In Friday’s trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange the prices of 3 stocks rose and 7 declined as 22 securities traded resulting in 10,829,685 shares changing hands valued at $38,848,598.
Main Market| The prices of only 2 companies in the main market rose and 6 declined as the indices dropped to the lowest level for the year, with the JSE Market Index erasing 1,032.29 points to 72,026.03 and the JSE All Jamaican Composite index dropping by 1,154.27 points to close at 79,246.38. The previous low for the JSE All Jamaica Index was at 79,357.40 on December 27, last year.
Gains| Stocks recording gains at the end of trading in the main market are Desnoes & Geddes with 500,000 shares to close with a gain of 20 cents at $4.50 and Jamaica Money Market Brokers with 24,100 ordinary shares changing hands, gained a cent to close at $7.31.
Firm| There were 7 stocks in the main market closing without a change in price as Berger Paints with 19,500 shares closed at $1.67, Caribbean Cement traded 5,062 units and closed at $3.50, Carreras traded 10,000 units to close at $33.65, Gleaner 100,000 units in closing at $1.10, Grace Kennedy 394 units at $56, National Commercial Bank 467,250 shares at $18 and Salada with 6,065 units to close at $8.
Declines| The number of stocks declining in the main market are Cable & Wireless with 3,189,689 units while losing 5 cents to end at 30 cents, Jamaica Broilers with 1,933,332 units changing hands to close at $4.80 as the price fell 5 cents, Pan Jamaican Investment 14,874 shares to close at $48.06 for a fall of 44 cents, Sagicor Group 156,333 units to close at $9 with a loss of 10 cents, Scotia Group 470,716 shares to close at $19.50 as the price lost 56 cents and Seprod with 4,300 units as the price declined by 45 cents to close at $10.55.
Junior Market| The JSE Junior Market Index declined by 0.59 points to close at 746.24 as 5 stocks and one bond traded with none advancing and 2 declining.
Gains| There were no stocks recording gains at the end of trading in the junior market at the close of the week.
Firm Trades| The stocks in the junior market that traded to close at the same price as the previous trading day are 5,603 Cargo Handlers shares traded at $14.35, Consolidated Bakeries with 70,230 units to close at $1.10, 66,600 units of Eppley 9.5% preference share changing hands at $6.02, Lasco Distributors had 39,000 units traded to close at $1.35, Lasco Manufacturing traded 2,309,867 shares in closing at $1.20 and 9,000 Access 9% Unsecured Short Term Notes traded to end at $99.50.
Declines| Only one stock declined in the junior market at the end of trading with Lasco Financial with 1,436,770 units changing hands with a loss of 5 cents to close at $1.20.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 8 stocks with the bid higher than the last selling price and 10 stocks with offers that were lower.
JSE hits 2014 low
More losses for the market
In today’s trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange the prices of 8 stocks rose and 9 declined as 28 securities traded resulting in 8,384,697 shares trading valued at $39,568,098 but the two main market indices fell a bit to add to the losses on Wednesday. The advance decline ratio at the close was an improvement on Wednesday’s 5 to 9.
Main Market| 6 companies in the main market advanced and 7 declined as the indices moved down with the JSE Market Index shedding 555.97 points to 73,058.32 and the JSE All Jamaican Composite index fell by 621.68 points to close at 80,400.65 just a shade from the low for 2014 of 80,359.75 reached on January 7th.
Gains| Stocks recording gains at the end of trading in the main market are Carreras that gained 8 cents to close at $33.65 with only 1,000 units changing hands, Desnoes & Geddes trading 72,966 shares to close with a gain of 20 cents at $4.30, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 73,808 ordinary shares to close at $7.30 with 3 cents gain, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 8.50% preference share 72,000 units to close up a cent at $3.51, Sagicor Group with 415,594 shares to close at $9.10 up by 20 cents and Seprod with 968 units to close at $11 with a 20 cents gain.
Firm| There were 7 stocks in the main market to close without a change in price, with Gleaner trading 548,887 shares in closing at $1.10, Jamaica Broilers with 1,030,997 shares and closed at $4.85, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 8.75% preference share with 1,104,250 units and closed at $3.03, Mayberry Investments 20,560 shares as the price closed at $1.71, Proven Investments 8% preference share, 13,100 units to end at $5.09, Radio Jamaica 10,000 shares and closed at $1.28 and Scotia Investments with 18,790 units and closed at $23.10.
Declines| The number of stocks that declined in the main market are Cable & Wireless with 2,869,910 shares in losing 5 cents to end at 35 cents, Caribbean Cement with 71,784 shares to end at $3.50 with a 50 cents fall, Grace Kennedy 51,906 shares while closing at $56, down by 50 cents, National Commercial Bank 33,961 units as the price ended at $18 with a loss of 50 cents, Pan Jamaican Investment 4,000 units, closing at $48.50 for a fall of a cent, Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 3,464 units at $6 as it shed 50 cents and Scotia Group with 885,471 shares in closing at $20.06 for a 49 cents drop.
Junior Market| The JSE Junior Market Index declined by only 4.74 points to close at 745.65 as 8 stocks traded with 2 advancing and 2 declining.
Gains| Stocks recording gains at the end of trading in the junior market are Caribbean Producers trading 456,206 units to close at $3.10, up 10 cents and Lasco Distributors with 424,000 shares to close at $1.35 with a gain of 5 cents.
Firm Trades| Stocks in the junior market that traded to close at the same price as the day before are Access Financial with 6,000 units and closed at $11.50, Blue Power 4,000 units and closed at $9.01, General Accident Insurance 53,068 units, closing at $1.50 and Lasco Manufacturing with 77,934 shares as the price closed at $1.20.
Declines| Stocks declining in the junior market at the end of trading are Lasco Financial with 21,800 units at $1.25, down by 5 cents and Paramount Trading in trading 38,273 shares, landed at a 52 weeks low of $2.68 with a decline of 23 cents.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had only 3 stocks with the bid higher than the last selling price and 9 stocks with offers that were lower, continuing to indicate a negative market sentiment.
JSE Market gives up much ground
In Wednesday’s trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange the market slipped more than it gained on Tuesday as big capitalisation stocks, Desnoes & Geddes, Sagicor Group and Cable & Wireless slipped in value with the prices of 5 stocks rising and 9 declining as 24 securities traded resulting in 8,461,785 shares changing hands valued at $29,734,524. At the close market sentiment was reflecting continued negative movements for a while.
Main Market| Only 4 companies in the main market advanced and 8 declined as the indices plummeted with the JSE Market Index dropping by 2,428.50 points to 73,614.29 and the JSE All Jamaican Composite index shedding 2,715.48 points to close at 81,022.33.
Gains| Stocks recording gains at the end of trading in the main market are Hardware & Lumber trading 64,500 shares to close with a gain of $1.30 cents at $11.80, National Commercial Bank with 7,976 units changing hands to close at $18.50and gained 40 cents, Caribbean Cement with 84,939 shares to close at $4, with an increase of 10 cents and Scotia Group only 500 shares to close at $20.55 for a 5 cents gain.
Firm| There were only 6 stocks in the main market to close without a price change as Jamaica Broilers with 22,080 shares closed at $4.85, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 8.50% preference share traded 10,000 units and closed at $3.50, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 8.75% preference share closed at $3.03 while exchanging 221,600 shares, Proven Investments 8% preference share traded 612,900 units at $5.09 followed by Seprod with 171,083 units at $10.80 and Supreme Ventures with 17,000 units to close at $2.10.
Declines| On a day when declining stocks overwhelmed advancing ones, the number of stocks that declined in the main market are Cable & Wireless with 1,903,766 shares as investors tried to get out of the stock as it the closed at 40 cents having slipped by 4 cents, Desnoes & Geddes with 697,860 shares while losing 40 cents to end at $4.10, Gleaner with 8,000 shares to close 5 cents lower at $1.10, Grace Kennedy 40,258 units in closing at $56.50 as the price slipped a cent, Pan Jamaican Investment with 97,716 shares in closing at $48.51 down by 54 cents, Radio Jamaica 24,000 units traded to close 4 cents lower at $1.28 and Sagicor Group with 576,077 shares closed at $8.90 with the fall of 13 cents.
Junior Market| The JSE Junior Market Index declined by 2.99 points to close at 750.39 as 7 stocks traded with only one advancing and 2 declining.
Gains| Lasco Financial traded 41,000 units to close at $1.30, up 10 cents, was the only stock with a gain at the end of trading in the junior market.
Firm Trades| 4 stocks in the junior market traded to close at the same price as the day before with Caribbean Flavours trading 11,121 units at $2.70, Caribbean Producers 121,513 shares to end at $3, Consolidated Bakeries 40,000 units in ending at $1.10 and Lasco Manufacturing with 1,066,000 shares to end at $1.20.
Declines| Stocks declining in the junior market at the end of trading are Dolphin Cove trading 222,681 units at $8.20 for a 3 cents fall and Lasco Distributors 2,399,215 shares at $1.30 down 5 cents.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator flashed negative sentiment showing 5 stocks with the bid higher than the last selling price and 9 stocks with offers that were lower.
JSE Market gains 2,000 points
Scotia Group traded as high as $22.89 before closing at $20.50 and was the main factor in the big jump in the Jamaica Stock Exchange two main indices while the prices of 9 stocks rose and 8 declined as 27 securities traded resulting in 5,724,168 shares trading valued at $32,909,845.
Main Market| The prices of 5 companies in the main market advanced and 6 declined as the indices jumped as the JSE Market Index gained 2,054.10 points to 76,042.79 and the JSE All Jamaican Composite index jumped by 2,296.84 points to close at 83,737.81.
Gains| Stocks recording gains at the end of trading in the main market are Cable & Wireless with 1,290,256 units to close with a 2 cents gain at 44 cents, Carreras traded 3,594 shares to close with a gain of a cent at $33.57, Gleaner gained 5 cents to close at $1.15 with 20,000 units changing hands, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 1,494 units to close at $7.27 up by 5 cents and Supreme Ventures with 79,975 shares to close with a gain of 5 cents at $2.10.
Firm| There were 6 stocks in the main market to close without a change in price with Desnoes & Geddes trading 1,064 shares and closed at $4.50, Jamaica Broilers 715,645 units and closed at $4.85, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 8.75% preference share, 654,081 units to close at $3.03, Jamaica Producers 96,627 units at $18.26, Mayberry Investments 2,040 shares in closing at $1.70 and Scotia Group 868,539 shares to close at $20.50 but traded as high as $22.98.
Declines| The number of stocks that declined in the main market are Berger Paints with 10,000 units in losing a cent to end at $1.67, Caribbean Cement with 25,899 shares to close at $3.90 by falling by a cent, Hardware & Lumber 36,100 shares to close at $10.50 for a $1.20 fall, National Commercial Bank 57,933 shares to close at $18.10 for a 20 drop, Pan Jamaican Investment 2,400 units to end 23 cents lower at $49.05 and Sagicor Group with 23,157 shares in closing at $9.03 for a 47 cents fall.
Junior Market| The JSE Junior Market Index declined by 6.86 points to close at 747.40 as 10 stocks traded with 4 advancing and 2 declining.
Gains| Stocks recording gains at the end of trading in the junior market are Dolphin Cove that traded 1,000 units to close at $8.23 with a gain of 3 cents, Medical Disposables 391,382 shares to close with a one cent gain at $2.05, Jamaican Teas up 29 cents to end at $3.50 for 49,470 shares and Lasco Manufacturing traded 1,035,268 units to close up a cent at $1.20.
Firm Trades| 4 stocks in the junior market that traded to close at the same price as the day before with Access Financial Services trading 4,044 units at $11.50, Caribbean Producers with 200,000 units to close at $3, Consolidated Bakeries 108,000 to close at $1.10 and Lasco Financial Services 31,200 shares at $1.20.
Declines| Stocks declining in the junior market at the end of trading are General Accident that traded 7,000 units at $1.50 as the price lost 10 cents and Lasco Distributors with 8,000 units, closed 5 cents lower at $1.35.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had only 3 stocks with the bid higher than the last selling price and 8 stocks with offers that were lower.
Caribbean Flavours profits up but..
Caribbean Flavours price fell 45 cents
For the nine months to March, profit amounted to $40 million versus $48 million in 2013, the latter period was boosted by $15 million gain from sale of fixed asset.
Revenue| Sales was up a strong 34 percent in the quarter to $62.8 million but Gross profit margin declined from 81 percent in the 2013 period to just 65.5 percent in 2014, partially negating the amount that flowed to the bottom line. For the year to March, gross profit margin came out at 68.8 percent versus 61.5 percent and for the full 12 months to March 2013, it was 67.6 percent, while revenue grew 16 percent to $188.6 million.
The company faced rising cost that was not passed on to customers, thus negating growth in profit for the year so far. Administrative cost was up 31 percent in the quarter, and 37.9 percent for the nine months, much faster than the increase in gross profit, that grew by just 18.8 percent in the quarter, and 27.5 percent, for the nine months periods. Nevertheless, earnings per share amounted to 16.6 cents for the quarter and 58 cents for the nine months, to March 2014. The company seems poised to hit earnings of 75 cents per share for the year, making it attractive for some short term gains with the current price a $2.70 at a PE ratio of 3.9 times earnings. The return on average equity is working out at a very high 48 percent per annum while net asset per share is $1.72.
Financials| The balance sheet is in a healthy state with no borrowed funds and current assets of $163 million versus payables of only $11 million and equity of $155 million.
Advancing stocks top declines
In Monday’s trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange the prices of 6 stocks rose and 3 declined as 21 securities traded resulting in 5,426,535 shares changing hands valued at $14,802,328. The IC market sentiment indicator is pointing to continued fluidity in prices with almost an even number of stocks with bids and offers above or below their last traded prices.
Main Market| 5 companies in the main market advanced, only 3 declined as the indices moved down with the JSE Market Index falling by 603.54 points to 73,988.69 and the JSE All Jamaican Composite index declining by 674.86 points to close at 81,440.97.
Gains| Stocks recording gains at the end of trading in the main market are Cable & Wireless trading 16,832 shares to close with a gain of one cent at 41 cents, Desnoes & Geddes gained 20 cents to close at $4.50 with 450 units changing hands, National Commercial Bank 1,690 shares to close at $18.30 with a gain of 20 cents, Pan Jamaican Investment with 101,574 shares to close at $49.28, up 23 cents. Radio Jamaica had 4,900,000 units changing hands to close with a 4 cents gain at $1.32.
Firm| There were only 6 stocks in the main market to close without a change in price as Gleaner with 22,980 shares closed at $1.10, Grace Kennedy 810 units helped the price to close at $56.51, Jamaica Broilers traded 113,552 shares to close at $4.85, Mayberry Investments with 1,020 shares closed at $1.70, Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 11,930 units to close at $6.50 and Scotia Group with 18,575 units closed at $20.50.
Declines| The number of stocks that declined in the main market are Jamaica Money Market Brokers with 1,298 shares in losing 2 cents to end at $7.22, Sagicor Group 106,867 shares to close down by 30 cents at $9.50 and Seprod with 1,022 at $10.80 for a 4 cents fall.
Junior Market| The JSE Junior Market Index advanced by 2.92 points to close at 754.26 as only 6 stocks traded in that market.
Gains| Lasco Manufacturing was the only stock recording a gain at the end of trading in the junior market as 44,697 shares changed hands to close up by 9 cents at $1.19.
Firm Trades| Stocks in the junior market that traded to close at the same price as the day before are AMG Packaging with 500 units at $3.50, Blue Power with 19,438 units at $9.01, Derrimon Trading 12,000 units at $2.28, Lasco Distributors 37,300 shares at $1.40 and Lasco Financial Services 14,000 units at $1.20. Access Financial 9% Unsecured Short Term Notes traded 9,000 units at $99.50.
Declines| No stock declined in the junior market at the end of trading on Monday.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 8 stocks with the bid higher than the last selling price and 9 stocks with offers that were lower.
Profit surge 37% for Witco Q4
The Trinidad & Tobago’s based West Indian Tobacco Company (Witco) recorded profit before taxation of TT$556.3 million for the year ended December 2013, an increase of 16.8 percent over 2012 and profit after taxation of TT$411 million, an increase of 17.4 percent over the similar period.
More importantly, the final quarter’s revenue climbed by 17.8 percent to TT$341.4 million from TT$289.8 million in 2012 and profit surged 37.4 percent to $125.9 million from TT$91.6 million in 2012. Earnings per share for the last quarter amounted to $1.49 and $4.88 for the full year. The last quarter earnings place Witco on track to deliver profit for 2014 in the order of $6 per share. The improvement for the past year came against the back ground where the Carreras, the Jamaican the sister company that Witco is the main supplier of finished cigarettes, suffered a reduction in sales during the year.
Gross profit margin, an indication of how profitable a company can be, is at a level that most companies can only dream of at with an eye-popping 290 percent for the December quarter up from 248 percent in 2012 and 287 percent for the full year and 251.5 percent for 2012.
Cost was well contained for the year with distribution expenses falling from $20 million to $18 million. Administrative expenses fell to $94.6 million from $96.5 million and other operating expenses inched up by $1.5 million to $32.8 million while cost of sales fell moderately to $243.8 million by $3 million.
Witco approved a final dividend of $1.61 per share which brings the total dividend to $4.54 per share for out of the 2013 profit.
At the end of the year shareholders equity stood at TT$281 million with provision of $36 million for dividend and cash of $212 million. There was no interest bearing debt on the books.
Witco stock sells at $118 or 19.7 times estimated 2014 profit and is priced at 24 times 2013 profit.
Related posts | WITCO profit up 20 percent | Carreras is back
Activity picked up, will it last?
The market saw a pick-up in trading, with 19 securities being active, of which 6 advanced, 3 declined and 10 traded firm with 1,112,248 stocks trading, valued at $15,182,744.
The Composite Index lost 0.40 points to close at 1,180.79, the All T&T Index rose by 0.24 points to close at 2,018.14 and the Cross Listed Index fell 0.14 points to close at 45.02.
Gains| Stocks increasing in price at the close are, ANSA Mcal trading 100 shares, to close at $66.45, up a cent, Guardian Holdings traded 3,000 units, as the price rose a cent, to $13.51, Jamaica Money Market Brokers with 218,853 shares traded for $109,249, gained 2 cents, to close at 50 cents, National Flour Mills with 543,441 shares changing hands for a value of $590,815, rose 2 cents to end at $1.09 and One Caribbean Media stock price rose by 6 cents, to end the day at $20.46 as 10,401 units were traded, and it closed at a new 52 weeks high and Point Lisas Industrial Port Development traded 500 units, to close with a 4 cents loss, at $3.75.
Declines| Agostini’s traded 200 shares and lost a cent to end at $17.57, Prestige Holdings with 6,280 shares, traded at $9.37, with a fall of 4 cents and Sagicor Financial Corporation added 65,237 shares valued at $440,350 and lost 27cents, to close at $6.75.
Firm Trades| Stocks closing with prices unchanged at the end of trading, are Angostura Holdings which exchanged 56,200 shares, valued $3,734,490 and closed at $13, Ansa Merchant Bank with 1,074 shares, closed at $38.49, Clico Investment Fund closed at $21.58 with 1.945 units changing hands, First Citizens Bank exchanged 10,063 units at $38.50, with a value of $387426, Firstcaribbean International Bank with 37,610 shares changing hands for a value of $206,855, closed at $5.50, while Neal & Massy with 5,705 shares closed at $67, Praetorian Property Mutual Fund with 5,000 shares changing hands, closed at $3.40, Scotiabank with 3,797 shares changing hands closed at $70, Trinidad Cement with 44,917 shares closed at $2 and West Indian Tobacco contributed 97,925 shares with a value of $11,555,150 to close at $118.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 3 stocks with the bid higher than their last selling prices and 2 stocks with offers that were lower.
PE ratio weekly moves| Prices for quite a few stocks changed during the week, but with moderate effect on the PE ratios. Biggest losers were, Trinidad Cement which pushed the potential gain to 615 percent and National Flour Mills that fell to $1.07 from $1.20 at the start of the week and saw the potential gains, climbing to 229 percent, up from 193 percent last week. Guardian Holdings made moderate gains and Citizens continued its recovery, by closing at $38.51 on the bid, up from $38.02 last week. One Caribbean Media and Neal and Massy both closed at new 52 weeks highs, but still has more to gain as they remain undervalued. The average PE ratio for the market is at 14, with 7 stocks trading below and 3 trading just above the average.
Very moderate market movement
There was very moderate activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange at the close of the trading week as the prices of 10 stocks rose and 8 declined as only 25 securities traded in a very slow market session resulting in 1,571,377 shares trading valued at a mere $8,273,649.
Main Market| Six companies in the main and US dollar markets advanced and 6 declined as the indices moved down moderately with the JSE Market Index inching down by 6.80 points to 74,592.23 and the JSE All Jamaican Composite index shedding just 7.60 points to close at 82,115.83.
Gains| Stocks recording gains at the end of trading in the main market are Kingston Wharves with 9,534 shares to close with a gain of 48 cents at $5.99, National Commercial Bank gained 10 cents to close at $18.10 with 9,100 units changing hands, Proven Investments ordinary share, with 8,570 units to close up 0.02 us cents at 18 US cents, Sagicor Group 18,000 units closing at $9.80 for a 30 cents gain, Salada Foods 5,000 shares to close at $8 as the price gained 50 cents and Scotia Investments with only 700 shares to end at $23.10 for a gain of 10 cents.
Firm| There were only 4 stocks in the main market to close without a change in price as Cable & Wireless with 43,699 shares closed at 40 cents, Carreras with 5,000 units closed at $33.56, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share traded 500,000 and closed at $2 and Proven Investments 8% preference share with 381,800 units closed at $5.07.
Declines| The stocks declining in the main market are Gleaner with 2,500 shares while falling a cent to close at $1.10, Grace Kennedy lost $1.49 to end at $56.51 with 1,600 shares, Jamaica Broilers exchanged 20,538 units to close down a cent at $4.85. Pan Jamaican Investment 10,529 shares to end 55 cents lower at $49.05, Scotia Group had 110,308 units at $20.50 at the close as the price shed 12 cents and Supreme Ventures 3,800 shares to close with a 5 cents decline at $2.05.
Junior Market| The JSE Junior Market Index declined by 8.14 points to close at 751.34 as 9 stocks traded with 4 advancing and only 2 declining.
Gains| Stocks recording gains at the end of trading in the junior market are AMG Packaging that traded 5,560 units to close at $3.50, up by a cent, Access Financial with 72,600 units to close at $11.50 with a gain of $1.50, Caribbean Cream 3,000 units to close at 79 cents with a 4 cents increase and Caribbean Producers with 90,000 units in closing at $3, up 2 cents.
Firm Trades| The 3 stocks in the junior market traded to close at the same price as the day before are Blue Power with 3,400 shares in closing at $9.01, Lasco Financial 3,000 shares while closing at $1.20 and Medical Disposables 94,700 units, closing at $2.04.
Declines| Stocks declining in the junior market at the end of trading are General Accident with 2,000 units a $1.60, down 10 cents and Lasco Manufacturing with 166,439 shares to end down by 10 cents at $1.10.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 3 stocks with the bid higher than the last selling price and 4 stocks with offers that were lower.
