Kingston Properties (KPREIT) plans to repurchase up to one half of one percent or 4.42 million shares in issue for up to two years to commence in the later part of May this year.
According to the release, “the Board of Directors sees this use of capital as an opportunity to enhance shareholder value through the purchase, from time to time, of undervalued shares”.
The repurchase of the shares will be done using the Company’s cash flows and will be conducted on the open market through the Company’s stockbrokers. A fixed price for the repurchase will not be set but will be the market price at the time of the repurchase. In keeping with the requirements of the Companies Act of Jamaica, within 30 days of the dates of the repurchase of shares, Kingston Properties will advise its shareholders of the details of the shares purchased.
The company has 884 million issued shares that were last traded at $8.10 on the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange with a PE of 10 times last year’s earnings and a book value of $8.40.
A total of 7.5 million shares were traded over the past twelve months for a daily average of 30,000 units.
The company has also declared a dividend of 0.0566 US cents per share, payable on June 5 to shareholders on record at May 17 with the ex-dividend date of May 16, 2024.
The company reported a profit of US$4.65 million in 2023 an increase over 2022 with US$3.8 million from operating revenues of US$4 million in 2023 and US$3.5 million in 2022. Profit was boosted by gains from revaluation and gain on sale of properties of US$3 million in 2023 and US$2.4 million in 2022.
Transjamaican dominated Main Market trading
Trading surged on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Friday, with a 240 percent surge in the volume of stocks traded following a 417 percent and a jump in value over Thursday, as Transjamaican Highway traded more than 36 million shares with a value of $114 million as the market closed with 62 securities trading compared with 54 on Thursday and resulted in prices of 26stocks rising, 13 declining and 23 ending unchanged.
Trading closed with 49,321,891 shares for $163,817,114 up from 14,522,075 units at just $31,656,097 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 795,514 shares at $2,642,212 compared to 268,927 units at $586,224 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 729,589 units at $3,850,69 compared to 725,808 units at $3,920,010 on the previous day and March with an average of 828,473 units at $2,341,254.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 36.12 million shares for 73.2 percent of total volume followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 4.29 million units for 8.7 percent of the day’s trade, Wigton Windfarm with 2.72 million units for 5.5 percent market share and Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund with 2.31 million units for 4.7 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index lost 592.66 points to lock up trading at 355,522.73, the JSE Main Index declined 152.35 points to 319,451.54 and the JSE Financial Index sank 0.34 points to lock up trading at 68.06.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.7. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with financial year, ending around August 2025.
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, AS Bryden rose $1.49 and ended at $38.49, with 86 shares crossing the market, Caribbean Cement climbed $1 to $57 with an exchange of 26,366 stocks, Eppley fell 85 cents in closing at $38 and closed after an exchange of 2,580 shares. First Rock Real Estate rallied 50 cents to finish at $10 with traders dealing in 35,198 stock units, GraceKennedy popped 44 cents to close at $73.94 in switching ownership of 36,032 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange sank 69 cents to end at $10.54, with 15,178 stock units changing hands. JMMB Group rallied $1.77 to $25.49 in an exchange of 49,184 units, Kingston Properties advanced 35 cents to finish at $8.10 after 105,500 stocks passed through the market, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy gained $4 and ended at $95 with a transfer of 99 units. 
NCB Financial rose $3.49 in closing at $64.49, with 98,273 stocks crossing the exchange, Proven Investments gained 99 cents to end at $20 in trading 20,311 shares, Sagicor Group declined $1.39 to close at $40.01 after a transfer of 20,296 units. Scotia Group shed $1.50 to $41.50 with investors exchanging 275,364 shares, Seprod popped $2.01 to end at $82 in an exchange of 21,585 stocks, Stanley Motta gained 78 cents to close at $6.12 with investors trading 3,286 units. Sygnus Credit Investments climbed 41 cents to close at $10.81 after an exchange of 23,442 stock units and Wisynco Group advanced 48 cents and ended at $21 with investors dealing in 51,699 shares.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 7% preference share dropped 52 cents to finish at $2.92 after an exchange of 3,470 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
One stock rose on JSE USD market as 7 held firm
The Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market closed on Friday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 43 percent having a 23 percent greater value than on Thursday and resulting in eight securities changing hands, similar to Thursday, with prices of one rising, none declining and seven ending unchanged.
The market closed with an exchange of 147,586 shares for US$21,362 compared to 257,793 stock units at US$17,324 on Thursday.
Trading on Friday averaged 18,448 shares at US$2,670 compared with 32,224 stocks at US$2,166 on Thursday, with trading month to date averaging 37,587 shares at US$2,359 compared with 38,643 units at US$2,342 on the previous day and March that ended with an average of 49,394 units for US$3,593.
The US Denominated Equities Index rose 0.34 points to 237.88.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.6. 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 four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Margaritaville ended at 10 US cents in an exchange of 58 shares, Productive Business Solutions remained at US$1.59 with investors trading just two shares, Proven Investments advanced 1.02 cents in closing at 14.67 US cents with an exchange of 44,924 shares.
Sygnus Credit Investments ended at 8.79 US cents with 464 stock units clearing the market and Transjamaican Highway closed at 2.03 US cents after an exchange of 100,000 shares.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group US 8.5% preference share remained at US$1.20 after trading 1,000 stock units, Sygnus Credit Investments US 8% ended at US$10.60 with an exchange of 300 units and Sygnus Credit Investments E8.5% ended at US$10.20 with 838 stocks crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market gains
Stocks mostly rose on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Friday, after trading in 45 securities compared with 40 on Thursday and ending with prices of 24 rising, 9 declining and 12 closing unchanged following a 37 percent rise in the volume of stocks traded, with 38 percent greater value than Thursday.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index rallied 20.64 points to end the day at 3,781.35.
Trading ended with 4,711,419 shares for $11,198,936 up from 3,441,451 units at $8,137,990 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 104,698 shares at $248,865, up from 86,036 units at $203,450 on Thursday with the month to date, averaging 189,955 units at $422,648 but slightly down from 194,892 stock units at $432,712 on the previous day and March ending with an average of 221,659 units at $464,382.
Fosrich led trading with 859,227 shares for 18.2 percent of total volume followed by ONE on ONE Educational with 662,171 units for 14.1 percent of the day’s trade and Spur Tree Spices with 534,967 units for 11.4 percent market share.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.9, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for the financial years ending around August 2025.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows none ended with a bid higher than the last selling price and three with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial gained $1.11 to end at $21.11, after just two stocks passed through the market, Cargo Handlers dipped 10 cents in closing at $13.20 with traders dealing in 596 units, Caribbean Assurance Brokers rose 6 cents to close at $2.26 with 1,975 shares clearing the market. Caribbean Flavours advanced 12 cents to end at $1.70 with investors swapping a mere 6 stock units, Dolphin Cove popped 97 cents to finish at $19.97 with an exchange of just 785 shares, EduFocal rallied 7 cents and ended at 89 cents, with 21 stocks crossing the market. 
Fontana increased 10 cents to $8.93 in an exchange of 70,158 units, Fosrich climbed 9 cents in closing at $2.20 with investors dealing in 859,227 stock units, Honey Bun popped 37 cents to finish at $7.80 in an exchange of 15,561 shares. Jamaican Teas lost 5 cents and ended at $2.40 with investors trading 320,994 stock units, KLE Group increased 20 cents to close at $2.17 after an exchange of 12 stocks, Lasco Financial slipped 33 cents to end at $1.52 with 111,286 units passing through the market. Lumber Depot climbed 20 cents to $2.70 after a transfer of 219,745 shares, ONE on ONE Educational rose 5 cents to finish at 90 cents as investors exchanged 662,171 units and Tropical Battery rallied 14 cents and ended at $2.29 and closed with an exchange of 118,056 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
The value of Pref shares vs ordinary ones
Investors drove up prices of several preference shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange in 2023 to unrealistic levels that defile logic, while ordinary shares can enjoy unlimited rise driven by growth in profits the same is not the case for preference shares that have limited potential for growth.
Many of those listed on the JSE have limited life spans as they are primarily income generating instruments, with a finite life span. The JMMB preference shares are in this category. The old JPS preference shares that were issued at $2 each have declined in value due to a decline in interest rates but the supply of these are very limited. These seem to have no set date to be repaid.
Investors may be confused about the likely value of Transjamaican 8.5 percent preference shares. Some think the fair value should be closer to $4, but that is not so and will only be the case if market interest rates fall below 8.5 percent, even then the short term nature of these shares makes it unlikely that rational investors would push the price to that level. The Transjamaican preference shares have an 8 year timeline, with annual repayment of principal starting on the 6th anniversary.
The true value of the ordinary shares should be over $4. They currently provide a dividend yield close to where the preference shares trade currently, with expectations that there will be a greater level of dividend payment in the future.
Ordinary shares offer unlimited capital appreciation and the potential for an endless dividend stream depending on the level of profit generated. Preference shares have limited capital upside potential unless they have participative features, allowing them to share in profits over and above the coupon rate.
None of the preference shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange have participation features. Long ago the shares of Jasmaica Livestock that were listed on the local exchange had such a feature. With interest rates on the Bank of Jamaica certificate of deposits just under 11% currently, the prices of the preference shares on the market should have declined to better equate the yields with the CD rates and as these rates fall, the share prices should be rising to reflect the better returns from Preference shares that is possible.
Remittance inflows to Jamaica fall
Remittance inflows to Jamaica continue to decline at the start of 2024 following several months of decline last year, with inflows for January 2024 amounting to US$246 million, down a relatively small 1.1 percent compared with US$248.6 in January 2023.
The decline represents the eighth consecutive month of negative inflows since June last year for the country.
Jamaica’s decline of 1.1 percent was in contrast to the growth of 3.8 percent in January last year. Total inflows last year declined by two percent to US$3.37 billion from US$3.44 billion in 2022. Inflows peaked at US$3.497 billion in 2021.
Few Junior Market winners
Winning stocks were hard to come by as trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Thursday, with trading in 40 securities down from 41 on Wednesday and ending with prices of just seven rising, 21 declining and 12 closing unchanged following a moderate rise in the volume and value of stocks that were exchanged on Wednesday.
The market closed with trading of 3,441,451 shares for $8,137,990 up from 3,333,072 units at $7,971,094 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 86,036 shares at $203,450 compared to 81,294 units at $194,417 on Wednesday, with a month to date average of 194,892 units at $432,712 down from 200,800 stocks at $445,155 on the previous day and March with an average of 221,659 units at $464,382.
Dolla Financial led trading with 1.09 million shares for 31.7 percent of total volume followed by Spur Tree Spices with 789,268 stock units for 22.9 percent of the day’s trade and Fosrich with 589,091 units for 17.1 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index increased 4.51 points to settle at 3,760.71.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.3, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for the financial years ending around August 2025.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, CAC 2000 added 26 cents to finish at $4.50 after 112 shares were traded, Cargo Handlers dropped by 53 cents to $13.30 with investors trading 1,850 stocks, Caribbean Assurance Brokers fell 6 cents to close at $2.20 after investors ended the trading of 307 stock units. Caribbean Flavours fell 12 cents and ended at $1.58 with a transfer of 101 stocks, Dolla Financial rose 5 cents in closing at $2.75 after trading of 1,091,837 shares, Dolphin Cove rallied 40 cents to end at $19 after 83 stocks passed through the market. EduFocal shed 7 cents in closing at a 52 weeks’ low of 82 cents with investors dealing in 278,667 units, Fontana lost 13 cents to end at $8.83 after an exchange of 5,233 stock units, Jetcon Corporation skidded 10 cents to close at 85 cents with just 52 shares crossing the market. 
JFP Ltd sank 5 cents to end at $1.20 with investors trading 28,944 stocks, KLE Group increased 7 cents and ended at $1.97 with an exchange of 400 units, Limners and Bards climbed 33 cents to finish at $1.54 with 30,344 stocks passing through the market. Lumber Depot slipped 5 cents to $2.50 and closed with an exchange of 4,771 shares, Main Event popped 79 cents in closing at $13.80 with traders dealing in 531 stock units, MFS Capital Partners dipped 10 cents and ended at $1.37 in switching ownership of 723 stocks. Paramount Trading sank 22 cents to finish at $1.27 with investors swapping 65,415 units, Spur Tree Spices skidded 5 cents to end at $2.45 in an exchange of 789,268 stocks and Tropical Battery lost 15 cents to close at $2.15 in trading 64,958 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Rising stocks beat decliners on Trinidad Exchange
Trading ended on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange on Thursday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 83 percent, with the value 68 percent lower than on Wednesday, resulting in the trading of 21 securities compared with 22 on Wednesday and ending with prices of six stocks rising, four declining and 11 remaining unchanged.
Trading closed with an exchange of 241,363 shares for $3,383,480 versus 1,416,843 stocks at $10,593,318 on Wednesday.
An average of 11,493 shares were traded at $161,118 down from 64,402 stocks at $481,514 on Wednesday. Trading for the month to date averages 18,437 shares at $188,430 compared to 18,907 units at $190,281 on the previous day and March that ended with an average of 28,236 shares at $236,496.
The Composite Index dipped 1.79 points to 1,186.96, the All T&T Index dropped 3.46 points to 1,791.60, the SME Index remained unchanged at 77.71 and the Cross-Listed Index remained unchanged at 75.57.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Agostini’s climbed $2 to close at $71 as investors exchanged 510 stock units, Angostura Holdings popped 15 cents to $22.95 after 130 shares passed through the market, Ansa McAl fell 99 cents to end at $55.01 after an exchange of 3,700 units. 
Ansa Merchant Bank remained at $45.30 with investors swapping 5 stocks, Calypso Macro Investment Fund ended at $22.75 in swapping 5,100 shares, First Citizens Group remained at $48.30 after a transfer of 658 stocks. FirstCaribbean International Bank ended at $6.95 with 10,000 stock units being traded, GraceKennedy gained 5 cents in closing at $4.05 with investors trading 58,200 stocks, Guardian Holdings remained at $18.05 in an exchange of 25 shares. Guardian Media ended at $1.98 after trading of 5 stock units, L.J. Williams B share shed 29 cents and ended at $1.70 after an exchange of 700 stocks, Massy Holdings rose 2 cents to close at $4.35 with a transfer of 42,346 units. National Enterprises remained at $3.85 after 971 stocks changed hands, 
National Flour Mills ended at $2.20 in an exchange of 12,307 units, Prestige Holdings remained at $13, with 262 shares crossing the market. Republic Financial gained 6 cents in closing at $118.27 with traders dealing in 12,219 stocks, Scotiabank ended at $67.50, after 1,997 shares changed hands, Trinidad & Tobago NGL advanced 9 cents to close at $8.59 with 2,244 units crossing the exchange. Trinidad Cement sank 5 cents to $2.70 with investors dealing in 16,000 stock units, Unilever Caribbean dropped 10 cents to close at $11.20 after 41,042 stock units crossed the market and West Indian Tobacco ended at $11.15 with an exchange of 32,942 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE USD Market drops
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Thursday, with a 29 percent decline in the volume of stocks that changed hands following a 25 percent drop in value compared with market activity on Wednesday, resulting in trading in eight securities, compared to eight on Wednesday with prices of two rising, four declining and two ending unchanged.
The market closed with an exchange of 257,793 shares for US$17,324 down from 363,343 stock units at US$23,058 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 32,224 units at US$2,166 versus 45,418 shares at US$2,882 on Wednesday, with a month to date average of 38,643 shares at US$2,342 compared with 39,018 units at US$2,352 on the previous day and March that ended with an average of 49,394 units for US$3,593.
The US Denominated Equities Index skidded 1.80 points to cease trading at 237.54.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.6. 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, AS Bryden ended at 22.49 US cents and closed after an exchange of 284 shares, Proven Investments declined 1.02 cents to 13.65 US cents after an exchange of 470 shares, Sterling Investments rose 0.1 of a cent to finish at 1.6 US cents with a transfer of 21,000 stocks. 
Sygnus Credit Investments shed 0.01of a cent and ended at 8.79 US cents after an exchange of 2,990 units and Transjamaican Highway fell 0.01 of a cent to close at 2.03 US cents with 230,228 stocks clearing the market.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group US8.5% preference share ended at US$1.20 with an exchange of 1,900 units. Productive Business Solutions 9.25% preference share rallied 19 cents to US$11.21, with 164 shares crossing the market and Sygnus Credit Investments E8.5% skidded 40 cents to close at US$10.20 with investors transferring 757 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Main Market jumps Junior market limps higher
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange climbed at the end of trading on Thursday as the Junior Market inched higher and JSE USD market closed lower as trading ended with the number of stocks changing hands rising, with the value dropping sharply from the previous trading day, resulting in prices of 21 shares rising and 39 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed by 2,382.17 points to 332,588.34, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 3,179.32 points to end at 356,115.39, the JSE Main Index jumped 2,452.20 points to end at 319,603.89. The Junior Market Index rose 4.51 points to settle at 3,760.71 and the JSE USD Market Index fell 3.34 points to cease trading at 237.54.
At the close of trading, 18,221,035 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 16,963,120 units on Wednesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $39.79 million, which below the $53.75, million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 257,793 shares for US$17,324 compared to 363,343 units at US$23,058 on Wednesday.
In Main Market activity, JMMB 9.5% preference share led trading with 9.03 million shares followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 2.27 million stock units and Wigton Windfarm with 1.48 million units.
While in Junior Market trading, Dolla Financial led trading with 1.09 million shares followed by Spur Tree Spices with 789,268 stocks and Fosrich with 589,091 units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share declined $165 and ended at $1,035 and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% advanced $4 in closing at $108.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20 on 2023-24 earnings and 13.4. times those for 2024-25 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 within a sector and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Pertinent information is required 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.
The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector, 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 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 of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
