Advancing stocks dominated market activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market Monday with the volume of shares trading dropping 87 percent and the value 69 percent lower than on Friday as the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 1,395.95 points to settle at 444,574.70, the JSE Main Index dropped 70.06 points to 391,123.20 and the JSE Financial Index rose 0.68 points to close at 95.65.
Trading ended with 59 securities compared to 56 on Friday, with 29 rising, 24 declining and six ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a formula for computing appropriate stock values, averages 16.6. The PE ratio for the JSE Main and USD Market closing quotes are based on ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending up to August 2022.
Overall, 14,925,719 shares were exchanged for $141,613,197 versus 114,219,281 units at $449,573,144 on Friday. Wigton Windfarm led trading with 43.1 percent of total volume with a transfer of 6.44 million shares followed by Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund with 13.1 percent for 1.96 million units and Transjamaican Highway, 8 percent after trading 1.19 million units.
Trading averages 252,978 units at $2,400,224, down from 2,039,630 shares at $8,028,092 on Friday and month to date, an average of 392,520 units at $3,199,976, compared to 400,144 units at $3,243,666 on the previous trading day. January closed with an average of 235,328 units at $2,397,571.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 18 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments gained 50 cents to close at $90.40 with 238,943 shares crossing the market, Caribbean Cement dipped $9.99 to $65.01 after exchanging 226,274 stocks, First Rock Capital rallied 70 cents in closing at $11.70 in trading 109 stock units. Guardian Holdings dropped $25.99 to $535.01 with the swapping of 1,142 units, Jamaica Producers gained 50 cents in ending at $22.90 with 12,635 stocks clearing the market, Jamaica Stock Exchange rose $1 to $17.95 in switching ownership of 60,675 shares. JMMB Group advanced $1.05 to $44.15 in transferring 388,876 stocks, Kingston Properties lost 50 cents in ending at $8.50 with 655 units changing hands, Kingston Wharves declined $1.80 in closing at $40.50 in switching ownership of 7,093 stock units. Margaritaville gained 50 cents to end at $28 in trading 184 shares, Mayberry Jamaican Equities fell 90 cents in closing at $7.60 with a transfer of 73,002 units, NCB Financial popped 50 cents to $124 after exchanging 109,385 stocks. Palace Amusement climbed $5 to end at $950 in trading 3 shares, PanJam Investment gained 50 cents to close at $66 with 26,598 stocks changing hands, Portland JSX declined $1.05 to $8.05 in switching ownership of 28,000 stock units. Proven Investments fell $1.49 in closing at $33.81 after crossing the exchange with 43,638 units, Sagicor Group rose 90 cents to end at $57.90 with the swapping of 261,869 stocks, Seprod declined $3 to $57 in exchanging 14,195 shares. 
Stanley Motta gained 44 cents in ending at $5.70 after trading 4,100 stocks, Sygnus Credit Investments shed 45 cents to end at $15.05 in an exchange of 64,511 stock units, Sygnus Real Estate Finance fell 80 cents to $16.20 with the swapping of 3,000 shares and Wisynco Group advanced $1.68 to $19.88 in switching ownership of 146,027 units.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share rallied 75 cents to end at $7.75 with 124 stocks crossing the market and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference shares popped $8 to $108 with the swapping of 8 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Archives for February 2022
Gains for Junior Market
Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market trading closed on Monday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 61 percent with the value climbing 31 percent higher than on Friday, with the market rising with Derrimon Trading, Future Energy Source and Main Event surging to 52 weeks’ high of $2.73, $5.80 and $6.50 respectively.
Fesco traded at a record 5.80 on Monday
Market activity led to 41 securities trading compared to 39 on Friday and ended with 18 rising, 14 declining and nine, closing unchanged. At the close, the Junior Market Index rose 26.80 points to settle at 3,990.23.
The PE Ratio, a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 20.2. The PE ratio of each stock in the chart below is based on ICInsider.com earnings forecast for companies with financial years up to August 2022.
Overall, 14,209,361 shares traded for $49,761,855 compared to 8,801,134 units at $37,926,339 on the Friday. Spur Tree Spices led trading with 3 million shares for 21.1 percent of total volume followed by Tropical Battery with 2.79 million units for 19.6 percent of the day’s trade and Lumber Depot with 2.43 million units for 17.1 percent market share, Derrimon Trading ended with 1.87 million units for 13.2 percent market share and Future Energy Source, 1.61 million units for 11.3 percent market share.
Trading averaged 346,570 shares at $1,213,704 in contrast to 225,670 shares at $972,470 on Friday and month to date, averaging 370,064 units at $1,402,517, compared to 371,276 units at $1,412,254 on Friday. January closed with an average of 319,395 units at $1,181,136.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Access Financial increased $1.08 in closing at $21.05 with an exchange of 6,629 shares, Blue Power climbed 44 cents to end at $3.69 after trading 311 stocks, Cargo Handlers fell 79 cents to $8.10, with 924 units changing hands. Caribbean Assurance Brokers fell 25 cents in ending at $3 after trading 42,773 stock units, Derrimon Trading rallied 24 cents to close at $2.73 in an exchange of 1,869,586 stocks, Dolphin Cove dropped 41 cents to close at $27.30 in trading 31,446 shares. Express Catering gained 19 cents to end at $6.09 in exchanging 332,799 stock units, Fontana fell 11 cents in closing at $11.39 with 262,578 units changing hands, Future Energy Source popped 75 cents ending at a record high of $5.80 with an exchange of 1,606,852 units. General Accident shed 37 cents to $5.90 with 1,850 stock units crossing the market, Honey Bun dropped 80 cents in ending at $9, with 81,561 shares clearing the market, Iron Rock Insurance rose 31 cents to $3.41 after exchanging 1,236 stocks.
Knutsford Express advanced 57 cents to $7.45 with the swapping of 28,178 stocks, Lasco Financial increased 20 cents to $3.50 in switching ownership of 107,500 units, Lumber Depot shed 20 cents in closing at $3.60 while exchanging 2,434,190 shares. Main Event advanced $1.20 in closing at $6.50 in exchanging 117,061 stock units, Paramount Trading lost 12 cents to close at $1.78 in 19,122 stock units crossing the market and Stationery and Office Supplies gained 10 cents in ending at $7.50 with an exchange of 8,225 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading volume jumps on JSE USD Market
The volume of shares changing hands on Monday jumped 283 percent more than on Friday with the value dropping 58 percent lower at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market resulting in slightly more stocks rising than falling.
A total of 11 securities were traded, up from seven on Friday with four rising, three declining and four ended firm. The JSE US Denominated Equities Index lost 2.00 points to end at 205.98.
The PE Ratio, a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 14.6. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years, up to August 2022.
Overall, 1,705,073 shares traded, for US$27,762 compared to 444,902 units at US$66,249 on Friday. Trading averaged 155,007 units at US$2,524, compared to 63,557 shares at US$9,464 on Friday and month to date an average of 87,719 shares at US$9,318 versus 82,196 units at US$9,876 on the prior trading day. January ended with an average of 91,572 units for US$7,142.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ended with a bid higher than the last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share gained 1 cent to end at 8 US cents, with 1,569 shares crossing the market, Margaritaville lost 1 cent after ending at 20 US cents, with 33 stocks, changing hands MPC Caribbean Clean Energy finished at US$1.26, with 2 units crossing the market. 
Productive Business Solutions fell 9 cents to close at US$1.01 after exchanging 27 stock units, Proven Investments climbed 0.97 of a cent in closing at 24 US cents after trading 54,252 stock units, Sterling Investments remained at 2.1 US cents after the swapping of 832 stocks. Sygnus Credit Investments USD share dropped 0.01 of a cent to 12.94 US cents after exchanging 2,867 units and Transjamaican Highway popped 0.08 of a cent to end at 0.95 of one US cent in exchanging 1,645,477 shares.
In the preference segment, Equityline Mortgage Investment preference share ended unchanged at US$1.999 in switching ownership of 4 shares, JMMB Group 5.75% advanced 5 cents ending at US$2.09 after one stock unit crossed the exchange and JMMB Group 6% ended unchanged at US$1.10 after trading 9 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Mostly gains for Jamaica Stock Exchange
Stocks closed trading on Monday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, with the Combined Index rising 170.35 points to 401,607.90, the All Jamaican Composite Index gaining 1,395.95 points to 444,574.70, the JSE Main Index slipping 70.06 points to 391,123.20 and the Junior Market index rising 26.80 points to 3,990.23.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 18.1 based on 2021-22 earnings and 11.8 times those for 2022-23 at the close of market activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
Investors need a series of measures and pertinent information to successfully navigate the many investment choices in the local stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart along with the more detailed daily report charts, provide investors with regularly updated information to help with decision making.
Investors should make use of the chart to help make rational investment decisions, by investing in stocks that are close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it, unless there are compelling reasons to do so. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock. This approach helps to take emotions out of the investment decision and put in on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors.
The ICInsider.com PE Ratio chart covers all ordinary shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange and shows companies grouped on an industry basis, allowing for easy comparisons between same sector companies as well as the overall market.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to easily assess the value of stocks based on this measure. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices. Dividends payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets daily report charts that show closing volume for the bids and offers.
The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2021 and 2022 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items. The PE Ratio is the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks.
8 stocks rise 8 fall on Trinidad Stock Exchange
Market activity ended on Monday, after trading 48 percent fewer shares, with a 16 percent fall in the value compared to Friday, at close of the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange after an equal number of stocks gained in value as well as declined at the close of trading.
A total of 23 securities traded up from 14 on Friday, with declining and rising stocks sharing eight each with seven remaining unchanged. The Composite Index lost 8.94 points to close at 1,487.34, the All T&T Index declined 3.28 points to 2,104.04 and the Cross-Listed Index shed 2.10 points to settle at 115.97.
A total of 582,784 shares traded for $8,852,140 versus 1,122,765 units at $10,499,447 on Friday. An average of 25,338 units traded at $384,876 against 80,198 shares at $749,960 on Friday, with trading month to date averaging 47,858 units at $516,834 versus 49,377 units at $525,735. The average trade for January amounts to 39,943 units at $369,498.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two stocks with lower offers.
At the close, Agostini’s advanced $1 to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $47, with 52 shares crossing the market, Ansa McAl declined 50 cents in closing at $57 in exchanging 10,001 stock units, Calypso Macro Investment Fund increased 6 cents to $16.91 trading 14 stocks. Clico Investment Fund remained at $30.50 while exchanging 34,072 units, First Citizens Group fell $1.50 to $62.50 with an exchange of 285 units, GraceKennedy finished at $6, with 412,989 shares crossing the market. Guardian Holdings dropped 25 cents to close at $29.75 after 6,889 stock units changed hands Guardian Media fell 11 cents to $3.04, with 218 stocks crossing the exchange, JMMB Group ended unchanged at $2.30 while exchanging 44,202 shares.
L.J. Williams B share finished at $1.95 after closing with an exchange of 26 units, Massy Holdings shed 2 cents to close at $105.98, with 8,353 stocks clearing the market, National Enterprises slipped 1 cent to end at $3.24 in an exchange of 384 stock units. National Flour Mills ended unchanged at $1.95 in switching ownership of 250 stock units, NCB Financial Group fell 25 cents to $7.25 with the swapping of 10,010 shares, One Caribbean Media shed 10 cents in ending at $4.10 in an exchange of 202 units. Point Lisas rose 23 cents to $3.50 after exchanging 25 stocks, Prestige Holdings remained at $7.10 after trading 596 shares, Republic Financial Holdings popped $1 to close at $143 after exchanging 19,221 stocks. Scotiabank ended unchanged at $73 with the swapping of 74 stock units, Trinidad & Tobago NGL rallied 72 cents in closing at $21.50 with an exchange of 33,124 units, Trinidad Cement gained 5 cents to close at $3.75, with 5 units crossing the exchange. Unilever Caribbean climbed 17 cents to $15.37 in trading 192 stocks and West Indian Tobacco advanced 99 cents to $25 with 1,600 shares clearing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Tropical Battery profit explodes in Q1
Tropical Battery reported stunning first quarter results to December, with profits surging 198 percent from just $19 million in 2020 to $56.7 million as revenues jumped 46.8 percent to $662 million and encouraging investors to react positively to the surprising numbers right out of the block by driving the price up 18 percent for the day of the release and 37 percent for the year to date.
Earnings per share climbed from 1.5 cents to 4.4 cents for the quarter.ICInsider.com forecast is for profit of $280 million, with earnings per share of 22 cents, for the year to September, more than five times 2021 full year earnings, with potential for the price to deliver gains of 153 percent.
Battery Sales jumped 52 percent from $389 million in the 2020 December quarter to $591 million while Tyre Sales rose from $6.5 million to $8 million and Accessories contributed $67 million compared to $60 million in 2020, just 11 percent more.
The big push in sales was facilitated by a recovery in the local economy but importantly, increased inventory levels that doubled from $434 million at the end of December 2021 to $873 million which is up from $609 million at the end of September last year, would have played a big role in increasing revenues. The increase in sales “was achieved through an increase in balanced inventory arrivals and a tremendous effort on the part of our sales team to surpass targets by bringing in new customers,” the company managing director and deputy managing director advised in their interim report to shareholders.
Other Income slipped 14 percent to $2.6 million and interest Income dropped 39 percent to $3.6 million.
Improvement in profit margin remained at 30 percent for both quarters and resulted in gross profit rising 44 percent to $196 million from $136 million in 2020 as cost of sales rose just ahead of the increase in revenues.
Administrative expenses rose 10 percent to $114 million in the quarter from $104 million in 2020. Depreciation charges jumped 79 percent to $16 million. Finance costs rose 13 percent, to $15 million from $13.5 million in 2020.
Tropical Battery line of products
The operation generated gross cash flow of $73 million but ended up with negative inflows of $30 million after increase in working capital and addition to fixed assets and ended with cash funds of $144 million. At the end of the quarter, current assets rose to $1.6 billion from $1.09 billion in 2020 while current liabilities moved from $343 million at the end of December 2020 to $679 million, leaving net current assets at $933 million. Payables rose to $564 million from $223 million at the end of 2020, at the same time shareholders’ equity stands at $883 billion with borrowings at $568 million.
“With our more-than-adequate levels of inventory, we see a bright year ahead. We are also currently expanding our top-selling retail store, located on Grove Road, just off Half Way Tree Road in Kingston, which will allow us to increase sales at this location even further, and achieve higher profitability, given that retail margins are better than our wholesale margins while offering greater comfort and convenience for our team members and customers with a substantial increase in square footage. We plan to increase our retail presence island-wide in the coming quarters. The company rolled out new products in the quarter and plan to launch more in the March quarter”, the company stated in a report to shareholders, jointly signed by Alexander Melville, Managing Director and Daniel Melville Deputy Managing Director.
The stock traded at $1.74 on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange with a PE ratio of just 8 times 2022 earnings compared to an average of over 19 for the market and sits at the top of ICTOP10 Junior Market listing.
Tropical Battery tops ICTOP10
Tropical Battery surges to sit on top of the ICTOP10 Junior Market listing with the company seemingly poised to earn $280 million with earnings per share of 22 cents, more than five times 2021 full year earnings, with potential for the price to deliver gains of 153 percent as the stock helped in creating a complete overhaul of the TOP 3 stocks at the end of the week.
Tropical Battery heads the Junior Market ICTOP10.
In the past week, the Junior Market came back to life and clawed back much of the 226 points lost in the previous week while the Main Market continues to consolidate around the 440,000 points level, on the All Jamaica Composite Index.
The focus this past week was on the FJP Limited IPO that opened on Monday at $1 per share and closed on Tuesday, having been oversubscribed. As the FJP offer closed, up came the third new offer for the Junior Market in 2022, with the release of the EducFocal prospectus to raise $130 million at $1 per share, with the issue opening on March 3 and expected to close shortly thereafter.
In TOP10 developments this week, returning to the Junior Market are Tropical Battery with the price slipping from last week’s $1.79 to $1.74 and Medical Disposables after the price slipped from $7.27 to $6.60 this week. 
Leaving the TOP10 this week are iCreate and Cargo Handlers. The Main Market had one change, with Carreras moving out after hitting $8.90 and Jamaica Broilers coming in to replace it.
During the week, the Junior Market TOP10 listed Cargo Handlers surged 27 percent to $8.89, iCreate rose 28 percent to close at 77 cents, while Elite Diagnostic and Lasco Distributors both lost 9 percent to end at $3.30 and $3.63 respectively and Lasco Financial lost 8 percent to close at $3.30.
In the Main Market, Carreras rose 8 percent to close of $8.90 while Sagicor Group added 6 percent to end at $57, but 138 Student Living lost 5 percent to end at $5.20.
The Junior Market potential gain for the TOP 10 Junior Market stocks has moved up from 104 percent to 113 percent, much lower than the Main Market at 125 percent. The top three stocks in the Junior Market are Tropical Battery followed by Elite Diagnostic and Lasco Distributors to gain between 120 and 153 percent, compared to 109 and 129 percent, previously.
The potential gains for Main Market stocks moved from 122 percent last week to this weeks’ 125 percent, with the top three being Guardian Holdings followed by JMMB Group and Sygnus Credit Investments all projected to gain between 161 and 180 percent versus 165 and 185 percent last week.
The average PE for Junior Market has moved to 19.4 based on ICInsider.com’s 2021-22 earnings and is ahead of the JSE Main Market at 16.7. In the process, the Junior Market has surpassed the average of 17 that was achieved at the end of March last year. The TOP 10 stocks trade at a PE of a mere 9.5, with a 41 percent discount to that market’s average.
All the stocks in the Junior Market can gain just 3 percent to the end of March this year, based on an average PE of 20. About a third of Junior Market stocks with positive earnings are trading at or above this level, averaging around 23.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market is 16.9 just 12 percent less than the PE of 19 at the end of March and 18 percent below the target of 20 to March this year. The Main Market TOP 10 average PE is 9.1 representing a 46 percent discount to the market, well below the potential of 20. Around 17 stocks or a third of the market trade at or above a PE of 19, with most over 20, for an average roundabout 25, suggesting that the accepted multiple is between 20 and 25 times current year’s earnings.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners, accordingly, the list may or may not include the best companies in the market. ICInsider.com ranks stocks based on projected earnings to highlight winners from the rest, allowing investors to focus on potential winning stocks and helping to remove emotional attachments to stocks that often result in costly mistakes.
IC TOP10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns up to March 2022 and ranked in order of potential gains, based on the possible increase for each company, considering the earnings and PE ratios for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate and result in weekly movements in and out of the lists. Revisions to earnings per share are ongoing, based on receipt of new information.
Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.
JSE Main Market continues in consolidation mode
Market activity ended on Friday with the volume of shares surging 559 percent valued 227 percent more than Thursday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market as declining stocks once more bettered those rising but just.
The All Jamaican Composite Index fell 104.45 points to 443,178.75, the JSE Main Index rose 358.54 points to close at 391,193.26 and the JSE Financial Index added 0.4 points to end at 94.97.
Trading ended with 56 securities compared to 53 on Thursday, with 23 rising, 24 declining and nine ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a formula for computing appropriate stock values, averages 16.7. The PE ratio for the JSE Main and USD Market closing quotes are based on ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending up to August 2022.
Overall, 114,219,281 shares were exchanged for $449,573,144 versus 17,324,391 units at $137,517,118 on Thursday. JMMB Group 7.35% – 2028 dominated trading with 89.6 percent of total volume for an exchange of 102.29 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 3.1 percent for 3.53 million units, Transjamaican Highway chipped in with 1.7 percent after an exchange of 1.96 million units, Wisynco Group accounted for 1 percent after trading 1.09 million units and Sagicor Select Financial Fund, 0.9 percent with 1.04 million units changing hands.
Trading averaged 2,039,630 units at $8,028,092, up from 326,875 shares at $2,594,663 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 400,144 units at $3,243,666 versus 310,484 units at $2,982,018 on the previous trading day. January closed with an average of 235,328 units at $2,397,571.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows ten stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and two ended with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement fell 94 cents after ending at $75 in switching ownership of 12,834 shares, Caribbean Producers lost 48 cents to close at $17 after exchanging 284,298 stocks, Carreras gained 66 cents to end at $8.90 with 159,373 units crossing the market. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund popped $2.08 in closing at $40.60 in trading 12 stock units, GraceKennedy gained 50 cents to finish at $103.50 with 383,897 shares changing hands, Guardian Holdings climbed $22.98 to end at $561 in switching ownership of 4,039 stock units. Jamaica Producers lost 50 cents to close at $22.40 with a transfer of 39,224 stocks, Jamaica Stock Exchange fell 95 cents to $16.95 with 5,225 units clearing the market, Key Insurance lost 39 cents to close at $4.20 in trading 2,267 stocks. Massy Holdings dropped $30.01 to $1,949.99 after 519 units crossed the market, Mayberry Jamaican Equities lost 51 cents in closing at $8.50 in an exchange of 10,000 stock units, NCB Financial declined $1.56 to $123.50 with the swapping of 63,936 shares. 
Palace Amusement declined $5 to $945 after an exchange of 5 units, PanJam Investment rose $1.50 to $65.50 in transferring 7,256 stocks, Proven Investments fell 70 cents to $35.30 with an exchange of 24,345 stock units. Sagicor Group rallied $3.23 to $57 with 182,181 shares changing hands, Salada Foods lost 48 cents at $6.52 in trading 19,031 stock units, Supreme Ventures fell 45 cents in closing at $18.05 after exchanging 108,671 stocks. Sygnus Credit Investments gained 39 cents to close at $15.50 with 97,912 units changing hands, Sygnus Real Estate Finance shed 50 cents to $17 with a transfer of 5,000 shares and Wisynco Group declined $1.66 to $18.20 with an exchange of 1,093,562 stocks.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share popped 50 cents to $7 after trading 125 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Slippage for JSE USD Market Friday
The volume and value of stock trading on Friday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market, declining by 38 percent and 90 percent respectively below trades on Thursday and resulting in declining stocks edging out those rising.
A total of seven securities traded on Friday, similar to Thursday, with two rising, three slipping and two ending unchanged, leaving the JSE US Denominated Equities Index down 1.07 points to end at 207.98.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 14.6. The PE ratios use ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years, up to August 2022.
Overall, 444,902 shares traded, for US$66,249 compared to 717,581 units at US$690,333 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 63,557 units at US$9,464, compared to 102,512 shares at US$98,619 on Thursday and month to date an average of 82,196 shares at US$9,876 versus 83,223 units at US$9,899 on the previous day. January ended with an average of 91,572 units for US$7,142.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows no stock ending with a bid higher than the last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share fell 1.95 cents to 7 US cents while exchanging 146,823 shares, Margaritaville popped 1 cent to 21 US cents, with 1,350 stock units crossing the market, Proven Investments increased 0.02 of a cent to end at 23.03 US cents after 172,163 units were traded. Sterling Investments declined 0.2 of a cent to close at 2.1 US cents after exchanging 502 stocks, Sygnus Credit Investments USD share ended unchanged at 12.95 US cents in switching ownership of 117,132 units and Transjamaican Highway dropped 0.01 of a cent in ending at 0.87 US cents after exchanging 6,928 stocks.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 6% remained at US$1.10 with the swapping of a mere four shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Minor slippage for Junior Market
The Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market pulled back modestly in trading on Friday, with the volume and the value of stocks traded declining 32 percent land 27 percent respectively compared to Thursday.
Market activity led to 39 securities trading compared to 40 on Thursday and ended with 12 rising, 19 declining and eight, closing unchanged leading to the Junior Market Index dipping by just 2.14 points to settle at 3,963.43.
The PE Ratio, a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 19.3. The PE ratio of stocks in the chart below is based on ICInsider.com earnings forecast for companies with financial years up to August 2022.
Overall, 8,801,134 shares traded for $37,926,339 down sharply from 12,953,091 units at $51,920,823 on Thursday, with Future Energy Source leading trading with 2.02 million shares for 23 percent of total volume to end at a closing high of $5.05, followed by Tropical Battery with 1.39 million units for 15.8 percent of the day’s trade, Jamaican Teas, 1.15 million units for 13.1 percent market share, Lasco Financial ended with 1.02 million units changing hands for 11.5 percent market share.
Trading averaged 225,670 shares at $972,470 down from 323,827 shares at $1,298,021 on Thursday and month to date an average of 371,276 units at $1,412,254 compared to 378,787 units at $1,434,941 on the previous day. January closed with an average of 319,395 units at $1,181,136.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three stocks with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial shed 68 cents to close at $19.97 with an exchange of 6,907 shares, Blue Power fell 25 cents to $3.25 trading 10,919 stocks, Cargo Handlers climbed 79 cents to $8.89, with 27,589 stock units changing hands. Dolphin Cove advanced 71 cents to end at $27.71 while exchanging 169,845 units, Express Catering declined 24 cents in closing at $5.90, with 227,081 shares clearing the market, General Accident rose 17 cents to $6.27 after 10,000 stocks crossed the market. iCreate dropped 12 cents in closing at 77 cents, with 112,700 stock units changing hands, Knutsford Express lost $1.12 to end at $6.88 in an exchange of 38,831 units, Lasco Financial fell 20 cents to close at $3.30 in switching ownership of 1,016,019 units. Limners and Bards gained 16 cents to end at $3.67 with the swapping of 114,604 stocks, Mailpac Group declined 13 cents to end at $2.90, with 231,922 shares crossing the market, Medical Disposables dropped 40 cents to close at $6.60 after trading 8,935 stock units. 
SSL Venture lost 21 cents to $1.33 in trading 5,877 stocks, Stationery and Office Supplies shed 10 cents in closing at $7.40 after exchanging 5,131 stock units and tTech rallied 29 cents at $4.29 crossing the exchange 100 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
