Trading dropped back from Monday’s increased activity on Jamaica Stock Exchange on Tuesday but led to gains for all three markets following lower trading activity than on Monday.
At the close, investors exchanged 25,677,581 shares in all three markets, compared with 87,702,748 units on Monday, with the value of trading on Tuesday amounting to $109.6 million, down from $173.1 million on the previous trading day. Trading on the JSE USD market resulted in investors exchanging 339,743 shares for US$36,245 compared to 620,736 units at US$61,293 on Monday.
The JSE Combined Market Index jumped 2,733.45 points to close at 337,774.41, the All Jamaican Composite Index popped 40.23 points to 365,236.19, the JSE Main Index rose 2,546.17 points to 325,746.49, the Junior Market gained 38.90 points to settle at 3,694.36 and the JSE USD Market Index rose 1.13 points to close at 192.61.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 18.5 based on 2021-22 earnings and 12.1 times those for 2022-23 at the close of trading.
Investors need pertinent information to successfully navigate numerous investment options in the local stock market. 
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 decisions when 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 remove emotions from investment decisions 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 and 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 assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. 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 also show the closing volume pertaining to the bids and offers for each company.
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.
Archives for March 2023
Falling stocks dominate Trinidad & Tobago Exchange
Stocks mostly slipped on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 99 percent at a 191 percent greater value than Monday, resulting in 20 securities
trading compared with 16 on Monday, with six stocks rising, nine declining and five remaining unchanged.
Trading climbed to 257,799 shares for $4,379,273, up from 131,348 stock units at $1,504,412 on Monday. An average of 12,890 units were traded at $218,964 compared to 8,209 shares at $94,026 on Monday, with trading month to date averaging 21,100 shares at $224,930 marginally less than 21,561 units at $225,265 on the previous day. The average trade for February amounts to 51,996 shares at $458,520.
The Composite Index fell 2.66 points to 1,326.99, the All T&T Index dipped 6.76 points to 1,982.36, the SME Index remained at 61.52 and the Cross-Listed Index popped 0.24 points to close at 87.57.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Agostini’s dropped 98 cents to $58.51 after trading 100 shares, Ansa McAl traded 137 shares after the price slipped 25 cents to $54.50, Ansa merchant Bank traded 3,508 shares after falling $2.27 to close at $43.53, Calypso Macro Index Fund dropped $1.74 to close at $20.76 after investors traded 4,000 units. First Citizens Group ended at $50 with an exchange of 7,369 stocks, FirstCaribbean International Bank popped 5 cents to end at $7.25, with 303 stock units clearing the market. Guardian Holdings had an exchange of268 shares at $25.50, Guardian Media traded 525 shares and gained 10 cents to close at $2.30, Gracekennedy rose 2 cents in ending at $4.48 after an exchange of 1,100 units, JMMB Group slipped 1 cent to a 52 weeks’ low of $1.69 with a transfer of 26,208 shares,
Massy Holdings fell 4 cents to $4.51 after an exchange of 100,652 stock units, National Enterprises had an exchange of 10,435 stocks in closing at $3.70 after slipping by 2 cents, National Flour traded 300 shares at $1.50. One Caribbean Media gained 1 cent to end at $3.56, with 19,789 units changing hands, Prestige Holdings shed 9 cents in ending at $7.40 in switching ownership of 321 shares. Republic Financial closed at $138 after 12,009 shares crossed the market, Scotiabank remained at $78 while exchanging just 2,043 stock units, investors in Trinidad and Tobago NGL swapped 53,774 with a rise of 4 cents to end at $$20.04, Unilever Caribbean rose 25 cents in ending at $14.75 while 4,255 stocks passed through the market and West Indian Tobacco fell 28 cents to end at $16.51 after trading 10,703 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading gains for JSE Main Market
Trading volume surged 765 percent after 157 percent more money entered the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Monday compared to Friday and resulted in 59 securities trading, up from 55 on Friday, with 27 rising, 20 declining and 12 ending unchanged.
A total of 83,621,528 shares were exchanged for $169,448,467 versus 9,662,580 units at $65,850,660 on Friday.
Trading averaged 1,417,314 shares at $2,872,008 versus 175,683 units at $1,197,285 on Friday and month to date, an average of 325,180 units at $2,670,281, up from 260,937 units at $2,658,456 on the prior day. February averaged 183,599 units at $2,160,070.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 75.63 million shares for 90.4 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 2.86 million units for 3.4 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Real Estate Fund with 905,709 units for 1.1 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index increased 2,102.98 points to 365,195.96, the JSE Main Index advanced 780.03 points to 323,200.32 and the JSE Financial Index fell 0.47 points to end at 75.31.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 13.4 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 12 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints fell 65 cents to $8.50 after trading 8,022 shares, Caribbean Cement dipped 60 cents in closing at a 52 weeks’ low of $55.90, with 14,091 units passing through the market, Caribbean Producers rose 53 cents to close at $9.60 after a transfer of 78,660 stock units. Eppley climbed $6.50 after ending at $37.50 as investors exchanged 299 stocks, First Rock Real Estate rallied 99 cents to end at $12 with a transfer of 625 units, GraceKennedy popped 50 cents after ending at $82, with 68,926 stock units changing hands. 
Guardian Holdings dropped $25 to close at a 52 weeks’ low of $470 with 1,890 stocks clearing the market, Jamaica Producers gained 75 cents to end at $21.75 after an exchange of 6,547 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange rallied 86 cents to $13.86, with 774 stock units crossing the exchange. JMMB Group advanced $1.01 in closing at $30.01 after 50,284 stocks changed hands, Kingston Wharves gained $1 after ending at $33, with 1,413 units crossing the market, Massy Holdings climbed $2 to end at $82 after an exchange of 1,950 shares. NCB Financial rose $3.99 to close at $74.99, with 29,173 stocks crossing the market, PanJam Investment rallied 51 cents to $53 in an exchange of 696 units, Proven Investments lost $1.35 in closing at $26.50 with the swapping of 3,354 shares. Sagicor Group declined 45 cents to $46.55 with investors transferring 3,778 stock units, Scotia Group shed 89 cents to end at $34.06 in an exchange of 7,082 stocks, Seprod declined $5.41 after ending at $61.01 while exchanging 196,078 shares and Supreme Ventures advanced $1.25 to close at $25.50 and closed with 57,785 units changing hands.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share popped 47 cents in closing at $7.97 in switching ownership of 1,801 stock units, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% dropped $300 to close at $2700 in trading one stock and 138 Student Living preference share increased $7.43 in closing at $77.43 with investors transferring 30 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Big fall for JSE USD market
Trading jumped on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market on Monday, leading to a fall in the market with the volume of stocks changing hands rising 127 percent, valued 770 percent more than on Friday and resulting in nine securities traded, compared to seven on Friday with five rising, two declining and two ending unchanged.
Trading accounted for 620,736 shares for US$61,293, compared with 273,362 units at US$7,044 on Friday.
Trading on Monday averaged 68,971 shares at US$6,810, compared with 39,052 units at US$1,006 on Friday, with a month to date average of 174,793 shares at US$14,495 compared with 182,063 units at US$15,023 on the prior trading day. February ended with an average of 43,793 units for US$2,015.
The JSE USD Equities Index dived 24.22 points to end at 191.48. The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 8.9. The PE ratio is computed based on the last traded price of each stock divided by projected earnings forecasts done by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ending with a bid higher than the last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share gained 0.18 of a cent to end at 6.25 US cents, with 288,908 shares clearing the market, Margaritaville increased 0.05 of a cent after finishing at 11 US cents, while 37 stocks passed through the market, Productive Business Solutions declined 40 cents to close at US$1.35 trading 248 units. 
Proven Investments shed 0.5 of a cent to end at 16.5 US cents after 258,719 stock units passed through the market, Sygnus Credit Investments advanced 0.5 of a cent in closing at 9.5 US cents while exchanging 1,024 units. Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share remained at 7.18 US cents after an exchange of 1,375 shares and Transjamaican Highway rallied 0.06 of a cent to 0.94 of one US cent, with investors transferring 70,422 stock units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 6% preference share popped 8.88 cents to end at a 52 weeks’ high of US$1.40 as investors exchanged two stocks and Equityline Mortgage Investment preference share ended at US$1.64 after a transfer of 1 stock unit.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Rising stocks outpaced Junior Market losers
The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange bounced more than 87 points in early trading on Monday but gave back more than a two thirds of it by the close, with a 33 percent fall in the volume of stocks traded and the value dropping 31 percent from Friday outcome after trading was executed in 45 securities up from 42 on Friday and ended with 25 rising, 12 declining and eight closing unchanged.
A total of 4,366,193 shares were exchanged for $11,400,138 down from 6,478,077 units at $16,544,909 on Friday.
Trading averaged 97,027 shares at $253,336 compared to 154,240 units at $393,926 on Friday, with the month to date, averaging 525,784 units at $1,047,653 compared with 550,362 stock units at $1,093,187 on the previous day. Trading in February averaged 318,024 units at $782,332.
ONE on ONE Educational led trading with 840,210 shares for 19.2 percent of total volume followed by Dolla Financial with 497,169 units for 11.4 percent of the day’s trade and Regency Petroleum with 465,352 units for 10.7 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index rose 26.01 points to end at 3,655.46.
The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values, averages 10.9. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks are computed using the last traded stock price in conjunction with ICInsider.com’s projected earnings for the financial years ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging dropped 40 cents to $2.60 as investors exchanged 5,000 shares, Blue Power gained 32 cents in closing at $2.38 with the swapping of 1,500 units, Caribbean Assurance Brokers rose 8 cents to $1.98 while exchanging 4,097 stocks. Caribbean Cream rallied 20 cents to $3.50, with 7,534 stocks changing hands, Caribbean Flavours popped 12 cents to $1.15 as 82,197 shares passed through the market, Consolidated Bakeries rose 18 cents to close at $2.19 in trading 3,831 stocks. Dolla Financial increased 8 cents to end at $2.74 and closed with 497,169 stock units changing hands, Everything Fresh shed 14 cents in closing at $1.41 with a transfer of 6,000 units, Express Catering dipped 39 cents to $4.81 in an exchange of 2,615 stocks. 
Fosrich advanced 13 cents after ending at $2.84 while 70,990 stock units crossed the market, General Accident lost 98 cents to close at $5 after exchanging 1,487 shares, GWest Corporation fell 12 cents to end at 93 cents with 11,453 units clearing the market. Honey Bun declined 75 cents in closing at $6, with 65,084 stock units crossing the exchange, Indies Pharma rose 19 cents to $2.99 after an exchange of 8,137 stocks, ISP Finance gained $4.55 after ending at $25.56 with 400 shares being traded. Jamaican Teas climbed 15 cents to end at $2.30 in switching ownership of 71,461 units, Lasco Distributors lost 23 cents to close at $2.46, with 162,701 units crossing the market, Lasco Financial increased 13 cents to $2.50 in an exchange of 518 stocks. Lasco Manufacturing popped 10 cents in closing at $4.15 after trading 39,365 shares, Lumber Depot rallied 8 cents to $2.14 with investors transferring 23,845 stock units, Mailpac Group advanced 8 cents to end at $1.81 after a transfer of 107,962 stock units.
Main Event popped 15 cents in closing at $12 as 7,047 shares passed through the market, Regency Petroleum advanced 8 cents after ending at $1.98 with a transfer of 465,352 units and Tropical Battery increased 14 cents to close at $2.09, with 25,001 stocks crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior & Main Markets closed higher
Trading picked up on Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday, with the Junior Market opening trading at just over 3,717 points for an 87 points early jump higher than Friday’s close but ended lower at the close, with a smaller gain while the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market rallied higher at the close, but the USD market dropped sharply lower by the close of trading.
The market closed with the volume and value of stocks traded jumping sharply higher compared with trading on Friday.
TransJamaica Highway dominated trading with 75.6 million shares with an exchange of a total of 87,702,748 shares in all three markets, compared with 16,410,081 units on Friday, with trading on Monday amounting to $173.1 million, in contrast to $82.4 million on the previous trading day. Trading on the JSE USD market resulted in an exchange of 620,736 shares for US$61,293 compared with 273,362 units at US$7,044 on Friday.
The JSE Combined Market Index popped 968.55 points to 335,040.96, the All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 2,102.98 points to 365,195.96, the JSE Main Index climbed 780.03 points to 323,200.32, the Junior Market gained 26.01 points to settle at 3,655.46 and the JSE USD Market Index fell 1.66 points to close at 191.48.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 18.2 based on 2021-22 earnings and 11.8 times those for 2022-23 at the close of trading.
Investors need pertinent information to successfully navigate numerous investment options in the local stock market. 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 decisions when 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 remove emotions from investment decisions 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 assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. 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 also show the closing volume pertaining to the bids and offers for each company.
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.
Gains for Trinidad & Tobago Exchange
Trading popped on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange on Monday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 19 percent with a 48 percent greater value than Friday, resulting in 16 securities trading compared with 17 on Friday, with six stocks rising, five declining and five remaining unchanged.
Trading climbed to 131,348 shares for $1,504,412 up from 110,426 stock units at $1,177,661 on Friday.
An average of 8,209 shares were traded at $94,026 compared to 6,496 units at $69,274 on Friday, with trading month to date averaging 21,561 shares at $225,265 versus 22,190 units at $231,441 on the previous day. The average trade for February amounts to 51,996 shares at $458,520.
The Composite Index rose 7.75 points to 1,329.65, the All T&T Index jumped 17.55 points to 1,989.12, the SME Index remained at 61.52 and the Cross-Listed Index slipped 0.38 points to close at 87.33.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Angostura Holdings popped 98 cents to $59.75 after trading 12,605 shares, Ansa McAl traded 80 shares and jumped $3.92 to $54.75, First Citizens Group ended at $50 with an exchange of 3,979 stocks, FirstCaribbean International Bank popped 5 cents to $7.20, with 49.900 stock units clearing the market. GraceKennedy lost 14 cents in ending at $4.46 after an exchange of 3,100 units, JMMB Group slipped 5 cents in ending at $1.70 with a transfer of 17,555 shares, L.J. Williams B share rose 19 cents to close at $2.75 after investors traded 200 units. 
Massy Holdings ended market activity at $4.55 after an exchange of 29,148 stock units, National Enterprises had an exchange of 1,327 stocks in closing at $3.72 after slipping by a cent, NCB Financial fell 1 cent to $3.89, with 855 stock units crossing the market. One Caribbean Media gained 5 cents to end at $3.55, with 5,350 units changing hands, Prestige Holdings remained at $7.49 in switching ownership of 55 shares. Republic Financial closed at $138 after 3,021 shares crossed the market, Scotiabank remained at $78 while exchanging just 18 stock units and Trinidad Cement lost 3 cents in ending at $3.51 while 1,330 stocks passed through the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Key Insurance highest ICTOP10 jumps 37%
Stocks dropped to their lowest levels this past week after falling even lower than they did to close of the previous week as investors continue to shun the market, but the time is not far off that Bank of Jamaica will begin lowering interest rates and fuel a market resurgence as they sent the clearest signal that interest rates have not only peaked but will be headed downwards this past week.
The first signs of an easing of rate came this past week with BOJ CDs rates plunging 16 percent to an average of 8.85 percent from over 10 percent where it stood for several months. Importantly, the central bank cut the stock of CDS it holds from a peak of $109.5 billion on March 3, down to $82 billion at the latest auction, far less than from mid-January to the end of February, as more than $58 billion chasing after the $18 billion that was offered last week. While this happened the foreign exchange market looks very liquid with the rate falling under $152 to one US dollar from $155 earlier in February.
Performance in the past week for the Junior Market TOP10 saw only two stocks rising and seven falling, the majority of the declining stocks registering fell by 3 percent or less. General Accident jumped 20 percent to $5.98, but the bids are not there at the close, to support the price, but selling has abated for this stock currently. Everything Fresh rose 9 percent to close at $1.55 and actually traded at $1.65 during the week. Iron Rock Insurance fell 13 percent to $2 and Caribbean Assurance Brokers lost 6 percent to $1.90.
The Main Market TOP10 saw the highest gaining stock rising just 34 percent, after Key Insurance jumped to $3.50 and was followed by 138 Student Living with an 8 percent rise to $5.40, but Caribbean Producers dropped 8 percent to $9.07. All other movements were 3 percent or less.
The Junior Market has a long term pattern, with the market starting to rise around a month before quarterly results are due and declining shortly after results are released. This is a pattern worth noting that can be built into investment decisions that can improve returns.
At the end of the week, the average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP 10 is 5.5, well below the market average of 13.2, while the Junior Market Top 10 PE sits at 5.9 compared with the market at 10.6. The differences are important indicators of the level of likely gains for ICTOP10 stocks. The Junior Market is projected to rise by 248 percent and the Main Market TOP10 an average of 274 percent, to May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings.
The Junior Market has 9 stocks representing 19 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 24, averaging 19, well above the average of the market. The top half of the market has an average PE of 15, suggesting that this may be a logical value for junior market stocks currently.
The Main Market 16 most valued stocks are priced at a PE of 15 to 100, with an average of 29 and 19 excluding the highest valued stocks and 18 for the top half excluding the stocks with the highest valuation. The above average shows the extent of potential gains for the TOP 10 stocks.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners, accordingly, the list includes some of the best companies in the market but not always. ICInsider.com ranks stocks based on projected earnings, allowing investors to focus on the most undervalued stocks and helping to remove emotions in selecting stocks for investments that often result in costly mistakes.
IC TOP10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns up to the end of May 2023 and are ranked in order of potential gains, computed using projected earnings 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 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 rises on boosted volume
The Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market recorded gains at the close on Friday, with trading picking up over Thursday, with 69 percent rise in volume traded at a 32 percent higher value than that on Thursday, with trading in 55 securities compared to 54 on Thursday, as prices of 20 rose, 22 declined and 13 ending unchanged.
A total of 9,662,580 shares were exchanged for $65,850,660 versus 5,709,003 units at $49,903,876 on Thursday.
Trading averages 175,683 units at $1,197,285 versus 105,722 shares at $924,146 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 260,937 units at $2,658,456, compared with 265,883 units at $2,743,184 on the previous day. February ended with an average of 183,599 units at $2,160,070.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 4.91 million shares for 50.8 percent of the total volume Transjamaican Highway followed, with 1.19 million units for 12.3 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 888,269 units for 9.2 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 861.71 points to 363,092.98, the JSE Main Index gained 1,262.43 points to close at 322,420.29 and the JSE Financial Index rose 0.58 points to settle at 75.78.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 13.2 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 12 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one stock with a lower offer.
At the close, Caribbean Producers dipped 63 cents to end at $9.07, with 9,586 shares clearing the market, Eppley declined $6.50 in closing at $31 in an exchange of 2,900 stock units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund advanced $3.98 to close at $42 with investors trading 1,440 units. First Rock Real Estate lost $1.05 to finish at $11.01 after trading 739 stocks, Guardian Holdings climbed $15 to $495, with 19 stocks crossing the exchange, Jamaica Broilers rallied 39 cents to $32.99 with a transfer of 57,338 stock units. Jamaica Producers increased 30 cents in closing at $21 after an exchange of 31,572 shares, 
Jamaica Stock Exchange fell 89 cents to $13 after exchanging 773 units, Kingston Wharves dropped $1.29 to $32 as investors exchanged 404 stocks. Margaritaville popped 64 cents to close at $17.64 in trading 66 shares, Massy Holdings shed $10 to close at $80, with 300,443 stock units changing hands, 138 Student Living rose 34 cents to $5.40 with an exchange of 4 units. PanJam Investment fell $1.51 to $52.49, with 464 shares crossing the market, Proven Investments shed 38 cents to end at $27.85, with 6,000 stock units passing through the exchange, Scotia Group gained 89 cents in closing at $34.95 after 8,027 units changed hands. Seprod declined 40 cents to close at $66.42 while exchanging 4,448 stocks, Sterling Investments dipped 31 cents to $2.65 in switching ownership of 850 units and Wisynco Group dropped 30 cents to $16.30 after a transfer of 48,199 stock units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share lost 45 cents in closing at $7.50 in an exchange of 100 shares and Jamaica Public Service 7% gained $50 to a record high of $400 with the swapping of 1,295 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market rallies on lower volume
Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Friday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 58 percent and the value falling 68 percent compared with Thursday’s activities following trading in 42 securities compared with 43 on Thursday and ended with prices of 16 rising, 17 declining and nine closing unchanged.
A total of 6,478,077 shares were traded for $16,544,909 compared with 15,501,984 units at $52,166,724 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 154,240 shares at $393,926, compared to 360,511 units at $1,213,180 on Thursday with the month to date, averaging 550,362 units at $1,093,187 compared to 57 2,754 stock units at $1,132,714 on the previous day. February closed with an average of 318,024 units at $782,332.
Indies Pharma led trading with 1.31 million shares for 20.3 percent of total volume, followed by Dolla Financial with 1.29 million units for 19.8 percent of the day’s trade and JFP Ltd with 1.01 million units for 15.5 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index increased 34.78 points to settle at 3,629.45.
The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values, averages 10.5. 
The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks are computed using the last traded stock price in conjunction with ICInsider.com’s projected earnings for the financial years ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows seven stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial rose $2.44 to $22.99 after 8 shares were traded, Blue Power dropped 34 cents to $2.06 in switching ownership of 4,100 stocks, Caribbean Assurance Brokers shed 10 cents to end at $1.90 as investors exchanged 58,622 units. Caribbean Flavours lost 17 cents in closing at a 52 weeks’ low of $1.03, with 56,530 stock units crossing the market, EduFocal popped 14 cents to close at $1.93, with 205,458 shares clearing the market, Express Catering advanced 45 cents to end at $5.20, with 40,680 units changing hands. 
Fontana climbed 77 cents in closing at $8.17 after 58,097 stocks crossed the exchange, General Accident rallied 99 cents to close at $5.98 in an exchange of 16,691 stock units, Honey Bun gained 49 cents to close at $6.75 in an exchange of 9,412 shares. iCreate dipped 8 cents to $1.52 after investors traded 17,856 units, Iron Rock Insurance slipped 30 cents to $2 after trading 3,000 stock units, Knutsford Express increased $1.45 to close at $10.30 as 29,957 stocks changed hands. Lasco Financial fell 13 cents to end at $2.37 with a transfer of 1,489 stocks, Lasco Manufacturing dipped 10 cents to $4.05 with the swapping of 10,560 shares, Main Event gained 28 cents in closing at $11.85 after an exchange of 21,203 stock units. Paramount Trading rose 14 cents to end at $2.38, with 54,500 units crossing the market, 
Stationery and Office Supplies declined 33 cents to close at $14.17 as 14,663 units passed through the market and tTech shed 23 cents in closing at $2.30 with investors transferring 700 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
