The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange gave back just under a half of the gains posted on Thursday but the Main and the JSE USD markets rallied to close out the day higher than the opening, with the volume of stocks traded rising moderately, with trading ending with the value rising over the previous trading day and the market closed with prices of 39 shares gaining and 33 declining.
At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 1,085.09 points to 336,104.77, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 1,200.87 points to 360,257.92, the JSE Main Index rose 1,549.21 points to 323,274.84. The Junior Market Index fell 42.00 points to 3,759.37 and the JSE USD Market Index popped 3.31 points to end at 247.45.
At the close of trading, 23,219,570 shares were exchanged in all three markets, moderately more than the 23,131,587 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $125.91 million, up from $96.67 million trading on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 670,997 shares for US$26,968 compared to 119,808 units at US$30,732 on Thursday.
Main Market trading was dominated by Wigton Windfarm with 2.90 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.44 million units and Sagicor Select Financial Fund ending with 514,757 units.
In the Junior Market, Mailpac Group led trading with 4.76 million shares followed by Dolla Financial with 1.45 million units, Stationery and Office Supplies ended with 1.36 million stocks, Regency Petroleum closed with 1.27 million shares and One Great Studio with 1.14 million units.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are Massy Holdings popped $2 to end at $90, Pan Jamaica rallying $3.90 to $50, Proven Investments advancing $5.05 to $27, Sagicor Group popping $1 to close at $43 as Seprod climbed $2.05 in closing at $85.55.
The major declining Main Market stocks include AS Bryden with a loss of 99 cents in ending at $42, Jamaica Producers declining $1.15 to close at $21.66, Scotia Group skidding 96 cents to end at $40.50.
Stocks ending with major gains in the Junior Market are, Caribbean Cream up 34 cents to close at $3.79, Iron Rock Insurance increasing 32 cents and ending at $2.42 and Mailpac Group advancing 25 cents to close at $2.28, the major losing stocks are AMG Packaging dipping 35 cents in closing at $2.60, Dolphin Cove losing 40 cents and ended at $18.60 and Regency Petroleum dropping 23 cents to $2.15.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share shed $1.90 to close at $17, Eppley 7.75% dropped $4.95 to end at $18, 138 Student Living preference share rose $28.84 in closing at $221.12, Productive Business Solutions 10.5% gained $125 and ended at $1200 clearing the market with 170 stocks and recently listed Sygnus Credit Investments c10.5% advanced $2 to $107.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.8 on 2022-23 earnings and 14 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the 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 place them 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 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 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.
Archives for January 2024
Big loss for the Trinidad Exchange
The Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange dropped sharply on Friday, with a 94 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded, with an 84 percent lower value than on Thursday resulting in trading in 19 securities compared with 15 on Thursday, ending with prices of eight stocks rising, five declining and six remaining unchanged.
The market ended with an exchange of 41,595 shares for $545,819 compared to 689,194 stock units at $3,349,599 on Thursday.
An average of 2,189 shares were traded at $28,727 compared to 45,946 units at $223,307 on Thursday, with trading month to date averaging 12,915 shares at $162,075 down from 13,643 stock units at $171,125 on the previous day and an average for December of 17,065 shares at $239,371.
The Composite Index shed 18.80 points to cease trading at 1,190.52, the All T&T Index sank 19.20 points to conclude trading at 1,787.36, the SME Index remained unchanged at 78.23 and the Cross-Listed Index dropped 2.57 points to 77.24.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Agostini’s ended at $68.50 in trading 25 units, Angostura Holdings climbed 9 cents and ended at $21.49 after 897 stocks crossed the market, Calypso Macro Investment Fund popped 64 cents to close at $23.15 in an exchange of 60 shares. First Citizens Group shed 50 cents to close at $51 with investors trading 885 stocks, FirstCaribbean International Bank ended at $7.05 after 100 shares were traded, GraceKennedy rallied 2 cents to $4.15 after a transfer of 200 units. Guardian Holdings rose 10 cents to close at $18.25 with investors swapping 243 stocks, Guardian Media advanced 5 cents and ended at $2.30 with a transfer of 100 stock units, JMMB Group remained at $1.40 with investors dealing in 333 shares. Massy Holdings ended at $4.40 after investors ended trading 5,391 units, National Enterprises dipped 1 cent to $3.89 after an exchange of 12,793 stocks, National Flour Mills popped 1 cent to end at $2, with 1,248 stock units crossing the market.
NCB Financial sank 34 cents to end at $3.01 with investors trading 1,460 shares, Republic Financial increased 99 cents and ended at $120, with 1,690 stock units clearing the market, Scotiabank skidded 85 cents to close at $69 as investors exchanged 491 units. Trinidad & Tobago NGL ended at $10.30 with an exchange of 2,176 stocks, Trinidad Cement popped 13 cents and ended at $3.28 while exchanging 110 shares, Unilever Caribbean ended at $11.95 with traders dealing in 6,010 stock units and West Indian Tobacco fell 5 cents in closing at $8.70, with 7,383 units changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Top 5 JSE dividend paying stocks now
Companies with earnings that are consistently growing are usually the best dividend paying stocks to invest in if income is a prime objective. They will have more room to make increased dividend payments in the future.
Investors looking for the best dividend paying stocks on the Jamaica Stock Exchange should take the above factors into consideration. It is also a good factor to consider when buying stocks that are likely to increase in value over time.
On the Jamaica Stock Exchange, the Main Market, Carreras is the king of dividend payment with a yield of 11 percent based on the latest stock price of $8 in 2023, followed by Transjamaican Highway and at 7 percent, Scotia Group at 5 percent based on the last dividend paid of 40 cents and annualised, at a then stock price of $34. What is interesting about Scotia is the traditional metric is for the company to pay between 40 to 50 percent of profits.
Scotia historically pays just above 40 percent of profit, but that seems to have been interrupted as a result of the negative impact that flowed from the Covid 9 economic dislocation. 
The company reported earnings of $5.54 and that would suggest an annual dividend of $2.20 which would translate to a dividend yield of 6.7 percent with 2024 likely to be higher.
The Junior Market has two stocks with attractive yields Dolphin Cove and MailPac at 7 percent each. The payout for MailPac represent a full years’ profit.
Yields may have dipped in some cases but that does not change the longer term prospects.
Solid gains for JSE Main Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Thursday, with price movements equally split with 17 stocks between those rising, declining and ending unchanged after a 28 percent plunge in the volume of stocks traded with 9 percent greater value than Wednesday, with trading in 51 securities compared with 52 on Wednesday.
The market closed with an exchange of 20,842,200 shares at $90,178,686 compared with 29,083,191 units at $83,058,622 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 408,671 shares at $1,768,210 compared with 559,292 units at $1,597,281 on Wednesday and trading month to date, averages 249,142 stock units for $1,555,971, compared with 240,532 stocks at $1,544,517 on the previous day and December ending with an average of 264,266 units at $3,755,946.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 15.64 million shares and closed at a record high of $3.16, with 75 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 2.64 million units for 12.6 percent of the day’s trade and Stanley Motta with 901,971 units for 4.3 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 1,622.28 points to conclude trading at 359,057.05, the JSE Main Index climbed 1,118.96 points to conclude trading at 321,725.63 and the JSE Financial Index advanced 0.40 points to wrap up trading at 69.24.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.8. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 13 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close of the market, AS Bryden rallied $2.49 to close at $42.99, with 1,579 stock units crossing the market, Berger Paints popped 33 cents to $5.55 in an exchange of 2,040 shares, Caribbean Cement advanced $1.74 to end at $53, with 185 stocks crossing the market. First Rock Real Estate rose 49 cents in closing at $8.49 with a transfer of 5 units, General Accident gained 60 cents and ended at $5.35 after an exchange of 20,282 shares, Jamaica Producers fell 77 cents to $22.81 with investors swapping 32 stock units. Kingston Wharves increased 50 cents to end at $27 after a transfer of 2,483 units, Mayberry Group climbed $1.16 in closing at $7.67 with investors trading 6,624 stocks, Pan Jamaica skidded $3.89 and ended at $46.10 after exchanging 41 units. 
Proven Investments rose 45 cents to close at $21.95 with investors dealing in 4,011 stocks, Sagicor Group sank $1.40 to $42, with 50 shares changing hands, Scotia Group advanced $1.46 and ended at $41.46, with an exchange of 40,442 stock units. Seprod declined $3.30 in closing at $83.50 in trading 265,879 shares and Wisynco Group popped 45 cents to end at $20.98 as 21,488 stocks passed through the market.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share rallied $2.84 to close at $18.90 as investors exchanged 1,000 units, Jamaica Public Service 7% lost $4.99 to $45 and closed with an exchange of 550 stock units and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% shares dropped $9.99 to close at $105 while exchanging 1,081 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Rising stocks dominate JSE USD Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Thursday, with the volume of stocks changing hands declining 21 percent after 55 percent fewer US dollars entered the market compared to Wednesday, resulting in trading in eight securities, up from seven on Wednesday with prices of four rising, three declining and one ending unchanged.
The market closed with an exchange of 119,808 shares for US$30,732 compared to 152,413 units at US$68,498 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 14,976 units at US$3,842 compared with 21,773 shares at US$9,785 on Wednesday, with a month to date average of 36,603 shares for US$4,564 compared with 38,316 stock units at US$4,621 on the previous day and December that ended with an average of 28,010 units for US$1,403.
The US Denominated Equities Index advanced 2.97 points to conclude trading at 244.14.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 10.3. The PE ratio is computed based on the last traded price divided by projected earnings done by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending and or around August 2024.
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, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy climbed 6.78 cents and ended at 60.78 US cents after exchanging 11 stock units, Proven Investments increased 0.5 of a cent to 13.5 US cents in swapping 21,883 shares, 
Sygnus Credit Investments dropped 0.01 of a cent to end at 8.98 US cents after 1,100 stocks were traded and Transjamaican Highway popping 0.03 cent in closing at 1.88 US cents with a transfer of 71,255 stocks.
In the preference segment, JMMB US8.5% preference share ended at US$1.03 after 25,456 shares passed through the market, JMMB Group 5.5% fell 1 cent to US$1.64 after an exchange of 52 stocks. JMMB Group 5.75% dipped 30 cents and ended at US$1.70, with 45 units crossing the market and Sygnus Credit Investments E 8.5% gained 21.2 cents in closing at a record US$12 after trading 6 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market clears 3,800 mark on Thursday
The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange surged higher on Thursday, with the Junior Market Index climbing 75.77 points to close at 3,801.37, the second time for the month that it closed above 3,800 points for the year to date,
with the volume of stocks traded declining 8 percent, with an 11 percent lower value than on Wednesday, following trading in 38 securities compared with 44 on Wednesday with prices of 15 rising, 12 declining and 11 closing unchanged.
Trading ended with 2,193,612 shares for $6,494,237 down from 2,371,932 units at $7,325,090 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 57,727 shares at $170,901 compared to 53,908 units at $166,479 on Wednesday with a month to date average of 168,337 units at $390,530 compared to 174,216 stock units at $402,203 on the previous day and December with an average of 466,866 units at $1,111,272.
Future Energy led trading with 349,804 shares for 15.9 percent of total volume followed by Stationery and 
Office Supplies with 339,937 units for 15.5 percent of the day’s trade and Mailpac Group with 299,144 units for 13.6 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.3, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for the financial years ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial popped 76 cents to close at $23.96 after an exchange of 193 stock units, AMG Packaging dropped 17 cents to $2.95 with investors transferring 76 shares, Cargo Handlers advanced $1.82 to end at $14.90, with 165 units crossing the market. Dolla Financial rose 7 cents in closing at $2.65 in an exchange of 223,937 stocks, EduFocal climbed 7 cents and ended at $1.48, with 114,258 units changing hands, Express Catering increased 12 cents to $3.85 after a transfer of 54,730 stocks. 
Fosrich sank 6 cents to close at $2.29 in trading 24,461 shares, Honey Bun rallied 14 cents to end at $6.26 with 2,676 stock units clearing the market, ISP Finance gained 7 cents in closing at $22.29 with a transfer of 676 shares. KLE Group lost 22 cents and ended at $2.25 while exchanging 53,296 stock units, Lasco Manufacturing popped 33 cents to $4.94 in switching ownership of 4,914 units, Limners and Bards gained 10 cents in closing at $1.30 with investors swapping just one stock. Regency Petroleum rose 8 cents to end at $2.38 with an exchange of 31,412 shares and Stationery and Office Supplies fell 12 cents to close at $1.43 after an exchange of 339,937 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market index at 3,801 as other markets rise
The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange surged higher in trading on Thursday as the market index closed at just over 3,801 points, with the Main Market and the JSE USD market rising moderately as trading ended with the number exchanged falling, with the value traded jumping sharply over that on Wednesday as 30 shares rose and 26 declined.
At the close of trading on Thursday, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 1712.97 points to close at 335,019.68, the All Jamaican Composite Index climbed by 1,622.28 points to close at 359,057.05, the JSE Main Index rose 1,118.96 points in ending trading at 321,725.63. The Junior Market Index jumped 75.77 points to 3,801.37 and the JSE USD Market Index gained 2.97 points to end the day at 244.14.
At the close of trading, 23,131,587 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 31,607,536 units on Wednesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $96.67 million, up from $$90.38 million on Wednesday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 119,808 shares for US$30,732 compared to 152,413 units at US$68,498 on Wednesday.
Main Market trading was dominated by Transjamaican Highway that led trading with 15.64 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 2.64 million units and Stanley Motta, with 901,971 stock units.
In the Junior Market, Future Energy led trading with 349,804 shares followed by Stationery and Office Supplies with 339,937 units and Mailpac Group with 299,144 units.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are AS Bryden rallied $2.49 to close at $42.99, Caribbean Cement advanced $1.74 to end at $53, Mayberry Group climbed $1.16 in closing at $7.6 and Scotia Group advanced $1.46 and ended at $41.46.
The major declining Main Market stocks include Pan Jamaica skidded $3.89 and ended at $46.10, Sagicor Group sank $1.40 to $42 changing hands 50 shares, Seprod declined $3.30 in closing at $83.50.
Junior Market, stocks with notable gains are Access Financial climbed 76 cents in closing at $23.96, Cargo Handlers popped $1.82 to close at $14.90 and Lasco Manufacturing increasing 33 cents and ended at $4.94. There were no major losing stocks on Thursday.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share rallied $2.84 to close at $18.90, Jamaica Public Service 7% lost $4.99 to $45 closed at 550 and Sygnus Credit Investments c10.5% dropped $9.99 to close at $105.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20…8 on 2022-23 earnings and 14 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the 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 place them 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 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 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.
Honours shared on Trinidad Exchange
Trading ended on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange on Thursday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 47 percent valued 71 percent less than the out turn on Wednesday and resulting in 15 securities trading down from 19 on Wednesday and ending with prices of five stocks rising, five declining and five remaining unchanged.
The market closed with trading of 689,194 shares in an exchange of $3,349,599 versus 467,540 units at $11,703,681 on Wednesday.
An average of 45,946 shares were traded at $223,307 compared with 24,607 stock units at $615,983 on Wednesday. Trading for the month to date averages 13,643 shares for $171,125 compared with 11,814 units at $168,172 on the previous day and an average for December of 17,065 shares at $239,371.
The Composite Index fell 3.38 points to end at 1,209.32, the All T&T Index rallied 0.51 points to 1,806.56, the SME Index remained unchanged at 78.23 and the Cross-Listed Index lost 1.05 points to cease trading at 79.81.
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, Agostini’s ended at $68.50 after an exchange of 13 shares, Angostura Holdings popped $1.40 to $21.40, with 30 stocks clearing the market, Calypso Macro Investment Fund sank 64 cents to end at $22.51, with investors trading 1,610 shares. First Citizens Group increased 30 cents and ended at $51.50, with 2,525 stocks crossing the market FirstCaribbean International Bank remained at $7.05 in trading 27,461 shares, GraceKennedy fell 2 cents to $4.13, with 7,381 stocks changing hands. Guardian Holdings remained at $18.15 with an exchange of 2,656 units, 
JMMB Group declined 20 cents to close at $1.40 after 110,903 stock units passed through the market, Massy Holdings popped 5 cents to end at $4.40 in an exchange of 467,866 shares. National Enterprises ended at $3.90 with traders dealing in 1,500 stock units, NCB Financial rose 29 cents to $3.35 with an exchange of 56,900 units, Prestige Holdings ended at $9.30 with investors swapping 2,070 stocks. Republic Financial lost 99 cents and ended at $119.01 in an exchange of 2,275 shares, Scotiabank dipped 15 cents in closing at $69.85 with 2,392 stocks changing hands and Trinidad & Tobago NGL rallied 17 cents to end at $10.30 after a transfer of 3,612 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market surges 84 points in early trading
Junior Market sign
The Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market index jumped 84 points to 3,809.94 points two points after one hour of trading on Thursday. The market closed yesterday at 3,725.60 points.
Major movers in the early morning trading are Access Financial rising 76 cents to $23.98, Cargo Handlers climbing $1.82 to $14.90 and Lasco Manufacturing up 33 cents to $4.94. Elsewhere in the market, the JSE Market Index is up to 322,377.89 points from the close of 320,606.67 on Wednesday.
Transjamaican Highway traded at a record high of $3.10 with 12,371,122 shares changing hands.
Jamaica’s NIR jumps another $100m
Jamaica’s Net International Reserves (NIR) rose approximately US$113 in the first 10 days of 2024 data published by the country’s central bank, the Bank of Jamaica shows. The latest increase to the total of US$770 million that was added in 2023 to over US$870 million since the beginning of 2023.
The January inflows push the total at the close last year of US$4.76 billion to US$4.87 billion and just short of the US$5 billion mark. The build-up of the NIR comes against the background of the tight monetary policy pursued by the country’s central bank that has sucked local money from the financial market, by use of certificates of deposit (CDs). Over the past year, the Bank of Jamaica’s open market instruments mainly CDs have moved up by J$74 billion to $247 billion. Apart from funds being bought from the market, the NIR would also have grown by interest earned on the funds being held as reserves which could be around US$200 million per year based on current interest rates internationally.
