Junior market listed IC Insider’s BUY RATED Caribbean Cream 
is in strong demand in early Tuesday morning trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, with 571,271 units changing hands at $5, followed by Scotia Group with 163,233 shares at $30.75. No other stock reached the 100,000 unit mark.
The main market suffered a reversal of Monday’s gains while the junior market index gained.
Trading resulted in activity in 21 securities, accounting for a volume of 965,106 units as 8 stocks gained and 6 declined. The average number of shares traded amounts to just units 41,961 compared to an average of 14,733 units on Monday.
After 75 minutes of trading in the early morning session, on Tuesday, the all Jamaica Composite Index dropped 1,559.23 points to 177,151.24, the Jamaica Stock Exchange Market Index dipped 1,394.18 points to 159,446.52, the Jamaica Stock Exchange combined index dived 1,217.73 to close at 171,065.08 points andthe junior market index rose 7.22 points to 2,257.53.
Kremi in demand but main market falls- Tuesday
CAC profit edges higher
Revenues climbed just 5 percent to $252 million and after tax profit rose 16 percent to $21.8 million for junior market listed CAC 2000, but pretax profit was slightly lower than for 2015 with $23.6 million reported for 2016 April quarter versus $24.7 million for the similar period in 2015.
For the six months to April, revenues climbed 16 percent to $481 million and after tax profit rose 20 percent to $48.5 million from $40.6 million in 2015. Gross profit rose 19.7 percent to $182 million for the six months and 8.9 percent to $96 million for the second quarter.
Selling and distribution cost fell from $10 million in the 2015 second quarter to $6 million in 2016 and for the half year, from $20 million to $14 million. Administrative cost rose from $46 million for the second quarter to $63 million and for the six months from $83 million to $114 million. The increase is “due to our investment in additional resources to support the continued growth in business,” Steven Marston, the chairman of the company stated.
The increased cost, pushed profit before other revenues to $27 million for the 2016 quarter from $34 million in 2015 and for the year to date, from $50 million to $54 million.
Earnings per share ends at 40 cents for the half year and 18 cents for the quarter. The stock trades on the Jamaica Stock Exchange junior market at $6.70 at a PE around 8.7 times this year’s earnings, putting it at 21 out of the 29 junior market listings.
At the close of April, CAC had cash of $188 million, total current assets of $771 million and current liabilities of $382 million. Borrowed funds stood at $156 million with equity capital at $382 million.
Jamaican$ gains vs US on Monday
The Jamaica dollar gained against the United States currency at the close of trading on Monday even as inflow was US$2.5 million more than the amount sold. The local dollar lost ground against the Pound sterling as the British currency gained strength with public opinion polls suggesting voters will support the vote to remain in the euro zone.
The foreign exchange market closed with dealers buying the equivalent in all currencies, of US$50,161,179 and selling US$46,313,716, in contrast to US$38,700,842 purchased and US$33,005,652 sold on Friday.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$46,596,141 compared to US$35,609,042 on Friday as the buying rate for the US dollar fell 12 cents to $125.34. 
A total of US$44,081,167 was sold versus US$30,473,037 on Friday with the selling rate falling 4 cents to $126.03. The Canadian dollar buying rate rose 6 cents to end at $94.49 with dealers buying C$1,249,798 and selling C$650,444, at an average rate that gained 25 cents to $97.53. The average rate for buying the British Pound jumped $2.55 to $178.08 for the purchase of £1,730,533, while £820,742 was sold, with the rate climbing $1.97 to $179.60.
At the end of trading, the selling rate for Euro, jumped $1.37 to close at J$141.81 from Friday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$139, for a rise of $1.31 on Friday’s rate. 
The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded amounts to US$164,287 being bought, while US$559,556 was sold.
Highs & Lows| Notable changes to the highest and lowest traded rates for the Jamaican dollar in the foreign exchange market on Monday, include, a rise of 90 cents in the highest selling rate of the Canadian Dollar to $100.98, a rise of 85 cents in lowest selling rate to $92.50. The highest buying rate of the British Pound jumped $5.70 to $185.20, the lowest buying rate climbed $2.49 to $143.18 with the highest selling rate leaping $4.62 to $188.
JSE jumps higher on Monday
Pan Jam office building in Kingston Jamaica.
Stocks traded amount to 9,084,743 units valued at $145,603,514, in all market segments with the junior market accounting for 775,816 shares, valued at $4,015,547 of all trades.
The market closed with prices of 10 stocks in the overall market rising, 12 declining, including 3 stocks rising and 2 declining, from the junior market.
The JSE Market Index gained 1,108.10 points to end at 160,840.70. The all Jamaica Composite Index rose 1,239.29 points to close at 178,710.47 and the JSE combined index climbed 978.39 points, to end at 172,282.81.IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading showed 11 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 6 with lower offers.
At the end of market activities, demand for Caribbean Cement has melted away as the price of oil on the world market heats up, with the stock price falling 80 cents to close at $21.20 after trading just 2,965 units. Bids for Cement are few with only 13,000 units being bought down to $19. Carreras added 1 cent in trading 33,000 shares and closed at $62.81. The price of 1834 Investments fell 4 cents in trading 77,834 units at $1.16, Jamaica Broilers traded 12,880 units changing hands to close at $14.50, Jamaica Producers traded 10,266 shares at $48, Jamaica Stock Exchange lost $1.02 in trading 2,000 shares to close at $19, JMMB Group declined by 20 cents in trading 109,800 units to close at $9.80.
National Commercial Bank closed with 304,003 shares changing hands at $42, Radio Jamaica had 78,200 shares trading but fell 11 cents to $1.74, Sagicor Group ended with 265,658 shares changing hands after rising 11 cents to $23.01, Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 38,950 shares and gained 5 cents to close at $10.15. Scotia Group with 274,855 units to close at $30.11, Scotia Investments traded 27,072 shares and gained $1 to close at $26 and Supreme Ventures lost just 1 cent in trading 164,840 units at $4.75.
Juniors had quiet – Monday
Trading in junior market closed with 13 active securities, with overall volume traded remaining low leading to only 775,816 shares valued at $4,015,547 changing hands on Monday. At the close 3 stocks advanced and 2 declined and the junior market index fell 4.72 points to 2,250.31.
At the end of trading 6 stocks closed with the bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 ended with lower offers.
At the end of trading, AMG Packaging closed with 2,128 shares changing hands at $13, CAC 2000 traded 3,135 shares at $6.70, Caribbean Cream traded 13,843 units to end with a gain of 20 cents at $5, the stock was offered at $4.99 at the close, to sell 50,000 units, Dolphin Cove traded 8,338 units to close at $11.50. 
Honey Bun closed at $6 with 27,574 units changing hands, ISP Finance traded 31,499 units to close at $4.10, Jamaican Teas closed trading with 1,400 shares at $3.80, Jetcon traded 15,424 shares and gained 1 cent at $2.51, Lasco Distributors traded 105,769 units to end with a loss of 3 cents, at $7.95. Lasco Financial closed unchanged at $3.44 with 79,427 shares changing hands, while Lasco Manufacturing gained 4 cents and closed at $5.09 with 392,314 shares trading, Medical Disposables traded 2,000 shares to close at $4 and tTech ended with 92,965 units changing hands but fell 5 cent to close at $4.
Slow start to the week – Monday
The Jamaica stock market is off to a slow start for the week with low volumes in early Monday morning trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
The leading trades are Radio Jamaica with 50,800 shares at $1.75 and Lasco Financial Services with 78,198 at $3.43 and tTech have 92,965 units changing hands at $4. Iron Rock Insurance has a bid to buy 4,676,395 shares at $3.23 but the stock has not traded so far.
Trading resulted in activity in 21 securities, accounting for a volume of 309,390 units as 6 stocks gained and 4 declined. The average number of shares traded amounts to just 14,733 units compared to an average of 132,153 units on Friday.
After 75 minutes of trading in the early morning session, on Monday, the all Jamaica Composite Index rose 306.23 points to 177,777.41, the JSE Market Index gained 273.81 points to 160,006.41, the JSE combined index climbed 263.72 to close at 171,568.14 points andthe junior market index rose a mere 0.96 points to 2,255.99.
Prices up during May in Jamaica
Prices mostly rose in May resulting in Jamaica experiencing an inflation rate of 0.2 percent for the month over April this year with the calendar year to date figure still showing no signs of higher prices overall, with negative inflation of 1.4 percent, data from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) reveal.
According to STATIN, the main contributors to overall upward movement in May, were Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages up by 0.1 percent, Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels up by 0.6 percent and the Transport division advancing by 0.8 percent. The point-to-point movement, that is, inflation for the past year, is 2.1 percent.
“Mainly impacting the index for the division Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages are increases of 0.1 percent and 0.3 percent in the index for the groups, Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages respectively.
Petrol added to inflation in May
Other areas of price increase are, Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco 0.1 percent, Clothing and Footwear 0.3 percent, Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance 0.3 percent, Health, 0.1 percent, Recreation and Culture 0.1 percent and Miscellaneous Goods and Services 0.2 percent. There were no increases for Education, Communication, Restaurants and Accommodation Services.
Heavy trading in 4 stocks – Friday
Scotia Group was one of the leading trades on Friday with more than 570,000 shares.
Stocks traded amount to 9,658,526 units valued at $241,159,958, in all market segments with the junior market accounting for 721,925 shares, valued at $3,110,379 of all trades.
The market closed with prices of 12 stocks in the overall market rising, 13 declining, including 6 stocks rising and 5 declining, from the junior market. At the close 2 stocks ended at a new 52 weeks’ highs and 1 at a low.The JSE Market Index gained 92.63 points to end at 159,639.97. The all Jamaica Composite Index rose 103.60 points to close at 177,471.18 and the JSE combined index climbed 184.76 points, to end at 171,119.66.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading showed 11 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 6 with lower offers.
At the end of market activities, Cable & Wireless closed at $1.26 after trading 269,176 units, Carreras fell 5 cents in trading 3,520 shares and closed at $62.80, Ciboney traded 65,000 units at 15 cents, Grace Kennedy closed with 157,510 shares trading at $125,
Jamaica Broilers traded 76,896 units changing hands with a fall of 15 cents to close at $14.50. Jamaica Producers traded 61,482 shares and gained 50 cents to end at $48, JMMB Group gained 18 cents in trading 10,810 units to close at $10, Sagicor Group ended with 36,368 shares changing hands after rising 10 cents to $22.90, Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 14,900 shares but gained 55 cents to close at $10.10. Scotia Investments traded 18,878 shares, but fell $1.15 to close at $25, Seprod traded 112,200 shares with a decline of 50 cents at $16.50, Supreme Ventures gained just 1 cent in trading 34,150 units at $4.76 and Proven Investment preference share traded 20,000 units and fell 20 cents to a 52 weeks’ low of $4.80.
Jamaican$ down vs US on Friday
The Jamaica dollar lost ground against the United States currency at the close of trading on Friday even as the inflows was US$5 million more than the amount sold.
The foreign exchange market closed on Friday with dealers buying the equivalent in all currencies, of US$38,700,842 and selling US$33,005,652, in contrast to US$46,580,987 purchased and US$45,960,920 sold on Thursday
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$35,609,042 compared to US$42,886,272 on Thursday as the buying rate for the US dollar rose 5 cents to $125.46. 
A total of US$30,473,037 was sold versus US$43,055,967 on Thursday with the selling rate rising 7 cents to $126.07. The Canadian dollar buying rate rose $1.51 to end at $94.43 with dealers buying C$916,929 and selling C$539,990, at an average rate that fell 78 cents to $97.28. The average rate for buying the British Pound dipped $1.37 to $175.53 for the purchase of £1,626,743, while £614,329 was sold, with the rate declining 51 cents to $177.63.
At the end of trading, the selling rate for Euro, dropped $1.20 to close at J$140.45 from Thursday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$137.69, for a fall of $1.23 on Thursday’s rate. The US dollar equivalent of other 
currencies traded amounts to US$125,608 being bought, while US$1,250,415 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 decline of $1.12 in the lowest buying rate of the Canadian Dollar to $76.07, a fall of 92 cents in the highest selling rate to $100.08 and the lowest buying rate of the British Pound dropped $1.66 to $140.69 with the highest selling rate falling $1.84 to $183.38.
Junior market rises again – Friday
Medical Disposables traded at new high on junior market on Friday.
At the end of trading one stock closed at a new high while the bids for 5 stocks closed higher than their last selling prices and 2 ended with lower offers.
At the end of trading, Access Financial traded 4,400 shares and rose 5 cents, to end at $17.35, AMG Packaging closed with a gain of 60 cents with 5,653 shares changing hands at $13, Blue Power traded 10,115 shares, to end at $13.55, Caribbean Flavours traded 6,000 units to end at $7, Caribbean Producers traded 6,930 shares at $4.20. Consolidated Bakeries traded 71,540 shares to close with a fall of 5 cents at $1.80, General Accident traded 32,300 shares and lost 15 cents to end at $2.10, Honey Bun rose 30 cents, to close at $6 with 1,720 units changing hands, but was offered at $5.85 at the close. Iron Rock Insurance traded 303,353 shares but fell 7 cents to close at $3.23, 
Jamaican Teas added 10 cents in trading 197 shares at $3.80, Jetcon traded 4,690 shares at $2.50, Lasco Distributors traded 85,399 units to end with a loss of 1 cent, at $7.98. Lasco Financial gained 4 cents to close at $3.44 with 44,200 shares changing hands, while Lasco Manufacturing closed at $5.05 with 129,556 shares trading, Medical Disposables traded 15,372 shares and gained 47 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $4 and tTech ended with 500 units changing hands but fell 1 cent to close at $4.05.
