Trading ended on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange on Monday, with the volume of stocks traded just marginally more than on Friday but with a value that was 66 percent less, resulting in trading in 16 securities compared with 17 on Friday, with five prices of stocks rising, six declining and five remaining unchanged.
Investors exchanged 93,675 shares for $1,425,280 versus 93,136 stock units at $4,187,061 on Friday.
An average of 5,855 units were traded at $89,080 compared to 5,479 shares at $246,298 on Friday, with trading month to date averaging 8,803 shares at $136,070 compared with 9,645 units at $149,498 on the previous day. The average trade for October amounts to 15,711 shares at $151,451.
The Composite Index slipped 0.64 points to settle at 1,190.30, the All T&T Index shed 0.23 points to end at 1,812.85, the SME Index remained unchanged at 79.99 and the Cross-Listed Index fell 0.15 points to 73.37.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Agostini’s rallied $2.50 to close at $67.50, with 292 stock units crossing the market, Angostura Holdings increased by 1 cent to $20.51 while exchanging 1,530 shares, Ansa McAl remained at $54.05 with investors dealing in 1,794 stocks. Ansa Merchant Bank climbed 40 cents to end at $42.12 with four units changing hands, First Citizens Group fell 10 cents and ended at $49.25 after an exchange of 12,550 shares, Guardian Media ended at $2.20 after closing with 70 stock units being traded. Massy Holdings declined 2 cents to end at $4.57 with shareholders swapping 16,511 stocks, National Enterprises ended at $3.55 in an exchange of 1,107 units, National Flour Mills lost 1 cent to close at $1.52, with 6,612 stocks crossing the market. NCB Financial dipped 2 cents and ended at $2.82 in switching ownership of 60 units, 
Prestige Holdings rose 50 cents to $11.50 after an exchange of 850 shares, Republic Financial remained at $120 after 2,313 stock units passed through the market. Scotiabank advanced 1 cent in closing at $72.61 with investors exchanging 761 shares, Trinidad & Tobago NGL shed $1.35 to close at $12.60 after trading 8,325 units, Trinidad Cement remained at $2.90 with a transfer of 40,446 stocks and West Indian Tobacco skidded 28 cents to $10.02, with 450 stock units clearing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Low keyed trading on the Trinidad Exchange
Trading up prices down on JSE Main Market
Trading activity picked up on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Monday, but the market declined, with the volume of stocks traded rising 22 percent, and the value 13 percent more than on Friday, with trading ended with an exchange of 59 securities compared to 57 on Friday, with 22 rising, 24 declining and 13 ending unchanged.
A total of 4,982,626 shares were exchanged at $34,117,477 compared to 4,087,425 units for $30,292,867 on Friday.
Trading averaged 84,451 shares on Monday at $578,262 compared with 71,709 shares at $531,454 on Friday and month to date, an average of 103,994 units at $1,158,598, down from 111,111 units at $1,369,955 on the previous trading day. October closed with an average of 214,410 units at $1,325,907.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 1.96 million shares for 39.3 percent of total volume, followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 830,120 units for 16.7 percent of the day’s trade and Wigton Windfarm with 537,437 units for 10.8 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index shed 2,074.28 points to conclude trading at 345,658.79, the JSE Main Index skidded 2,171.72 points to 310,694.99 and the JSE Financial Index dipped 0.47 points to 67.96.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.1. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending in August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and seven with lower offers.
At the close of the market, Berger Paints increased 80 cents to end at $7 743 stocks crossing the exchange, Eppley dropped 75 cents in closing at $33.20 with investors dealing in 353 units, GraceKennedy lost $1.81 to close at $71.51, with 21,747 shares crossing the market. Guardian Holdings skidded $14.49 and ended at $425 with shareholders swapping 131 stock units, Jamaica Broilers popped $1 to close at $34 in an exchange of 334,284 shares, Margaritaville gained 60 cents to $17.20 after investors trading 521 units. Massy Holdings fell $7 to end at $90 with a transfer of 1,163 stocks,
MPC Caribbean Clean Energy dipped $5.70 in closing at $75.17 with an exchange of 103 stock units, NCB Financial rose $1.99 and ended at $62.50 after 84,449 shares passed through the market. Sagicor Group advanced $1.48 to close at $43.48 in an exchange of 2,598 stocks, Scotia Group climbed 50 cents to $34.50 after investors cleared the market of 29,605 units, Seprod declined $6.78 to close at $73.02 after exchanging 19,768 stock units and Sygnus Real Estate Finance rallied $2.32 and ended at $11.87 after completing with 900 shares changing hands.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share rose 85 cents in closing at $5.92 with an exchange of 123 stocks and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share shed $1.01 to end at $120.99, as 18 units passed through the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE USD Market trading ended mixed
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Monday, with the volume of stocks changing hands rising 195 percent valued 70 percent less than trading on Friday, resulting in five securities being traded, compared to nine on Friday, with two rising, two declining and one ending unchanged.
A total of 148,704 shares were traded for US$3,173 compared with 50,369 units at US$10,547 on Friday.
Trading averaged 29,741 shares at US$635 compared with 5,597 shares at US$1,172 on Friday, with a month to date average of 16,578 shares at US$944 compared with 13,717 units at US$1,011 on the previous trading day. October ended with an average of 47,977 units for US$4,392.
The US Denominated Equities Index shed 0.60 points to settle at 230.39.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 8.9. The PE ratio is computed based on the last traded price divided by projected earnings done by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending between November 2023 and August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ending with a bid higher than the last selling price and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Proven Investments ended trading at 15.99 US cents, with shareholders swapping 4,635 units, Sterling Investments shed 0.08 of a cent to 1.85 US cents, with 1,552 stocks crossing the exchange, Sygnus Credit Investments rose 0.32 of one cent to close at 9 US cents with investors trading 391 shares and Transjamaican Highway lost 0.04 of a cent in closing at 1.65 US cents in an exchange of 142,124 stock units.
In the preference segment, Equityline Mortgage Investment preference share gained 5 cents and ended at US$1.10 after a mere two shares changed hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market all-round fall
Trading levels plunged on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday, with an 18 percent fall in the volume of stocks traded following a 33 percent drop in the 
value of stocks traded compared with Friday’s activities, resulting in trading of 41 securities compared with 42 on Friday and ended with prices of just 13 rising, 21 declining and seven closing unchanged.
Investors traded 3,813,014 shares for $7,367,507 compared with 4,659,572 units at $10,992,961 on Friday.
Trading averaged 93,000 shares at $179,695, compared with 110,942 shares at $261,737 on Friday with the month to date, averaging 124,390 units at $281,928 compared with 134,604 stock units at $315,194 on the previous trading day. October closed with an average of 361,392 units at $863,984.
One Great Studio led trading with 775,142 shares for 20.3 percent of total volume, followed by Regency Petroleum with 395,680 units for 10.4 percent of the day’s trade and MFS Capital Partners with 369,439 units for 9.7 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index dropped 33.28 points to 3,839.90.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 11.6, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for the financial years ending between November 2023 and August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial advanced 85 cents and ended at $27.90 after an exchange of a mere 7 stocks, 
AMG Packaging rose 13 cents to $2.48, with 7,500 units crossing the market, Caribbean Cream skidded 37 cents to close at $3.58 with investors trading 1,276 shares. Express Catering climbed 20 cents to end at $4.40 with a transfer of 720 stock units, Fontana popped 30 cents in closing at $11.56, after 21,281 shares crossed the exchange, Future Energy fell 9 cents to $3.42 after trading 75,822 units. Indies Pharma shed 19 cents in closing at $2.92 in an exchange of 815 stocks, Iron Rock Insurance lost 16 cents to end at $2.03, with 13,000 stock units clearing the market, Jamaican Teas gained 9 cents and ended at $2.19 after closing with an exchange of 23,643 shares. Knutsford Express dropped 40 cents to close at $11.90, with 1,000 units changing hands, 
Mailpac Group dipped 14 cents to $2.06 with investors transferring 172,634 stocks and Paramount Trading declined 21 cents to close at $1.47 after 3,581 stock units passed through the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Markets fall to start the week
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange remained depressed at the close of all three markets on Monday, with the volume and value traded being marginally more than on Friday and resulting in the markets closing lower compared to Friday.
At the close of trading on Monday, the JSE Combined Market Index dropped 2,329.48 points to 325,025.49, while the All Jamaican Composite Index declined 2,074.28 points to close trading at 345,658.79, the JSE Main Index skidded 2,171.72 points to settle at 310,694.99. The Junior Market Index fell 33.28 points to 3,839.90 and the JSE USD Market Index dropped 0.60 points to 230.39.
Investors traded just 8,944,344 shares in all three markets, up from 8,797,366 stock units on Friday. The value of stocks traded plunged on the Junior and Main markets to just $41.48 million from $41.29 million on Friday. The JSE USD market closed after 148,704 shares were traded for US$3,173 compared to 50,369 units at US$10,547 on Monday.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share rose 85 cents in closing at $5.92 and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share shed $1.01 to end at $120.99.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 22.6 on 2022-23 earnings and 11.8 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to successfully navigate numerous investment options in the local stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to quickly assess the value of stocks based on this measure. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Jamaica’s tourism rebound slows
Tourist arrivals to Jamaica continue to grow, but at a much reduced pace than earlier in the year, data for the all important Sangster International Airport shows. Passenger traffic passing through the airport in October grew 10.3 percent, to 350,000, up from 317,000 last year, and is well below the year to date of an increase of nearly 22 percent to 4.3 million passengers versus 3.54 million in the previous year.
Airplanes lined up at Sangster’s International Airport in early 2023.
In the case of Kingston’s, Norman Manley International Airport saw 8.9 percent fewer passengers passing to the island’s second largest airport for a second month, declining to 129,000 passengers passing through compared with 141,200 in 2022, but for the year to date, the airport saw 15.6 percent more passengers passing through than the year before when 1.2 million passed through compared to 1.47 million this year to date.
Data was taken from a release passenger traffic for the two International Airports operated by Grupo Aeroportuario Del Pacifico.
According to Jamaica Tourist Board data, stopover arrivals to Jamaica for the first six months of this year, the latest period they have so far reported on, were up 26.8 percent over that of 2022 and 6.7 percent above 2019 figures, while for the quarterly to June, arrivals were up 13.6 percent over 2022 and just 9.9 percent over that of 2019.
Main & Junior Markets ICTOP10 changes
During the past week, the JSE Main Market Index and the Junior Market lost ground at the close of the week but that did not prevent some ICTOP10 stocks from posting gains even as others fell to close out the past week, with three Junior Market stocks rising and four declined while four Main Market stocks gained and three declined.
Price movements in the market resulted in one new TOP10 listing for the Junior Market and one for the Main Market. Everything Fresh rose 9 percent to $1.75, followed by Caribbean Assurance Brokers, gaining 7 percent to end at $3.10, while the losers include Elite Diagnostic and One on One, down 5 percent to $1.79 and $1.01 respectively, followed by a 4 percent decline in Dolphin Cove to $15.50.
The Main Market closed the week with Margaritaville jumping 18 percent to $16.60. Key Insurance dropped 10 percent to $2.25 and 138 Student Living dropping 6 percent to $4.06.
One on One Education dropped out of the Junior Market TOP10, having reported a loss for the year to August, from flat revenues year over year and is replaced by Lasco Manufacturing, returning after a one week absence, with potential to end up with solid gains in the months ahead.
Returning to the Main Market TOP 10 is Caribbean Cement replacing Guardian Holdings, with the nine months’ results indicating lower earnings this year based on the new accounting policy.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market ICTOP 10 stands at 5.1, well below the market average of 12.2. The Main Market ICTOP10 is projected to gain an average of 320 percent by May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings.
An indication of where stock prices could be by May 2024 can be seen from stocks with the highest values in the Main and Junior Markets.
In the Main Market ICTOP 10, a total of 14 of the most highly valued stocks representing 29 percent of the Main Market are priced at a PE of 15 to 108, with an average of 30 and 19 excluding the highest PE ratios, and a PE of 23 for the top half and 16 excluding the stocks with overweight values.
The PE of the Junior Market TOP10 sits at 6.1, just over half of the market, with an average of 11.7. There are 12 stocks, or 25 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 50, averaging 21 that are well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 17, possibly the lowest fair value for Junior Market stocks currently, with the market projected to rise by 234 percent on or around May 2024.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners, accordingly, the list includes some of the best companies in the market, but this is not always so. ICInsider.com ranks stocks based on projected earnings, allowing investors to focus on the most undervalued stocks and helping to remove emotions in selecting stocks for investments that often result in costly mistakes.
IC TOP10 stocks will likely deliver the best returns on or around May 2024 and are ranked in order of potential gains, computed using projected earnings for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate and result in weekly movements in and out of the lists. Revisions to earnings are ongoing, based on receipt of new information.
Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.
Kremi ekes out small profit
Caribbean Cream reported revenues of $646 million for the August quarter this year versus $645 million in 2022, with the year to date revenues slipping to $1.25 billion from $1.257 billion in the previous year. Profit fell to $3.6 million in the August quarter from $7 million in 2022 and rose to $10 million for the six months from $8.5 million in 2022.
Caribbean Cream Kingston outlet
Improvement in production cost pushed gross profit up 10 percent to $390 million for the half year versus $354 million in 2022 and $205 million for the quarter to August this year, up 8.5 percent from $189 million in 2022. Cost savings were only realised in some areas as administrative expenses and finance costs climbed over 2022. Administrative expenses increased 6 percent to $158 million from $149 million, with finance costs climbing 60 percent to $24 million, from $15 million in the August 2022 quarter. For the half year, administrative costs rose 7 percent to $306 million from $286 million the previous year, while finance costs jumped 56 percent from $27 million to $42 million for the half year.
Finance cost associated with the expansion of the warehouse and building out of the cogeneration energy plant is being written off directly as a current expense rather than capitalising it, with the equipment as such, the reported profit over the past three years appears understated as a result of the treatment of this item. Accordingly, the 2023 full year’s profit should be closer to $70 to $80 million than the above figure, and the 2023 half year’s figure should be around $37 million.
Operations generated Gross cash flow of $77 million, growth in working capital and $206 million spent in addition to fixed assets offset by loan inflows net of outflows of $238 million, resulting in funds growing by $78 million during the six months.
Considerable sums have been spent on plant and machinery to improve efficiency and, by extension, increase profit. Accordingly, $439 million was expended over the past year, bringing the gross amount in fixed assets to $2.7 billion from $1.7 billion at the end of February 2022. Most of the new expenditure went into equipping a new cold storage plant that has expanded freezing and cold storage capacity, with some spent on the cogeneration energy plant, which is intended to cut energy costs.
The company remains financially healthy, with current assets of $539 million, including trade and other receivables of $114 million, cash and bank balances of $145 million and inventories of $248 million, up from $183 million in August 2022. Current liabilities ended at $225 million and net current assets at $314 million.
At the end of August, shareholders’ equity amounts to $836 million, a rise from $807 million at the end of August 2022, with long term borrowings at $1.2 billion and short term loans at $43 million.
Earnings per share for the quarter was one cent and 3 cents for the year to date. IC Insider.com computation projects earnings of 55 cents per share for the fiscal year ending February 2024, with a PE of 7 times current year’s earnings based on the price of $3.95 the stock traded at on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market on Friday. The PE ratio compared with a market average of 10.7. Net asset value ended the period at $2.21, with the stock selling at just under two times book value.
The company has a checkered profit history, as shown by the attached chart of profits, since 2015 and has struggled with increased costs since the disruption caused by COVID-19. The situation is worsened by the treatment of interest incurred to finance the new warehouse.
Main Market trading plunged on Friday
Trading activity plunged on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Friday, with the volume of stocks traded diving 27 percent and the value plunging 71 percent lower than on Thursday, with trading in 57 securities compared with 54 on Thursday, and ended with prices of just 11 rising, 31 declining and 15 ending unchanged.
The market closed with only MPC Caribbean Clean Energy up $7.36 and Seprod $4.80, ended with worthwhile gains with the others up 30 cents or less while losses were more prominent across the top 10, led by Pan Jamaica falling $2.40 and NCB Financial, down $23.9 with the lowest top 10 decliner, Jamaica Broilers with a 50 cents decline.
A total of 4,087,425 shares were traded for $30,292,867, down from 5,596,104 units at $102,723,231 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 71,709 shares at $531,454 versus 103,632 shares at $1,902,282 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 111,111 units at $1,369,955, compared with 132,500 units at $1,825,141 on the previous day. October closed with an average of 214,410 units at $1,325,907.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 1.32 million shares for 32.3 percent of total volume, followed by Carreras with 772,775 units for 18.9 percent of the day’s trade and 
Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 417,841 units for 10.2 percent of market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index fell 1,366.63 points to settle at 347,733.07, the JSE Main Index lost 3,039.14 points to finish at 312,866.71 and the JSE Financial Index declined 0.07 points to close at 68.43.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments skidded 86 cents to $71.03 with traders dealing in 26,881 stocks Berger Paints lost 80 cents to end at $6.20, with 8,849 units clearing the market, GraceKennedy dropped 68 cents in closing at $73.32 with investors dealing in 4,628 shares. Jamaica Broilers shed 50 cents and ended at $33, with 20,678 stock units crossing the exchange, 
Jamaica Producers fell 75 cents to close at $19.15 with a transfer of 2,866 shares, Kingston Properties fell 54 cents to $7.01 after an exchange of 15,523 units. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy increased $7.36 and ended at $80.87 with just one stock changing hands, NCB Financial dipped $2.39 to close at $60.51 in an exchange of 74,210 stock units, Pan Jamaica lost $2.40 in closing at $47.65 after 1,118 shares passed through the market. Scotia Group skidded 50 cents to end at $34 as investors exchanged 16,794 stocks, Seprod climbed $4.80 in closing at $79.80 in trading 12,312 units and Wisynco Group fell 50 cents to $20.50, with 131,691 stock units crossing the market.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share declined 90 cents to end at $5.07 while exchanging 379 shares and 138 Student Living preference share shed $17.73 and ended at $89.27 after closing with an exchange of 50 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market rose on Friday
Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Friday, with the volume and value of stocks traded marginally different than trades on Thursday, leading to a rise in the market index. As was the case on Thursday, 
trading ended with 42 securities changing hands trading on Friday and ended with prices of 17 rising, 19 declining and 6 closing unchanged.
Investors traded 4,659,572 shares for $10,992,961 compared with 4,512,426 units at $11,342,192 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 110,942 shares for $261,737 compared to 107,439 shares for $270,052 on Thursday with the month to date, averaging 134,604 units at $315,194 compared with 146,435 stock units at $341,922 on the previous day. October closed with an average of 361,392 units at $863,984.
Dolla Financial led trading with 953,906 shares for 20.5 percent of total volume, followed by EduFocal with 938,188 units for 20.1 percent of the day’s trade and One Great Studio with 487,790 units for 10.5 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index increased 25.76 points to conclude trading at 3,873.18.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 10.7, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for the financial years ending between November 2023 and August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial lost 45 cents in closing at $27.05, with 2,046 stock units crossing the market, AMG Packaging rose 8 cents to $2.35 with stakeholders exchanging 73 shares, Caribbean Cream dropped 15 cents and ended at $3.95 with 3,002 units clearing the market. Dolphin Cove shed 10 cents to end at $15.50 and closed after investors exchanged 64,924 stocks, EduFocal climbed 12 cents to close at $2.37 in an exchange of 938,188 shares, Everything Fresh increased 23 cents to $1.75 with shareholders swapping 26,925 stock units. 
Express Catering declined 8 cents to end at $4.20 after an exchange of 10,301 units, Fosrich popped 11 cents in closing at $2.42 with investors dealing in 61,936 stocks, Future Energy fell 14 cents to close at $3.51 in an exchange of 61,295 units. Indies Pharma gained 19 cents and ended at $3.11, with 753 shares crossing the market, ISP Finance dipped 20 cents to $31.30 with an exchange of 15 stocks, Jamaican Teas skidded 18 cents and ended at $2.10 after 51,538 stock units passed through the market. Main Event lost $1.30 to end at $13.60 after exchanging 572 shares, MFS Capital Partners declined 34 cents in closing at $2.03 in switching ownership of 471,767 units, 
Regency Petroleum shed 10 cents to close at $2.18, with 57,414 stocks crossing the exchange and Spur Tree Spices fell 9 cents to $2.11 with a transfer of 246,464 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
