The selling rate for the three main currencies against the Jamaican dollar was mixed on Friday, remaining unchanged against the US dollar, increasing for the Pound but falling for the Canadian dollar. Purchases of all currencies by dealers, translated to US$51,909,364 compared with the US$52,659,123, on Thursday and selling amounted the equivalent of US$44,032,835 versus US$48,382,955 sold on Thursday.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$46,629,667 compared to US$49,365,865 on Thursday. The buying rate for the US dollar fell 3 cents to $115.53 and US$41,752,070 was sold versus US$44,040,735 on Thursday, with the selling rate remaining at $115.81. The Canadian dollar buying rate climbed 62 cents to $91.12 with dealers buying C$1,769,973, and selling C$839,442, at an average rate that dropped $1.67, to $91.88. The rate for buying the British Pound rose 55 cents to $172.65 for the purchase of £2,509,615, while £767,609 was sold, at an average rate of $174.84, after rising by 23 cents. At the end of trading it took J$131.31 to purchase the Euro, 1 cent lower than on Thursday, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$129.06 for an increase of 39 cents from Thursday. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$133,367 while the equivalent of US$455,994, was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, shed 5 cents to $115.90 and lowest buying rate gained $5.21 to $94.36 while the highest selling rate was unchanged at $120.91. The lowest selling rate was up 10 cents to $113.10. The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar fell $2.95 to $94, the lowest buying rate inched down 54 cents to $72.96. The highest selling rate fell $3.02 to $95.90 and the lowest selling rate dropped 60 cents to $88.40. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, dipped 40 cents to $175. The lowest buying rate eased 54 cent to $140.06, the highest selling rate gained $1.23 to $180.56 and the lowest selling rate rose $1.30 to $170.
J$ stable V US up on Can$ – Friday
J$ down on US & pound up on Canadian – Thursday
The selling rate for the Jamaican dollar increased on Thursday against the Pound and the US dollar but improved against the Canadian dollar. Purchases of all currencies by dealers, translated to US$52,659,123 compared with the US$32,242,695, on Wednesday and selling amounted the equivalent of US$48,382,955 versus US$31,020,751 sold on Wednesday.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$49,365,865 compared to US$27,070,796 on Wednesday. The buying rate for the US dollar rose 38 cents to $115.56 and US$44,040,735 was sold versus US$28,365,728 on Wednesday, with the selling rate climbing 2 cents to $115.81. The Canadian dollar buying rate fell 61 cents to $90.50 with dealers buying C$1,116,802, and selling C$3,636,641, at an average rate that rose 36 cents, to $93.55. The rate for buying the British Pound dropped $1.18 to $172.10 for the purchase of £955,128, while £387,733 was sold, the rate fell 80 cents to $174.61. At the end of trading it took J$131.32 to purchase the Euro, 67 cents lower than on Wednesday, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$128.67 for a decline of $1.04 from Wednesday. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$996,171 while the equivalent of US$820,125, was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying and the highest selling rates for the US dollar, were unchanged at $115.95 and $120.91 respectively. The lowest buying rate dropped $5.21 to $89.15 while the lowest selling rate leapt $20.75 to $113. The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar jumped $3.65 to $96.95, the lowest buying rate inched up 9 cents to $73.50. The highest selling rate rose $3.92 to $98.92 and the lowest selling rate dropped $1.30 to $89. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, dipped $1.60 to $175.40. The lowest buying rate rose $1.49 to $140.60, the highest selling rate fell 39 cents to $179.33 and the lowest selling rate dived $2.90 to $168.70.
No stock fell on TTSE
Trading on the Trinidad Stock Exchange ended with 15 securities changing hands of which 3 advanced, none declined and 12 traded firm with a total of 444,178 units, valued at $7,464,120.
At the close of the market, the Composite Index rose 0.83 points to close at 1,150.83, the All T&T Index gained 1.67 points to close at 1,985.66 and the Cross Listed Index remained at 41.37.
Gains| Stocks increasing in price at the close are, ANSA Mcal 4,916 $66.76 with a 1 cent gain, National Flour Mills contributed 20,860 shares to close at $1.39 with an increase of 4 cents, West Indian Tobacco gained 89 cents to end at $123, after trading 600 shares, for a new 52 weeks’ high.
Firm Trades| Stocks closing with prices unchanged at the end of trading are, Angostura Holdings ending trading with 156 units at $1.98, Ansa Merchant Bank trading 1,000 shares to close at $38.90. Clico Investment Fund traded 175,000 shares valued at $3,989,580 to end at $22.80, First Citizens Bank with 64,800 shares being traded valued at $2,332,830, ended at $36, Guardian Holdings added 19,679 shares valued at $260,747 to close $13.25, Jamaica Money Market Brokers closed with 6,582 shares traded at 40 cents. National Commercial Bank traded 7,014 units to close at $1.16, Massy Holdings traded 1,043 shares at $67.50, Scotiabank traded 35 units at $62 and Trinidad Cement with 139,378 shares changing hands for a value of $313,601 closed at $2.25.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 4 stocks with the bid higher than their last selling prices and 6 stocks with offers that were lower.
Lasco Financial profit up 50%
Profit at Lasco Financial jumped a noticeable 50 percent, in the December 2014 quarter, on rising revenues of 11 percent. The company recorded profit of $68 million in the quarter versus $46 million in 2013 and recorded a 33 percent rise in its nine profit to $181 million from $136 million.
Lasco reported improvement in gross profit margin of 152 percent, in the December quarter, from 108 percent in the same period in 2013, the margin, year to December, is 155 percent from 137 percent in the nine months of 2013. Administrative expense rose by 8 percent for the quarter and 13 percent year to December while marketing expenses fell 8 percent in the quarter but was up 9 percent year to date, compared with the prior year, but still below the rise in revenues.
Earnings per share for the quarter amounted to 6 cents and for the nine months 15 cents. Earnings for the full year to March should end up around 20 cents per share. The stock now priced at $1, remains a buy, with prospects for increased profits for 2015/16.
The company is listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange junior market and is primarily involved in cambio and money transfer and has with equity of $795 million no debt, and cash funds of $502 million.
More stocks fall than rise on JSE
Thursday’s activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, resulted in the prices of 7 stocks rising, 10 declining as 26 securities changed hands, ending in 7,488,109 units trading, valued at $56,492,650, in all market segments. This marks the 6th day out of the last seven trading days that declining stocks over powered advancing ones.
Main Market| The JSE Market Index lost 561.70 points to 76,715.98, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index fell 628 points to close at 84,490.34 and the JSE combined index declined by 603.28 points to close at 78,453.58.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator continues to reflect a bullish tone with 11 stocks having bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 stocks with offers that were lower.
Gains| Stocks gaining with last traded prices, at the end of trading in the main market are, Berger Paints ending with 304,683 shares while gaining 1 cent to $1.56, Cable & Wireless in trading 180,243 units, closed with a gain of 2 cents at 50 cents. Carreras closed with 30,173 shares trading, rising 10 cents to $38.70, National Commercial Bank had 1,225,960 units changing hands and put on 10 cent to $20 and Scotia Investments closed with 400 shares to end with an increase of 49 cents at $23.
Firm| The stocks in the main market to close without a change in the last traded prices are, Ciboney ending with 103,600 shares changing hands at 7 cents, Gleaner finishing with 41,928 shares trading at 81 cents, Mayberry Investments in trading 5,980 units closed at $1.98 and Supreme Ventures closed with 1,856 shares trading at $2.15 units.
Declines| The last traded prices of stocks with losses at the end of trading in the main market are, Caribbean Cement trading 25,445 units with the price slipping 1 cent to $2.36, Grace Kennedy with 46,589 shares trading, fell 40 cents at $62, Jamaica Broilers had 18,920 shares changing hands to close 1 cent lower to $4, Pan Jamaican Investment closed with 400 units to end down by $3.49 to $52.01. Proven Investments ended with 621,276 units with the price falling 0.4 cents 20.6 US cents, Sagicor Group finished with 233,229 shares and fell 12 cents to $10, Scotia Group had 155,896 units trading as the price slipped 5 cents to $20.05 and Seprod closed with 14,000 shares trading lower by 20 cents to $11.90.
Preference| Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share traded 1,133,000 units trading to end at $2.
1 rose 5 fell as TTSE weakens
Trading on the Trinidad Stock Exchange ended with 11 securities changing hands of which one advanced, 5 declined and 5 traded firm with a total of 49,273 units, valued at $557,750.
At the close of the market, the Composite Index lost 0.45 points to close at 1,150.00, the All T&T Index fell by 0.91 points to close at 1,983.99 and the Cross Listed Index remained at 41.37.
Gains| National Flour Mills with 16,479 shares changing hands closed 9 cent higher at $1.35 and is the sole stock gaining on Thursday.
Declines| The stocks declining at the end of trading are, Angostura Holdings trading 413 shares for a 2 cents fall, to close at $1.98. Guardian Holdings contributed 9,427 shares with a value of $124,928, to close 1 cent down, at $13.25, the price of Guardian Media shares declined by 1 cent to close at $19.75, with just 100 shares changing hands. Massy Holdings suffered a loss of 47 cents to close at $67.50 with 300 units and Republic Bank traded only 16 shares to close with a loss of 1 of cent at $118.74.
Firm Trades| Stocks closing with prices unchanged at the end of trading are, ANSA Mcal contributing 762 shares to end at $66.75, Ansa Merchant Bank closing unchanged at $38.90, while just 73 units changed hands. First Citizens Bank added 6,241 shares valued at $224,716 to close at $36.01, One Caribbean Media closed with 3,086 shares trading to close at $23.95 and Trinidad Cement closed at $2.25 while 12,376 shares traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator remained negative with only 2 stocks with the bid higher than their last selling prices and 6 stocks with offers that were lower.
2 stocks rose 2 fell on junior market
Activity on the Junior Market closed with 8 securities traded, ending with 3,330,531 units valued at $4,414,484 changing hands. The JSE Junior Market Index declined 8.05 points to close at 676.03, with the price of 2 advancing and 2 declining.
At the close of the market, there were 6 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 stocks with offers that were lower. The junior market ended with 6 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, Honey Bun, ending with 16,000 shares, climbed 5 cents to $2, Lasco Manufacturing in concluding transactions in 22,160 units trading, the price gained 2 cents to $1.20. Derrimon Trading closing with 217,196 units trading as the price slipped 5 cents to $2.05, Lasco Distributors closing with 267,000 shares trading lower by 12 cents at $1.18, Caribbean Cream closed with 2,760,000 shares changing hands at 75 cents, Caribbean Flavours ended trading, with 44,000 units at $2.20, Jamaican Teas debenture ended with 14,000 units trading at $100 and Knutsford Express finished with 4,175 units with the price falling $5.80.
Kingston Properties sells property
Kingston Properties sold its office and warehouse property located at 83 Hagley Park Road effective January 6, 2015 for approximately Two Hundred and Thirty Million Dollars ($230 million). The property was sold to Medical Disposables & Supplies a junior market listed company.
“Net proceeds of the sale are expected to be invested in other properties. Over the five years holding period, Total Return which includes annual cash yield and capital appreciation, net of transactions costs was 13.2% annually,” the company said in a release to the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
Kingston Properties is primarily involved in the ownership and rental of commercial properties in the Kingston area and residential units in Miami. The company reported rental income of $77.4 million up from $66.6 million in the nine months to September 2013 and net profit of $4.5 million.
Lasco Distributors profit climbs 69%
Peter Chin – CEO Lasco Distributors
The company is listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange junior market, has virtually no debt, is yet to book its successful legal claim against Pfizer and boast equity of $2.7 billion and cash funds of $608 million. The company is to build out a new warehouse for housing the increased need of space for new product lines they represent, the building has already been bought and booked in the accounts.
9 stocks rise 13 fall PanJam up $3.50
Pan Jamaican Head office
Main Market| The JSE Market Index gained 217.78 points to 77,277.68, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index rose 243.49 points to close at 85,118.34 and the JSE combined index gained 124.23 points to close at 79,056.86.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 10 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 6 stocks with offers that were lower.
Gains| Stocks gaining with last traded prices, at the end of trading in the main market are, Caribbean Cement closing with 15,100 units to close with a gain of 2 cents to $2.37. Carreras closed with 37,672 units and put on 60 cents to $38.60, Desnoes & Geddes concluding trading with, 50,000 shares to end with an increase of 10 cents to $4.90, Jamaica Broilers closed with 10,482,208 units to close 1 cent higher at $4.01, Jamaica Producers ending with 52,385 shares as the price jumped at $1.30 to $17, Pan Jamaican Investment closed with 550 shares as the price climbed $3.50 to $55.50 and Sagicor Real Estate Fund concluding trading with 7,800 shares traded with a gain of 5 cents to $6.70.
Firm| The stocks in the main market to close without a change in the last traded prices are, Ciboney exchanging a mere 200 shares at 7 cents followed by Jamaica Money Market Brokers with 6,647 ordinary shares trading to end at $6.60 and Proven Investments closing with 59,440 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, Cable & Wireless closing with 909,774 units trading as the price slipped 2 cents to 48 cents.
Grace Kennedy had only 290 shares changing hands to close lower by 17 cents at $62.40, Hardware & Lumber ended with 35,500 units trading to close lower by $1.01 at $6.50, Mayberry Investments ended with 1,020 units trading, the price slipped 2 cents to $1.98, National Commercial Bank in trading 167,784 shares closed 10 cents lower to $19.90. Sagicor Group closed with 212,060 units, the price slipped 8 cents to $10.12, Scotia Group had 76,218 shares changing hands at 40 cents to $20.10, Scotia Investments closed with 4,040 units trading as the price slipped 4 cents to $22.51 and Seprod ending with 31,164 units trading at 40 cents to $12.10.Preference| Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share traded, ending with 79,152 units changing hands at $2.
