A Cemented Jump on the JSE Main Market

Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Friday, with Caribbean cement closing at a 52 weeks’ high after the price jumped $8.92 as the volume of stocks traded in the overall market declined by 58 percent with a 21 percent increase in value than on Thursday, with trading in 60 securities compared with 59 on Thursday and ending with prices of 20 stocks rising, 17 declining and 23 ending unchanged.
The market closed with 4,656,593 shares being traded for $66,077,872 compared with 11,013,773 units at $54,506,302 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 77,610 shares at $1,101,298 compared to 186,674 units at $923,836 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 186,674 units at $1,030,646, in contrast with 242,131 units at $994,721 on the previous day and April that closed with an average of 680,802 units at $3,619,595.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 837,274 shares for 18 percent of total volume followed by Carreras with 662,564 units for 14.2 percent of the day’s trade and Wigton Windfarm with 642,927 stock units for 13.8 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 2,933.34 points to 358,098.21, the JSE Main Index declined 2,094.43 points to lock up trading at 320,793.99 and the JSE Financial Index dipped 0.50 points to settle at 68.49.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.2. 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 2025.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows nine stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement rallied $8.92 to finish at a 52 weeks’ high of $69.90 with an exchange of 64,019 units, as investors tried to get on board following the excellent first quarter results, First Rock Real Estate increased 76 cents to $10.78 after 69,273 stocks passed through the market, General Accident dropped 63 cents to end at $6.50 after investors ending in exchanging 223,053 shares. Kingston Properties fell 20 cents in closing at $8.25 with 10,045 stock units clearing the market, Lasco Manufacturing declined 24 cents and ended at $5.05 with a transfer of 5,977 shares, Margaritaville lost $2.52 to close at $14.26 as investors exchanged 1,129 units. NCB Financial dipped 25 cents to $61.75 in switching ownership of 152,589 stocks, Sagicor Group popped $1.59 to finish at $41.60 with investors trading 2,445 stocks, Salada Foods advanced 25 cents and ended at $3.95 in an exchange of 4,638 shares. Scotia Group sank $2.70 to close at $41, with 21,477 units changing hands, Stanley Motta rose 30 cents in closing at $7.50 after an exchange of 72,781 stocks, Supreme Ventures gained 25 cents to end at $25 and closed with an exchange of 182,302 stock units. Sygnus Real Estate Finance climbed $1.05 in closing at $11.55 in an exchange of just one share and Wisynco Group popped 95 cents to $21.45 with 51,527 stock units crossing the market before the company released their third quarte results with flat earnings in the third quarter after tax .
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share shed $1.50 to finish at $113.50 with investors swapping 152 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.