iCreate Limited (“iCreate” or “Company”) recently held its Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) on Friday, November 24, 2023 for the financial year ended December 31, 2022. Upon the demand of a poll and after the ordinary and special resolutions were voted on by the shareholders, the results of each resolution are as follows: –

Resolution No. 1
“THAT the Reports of the Directors and Auditors and the Audited Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2022 be received and adopted.”
Result: This resolution was passed by a majority of the shareholders in attendance. There were no votes recorded against the passage of this resolution.

Resolution No. 2 (a)
“THAT the Directors, retire by rotation upon the expiration of one year (1) year and be re-elected and appointed by a single resolution.”
Result: This resolution was not passed as a majority of the shareholders voted against same.

Resolution No. 2 (b)
“THAT Ms. Arlene Martin who retires by rotation and being eligible for re-election be and is hereby reelected and appointed as a Director of the Company.”
Result: This resolution was not passed as a majority of the shareholders voted against same.

Resolution No. 2 (c)
“THAT Mr. Ricardo Allen who retires by rotation and being eligible for re-election be and is hereby re-elected and appointed as a Director of the Company.”
Result: This resolution was not passed as a majority of the shareholders voted against same.

Resolution No. 2 (d)
“THAT Mrs. Dainya-Joy Wint who retires by rotation and being eligible for re-election be and is hereby reelected and appointed as a Director of the Company.”
Result: This resolution was not passed as a majority of the shareholders voted against same.

Resolution No. 2 (e)
“THAT Mr. Larren Peart who retires by rotation and being eligible for re-election be and is hereby re-elected and appointed as a Director of the Company.”
Result: This resolution was passed by a majority of the shareholders in attendance. There were no votes recorded against the passage of this resolution.

Resolution No. 2 (f)
“THAT Mr. Ivan Carter who retires by rotation and being eligible for re-election be and is hereby re-elected and appointed as a Director of the Company.”
Result: This resolution was not passed as a majority of the shareholders voted against same.

Resolution No. 2 (g)
“THAT Mr. Adrian Smith who retires by rotation and being eligible for re-election be and is hereby re-elected and appointed as a Director of the Company.”
Result: This resolution was passed by a majority of the shareholders in attendance. There were no votes recorded against the passage of this resolution.

Resolution No. 3
“THAT the remuneration of the Directors be determined by the Board of Directors upon their re-election for the ensuing year.”
Result: This resolution was passed by a majority of the shareholders in attendance. There were no votes recorded against the passage of this resolution.

Resolution No. 4
“THAT CrichtonMullings & Associates, Chartered Accountants, having agreed to continue in office as auditors, be and are hereby appointed Auditors of the Company, to hold office until the next Annual General Meeting at a remuneration to be fixed by the Directors of the Company.”
Result: This resolution was not passed as a majority of the shareholders voted against same.

Resolution No. 5
“THAT Article 99 of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation be amended, approved and adopted by the Company to permit for the retirement, re-election and appointment of Directors to be done on a three (3) year rotation and the Directors be authorised and directed to register such amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation with the Office of the Registrar of Companies as the Board of Directors of the Company may deem appropriate after receiving requisitions from the Office of the Registrar of Companies Registrar, by replacing and/or amending Article 99 to provide as follows: –

“At the first Annual General Meeting of the Company all the Directors shall retire from office, and at the Annual General Meeting in every subsequent year, one-third of the Directors for the time being or, if their number is not three (3) or a multiple of three (3), the number nearest one third (1/3) all of the Directors for the time being shall likewise retire from office.”

Result: This resolution was not passed as a majority of the shareholders voted against same.

Upon Notices being submitted to the Company of the proposal to nominate Mr. Tyrone Wilson at the AGM as a Director of iCreate and his acceptance thereof, this resolution was transacted under any other business which could be properly be brought before the AGM. This resolution was moved and seconded and put to a vote by the shareholders. The resolution was passed by a majority of the shareholders in attendance. There were no votes recorded against the passage of this resolution and Mr. Wilson was subsequently appointed as a Director of the Company with immediate effect.

The status of the Company as at November 24, 2023 is as follows: –
1. Directors: Mr. Tyrone Wilson (non-independent executive director);
Mr. Larren Peart (independent non-executive director); and
Mr. Adrian Smith (independent non-executive director)
2. The Company is without an Auditor.
The Company will be filling the casual vacancies in short order and securing the services and appointment of an Auditor so as to ensure compliance of the relevant sections of the JSE Junior Market Rules.

The Company wishes to express its gratitude to the shareholders who attended and participated at the AGM and its Management team.

Robert Almedia Interim Group Chief Executive Officer has released the following Fourth Quarter 2023 results for NCB Financial Group Limited (NCBFG) and its subsidiaries (the Group) for the year ended September 30, 2023.

NCBFG reports consolidated net profit of $15.3 billion for the year ended September 30, 2023, a 56% or $19.8 billion decline from the prior year.

Consolidated net profit attributable to stockholders of the parent totalled $7.6 billion, a reduction of $16.3 billion or 68% from the prior year.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2023, the Group reported net profit of $1.6 billion, a $5.8 billion or 78% decrease from the June 2023 quarter.

Net loss attributable to stockholders of the parent for the September 2023 quarter was $2.1 billion, $7.6 billion lower than the previous quarter.

Stockholders’ equity of $223.7 billion increased by 16% or $30.5 billion.
Equity attributable to stockholders of the parent totalled $170.4 billion, up 17% or 424.3 billion over the prior year.

The net result was impacted by significant non-recurring events, primarily related to strategic restructuring activities.

NCBFG remains firmly committed to sustainable growth and continued success. The Group begins the new fiscal year in a strong position given the actions taken in the fourth quarter,
which will result in significantly reduced operating expenses, improved operational efficiency and effectiveness as well as a stronger more efficient capital position.

Our dedicated team, with their unwavering commitment, continues to be instrumental to the Group’s success and stability. We are confidently poised to enhance shareholder value and secure a prosperous path for the Group and our valued stakeholders and remain enthusiastic about the opportunities that lie ahead.

Restatement
There was a restatement of the prior year’s results in our Life and Health Insurance and Pension Fund Management (LHP) segment and in the Holding Company. The restatement in LHP segment was due to a non-recurring actuarial adjustment of $4.3 billion, previously booked in the December 2022 quarter in relation to the 2022 financial year. The restatement in the Holding Company was in relation to certain staff benefits.

Group Performance
Operating income of $137.3 billion declined by $8.0 billion or 6%. This was primarily as a result of events in our LHP segment. Additionally, during the September quarter the Group made significant leadership and other changes, which resulted in restructuring and separation costs.

The reduced revenues, in addition to increased operating expenses impacted most of our key performance metrics.
Return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) declined to 0.71% from 1.76% and 4.80% from 15.53%, respectively. The cost to income ratio increased to 82.54% up from 71.40% in the prior year.

The decline in these metrics is due to certain non-recurring events. There is a renewed commitment to enhancing operational efficiency, optimising asset utilisation and reducing costs.

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Jetcon Corporation ended its Third Quarter of 2023 with a loss of JA$7.1million, compared to a JA$$12M profit in the same period last year. This as sales continues its trend downwards to be roughly half those of last year.

Jetcon’ s statement of comprehensive income for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023 also showed a loss of JA$3.50M. This management said was due to prudent fiscal policy adopted by the company in the month of April 2023. This saw the company disposing of 10 vehicles which it carried on the books that were haemorrhaging in value. If these vehicles were sold at market value the company’s profit would have been $8.99 Million.

Jetcon also ended that second quarter with revenue decreasing 27 percent, to JA$184M, compared with the same period in 2022 and 28 percent for the half year to JA$363M. This according to management was mostly due to increased rates by the Bank of Jamaica which saw lenders preferring to invest available funds with the Bank of Jamaica rather than lending to those wishing to purchase vehicles.

Third Quarter Inventories totaled $419million, while receivables totaled $93million.

The company continues to grow inventory of solar equipment as they push to diversify operations to make it more resilient to economic shocks.

While used vehicle sales continue to stagnate, management is nevertheless beginning the exploration of new vehicle sales, a market which has seen increased sales year-on-year.

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A.S. Bryden & Sons Holdings Limited, a Trinidadian company acquired by Seprod Limited, officially listed its ordinary shares on the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) and its Class A Preference Shares on the JSE USD Equities Market on November 10, 2023, by Introduction. The Company being the first to list on the Main Market and USD Equities Market of the JSE in 2023. The Company commenced trading of the ordinary shares under the short name ASBH at a price of JA$22.50 on the Main Market and the Preference Shares under the short name ASBH6.00 at a price of US$1.00 on the USD Equities Market.

ASBH is the 52nd company to list on the JSE’s Main Market, 14th company on the USD Equities Market and the 102 company listed overall on the JSE. The listing of A.S. Bryden & Sons Holdings Limited has increased to twelve (12), the new securities that are listed on the JSE since January 2023.

“The total money raised on the market shows that equity capital is the way to finance your business, especially during a high interest rate regime, said the delighted Group Business Development Manager of the Jamaica Stock Exchange, Mr. Andre Gooden, in his welcoming remarks at the Listing Ceremony. He informed the audience that the market capitalization of ASBH at $31.27 billion had increased the market capitalization of the Main Market to over $1.61 trillion and the overall market capitalization of the JSE’s combined markets to $1.8 trillion. Mr. Gooden added that since the start of the year, a total of JA$18.74 billion (approximately US$122.12 million) was raised by way of Initial Public Offers (IPOs), Additional Public Offer (APO) and private offers.

Describing the JSE as the most vibrant stock exchange in the Caribbean in which to participate, Mr. Richard Pandohie, Chief Executive Officer of A.S. Bryden & Sons Holdings Limited, in his remarks to the audience revealed that the Bryden Group which had been in private hands for 99 years, as part of its 100th year Anniversary, was allowing investors to participate in its journey. He also described the Company as being part of the fabric of Trinidad and Tobago and noted with satisfaction that 54% of the employees had chosen to buy shares in the Company.

“Today we are witnessing a major milestone in the evolution of the Seprod Group allowing investors to participate in its journey,” said Mr. Pandohie. He said that ASBH is the biggest acquisition in the history of the Seprod Group and added that the public and investors across the Caribbean can anticipate more big plans from the Company. He disclosed that the Company was in the process of building a US$30m distribution centre in Trinidad and will be expanding its footprints in Guyana and Barbados. Mr. Pandohie further explained that the current listings of shares on the JSE was not about raising funds at this time but to position the Company to efficiently access capital if the need arises. In highlighting the growth of the Company since its acquisition by Seprod Limited, Mr. Pandohie stated that ASBH workforce had expanded from 1,263 to 1,565. He gave huge thanks to the employees, JSE, Financial Services Commission, NCB Capital Markets Limited (broker), the professional service providers, business partners, investors and customers for the unwavering support given to the Company.

In his remarks, Mr. Alex Johnson, Manager – Origination & Structuring at NCB Capital Markets Limited, the broker of the listing, congratulated ASBH for successfully listing on the JSE and for choosing NCB Capital Markets Limited as their broker. He further remarked that it was fitting that the JSE was chosen as the platform to go public as the Company commemorates its 100th year anniversary. He further tipped the audience that Seprod Limited had been consistent in paying dividends and hence he sees current and future new investors also receiving significant benefit from investing in ASBH’s shares, its newest subsidiary.

About A.S. Bryden & Sons Holdings Limited (ASBH)
A.S. Bryden & Sons Holdings Limited was incorporated in Trinidad and Tobago on July 1, 1999. The Company serves as the non-operating parent company of the Bryden’s Group of Companies. A.S. Bryden & Sons Holdings Limited (“A.S. Bryden”) is a consumer products distributor in Trinidad and distributes food, pharmaceuticals, hardware, houseware and industrial equipment. It is a partner of choice for global principals and has its own brands. It has significant market share in Trinidad with smaller presence in Barbados and Guyana. A.S. Bryden operates through three principal operating subsidiaries A.S. Bryden & Sons (Trinidad) Limited (“ASBT”), Bryden pi Limited (“Bryden pi”) and F.T. Farfan Limited (“F.T. Farfan”).
Seprod Limited is the majority shareholder.

A. Norman Sabga chairman ansa McaL Limited Has released the following unaudited financial statements for the quarter ended September 30th, 2023.

Over the nine-month period ended 30 September 2023, the Group’s results continued
their excellent recovery:
• Revenue increased to $5.170 billion ($4.716 billion – 2022)
• PBT increased to $468 million ($139 million – 2022)
• EPS increased to $1.63 ($0.00 – 2022)
• Total assets grew to $17.903 billion ($17.570 billion – 2022)
• Our gearing ratio decreased to 7.4% from 8.2% as at December 2022

Our Banking and Insurance businesses delivered a strong performance during this reporting period with interest and investment income returning to pre-2019 levels and the investment portfolios producing positive non-cash mark to market gains reversing non-cash losses in 2022.

Our Beverage, Construction and Distribution businesses demonstrated strong top line growth but were impacted by nonrecurring increased input costs due to buy decisions to secure supply chains amidst global disruptions.

Our Automotive operations performed well increasing both revenue and profitability year on year.

We are resolute in achieving our ambitious 2X objective to double the Group’s size and scale by 2027 and have made strategic generational investments in support of attaining this goal.

Our newly commissioned, state-of the-art returnable bottling line at Carib Brewery will enable increased capacity for exports, ensure consistent production of high-quality beverages with greater operational efficiency, reduced waste and lower water and energy
consumption. This significant investment underscores our deep commitment to the circular economy, with its focus on re-use and re-cycling.

At ANSA Chemicals, we are in the early stages of a 50% chlor-alkali plant expansion which will assure its ability to supply 100% of the chlorine needed to provide clean and potable water to the entire CARICOM Region. We expect this expansion to be completed by March 2024.

The performance at COLFIRE has improved noticeably post-acquisition laying the foundation for growth and innovation in the Insurance sector.

The Group is underpinned by a resilient balance sheet which makes us well positioned to pursue organic and acquisitive opportunities. Our diversified portfolio stands us in good stead to weather any challenges which lie ahead in a world where disruption has become the norm.

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