Carreras price hit by cigarette tax

New tax measures announced on Thursday, hit the stock market on Friday, particularly, Carreras that had direct hit, with increased taxes on cigarettes. The company’s stock lost 7 percent at the end of trading and should set up a good buying opportunity for investors.
The day’s activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, resulted in the prices of 9 stocks rising, 11 declining as 27 securities changed hands, ending in 4,388,191 units trading, valued at $41,075,686, in all market segments.
Main Market| The JSE Market Index lost 637.18 points to 81,881.33, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index fell 712.40 points to 90,265.43 and the JSE combined index dropped 558.65 points to close at 83,731.11.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 7 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 stocks with offers that were lower, an indication of fluidity in price movements for a while.
Gains| Stocks gaining at the last traded prices in the main market are, Grace Kennedy closing with 5,694 shares rising 20 cents to $61, Jamaica Broilers finishing trading with 38,636 shares, while gaining 2 cents to $4.02. Mayberry Investments in trading 85,000 shares, closed with a gain of 1 cent at $2.37, Sagicor Group had dealing in 2,062,222 shares and rose 8 cents to $10.50 and Scotia Group contributed 271,347 shares while gaining 2 cents to $20.82.
Firm| The stocks in the main market to close without a change in the last traded prices are, Desnoes & Geddes contributing 2,500 shares to trading to close at $5.50. Jamaica Money Market Brokers closed with 2,597 ordinary shares changing hands, at $7.10, Kingston Wharves saw trading in 8,301 shares, to close at $6.40 and Supreme Ventures closed with 1,550 shares at $2.30.
Declines| The last traded prices of stocks with losses at the end of trading in the main market are, Barita Investments finishing with 1,500 units, closed lower by 5 cents at $2.20. Cable & Wireless closing with 25,000 units as the price slipped 2 cents to 51 cents, Caribbean Cement finishing trading with 19,723 units, closing lower by 5 cents to $2.25. Carreras stock price was hit by the added tax announced by the government of Jamaica and in trading with 207,543 units slipped $3 to $40, but it traded as low as $38.01 before the close. Gleaner in trading 10,000 shares ended lower by 20 cents to 90 cents, Hardware & Lumber finishing trading in 900 shares, closed 35 cents lower to $7.05. Jamaica Producers had dealing in 1,381 units with a decline of 5 cents to $16.95, National Commercial Bank while exchanging 8,674 share, traded 50 cents down to $23.50 and Scotia Investments dealt in 10,000 shares with at $2 fall to $22.
Preference| Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share, traded 250,000 units at $2 and Proven Investments 8% preference had 274,200 shares changing hands at 5 cents to 5.05.