Trading on the Trinidad Stock Exchange ended with 10 securities changing hands of which 2 advanced, 3 declined and 5 traded firm with a total of 614,598 units, valued at $1,570,784.
At the close of the market, the Composite Index lost 0.36 points to close at 1,151.63, the All T&T Index fell 0.97 points to close at 1,966.29, the Cross Listed Index advanced by 0.03 points to close at 44.18.
Gains| Clico Investment Fund trading 13,000 shares valued at $292,63, put on a cent to end at $22.51 and Sagicor Financial Corporation are, with price rising by 4 cents to $6.02 with 1,400 shares changed hands are the only stocks increasing in price at the close of the market.
Declines| The stocks that declined at the close of the market are, Massy Holdings adding 3,221 shares valued at $203,090, to end 1 cent lower, at $63.05. National Flour Mills with 246,156 shares trading with a value of $369,235, fell 5 cents to $1.50 and Trinidad Cement in contributing 40,534 shares with a value of $99,308, declined by 10 cents to close at $2.45.
Firm Trades| Stocks closing with prices unchanged at the end of trading are Angostura Holdings with 384 shares trading and closing down a cent, at $14, First Citizens Bank trading 2,153 shares to close at $35.50. Guardian Media trading 1,000 shares at $19.76, National Commercial Bank with 305,000 shares changing hands for a value of $457,500, closed at $1.50 and One Caribbean Media with 1,750 shares trading to end at $$22.30.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 2 stocks with the bid higher than their last selling prices and 1 with a lower offer.
2 up 3 down Monday on TTSE
AMG profit up 35%
AMG Packaging, managed a 35 percent growth in profits of $31.7 million for the six months to February this year, the company’s latest financial report shows, thanks to a 194 percent jump in second quarter profit that reached $16 million up from only $5.5 million in 2014.
IC Insider’s forecast, is for profit of $85 million or 85 cents per share for this year and $1.50 for 2016. While profit surged, revenues rose a modest 8 percent in the February quarter and only 4 percent for the six months with sales volume having declined by 9 percent for the half year. The volume decline comes against the background of a 24 percent increase in units sold for the period to February 2014, resulting in a 42 percent jump in revenues. Helping to boost profit, was an improvement in the gross profit margin for the latest quarter to 24 percent versus only 16 percent in 2014 and 23 percent for the six months, compared to 19 percent in 2014.
Gross profit for the quarter amounting to $35.5 million, increased by a very strong 63 percent from 2014 and 27 percent for the six months, to near $70 million. Flat inventory cost and a reduction in other direct cost laid the foundation for the improvement in direct input cost and a swelling of the profit margins. Administrative cost rose 30 percent for the quarter and 29 percent for the year to date period well ahead of revenue growth, thus negating some of the top line improvement.
Cost got hit, with the Jamaican dollar losing value, resulting in 28 percent more Jamaican dollars having to be found to purchase one US dollar, since September 2012. The price of paper on the world market, increased by 22 percent, from US$720 per tonne at September 2012, to US$830 in August 2013 and to US$875, which it has been since June last year.
Receivables are down by $13 million from the amount of $81 million at the end of August last year and so too is amounts in payables by $10 million from $71 million. Cash funds fell slightly to $19 million from $22 million while inventory is up from to $118 million at August to $120 million, which is nearly 4 months supplies based on sales in the quarter and is up from just two and a half months back in 2013 and seems to be a hedge against devaluation of the Jamaican dollar. Borrowings fell from $97 million at February 2014 to $58 million with $14 million to be repaid during the next twelve months, the decline will help reduce cost with lower interest payments going forward.
Cancelled SVL trade changes closing data
The last trade of Supreme Ventures took place on Friday April 10 at 12:56:23, less than five minutes before trading closed. The official trading data showed the trade as valid but the 1,435 shares that were involved took place at $2.31 with a value of just $3,314.85, but the fall was outside of the price movement restriction of 15 percent from the opening price placed on stocks.
The trade was not valid and was cancelled sometime after trading closed, but not before the stock exchange reported the results for the public. The shares were sold by Sagicor Investments with the buying broker being Victoria Mutual Wealth Management traded on behalf of clients.
The stock exchange rules will permit daily price movements of 30 percent but there would be initial freeze of one hour if the attempted price exceeds 15 percent from the opening price. For further trading in the stock to be effected would have required an hour to elapse before the trade could take place.in the case of the above trade, there would be no time left in trading for the stock to resume trading. As a result of the cancellation of the trade, the closing price for Supreme Ventures officially ended at a 52 weeks’ high of $2.95.
The changes meant that JSE index ended at 85,647.64 instead of the 85,620.15 originally reported, The all Jamaica composite was reported at 94,445.60, is in fact 94,476.33 and the combined index reported as closing at 87,355.58 in fact ended at 87,381.44. The volume traded is marginally adjusted down to 9,744,758 units and the value $155,258,896 and resulted in the prices of 6 stocks rising 8 declining and 7 trading firm.
The market was closing at the highest level for 2015 and the highest level since mid-May 2012, based on the all Jamaica Composite Index which is up 12 percent since the end of 2014. The local market seems heading towards the next major resistance level around 99,000 point which is less than 5,000 points away. Breaking the resistance level is important but it is the ability to take out the resistance level and move further up wards that more important if the rally is to be sustained.
US$ back above J$115 Friday
The Jamaican dollar lost value against the US dollar on Friday, but made major gains on the Canadian dollar and the British pound as US dollar strengthening, push down the value of the two international currencies. Purchases of all currencies by dealers amounted to US$34,310,557 equivalent, compared with US$26,379,747, on Thursday and selling of the equivalent of US$39,722,654 versus sale of US$36,916,377, on the previous trading day.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$31,736,664 compared to US$23,763,336 on Thursday. The buying rate for the US dollar climbed 19 cents to $114.45 and US$38,071,864 was sold versus US$35,159,008 on Thursday, the selling rate rose 7 cents to end at $115.06.
The Canadian dollar buying rate dropped 81 cents to $89.07 with dealers buying C$911,732, and selling C$567,274, at an average rate that fell 45 cents to $91.28. The rate for buying the British Pound fell 79 cents to $167.08 for the purchase of £1,161,197, while £654,078 was sold, at an average rate of $168.49, for a $1.05 decline. At the end of trading it took J$122.78 to purchase the Euro, $1.28 less than on Thursday, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$120.17 for a fall of $1.43 on Thursday’s rate. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$169,181 while the equivalent of US$242,967, was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, rose 9 cents to $115.19. The lowest buying rate jumped $7.69 to $93.69. The highest selling rate declined 11 cents to $120.05 and lowest selling rate dropped $12 to $90. 
The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar rose 50 cents to $92.50, the lowest buying rate fell 42 cents to $72.21, but the highest selling rate fell 40 cents to $94 with the lowest selling rate falling $2 to $87. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, fell $1.40 to $169.80, the lowest buying rate was down $1.74 to $135.21 but the highest selling rate rose $1.68 to $175 and the lowest selling rate fell $3.40 to $162.90.
Juniors still cannot pull out traders
Activity on the Junior Market closed with 3 securities traded ending with 152,220 units changing hands valued at $179,347. The JSE Junior Market Index declined 0.09 points to close at 732.58, with the price of no stock advancing and 2 declining.
While there is only a limited amount of securities that have traded, what is of import is the increased number of stocks closing with higher bids than the last selling prices, coupled with the lack of volume for nearly half of the listings, a pretty clear indicator for rising prices ahead.
At the close of the market, there were 8 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 1 with the offer lower. The junior market ended with 5 securities closing with no bids to buy and 11 securities that had no stocks being offered for sale.
Stocks trading in the junior market are, Access Financial Services trading 900 shares at $13.22, Jamaican Teas lost 2 cents in closing at $2.53 with only 1,720 shares changing hands and Lasco Financial Services trading 150,000 shares in closing at $1.09.
Jamaica Producers trades 5m shares
JPG traded 5 million shares but the price dropped $1.50
Main Market| At the close the JSE Market Index gained 717.53 points to 85,620.15, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index rose index 802.23 points to close at 94,445.60 and the JSE combined index gained 674.14 points to close at 87,355.58.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 13 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 with offers that were lower.Jamaica Producers traded 5,003,044 shares and lost $1.50 to end at $17 with 5 million units being bought by Stocks and Securities on behalf of clients, the selling broker was Proven Investments. Sagicor Group traded 2,288,352 shares, between $10.45 and $10.50 but closed at $10.50 for a small gain, National Commercial Bank had 1,167,359 units changing hands to close at $25.50. Carreras traded 101,583 units at $43 and suffered a lost $1.05, Scotia Group traded 244,951 shares, between $22 and $22.50 before settling at $22.05 for a loss of 45 cents and
Proven Investments finished with 201,102 shares at 18 US cents.
Desnoes & Geddes traded just 1,700 shares to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $5.55 by posting a 5 cents gain. Grace Kennedy traded 3,850 shares at $65 for new 52 weeks’ highs and Supreme Ventures with 20,435 traded as high as $2.95, a new intraday 52 weeks’ high but ended down, at the close at $2.31 after shedding 49 cents from Thursday’s last price and Barita Investments suffered a fall of 27 cents to $1.95 for a new 52 weeks low. Proven 8% preference share traded 13,260 units to close at $5.05 after dropping 45 cents.
Trading closes week light – TTSE
Trading on the Trinidad Stock Exchange ended the week with 8 securities changing hands of which 4 advanced, 2 declined and 2 traded firm with a total of 236,267 units, valued at $8,270,548.
At the close of the market, the Composite Index rose 0.19 points to close at 1,151.99, the All T&T Index rose 0.37 points to close at 1,967.26 and the Cross Listed Index remained at 44.15.
Gains| Stocks increasing in price at the close are, Massy Holdings with 75,040 shares changing hands, for a value of $4,732,022, to close at $63.06 after gaining 1 cent, Point Lisas Industrial Port contributing 4,600 shares at $3.60, for a 1 cent gain. Republic Bank trading 344 shares and closing with a 1 cent gain, at $116.01 and Scotiabank gaining 9 cents to end at $62.11 while 838 shares changed hands.
Declines| The stocks declining at the end of trading are, Clico Investment Fund traded 144,695 shares valued at $3,256,576 to end with a fall of 5 cents at $22.50 and Guardian Holdings with 200 shares lost a cent in closing at $14.47.
Firm Trades| Stocks closing with prices unchanged at the end of trading are, First Citizens Bank added 4,550 shares valued at $161,525 and National Commercial Bank with a volume of 6,000 shares closed unchanged at $1.50.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 3 stocks with the bid higher than their last selling prices and 2 stocks with offers that were lower.
SGJ trades 2.2m shares & NCB 674K
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange is off to a moderate start up to 10:45 Friday and was dominated by Sagicor Group trading 2,226,502 between $10.45 and $10.50, while National Commercial Bank traded 673,941 shares at $25.50, with a bid to buy 492,000 units at $25.50, the offer is at $26 for just over 24,000 shares.
Grace hit a new 52 weeks’ high of $65 while trading a small volume.Only 8 securities has traded so far, with one form the junior market.
The all Jamaica Composite Index climbed back well above the 94,000 mark with a 491 points rally to reach 94,134.38 while the main market index rose 439.16 points to 85,341.78. The junior market index is unchanged at 733.67.
Will NCB pick up RBC Cayman?
Hot on the heels of an agreement to sell RBC Royal Bank (Suriname) N.V. (“RBC Suriname”), to Republic Bank in Trinidad, word reaching IC Insider is that Royal Bank’s operations in the Cayman Island is being sold.
The bank’s website shows three branches in that territory. IC Insider’s source informs us that Michael Lee Chin, Chairman of National Commercial Bank has been seen on the island frequently in recent times, but a comment from National Commercial Bank’s Cayman representative was numb when asked if his bank is buying the RBC operations, but there was no denial suggesting, strongly that NCB is a potential candidate.
RBC Canada stated when they announced the sale of the Suriname bank that “As we continue to focus our Caribbean operations on markets in which we can be a leading competitor for the long-term, we have made the decision to sell RBC Suriname to Republic Bank Limited,” said Kirk Dudtschak, executive vice-president and head, RBC Caribbean Banking. “This transaction supports the successful repositioning of our Caribbean business for the future and allows us to focus on markets where we can strengthen our operational capabilities and where we see opportunities for growth.”
Last year RBC sold the Jamaican operations to Sagicor Group after the entity lost billion of dollars and showed no sign of a turn around.
US$ holds below J$115 Thursday
Dealers sold a net of US$10 million on Thursday following net sales on Wednesday. Purchases of all currencies by dealers amounted to US$26,379,747 equivalent, compared with US$38,067,788, on Wednesday and selling of the equivalent of US$36,916,377 versus sale of US$46,321,683, on the previous trading day.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$23,763,336 compared to US$33,626,651 on Wednesday. The buying rate for the US dollar slipped 14 cents to $114.26 and US$35,159,008 was sold versus US$43,174,147 on Wednesday, the selling rate rose 3 cents to end at $114.99. The Canadian dollar buying rate rose 25 cents to $89.88 with dealers buying C$1,176,154, and selling C$625,704, at an average rate that gained just 37 cents to $91.73. The rate for buying the British Pound fell $1.38 to $167.86 for the purchase of £1,057,806, while £799,298 was sold, at an average rate of $169.54, for a $1.35 decline. At the end of trading it took J$124.06 to purchase the Euro, 78 cents less than on Wednesday, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$121.60 for a fall of 85 cents on Wednesday’s rate. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$137,089 while the equivalent of US$79,688, was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, remained at $115.10. The lowest buying rate dropped $7.77 to $86. The highest selling rate remained at $120.16 and lowest selling rate jumped $8.23 to $102. The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar rose 30 cents to $92, the lowest buying rate was unchanged at $72.63, but the highest selling rate fell $1.10 to $94.40 with the lowest selling rate rising $1.50 to $89. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, fell 10 cents to $171.20, the lowest buying rate was unchanged at $136.95 but the highest selling rate dropped $3.23 to $173.32 and the lowest selling rate rose $1.30 to $166.30.
