The JSE Main Market climbed 17.2 percent for the year to Friday last, fueled a great deal by a huge rise in the price of West Indies Petroleum shares. Big gains by Transjamaican Highway, up 130 percent, NCB Financial, jumping 97 percent and Carreras up 88 percent, were also big contributors.
Company results for Main Market listed companies continue to show encouraging outcomes for the year, auguring well for increased stock prices for the balance of the year, barring any negative developments in the economy that could derail the market.
The IC TOP 10 chart shows that the winners for the rest of the year should be coming from a different set of stocks. The list has some beaten-down stocks following disappointing results. IC Insider.com forecasts recovery in several cases, with some already showing improvements in results for the first two quarters of the year.
Berger Paints tops the list with potential gains of more than 600 percent, but this level may not be reached until after the full year results are released in 2027, as the bulk of profits come in the December quarter. JMMB Group posted positive 2026 first quarter profits that could encourage investors to buy the stock. It is clearly one to watch carefully.
What the company results are pointing to is the potential for more gains in the months ahead if current trends holds.
Express Catering will benefit from the recovery expected in the tourism sector in the coming months and is one worth acquiring at current low prices. Caribbean Cream put in an impressive first quarter, with the price around $2, the upside is great, with projected earnings of 55 cents per share and RA Williams has returned to profit making and should deliver attractive gains in the months ahead. Image Plus and MFS Capital have been expanding with acquisitions and or expansion of existing business lines.
The market’s average PE is 9.5, with the TOP 10 averaging a mere 4 times this year’s earnings, suggesting a healthy upside going forward. Jetcon Corporation’s performance follows a doubling in revenues in the first quarter, and a 560 percent jump in profits. The stock is not in the TOP 10 currently, with the solid gains year to date. With ICInsider.com’s forecast of earnings at 45 cents per share, the stock should nearly double from the current price of $3.35 in heading to the $6-7 level by year end.
“This strong performance was driven primarily by higher sales volumes, reflecting sustained demand in the domestic market associated with ongoing recovery activities following Hurricane Melissa,” management stated.
Kintyre Holdings declined from the last report to as low as 39 cents, but strong buying in the stock pushed it back up to 54 cents by the close of the week. The stock holds the number one position in the TOP10, with considerable room to run, according to ICInsider’s earnings this yearprojection of 20 cents per share.
With the above gains, the stock sits at the number two position in the TOP10 chart, with more room to run, with ICInsider’s projection of 20 cents per share for earnings this year.
Beacon
The Junior Market ICTOP10, Elite Diagnostic jumped 41 percent to $1.91, Consolidated Bakeries and Express Catering delivered gains of 36 percent to end at $1.70 and $3,65, respectively. Kintyre Holdings popped 30 percent to 30 cents, and Medical Disposables rallied 15 percent to end at $1.72.