In Friday’s trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, the prices of 7 stocks rose and 6 declined, as 20 securities changed hands, one stock closed at 52 weeks’ low. A total volume of 3,160,771 shares, valued at $13,089,114 traded.
Main Market| The JSE Market Index gained 922.25 points to 72,825.40 and the JSE All Jamaican Composite index, jumped 1,031.25 points to close at 80,140.22.
Gains| The volume and last traded prices of stocks with gains, at the end of trading in the main market are, Jamaica Money Market Brokers with 55,402 units changing hands, and gained 5 cents to $7, Kingston Wharves put through 40,914 shares at 1 cents more, to $5.01, Sagicor Real Estate Fund with 24,880 units, gained 10 cents to $7.10 and Scotia Group had 12,500 shares trading, to close with a gain of 95 cents at $20.
Firm| The stocks in the main market to close without a change in price, with volume and last traded prices are, Gleaner 1,000 shares, closing at $1.05, National Commercial Bank had 17,049 shares changing hands at $18 and Radio Jamaica with 9,585 shares, closed at $1.04.
Declines| The volume and last traded prices of stocks with losses at the at the end of trading in the main market are, Barita Investments with 43,000 shares, closed at $2.19 with a 1 cent fall, Cable & Wireless had 1,485,092 units changing hands, with 1 cent fall to 28 cents, Carreras put in 4,140 units and closed 5 cents lower at $34.75, Jamaica Broilers 1,000 shares ended with 1 cent decline at $4.52, Jamaica Producers had a sizable trade of 650,000 shares but the price shed 20 cents to $15.40 for a new 52 weeks’ low and Supreme Ventures 11,264 shares cost 1 cent less at $1.80.
Preference| Jamaica Money Market Brokers 8.75% preference share traded 100,000 units at $3 and Proven Investments 8% preference share traded 2,000 units at $5.
Junior Market| The JSE Junior Market Index put on 2.65 points to close at 660.49 as only 4 stocks traded with 3 advancing and none declining.
Gains| Stocks recording gains at the end of trading in the junior market, are AMG Packaging with 17,767 shares to close with a 10 cents gain at $2.50, Lasco Financial 587,650 shares led to a gain of 1 cent to 98 cents and Lasco Manufacturing with 37,576 units, to close 3 cents higher, at $1.04
Firm Trades| Stocks in the junior market that traded to close at the same price as the day before are, Jamaican Teas with 2,952 units a $3.30 and Lasco Distributors with 57,000 shares at $1.12.
Declines| No stock declined in the junior market at the end of trading.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 5 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 6 stocks with offers that were lower.
Investor’s Choice latest issue is out
The manufacturing sector plays an important role in the local economy. It employs around 77,000 persons and contributes to the country’s exports and foreign exchange earnings, as well as a major contribution in supplying goods, to the local market. The latest issue of Investor’s Choice, is now out, and features the local manufacturing industry and its various elements, including its contribution to the wider economy.
Other stories include, government’s mistakes cost big bucks, celebration of Carimac's 40th, big surge in JNBS profit and much more. 
Copies can be purchased at 12 Merrick Avenue, Kingston 10. Contact – Tel. 929-2993 or 926-2204, email Investorschoice@cwjamaica.com
Trading picks up, Scotia hits a low on TTSE
In trading on the Trinidad Stock Exchange on Friday, the number of securities changing hands surged pass Thursday’s 9, to reach 17. There were 5 advancing stocks, 4 declining and 8 traded firm, with 518,883 units changing hands, carrying a value of $8,173,015. Scotiabank continued its downward drift, closing the day at a new 52 weeks low, with relatively small volume. The market closed with 3 new 52 weeks’ highs and one low.
The Composite Index lost 0.14 points to close at 1,146.48, the All T&T Index lost 2.47 points to close at 1,979.88 and the Cross Listed Index advanced 0.29 points to end at 40.98.
Gains| Stocks increasing in price at the close are, Ansa Mcal Merchant Bank in trading 810 units at a new 52 weeks’ high of $39.30, the price gained 9 cents, National Commercial Bank in contributing 98,400 shares with a value of $98,400, closed at $1, up by 3 cents, One Caribbean Media with 4,176 shares put on a cent to end at $25.01, a new 52 weeks’ high, Scotia Investments enjoyed a gain of 10 cents to end the day at $1.50 (J$26.40, it last traded at $21.50 in Jamaica) while trading only 3,550 shares and Unilever Caribbean traded 494 units at $64.01, up by a cent to a new 52 weeks’ high.
Declines| Stocks declining at the end of trading are, Massy Holdings that put through just 40 units at $68.46 down by 2 cents, Scotiabank suffered a loss, of 57 cents to close at $61.18 while trading 5,761 units, Republic Bank traded 34,327 shares valued at $4,178,626 as the price lost 2 cents to close at $121.73 and Trinidad Cement traded 495 shares at $2.64, after suffering an 8 cents fall.
Firm Trades| Stocks closing with prices unchanged at the end of trading are, Clico Investment Fund with 117,139 shares valued at $2,577,058 but remained at $22, Firstcaribbean International with 1,000 shares at $5, while First Citizens traded 614 shares at $35.98, Grace Kennedy with 2,915 shares closed at $3.55, Jamaica Money Market Brokers with 106,158 shares changing hands for a value of $47,771, closed at 45 cents, followed by Prestige Holdings that traded just 150 units at $9.50, Sagicor Financial Corporation with 104,354 shares traded for $652,550, ended at $6.25, while National Flour Mills added 38,500 shares valued at $50,050 at $1.30.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 5 stocks with the bid higher than their last selling prices and 1 stock with the offer that is lower.
A bit more J$ needed to buy foreign currencies
In Thursday’s forex trading, authorized dealers purchased more foreign currency than they sold, in contrast to Wednesday when they sold more than the amount bought. Dealers bought the equivalent of US$32,981,835 versus US$32,537,413 on Wednesday, and sold the equivalent of US$29,532,263 compared with US$38,133,906 on Wednesday.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$30,856,612 compared to US$26,802,568 on Wednesday. The buying rate for the US dollar fell 1 cent to $112.32 and US$28,145,549 was sold versus US$34,429,946 on Wednesday, the selling rate remained at $112.74. The Canadian dollar buying rate lost $1.57 to $100.04 with dealers buying C$551,113 and selling C$512,953 at an average selling rate that increased by 31 cents to $102.56. The rate for theBritish Pound declined $1.12 to $180.08, for the purchase of £873,202, while £453,368 was sold, the rate climbed by 67 cents to $181.86. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$111,872, while selling was for the equivalent of US$347,657.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, the lowest buying and the highest selling rates remained unchanged at $113.10, $91.85 and $117.70 respectively, and the lowest selling rate fell, 9 cents to $110. The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar fell 42 cents to $102.30, the lowest buying, the highest and the lowest selling rates remained unchanged at $80.97, $105. 50 and $97.55 respectively. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, declined $1.08 to $182.80, the lowest buying rate dropped $7.52 to $145.25. The highest selling rate fell $1.25 to $187.25 and the lowest selling rate remained at $175.
Market gains as just 14 securities traded on JSE
Thursday’ activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, resulted in the prices of only 3 stocks rising and a mere 3 declining as just 14 securities changed hands, resulting in 3,334,547 units trading, valued at $31,163,109.
Main Market| The few prices that rose led to the JSE Market Index rising 285.53 points to 71,903.15 and the JSE All Jamaican Composite index gaining 319.27 points, to close at 79,108.97.
Gains| The volume and last traded prices of stocks gaining, at the end of trading in the main market are, Carreras with 163,820 shares closing with a gain of 20 cents at $34.80, Grace Kennedy put on $2.50 to $60.50 with 89,900 units changing hands and Proven Investment traded 625,000 ordinary shares at 17.1 US cents, up from 17 US cents.
Firm| Stocks in the main market to close without a change in price with volume and last traded prices are, Desnoes & Geddes with 37,711 shares at $4.70, Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB) ordinary share only 400 units at $6.95, Mayberry Investments had 2,500 units at $1.70, and Sagicor Group with 209,985 shares changing hands, closed at $9.30.
Declines| Scotia Group is the only stock to decline at the at the end of trading in the main market, in losing a cent to $19.05, in trading of 29,544 shares.
Preference| JMMB 7.5% preference share traded 277,400 units at $2 and JMMB 8.75% preference share traded 1,493,303 units at $3.
Junior Market| The JSE Junior Market Index declined by 2.67 points to close at 657.84 as a mere 3 securities traded, none advanced and 2 declined.
Firm Trades| Lasco Distributors had 15,000 units changing hands at $1.12.
Declines| Stocks declining in the junior market at the end of trading are, Consolidated Bakeries in trading 358,300 units to close at 75 cents after losing 5 cents and Lasco Manufacturing lost 3 cents in trading 30,700 units at $1.04.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 8 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 7 stocks with offers that are lower.
Selling more than buying but J$ stable
In Wednesday’s forex trading, authorized dealers purchased less foreign currency than they sold, in contrast to Tuesday when they sold more than the amount bought. Dealers bought the equivalent of US$32,537,413 versus US$39,158,938 on Tuesday, and sold the equivalent of US$38,133,906 compared with US$36,807,071 on Tuesday.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$26,802,568 compared to US$34,532,237 on Tuesday. The buying rate for the US dollar fell 5 cents to $112.33 and US$34,429,946 was sold versus US$32,534,928 on Tuesday, the selling rate rose 1 cent to $112.74.
The Canadian dollar buying rate gained 87 cents to $101.61 with dealers buying C$1,892,810 and selling C$1,518,401 at an average selling rate that dipped a cent to $102.25.
The rate for theBritish Pound climbed $1.03 to $181.20, for the purchase of £2,424,184, while £1,231,406 was sold, the rate declined by 27 cents to $181.20. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$111,872, while selling was for the equivalent of US$347,657.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, the lowest buying and the highest selling rates remained unchanged at $113.10, $91.85 and $117.70 respectively, and the lowest selling was up, $18.24 to $110.09. The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar fell 78 cents to $102.72, the lowest buying rate declined 87 cents to $80.97, the highest selling rate fell 70 cents to $105.50 and the lowest selling rate dived $1.05 to $97.55. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, dropped $3.62 to $183.88, the lowest buying rate gained $7.02 to $152.77. The highest selling rate fell $1.21 to $188.50 and the lowest selling rate jumped $20.75 to $175.
Advances equal declines on JSE
In Wednesday’s trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, the prices of 7 stocks rose and 7 declined, as 26 securities changed hands, resulting in 4,526,977 shares trading, valued at $49,182,081.
Gains| The volume and last traded prices of stocks with gains, at the end of trading in the main market, are, Desnoes & Geddes with 1,500,500 shares to close with a gain of 11 cents, at $4.70, Carreras with 17,515 gained 10 cents, to close at $34.60, Scotia Investments with 283 shares gained 10 cents to $21.50, Sagicor Real Estate Fund, 120 units closed with a 9 cents increase at $7, Scotia Group had 101,748 units changing hands at 6 cents higher, to close at $19.06 and Jamaica Producers produced a gain of 2 cents, in closing at $15.60 while trading 2,393 shares.
Firm| The stocks in the main market to close without a price change, with volume and last traded prices are, Barita Investments with only 100 units, closed at $2.20, Caribbean Cement with 1,500 shares, closed at $2.70, Ciboney with 6,000 shares ended at 7 cents, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 136,940 ordinary shares, closed at $6.95, Pan Jamaican Investment 9,250 units end at $49 and Sagicor Group had only 3,400 shares trading to end at $9.30.
Declines| The volume and last traded prices of stocks with losses at the end of trading in the main market are, Grace Kennedy dropping $2.50 in trading 12,400 shares to end at $58, National Commercial Bank had 1,607,153 shares passing through the market, for 20 cents less at $18, Proven Investments ordinary traded 12,780 shares, to lose 0.25 US cents and end at 17 US cents and Seprod lost 48 cents to end at $10.52 while trading 600,000 shares.
Preference| Jamaica Money Market Brokers 8.75% preference share traded 100,000 units at $3.
Junior Market| The JSE Junior Market Index gained 3.64 points to close at 660.51 as 9 stocks traded, with 1 advancing and 3 declining.
Gains| The only stock gaining at the end of trading in the junior market, is General Accident with 224,031 units, with an increase of 4 cents, to close at $1.40.
Firm Trades| Stocks in the junior market that traded to close at the same price as the day before are, Dolphin Cove having only 760 shares traded at $8.50, Honey Bun 1,200 at $2.34, Jamaican Teas had 2,915 units changing hands at $3.30, in the case of Lasco Manufacturing it was 9,039 shares at $1.04 and Paramount Trading 10,350 shares changing hands at $2.52.
Declines| Stocks declining in the junior market at the end of trading are, Blue Power losing 5 cents to end at $9 with 150,000 shares, Lasco Distributors with 6,000 shares, closed with a loss of a cent, to end at $1.12 and Lasco Financial with 10,600 shares, closing 3 cents lower at 97 cents.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 7 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 stocks with offers that were lower.
One Caribbean Media up 84c on TTSE
One Caribbean Media stock jumped 84 cents in trading on the Trinidad Stock Exchange on Wednesday on a day when 15 securities changed hands of which 3 advanced, 4 declined and 8 traded firm, with 205,486 units changing hands, with a value of $2,975,354.
The Composite Index advanced by 0.31 points to close at 1,147.40, the All T&T Index rose by 0.61 points to close at 1,982.35 and the Cross Listed Index remained unchanged at 40.90.
Gains| Stocks increasing in price at the close are, First Citizens that traded 1,400 shares for 2 cents higher at $35.98. One Caribbean Media with 800 shares and the price jumped 84 cents to end the day at $25 and West Indian Tobacco with 44 shares, closed with a gain of 1 cent at $118.03.
Declines| The stocks declining at the end of trading are Guardian Holdings adding 2,239 shares valued at $30,227, to close down a cent at $13.50, Massy Holdings with 200 shares traded to close a cent lower at $68.48, Scotiabank contributed 4,751 shares, with a value of $293,374, while losing 15 cents to close at $61.75, a new 52 weeks low. Trinidad Cement traded 1,575 shares, the price declined by 3 cents, to close at $2.71.
Firm Trades| Stocks closing with prices unchanged, at the end of trading are, Angostura Holdings with 230 shares ending at $12.75, ANSA McAL traded 155 shares at $66.25, Clico Investment Fund with a volume of 100,000 shares valued at $2,200,000 remained unchanged at $22, Firstcaribbean International traded 500 units to close at $5, Jamaica Money Market Brokers with a volume of 40,000 shares, closed at 45 cents, National Enterprises contributed 1,060 shares at $17.75, Praetorian Property with 8,000 units changing hands, closed at $3.40 and Sagicor Financial Corporation with 44,532 shares changing hands for a value of $278,488, closed at $6.26.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 4 stocks with the bid higher than their last selling prices and 1 stock with the offer lower.
Buoyant flows keep Jamaican$ stable
In Tuesday’s forex trading, authorized dealers purchased more foreign currency than they sold, in contrast to Monday when they sold more than the amount bought. Dealers bought the equivalent of US$39,158,938 versus US$42,854,290 on Monday, and sold the equivalent of US$36,807,071 compared with US$44,672,575 on Monday.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$34,532,237 compared to US$37,012,175 on Monday. The buying rate for the US dollar rose 9 cents to $112.37 and US$32,534,928 was sold versus US$41,385,912 on Monday, the selling rate was unchanged at $112.73.
The Canadian dollar buying rate fell 12 to $100.74 with dealers buying C$875,601 and selling C$682,991 at an average selling rate that dipped 64 cents to $102.26.
The rate for theBritish Pound dived $1.64 to $180.17, for the purchase of £1,981,421, while £1,574,895 was sold, as the rate declined by 80 cents to $181.47. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$664,854, while selling was for the equivalent of US$1,117,348.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, rose 16 cents to $113.10 and lowest buying rate remained unchanged at $91.85. The highest selling rate rose $3 to $117.70 and the lowest selling was unchanged at $91.85. The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar remained at $103.50, the lowest buying rate declined 25 cents to $81.84, the highest selling rate rose 11 cents to $106.20 and the lowest selling rate gained $16.43 to $98.60. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, climbed $1.19 to $187.50, the lowest buying rate gained $5.25 to $145.75. The highest selling rate increased by $1.21 to $189.71 and the lowest selling rate dropped $24.55 to $154.25.
KLE Group 15.8m shares dominated JSE
In Tuesday’s trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, struggling junior market listed, KLE Group traded 15,846,209 units for a value of $15,85 million, as a few shareholders offloaded their holdings. The stock accounted for 76 percent of the volume traded during the day. The prices of 8 stocks rose and 3 declined as 25 securities changed hands, resulting in 20,967,566 shares trading, valued at $52,029,951.
Main Market| The JSE Market Index gained 286.33 points to 71,912.74 and the JSE All Jamaican Composite index rose 320.17 points to 79,119.70.
Gains| The volume and last traded prices of stocks with gains, at the end of trading in the main market are, Desnoes & Geddes with 500 shares to close with a gain of 9 cents at $4.59, Jamaica Broilers with 500 trading to close 1 cent higher at $4.53, National Commercial Bank 22,590 shares, closing 20 cents higher at $18.20 and Proven Investments ordinary share, traded 9,100 units for a gain of 0.10 US cent to end at 17.25 US cents.
Firm| The stocks in the main market to close without a change in price, with volume and last traded prices are, Caribbean Cement 2,500 units to close at $2.70, Ciboney with 4,000 shares at 7 cents, Grace Kennedy with 350 shares, ended at $60.50, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 12,500 units traded at $6.95, Pan Jamaican Investment had 36,815 units exchanged at $49, Sagicor Group 29,379 shares at $9.30 and Scotia Group with 15,512 shares at $19.
Declines| The volume and last traded prices of stocks with losses, at the at the end of trading in the main market are, Carreras with 257,986 shares, lost 30 cents at $34.50 and Jamaica Producers with 1,272,314 shares lost 3 cents at $15.58.
Preference| Jamaica Money Market Brokers 8.75% preference share 241,000 closed at $3 and Proven Investments 8% preference share saw 71,400 units being exchanged at $5.
Junior Market| The JSE Junior Market Index gained 3.01 points to close at 656.87 as 10 stocks traded, with 3 advancing and 1 declining.
Gains| Stocks recording gains at the end of trading in the junior market, are Cargo Handlers with 720 shares, to close with a gain of 20 cents at $14.10, Dolphin Cove had only 240 units changing hands, to close 50 cents up at $8.50 and Lasco Distributors traded 79,000 shares, with a 2 cent rise to $1.13.
Firm Trades| Stocks in the junior market that traded to close at the same price as the day before are, Blue Power with 6,000 shares at $9.05, Jamaican Teas 4,000 units at $3.30, KLE 15,846,209 units at $1, Knutsford Express 3,188 shares at $5, Lasco Financial with 50,000 units, ended at $1 and Lasco Manufacturing had 3,000,961 shares trading at $1.04.
Declines| Just one stock declined in the junior market at the end of trading, as AMG Packaging lost 3 cents, in trading 802 units at $2.40.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 4 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 stocks with offers that were lower.
