Remittance inflows into Jamaica continue to be resilient, matching the 2022 inflows up to March, with total inflows of $301.4 million this year, some US$6.6 million or 2.2 percent more than was collected in March 2022.
From January to March 2023, inflows of remittances to Jamaica amount to US$800.4 million, an increase of 0.9 percent compared with the January to March 2022 with US$793.2 million.
Barring any unusual developments, the country is on track to match the U$3.44 billion in total inflows generated in 2022.
According to the data released by the Bank of Jamaica, remittances for 2022, although marginally down on a per capita basis to $1.147.4 from $US1,176 in 2021, inflows are once more below the inflows for tourism for the first time since 2020 and were 181 percent of total export earnings in 2022 and down from 236 percent in 2021.
Archives for May 2023
Remittances to Jamaica rise
Increased trading hits JSEUSD Market
The Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar Market had another chunk of the index chopped off on Monday, with the volume of stocks changing hands surging 354 percent and valued 172 percent more than on Friday, resulting in the trading of eight securities, compared to seven on Friday with two rising, three declining and three ending unchanged.
Investors traded 959,588 shares for US$46,217 compared with 211,505 units at US$16,972 on Friday.
Trading averaged 119,949 shares at US$5,777 versus 30,215 units at US$2,425 on Friday, with a month to date average of 41,318 shares at US$2,329 compared to 36,727 units at US$2,127 on the previous trading day. April ended with an average of 394,241 units for US$22,357.
The US Denominated Equities Index lost 10.51 points to end at 199.69.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 8.2. 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 2023 and August 2024.
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, First Rock Real Estate USD share fell 0.5 of a cent and ended at 4.5 US cents as 11,871 shares passed through the market, Margaritaville ended at 9.01 US cents while exchanging 570 units, 
Proven Investments rose 0.9 of a cent to 16.9 US cents, with 233,554 stock units clearing the market, but only after trading at a 52 weeks’ intraday low of 13.6 cents. Sterling Investments ended at 1.68 US cents after trading 4,057 stocks, Sygnus Credit Investments popped 0.86 of one cent to 11.01 US cents, with 100 shares crossing the exchange, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share lost 0.1 of a cent in closing at 11 US cents after an exchange of 100 units and Transjamaican Highway dipped 0.3 cents to 1 US cent in trading 708,836 stocks.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 6% ended at US$1.07 and with 500 stock units changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading up prices down on JSE Main Market
Trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Monday, led to 36 percent more stocks trading at a slightly higher value than on Friday, with trading in 60 securities compared to 53 on Friday, with the market closing with prices of 22 stocks rising, 27 declining and 11 ending unchanged. 
A total of 19,055,221 shares were traded for $86,952,533 compared to 14,037,627 units at $85,583,051 on Friday.
Trading averaged 317,587 shares at $1,449,209 compared with 264,861 shares at $1,614,775 on Friday and month to date, an average of 219,922 units at $1,319,766, compared to 214,516 units at $1,312,602 on the previous trading day. April closed with an average of 264,549 units at $1,409,410.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 9.46 million shares for 49.7 percent of total volume followed by Stanley Motta with 3.01 million units for 15.8 percent of the day’s trade and Wigton Windfarm with 1.85 million units for 9.7 percent of the day’s trade.
The All Jamaican Composite Index lost 503.63 points to end at 372,168.67, the JSE Main Index slipped 58.12 points to 337,003.10 and the JSE Financial Index dipped 0.25 points to 75.21.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.3 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are computed based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows nine stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund fell $3.29 and ended at $40.40 with a transfer of 6,165 shares, First Rock Real Estate popped 93 cents to $11.30 in an exchange of 281 stocks, GraceKennedy rose 50 cents to $79, with 70,283 units crossing the exchange, Jamaica Broilers shed $3 to $33 while exchanging 50,785 stock units. Jamaica Producers declined 48 cents to end at $20.50 after 37,428 units crossed the market, JMMB Group lost $1.35 to end at $29 after 326,812 stock units passed through the exchange, Kingston Wharves dipped 40 cents and ended at $30.60 as investors exchanged 2,658 shares, Margaritaville dropped $3.43 in closing at $14.98 after trading 22 stocks, 
Massy Holdings advanced $5 to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $105, with 3,524 shares crossing the market, with the price still around 11 percent lower than in Trinidad. Mayberry Jamaican Equities fell 50 cents to $10.50 after a transfer of 171,230 shares, NCB Financial rose $2 and ended at $72 with investors transferring 50,904 units, 138 Student Living dipped 84 cents to close at $4.76 after trading 28,560 stocks, Pan Jamaica Group shed $2.99 to end at $51 with 2,058 stock units clearing the market. Portland JSX gained $1.45 to close at $10.70 in an exchange of 35 stocks, Proven Investments rose 34 cents to $25.44 with an exchange of 2,022 shares, Sagicor Group fell 49 cents in closing at $50.01, with 2,042 units changing hands, Seprod traded 61,632 shares at $75 after the price hit a 52 weeks’ intraday high of $79.80. Stanley Motta lost 44 cents to close at $5.20 after an exchange of 3,011,831 stock units, Sygnus Real Estate Finance rallied $1.50 to end at $14.50 after exchanging 2,734 shares and 
Wisynco Group declined 50 cents to close at $19 with shareholders swapping 162,231 stocks.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% preference share fell 74 cents and ended at $19 in trading 472 units and Jamaica Public Service 7% gained $9 to close at $69 in switching ownership of 4,655 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market stocks close higher
Rising stocks beat out losers at the close of trading on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday, aided by a 14 percent rise in the volume of stocks traded at a 7 percent increase in value over Friday and resulting in the trading of 46 securities compared with 42 on Friday as market activity ended with prices 21 stocks rising, 16 declining and nine closing unchanged.
Investors traded 10,918,480 shares at $26,373,173, up from 9,582,877 units at $24,717,734 on Friday.
Trading averaged 237,358 shares at $573,330 compared to 228,164 shares at $588,517 on Friday. Trading month to date averaged 233,887 units at $617,962 compared to 233,694 stocks at $620,445 on the previous trading day. April closed with an average of 266,661 units at $2,583,503.
Spur Tree Spices led trading with 5.01 million shares for 45.9 percent of total volume Caribbean Flavours followed with 998,112 units for 9.1 percent of the day’s trade and Dolla Financial with 646,165 units for 5.9 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index climbed 7.48 points to settle at 3,757.65.
The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values, averages 10.8. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks are computed using the last traded price in conjunction with ICInsider.com’s projected earnings for the financial years ending between November 2023 and August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging climbed 25 cents to $2.90 after exchanging 1,723 shares, Cargo Handlers increased 25 cents to $16.75, with 583 stocks changing hands, Caribbean Assurance Brokers gained 19 cents and ended at $2.69 after a transfer of 66,182 units, Caribbean Cream dipped 19 cents to end at $3, with 385 stock units crossing the market. Caribbean Flavours rallied 18 cents in closing at $1.40 after 998,112 stocks passed through the market, Derrimon Trading advanced 8 cents to close at $2.07 with an exchange of 525,248 stock units, Dolphin Cove declined 54 cents in closing at $14.96 as investors exchanged 787 units, EduFocal fell 27 cents to end at a 52 weeks’ low of $1.66 with 109,767 shares clearing the market. 
Express Catering popped 17 cents and ended at $5.11 after an exchange of 2,556 stock units, GWest Corporation rose 12 cents to $1.01 in an exchange of 8,564 units, Honey Bun increased 8 cents to close at $6.67 after investors traded 12,478 shares, Indies Pharma rose 12 cents to $3.15 with an exchange of 6,162 stocks. ISP Finance dropped $5.85 to $20.15 with investors trading 600 stock units, Jamaican Teas shed 8 cents to end at $2.10 with shareholders swapping 75,747 units, Lasco Distributors gained 25 cents and ended at $2.75, with 77,002 stocks changing hands, Lasco Manufacturing popped 10 cents in closing at $4.10 in switching ownership of 163,401 shares, Main Event lost 25 cents to end at $14.25 in an exchange of 2,411 units. Paramount Trading climbed 11 cents to $2.19 in trading 429 stocks, 
Regency Petroleum shed 8 cents and ended at $2.85 with a transfer of 198,751 shares, Spur Tree Spices advanced 11 cents to close at $2.64, with 5,012,865 stock units crossing the exchange and Stationery and Office Supplies rallied 60 cents to close at $15.58 after exchanging 5,327 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Consolidation for JSE Markets
The Jamaica Stock Exchange traded in a narrow band on Monday, with the Junior Market closing just higher than at the end of trading on Friday but the JSER Main market and JSE USD market slipped lower, following a modest pickup in trading over Friday’s levels.
Trading ended after the JSE Combined Market Index rose 14.28 points to close at 348,844.36, the All Jamaican Composite Index shed 503.63 points to close at 372,168.67, the JSE Main Index dipped 58.12 points to 337,003.10, the Junior Market Index managed to hold on a gain of 7.48 points to end at 3,755.65 and the JSE USD Market Index dropped 10.96 points to end at 199.24.
Stocks in the preference segment of the Main Market not included in the TOP10 graphs ended with Jamaica Public Service 7% jumping $9 to close at $69.
At the close, investors exchanged 30,833,189 shares in all three markets, up from 23,826,160 units on Friday, with the value of stocks trading amounting to $112.47 million from $110.3 million on Friday. Trading on the JSE USD market resulted in investors exchanging 959,588 shares for US$46,217 compared to 211,505 units at US$16,972 on Friday.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 17.2 on 2022-23 earnings and 11.4 times those for 2023-24 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 paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer 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.
Trinidad & Tobago Stock Exchange falls
The Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange close on Monday with the volume of stocks traded rising 57 percent with a 36 percent higher value than Friday, resulting in 22 securities trading, up from 19 on Friday, with prices of eight rising, seven declining and seven unchanged.
Investors traded 171,203 shares for $1,565,935, up from 108,985 stock units at $1,151,664 on Friday.
An average of 7,782 units were traded at $71,179 compared to 5,736 shares at $60,614 on Friday. Trading month to date averaged 23,610 shares at $220,972 versus 24,512 units at $229,510 on the previous day. The average trade for April amounts to 17,776 shares at $261,442.
The Composite Index dipped 4.32 points to finish at 1,263.16, the All T&T Index shed 4.69 points to close at 1,922.89, the SME Index remained at 69.27 and the Cross-Listed Index slipped 0.55 points to end at 77.97.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Agostini’s climbed $4 in closing at a 52 weeks’ high of $69.02 after 1,799 shares were traded, Angostura Holdings ended at $23.10 as 68 stocks passed through the market, Calypso Macro Investment Fund popped 19 cents to $21.99 with an exchange of 54 units, First Citizens Group remained at $50 after 2,480 stock units changed hands. FirstCaribbean International Bank dropped 13 cents to close at $7.02, with 3,001 shares crossing the market, GraceKennedy remained at $3.85 with an exchange of 20,452 stock units, 
Guardian Holdings advanced 2 cents to close at $20.57 in swapping of 347 units, JMMB Group declined 3 cents in closing at $1.37 after an exchange of 18,459 stocks. L.J. Williams B share rose 35 cents to $2.75 after trading 100 stock units, Massy Holdings dipped 4 cents to end at $5.05, with 74,373 shares crossing the market, National Enterprises ended at $3.75 as investors exchanged 4,160 stocks, National Flour Mills shed 15 cents and ended at $1.50 in switching ownership of 4,231 units. NCB Financial ended at $3.24 after a transfer of 991 stock units, One Caribbean Media remained at $3.82, with 16,438 units changing hands, Point Lisas increased 23 cents to $3.50 in trading 286 shares, 
Prestige Holdings gained 16 cents to close at $8 with a transfer of 90 stocks. Republic Financial lost 10 cents to a 52 weeks’ low of $128.90 after exchanging 2,489 shares, Scotiabank rallied 44 cents and ended at $77 after 1,314 stock units crossed the exchange, Trinidad & Tobago NGL fell 50 cents in closing at $18.50 with shareholders swapping 5,301 stocks. Trinidad Cement popped 7 cents to end at $2.70 with investors transferring 230 units, Unilever Caribbean remained at $15.25 with 1,320 shares clearing the market and West Indian Tobacco fell 25 cents in closing at a 52 weeks’ low of $13.50 in an exchange of 13,220 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Insurance companies head ICTOP10
The JSE Main Market gained more than 7,000 points in the past week, but the Junior Market just closed a few points north of the prior week’s close, resulting in sizable changes in both markets’ ICTOP10 as insurance companies head TOP10.
Elsewhere the only other news of note was the passing of the Chairman and majority owner of the Lasco companies, the addition of two new directors at ISP Finance and the Bank of Jamaica issue of $35 billion in 28 days CDS with investors offering to buy just $35.24 billion, BOJ took up less than the amount offered with $34.45 billion being sterilized the amount offered and moved the total amount of CDs outstanding to a record $111.45 billion up from $109 billion the week before. The average interest rate climbed back above 8 to 8.24 percent.
Investors are nibbling at stocks that seem to be the market signal being sent, with gains in some of the ICTOP10 listings. Notable amongst them are Caribbean Assurance Brokers with solid buying interest between $1.88 and $2.09 but limited selling above $2.50, Caribbean Producers (CPJ), Dolphin Cove Massey Holdings, Transjamaican, and Wisynco have started to look positive. Supplies of some stocks are being quietly sucked out of the market and setting the stage for a sustained rally sometime down the road. Investors should look to July as an important month that could trigger a change in mood as investors anticipate second quarter results.
Action in the markets this past week resulted in four ICTOP10 Junior Market stocks recording significant losses of 6 to 26 percent, with only 2 with 4 percent gains. Everything Fresh dropped out of the TOP10 and iCreate returns after a brief absence. Main Market stocks were mixed, with one noted loss and two gains of note.
Stocks rising in the ICTOP10 Junior Market are Everything Fresh and One on One, which increased 4 percent to $$1.72 and $1.15, respectively. Iron Rock Insurance dropped 26 percent to $1.85, Consolidated Bakeries shed 10 percent to $2.19, while Dolphin Cove and Lasco Distributors lost 6 percent to end at $15.50 and $2.50, respectively.
The price of Main Market listed Transjamaican rose 6 percent to close at $2.02, Caribbean Producers popped 5 percent in closing at $9.54 and Key Insurance fell 14 percent to $3.15.
At the end of the week, the average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP 10 is 5.9, well below the market average of 13.5. The Main Market TOP10 is projected to have an average of 252 per cent, by May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings.
The 15 most highly valued Main Market stocks are priced at a PE of 15 to 93, with an average of 29 and 19 excluding the highest PE stocks and 19 for the top half excluding the stocks with the highest valuation.
The Junior Market Top 10 PE sits at 5.8 compared with the market at 10.9. There are 11 stocks representing 23 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 25, averaging 19, which is well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 15, possibly the lowest fair value for Junior Market stocks currently. Junior 
Market is projected to rise by 265 percent to May 2024.
The differences between the average PE ratio of the Main and Junior Markets and the overall market valuation are important indicators of the likely gains for ICTOP10 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 will likely 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, resulting 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 USD market inched higher on Friday
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Friday, with the volume of stocks changing hands rising 48 percent but valued 45 percent less than on Thursday, resulting in a rise in the market index, following trading in seven securities, compared to six on Thursday with two rising, two declining and three ending unchanged.
A total of 211,505 shares were traded for US$16,972 compared to 142,507 units at US$31,099 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 30,215 units at US$2,425 compared with 23,751 shares at US$5,183 on Thursday, with a month to date average of 36,727 shares at US$2,127 compared with 37,077 units at US$2,111 on the previous day. April ended with an average of 394,241 units for US$22,357.
The US Denominated Equities Index rose 3.83 points to close at 210.66.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 8.3. The PE ratio is computed based on the last traded price of each stock divided by projected earnings, forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending between November 2023 and August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share added 0.6 of a cent to end at 5 US cents with 
1,133 shares being traded, Margaritaville dipped 0.34 of a cent to 9.01 US cents after trading 1,430 stocks, Proven Investments ended at 16 US cents, with 95,323 stock units crossing the market. Sterling Investments ended at 1.68 US cents with an exchange of one unit, Sygnus Credit Investments dipped 0.88 of one cent to close at 10.15 US cents in exchanging 51 shares and Transjamaican Highway gained 0.1 of a cent to close at 1.3 US cents in switching ownership of 113,517 stock units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 6% preference share remained at US$1.40 while exchanging 50 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
7,000 points 1 week rally for JSE Majors
The Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended the week on Friday, with the market index jumping more than 7,000 points for the holiday shortened week, following a 56 percent jump in the volume of stocks traded and a 79 percent rise in the value compared to Thursday, with trading in 53 securities compared to 56 on Thursday and resulting with 30 rising, 12 declining and 11 ending unchanged.
A total of 14,037,627 shares were traded for $85,583,051, compared with 9,017,684 units at $47,750,582 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 264,861 shares at $1,614,775, compared with 161,030 shares at $852,689 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 214,516 units at $1,312,602, compared with 211,928 units at $1,297,068 on the previous day. April closed trading with an average of 264,549 units at $1,409,410.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 5.51 million shares for 39.3 percent of total volume followed by Stanley Motta with 2.0 million units for 14.3 percent of the day’s trade, Wigton Windfarm chipped in with 1.79 million units for 12.7 percent market share and Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund ended with 1.20 million units for 8.6 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 3,017.25 points to 372,672.30, the JSE Main Index climbed 2,660.04 points to 337,061.22 and the JSE Financial Index declined 0.18 points to end at 75.46.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.5 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are computed based on the last traded stock prices and earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 15 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments popped $1.23 in closing at $76.25 in switching ownership of 34,170 shares, Caribbean Cement climbed $4 to end at $56 in an exchange of 107,172 stock units, Eppley fell $1.01 to close at $37.99 as 255 units passed through the market. First Rock Real Estate declined $1.03 and ended at $10.37 with shareholders swapping 2,953 stocks, GraceKennedy rose 50 cents to close at $78.50 while exchanging 90,339 stock units, Jamaica Broilers gained 50 cents to end at $36 with a transfer of 15,457 units. 
Jamaica Stock Exchange rallied 32 cents to close at $13.10 after an exchange of 7,434 shares, Kingston Properties gained 60 cents to end at $7.85, with 226,071 stocks crossing the market, Margaritaville rose $1.85 in closing at $18.41 in an exchange of 57 stock units. Massy Holdings rallied $1 to end at $100 with 3,911 stocks changing hands, NCB Financial lost $1 in ending at $70 in an exchange of 30,290 shares, Proven Investments dropped 90 cents to close at $25.10 after 1,474 units changed hands, Seprod gained $5 in closing at $75 as investors exchanged 70,414 stock units. Stanley Motta rose 57 cents to end at $5.64 and closed with 2,001,753 units being traded, Supreme Ventures advanced 40 cents to $27.40 as 17,842 shares crossed the market, Sygnus Real Estate Finance climbed $1.37 in closing at $13 after a transfer of 7,507 stocks and Wisynco Group increased $1.02 ended at $19.50 after an exchange of 229,985 stocks.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% popped $21 to close at $3000 in trading 16 shares, JMMB Group 7% preference share rallied 32 cents to $2.48 with investors transferring 100 stock units and JMMB Group 7.25% due 2024 preference share shed 40 cents to end at $1.50 after shareholders ended trading 8,916 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Winners beat JSE Junior Market losers
The Junior Market Index of the Jamaica Stock Exchange just held above Thursday at the close on Friday even as trading ended with 21 rising, 14 declining and seven closing unchanged following trading taking place in 42 securities similar to trading on Thursday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 14 percent and the value 48 percent lower than on Thursday.
Investors traded 9,582,877 shares for $24,717,734 compared to 11,121,210 units at $47,797,567 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 228,164 shares at $588,517, compared to 264,791 shares at $1,138,037 on Thursday with the month to date, averaging 233,694 units at $620,445 compared to 233,989 stock units at $622,153 on the previous day. April closed with an average of 266,661 units at $2,583,503.
Derrimon Trading led trading with 2.42 million shares for 25.3 percent of total volume followed by Fosrich with 1.75 million units for 18.2 percent of the day’s trade and Spur Tree Spices with 613,603 units for 6.4 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index inched 1.42 points higher to end at 3,750.17.
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 price in conjunction with ICInsider.com’s projected earnings for the financial years ending between November 2023 and August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial popped 89 cents to $23 in an exchange of 2,804 shares, Caribbean Assurance Brokers rose 12 cents in closing at $2.50 after 137,053 stock units were traded, Caribbean Cream increased 9 cents and ended at $3.19 while exchanging 85,098 units. Consolidated Bakeries fell 23 cents to close at $2.19 as 25,908 stocks passed through the market, Dolphin Cove climbed 50 cents to $15.50 with an exchange of 19,853 stock units, 
Fontana rallied 42 cents to $9.50 in switching ownership of 126,205 stocks. Fosrich shed 25 cents and ended at $2.71 after investors traded 1,747,851 shares, Indies Pharma advanced 12 cents to $3.03 with investors transferring 71,226 units, Jamaican Teas gained 10 cents to end at $2.18 after a transfer of 414,952 stocks. JFP Ltd climbed 9 cents to $1.72 with shareholders swapping 529,202 stock units, KLE Group gained 12 cents to end at $1.62, with 100 shares crossing the market, Knutsford Express popped 94 cents in closing at $11.29 after an exchange of 11,760 units. Lasco Distributors declined 10 cents and ended at $2.50, with 226,297 stocks changing hands, Main Event rose 27 cents to close at $14.50 in an exchange of 10,372 shares, MFS Capital Partners rallied 13 cents to $3.23 with a transfer of 235,207 units.
Paramount Trading dipped 11 cents in closing at $2.08 after 29,490 stock units crossed the exchange, Stationery and Office Supplies advanced 48 cents to end at $14.98 and closed with an exchange of 677 units and Tropical Battery increased 11 cents to $1.97 with 40,994 stock units clearing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
