Trading jumped sharply on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Monday, with a 136 percent rise in the volume of stocks traded, following a 71 percent jump in value over Friday, with trading in 46 securities compared with 40 on Friday and ending with prices of 16 rising, 20 declining and 10 closing unchanged.
The market closed with trading of 17,393,006 shares for $33,138,784 compared with 7,362,444 units at $19,399,707 on Friday.
Trading averaged 378,109 shares at $720,408, compared with 184,061 units at $484,993 on Friday with the month to date, averaging 287,854 units at $610,913 compared to February with an average of 253,246 units at $637,481.
Derrimon Trading led trading with 11.25 million shares for 64.7 percent of total volume followed by EduFocal with 1.65 million units for 9.5 percent of the day’s trade and ONE on ONE Educational with 712,458 units for 4.1 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index dipped 14.74 points to conclude trading at 3,833.06.
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 five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial declined 70 cents to $21.30 in trading 793 stocks, Blue Power rallied 8 cents in closing at $3.23, with 3,834 units crossing the exchange, Cargo Handlers shed 9 cents to close at $14.50, with 208 shares being traded. Consolidated Bakeries popped 14 cents and ended at $2.15 in an exchange of 10,411 stock units, Dolphin Cove increased 79 cents to end at $19.99, with 6,146 shares clearing the market, EduFocal fell 17 cents to a 52 weeks’ low of $1.20 with investors transferring 1,646,439 stocks. Express Catering climbed 15 cents and ended at $3.94 in an exchange of 92,367 units, Fosrich skidded 10 cents to end at $2.12, with 129,108 stock units crossing the market, Honey Bun sank 21 cents in closing at $6.77 after a transfer of 1,957 shares. 
Indies Pharma dropped 13 cents to close at $2.57 while exchanging 56,033 stock units, ISP Finance rose $3.40 to $31.50 with a transfer of just one stock, Jamaican Teas advanced 25 cents to close at $2.65 after exchanging 5,590 units. Jetcon Corporation gained 8 cents in closing at 99 cents with investors trading 90,875 shares, JFP Ltd lost 12 cents to end at $1.38 in switching ownership of 33,212 stock units, Knutsford Express popped $1.47 and ended at $11.98 as investors exchanged 1,375 stocks. Lasco Distributors advanced 26 cents to $4.46 and closed with an exchange of 22,535 units, Lumber Depot dipped 20 cents and ended at $2.60 with investors swapping 2,032 shares, Mailpac Group fell 16 cents to close at $2.09, with 583,003 stock units crossing the market and Spur Tree Spices rose 20 cents in closing at $2.60 with traders dealing in 16,868 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Archives for March 2024
Moderate Market movements Monday
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange declined in trading on Monday as the Junior Market JSE USD market closed moderately higher as trading ended with the number of stocks changing hands falling, with the value of stocks traded jumping sharply over the previous trading day, resulting in prices of 36 shares rising and 39 declining.
At the close of trading on Monday, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 101.90 points to 349,244.21, the All Jamaican Composite Index gained 1,226.40 points to 377,614.10, the JSE Main Index added 28.93 points in trading at 336,596.92. The Junior Market Index dipped 0.32 points to end at 3,832.74 and the JSE USD Market Index increased 4.71 points to wrap-up trading at 262.96.
At the close of trading, 32,837,215 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 28,196,991 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $87.6 million, down from $114 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 301,898 shares for US$10,518 compared to 30,628 units at US$3,928 on Friday.
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by Transjamaican Highway led trading with 6.86 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 3.16 million units and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 2.75 million stock units.
In the Junior Market, EduFocal led trading with 2.37 million shares followed by Regency Petroleum with 681,910 units and One Great Studio with 599,993 units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% sank $2.30 to $47.
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 14.4 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-time income or expenses.
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 for investors 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 of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Trading surges on the JSE USD Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Monday, with an 886 percent jump in the volume of stocks exchanged after 168 percent more US dollars changed hands than on Friday, resulting in trading in seven securities, compared to eight on Friday with prices of six rising, none declining and one ending unchanged.
The market closed with an exchange of 301,898 shares for US$10,518 compared to just 30,628 units at US$3,928 on Friday.
Trading averaged 43,128 units at US$1,503 versus 3,829 shares at US$491 on Friday, with a month to date average of 22,168 shares at US$963 compared with trading in February with an average of 46,765 units for US$6,084.
The US Denominated Equities Index gained 4.71 points to close at 262.96.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 10.1. 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 none with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share remained at 4.5 US cents in an exchange of 39 stocks, Proven Investments popped 0.55 of one cent to 14.5 US cents with an exchange of 951 units,
Sterling Investments rallied 0.29 of a cent to end at 1.99 US cents after 5,019 shares were exchanged. Sygnus Credit Investments rose 0.19 of a cent in closing at 8.99 US cents after 2,780 stocks changed hands and Transjamaican Highway gained 0.13 of a cent to close at 2.24 US cents after an exchange of 291,350 shares.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group US8.5% preference share climbed 0.01 of a cent to US$1.149 with 1,579 units clearing the market and Sygnus Credit Investments E8.5% increased 17 cents to close at US$10.18 with an exchange of 180 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading dropped on the JSE Main Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Monday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 27 percent with a 42 percent lower value than on Friday, following trading in 61 securities up from 59 on Friday, with prices of 17 stocks rising, 24 declining and 20 ending unchanged.
Investors traded 15,142,311 shares for $54,478,058, well down on 20,803,919 units at $94,602,958 on Friday.
Trading averaged 248,235 shares at $893,083 compared to 352,609 units at $1,603,440 on Friday and month to date, an average of 299,552 units at $1,242,342 compared with February that closed with an average of 385,143 units at $3,418,046.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 6.86 million shares for 45.3 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 3.16 million units for 20.9 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 2.75 million units for 18.2 percent of the day’s trade.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rose 1,226.40 points to end the day at 377,614.10, the JSE Main Index increased 28.93 points to close at 336,596.92 and the JSE Financial Index increased 0.18 points to 72.10.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.9. 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 six with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement lost $1.97 to end at $56.01 as investors exchanged 2,375 stock units, Eppley increased $1.20 to $34.20 with 1,266 shares clearing the market, GraceKennedy dropped $1 and ended at $74 with investors dealing in 50,481 units. Jamaica Producers fell 32 cents in closing at $24 with 630 stocks crossing the market, Jamaica Stock Exchange declined 49 cents to close at $10.01 while exchanging 1,321 units, JMMB Group climbed 80 cents to $27.50 with investors transferring 24,366 stocks. Kingston Wharves rose $1.57 in closing at $35.07 trading 24,123 shares, Massy Holdings sank $2.95 to close at $90.45 in an exchange of 215 stock units, NCB Financial advanced $1.23 and ended at $69.50 and closed with an exchange of 11,244 shares. 
Proven Investments shed 52 cents to end at $21.58 with an exchange of 40,713 stock units, Scotia Group dipped 35 cents in closing at $47 after 13,409 stocks passed through the market, Seprod popped $2.20 to $87.20 after exchanging 14,009 units. Sygnus Credit Investments skidded 34 cents to close at $11.25 with investors trading 136,859 stocks, Transjamaican Highway rallied 32 cents and ended at a 52 weeks’ high of $3.57 in an exchange of 6,857,612 shares and Wisynco Group gained 50 cents to end at $21.50 with traders dealing in 431,342 units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% fell $2.30 to $47 after 1,133 stock units crossed the exchange.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading drops on Trinidad Exchange
Trading ended on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange on Monday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 46 percent valued 31 percent lower than on Friday resulting in 18 securities trading compared with 16 on Friday and ending with prices of four stocks rising, five declining and nine remaining unchanged.
The market closed with an exchange of 168,883 shares at $1,590,292 versus 310,273 stock units at $2,302,568 on Friday.
An average of 9,382 shares were traded at $88,350 compared to 19,392 units at $143,911 on Friday. Trading month to date averaged 14,093 shares at $114,479 compared with an average for February of 21,839 shares at $159,828.
The Composite Index sank 4.68 points to 1,183.58, the All T&T Index dropped 8.46 points to settle at 1,766.89, the SME Index remained at 78.90 and the Cross-Listed Index lost 0.09 points to settle at 78.29.
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, Agostini’s ended at $68.50, with 20 shares crossing the market, Ansa McAl remained at $53 with investors swapping 500 stocks, First Citizens Group ended at $49.21, with 40 shares changing hands. FirstCaribbean International Bank ended at $7.05 in trading 9 stocks, GraceKennedy advanced 1 cent to end at $3.99 after a transfer of 10,000 shares, Guardian Holdings dropped $1 in closing at $17 after trading 5,808 stock units. JMMB Group popped 1 cent to $1.45 with investors dealing in 89,361 units, Massy Holdings fell 5 cents to close at $4.32 in an exchange of 29,543 stocks, National Enterprises ended at $3.90 and closed with an exchange of 1,000 shares. National Flour Mills remained at $2 after an exchange of 468 stock units, One Caribbean Media slipped 20 cents to $3.01 with investors trading 1,395 units, Prestige Holdings ended at $10.50 in switching ownership of 13,024 stocks. 
Republic Financial shed 99 cents in closing at $119 with traders dealing in 7,702 units, Scotiabank rallied $1.99 to close at $72 after an exchange of 170 stocks, Trinidad & Tobago NGL remained at $9 with a transfer of 9,042 shares. Trinidad Cement remained at $3 as investors exchanged 2 stock units, Unilever Caribbean lost 17 cents in closing at $11.60 with 599 shares clearing the market and West Indian Tobacco increased 20 cents and ended at $9.20 with investors transferring 200 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading rises on the JSE USD market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Friday, with the volume of stocks exchanged rising 40 percent after 48 percent fewer US dollars changed hands compared with Thursday, resulting in trading in eight securities, compared to seven on Thursday with prices of two rising, four declining and two ending unchanged.
The market closed with an exchange of 30,628 shares for US$3,928 compared with 21,861 units at US$7,612 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 3,829 units at US$491 compared with 3,123 shares at US$1,087 on Thursday, compared with February with an average of 46,765 units for US$6,084.
The US Denominated Equities Index dropped 5.26 points to end the day at 258.25.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.8. 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 none with a lower offer.
At the close, Margaritaville climbed 0.25 of one cent and ended at 12 US cents after a transfer of 300 units, Productive Business Solutions ended at US$1.80 after 104 stocks passed through the market, Proven Investments declined 0.49 of one cent to end at 13.95 US cents in switching ownership of 500 shares. 
Sterling Investments fell 0.29 of a cent in closing at 1.7 US cents, with 329 stock units crossing the market, Sygnus Credit Investments dropped 0.17 of a cent to close at 8.8 US cents with investors transferring 1,000 shares and Transjamaican Highway rose 0.01 of a cent to 2.11 US cents after trading of 26,564 stocks.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group US8.5% preference share remained at US$1.1489 with an exchange of 1,732 units and Productive Business Solutions 9.25% preference share lost US$1.50 and ended at US$10, with 99 stock units changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market ends week in near black
The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange slipped moderately on Friday, with nearly 3 stocks declining for each stock rising, following a 69 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded, with 68 percent lower value than Thursday, with trading in just 40 securities down from 45 on Thursday and ending with prices of eight rising, 22 declining and 10 closing unchanged and resulted in the market closing almost in the black on Friday.
The market closed on the day of March with an exchange of 7,362,444 shares for $19,399,707 compared with 23,801,250 units at $60,698,281 on Thursday, with an average of 184,061 shares at $484,993, compared with 528,917 stock units at $1,348,851 on Thursday and February with an average of 253,246 units at $637,481.
ONE on ONE Educational led trading with 1.26 million shares for 17.1 percent of total volume followed by Future Energy with 1.18 million units for 16 percent of the day’s trade and EduFocal with 1.12 million units for 15.2 percent of the day’s trade.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index dipped 26.91 points to close at 3,847.80.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.5, 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 seven with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging dipped 29 cents and ended at $2.89 with a transfer of 10,000 stocks, Blue Power climbed 15 cents to $3.15 after closing with an exchange of 29,932 units, Caribbean Cream slipped 5 cents in closing at $3.85, with 31,958 shares clearing the market after the company release the long outstanding third quarter results which continue to show improvement in sales and profit despite a bug hike in interest cost. Dolphin Cove skidded 44 cents to close at $19.20 with investors trading 255,970 stock units, following an announcement of a 50 percent hike in dividend payment in March to 60 cents per share, Fontana lost 5 cents to end at $9.40 in switching ownership of 111,995 shares, Fosrich dropped 13 cents to $2.22 while exchanging 20,451 stocks. 
Honey Bun rose 33 cents in closing at $6.98 with investors swapping 19,253 units, Indies Pharma rallied 10 cents and ended at $2.70 in an exchange of 31,085 stock units, Jamaican Teas shed 30 cents to end at $2.40, with 50,010 shares passing through the market. JFP Ltd declined 9 cents to close at $1.50 in an exchange of one stock unit, Knutsford Express fell $1.09 to $10.51, with 10 stocks MFS Capital Partners lost 18 cents to end at $2.09 trading 187,196 stock units. Regency Petroleum declined 7 cents in closing at $2.37 after 136,834 shares crossed the market and Spur Tree Spices shed 45 cents to close at $2.40 after a transfer of 136,338 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Mixed trading for JSE Markets to start March
The Markets closed mixed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Friday as the Junior Market JSE USD market closed moderately lower as the Main Market inched trading ended with the number of stocks changing hands falling, with the value of stocks traded jumping sharply over the previous trading day, resulting in prices of 30 shares rising and 42 declining.
Trading ended for the week, with the JSE Combined Market Index rising 198.41 points to 349,346.11, the All Jamaican Composite Index skidded 245.25 points to end at 376,387.70, the JSE Main Index rallied 462.86 points to 336,567.99. The Junior Market Index fell 26.91 points to close at 3,847.80 and the JSE USD Market Index skidded 5.22 points to conclude trading at 258.25.
At the close of trading, 28,196,991 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 49,347,388 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $114 million, from $161.13, million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 30,628 shares for US$3,928 compared to 21,861 units at US$7,612 on Thursday.
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by Wigton Windfarm led trading with 13.01 million shares followed by Wisynco Group with 2.56 million units, Transjamaican Highway with 2.17 million stock units and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.38 million units.
In the Junior Market, ONE on ONE Educational led trading with 1.26 million shares followed by Future Energy with 1.18 million units and EduFocal with 1.12 million stocks.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% gained $50 to close at $2,900, 138 Student Living preference share advanced $12.08 to end at $217 and Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share lost $1.69 in closing at $1273.30.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.3 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.4 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 for investors 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.
Positive March open for Trinidad Exchange
Trading ended on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange on Friday, as it started March positively with the volume of stocks that were traded rising 268 percent valued 157 percent more than on Thursday resulting in 16 securities changing hands compared to 14 on Thursday, and ending with prices of six stocks rising, five declining and five remaining unchanged.
The market closed with an exchange of 310,273 shares for $2,302,568 compared to 84,203 stock units at $896,314 on Thursday.
An average of 19,392 shares were traded at $143,911 compared to 6,015 units at $64,022 on Thursday, compared with an average for February of 21,839 shares at $159,82.
The Composite Index dipped 2.07 points to end at 1,188.26, the All T&T Index shed 5.91 points to wrap up trading at 1,775.35, at the same time, the SME Index was unchanged at 78.90 and the Cross-Listed Index popped 0.29 points to settle at 78.38.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Angostura Holdings ended at $20 with investors dealing in 2,880 stock units, Ansa McAl lost $2 to close at $53 in an exchange of 530 shares, Ansa Merchant Bank rose $3 and ended at $45.50 after 50 units passed through the market. First Citizens Group dipped 4 cents in closing at $49.21 in switching ownership of 9,144 stock units, FirstCaribbean International Bank added 1 cent to close at $7.05 while exchanging 980 shares, GraceKennedy ended at $3.98 in trading 185,955 stock units. Guardian Holdings popped 25 cents to end at $18, with 5,826 units crossing the exchange, JMMB Group increased 4 cents in closing at $1.44 with investors transferring 513 stocks,
Massy Holdings sank 1 cent and ended at $4.37 in an exchange of 81,918 units. National Enterprises ended at $3.90 after 655 shares passed through the market, National Flour Mills skidded 10 cents to $2 after an exchange of 9,083 stock units, Prestige Holdings rallied 20 cents to $10.50 with investors trading 5,092 stocks. Republic Financial slipped 1 cent to $119.99, with 3,564 units crossing the market, Scotiabank gained 1 cent in closing at $70.01 after 236 shares were traded, Trinidad & Tobago NGL remained at $9 after a transfer of 2,690 stock units and Unilever Caribbean ended at $11.77 as investors exchanged 1,157 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
