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JMMB Group, Strong Despite Market Conditions, Posting Net Profit Of J$4.76B And EPS Of J$2.31 For 9 Months Ended December 2022.

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Keith P. Duncan Group Chief Executive Officer of JMMB Group Limited has released the following (summary) report for the nine-month period ended 31 December 2022. (Expressed in Jamaican dollars unless otherwise indicated)

Performance Highlights
Net Operating Revenue: J$18.90 billion, down 14%
Net Interest Income: J$8.44 billion, down 6%
Net Profit: J$4.76 billion
Earnings per Stock Unit: J$2.31

The JMMB Group posted solid net profit of J$4.8 billion for the period ending December 31, 2022, despite continued adverse market conditions. The Group continues to successfully execute its diversification strategy and has been reaping the benefits of this from strong contributions to growth and profitability outside of Jamaica and its original flagship investments business line.

Group Financial Performance

Net Operating Revenue
The JMMB Group posted net operating revenue of J$18.90 billion for the nine months ending December 31, 2022, reflecting a decline of 14%. The operating environment remained challenging when compared to the prior period. This
stemmed from rising inflation resulting from the war in Ukraine and the attendant increase in geo-political uncertainty, supply chain disruptions as well as other Covid-related factors. Central banks across the world, as a part of their inflation-targeting regime, continued to increase interest rates and reduce market liquidity.

This had a particularly negative impact on trading gains.
Trading gains fell by 51% to J$3.49B as, given rising interest rates, investors continued to de-risk resulting in a reduced demand for emerging market assets. Consequently, asset prices fell and trading activity was reduced. This was contrary to the prior period where investor sentiment was high and interest rates were low. Investors were therefore in search of yields and there was high demand for emerging market assets.

Largely, the other major revenue lines increased, in particular, fees and commission income. This was facilitated by increased economic activity as all the Group’s operating territories are in recovery mode.

Notably, the Dominican Republic has recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Fees and commission income were 16% higher at J$4.32 billion as the Group remain dedicated to ensuring that clients meet their financial life goals. Further, clients continue to demonstrate confidence in the value of solutions and services as evidenced by the strong growth of the loan and investment portfolios.

Segment Contribution

The Banking & Related Services segment contributed J$9.82 billion or 52% of net operating revenue. This represented a 21% increase over the prior period and reflected strong growth in the loan book, which translated into increased net interest income. Also, there were higher FX trading gains and fees.

The Financial and Related Services segment contributed J$8.35 billion or 44% of net operating revenue and reflected a decline of 39%. This largely reflected lower trading gains.

Operating Efficiency
Operating expenses moved from J$13.21 billion to J$14.68 billion and reflected inflationary increases as well as strategic spend related to longer-term initiatives aimed at improving the posture and positioning of the Group. Thus, operational efficiency moved from 60% to 78%. Nevertheless, the Group will continue to focus on projects aimed at yielding scale and efficiency and thus contribute to long term shareholder value.

Interest in Associated Company
For the quarter ended 31 December 2022, the Group has not recorded any share of profits from its associated company Sagicor Financial Company Limited (SFC). SFC has opted to publish its audited results for the year ended
31 December 2022, utilising 90-day provision under the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). The results for the quarter were thus not available. The Group will therefore, reflect any earnings from SFC in its fourth quarter ended 31 March 2023.

Total Assets
At the end of the reporting period, the Group’s asset base totalled J$640.47 billion, up 4% relative to the start of the financial year. This was mainly on account of a larger loan portfolio which grew by 16% to J$165.98 billion. The credit quality of the loan portfolio continued to be comparable to international standards and the Group continues to maintain enhanced monitoring to mitigate against possible deterioration in credit quality.

Growth in the asset base over the nine-month period was funded in part by increases in customer deposits, repos and multilateral funding. Deposits grew by 8% to J$163.60 billion, while repos increased 4% to J$309.66 billion.

Further, an additional tranche of funding was received from IDB Invest, a member of the Inter-American Development Bank Group. This funding is earmarked for the SME segment and will improve the capacity of JMMB Bank Jamaica Limited to continue building out its SME solutions suite.

Capital
Over the nine-month period, shareholders’ equity decreased by 12% to J$49.53 billion. Despite posting significant profit since the start of year, this was completely offset by a further decline in investment revaluation reserve.

For the current reporting period, bond prices and by extension investment revaluation reserve continued to be negatively impacted by rising interest rates, increased global uncertainty, rising commodity prices as well as supply chain disruptions.

Nevertheless, the Group continues to be adequately capitalized and all individually regulated companies within the Group continue to exceed their regulatory capital requirements.

Off-Balance Sheet Funds under Management
The Group continued to execute on its strategy to provide complete, customized financial solutions for each client.

This include off-balance sheet products such as pension funds, unit trusts and money market funds. For the period under review, congruent with the decline in asset prices globally, assets in these funds were adversely impacted.
Consequently, the total invested in off-balance sheet products as at the end of December 2022 stood at J$182.84 billion compared to J$187.38 billion as at end of December 2021.

As a safe and solid publicly-held company, firmly rooted in its core values and commitment to clients, shareholders, team members and all stakeholders, the Group continues to be adequately capitalized and in compliance with all regulators in its operating territories. In the previous quarter, the Group received an upgrade in its Corporate Credit Ratings from Caribbean Information and Credit Rating Services Limited (CariCRIS) to Cari A- on its regional local currency scale.

Additionally, the Group continued to deepen its ongoing strategic partnership with IDB Invest, a member of the Inter-American Development Bank Group, having received additional funding during the period for JMMB Bank Jamaica Limited’s SME solutions suite.

Diversification Strengthens the Group
As experienced across the industry, the high interest rate operating environment continues to impact the performance of the Group’s investments business line in Jamaica and Dominican Republic. The quarter’s financial results therefore reflect this impact particularly earnings from gains on securities trading as well as net interest income, which are both core drivers of earnings and which historically combined account for approximately 61% of total revenue.

While the investments business line has been adversely impacted by the macroeconomic environment, the Group’s banking business line was the largest revenue contributor, accounting for 52% of net operating revenue, up from 37% in the prior period. In terms of geographic contribution, the Group’s regional diversification strategy continued to yield benefits as Trinidad contributed 23% to operating revenue, up from 15% in the prior period. Sagicor Financial Company Limited (SFC) also contributed positively to the Group’s profitability with J$2.12 billion in share of profit.

The JMMB Group remains committed to protecting clients and their goals and is serious about the controls in place to safeguard them which are strengthened on an ongoing basis. Protecting clients’ deposits and investments is a top priority for the Group throughout its operations.

The Group’s online banking platform, Moneyline, empowers clients to monitor and manage their solutions. Additionally, system generated statements are emailed and/or mailed directly to clients who request physical statements and clients are also able to visit branch locations to request statements at any time.

During the reporting period, the Group launched merchant acquiring solutions for business clients including POS and Scan2Pay solutions developed with technology partner WiPay Jamaica Limited. In the coming quarter, the Group will continue to work on other products and digital solutions aimed at deepening partnership and enhancing the experience of both retail and business clients.

Looking Ahead
In continuing to successfully manage performance within the context of a challenging operating environment, the Group has noted the fairly positive signals proffered by the IMF in its January 2023 World Economic Outlook.

The Outlook indicates a marginal improvement in the forecast around economic growth in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) as well as globally in 2023. This, coupled with expectations around falling inflation, likely signal that markets will trend towards gradual normalization as central banks ease their monetary policies. Notably, central banks in Jamaica and the Dominican Republic have paused their rate hikes, while the US Federal Reserve Bank has continued to signal further rate hikes at, however, a slower pace.

Importantly, the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT) has not increased interest rates throughout the high global inflation period.

The Group expects to see improved market conditions over time which could see a gradual easing of monetary policy and thus looks forward to eventual normalized levels of performance especially in its Investments Business Line in the medium term.

In the quarter ahead, the Group will continue to focus on “smart growth” through diversification of earning streams, expansion into new geographies and new business lines, while improving efficiency to drive growth and profitability.

For more information CLICK HERE

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ANSA McAL Group Announces Formation Of Joint Venture Company, Globus ANSA Private Limited, With Globus Spirits Limited In India.

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A. Norman Sabga Executive Chairman of the ANSA McAL Group of Companies has announced the formation of the joint venture company, Globus ANSA Private Limited, with Globus Spirits Limited in India.

In a release posted on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange ANSA McAL confirmed that with effect from 4th April 2024, ANSA McAL Limited (“ANSA McAL”) entered into a joint venture agreement with Globus Spirits Limited (“GSL”) to establish Globus ANSA Private Limited (“GAPL”).

Each party will hold fifty percent (50%) of the issued and allotted ordinary share capital of GAPL.

“This collaboration signifies a new era in the Indian alcoholic beverages industry, driving innovation and growth, ‘

“Globus ANSA Private Limited will specialise in manufacturing and distributing alcoholic beverages across the Indian subcontinent, leveraging the strength of both ANSA McAL and Globus Spirits Limited,” said Mr. Shekhar Swarup, Managing Director for Globus Spirits Limited. “This collaboration signifies a new era in the Indian alcoholic beverages industry, driving innovation and growth, ‘he stated

 

 

 

Globus Spirits Ltd is one of the leading players in the Alcohol industry in North India distributing brands in the Consumer Segment including:
• GR8 Times.
• Rajputana.
• Globus Spirits Dry Gin.
• White. Lace.
• Governors’ Reserve Red.
• Governors’ Reserve Blue.
• Oakton.
• Laffaire. Napoleon.

Trinidad and Tobago conglomerate ANSA McAL Group has over 142 years of rich history representing many world-renowned brands, including some of their own home-grown successes. The partnership marks a significant milestone in ANSA McAL Group’s journey, merging cultures and expertise to revolutionise the beer industry in India, with their icon Carib brand and leading the charge.

Norman Sabga Executive Chairman of the ANSA McAL Group of Companies, highlighted the immense opportunities in India and their commitment to delivering unparalleled value through this partnership.

“We are confident that our collaboration will allow us to seize the growing demand for high quality beverages by captivating palates with our distinctive products” he said

ANSA McAL is now poised to be an equal Shareholder of GAPL, an Indian company which
would produce, market, sell, distribute and retail beer and other beverages.

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Jamaica Broilers Group Reporting Strong Top and Bottom Line Performance for January 2024 Quarter

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Christopher E. Levy Group President & CEO of Jamaica Broilers Group Limited now release the following unaudited financial results for the quarter ended January 27, 2024, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

The Group produced a net profit attributable to shareholders of $1.3 billion, for the quarter ended January 27, 2024. The operations of the Group continue to be strong, and our gross margins are consistent with expectations.

Quarterly Group revenues amounted to $23.6 billion, a 4% increase above the $22.7 billion achieved in the corresponding quarter.

Our gross profit for the quarter was $5.9 billion, a 7% increase above the $5.5 billion achieved in the corresponding quarter in the prior year.

Jamaica Operations reported a segment result of $5.9 billion which was $448 million or 8% above last year’s segment result. Total revenue for our Jamaica Operations showed an increase of 2% over the prior year nine-month period. This increase was primarily driven by the growth in the sale and export of poultry and implementation of cost containment efforts.

Our US Operations reported a segment result of $3 billion which was $226 million or 8% above last year’s segment result. This increase was driven by increased volumes of poultry meat and eggs, as well as the implementation of cost management initiatives.
Total revenue for the US Operations increased by 3% over the prior year nine-month period.

We have begun to realise additional volumes through the US operations, which has resulted in increased financing requirements primarily around working capital.

For More Information CLICK HERE

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Main Event Reporting Net Profit Of JA$100M For Quarter Ended January 2024

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Solomon Sharpe Chief Executive Officer of Main Event Entertainment Group Limited has released the following unaudited financial statements for the quarter ended January 31, 2024 (Q1).

The company continues to have solid results in an increasingly competitive and largely difficult environment. The company’s performance was anchored by diversifying our client base through strategic targeting and efficient management of our operations.

The company reported net profit of $100.254M for the quarter ended January 31, 2024, representing a decline of 15% or $17.695M relative to the corresponding period of 2023. Consequently, earnings per share decreased by 15% to $0.33 per share.

Total revenues for the quarter ended January 31, 2024 declined by $59.235M to $567.752M, reflecting a decrease of 9% over the corresponding period. This was mainly due to a one-off event for one of our major clients which is not likely to reoccur in subsequent periods.

The company was strategic in its efforts to protect the margins and the gross profit for the quarter was $315.822M compared to the $312.611M earned in 2023. This demonstrates the company’s ability to be alert and responsive to market conditions. Gross margins improved to 56%, up from 50% in the corresponding period.

The company continues to generate revenues from activities requiring reduced external support.

For more information CLICK HERE

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The LAB Reporting Higher Net Profits Based On Strong Focus On Agency Segment

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Kimala Bennett Chief Executive Officer for Limners and Bards Limited (The LAB) has released the following unaudited financial statements for the three months ended January 31, 2024, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The consolidated results include the subsidiary Scope Caribbean Limited (Scope) whose principal business is the scouting, placement and management of talent while expanding and maintaining a database of quality talent.

The LAB achieved higher net profits when compared to the corresponding period last year. This was based on the strong focus on the Agency Segment of the business for this quarter, as the company continued to build brands. The Agency Segment provides the highest profit margin and as such bolstered the results for the period. The company also implemented cost containment measures, which resulted in a 19.2% reduction in administrative expenses when compared to prior period. We continue to maintain a strong balance sheet and our cash position grew stronger over the period. Our asset base increased, as we reinvested in the business through further upgrading film studio facilities.

Revenue for the three months ended January 31, 2023, was $219.4 million, down 11.4% relative to the prior period. This decline was primarily attributable to a reduction in production during the period due to its cyclical nature. Notwithstanding this, the Agency segment outperformed the comparable period. The revenue achieved was derived from the company’s core business lines: Media totalling $118.3 million, followed by Production with $29.3 million and Agency with $71.6 million.

The company remains fully focused on executing its strategy of diversifying its income, through engaging new clients and the introduction of new service lines. These strategic endeavours are aligned with our company’s expansion strategy into emerging markets, all aimed at fostering sustainable growth, increased revenues, enhanced profitability; while proactively anticipating the evolving needs of our valued clients and enhancing shareholders’ value.

Gross Profit for the three months was $88.9 million, down 3.3% when compared to the corresponding period. Net Profit achieved was $26.2 million, up 295.7% relative to the comparable period. due to higher gross profits from the agency segment and lower administrative expenses. Administrative expenses decreased by $16.3 million or 19.2% in comparison to the corresponding period last year. These decreases are primarily due to reduction in contractor and staff cost.

The consolidated Balance Sheet saw total assets increasing by $119 million or 15.1% to $909.3 million compared to $790.2 million in the corresponding period. This increase in assets is driven by building and film studio facilities improvement and purchases of new production equipment to facilitate future growth.

Current Assets amounted to $731.7 million, increasing by $107.6 million over the prior year, primarily due to a 43.6% increase in cash and cash equivalent. Management continues to maintain tight monitoring and control over receivables. Cash and cash equivalent increased by $142.4 million over the corresponding period last year. Shareholders’ equity grew to $624 million, up from $548.1 million or 13.9% over the corresponding period last year.

The LAB is pleased to report significant progress in our strategic initiatives. We have successfully completed the pilots for two TV/web series, “SEEN” and “Jenna In Law,” as outlined at our last Annual General Meeting (AGM). Additionally, Pre-production for our first feature film, “Love Offside,” is currently underway, with production scheduled to commence in June 2024.

In line with our strategic objectives, we are actively engaging with international networks and digital streaming platforms to secure distribution opportunities for our content upon production completion. This proactive approach ensures that our creative endeavours have a suitable platform to reach global audiences.

For More Information CLICK HERE

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Maximum Participating Voting Share Capital Of Companies Listed On The Junior Stock Exchange Moving From JA$500 Million To JA$750 Million

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“Utilizing equity capital is an effective avenue to stimulate innovation and reduce operating costs thereby allowing companies to drive growth, improve productivity and increase their chances of sustainability. We commend the Government for this decision and encourage small and medium sized companies to take advantage of this opportunity.”

The Government of Jamaica through the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service has announced that they have increased the participating share capital limit from $500 million to $750 million for companies on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.

“This is very exciting news for the Exchange,” commented Dr. Marlene Street Forrest, Managing Director of the Jamaica Stock Exchange. “This is an exceptionally good move by the Government as this will allow small and medium sized companies to come to market to raise additional capital for business expansion and assist new companies to raise capital and to consider this capital raising option as viable. She stated that “Utilizing equity capital is an effective avenue to stimulate innovation and reduce operating costs thereby allowing companies to drive growth, improve productivity and increase their chances of sustainability. We commend the Government for this decision and encourage small and medium sized companies to take advantage of this opportunity.”

The Junior Market was established in 2009 to allow small and medium sized companies (SMEs) to raise a maximum of $500 million dollars during an initial public offering (IPO). The Government’s new initiative towards companies listed on the Junior Market now allows them to raise up to $750 million dollars, an increase of $250 million dollars.

Source Jamaica Stock Exchange

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