Jamaica National enjoyed a 10 percent increase in loans at the end of March this year over March 2015 to $66 billion inclusive mortgages that rose from $56 billion to $61 billion. Based on loans approved and not disbursed at the end of March, the loans portfolio seems set to climb at a much faster pace than for 2016 fiscal year.
According to the societies’ financials, loans approved but not yet disbursed jumped by a sharp 168 percent to $7.36 billion or 12 percent of outstanding loans, up from $2.75 billion or 4.9 percent of the loan portfolio at March 2015.
Jamaica National, Jamaica’s largest building society had a mix fortunes in fiscal year 2016 with assets climbing by 8.8 percent to $181 billion. Investment securities made up the bulk of the assets at $94 billion. Equity capital stood at $31.2 billion and savers deposits of $101.4 billion up from$90 billion in 2015.
The society suffered a sharp drop of 44 percent in profits to $1.42 billion from $2.53 billion in 2015. For the year to March 2014, profit jumped to $2.3 billion from only $908 million in the previous year.
Contributing to profit for the year was net interest income growing from $8.5 billion to $8.8 billion, other operating income that fell from $6.2 billion to $5.9 billion and operating expenses climbing from $11.8 billion to $13.3 billion.
Tourism Jamaica’s #1US$ earner
Tourism is Jamaica’s largest earner of foreign exchange.
During the period of 2008 to 2015, the three main areas of foreign exchange earnings have switched positions between themselves, but since 2012 tourism has been the number one source of inflows and is widening the gap.
Tourism brought in US$1.98 billion in 2008 and remittances US$2 billion. Remittances grew by 10 percent to US$2.2 billion in 2015 over 2008, while tourism was up 18.8 percent to US$2.4 billion. In 2015 tourism inflows grew by 6.4 percent in contrast to the 3 percent increase in remittances. In 2014 tourism inflows grew by a strong 8.7 percent over 2013.
While remittances and tourism have been growing since 2008, exports of goods have gone in the opposite direction with 2015 exports falling to US$1.27 billion versus US$2.974 billion for 2008 for a decline of 54 percent. If the growth trend in tourism inflows continue at the 2015 pace, the sector will exceed the earnings by exports of goods in 2008 by 2018.
Jamaica’s remittances up 10%
Jamaica enjoyed a strong 10.4 percent growth amounting to US$17.2 million in net remittances in April 2016 to reach US$184 million compared to April 2015. The growth reflected an increase in gross remittance inflows buttressed by a slight contraction in remittance outflows.
Gross remittance inflows for the month were US$203 million, an increase of US$15.5 million or 8.3 percent versus the similar period last year. While the April’s increase climbed sharply over 2015, net inflows for the first 4 months of the year is up just 3.5 percent, reflecting swings in the rate of growth for various months, with January suffering a contraction of 6.4 percent and March rising by just 1.5 percent.
Net remittances for the first four months of 2016 were US$22 million or 3.5 percent above the 2015 period, to end at US$660 million, flowing from an increase in gross inflows, partially offset by an increase in outflows. Total inflows were US$740 million, an increase of US$25 million or 3.5 percent.
In 2015 total remittance inflows, amounted to US$2.23 billion or 3 percent ahead of the amount generated in 2014.
TTSE closes steady on Friday
The Trinidad and Tobago stock market closed on Friday with just 9 securities trading, resulting in 204,938 shares valued at $2,341,639 changing hands. The market closed with 3 stocks rising, 2 declining stocks and 4 remaining unchanged.
The Composite Index rose 0.02 points to close at 1,152.81, the All T&T Index fell 0.08 points to close at 1,810.66 and the Cross Listed Index rose 0.02 at 65.91.
IC bid-offer Indicator| The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator ended with 6 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 7 with offers that were lower.
Gains| Guardian Holdings ended with 6,391 shares changing hands to close with a 5 cents gain at $12.66, Praetorian Property Mutual Fund rose just 7 cents in contributing 4,000 shares to end at $2.60 and 
Trinidad and Tobago NGL rose 1 cent and closed with 59,443 shares valued at $1,412,142 changing hands at $23.76.
Losses| Massy Holdings had 5,043 shares changing hands but lost 2 cents, to close at $56.73 and ReadyMix dropped 75 cents to a new 52 weeks’ low of $12.25 with 125 units changing hands.
Firm Trades| National Commercial Bank ended with 82,117 shares changing hands to close with at $2.75, Point Lisas Industrial Port had 7,528 shares changing hands, to close at $3.60, Sagicor Financial Corporation closed with 40,211 shares changing hands at $7.15 and West Indian Tobacco had 80 shares changing hands at $126.30.
JSE rises to close month on Friday
Carib Cement jumped $2.50 to end at $25.50, in response to gains in their six months profit.
The JSE Market Index rose 566.36 points to end at 159,821.96 the all Jamaica Composite Index gained 633.39 points to close at 177,571.16 and the JSE combined index rose 961.27 points, to end at 170,827.67.
The market closed trading, with 4,227,889 units valued at $28,371,983 changing hands, in all market segments. The junior market accounted for 2,718,436 units traded, valued at $8,665,436 of all trades.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading showed 13 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 with lower offers.
At the end of market activities, Berger Paints traded 15,850 shares to end at $4.55, Cable & Wireless fell 2 cents in trading 115,600 shares to close at $1.17, Caribbean Cement jumped $2.50 in trading 95,953 shares to close at $25.50, Carreras loss 4 cents in exchanging 8,975 shares at $64.90. Ciboney traded 110,055 units and gained 2 cents to end at 19 cents. Trading in 1834 Investments, resulted in 1,420 shares changing hands to close with a loss of 1 cent at $1.39, Grace Kennedy closed at $125 with 15,999 shares changing hands, Jamaica Broilers ended with 202,163 shares changing hands and fell 49 cents to $14.51, Jamaica Producers lost 5 cents in trading 36,857 shares to end at $8.15. JMMB Group traded 39,201 units to end at $9.95, Kingston Wharves lost 50 cents with 686 units changing hands and closed at $15.50. Mayberry Investments gained 7 cents and ended with 22,000 shares trading, to close at $3.07, National Commercial Bank traded 23,857 units changing hands, to close at $42.50, Pan Jamaican traded 19,480 shares and rose by 47 cents to end at $25.47. Pulse Investments traded 8,000 shares and gained 15 cents to end at $3.85,
Radio Jamaica rose 12 cents to close at $1.55 after 351,717 shares changed hands, Sagicor Group ended with 22,589 shares changing hands at $22.50. Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 37,688 shares but fell 2 cents to close at $10.10, Scotia Group loss 10 cents in trading 45,091 shares to end at $30.10, Scotia Investments had 4,000 units changing hands at $26.10 for a gain of $1.09, Seprod had 4,700 units changing hands at $17.40. Supreme Ventures lost 19 cents and ended at $4.51, with 13,725 units changing hands, Proven Investments traded 262,700 units to close at 19 US cents for a rise of 2 US cents and JMMB Group 7.5% traded 51,000 shares to close at $1.10.
Net FX inflows climb on Friday
Net inflows into the Jamaica’s foreign exchange market, rose by just under US$5 million on Friday pushing the surplus since the end of June to US$92 million. In Friday’s trading, dealers bought US$41,626,691 while they sold US$36,879,082 compared to US$30,215,014 purchased and US$36,917,077, sold on Thursday of all currencies. The value for the Jamaican dollar fell slightly against the US dollar and the Canadian dollar but rose against the selling rate for the Pound.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$6 million more than they sold with buying amounting to US$36,942,682 compared to US$27,042,275 on Thursday. The buying rate for the US dollar climbed 15 cents to $125.89.
A total of US$30,736,441 was sold versus US$33,427,390 on Thursday, with the selling rate rising 5 cents to end at $126.56. The Canadian dollar buying rate declined by 62 cents to end at $94.04, with dealers buying C$1,445,059 and selling C$5,118,612, at an average rate that climbed $2.85 to $99.99. The average rate for buying the British Pound gained $1.81 to $163.34 for the purchase of £1,690,154, while £411,245 was sold to end at $166.01, for a decline of $1.84.
At the end of trading, the selling rate for the Euro, fell by 31 cents to close at J$140.19 from Thursday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$132.19 for a drop of $8.91. 
The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded amounts to US$1,411,604 being bought, while US$1,558,945 was sold.
Highs & Lows| Notable changes to the highest and lowest traded rates, for the Jamaican dollar in the foreign exchange market on Friday, include, a gain of $1.56 in the highest selling rate of the Canadian Dollar to close at $100.92, a decline of $2 in the lowest selling rate to $89, while trading in the British Pound resulted in a gain of $1.50 in the highest buying rate to $167.30 as the highest selling rate dropped $8.80 to $174 and the lowest selling rate rose $2 to end at $160.
Juniors big 3 gainers on Friday
Cargo Handlers traded at a new high of $56.
The index closed 42.49 points higher at 2,200.86 as an equal number of 6 stocks advanced and declined and with 1 closing at a new high. A total of 2,718,436 units traded, valued at $8,665,436.
A total of 7 stocks closed with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 ended with a lower offer.
At the close, Access Financial Services had 8,200 units changing hands while losing 35 cents to close at $17.10,
Blue Power jumping $2.40, and closed with 13,375 units changing hands at $16.10, Cargo Handlers traded 1,875 shares to end a an all-time high of $56. Caribbean Cream rose 14 cents with 251,464 shares changing hands to close at $6.95, Consolidated Bakeries lost 5 cents in trading 50,484 units at $2.10, C2W Music rose 1 cent to end at 29 cents with 573 shares changing hands, Dolphin Cove ended at $13.65 with 5,000 shares trading to gain 74 cents. General Accident traded 1,794,758 units at $2.05,
Honey Bun had 17,500 shares changing hands, to close at with a loss of 5 cents at $5.45, Key Insurance traded 253,785 units to close at $2.50. Knutsford Express closed with 316 units changing hands to end at $19 with a rise of $4, Lasco Distributors ended with 161,341 shares changing hands, to end 10 cents lower at $7.30. Lasco Financial gained 9 cents and ended with 11,000 shares changing hands to close at $3.49, Lasco Manufacturing lost 3 cents and closed at $4.97 with 134,067 shares trading and Medical Disposables traded 19,698 shares and fell 5 cents to close at $3.50.
Junior index jumps 41 points – Friday
The junior market index jumped by 41 points with one new high and Knutsford Express jumping $4 while main market stocks also rose.
Cargo Handlers traded 1,875 units climbing $7 to a new all-time high of $56 while Knutsford Express jumped $4 to $19 with just 316 units changing hands. Caribbean Cement traded 87,953 to at $24.95 for a rise of $1.95 while National Commercial Bank fresh from reporting a 25 percent jump in June quarter results has so far traded just 9,333 units at $42, with the bid at $42 with a small volume being demanded.
The all Jamaica Composite Index rose 427.71 points to 177,365.48 the Jamaica Stock Exchange Market Index climbed 422.44 points to 159,638.04, the Jamaica Stock Exchange combined index gained 382.44 points to close at 170,737.91 points andthe junior market index added 41.10 points to 2,199.47.
Trading at 10:45 am resulted in only 20 securities changing hands, accounting for a volume of 457,835 shares, with 7 securities rising and 8 falling. The average number of shares traded amounts to 22,892 units compared to 30,141 units on Thursday.
ISP Finance jumps 125% since listing
ISP Finance up 125% since its 2016 IPO
The market closed with more stock prices declining than those that rose leading to a fall in the market index with 19 securities being active, the highest for since July 11, when a similar number traded. The index closed 35.06 points lower, at 2,158.37 as 5 stocks gained and 7 declined with 1 closing at a new high. A total of 816,187 units traded, valued at $3,553,629.
A total of 7 stocks closed with bids higher than their last selling prices and none ended with a lower offer.
At the close, AMG Packaging closed at $12.50 with 1,000 units changing hands, Blue Power closed with 10,300 units changing hands to close at $13.70 with a loss of $1.30, Caribbean Cream rose 11 cents with 152,336 shares changing hands to close at $6.81, Caribbean Flavours traded 28,448 units to end at $6.53 with a fall of 47 cents. Caribbean Producers traded 52,670 units at $3.25, with a fall of 1 cent, Consolidated Bakeries gained 10 cents in trading 185,000 units at $2.15, Derrimon Trading fell 1 cent to end at $3.06 with 9,627 shares changing hands, Dolphin Cove ended at $13.65 with 5,000 shares trading to gain 74 cents. General Accident traded 44,000 units at $2.05, Honey Bun had 28,735 shares changing hands, to close at $5.50. 
Lasco Distributors ended with 40,453 shares changing hands, to end at $7.40, Lasco Financial ended with 93,581 shares changing hands to close at $3.40, Lasco Manufacturing rose 5 cents and closed at $5 with 64,682 shares trading, Medical Disposables traded 18,106 shares and fell 45 cents to close at $3.55. Sweet River traded 1,000 shares and fell 1 cent to close at $3.85, tTech traded 48,502 units to end at $4 and Derrimon Trading preference share ended with 24,148 shares changing hands to close at $2.07.
Rising stocks hit 19 on Thursday
The Jamaica Stock Exchange recorded gains in the two main market indices at the close on Thursday, but more stocks recorded gains than losses. A total of 44 securities traded, with 19 rising, 10 declining, including 5 stocks rising and 7 declining from the junior market, as the market continues to consolidate.
The JSE Market Index rose 271.59 points to end at 159,255.60 the all Jamaica Composite Index gained 303.73 points to close at 176,937.77 and the JSE combined index fell 107.78 points, to end at 169,866.40.
The market closed trading, with 1,530,047 units valued at $13,106,978 changing hands, in all market segments. The junior market accounted for 816,187 units traded, valued at $3,553,629 of all trades.
At the end of market activities, 
Cable & Wireless gained 2 cents in trading 126,771 shares to close at $1.19, Caribbean Cement rose 50 cents in trading only 3,498 shares to close at $23, Carreras gained 10 cents in exchanging 1,800 shares at $64.94. Trading in 1834 Investments, resulted in 33,500 shares changing hands to close with a gain of 10 cents at $1.40, Grace Kennedy gained $2.50 to close at $125 with 2,640 shares changing hands, Jamaica Broilers ended with 8,429 shares changing hands and rose 49 cents to $15, Jamaica Producers rose 15 cents in trading 7,850 shares to end at $8.20. Jamaica Stock Exchange dropped 50 cents to end at $22.50 while trading 49,495 shares, JMMB Group fell 4 cents trading 19,849 units to end at $9.95, Kingston Wharves with 20,624 units changing hands and closed at $16. Mayberry Investments ended with 39,431 shares trading to close at $3, National Commercial Bank and gained 50 cents with 5,709 units changing hands, to close at $42.50, Pan Jamaican traded 98,664 shares and rose by 50 cents to end at $25.
Pulse Investments traded just 1,500 shares and gained 40 cents to end at $3.70, Radio Jamaica rose 1 cent to close at $1.43 after 20,330 shares changed hands, Sagicor Group ended with 39,720 shares changing hands and gained 50 cents to $22.50. Scotia Group traded 3,636 shares to end at $30.20, Scotia Investments had 100,000 units changing hands at $25.01 for a fall of $1.09, Seprod had 9,842 units changing hands at $17.40, Supreme Ventures lost 10 cents and ended at $4.70, with 9,000 units changing hands. Proven Investments traded 12,522 units to close at 17 US cents for a rise of 1 US cents and JMMB Group 7.5% traded 90,000 shares to close at $1.10.
