National Commercial Bank traded 508,263 shares at a new 52 weeks’ high of $27 on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday morning
and helped to push the all Jamaican Index by 388 points. The stock subsequently traded at $28, while Supreme Ventures traded 20,000 units at a new 52 weeks’ high of $3.10.
Trading resulted in 13 securities trading including 3 from the junior market. A total of 658,835 units traded at 10.45am. Carreras traded 3,878 units but slipped back $1 to $45. Stocks not trading as yet but look promising are Caribbean Producers with the bid at $2.70 to buy 18,348 shares, the stock last traded at $2.70 on Friday. AMG Packaging had a bid for 21,262 shares at $2.33 compared to last sale of $2.26, Caribbean Cream with a bid to buy 535,715 shares at 70 cents versus last sale of 65 cents, Dolphin Cove with 95,864 shares on the bid at $9.20 where it traded this morning, General Accident Insurance having a bid for 663,735 units at $1.70 the same as the last price.
NCB pushes index
Juniors not partying yet
Activity on the junior market was moderate, on a day when the main market recorded another session of strong gains, as investors’ focus seems to be more on the stocks of bigger companies. Based on the strong profit performance of many of the junior market companies, it’s only a matter of time that more interest will be paid to junior market companies as investors seek out profitable trades.
At the close of trading only 6 securities traded and ending with 476,829 units changing hands valued at $1,177,602. The JSE Junior Market Index declined 1.78 points to close at 743.67, with the price of 3 stocks advancing and 4 declining.
At the close of the market, there were 4 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 1 with a lower offer. 
The junior market ended with 5 securities closing with no bids to buy and 9 securities that had no stocks being offered for sale.
Stocks trading in the junior market are, Blue Power traded 295 units to end at $7.51, Caribbean Producers had 356,822 shares trading at $2.70, Knutsford Express traded 600 shares at $6, Lasco Distributors traded 6,973 shares to close with a gain of 2 cents at $1.40. Lasco Financial Services 3,454 units traded at the close at $1.15 and Medical Disposables traded 108,685 and closed unchanged at $1.80.
2 weeks of decline for J$
The slippage of the Jamaican dollar continued on Friday and was unabated against the US dollar since Tuesday April 14. Purchases of all currencies by dealers on Friday amounted to US$28,651,795 equivalent, compared with US$32,959,776, on Thursday and selling of the equivalent of US$28,357,266 versus sale of US$32,149,238, previously.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$25,241,737 compared to US$29,244,108 on Thursday. The buying rate for the US dollar was unchanged at $114.77 and US$26,240,617 was sold versus US$29,126,877 on Thursday, the selling rate rose 9 cents to end at $115.39. The Canadian dollar buying rate fell $1.16 to $92.45 with dealers buying C$898,214 and selling C$1,039,537, at an average rate that rose 47 cents to $94.81. 
The rate for buying the British Pound rose $1.19 to $171.69 for the purchase of £1,113,056, while £340,322 was sold, at an average rate that climbed 92 cents to $173.83. At the end of trading it took J$124.55 to purchase the Euro, 96 cents more than on Thursday , according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$122.11 for a rise of 90 cents from Thursday ’s rate. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$1,021,450, while the equivalent of US$749,751, was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, rose 12 cents to $115.65. The lowest buying rate inched up 17 cents to $93.94, the highest selling rate remained unchanged at $120.37 and the lowest selling rate rose 17 cents to $93.94.
The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar rose $1.28 to $96.28. The lowest buying rate was unchanged at $74.45, the highest selling rate gained 69 cents to $97.80 and the lowest selling rate gained 5 cents to $89.75. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, dropped $1.66 to $175.10, the lowest buying rate declined 66 cents to $137.12, but the highest selling rate fell 47 cents to $178.03 with the lowest selling rate falling 80 cents to $165.20.
Sideward move on TTSE
Trading on the Trinidad Stock Exchange ended the week on a moderate note with 11 securities changing hands of which 2 advanced, 4 declined and 5 traded firm with a total of 299,762 units, valued at $931,739.
At the close of the market, the Composite Index lost 0.62 rose points to close at 1,150.86, the All T&T Index fell by just 0.20 points to close at 1,966.38 and the Cross Listed Index fell 0.14 points to end at 43.96.
Gains| Stocks increasing in price at the close are, Clico Investment Fund had a gain of 4 cents to end at $22.55 with 11,400 shares trading valued at $257,070 and First Citizens Bank traded 1,150 shares valued at $35.61 to close with a gain of 1 cent.
Declines| The stocks declining at the end of trading are, Angostura Holdings trading 2,021 shares to close down 8 cents at $13.90, Grace Kennedy with 38,650 shares trading with a value of $135,275, lost 5 cents to end at $3.50. Sagicor Financial Corporation added 10,000 shares valued at $59,000 and lost 10 cents to close at $5.90 and Scotia Investments contributed 30,000 shares, lost 1 cents to close at $1.45.
Firm Trades| Stocks closing with prices unchanged at the end of trading are, Firstcaribbean International Bank trading unchanged at $5 with 2,400 units changing hands, Massy Holdings trading 162 shares unchanged at $63.11. National Flour Mills traded with 200,000 shares changing hands for a value of $300,000 to close unchanged at $1.50, National Enterprises with 2,404 shares ended trading at $17.30 and Trinidad Cement contributed 1,575 shares to close at $2.55.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator has turned negative with only 1 stock with the bid higher than the last selling price and 4 stocks with offers that were lower.
Positive end to strong week – JSE
JMMB Group closed week at a new 52 weeks’ high with over 10 m shares trading
Main Market| The JSE Market Index gained 768.58 points on Friday to end at 87,414.75, for the week 2,324.62 points were added. The JSE All Jamaican Composite index rose 859.30 points to close at 96,452.04, for the week the index gained 2,599.03 points
and the JSE combined index gained 739.54 points to close at 89,146.88 and put on 2,209.08 for the week.IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 14 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and only 2 with offers that were lower, a very strong indication of a robust day for gains on Monday.
In trading, Carreras has fully recovered from the sell off when the Government announced new taxes on cigarettes in February and traded 12,000 shares to close at new 52 weeks’ high of $46 by rising 95 cents, Grace Kennedy closed with 5,300 shares changing hands at $62.56 by gaining 36 cents. Jamaica Producers continues to trade in heavy volume, this week and closed the week with 753,915 units trading at $17, for a gain of 20 cents,
JMMB Group had heavy trading amounting 10,617,440 ordinary shares valued at $79,623,408 to end at a new 52 weeks’ high of $7.50 after posting a 44 cents rise. Kingston Wharves’ 13,714 that traded led to a new 52 weeks’ high of $7, after putting on 10 cents, National Commercial Bank traded 21364 units to close at a new 52 weeks’ high of 26.72 and gained 2 cents but closed with the offer at $26.99. Pan Jamaican Investment traded 24,900 shares at $55.28 to record a 22 cents decline. Sagicor Group traded 882,127 shares ending at $10.50, Scotia Investments traded 113,900 units and gained 20 cents to end at $23.80 and Supreme Ventures traded 200,000 units at $2.85, down 10 cents but the bid ended at $3 to purchase 10,131 shares
Celebrities for Blood Drive
Kaci Fennell
The Lucozade Blood Drive now celebrating its eleventh annual renewal, is an opportune event for Jamaicans to start to save their blood and give lives to others. The 2015 edition of the Lucozade blood drive takes place on Tuesday, April 28, and Wednesday April 29, 2015, between 8 am and 4 pm daily, on the grounds of the Girl Guides’ Headquarters, Waterloo Road.
Through its on-going corporate partnership with the National Blood Transfusion Service, Lucozade has played a pivotal role in encouraging Jamaicans nationwide to become voluntary donors to this vital cause.
Since inception, the drive has been supported by a growing number of persons including high school students, professionals, business persons, celebrities and entertainers as well as the media.
Laurie Ann Chin, Miss Universe Jamaica 2013
More losses for J$ on Thursday
Purchases of all currencies by dealers on Thursday amounted to US$32,959,776 equivalent, compared with US$36,496,804, on Wednesday and selling of the equivalent of US$32,149,238 versus sale of US$32,811,106, previously.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$29,244,108 compared to US$33,079,206 on Wednesday. The buying rate for the US dollar rose 2 cents to $114.77 and US$29,126,877 was sold versus US$30,687,641 on Wednesday, the selling rate rose 6 cents to end at $115.30. The Canadian dollar buying rate rose $2.03 to $93.61 with dealers buying C$2,315,687 and selling C$2,060,600, at an average rate that rose 2 cents to $94.34. The rate for buying the British Pound rose 25 cents to $170.50 for the purchase of £1,116,860, while £713,333 was sold, at an average rate that climbed 62 cents to $172.91. 
At the end of trading it took J$123.59 to purchase the Euro, 14 cents less than on Wednesday, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$121.21 for a fall of 5 cents from Wednesday’s rate. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$167,713, while the equivalent of US$266,636, was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, rose 8 cents to $115.53. The lowest buying and lowest selling rates remained unchanged at $93.77 each and the highest buying rate rose 21 cents to $120.37. The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar was unchanged at $95. The lowest buying rate rose 16 cents to $74.45, the highest selling rategained 92 cents to $97.11 
The highest buying rate for the British Pound,jumped $3.46 to $176.76, the lowest buying rate rose 71 cents to $137.78, but the highest selling rate rose $1.50 to $178.50 with the lowest selling rate falling $2 to $166.
Bulls take over JSE with 6 new highs
Seprod traded at 52 weeks’ high on Thursday at $16
Stocks closing at 52 weeks’ high on Thursday are Carreras, Knutsford Express from the junior market, National Commercial Bank, Seprod, Supreme Ventures and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share.
Main Market| The JSE Market Index gained 346.41 points to 86,646.17, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index rose 387.31 points to close at 95,592.74 and the JSE combined index gained 412.97 points to 88,407.34.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and just 2 with offers that were lower.In market activity, Cable & Wireless traded 123,000 shares, in closing at 52 cents, after trading as high as 54 cents. Caribbean Cement had 46,061 units trading, to gain 25 cents in ending at $2.50, Carreras traded only 15,934 shares between $43 and the last traded price of $45.05, in posting a gain of $1.05. Grace Kennedy’s price fell 80 cents, while trading 5,801 shares at $62.20, Jamaica Producers had 173,904 units trading at $16.80 for a gain of 84 cents but had 1,569,027 shares on the bid at $16, at the close. National Commercial Bank put through only 25,149 units between $26.01 and the closing price of $26.70 with an increase of 20 cents. The banking group reported improved results in the quarter of $1.32 versus $1.24 per share in March 2014. Pan Jamaican Investment gained 37 cents in trading 9,054 shares at $55.50 but traded as low as $55.19. Radio Jamaica lost 25 cents in trading just 1,000 shares at $1.75,Sagicor Group posted 65,992 shares to end at $10.57 and gain just 2 cents. Scotia Group swapped
48,477 shares to close at $22, after trading at $22.50, Scotia Investments had 10,000 shares changing hands at $23.80, for an increase of 20 cents. Seprod put on $1.93 but with a mere 200 shares to end at $16, Supreme Ventures had the ownership of 51,600 units changing to close with a gain of 11 cents at $2.95. Proven Investments had 77,330 shares trading to close at 17.5 US cents but traded as high as 17.99 US cents, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share traded 227,950 units at $2.30 and gained 28 cents or 14 percent, which is indicative of what now happening to interest rates, that have been declining from April last year, and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 8.75% preference share traded 174,738 units at $3.20.
NCB post increased Q2 profit
National Commercial Bank is reporting net profit for the three months ended March 2015 of $3.27 billion versus $3.05 billion in the 2014 period.
Changes in the manner the tax of the groups assets are now being treated with all amounts due being booked as expenses up front has distorted the results in the early months of the fiscal year which are front loaded with these cost. Normalising the expenses would result, according to NCB in net profit for the three months ended March 2015 of $3.34 billion, 20 percent or $563 million over normalised net profit for the December 2014 quarter of $2,778 million, and 12 percent or $349 million over the previously reported net profit for the three months ended March 2014 of $2.99 billion. For the six months to March the banking group reported profit of $5.4 billion or $2.19 per shares compared with $5.55 billion in 2014. The up-fronting of the asset tax, resulted in the lower 2015 profit compared to 2014. NCB should go on to earn around $7 billion in the second half of the year or around $5 per share for the full year.
For the six months to March 2015, operating income increased by 14 percent, or $2.9 billion, compared with the six months ended March 2014, mainly as a result of gain on foreign currency and investment activities, up by $1.5 billion. This was due to higher levels of foreign exchange income and gains from the sale of debt securities compared to the prior year, NCB said.
Also contributing to the increased profit is net fee and commission income, increasing by $652 million or 16 percent, mainly due to Payment Services fees related to card usage and transaction volumes, credit related fees from the growth in loans and greater corporate finance and unit trust fees booked in the current period, the banking group stated in its release to the Stock Exchange. Net interest income, increasing by 4 percent, or $542 million, primarily due to growth in the net loan portfolio.
Loans and advances, totalled $157.9 billion (net of provision for credit losses) at March 2015, grew by 5 percent, or $7.4 billion, compared to the loan portfolio as at March 2014.
NCB declared an interim dividend of 45 cents per ordinary stock unit which is payable on May 21 for stockholders on record as at May 8, 2015.
Junior standoff holds back trading
Knutsford Express closed at a new all time high of $6 on Thursday.
At the close, there were 4 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 1 with offer that was lower. The junior market ended with 4 securities closing with no bids to buy and 10 securities that had no stocks being offered for sale.
Stocks trading in the junior market are, are Caribbean Producers with 117,000 units,
at $2.70 for a 38 cents gain Honey Bun ending with just 1,937 shares trading unchanged at $1.82. Knutsford Express traded at a new high of $6 by adding 20 cents with only 2,580 shares changing hands, Lasco Distributors traded 4,000 shares between $1.38 down 5 cents but closed with a bid at $1.40, to buy 50,000 shares, with offers at $1.43 for 110,736 unitsand Lasco Financial gained 7 cents to $1.15 while trading 17,046 shares.
