The Jamaica stock market made further gains on Thursday as investors continue to respond positively to the release of company results. The market closed with activity in 41 securities, leading to 16,060,816 units valued at $115,028,197 changing hands, in all market segments. A total of 14 securities rose and 11 declined with 5 stocks ending at 52 weeks’ closing high and 1 at intraday high.
The JSE Market Index rose 466.62 points to 138,363.46, the all Jamaica Composite Index gained 521.47 points to end at 153,585.26 and the JSE combined index increased by 704.78 points to end at 145,062.08.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading of 11 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with lower offers.
In trading, Berger Paints closed at $3.80 with 36,600 shares trading, Cable and Wireless lost 5 cents, with 1,954,862 shares changing hands to close at $1.45. On offer were 4,120,449 shares at $1.50 with bid in at $1.45 to buy just 1,972 units. Caribbean Cement fell 20 cents to end at $17.80 with 339,495 shares changing hands. Carreras dropped 1 cent to end at $55.50 with 45,965 units trading, Gleaner traded 58,700 units at $1.90, Grace Kennedy closed at $74.97 after shedding by 3 cents with 162,604 shares changing hands, Jamaica Broilers traded 516,635 shares to close at $9.25. Jamaica Producers traded 20,776 shares as the price dropped $4 to end at $25, Jamaica Stock Exchange traded 10,500 shares at $14, JMMB Group closed 26,000 shares trading at $11. Mayberry Investments closed with 675,799 units trading at $4.39 with a loss of 1 cent,
National Commercial Bank close with 357,912 shares changing hands to end with a rise of 50 cents at $34.50, Pan Jamaican rose 5 cents in trading 70,486 shares to end at $88.10. Pulse Investments traded 44,369 shares with a rise of 22 cents for new 52 weeks’ closing high of $1.72, Radio Jamaica closed 10 cents higher with 117,214 units at $5, Sagicor Group traded at $16.26 with 541,857 shares changing hands and lost 25 cents. Scotia Group ended with 196,030 shares changing hands and closed with a gain of 85 cents at $27.75, Supreme Ventures ended with 8,006,732 shares changing hands at $4.70 and Proven Investments ordinary share rose 1.2 US cents and ended at 23 US cents with 65,812 units changing hands.
Profit results help rally Jamaican stocks
Jam$ fell on Wednesday
Inflows of foreign currencies into the system on Wednesday fell to US$8 million less than the amount sold with the local dollar selling rate losing value against all three main counterpart currencies. At the close of trading, the equivalent of US$23,243,562 was bought by dealers, compared with US$40,302,311 on Tuesday, while they sold the equivalent of US$31,032,571 versus US$44,817,449 previously.
In US dollar trading , dealers bought US$20,431,186 compared to US$36,133,874 on Tuesday. The buying rate for the US dollar fell 26 cents to $119.04 and US$29,085,477 was sold versus US$43,506,926 on Tuesday, the selling rate rose 2 cents to $119.82.
The Canadian dollar buying rate fell 30 cents to $87.32 with dealers buying C$910,612 and selling C$644,536, at an average rate that rose $1.08 to $89.80. The rate for buying the British Pound gained $1.73 to $179.45 for the purchase of £1,267,917, while £803,437 was sold, at an average rate that grew $3.43 to $182.23. At the end of trading, it took J$128.11 to purchase the Euro, a fall of 62 cents from Tuesday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$125.66 for a decline of 45 cents from Tuesday’s rate. The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$232,995 being bought, while US$242,148 was sold.
Highs & Lows| On Wednesday, the highest buying rate for the US dollar fell 10 cents to $120 and the lowest buying and the highest selling 
rates remained unchanged at $98.45 and $126.26 and lowest selling rate jumped $16.70 to end at $117. The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar rose $1.88 to $92.38, the lowest buying rate closed 41 cents higher at $72.21, the highest selling rate gained 21 cents to end at $93.09 and the lowest selling rate declined $3 to $80.50. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, rose $1 to end at $181.50. The lowest buying rate rose 42 cents to $144.84, the highest selling rate eased $1.04 to $185.46 and the lowest selling rate fell 30 cents to $174.
Profit results help in Jamaican stock rally
Jamaica Producers stock price pushed by strong profits on Wednesday
The market closed with activity in 42 securities, leading to 200,339,489 units valued at $645,488,389 changing hands, in all market segments. A total of 17 securities rose and 11 declined with 11 stocks ending at 52 weeks’ closing high and 1 at intraday high.
The JSE Market Index rose 783.34 points to 137,896.84, the all Jamaica Composite Index gained 875.44 points to end at 153,063.79 and the JSE combined index increased by 639.61 points to end at 144,357.30.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading of 13 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 with lower offers.
In trading, Barita Investments lost 15 cents to close at $3.65 with 240,000 shares trading, Cable and Wireless enjoyed good volume as investors’ interest in the stock continues to build, at the close the stock gained 14 cents, with 3,363,916 shares changing hands to close at $1.50. On offer were 2,500,728 shares at $1.50 with bid in at $1.45 to buy 424,481 units. Caribbean Cement rose 22 cents to end at $18, with 112,310 shares changing hands. Carreras dropped $4.49 to end at $55.51 with 11,456 units trading, Desnoes & Geddes traded 63,136 units at $30, Gleaner traded 13,000 units at $1.90, Grace Kennedy closed at a new 52 weeks’ high of $75 after rising $2 with only 1,776 shares changing hands, Jamaica Broilers traded 3,021,919 shares to close at $9.25, for a 52 weeks’ closing high. Jamaica Producers traded 102,646 shares and jumped $5.20 to end at $29, for a 52 weeks’ high. Jamaica Stock Exchange traded 200,527 shares at $14, JMMB Group traded 14,219 shares to close at $11, Kingston Properties traded 46,695 units to close at $7. Mayberry Investments closed with 67,016 units trading at $4.40 with a loss of 5 cents, National Commercial Bank close with 38,473 shares changing hands to end with a rise of 50 cents at $34, Pan Jamaican fell $3.95 in trading 14,366 shares to end at $88.05, 
Pulse Investments traded 225,000 shares with a rise of 33 cents for new 52 weeks’ closing high of $1.50. Sagicor Group traded at a new high of $18 with 409,705 shares changing hands but closed at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $16.51 to gain$1.16 for the day. Scotia Group ended with 38,793 shares changing hands and closed with a loss of 10 cents at $26.90, Supreme Ventures ended with 244,452 shares changing hands at $4.70 after rising 10 cents and Proven Investments ordinary share dropped 1.17 US cents and ended at 21.80 US cents with 14,700 units changing hands and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share ended with 51,000 units trading at $2.
CPJ dominates trade with 190m units
CPJ dominates junior market trading with 190m units & closed at $3.41
Only 2 securities ended with no bids to buy and 12 had no stocks being offered for sale, an indication of chronic supply shortage of junior market stocks. A total of 8 stocks closed with bids higher than the last traded prices and none closed with lower offers.
In trading, AMG Packaging closed with a gain of 5 cents at $5.05, with 836 units changing hands at a 52 weeks’ high, Blue Power lost 80 cents in closing at $13, with 1,557 units trading, Caribbean Cream ended with 26,743 shares changing hands at $4.60. Caribbean Flavours traded 5,000 units to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $4.91 after rising 6 cents, Caribbean Producers gained 36 cents and traded 190,020,966 units at $3.41 for a new 52 weeks’ high as investors responded to good first quarter results. 1.9 million was a cross done by Mayberry Investments. Consolidated Bakeries ended at $1.90, with 13,000 units changing hands. Dolphin Cove had 40,000 shares changing hands at $12.85, for a decline of 65 cents, General Accident Insurance traded only 20,000 units at $1.96 for a loss of 4 cents. Jamaican Teas lost 5 cents with 259,350 shares trading, to close at $3.85. KLE Group ended with 101,668 units trading at 45 cents, but the stock closed with a bid of 50 cents to buy 5,000 units.
Lasco Distributors closed with 265,410 shares changing hands with a rise of 33 cents to $4.40, after trading as high as $4.65, for a 52 weeks’ intraday high, Lasco Financial closed with an increase of 5 cents at a new 52 weeks’ closing high of $3.25 with a total of 775,710 shares changing hands after trading as high as $3.50. Lasco Manufacturing rose 7 cents to end at 52 weeks’ closing high of $4.03 with 439,426 shares changing hands and Sweet River Abattoir rose by 9 cents in trading 14,500 shares at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $3.95, Derrimon Trading preference share ended with 400 shares changing hands at $2.20 and Eppley 9.5% preference share ended with 13,235 units changing hands at $6.
6 stocks rise on TTSE none fell
New high for TCL on Wednesday with a $3.90 close
At the close, the Composite Index ending with a gain of 0.27 points at 1,149.04 the All T&T Index rose 0.54 points to 1,950.60 and the Cross Listed Index remained at 45.59.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 5 stocks with the bid higher than the last selling price and 5 stocks with offers that were lower.
Gains| Clico Investment Fund gained 1 cent and closed with 918 shares changing hands at $22.54, National Flour Mills gained 1 cent in trading 800 shares at $1.99, Point Lisas ended with just 100 units changing hands at $3.95, to record a gain of 5 cents. Trinidad Cement ended at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $3.90 with 7,545 shares changing hands as price rose by of 9 cents, Unilever Caribbean ended with 436 shares trading with a gain of 13 cents up, for a new 52 weeks’ high of $67.54 and West Indian Tobacco traded with a gain of 1 cent to end at $126.03 with 405 shares trading at a 52 weeks’ high.
The rise of the price for Unilever comes against the back ground of continuing decline in sales and profit, for the year to date and the third quarter, with revenues of $139 million in the quarter versus $144 last year and for the nine months, $393 million down from $427 million. Profit fell from $13.9 million to $10.45 million for the third quarter and from $45 million for the 2014 nine months period, to $29 million for 2015.
Firm Trades| Agostini’s traded 900 shares at $18.19, Ansa Merchant Bank traded 134 shares at $38.95, First Citizens Bank traded 5,995 shares and closed at $35, Grace Kennedy traded 10,071 units at $3.60, Guardian Holdings with 2,715 shares changing hands and closed at $12.82. JMMB Group with 10,000 units changing hands ended at 50 cents, Massy Holdings had 261 units changing hands at $62, One Caribbean Media traded 50 shares at $22, Scotiabank closed with 15,992 shares valued at $999,499 changing hands at $62.50 and Trinidad and Tobago NGL closed at $21.50 with 83,720 shares changing hands for a value of $1,799,614.
Junior market breaks 1,600
The Jamaica stock market is off to a relatively slow start on Wednesday morning with the All Jamaican Composite index gaining 451.31 points to 152,639.66 point, the JSE Market Index gained 403.83 points to 
137,517.33 the JSE combined index climbed 447.50 points to be at 144,165.19 and the junior market index rose 7.42 points to its highest level of 1,604.59.
The number of securities trading climbed sharply to 33 securities changing hands with a volume of 195,221,088 units as 12 stocks gained and 7 declined after 90 minutes of trading.
Notable trades took place in Cable and Wireless, the stock traded 1,189,730 units up to $1.44 but last traded at $1.35, Mayberry Investments crossed 190 million Caribbean Producers shares at $3.06, Jamaica Broilers traded 2,879,886 units at $9.20, Jamaica Producers traded at $25, in response to good results for the September quarter.
Jamaica Producers’ profit jumps
Charles Johnston – Chairman of JP Group
Revenues for the year to September declined from $6.44 billion to $6.15 billion. Net profit nine months to September amounts to $807 million, an increase of 194 percent over $275 for the year to September 2014. The year to date profit includes gain on sales of property of $319 million recorded in the June quarter.
Gross profit inched up to $440 million in the third quarter from $421 million in 2014 and for the nine months, from $1.4 billion to $1.45 billion. Share of profit in associated companies and joint ventures contributed $217 million for the 2015 quarter up from only $61 million in 2014 and for the nine months to $491 million versus $228 million.
Cash flow from operations amounts to $186 million compared to $267 million in 2014, leading to cash and equivalent of $471 million at the end of the 2015 period. Administrative and other cost rose moderately by $12 million for the quarter to $485 million and $43 million for the nine months to $1.45 billion.
Some of JP consumer products
Total equity capital amounts to $6.5 billion, borrowed funds amount to $2.1 billion, while current assets stood at $2.49 billion and current liabilities at $1.76 billion.
Point Lisas remains undervalued
Point Lisas is headquartered in Trinidad, is listed on the country’s stock exchange, last traded at $3.90 and is an undervalued stock with earnings per share including gains on property of $1.85 for the nine months to September this year.
Profit before tax of Point Lisas Industrial Port Development (Point Lisas) for the period to September, excluding fair value gains on property, amounts to $20.4 million an increase of 181 percent over $112,000 for the same period for 2014. Gross profit climbed sharply by 29 percent to $51 million in the third quarter from $40 million in 2014 and for the nine months, an increase of 12.66 percent from $134 million to $151 million.
For the September quarter, profit after tax moved from a loss of $14 million to a surplus of $14 million including fair value gains on property of $10.6 million and fair value loss of $4.7 million in the 2014 quarter. For the year to September, fair value gains on property amount to $58 million for 2015 and $91 million in 2014.
Revenues grew by 10 percent for the nine months to September compared to the period to September 2014. Cash flow from operations amounts to $31 million and is up from $13 million in 2014, leading to cash and equivalent of $60 million at the end of the 2015 period. Administrative and other cost declined moderately by $5 million for the quarter and for the nine months.
According to management in their report to shareholders, the increase in revenue was heavily influenced by containerized cargo operations which experienced a 15 percent increase in throughput over the same period in 2014. The data showed a 4 percent increase in imports, an 8 percent increase in exports and a 60 percent increase in trans-shipment cargo. General cargo experienced a 10 percent decline due to an 88 percent decrease in exports, a 1 percent increase in imports and a 4 percent increase in trans-shipment.
Total assets climbed to $2.28 billion in the third quarter 2015, equity capital amounts to $1.97 billion, borrowed funds amount to $125 million, while current assets stood at $121 million and current liabilities at $52 million.
“In the second and third quarters, PLIPDECO provided bunkering services as part of its service and revenue expansion drive. During the fourth quarter, the Corporation intends to continue with infrastructural improvements, information technology upgrades and move steadfastly with the Port upgrade project. The future outcome of these undertakings would further enhance productivity, overall efficiency of Port Operations and ultimately boost profitability,” Ian R. H. Atherly, Chairman of the company said in a release accompanying the financials.
Jam$ stable vs US on Tuesday
Inflows of foreign currencies into the system on Tuesday was US4.5 million less than the amount sold but the local dollar selling rate was stable against the US dollar, rose against the Pound and fell versus the Canadian dollar. At the close of trading, the equivalent of US$40,302,311 was bought by dealers, compared with US$40,933,885 on Monday, while they sold the equivalent of US$44,817,449 versus US$46,854,604 previously.
In US dollar trading , dealers bought US$36,133,874 compared to US$37,907,963 on Monday. The buying rate for the US dollar rose 15 cents to $119.30 and US$43,506,926 was sold versus US$44,708,029 on Monday, the selling rate remained unchanged at $119.80. 
The Canadian dollar buying rate gained 74 cents to $87.62 with dealers buying C$2,044,925 and selling C$717,810, at an average rate that rose 19 cents to $88.73. The rate for buying the British Pound lost $1.20 to $177.72 for the purchase of £1,444,460, while £283,700 was sold, at an average rate that dropped $4.31 to $178.80. At the end of trading, it took J$128.72 to purchase the Euro, a fall of 2 cents from Monday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$126.11 for a decline of 17 cents from Monday’s rate. The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$514,735 being bought, while US$355,466 was sold. Highs & Lows| On Tuesday, the highest buying rate for the US dollar gained 10 cents to $120.10 and the lowest buying rate remained unchanged at $98.45. 
The highest selling rate rose 11 cents to close at $126.26 and lowest selling rate rose $1.86 to end at $100.30. The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar dropped $2.59 to $90.50, the lowest buying rate closed unchanged at $71.80, the highest selling rate fell 21 cents to end at $92.88 and the lowest selling rate declined $2.30 to $83.50. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, declined $2.55 to end at $180.50. The lowest buying rate ended unchanged at $144.42, the highest selling rate eased 25 cents to $186.50 and the lowest selling rate rose 30 cents to $174.30.
Supply shortage feeding JSE rally
Bulls continue their relentless run on Jamaican stocks
The market closed with activity in 42 securities, leading to 13,242,518 units valued at $152,588,837 changing hands, in all market segments. A total of 25 securities rose and 6 declined with 12 stocks ending at 52 weeks’ closing high. The JSE Market Index rose 2,019.69 points to 137,113.50, the all Jamaica Composite Index gained 2,257.11 points to end at 152,188.35 and the JSE combined index surged 2,200.34 points to end at 143,717.69.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading of 8 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 with lower offers.
In trading, Cable and Wireless enjoyed heavy trading and gained 11 cents, with 7,617,380 shares changing hands to close at $1.36 after trading in the early morning session at a high of $1.40.
On offer were 972,640 shares at $1.44 with bid in at $1.36 to buy 151,270 units. Caribbean Cement fell 10 cents to end at $17.78, with 101,120 shares changing hands. Carreras jumped $5 to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $60 with 773,164 units trading, Gleaner traded 215,100 units at $1.90 after shedding 12 cents. Grace Kennedy closed at a new 52 weeks’ high of $73 after rising $2.99 with only 1,084 shares changing hands, Jamaica Broilers traded 20,524 shares to close at $9.20. Jamaica Producers traded 4,075 shares and gained 20 cents to end at $23.80, Jamaica Stock Exchange rose $1.99 in trading 1,000 shares for new 52 weeks’ closing high of $14, JMMB Group traded 32,291 shares to close 20 cents higher at $11, Kingston Wharves traded 21,371 units to close with a gain of 40 cents at $11.50. National Commercial Bank close with 1,545,881 shares changing hands to end with a rise of 50 cents at $33.50, Pan Jamaican climbed $5.99 in trading 206,104 shares to end at a 52 weeks’ closing high $92, Pulse Investments traded 150,000 shares but recovered 20 cents and ended at $1.17. The company released the first quarter results after trading closed, showing earnings of 29 cents versus 20 cents in 2014. 
Sagicor Group traded at a new closing high of $15.35 with 28,078 shares changing hands at 34 cents higher. Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 14,500units, the price closed at $10.02 after falling 3 cents, Scotia Group ended with 6,184 shares changing hands and closed with a gain of 20 cents at $27. Scotia Investments leapt $2.50 to close at $30 as 226,416 units traded, Supreme Ventures ended with 10,216 shares changing hands at $4.60 and Proven Investments ordinary share rose by 1.97 US cents and ended at 22.97 US cents with 436,000 units changing hands and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share ended with 728,500 units trading at $2.
