7 Stocks to Watch for 2018

19 April 2018

Do you have three to six months of your expenses set aside in an emergency fund? Do you have a long-term goal and are prepared to invest for up to 5 years? Are you willing to take the potential risk that comes with investing in the stock market? If you answered “yes” to all the above; then here are some good long-term stocks to consider for investment. These stock recommendations have been provided courtesy of our JMMB Research team.

NCB Financial Group Limited (NCBFG): NCBFG reported a 17% increase in operating income for the first quarter of the 2017/18 financial year, while net profit rose 28% to J$4.61B during that period. The Group made US$174M bid for another 74.23M shares in Guardian Holdings Limited and is aiming for a controlling stake in that company.
Wisynco Group Limited (WISYNCO): WISYNCO came to market in December 2017 with an initial public offering (IPO). Revenues in the first quarter rose 16.7% to J$6.13B while profits rose 11.0% to J$655.8M. The majority of its revenue is locally-generated, but the company now intends to widen its regional footprint.
Kingston Wharves Limited (KW): KW continues to improve its core services, while building its capacity to serve a wider range of local and transhipment requirements. For the nine- month period ended September 2017, KW revenue amounted to J$4.5B, a 17% increase year-over-year, while net profit climbed 36% to J$1.18B.
LASCO Group of Companies (LASF): In line with its key strategy to carve out significant market share in the micro loans business, LASF acquired Scotia Jamaica Microfinance Company Limited (CrediScotia) in the fourth quarter of 2017. Since then, it also expanded its branch network, team, and services. Net profit for the nine months amounted to J$221.52M, exceeding the full year’s results for the previous financial year.
Lasco Distributors Limited (LASD): The company reported a net profit of J$535.22M for its nine-month period ended December 2017, and up 28% year-over-year, on revenue of J$12.2B. LASD has continued its efforts to improve efficiency by warehouse expansion and improved logistics, resulting in stronger profitability margins.
LASCO Manufacturing Limited (LASM): In January 2018, LASM announced a US$103M joint venture with US-based United Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research and Development for the manufacture of cannabis-infused water among other cannabis medicinals. LASM has applied for approval from the Cannabis Licensing Authority to import the raw material need for the intended products. Revenue for the first quarter ended December 2017 rose 22% to J$1.8B while profit after tax stood at J$195M, up 72% over the previous year.
Stationery & Office Supplies Limited (SOS): SOS's June 2017 IPO raised J$95.0M to support its aims to expand its warehouse and lower leverage. Since listing, its nine month results, as at September 2017, saw revenues rising by 27%, while pre-tax profit rose by 46%. Revenue for the 3rd quarter rose by 37% to J$233M while pre-tax profit surged 91% to J$18.8M.’

Are you interested in investing in the stock market? Contact JMMB today at 998-5662 and together we can determine the best stock/s to include in your investment portfolio or allow JMMB to manage your portfolio on your behalf through our JMMB Income and Growth Unit Trust which earned 13.82% between April 4, 2017 and April 4, 2018. JMMB also makes it easy for you to invest in these stocks with our online platform- JMMB MoneyLine, where you can buy and sell stocks at your convenience.

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