There was trading in 5 junior market securities accounting for only 131,243 units, valued at $178,904, on Wednesday. The JSE Junior Market Index gained 2.73 points to close at 672.44 with 1 stock advancing and 1 declining.
At the close of the market there was 1 stock with the bid higher than the last selling price and 6 stocks with offers that were lower. The likelihood of continuing weakness in this markets segment, is reflected in the 10 stocks that had no bids to buy, against 6 that had no stocks being offered for sale.
In trading, General Accident with 5,000 units is the only stock to gain at the end of trading in the junior market with the price rising 7 cents to $1.69. Lasco Financial with 56,843 units, closed at 95 cents, Lasco Manufacturing put through 53,400 units at $1 and Sweet River Abattoir traded for the second time since listing in mid-September, accounting for 16,000 shares, the price slipped 4 cents back to its IPO price of $3.86.
Jamaican Teas 8% debenture traded 3,000 units with the price remaining at $100 each.
Low junior market trading continues
Knutsford Express profit grows
A strong 88 percent jump in Knutsford Express’ fourth quarter revenues to May this year, slowed to 44 percent in the August quarter, to reach $103.4 million, up from $71.9 million in the 2013 quarter, producing only a 20 percent rise in net profit of $17 million.
The growth from continuing operations is greater than the figures on the surface suggest as 2013 figures include $4.7 million in one off income, excluding this, profit before tax would have climbed an impressive 44 percent, in line with the growth in revenues. Earnings per share ended at 17 cents for the August 2014 quarter, with signs of continued growth in revenues, earnings for the 2015 fiscal year should end up around 80 cents to $1 per shares
With such earnings, the stock at a $5 price has an interesting valuation, with some growth potential, that could put in the stock price somewhere in the $8-10 range over the next nine months or so. The company’s finances continue to be healthy, with little debt, equity of $177 million and cash of $67 million. For the 12 months to May, this year, pretax profit climbed marginally to $56 and the May 2015 profits seems set to far surpass this amount.
The company provides a passenger coach service from Kingston to Negril via the north and south coast of Jamaica, several times per day.
NIR up in September
Bank of Jamaica paid back US$30 million to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during September, but the Net International Reserves (NIR) climbed from US$2.12 billion at the end of August to US$2.2 billion at the end of September, an increase of US$79 million.
Gross reserves amounts to $2.72 billion compared with $2.67 billion at the end of August.Estimated Official Gross Reserves represent 27.17 weeks of Goods Imports at the end of September, up from 26.68 weeks, in August and 19.52 weeks of Goods and Services Imports, an increase over the 19.17 weeks in August.
The reserves place the central bank in a good position to intervene in the foreign exchange market during the rest of the year, if they so desire. Importantly, it gives them the physiological advantage to keep speculators guessing as to their next move, now that the rate of the Jamaican dollar has been gaining, against the US dollar, since they had a major intervention, in the market on July 10.
Interestingly, the months of high demand and low supply commencing September, should end by Mid December has so far seen no serious dip in supply and no large demands, allowing the local dollar to appreciate. There are some indications that financial institutions who went long in their holdings of foreign exchange, have been offloading, with the absence of any serious overhang of demand that cannot be satisfied.
It does appear that the central bank will be adding to its holdings of foreign currency, as investors reduce their holdings, with the winter months not far away, a period when supply is usually higher than demand.
4 stocks up 1 down on TTSE
Trading on the Trinidad Stock Exchange, Wednesday, resulted in 11 securities changing hands of which 4 advanced, 1 declined and 6 traded firm, with 377,472 units, valued at $1,473,711.
At the close of the market, the Composite Index rose 0.25 points to close at 1,143.28, the All T&T Index gained 0.02 points to close at 1,972.02and the Cross Listed Index increased by 0.06 points to end at 41.18.
Gains| Stocks increasing in price, at the close are, Ansa Merchant Bank with 4,164 shares to put on a cent at $39.38, a new 52 weeks’ high, Grace Kennedy added 23,558 shares valued at $88,556 and gained a cent at $3.76, Jamaica Money Market Brokers with a volume of 66,106 shares valued at $29,748, closed up a cent, at 45 cents, while Sagicor Financial Corporation contributed 37,882 shares with a value of $236,763 and put on 4 cents at $6.25.
Declines| The only stock declining at the end of trading is, National Flour Mills trading 1,500 shares, declined 2 cents to end the day at $1.29.
Firm Trades| Stocks closing with prices unchanged at the end of trading are, Clico Investment Fund with 17,500 shares valued at $385,020, remained at $22, First Citizens Bank with 4,669 shares to end at $36.52, Guardian Holdings with 11,199 units closed at $13.49, National Commercial Bank with 210,000 shares changing hands for a value of $210,000, closed at $1, Scotiabank 600 shares at $59.49 and Scotia Investments with only 294 units closed at $1.50.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator showed 2 stocks with the bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 stocks with offers that were lower.
Its BNS big sell off day as J$ revalues more
The Jamaican dollar continues to make slow gains against the US dollar, in Tuesday’s forex trading. Bank of Nova Scotia bought US$6,068,907 at $112.43 each but sold US$13,995,762 at $112.65 to be the largest seller on Tuesday. At the close of the market, there was selling of US$11.5 million more foreign currency, to the public than was bought by dealers. Authorized dealers purchased the equivalent of US$36,902,410 versus US$45,684,367 on Monday. The equivalent of US$48,450,336 was sold compared with US$41,145,809 on Monday.
The selling rate for the local currency to buy one US dollar, settled at $112.61, a slight improvement over the closing price on Monday. The local currency not only gained against the US dollar but also against the Canadian dollar, but fell against the Pound.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$29,102,213 compared to US$38,512,175 on Monday. The buying rate for the US dollar rose 5 cents to $112.25 and US$42,208,347 was sold versus US$36,824,756 on Monday, the selling rate inched down 1 cent to $112.61. The Canadian dollar buying rate, rose $1.10 to $100.13 with dealers buying C$5,720,004 and selling C$4,314,882 at an average selling rate that eased 2 cents, to $100.43. The rate for buying the British Pound is down 84 cents to $178.65, for the purchase of £1,633,650, while £1,391,145 was sold, at $180.24, climbing 50 cents. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$98,223, while selling was for the equivalent of US$166,795.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, closed 3 cents down at $112.80, the lowest buying, the highest and the lowest selling rates, were unchanged at $91.85, $117.70 and $91.85 respectively. The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar rose 20 cents to $100.75, the lowest buying rate remained at $79.27, the highest selling rate declined 10 cents to $103. The lowest selling rate closed unchanged at $95.50. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, dropped 43 cents to $181, the lowest buying rate did not move from $143.92. The highest selling rate dropped $2.24 to $185.54 and the lowest selling rate was unperturbed at $173.40.
TTSE closes with negative bias
Trading on the Trinidad Stock Exchange closed Tuesday, on a negative tone, with 9 securities changing hands, of which 2 advanced, 5 declined and 2 traded firm. A total of 152,625 units changed hands, valued at $5,635,429.
At the close of the market, the Composite Index rose 0.03 points to end at 1,143.03, the All T&T Index fell 0.13 points to close at 1,972.00 and the Cross Listed Index increased by 0.03 points to end at 41.12.
Gains| Stocks increasing in price at the close are, First Citizens Bank contributing 12,650 shares with a value of $461,859, to gain 2 cents at $36.52 and Massy Holdings with 56,747 shares changing hands, for a value of $3,887,171, closing at $68.51, with a cent gain.
Declines| The stocks declining at the end of trading are, Clico Investment Fund, with 44,237 shares valued at $973,403 to close at $22, down a cent, National Enterprises added 11,396 shares valued at $200,798 and suffered a loss of 2 cents to close at $17.62, National Flour Mills with 3,000 shares closed at $1.31 with a decline of 4 cents, Sagicor Financial Corporation lost 1 cent, to end at $6.21 in trading 15,370 shares for $95,927 and Scotiabank with 75 shares changing hands, closed with a decline of 1 cent to end at $59.49, for a new 52 weeks’ low.
Firm Trades| Stocks closing with prices unchanged are, Angostura Holdings with 313 shares at $12.75 and Jamaica Money Market Brokers with 8,837 shares at 44 Cents.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a slight negative bias, with 2 stocks having bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 stocks with offers that were lower.
Moderate gains for Jamaican stocks
Tuesday’s activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, resulted in the prices of 4 stocks rising and 5 declining as 17 securities changed hands, culminating in 1,996,522 units trading, valued at $19,658,187, in all market segments.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator showed 6 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 8 stocks with offers that were lower.
Main Market| The JSE Market Index garnered just 15.98 points after three straight days of losses to end at 71,310.04 and the JSE All Jamaican Composite index rose 17.87 points to close at 78,445.77.
Gains| Stocks gaining with last traded prices, at the end of trading in the main market are, Jamaica Money Market Brokers with 1,731 ordinary shares trading, 5 cents higher at $7 and Sagicor Group with 45,035 shares, the price gained 1 cent to $9.51.
Firm| The stocks in the main market to close with the last traded prices remaining unchanged are, Caribbean Cement with 62,230 units at $2.36, Grace Kennedy with 3,000 shares at $58, National Commercial Bank 323,483 shares to close at $17.85, Sagicor Real Estate Fund with 8,800 shares at $6.60 and Scotia Group 80,896 shares closing at $19.02 .
Declines| The last traded prices of stocks with losses at the end of trading in the main market are, Carreras with 3,457 shares, lost 2 cents to end at $34.50, Hardware & Lumber with only 217 units at 40 cent down to $6.10, Jamaica Broilers 309,664 shares closed with a loss of 49 cents to end at 52 weeks low of $3.51 and Proven Investments with 498,890 shares traded with a loss of 0.99 cent to end at 17 US cents.
Preference| Jamaica Money Market Brokers 8.50% preference share traded 10,000 units at 7 cents higher at $3.43 Jamaica Money Market Brokers 8.75% preference share traded 20,000 at $3.02.
Junior Market moderate trading continues
There was trading in only 4 securities on the junior market on Tuesday, ending with 629,119 units valued at only $626,014. The JSE Junior Market Index increased 3.34 points to close at 669.71 as 2 advanced and 2 remained unchanged.
Caribbean Cream’s 25,000 units, closed 1 cent higher at 71 cents and Lasco Manufacturing was the dominant trade with 596,772 shares, gained 3 cents to $1, Dolphin Cove traded 640 shares at $8 and Lasco Financial closed with 6,707 shares at 95 cents.
At the close of trading there was 1 stock with the bid higher than the last selling prices and 5 stocks with offers that were lower. Ten securities closed without bids to buy stock and 5 with no stock on offer to sell.
J$ revaluation continues
The Jamaican dollar continues to make slow gains against the US dollar, having peaked at $112.87, on July 25. The selling rate for the local currency to buy one US dollar, is now at $112.62 an improvement over the closing price on Friday. The local currency not only gained against the US dollar, but also against the Pound and the Canadian dollar.
In Monday’s forex trading, US$4.5 million more foreign currency was bought than was sold to the public. Authorized dealers purchased the equivalent of US$45,684,367 versus US$37,912,992 on Friday, the equivalent of US$41,145,809 was sold compared with US$49,474,851 on Friday.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$38,512,175 compared to US$33,871,010 on Friday. The buying rate for the US dollar fell 13 cents to $112.20 and US$36,824,756 was sold versus US$46,851,454 on Friday, the selling rate inched down 2 cents to $112.62. The Canadian dollar buying rate, rose $1.18 to $99.03 with dealers buying C$2,165,519 and selling C$1,702,779 at an average selling rate that fell 35 cents, to $100.45. The rate for buying the British Pound climbed 78 cents to $179.49, for the purchase of £3,139,266, while £1,433,057 was sold, at $179.75, down 43 cents. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$238,954, while selling was for the equivalent of US$514,931.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, closed 3 cents up at $112.83, the lowest buying and the highest selling rates were unchanged at $91.85 and $117.70 respectively and the lowest selling rate fell back $1.81 to $91.85. The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar rose 5 cents to $100.55, the lowest buying rate fell 83 cents to $79.27, the highest selling rate declined 40 cents to $103.10. The lowest selling rate dropped 50 cents to $95.50. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, dropped 63 cents to $181.43, the lowest buying rate fell $1.75 to $143.92. The highest selling rate dropped 70 cents to $187.78 and the lowest selling rate eased $1.20 to $173.40.
JSE down for the third day
Monday’s activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, resulted in the prices of 4 stocks rising and 9 declining as 20 securities changed hands, culminating in 2,797,280 units trading, valued at $8,903,664, In all market segments.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator showed 6 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 8 stocks with offers that were lower.
Main Market| The JSE Market Index lost 411.15 points to 71,294.06 and the JSE All Jamaican Composite index fell 459.74 points to close at 78,427.90. Monday is the third consecutive day of declines for the market.
Gains| Only 2 stocks recorded gains with Cable & Wireless trading 516,153 with a 1 cent gain, to 30 cents and Pan Jamaican Investment with 5,000 shares changing hands was 1 cent higher at $49.01.
Firm| The stocks in the main market to close without a change in the last traded prices are, Hardware & Lumber with 200 shares, closed at $6.50, Jamaica Broilers 10,211 units closed at $4, Jamaica Producers with 4,959 shares at $15.50, Radio Jamaica traded 3,000 shares at $1.04, Scotia Group with 10,241 shares at $19.02 and Sagicor Group trading 29,804 units at $9.50.
Declines| The last traded prices of stocks with losses at the end of trading, in the main market are, Caribbean Cement with 72,884 shares, the price lost 4 cents to end at $2.36, Carreras traded just 33,415 units with an 8 cents loss to $34.52, Grace Kennedy with 4,929 shares, closed with a loss of $1 to $58, Jamaica Money Market Brokers with 39,000 ordinary shares trading, closed with a loss of 5 cents at $6.95, National Commercial Bank with 184,870 shares closed 9 cents higher at $17.85, Proven Investments had 1,110 changing hands with a loss of 0.01 cents at 17.99 US cents and Scotia Investments with 6,179 units lost 5 cents to $21.75.
Preference| Proven Investments 8% preference share traded 500 units at $5.
