The stocks market major indices rose at the close on Thursday, adding to Wednesday’s gains, but the day ended with more stocks falling than rising, after an exchange of 46 percent fewer shares valued 77 percent less than on Wednesday at the close of trading on the Stock Exchange Main Market.
At the close, the All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 3,214.49 points to 436,073.64, the JSE Main Index climbed 2,694.71 points to 397,354.26 and the JSE Financial Index gained 0.47 points to settle at 100.10.
Trading ended with 41 securities, down from 47 on Wednesday and closed with prices of 14 stocks rising, 18 declining and nine remaining unchanged. The PE Ratio averages 19 based on ICInsider.com forecast of 2020-21 earnings.
The market closed with 9,152,981 shares trading for $30,114,273 compared to 16,826,539 units at $130,489,494 on Wednesday. Transjamaican Highway led trading with 50.9 percent of total volume in exchanging 4.66 million shares, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 29.9 percent for 2.74 million units and Salada Foods with 5.4 percent market share for 490,267 units.
Trading averaged 223,243 units at $734,494, compared to 358,011 shares at $2,776,372 on Wednesday. March closed with an average of 354,304 units at $2,543,232.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading has nine stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Barita Investments climbed $2.90 to $88 in an exchange of a mere 28 shares, Caribbean Cement advanced $2.18 to $70.18 trading 36,149 stocks, Eppley shed 67 cents to settle at $34.10 in a transfer of 410 units. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund dropped $6.50 to $40, with 1,100 shares crossing the market, Grace Kennedy lost 50 cents to finish at $88 with 23,493 units changing hands, Jamaica Broilers gained 20 cents in ending at $29.50 after ownership of 9,156 shares were switched. Jamaica Producers rose $1.98 to $22.50 in exchanging 1,005 units, Jamaica Stock Exchange closed $1.49 lower at $17.50 with the swapping of 109,253 stock units, Key Insurance gained 20 cents to end at $5.90 after trading 147,037 stocks, Kingston Wharves fell 40 cents to $43.60 in switching ownership of 2,226 units. 
NCB Financial declined $1.50 to $137.50 with the swapping of 8,595 stock units, Palace Amusement jumped $84.65 to $724.65 after exchanging 61 shares, PanJam Investment fell $3 to $62.50 with the transfer of 21,432 stocks. Proven Investments shed $1.30 to close at $33.70 after 1,955 stock units crossed the exchange, Sagicor Group fell 88 cents to $51 in exchanging 59,338 stocks. Salada Foods ended 95 cents lower at $5.80 with 490,267 shares changing hands, Scotia Group slid 92 cents to $40.60 trading 11,420 stock units, Seprod climbed $5.30 to settle at $75 in exchanging 28,048 units and Supreme Ventures shed 51 cents to $14.89 in the swapping of 13,785 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Similar to Wednesday, 17 securities changing hands on Thursday, with prices of three stocks rising, one declining and 13 closing unchanged. the Composite Index lost 0.33 points to settle at 1,343.16, the All T&T Index declined 0.66 points to settle at 1,779.51, and the Cross-Listed Index closed unchanged at 122.68.
JMMB Group lost 1 cent to close at $1.80 trading 121,687 units, Massy Holdings rose 50 cents to $64, with 1,172 units Changing hands, National Enterprises increased 1 cent to $3 after exchanging 1,496 shares. NCB Financial Group settled at $8.50, with 5,652 stock units crossing the exchange, One Caribbean Media ended at $4.90 with the swapping of 1,000 shares, Point Lisas closed at $3 in exchanging 1,000 stocks. Republic Financial Holdings stayed at $131.83, with 200 stocks crossing the market, Scotiabank remained at $54 in trading 4,612 units and Trinidad & Tobago NGL remained at $14.75 with 6,987 shares changing hands.
Seven securities changing hands, compared to five on Wednesday, with prices of four rising, one declining and two remaining unchanged. The average PE Ratio ends at 13.8 based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2020-21 earnings.
Sterling Investments rose 0.02 of a cent to 2 US cents in trading 81,196 shares, Sygnus Credit Investments carved out a gain of 0.98 of a cent in closing at 14.99 US cents and exchanging 25,100 units and Transjamaican Highway increased 0.06 of a cent in closing at 0.94 of a US cent, with 1,200 stock units changing hands.
Trading ended with 29 active securities, down from 30 on Wednesday, resulting in prices of 13 rising, seven declining and nine remaining unchanged. At the close, the Junior Market Index advanced 13.54 points to settle at 2,996.49.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
Paramount Trading ended 11 cents higher at $1.41 trading 19,000 stock units, SSL Venture closed 5 cents lower at 55 cents in switching ownership of 3,012 units, Stationery and Office Supplies fell 72 cents to $4.78 with the transfer of 5,000 stocks. Tropical Battery increased 4 cents to end at $1.15 with an exchange of 212,881 stock units and tTech shed 21 cents to end at $4.60 in trading 1,000 stock units.
