to find companies that are likely to increase profit going forward. This is most important, as profit are the main reasons why investors buy a stock, as it increases the value of a company.
Buy stocks with low price earnings (PE) ratio relative to the rest of the market. What does this mean? Listed companies are required to report profit and show the amount of profit earned per share (EPS). EPS is the profit for each issued share. In simple terms, the EPS is arrived at by dividing the profit by the total issued shares. This figure by itself does not mean much, but it allows for the computation of one of the most important and used investment tools, the PE ratio. PE is the price of the stock on the stock exchange divided by EPS.
Do not buy stocks because the price is low in monetary terms. Instead, have laser like focus on stocks with lower PE ratios. Sometimes when persons buy shares, also called stocks, they may see quick gains, as may happen with the Wigton Windfarm initial public offer (IPO) issue that is now on the Market. More often, investors will not see any gains for months but then may do so with the passage of several months, if the company reports increased profit. Effectively, if one buys stocks of good quality companies they will usually grow in value.
A good quality company is one that has consistent growth in earnings over a number of years, with few if any decline. There is more to it than the above, but these are a few basics. New investors are well advised to start small until they get a better feel of the market. Yes, you can start with $10,000, but $25,000 may be better.
Investors can find the earnings per share EPS and PE ratios for each local stock, on the stock market trading chart shown daily and included in the Junior and Main market reports. The key to using them is to find those stocks with the lowest PE ratios and get more information on them. This website analyses the companies on an ongoing basis to provide relevant investment information for investors.
When investing try to have about five different companies. Some companies to consider investing in now are: Wisynco, NCB, Fontana, General Accident and Wigton
How do I invest in stocks?
Cement still top stock to watch
Caribbean Cement traded at a new high of $73.90 recently.
Jamaican stocks continue to consolidate as they await some major price moving events to change direction. During the past week, Caribbean Cement make a gallant move to break out but selling pushed the price back to close at $60.61, after posting a high of $73.90. On Friday, it traded at $66 but sellers pushed it back lower by the close.
Buying interest remains good for Carib Cement while selling seems a bit muted. With first quarter results due by the last week in April, investors could be positioning to get ahead of those results, expected to be well ahead of the 2018 profit. The stock could close higher during the week based on demand and supply.
Earlier in last week, NCB Financial looked as if it was going to move back to the $150 range with no offers below $150 for an extended period of trading. That never lasted as sellers entered, keeping the price in the $145 range. Other main market stocks to watch include, Barita Investments, Berger Paints, Jamaica Producers, Radio Jamaica and Wisynco Group that has some selling around the $12 level and my take some more time to move higher.
While there are stocks that are pregnant with possibility to move, the sideways movement of the market, seems set to continue this coming week. The situation will be made worse, with the pending Wigton Windfarm IPO, that should be coming the market this week, and will suck up approximately $6 billion, at around 50 cents per share.
Wigton IPO with propectus expected in a day or two could pressure existing stock prices.
Junior Market stocks to watch this week and beyond include, Caribbean Cream with full year results due towards the end of April that could help the stock. Caribbean Producers supported by technical indicator suggesting a higher price down the road. General Accident currently at a PE of 15 times 2018 earnings but well below likely 2019 earnings. Investors continue to demand Elite Diagnostic stock at $3.20 or lower with sellers mostly wanting close to $3.50. Honey Bun is showing all the signs of moving higher. Fontana remains fluid at $4 level. Express Catering that will benefit from the double-digit upsurge in Tourist arrivals so far in 2019. Lasco Manufacturing was in the news with expansion of the storage facilities to accommodate increased production, the stock gained last week and could record further gains this coming week, regardless it one worth watch for longer term gains.
Watch Junior Market for break higher
Junior Market poised to breakout.
Jamaican stocks are in for an interesting period with Junior Market stocks down nearly 5 percent for the year to date, lagging their main market stocks counterparts that are up 2.2 percent for 2019, but technical indicators now point to a big rally for the Junior Market.
The Junior Market is currently, supported by two major technical indicators, indicating a rising market ahead. One is a triple bottom that it is bouncing off and the other a wedge formation, both indicate a big breakout. The last time the market had a triple bottom was between March and July last year and the market gained more than 500 points.
The Jamaica Stock Exchange main market may be consolidating, but it seems to be making another effort to challenge the record high of 433,307.22 reached by the All Jamaica Composite Index in November last year. With the market closing on Friday at 426,180.60 points, it will require some meaningful price gains to close the more than 7,000 points gap.
Carib Cement traded at $58 on Friday.
For the current week, which stock could contribute to closing of the gap? Buying interest remains good for Carib Cement that moved up by $2 by the close of the week to $58. There is some selling at the last traded price but demand should take this out soon. Radio Jamaica is in demand again with a big increase in the December quarter’s profit that spell positives for the 2020 fiscal year’s results.
Wisynco came in for some selling pressure last week by the close on Friday, the stock ended at $11.95. Going forward the stock is a strong buy with increasing business and improving efficiency in operations and with credible reports that they are in talks with other local producers to distribute some popular local brands. Supreme Ventures continues to make new highs and is worth watching. The price is high more up even higher during the week but supply seems inadequate to meet demand, but an investment in the stock now may only warrant those looking for long-term returns.
NCB Financial traded at $145.05 on the JSE on Friday.
More buying came in for NCB Financial with it closing the week marginally higher at $145.05. The stock may still take some time to break higher but with second quarter results due by end of April increase demand could well develop ahead of the results.
Junior Market stocks to watch this week include, the overhang of Cargo Handlers stock was taken out last week at $11.06 and seem set to pave the way for a bounce in the price, but the stock is a bit overvalued relative to the overall market. Caribbean Cream that closed at $5.55 but traded up to $6.60 in the previous week. Full year results are due towards the end of April and that could help the stock. Caribbean Producers came into buying last week, with a move higher going forward, supported by technical indicator. Sellers of General Accident shares continues to be low, but buyers are trying to get stocks no higher than $4.50 currently at a PE of 15 times 2018 earnings and well below likely 2019 earnings. Investors in the stock at the start of 2018 got a dividend that exceeded 5 percent. If the same were to happen in 2019, the stock would end up at $6 by the end of this year. Investors continue to demand Elite Diagnostic stock at $3.20 or lower with sellers mostly wanting close to $3.50. Trading higher may not occur until closer to the release of nine months results due by mid-May. Honey Bun is showing all the signs of moving higher and traded
Honey Bun traded higher last week.
at $4.24 this past week, up from $3.83 at the end of the previous week. The bid for the stock is now at $4.15. Fontana closed the past week with a slight uptick to end at $4.05, buying continues to be good. With strong potential for growth to flow from expansion of stores now on the way, the stock is to be watched for the inevitable breakout. Express Catering has been enjoying decent buying interest. It is bound to be a big winner from the double digit upsurge in Tourist arrivals so far in 2019. Lasco Manufacturing was in the news with expansion of the storage facilities to accommodate increased production, the stock gained last week and could record further gains this coming week, regardless it one worth watch for longer term gains.
Carib Cement tops stocks to Watch
Carib Cement plant in Kingston – 2019 should be a big year for the stock.
Carib Cement could be the top stock to watch this week, with quite some supply taken out of the market last week, on the way to a record close on Friday.
Stocks on the Jamaica Stock Exchange have been consolidating, with little new information to stimulate investors to be either aggressively buying or selling stocks. The market indices have been going up and down for most of the year to date.
A series of significant developments are taking place locally, that investors should be paying keen attention to as they may have coded messages for what is in store for some for the rest of the year.
The strong double growth in stopover tourist arrivals to March has strong implication for earnings of three companies. Express Catering is one company to benefit directly as departing passengers numbers rise resulting in increased patronage of their restaurants. Dolphin Cove that came in for increased selling recently, is yet another that stands to benefit directly as more tourist arrivals will likely lead to more patronage of the attraction. Caribbean Producers and Everything Fresh, major suppliers to the tourist industry, will be selling more goods to the hotel sector.
Reduced transfer tax, stamp duties, reduced mortgage rates and increase in the maximum sum the NHT can lend will all feed into increased demand for development properties and lead to increased demand for cement and paints amongst other inputs into construction.
BOJ interest rate & cash reserves cut will help push demand in the economy.
The fall in interest rates led by Bank of Jamaica and increased liquidity that has flowed from the reduction in the level of cash reserves banks have to keep at BOJ, will lead to increased demand for loans and that will be positive for banks.
The exchange rate for the Jamaican dollar has swung from $138 to the US dollar to $125 currently. Such swings will result in big gains or losses for companies with large assets or liabilities in held in foreign currencies. Investors have to decide how to read the effects of such swings on profits and by extension the pricing of stocks.
Jamaica Public Service switch to the new LNG power supply as well as the solar plant to be added to the network this year, will reduce imports of petroleum and demand for US dollars and will result in the lowering of electricity cost to users. The change will also increase productivity of businesses as energy cost declines.
Other stocks to watch include this week include, Caribbean Cream that shot up to $6.60 on Friday with a sudden burst of buying. Sellers of General Accident shares have fallen, with just 4 now posting sell orders at the close on Friday. Buyers are trying to buy Elite Diagnostic stock at $3.20 or lower with sellers mostly wanting close to $3.50. Trading higher may not occur until closer to the release of nine months results due by mid May. Honey Bun is showing all the signs of moving higher. The bid for the stock closed at $3.98 versus the last traded price of $3.83. Fontana seems stuck around $4 but with strong potential for growth, it must be watched for the inevitable break out. Express Catering has been enjoying decent buying interest. It is bound to be a big winner from the upsurge in Tourist arrivals so far in 2019. Wisynco came in for some selling pressure last week even as reports surfaced that they are in talk with yet another local producer to distribute popular brand on top of a major local brand, this is in addition to talks they have been in to distribute a major local brand with big international foot prints. Supreme Ventures continues to make new highs and is worth watching. The price is high and may only warrant long term investing. A lot of the selling of NCB Financial seems to have ended with the market taking the remainder out last week. The stock may still take some time to break higher.
Big leap in BUY RATED Wisynco profit
Profit at Wisynco attributable to shareholders, rose a strong 36 percent to $776 million for the December quarter and 30 percent for the half year, to $1.54 billion.
Profit for the period would have been even better had the company not picked up a foreign exchange loss of $128 million in the December quarter. Profit before Taxation increased 24 percent to $942 million over the $760 million realized in 2017. The company earned of 21 cents per share for the quarter and 41 cents per share for the six months.
Revenues for the December quarter rose 16 percent to $7.1 billion over the $6.1 billion achieved in the corresponding quarter of 2017, while revenues rose 14 percent to $13.9 billion in the half year period.
Gross profit increased 18.3 percent, to $2.8 billion over the $2.4 billion achieved in the same quarter of 2017, for the half-year gross profit grew 18 percent to $5.4 billion. The company is eking out greater operational efficiencies with gross profit margin of 39.8 percent bettering the 39 percent for the 2017 second quarter. For the six months, gross profit margin grew to 38.8 percent from just 37.4 percent in 2017.
Sugar canes from which sugar is made.
Selling and distribution cost rose at a much slower pace than revenues, with a 12 percent increase for the quarter to $1.47 billion and 11 percent for the half year to $2.94 billion. Administrative Expenses increased 21 percent for the quarter to $284 million and grew by a sharp 79 percent to $544 million for the six months.
“Sales of Worthy Park spirit brands which include Rum-Bar Rums, Rum Cream and Vodka, commenced in November. The distribution of the Worthy Park packaged sugar commenced at the beginning of January,” Wisynco stated. The expanded products range, will lead to increased sales and profit, this fiscal year.
The company closed out the calendar year, with healthy looking financials, with just under $10 billion in equity capital, borrowing of $2.3 billion, cash funds of $3.63 billion and net current assets at $5 billion.
Wisynco is an IC Insider.com BUY RATED stock with the potential to earn around $1.10 per share in 2019 and $1.55 for the next fiscal year that starts in July, with the stock price hitting at least $15 by the end of this year. Usally reliable reports is suggesting that the company could land the distribution rights for another major local brand that would ahve a big impact on revenues and sales. The stock traded on the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange at the close on Friday at $10.40 for a PE of less than 10 times this year earnings compared with an average of 16 based on earnings for the market at the end of 2018.
Twice a year dividend for Wisynco
Shareholders at Wisynco 2018 AGM.
Wisynco declared a dividend of 7 cents per share payable on February 26, 2019 to shareholders on record at February 12, 2019.
The company in its report to shareholders accompanying the half results, states, that “going forward dividends will be declared semi-annually, with the first interim dividend being in January and the final dividend in July of each year.”
Wisynco reported a 36 percent rise in net profit for the December quarter to $776 million and 30 percent for the half year to $1.54 billion.
Mayberry Jamaican Equities hits market
Mayberry Investments (MIL) offer of 120,114,929 ordinary shares at $7.56 in the capital of Mayberry Jamaican Equities opens today at 9 and is scheduled to close on July 30.
The offer is slated to raise $908 million after cost of relating to the issue. The shares are expected to be listed on the main market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange, if the issue is successfully taken up and will result in 80 percent of the shares owned by MIL. MIL states in the prospectus that they will reduce their holding if they receive institutional buying interest in them.
There is an inter-company margin loan of J$545,386,403 due to MIL but after the offer, the loan is expected to be fully repaid. The offer is fully underwritten by companies owned by Mark and Christopher Berry.
Mayberry Jamaican Equities is a closed end mutual fund that will be paying a cash dividend. The Board intends to adopt a liberal dividend policy. Assuming there are sufficient distributable reserves then for each financial year the Company intends to target a dividend payout of up to 75 percent of net profits after tax.
Mayberry Head office in Kingston.
The Company does not have any employees of its own and that is consistent with its business model. It has an investment management agreement with Mayberry Asset Management (“MAM”). MAM in turn relies on the investment expertise of its principals, Christopher Berry, Konrad Mark Berry and Gary Peart, to provide the requisite investment management services to the Company. A performance fee of 8% of any increase in the Company’s Total Comprehensive Income must be paid to MAM.
The Company will buy and sell securities from, and to, brokers and dealers in the Jamaican market and the US securities market. It may also invest in bonds or notes issued by borrowing companies.
At the end of 2017, shareholders equity stood at US$71 million up from US$51.6 million in 2016 as the underlying investment grew in value. Revenues from interest dividends and trading gains amounted to $3.7 million from $1.7 million in 2016 and profit of US$3.1 million compared to $1.26 million. The company reported profit of $1.25 million for the March 2018 quarter from total revenues of $1.87 million and shareholders’ equity rose to US$76.2 million.
There are positives and negatives to take from the offer. Unlike unit trust, the issue may not provide the same level of liquidity, but the use of leverage from time to time can boost returns for the portfolio, if executed properly. The flip side it can negatively affect returns if the portfolio value stagnates of falls.
The vehicle is new to the stock exchange and it is not known how investors will price the stock once listed.
JSE majors up 2561 points for week – Friday
The Jamaica Stock Exchange pulled back at the close of trading on Friday as declining stocks was 60 percent more than as those advancing to end a week that had 2 days of new record close and still ended the week 2,561 points ahead of the close of the previous week.
At the close of trading, the All Jamaican Composite Index declined 471.19 points to 333,056.79 while the JSE Index slipped 429.31 points to close at 303,452.35.
Just 26 securities traded on Thursday, resulting in 9 advancing, 15 declining and 2 remaining firm resulted in activity amounting to just 2,827,566 units valued at $112,242,230.
In market activity, Berger Paints fell 50 cents and ended at $20.50, with 102,177 stock units, Carreras lost 28 cents in concluding trading at $10, with 171,700 units, Caribbean Cement jumped $2 to $42 while trading 289,511 shares, Ciboney Group rose 1 cent to settle at 13 cents, trading 100,000 shares, 
Grace Kennedy gained 50 cents and ended trading at $50.50, with 5,120 shares. Jamaica Broilers declined by 90 cents, trading 25,789 stock units to end at $22.10, with, Jamaica Producers gained 10 cents and finished trading at $16.95, with 1,654 units, Jamaica Stock Exchange closed at $7.20, with 2,500 shares after rising 17 cents, JMMB Group ended at $29.45, trading 219,128 shares with a rise of 45 cents. Kingston Properties fell 35 cents concluded trading at 52 weeks’ low of $5, with 6,000 shares, Kingston Wharves fell 35 cents and finished at $45.65, with 26,730 stock units changing hands, Mayberry Investments shed 44 cents and settled at $6.06, with 26,247 units, NCB Financial Group shed 49 cents and ended trading at $99.50, with 766,949 shares. 1834 Investments traded at $1.09 after rising 3 cents with 30,000 shares changing hands, 138 Student Living lost 8 cents and settled at $4.60, with 1,000 units, PanJam Investment closed at $51.45, with 27,225 stock units, Portland JSX lost 87 cents to end at $9.25, with 10,000 units, Radio Jamaica finished at $1.05, with 71,058 shares.
Sagicor Group settled at $38.15 and lost 95 cents after trading 73,246 shares, Sagicor Real Estate Fund eased 1 cent and settled at $13.79, with 14,201 shares. Scotia Group rose 57 cents in closing trading at $50.60, with 46,014 units, Sterling Investments dropped $2.50 and closed at $9.50, with 591 shares, Supreme Ventures lost 30 cents and ended at $14.20, with 72,325 shares. Victoria Mutual Investments concluded trading with a fall of 10 cents at $4, exchanging 568,164 stock units and Wisynco Group rose 4 cents, finishing at $9.84, with 169,237 units. In the main market preference segment, JMMB Group 7.5% lost 4 cents and finished at $1.04, with 1,000 stock units changing hands.
Prices of securities trading for the day are those at which the last trade took place. For more details of market activities, see “JSE stocks down again – Friday .”
Trading falls on JSE main market – Wednesday
The Jamaica Stock Exchange closed on Wednesday with modest volumes, but the market indices moved to new record close.
At the close of trading, the All Jamaican Composite Index rose 686.42 points to close at 336,693.61 and the JSE Index climbed 625.40 points to 306,765.91.
Just 22 securities traded on Wednesday, resulting in 10 advancing, 7 declining and 5 remaining firm resulted in 2,236,723 units valued at a mere $34,192,073 trading.
In market activity, Barita Investments closed at $12.05, with 1,730 shares trading, Berger Paints gained 51 cents and ended at $20.51, with 3,000 stock units changing han
Carreras concluded trading at $10.30, with 39,046 units, Caribbean Cement jumped $2.50 to finish at $42, with 23,000 shares, Ciboney Group settled at 12 cents, with 50,000 shares. Grace Kennedy rose $1, ending trading at $51, exchanging 26,789 shares, Jamaica Broilers rose 20 cents to $23, with 2,100 stock units, Jamaica Producers finished trading at $16.85, with 14,960 units, Jamaica Stock Exchange closed at $7.30, trading 43,660 shares. JMMB Group ended with a loss of 65 cents at $27.60, trading 358,700 shares, Kingston Properties dropped 65 cents and concluded trading at $5.35, with 2,400 shares, Kingston Wharves fell 50 cents and finished at $46, with 61,766 stock units, Mayberry Investments settled with a gain of 10 cents at $6.50, trading 2,090 units. NCB Financial Group rose 25 cents and ended trading at $98.25, with 20,462 shares, PanJam Investment closed with a fall of 5 cents at $51.45, exchanging just 200 stock units, Radio Jamaica eased just 1 cent and finished at $1.07, with 104,000 shares trading, 
Sagicor Group settled with a loss of 70 cents at $38.50, exchanging 21,654 shares. Sagicor Real Estate Fund added 1 cents and settled at $13.81, with 890 shares, Scotia Group rose 35 cents in trading 59,507 units to close at $51.50, Supreme Ventures ended 30 cents higher at a 52 weeks’ high of $15.30, with 9,314 shares, Victoria Mutual Investments rose 7 cents and concluded trading at $4.07, with 311,254 stock units and Wisynco Group lost 25 cents and finished trading at $9.75 with 1,080,201 units changing hands.
Prices of securities trading for the day are those at which the last trade took place. For more details of market activities, see “JSE moved higher on Tuesday.”
NCB pushes JSE trading volume on Tuesday
NCB dominated trading with 5 million shares.
Trading ended with 23 securities being active on Tuesday, resulting in 10 advancing, 6 declining and 9 remaining firm as 11,446,622 units valued at $579,818,518 well up from the 3,192,844 units valued at $66,838,582 trading on Monday.
At the close of trading, the All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 3,471.47 points to close at 336,007.19 and the JSE Index advanced by 3,162.90 points to close at 306,140.51.
In market activity Barita Investments closed at $12.05, after rising 5 cents with 792 shares traded, Carreras lost $1 in concluding trading at $10.30, with 210,695 units, Caribbean Cement finished with a fall of $1 to end at $39.50, trading 38,281 shares, Ciboney Group lost 1 cent and settled at 12 cents, with 221,730 shares,
Grace Kennedy rose 50 cents and ended trading at $50, with 200,174 shares changing hands. Jamaica Broilers price shot up $1.20 to $22.80, with 1,005,810 stock units, Jamaica Producers finished trading at $16.85, with 5,103 units, Jamaica Stock Exchange lost 20 cents and closed at $7.30, with 130,656 shares, JMMB Group rose 25 cents and ended at $28.25, with 30,882 shares. Kingston Wharves finished at $46.50, with 16,762 stock units, NCB Financial Group climbed $1 and ended trading at $98, with an exchange of 5,014,800 shares, PanJam Investment closed 50 cents higher at $51.50, with 9,211 stock units, Pulse Investments concluded trading at $1.60, with 94,707 shares. Radio Jamaica fell 2 cents and finished at $1.08, with 325,049 shares, Sagicor Group rose 20 cents to $39.20, with 153,834 shares trading, Sagicor Real Estate Fund settled at $13.80, exchanging 7,266 shares, Scotia Group lost 35 cents and closed trading at $51.15, with 53,180 units,
Seprod finished trading with a rise of $1 to $36, with 272 shares. Supreme Ventures rose $1.50 and ended at $15, with 2,317,772 shares, Victoria Mutual Investments concluded trading at $4, with 583,930 stock units and Wisynco Group climbed 25 cents and finished at $10, with 136,809 units.In the main market preference segment, JMMB Group 7.25% ended at $2.11, with 180,000 shares, JMMB Group 7.5% finished at $1.09, with 708,907 stock units changing hands.
Prices of securities trading for the day are those at which the last trade took place. For more details of market activities, see “JSE jumps sharply to record close – Tuesday.”