The Jamaican government is on track to achieve their primary surplus target with the December data showing only half a billion positive balance over the budgeted target level, but that is well down on $6.2 billion excess achieved for the period to November.
The primary surplus at the end of December comes out at $66.5 billion and is up from November’s surplus of $54.4 billion. The excess over forecast was achieved although revenues are off by $10 billion, or more than $3 billion worse than the $6.8 billion at the end of November. Tax revenues fell short by $9.7 billion to November as economic measures bite, but non tax revenue was better than forecast by $2 billion and grants were off by $3 billion.
Tax on interest brought in $1.5 billion in revenue over budget and was up by 39 percent, PAYE rose by 4 percent or $2 billion to $49.9 billion. The shortfalls were mostly local GCT down by $5.4 billion or 10.6 percent to $5.5 billion. Corporation tax fell short by $6.6 billion or 30 percent, Special consumption tax dropped $1.7 billion or 19 percent
The wage bill that was on target to November shows $1.76 billion in savings to December, as government spent $121 billion on this item, interest cost is down by $4.5 billion to $95 billion and other cost fell by $671 million. Capital expenditure, underspent by $7.4 billion to November is now $8.3 billion below forecast or 31 percent reduction.
The fiscal deficit targeted at $33.87 billion is down by $5 billion to $28.9 billion thanks to cut in scheduled payments.
Dealers sold US$18m over buying
There was more selling of foreign currencies than buying by dealers on Wednesday, similar to Tuesday’s trading. Purchases of all currencies by dealers, translated to US$33,677,040 compared with the US$32,436,213, on Tuesday and selling amounted the equivalent of US$52,309,853 versus US$44,560,563 sold on Tuesday.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$29,144,721 compared to US$28,223,145 on Tuesday. The buying rate for the US dollar fell 3 cents to $115.22 and US$48,604,969 was sold versus US$42,457,660 on Tuesday, the selling rate remained at $115.77. The Canadian dollar buying rate rose $1.58 to $91.26 with dealers buying C$2,862,479, and selling C$2,525,837, at an average rate that climbed 42 cents, to $92.04. The rate for buying the British Pound gained 35 cents to $173.05 for the purchase of £1,053,193, while £719,957 was sold, at an average rate of $174.53, a rise of 56 cents. At the end of trading it took J$132.53 to purchase the Euro, $1.20 higher than on Tuesday, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$129.97 for an increase of $1.07 over Tuesday. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$683,280 while the equivalent of US$611,448, was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, rose 10 cents to $116. The lowest buying and the highest selling rates were unchanged at $94.36 and $120.91 respectively. The lowest selling rate climbed $18.64 to $113. The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar climbed $1.30 cents to $94, the lowest buying rate rose 58 cents to $72.96. The highest selling rate put on $1.13 to $95.61 and the lowest selling rate is up 40 cents to $87.90. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, gained $1.34 to $176.02. The lowest buying rate gained 87 cents to $139.73, the highest selling rate rose 96 cents to $179.97 and the lowest selling rate increased $1.05 to $168.35.
Moderate JSE trading Wednesday
Wednesday’s activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, resulted in the prices of 6 stocks rising 5 declining as just 19 securities changed hands, ending in only 836,056 units trading, valued at a mere $4,310,061, in all market segments.
Main Market| The JSE Market Index lost a mere 0.62 points to 77,527.63, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index fell 0.68 points to close at 85,397.80 and the JSE combined index gained 43.55 points to close at 79,471.25.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 8 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and only 1 with the offer lower.
Gains| Only 2 stocks closed higher at the end of trading in the main market on Wednesday with Sagicor Real Estate Fund closing with 2,500 shares trading, 11 cents up to $6.85 and Kingston Wharves ending with 3,300 units trading 40 cents higher to $6.
Firm| The stocks in the main market to close without a change in the last traded prices are, Carreras closing with 29,715 shares at $41, after trading as high as $42. Ciboney had 245,980 units changing hands at 7 cents, Grace Kennedy ended with 2,483 shares changing hands at $61.90 and Proven Investments ended with 2,780 shares trading at 21 US cents.
Declines| The last traded prices of stocks with losses at the end of trading in the main market are, Caribbean Cement closing trading with 23,893 shares, ending lower by 10 cents to $2.30, Desnoes & Geddes closing with 53,186 shares changing hands, 10 cents down to $4.80. National Commercial Bank concluding trading with only 5,632 shares changing hands to end 9 cents lower at $20.41, Sagicor Group finished with only 280 units changing hands, losing 25 cents to $10.25 and Scotia Group in trading 76,537 units closed at 23 cents lower to $20.02.
Preference| Proven Investments 8% preference share traded 95,651 units at $5.
4 junior market stocks rose Wednesday
Activity on the Junior Market closed with 7 securities trading and ending with 294,119 units valued at $359,476 changing hands. The JSE Junior Market Index gained 4.75 points to close at 703.36, with the prices of 4 advancing with 1 declining.
At the close of the market, there were 3 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with offers that were lower. The junior market ended with 4 securities closing with no bids to buy and there were 6 securities that had no stocks being offered for sale.
Stocks trading in the junior market are, Access Financial closing with 1,500 shares to end at $9.30 with an increase of 10 cents, Blue Power trading 7,500 shares to gain 10 cents to $6.50. Honey Bun closed with 6,000 units trading as the price rose 1 cents to $1.91, Lasco Distributors finished with 80,900 shares trading, rising 4 cents to $1.45.
Caribbean Cream closed with 183,600 units trading at 75 cents, Caribbean Producers finished with 13,119 units to close at $2.20 after shedding 10 cents Consolidated Bakeries closed with 1,500 units at 90 cents each.
TTSE falls with 6 stocks falling
Massy Holdings dropped sharply on Wednesday by $1.75.
At the close of the market, the Composite Index declined by 2.32 points to close at 1,148.69, the All T&T Index fell by 3.73 points to close at 1,980.87 and the Cross Listed Index lost 0.12 points to close at 41.44.
Declines| The stocks declining at the end of trading are, Clico Investment Fund trading 3,860 shares, gained 1 cent to end at $22.75, Massy Holdings trading 7,990 shares closed with a loss of $1.75 at $65.25 for a new 52 weeks’ low. National Flour traded 9,900 shares and closed 1 cent lower at $1.45, Republic Bank traded 132 units at $118.69, while losing 5 cents, Sagicor Financial traded 14,000 units to lose 14 cents at $5.35, a new 52 weeks’ low and LJ Williams ended trading in 10,000 units at 99 cents after dropping 1 cent.
Firm Trades| Stocks closing with prices unchanged at the end of trading are, First Citizens Bank with 30,000 shares trading for $1,080,000 at $36, Scotia Investments trading 5,000 units at $1.45, Point Lisas Industrial Port Development ended with 765 shares trading at $3.75, Scotiabank traded 573 shares to close at $62 and West Indian Tobacco traded 500 shares at $123.IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator is reflecting an improvement in the negative reading of Tuesday and now shows 7 stocks with the bid higher than their last selling prices and 5 stocks with offers that are lower.
Insider sold 2.77m Student Living shares
Newly listed 138 Student Living advises that a related party sold 2,775,000 of the company’s shares on January 30, 2015. T
he shares traded at $4.40 and realised $12,210,000. When the company went public in December last year, some of the initial investors offered shares they owned to the public which was packaged with the public offer. Shares offered by the company were taken up in full, but those by shareholders were only partially bought by the public.
A related party to a directors sold 250,000 Jamaica Broilers Group’s shares on February 2, 2015, the Company advised the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
C&W booked Digicel’s claim before
News broke on Tuesday that Cable & Wireless Jamaica is to pay Digicel $1.5 billion from wrongly withheld funds for interconnection calls made by cable & wireless fixed line customers. The stock plummeted 20 percent to close at 40 cents on the news. This is a classic case of sell first and ask questions after.
Information in the company’s last audited accounts indicate that the amount was already accounted for in full or in part, the March 2014 financial statements. According to a note in the financial statements, a suit was filed by Digicel against Cable and Wireless for $349.3 million plus $1.3067 billion claiming bad debt retained by the company under the interconnection and in respect of the company’s “homefone” service. This matter was consolidated with another claim filed by Digicel seeking an account of amounts charged and withheld under the interconnection agreement. The company counter claimed for $525.5 million being retention billed from 2003 to 2007. There are provisions with respect to the portions of this consolidated matter.
Even if the company had to pick up the full cost in 2014/15 accounts, it would effectively be of a one off nature and should not affect 2015/16 results which is what investors should be focusing on. At any rate, investors ought to be looking at results based on normal operating income and expenses to determine investment decisions.
NCB dominates as market rises again
NCB Financial dropped $8 on Friday.
Tuesday’s activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, resulted in the prices of 9 stocks rising 7 declining as 27 securities changed hands, ending in 11,536,610 units trading, valued at $173,915,246, in all market segments.
National Commercial Bank that dominated trading on Monday with 27,173,167 units, was again the lead trade on Tuesday, with 7,970,682 shares valued at $163,393,196. The majority of shares traded was done by way of a cross executed by Sagicor Investments.
Main Market| The JSE Market Index gained 326.79 points to 77,528.25, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index rose 365.36 points to close at a 85,398.48 and the JSE combined index gained 256.46 points to close at 79,427.70.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 8 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 stocks with offers that were lower.
Gains| Stocks gaining with last traded prices, at the end of trading in the main market are, Jamaica Money Market Brokers trading 22,500 ordinary shares and put on 23 cents to $7, National Commercial Bank traded 7,970,682 shares to end with an increase of 30 cents to a 52 weeks’ high of $20.50. Sagicor Investments bought and sold 7,927,299 units of the amount traded, in two lots. Sagicor Group traded 14,298 shares while gaining 50 cents to $10.50. The Sagicor Real Estate Fund closed with 20,775 shares changing hands as the price gained 4 cents to $6.74, Scotia Group traded 31,119 units and put on 20 cents to $20.25 and Supreme Ventures put in 94,445 shares to end with an increase of 10 cents to $2.10.
Firm| The stocks in the main market to close without a change in the last traded prices are, Berger Paints finishing with 3,039 units changing hands at $1.56, Carreras in trading 98,550 shares closed at $41, Desnoes & Geddes closed with 30,000 shares trading at $4.90. Gleaner had 31,693 units trading at 81 cents, Jamaica Broilers closed with 123,928 units at $4, Jamaica Producers ended with 955 shares changing hands at $17. Proven Investments finished with 9,646 units traded at 21 US cents, Radio Jamaica ended with 4,657 units trading at $1.10 and Seprod finished had 14,348 shares changing hands at $11.90.
Cable & Wireless dropped 20% to 40 cents on Tuesday
Declines| The last traded prices of stocks with losses at the end of trading in the main market are, Cable & Wireless ending with 2,013,234 units trading, losing 10 cents to 40 cents as investors reacted negatively to news that the company has to pay Digicel $1.5 billion for interconnection charges. Grace Kennedy had transactions in 9,900 shares to close lower by 10 cents at $61.90, Pan Jamaican Investment closed with 3,816 shares changing hands, 50 cents down at $52 and Scotia Investments in concluding trading in 854 shares lost 4 cents to $22.51.
Preference| Proven Investments 8% preference share closed with 247,500 units trading at $5.
J$ falls against Pound & Canadian
There was more selling of foreign currencies than buying by dealers on Tuesday, reversing the trend of more buying than selling on Friday last and on Monday. Purchases of all currencies by dealers, translated to US$32,436,213 compared with the US$44,621,999, on Monday and selling amounted the equivalent of US$44,560,563 versus US$39,191,588 sold on Monday.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$28,223,145 compared to US$41,625,677 on Monday. The buying rate for the US dollar fell 11 cents to $115.25 and US$42,457,660 was sold versus US$37,401,869 on Monday, the selling rate fell 1 cent to $115.77. The Canadian dollar buying rate rose 67 cents to $89.68 with dealers buying C$1,244,395, and selling C$732,799, at an average rate that climbed 56 cents, to $91.62. The rate for buying the British Pound gained $1.47 to $172.70 for the purchase of £2,063,515, while £874,757 was sold, at an average rate of $173.97, after rising 20 cents. At the end of trading it took J$131.33 to purchase the Euro, 64 cents higher than on Monday, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$128.89 for an increase of 48 cents over Monday. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$152,537 while the equivalent of US$208,402, was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, fell 10 cents to $115.90. The lowest buying and the highest selling rates were unchanged at $94.36 and $120.91 respectively. The lowest selling rate dropped $1.86 to $94.36. The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar fell 30 cents to $92.70, the lowest buying rate rose 50 cents to $72.38. The highest selling rate put on 43 cents to $94.48 and the lowest selling rate is up 90 cents to $87.50. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, gained 68 cents to $174.68. The lowest buying rate eased 58 cents to $138.86, the highest selling rate lost 75 cents to $179.01 and the lowest selling rate dropped 40 cents to $167.30.
Junior market falters, 3 stocks rise 3 fall
Activity on the Junior Market closed with 7 securities trading and ending with 790,671 units valued at $998,335 changing hands. The JSE Junior Market Index declined 5.48 points to close at 698.61, with the price of 3 stocks advancing and 3 declining.
At the close of the market, there were 4 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and none had offers that were lower. The junior market ended with 4 securities closing with no bids to buy and 8 securities that had no stocks being offered for sale.
Stocks trading in the junior market are, Jamaican Teas traded 117,665 units, gained of 4 cents to close at $2.55, Lasco Distributors traded 46,000 shares and closed with 1 cent gain at $1.41, Lasco Financial stock gained a cent with 55,000 shares, to end at $1.06, Lasco Manufacturing with 465,462 shares changing hands closed at $1.20.
Blue Power closed with 2,544 units trading, the price slipped 11 cents $6.40, Caribbean Producers in closing with 94,000 shares trading lost 10 cents at $2.20 and General Accident ended with 10,000 shares changing hands 15 cents lower at $1.65.
