Big plunge for Junior Market

The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange dropped sharply on Thursday, following a 55 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded, with a 28 percent lower value than Wednesday with trading in 42 securities up from 40 on Wednesday and ending with prices of 13 rising, 19 declining and 10 finishing unchanged.
The market closed with trading of 2,685,073 shares for $6,623,219 down from 5,990,982 units at $9,247,492 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 63,930 shares at $157,696 compared with 149,775 units at $231,187 on Wednesday with the month to date, averaging 272,698 units at $496,319 compared with 291,473 stock units at $526,774 on the previous day and June with an average of 318,732 units at $696,979.
Stationery and Office Supplies led trading with 824,225 shares for 30.7 percent of total volume followed by Fosrich with 328,942 stock units for 12.3 percent of the day’s trade and Dolla Financial with 316,992 units for 11.8 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index dived 68.15 points to close at 3,682.92.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.6, 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 just one stock ending with a bid higher than the last selling price and three with lower offers, indicating a slight negative bias in trading on Friday.
At the close, AMG Packaging declined 11 cents to $3.19 in switching ownership of 24,500 stocks, Cargo Handlers popped $1.24 to close at $12.94 after 450 shares passed through the market, Caribbean Assurance Brokers fell 24 cents to finish at $3.50 trading 7,728 stocks. Caribbean Cream lost 30 cents and ended at $3.45 after an exchange of 28,357 stock units, Caribbean Flavours dipped 6 cents in closing at $1.54 with 5,300 stocks, Derrimon Trading slipped 5 cents to end at $2 after investors exchanged 501 shares. Dolla Financial dipped 11 cents to $2.49 with a transfer of 316,992 stock units, Dolphin Cove gained 18 cents and ended at $23.18, with 2,933 units crossing the exchange, EduFocal sank 5 cents to finish at a 52 weeks’ low of 43 cents with investors swapping 4,265 shares. Express Catering shed 13 cents to end at $3.90 and closed after an exchange of 8,352 units, Fontana dropped 35 cents in closing at $8.13 with investors dealing in 8,570 stocks, Honey Bun skidded 15 cents to close at $8.60 after an exchange of 33,962 stock units. Indies Pharma rose 9 cents to $2.59 in trading 840 shares, Jamaican Teas lost 7 cents to finish at $2.25, with 4,256 stock units crossing the market, Knutsford Express slipped 15 cents and ended at $10.75 with traders dealing in 1,685 stocks. Lasco Financial sank 14 cents to end at $1.70 after a transfer of 6,200 stock units, Limners and Bards skidded 9 cents in closing at $1.80 with investors trading 1,462 shares, Lumber Depot rallied 5 cents to close at $2.80 after an exchange of 500 units. Main Event increased 50 cents to $13 with investors trading 7,700 stocks, One Great Studio climbed 5 cents to close at 82 cents in an exchange of 67,623 stock units, Regency Petroleum fell 9 cents to finish at $2.32 with 12,005 shares changing hands and Spur Tree Spices advanced 5 cents and ended at $1.95 with an exchange of 283,557 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.