The Bank of Jamaica hikes its overnight rate once more by 0.50 percent to 5.50 percent following the latest meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).
The decision the bank stated was “unanimously agreed to” by MPC who “also decided to continue pursuing other measures to contain Jamaican dollar liquidity expansion and maintain relative stability in the foreign exchange market.”
The Committee noted that
“while inflation at May 2022 of 10.9 percent was lower than inflation at April 2022, core inflation remained elevated and headline inflation is likely to continue to breach the Bank’s target range over the next year.”
The MPC noted that its current decision reflects a cumulative increase in the policy rate of 500 bps since October 2021, which has taken the policy rate closer to the level that the Committee considers appropriate. The bank stated that “the measures are also aimed at reducing economic demand and, consequently, the ability of businesses to pass on price increases to consumers. These decisions are also expected to continue to support a relatively more stable foreign exchange market.”
Archives for June 2022
BOJ hikes interest rate higher to 5.50%
Jamaica Stocks higher in month end rally
Stock market trading closed with positive price movements as reflected in the gains recorded in the market indices except for a slight decline in the USD market. Recently listed, Dolla Financial seems to be finding an equilibrium price level as it closed 1 cent lower than the $2.92 on Tuesday; icreate created a buzz with the price reaching a record high of $4.70 in response to another acquisition announcement.
iCreate hits record high.
The market closed with the JSE Combined Index climbing 1,477.39 points to 396,901.64 while the All Jamaican Composite Index added 1,951.68 points to end at 438,886.15, the JSE Main Index gained 1,324.62 points to 383,033.41, the Junior Market index popped 26.55 points to 4,310.53 and the JSE USD market index lost 1.14 points to close at 217.56.
Investors exchanged 27,264,015 shares in all markets, with the value of stocks traded in the Main and Junior Markets ending at $339.2 million and in the JSE USD market, US$42,677.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 23.9 based on 2021-22 earnings and 13.2 times those for 2022-23 at the close of trading.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate many investment choices in the local stock market successfully. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational investment decisions by investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. 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. 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.
The ICInsider.com PE Ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange. It shows companies grouped on an industry basis, allowing easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to quickly 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 the 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.
Bounce for JSE USD trading
A huge 667 percent rise in the value of stocks traded after the volume rose just 17 percent over Monday was the outstanding feature of trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market on Tuesday.
Seven securities traded, compared to nine on Monday, with three rising, three declining and one ending unchanged. At the close of market activities, the JSE US Denominated Equities Index gained 0.71 points to end at 218.70.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.4. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending up to August 2023.
Overall, 578,306 shares were traded for US$75,902 compared to 492,558 units at US$9,897 on Monday.
Trading averaged 82,615 units at US$10,843, compared to 54,729 shares at US$1,100 on Monday, with a month to date average of 74,062 shares at US$8,830 versus 73,625 units at US$8,727 on the previous day. May ended with an average of 47,916 units for US$3,528.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two ended with a bid higher than the last selling prices and one stock with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share dropped 0.08 of a cent to end at 7.42 US cents in an exchange of 7,785 shares, Proven Investments climbed 0.99 of one cent in closing at 26 US cents after 100,112 units changed hands, 
Sterling Investments gained 0.12 of a cent to close at 2.12 US cents trading 10,000 stocks. Sygnus Credit Investments USD share lost 0.4 of one cent in ending at 12.5 US cents after 367,647 stock units were traded, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share declined 1.5 cents to a 52 weeks’ low of 10 US cents with the swapping of 4,000 units and Transjamaican Highway increased 0.01 of a cent to 1 US cent while exchanging 88,718 stocks.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 5.75% remained at US$2.25 after exchanging 44 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main Market falters
The Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market pulled back on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 31 percent, with a 154 percent greater than on Monday as rising stocks were marginally less than those falling.
Overall, 9,556,775 shares were exchanged for $186,056,204 versus 13,814,659 units at $73,312,672 on Monday. Trading averages 170,657 units at $3,322,432, compared to 260,654 shares at $1,383,258 on Monday and month to date, an average of 261,247 units at $3,673,549, compared to 266,182 units at $3,692,676 on the previous trading day. May closed with an average of 238,645 units at $3,561,016.
PanJam Investment led trading with 1.90 million shares for 19.8 percent of total volume, followed by Transjamaican Highway with 1.54 million units for 16.1 percent of the day’s trade, Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.05 million units for 11 percent market share and Wigton Windfarm with 1.04 million units for 10.9 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index declined 883.90 points to 436,934.47, the JSE Main Index fell 816.45 to 381708.79 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.12 points to settle at 91.11.
Trading ended with 56 securities up from 53 on Monday, with 22 rising, 23 declining and 11 ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.3 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are computed based on ICInsider.com’s forecasted earnings for companies with financial years ending up to the close of August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six stocks with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints increased 80 cents in closing at $12, with 930 shares changing hands, Caribbean Cement fell $1 to $64 and closed after trading 56,189 units, Carreras rose 48 cents to $9.98, with 88,008 stock units changing hands. Eppley shed $5.50 to close at $38.50 trading 2,338 stocks, GraceKennedy lost 99 cents to end at $104 in trading 4,907 stock units, Guardian Holdings dropped $3 to end at $501 in switching ownership of 3,563 units. JMMB Group rallied 50 cents in ending at $42 while exchanging 238,705 shares, Margaritaville declined $1.77 in closing at $16.50, with an exchange of 270 stocks, Mayberry Jamaican Equities shed 41 cents to close at $12.99 after trading 43,396 stocks. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy gained $10.50 to close at $106.50, with 482 shares crossing the market, NCB Financial popped $1.50 to $103.50 with the swapping of 14,369 stock units, 138 Student Living advanced 31 cents to end at $5.10 with an exchange of 622 units. Palace Amusement fell $85.99, in ending at $900, with 38 shares clearing the market, Proven Investments dropped $1.45 to close at $36.50 after exchanging 4,114 units, Sagicor Group declined 90 cents in closing at $55 with an exchange of 16,581 stocks.
Scotia Group climbed $1.79 to $37.79 with 2,215 stock units changing hands, Stanley Motta lost 49 cents to end at $5 in exchanging 42,770 shares, Sygnus Credit Investments declined 65 cents to close at $14.30 in an exchange of 18,158 stock units and Sygnus Real Estate Finance climbed $1 in ending at $15 , with an exchange of 300 units.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share fell 75 cents in closing at $20 in exchanging 14 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Dolla price may have hit bottom
Dolla Financial was the most visible stock trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market on Tuesday, accounting for the leading volume of stocks trading over 50 percent of the day’s volume after the price recovered after hitting a low at $2.62 to end at $2.92 and may have bottomed out.
As was the case on Monday, 44 securities traded, with 18 rising, 22 falling and four closing unchanged and leading the Junior Market Index to decline 58.21 points to 4,283.98.
The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values, averages 12.8. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks incorporate ICInsider.com projected earnings for companies with financial year end that falls between November this year and August 2023.
Overall, 18,129,942 shares traded for $57,975,106 compared to 16,869,220 units at $60,784,346 on the Monday. Trading averaged 412,044 shares at $1,317,616 in contrast to 383,391 shares at $1,381,462 on Monday with the month to date, averaging 441,491 units at $1,677,391 compared to 443,139 units at $1,697,531 on the previous trading day. May closed with an average of 376,907 units at $1,638,631.
Dolla Financial led trading with 9.13 million shares for 50.4 percent of total volume, followed by Mailpac Group with 2.28 million units for 12.6 percent of the day’s trade and iCreate with 1.66 million units for 9.1 percent market share.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
At the close, Access Financial shed $1 in closing at $22.50, with 9,181 shares crossing the market, AMG Packaging declined 52 cents to end at $4.18 while exchanging 17,874 units, CAC 2000 increased 92 cents ending at $10.22 after an exchange of 1,592 stock units. Dolla Financial rose 19 cents to $2.92 after trading 9,132,047 stocks, Dolphin Cove fell $1 to close at $16.90 after finishing trading 108,294 stock units, Fontana lost 58 cents in ending at $10 after exchanging 65,517 units. Fosrich dropped 60 cents to end at $31.40 in exchanging 39,133 stocks, Honey Bun advanced 29 cents in closing at $9 with 8,037 shares changing hands, iCreate popped 60 cents to close at $4.10 in switching ownership of 1,655,947 shares. Iron Rock Insurance rallied 24 cents to $3.29 with the swapping of 14,726 stocks, ISP Finance declined $3.38 in closing at $19.12 after exchanging 1,997 units, Jamaican Teas gained 11 cents to $3.09, with 254,717 stock units crossing the market. Knutsford Express climbed 94 cents to close at $7.95 with an exchange of 1,895 shares, Lasco Distributors fell 15 cents to end at $3.10, with 210,327 units clearing the market, Main Event dropped $1.20 to $6.80 in trading 5,700 stocks. 
Medical Disposables popped 19 cents to close at $7.29 in an exchange of 7,000 stock units, SSL Venture lost 52 cents ending at $2.50, with 60,146 shares changing hands, Tropical Battery shed 11 cents to end at $2.85 after finishing with 603,680 stocks trading and tTech increased 28 cents to $3.80 with the swapping of 1,239 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Stocks pull down Jamaica Stock Market
Recently listed Dolla Financial hit a low of $2.63 on Tuesday and bounced 19 cents to close at $2.92 after trading 9 million shares for 50 percent of Junior Market trading as the stock continued to trade above the average volume for Junior Market stocks.
The market closed with the JSE Combined Index losing 1,287.19 points to close at 395,424.25, while the All Jamaican Composite Index lost 883.90 points to end at 436,934.47, the JSE Main Index shed 816.45 points to 381,708.79, the Junior Market index lost 58.21 points in closing at 4,283.98 and the JSE USD market index gained 0.71 points to close at 218.70.
Investors exchanged 28,265,023 shares in all markets, with the value of stocks traded in the Main and Junior Markets ending at $244 million and in the JSE USD market, US$75,902.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 23.5 based on 2021-22 earnings and 13.1 times those for 2022-23 at the close of trading.
Investors need measures and pertinent information to navigate many investment choices in the local stock market successfully. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational investment decisions by investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. 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. 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.
The ICInsider.com PE Ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange. It shows companies grouped on an industry basis, allowing easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to quickly 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 the 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.
Trading declined on TTSE on Tuesday
Market activity ended on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks traded declining after trading 80 percent less and the value 66 percent lower than on Monday, on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange, with 21 securities trading compared to 18 on Monday, with five stocks rising, four declining and 12 remaining unchanged.
The Composite Index shed 8.01 points to end at 1,376.46, the All T&T Index advanced 2.88 points to 2,049.96 and the Cross-Listed Index fell 2.75 points to settle at 91.80.
A total of 350,296 shares traded for $3,548,053, down from 1,757,567 units at $10,468,611 on Monday.
An average of 16,681 units traded at $168,955, against 97,643 shares at $581,589 on Monday, with trading month to date averaging 66,444 units at $363,761 versus 59,532 stock units at $470,501. The average trade for May amounts to 45,890 units at $370,328.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
At the close, Agostini’s lost 50 cents in ending at $46, with 250 shares trading, Angostura Holdings advanced $1.99 to end at $24.99 after 30 stocks crossed the exchange, Ansa Merchant Bank ended at $43 in an exchange of 8,875 units. Clico Investment Fund increased 55 cents to $28.80 as 14,792 stock units crossed the market, Endeavour Holdings ended unchanged at $7.50 in switching ownership of 250 shares, First Citizens Group rose 1 cent to $50.01 in exchanging 3,904 stocks. FirstCaribbean International Bank finished at $5 in trading 13,510 stock units, GraceKennedy dropped 29 cents to $5.50, with 56,349 units changing hands, Guardian Holdings remained at $27.31 with 5,953 shares clearing the market. 
JMMB Group finished at $2.30 with the swapping of 191,169 units, L.J. Williams B share ended unchanged at $2.08 with an exchange of 20 stocks, Massy Holdings shed 2 cents to close at $5.18 after exchanging 3,694 stock units. National Enterprises popped 1 cent to $3.25 trading 536 stocks, National Flour Mills finished at $1.75 after exchanging 2,050 stock units, NCB Financial Group fell 30 cents to $5 in trading 23,574 units. One Caribbean Media ended at $4.15, with 3,026 shares crossing the market, Republic Financial Holdings ended unchanged at $141, with 4,544 shares changing hands, Scotiabank remained at $78 in an exchange of 7,227 units. Trinidad & Tobago NGL ended unchanged at $20.90 in exchanging 8,882 stock units, Unilever Caribbean gained $1.15 to close at $13.90 after trading 1,601 stocks and West Indian Tobacco finished at $23.35 with 60 stocks changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Gains for JSE Main Market
Trading ended on Monday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market, with the volume of stocks traded declining 18 percent, with a 50 percent lower value than on Friday as declining stocks exceeded those rising.
At the close, 13,814,659 shares were traded for $73,312,672 versus 16,870,075 units at $147,178,606 on Friday. Trading averaged 260,654 units at $1,383,258, compared to 306,729 shares at $2,675,975 on Friday and month to date, an average of 266,182 units at $3,692,676, compared to 266,483 units at $3,818,213 on the previous trading day. May closed with an average of 238,645 units at $3,561,016.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 4.94 million shares for 35.7 percent of total volume, followed by Transjamaican Highway with 3.10 million units for 22.5 percent of the day’s trade, Sagicor Select Financial Fund followed with 1.38 million units for 10 percent market share and Ciboney Group with 1.34 million units for 9.7 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 1,833.86 points to settle at 437,818.37, the JSE Main Index rose 1,338.41 points to 382,525.24 and the JSE Financial Index declined 0.05 points to settle at 91.23.
Trading ended with 53 securities compared to 55 on Friday, with 12 rising, 22 declining and 19 ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.4 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are computed based on ICInsider.com’s forecasted earnings for companies with financial years ending up to the close of August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 12 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints lost 98 cents to end at $11.20 after exchanging 7,001 shares, Caribbean Cement dropped $1.85 to $65 with an exchange of 90,431 stocks, Carreras declined 33 cents to $9.50 with 73,731 units changing hands. Eppley gained $3 to $44 in switching ownership of 2,000 stock units, GraceKennedy rallied $1.46 to $104.99 in an exchange of 73,715 stock units, Guardian Holdings climbed $3 to end at $504 after 307 shares crossed the market. Jamaica Stock Exchange rose 77 cents to close at $18.27 while exchanging 3,592 units, JMMB Group fell 50 cents to $41.50 after exchanging 160,223 stocks, Kingston Wharves shed 54 cents in closing at $38.46, trading 3,302 shares. Margaritaville dropped $3.23 in ending at $18.27 after an exchange of 50 stocks, Mayberry Investments shed 72 cents to close at $10.24, with 69,055 stock units changing hands, NCB Financial declined $1 to end at $102 with the swapping of 19,227 units. 
Proven Investments advanced 37 cents in closing at $37.95 in trading 11,734 units, Sagicor Group popped 90 cents to $55.90, with 140,160 stocks crossing the exchange and Scotia Group fell $1.31 in ending at $36 after exchanging 244,968 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Slippage for JSE USD market
Trading ended on Monday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 572 percent and the value 38 percent lower than on Friday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market, resulting in more stocks declining than increasing at the close.
Nine securities traded, compared to six on Friday, with one rising, three declining and five ending unchanged.
Overall, 492,558 shares traded for US$9,897 versus 73,292 units at US$15,839 on Friday. Trading averaged 54,729 units at US$1,100, versus 12,215 shares at US$2,640 on Friday, with the month to date average of 73,625 shares at US$8,727 versus 74,953 units at US$9,263 on the previous day. May ended with an average of 47,916 units for US$3,528.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index lost 1.68.points to end at 217.99. The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.4. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending up to August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two ended with the bid higher than the last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share rose 0.05 cents to close at 7.5 US cents in switching ownership of 26,358 shares, 
Margaritaville remained at 14.99 US cents while exchanging 622 units, Proven Investments lost 0.99 of one cent to close at 25.01 US cents, with 6,452 stock units clearing the market. Sterling Investments shed 0.07 of a cent after ending at 2 US cents and trading 1,100 stocks, Sygnus Credit Investments USD share declined 0.01 of a cent to end at 12.9 US cents in an exchange of 751 stocks, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share finished at 11.5 US cents in trading 8,454 shares and Transjamaican Highway ended at 0.99 US cents in exchanging 448,500 stock units.
In the preference segment, Equityline Mortgage Investments preference share remained at US$1.70 with 57 units crossing the market and JMMB Group 5.75% finished at US$2.25 after exchanging 264 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Access climbs Juniors slip
Access Financial stood out in trading closed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market on Monday, the price jumping $3.50 to be the best mover for the day, following the release of full year results, with a 65 percent rise in profits. Recently listed, Dolla Financial was the volume leader, cornering 41 percent of stocks trading for the day.
A total of 16,869,220 shares traded for $60,784,346 down from 19,072,409 units at $61,479,940 on the Friday. Trading averaged 383,391 shares at $1,381,462 versus 443,544 shares at $1,429,766 on Friday, with the month to date, averaging 443,139 units at $1,697,531 compared to 446,682 units at $1,716,274 on the previous trading day. May closed with an average of 376,907 units at $1,638,631.
Nearly all stocks in the market traded by the close, with 44 securities changing hands versus 43 on Friday, with 17 rising, 20 declining and seven closing unchanged. The Junior Market Index dropped 47.28 points to close at 4,342.19.
The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values, averages 13. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks incorporate ICInsider.com projected earnings for companies with financial year end that falls between November this year and August 2023
Dolla Financial led trading with 6.86 million shares for 40.6 percent of total volume, followed by AMG Packaging with 2.95 million units for 17.5 percent of the day’s trade and Lumber Depot with 812,256 units for 4.8 percent market share.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
At the close, Access Financial rallied $3.50 to end at $23.50, with 41,875 shares crossing the exchange, Blue Power shed 17 cents to close at $3.38 in trading 93,634 stocks, Caribbean Cream declined 60 cents in closing at $4.90 after trading 69,735 stock units. Dolphin Cove popped 70 cents to $17.90 in trading 70,544 units, Elite Diagnostic climbed 15 cents in ending at to $3.47, with 17,702 stocks crossing the market, Fontana advanced 18 cents to close at $10.58 with 256,595 shares clearing the market. Fosrich lost 20 cents to close at $32 in exchanging 44,041 stock units, General Accident rose 21 cents to end at $6 after trading 163,937 units, Honey Bun dropped 28 cents in closing at $8.71 after 110,816 shares crossed the market. iCreate increased 20 cents to $3.50, with 460,035 stock units changing hands, Indies Pharma fell 25 cents after finishing at $3 with an exchange of 186,302 stocks, Jamaican Teas shed 28 cents in closing at $2.98 while exchanging 483,297 units. Knutsford Express lost 94 cents to close at $7.01 in switching ownership of 15,841 stocks, Lasco Manufacturing declined 37 cents to $4.50 in exchanging 61,505 units, Main Event gained $1 to end at $8 trading 66,555 shares. 
Medical Disposables dropped 34 cents in closing at $7.10 in an exchange of 6,234 stock units, Spur Tree Spices fell 22 cents to close at $3.70 with the swapping of 379,655 shares, SSL Venture dropped 48 cents to end at $3.02, with 438,535 units crossing the market and tTech gained 32 cents to $3.52 in an exchange of 3,100 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
