Fri.18.05.12: Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) Market Update.

Friday, GSE Market Update;

CAL Brokers: 

Courtesy: CAL Brokers

In the market today, the major indices, the GSE-Composite Index and the GSE-Financial Stock Index, gained some ground following price appreciation in two equities.

The GSE-Composite Index closed at 1,046.94 points from 1,041.30 points and the financial stock benchmark closed 6.99 points higher at 910.75 points. The year-to-date return on the market rose to 8.04%. 

Taking a closer look at Unilever Ghana Limited (UNIL)

Today, I want us to focus on Unilever Ghana Limited (UNIL) and it's performance in 2011 and in the year so far. In my earlier post about the 1st Quarter of the Manufacturing sector, I wrote on the current standing of the company on the exchange. 

UNIL: 1st Quarter Chart on GSE: (courtesy; Bloomberg & GSE) 

We would look at more figures and how investors are reacting. UNIL as we know, manufactures and markets consumer goods throughout Ghana some of which includes toilet soaps, personal products, detergents, and consumable food products.

This year, UNIL began trading at GHS 6.64 (03.01.12) per share on the exchange. UNIL has issued about 62.50 million ordinary shares on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) with market capitalization of GHS 509.38 million. As released by the exchange, UNIL records a dividend yield (%) of 5.89. It was also recorded a price per book value from the most recent quarter as reported by Bloomberg as 8.6373. 

Investors reaction to the stock on the exchange has not changed so much. The shares are trading from time to time and most of the time as odd lots. As at today, the price remains at it's year high of GHS 8.15.

UNIL reported in March 2012 that it has made a revenue of GHS 239,005 for the 2011 financial year. In a press release to the Ghana Stock Exchange, it reports a profit after tax for the year as GHS 30,115, an increased of the one for 2010 which was GHS 17,947. Shareholders equity increase from GHS 41,340 to GHS 48,893.(NB: all figures are expressed in thousands of GH cedis unless otherwise stated)

UNIL would be having its Annual General Meeting on 27th April 2012 at the National Theatre. Shareholders are advised to go and contribute to the discussions and also vote on issues. Moreover, the company has proposed a dividend per share of 0.4800 pesewas which has a qualifying date as 25th April, 2012.

We hope to keep our eyes on UNIL and it's affairs in the household & consumer products sector.

Ghana Stock Exchange Composite Index: So far in 2012

The Ghana Stock Exchange Composite Index (GSE-CI) includes all ordinary shares listed on the GSE with the exception of those companies whose shares are listed on other exchanges. (e.g.  ETI, TLW).  The base index is 1000 and the index is a market capitalization weighted index.

Last year, the index closed at 969.03 (30-12-11) below the base index. There were some highs and lows this New Year and investors are hoping to see the index above the base index.

Below is how the index fared so far in 2012. [22-12-11 to 19-01-12]

This Week in focus on the Ghana Stock Exchange (16-01-12 to 20-01-12)

Year Highs & Lows of Fan Milk Limited on Ghana Stock Exchange

After ten (10) months of trading on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), the Year High of Fan Milk Limited (FML) still remains low comparably, and this is not impressive. Last year, Fan Milk Limited recorded a Year high of GHȻ 10.57 by the close of trading on 10th December, 2010. In that same year, the Year Low of FML as at 10th Dec. was GHȻ 5.55, although GHC 2.5 was recorded on 4th & 5th January. Investors obviously had confidence in the ice cream company and kept trading shares day to day. 

Fan Milk Limited began the year, 2011, with a Year High of GHȻ 2.45 (i.e. on 4th January) and ten (10) months down the road, the Year High was recorded as GHȻ 3.11 (i.e. on 2nd November). October ended with a little tumble of FML share price but November brought a recovery smile as investors gained confidence in the stock. Trading of FML shares on the GSE have been consistent since last week and this is good for the market.

The ice cream company still remains the leading producer of ice cream in the Ghanaian market. Monopoly, people call it, but I call it Supremacy. FML is currently trading at GHȻ 2.53 per share.

Growth Stocks on the Ghana Stock Exchange

Growth stocks are stocks in a company that are growing fast and reinvesting their profits rather than paying high dividends. The share prices of such stocks grow and double or sometimes triple in days or months on the Exchange. Investors with the purpose of keeping their monies in the market for a longer time invests in this kind of securities to gain on their capital.
On the Ghana Stock Exchange for instance, shares of FML,EBG,FML,GCB,GGBL,SCB,TOTAL and UNIL are growth stocks since for the past five(5) to six(6)years their share prices have been increasing and profits are being reinvested. Standard Chartered Bank shares are currently priced in the Market at GHC 64.00 per share, meanwhile less than 3 years ago, this stock was priced than lower GHC 25.00 per share. This obvious is almost a triple jump in capital gain of the stock(SCB). Other growth stocks also perform really well on the GSE in terms of share prices.
One question is that, what is the benefit of investing in Growth stocks on the GSE? CAPITAL GAIN, is the answer. These stocks grow in share price because directors of such companies do not focus on only paying high dividends but rather reinvest the profits and in that case the company grows and investors build confidence in the stock hence invest. The demand of the stock on the market positively affect the prices of the shares on the market.
Growth investing is good and very rewarding but remember it requires time and patience. Keep investing and invest wisely.

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