The interest rate charged by the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) to deposit-taking institutions on overnight fund placements was pushed by 50 basis points to 2 percent per annum, effective November 17.
The increase is the second move in two months and follows a one percentage point increase in September. According to the country’s central bank, “while not targeting any specific level of the exchange rate, they will continue to ensure that movements in the exchange rate do not threaten the inflation target.” Consistent with meeting its inflation target sustainably in the medium term, the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) agreed to consider further increases in the Bank’s policy rate and, by extension, raising rates to achieve real interest rates, from the current significant current negative rates and maintain or intensify the accompanying measures at subsequent policy meetings.
“The decision to further reduce the level of monetary policy accommodation was made unanimously by the MPC. This was based on the MPC’s assessment that this action was necessary to limit the second-round effects of recent shocks and to guide inflation back within the target range over the next two years,” BOJ states.
And BOJ went on to say, “this reduction in the level of monetary accommodation will cause market-based interest rates to rise further, which will make the returns on Jamaican dollar assets more attractive relative to foreign currency assets. 
It will also make saving in Jamaican dollars more attractive and borrowing in Jamaican dollars more expensive. These effects are intended to temper the demand for foreign currency and hence moderate the pace of depreciation in the exchange rate; and, generally, reduce demand in the economy and with it the ability of businesses to pass on price increases to consumers.”
”Inflation is projected to average 5.5 percent to 6.5 percent over the next two years. Inflation will continue to breach the upper limit of the Bank’s target range over the next 10 to 12 months at higher rates than were envisaged in the previous forecast and is projected to peak in the range of 8 to 9 percent over this period. The inflation forecast assumes, inter-alia, the continued transmission of higher international commodity and shipping prices to domestic processed food, food-related services and energy price inflation as well as a recovery in domestic demand.”
Gains for JSE Main Market Tuesday
Market activity ended on Tuesday with the volume of shares trading declining 39 percent and the value 21 percent lower than on Monday, but the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market recorded gains in the indices as rising stocks edged those declining.
The All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 1,731.22 points to 439,283.18, the JSE Main Index climbed 2,587.35 points to 397,380.02 and the JSE Financial Index gained 0.70 points to end at 96.12.
Similar to Monday 53 securities traded, 22 rose, 19 declined and 12 ended unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a formula for computing appropriate stock values, averages 15.7. The PE ratio for the JSE Main and USD Market closing quotes are based on earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with financial years ending between the current year and August 2022.
A total of 10,040,879 shares traded for $123,722,251 versus 16,492,088 units at $157,019,170 on Monday.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 21.8 percent of total volume for an exchange of 2.19 million shares, followed by Transjamaican Highway with 21 percent for 2.11 million units and JMMB Group accounting for 12.5 percent after trading 1.25 million units.
Trading averaged 189,451 units at $2,334,382, compared to 311,171 shares at $2,962,626 on Monday and month to date, an average of 260,759 units at $2,483,031, compared to 267,472 units at $2,497,025 on Monday. October closed with an average of 251,350 units at $2,773,208.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows nine stocks ending with the bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Caribbean Producers shed 50 cents to close at $9.50 in trading 337,191 shares, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rallied $2.50 to $40 with the swapping of 720 stock units, First Rock Capital gained 35 cents to finish at $10.40 with 9,195 stocks crossing the exchange. Jamaica Producers picked up 30 cents to close at $22.20, with 78,484 units clearing the market, JMMB Group advanced $1.45 to $40.45 in swapping 1,250,450 shares, Kingston Wharves rose 50 cents to $46.50 in an exchange of 10,355 units. Margaritaville popped 53 cents to $16.43 with a transfer of 11,171 shares, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy dropped $8.99 to $101.01 in trading 392 stock units, NCB Financial shed $1 in closing at $116 in exchanging 49,886 stocks. Palace Amusement climbed $24 to end at $1,024 with 563 stock units changing hands, 
PanJam Investment spiked $1.50 to close at $69.50 with the swapping of 7,698 shares, Proven Investments gained 49 cents to end at $33 with an exchange of 6,359 units. Sagicor Group declined $1.50 to $53 after 668,437 stocks cleared the market, Salada Foods lost 46 cents in ending at $7 in trading 815 units, Scotia Group popped $2 to $36.50 in transferring 33,791 shares. Seprod gained 45 cents in closing at $63.95 after exchanging 8,641 stock units, Supreme Ventures shed 46 cents to end at $17 in switching ownership of 161,242 units and Sygnus Credit Investments fell $1 to $16.30 with 183,314 stock units changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Slippage for Junior Market again
The Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market closed on Tuesday after a day of steady trading that led to a modest fall in the market index. The stock volume declined 38 percent, with a 38 percent decline in value compared to Monday after declining stocks beat out those rising.
Market activity ended with 35 securities trading, down from 41 on Monday, with 14 rising, 19 declining and two unchanged leading the Market Index to slip 4.84 points to 3,409.50.
The PE Ratio, a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 14.1. The PE ratio of each stock is shown in the chart below, is based on earnings forecast done by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending up to August 2022.
A total of 8,149,450 shares traded for $35,224,431, down from 13,114,335 units at $56,513,996 on Monday. Future Energy Source led trading with 2.14 million shares for 26.2 percent of total volume, followed by Dolphin Cove 1.43 million units for 17.6 percent of the day’s trade and Caribbean Assurance Brokers with 1.14 million units for 14 percent market share.
Trading averaged 232,841 shares at $1,006,412 in contrast to 319,862 shares at $1,378,390 on Monday with month to date, averaging 172,652 units at $629,808, compared to 167,649 units at $598,499 on Monday. October closed with an average of 162,777 units at $557,275.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ended with a bid higher than the last selling price and two with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial rose 54 cents to $20.79 with an exchange of 10 shares, AMG Packaging increased 13 cents to $2.18 after trading 110,095 units, up to an intraday 52 weeks’ high of 42.5, Blue Power climbed 15 cents to $3.25 while exchanging 9,000 stock units. Cargo Handlers shed 55 cents to close at $7 with the swapping of 8,556 stocks, Caribbean Cream popped 22 cents in closing at $5.82, with 5,350 units changing hands, Derrimon Trading dropped 19 cents to $2.21, with 160,646 stock units crossing the market. Everything Fresh gained 9 cents in closing at $1 in trading 9,080 stocks, Express Catering advanced 15 cents to $5.15 after 850 shares changed hands, Fontana fell 27 cents to close at $7.66 in switching ownership of 75,311 stock units. Fosrich popped 10 cents to $8.90 in exchanging 6,110 units, Future Energy Source lost 16 cents to end at $3.04 after 2,138,861 stocks crossed the exchange, General Accident declined 25 cents to $7 in an exchange of 88,510 shares. Honey Bun fell 50 cents to close at $9 in exchanging 35,039 stock units, Indies Pharma shed 7 cents to end at $3.05, with 19,903 units changing hands, ISP Finance lost $3.78 after finishing at $38 and trading 259 stocks. 
Jetcon Corporation rallied 7 cents in closing at $1.09 after exchanging 257,600 shares, Knutsford Express climbed 15 cents to close at $8 with 11,232 shares clearing the market, Lasco Financial dropped 15 cents to $3.10 after exchanging 259,621 stocks. Limners and Bards advanced 20 cents to $3.55 in trading 33,339 units, Paramount Trading popped 15 cents to end at $1.40 after an exchange of 500 stock units, Stationery and Office Supplies gained 30 cents in closing at $6.20 with the swapping of 21,591 shares and tTech dropped 77 cents to $4 in an exchange of 200 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Mild slippage for JSE Main Market
The volume of shares trading at the close on Monday jumped 42 percent over Friday’s with a modest fall in the value leading the market into a modest decline in the overall market as stocks rising edged out those that declined on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dipped 92.62 points to 437,551.96, the JSE Main Index fell 378.65 points to 394,792.67 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.10 points to end at 95.42.
Similar to Friday, 53 securities traded, with 24 rising, 21 declining and eight ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a formula for computing appropriate stock values, averages 15.6. The PE ratio for the JSE Main and the USD Market closing quotes are based on earnings forecasts done by ICInsider.com for companies with financial years ending between the current year and August 2022.
Overall, 16,492,088 shares traded for $157,019,170 versus 11,630,690 units at $178,515,393 on Friday. Wigton Windfarm controlled 41.8 percent of total volume to be the lead trade with 6.89 million shares, JMMB Group followed with 12.6 percent, after an exchange of 2.08 million units, Transjamaican Highway contributed 10.4 percent with 1.72 million shares and Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund ended with 8 percent after trading 1.32 million units.
Trading averaged 311,171 units at $2,962,626, compared to 219,447 shares at $3,368,215 on Friday and month to date, an average of 267,472 units at $2,497,025, compared to 262,931 units at $2,448,639 on Friday. October closed with an average of 251,350 units at $2,773,208.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 15 stocks ending, with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
In trading, Berger Paints shed 68 cents to end at $14.15 in trading 1,795 shares, Caribbean Cement advanced $3 to close at $103, with 21,638 stock units crossing the market, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund lost 50 cents to end at $37.50 in an exchange of 803 stocks. First Rock Capital dropped 61 cents to $10.05 in exchanging 127,197 units, Guardian Holdings climbed $20 to $530 with an exchange of 4,012 units, Jamaica Producers fell $1.50 in closing at $21.90 after exchanging 41,233 stocks. JMMB Group climbed $1.20 to end at $39 in switching ownership of 2,083,245 stock units, Kingston Wharves gained 80 cents to close at $46, with 8,366 shares changing hands, Margaritaville spiked 60 cents to $15.90 with the swapping of 18,076 stocks. 
NCB Financial rose $1.98 to $117 while exchanging 31,547 stock units, Palace Amusement rallied $40 to $1000, trading 157 units, PanJam Investment popped $1.70 to $68 with 24,886 shares changing hands. Proven Investments declined 99 cents to $32.51, with 8,710 stock units clearing the market, Sagicor Group climbed 50 cents in closing at $54.50 in exchanging 218,439 shares, Salada Foods popped 46 cents to $7.46 after 22,641 stocks crossed the exchange. Scotia Group rose 45 cents to $34.50 after trades of 138,131 units and Sygnus Credit Investments lost $1.60 to $17.30, with 335,969 shares changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless
Junior Market drops on increased trading Tuesday
Trading picked up, with an increase in the number of active companies on Monday, the volume of stocks traded jumping 56 percent more and the value surging 90 percent higher than on Friday at the close of the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
Market activity led to 41 securities trading up from 38 on Friday and ended with 17 rising, 20 declining and four, closing unchanged.
At the close, the Junior Market Index dropped 34.94 points to 3,414.34.
The PE Ratio, a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 14. The PE ratio of each stock, shown in the chart below, is based on earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies whose financial year ends up to August 2022.
Trading ended with 13,114,335 shares changing hands for $56,513,996 compared to 8,396,940 units at $29,816,364 on Friday. Future Energy Source had the lead trade of 27.6 percent of total volume, with 3.62 million shares, Dolphin Cove followed with 15.8 percent, after trading 2.07 million units, Mailpac Group 11.8 percent, with 1.55 million shares, AMG Packaging controlled 8 percent with 1.05 million units and Jamaican Teas 7.8 percent after an exchange of 1.03 million shares of the company.
Trading averaged 319,862 shares at $1,378,390 in contrast to 220,972 shares at $784,641 on Friday and the month to date averages 167,649 units at $598,499, compared to 151,225 units at $514,353 on Friday. October closed with an average of 162,777 units at $557,275.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging increased 35 cents to end at $2.05 a 1fter trading 1,047,866 shares, Blue Power fell 10 cents to $3.10 in switching ownership of 3,698 units, Cargo Handlers spiked 50 cents to $7.55 trading 9,427 stock units. Caribbean Cream declined 13 cents to close at $5.60 with an exchange of 28,724 stocks, Derrimon Trading advanced 10 cents in closing at $2.40 with the swapping of 244,313 units, Elite Diagnostic dropped 16 cents to $3.30 in an exchange of 167,575 shares. Everything Fresh lost 17 cents to close at 91 cents while exchanging 32,736 stocks, Express Catering shed 28 cents in ending at $5, with 52,226 stock units crossing the exchange, Fontana rallied 65 cents to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $7.93, with 257,364 stock units clearing the market. Fosrich fell 20 cents to $8.80, with 20,376 shares changing hands, General Accident popped 65 cents to a 52 weeks’ closing high of $7.25 after it hit an intraday high of $8, in trading 312,716 units, Iron Rock Insurance lost 72 cents to close at $3.07 trading just one stock. ISP Finance shed $3.22 in closing at $41.78 in trading 2,458 stock units, Jamaican Teas declined 22 cents to $4 in exchanging 1,028,278 units, KLE Group climbed 15 cents to $2.55 after trading 105,200 shares. 
Knutsford Express rose 59 cents to $7.85 with 241 stocks units changing hands, Lasco Distributors gained 12 cents in closing at $3.37 after exchanging 8,550 units, Lasco Manufacturing popped 7 cents to close at $4.82 after trading 65,400 shares. Limners and Bards dropped 23 cents to $3.35, with 36,814 stock units changing hands, Mailpac Group dipped 27 cents to $3.51 after 1,549,715 stocks traded, Medical Disposables lost $1.18 to close at $5.60, with 38,252 stock units clearing the market. Paramount Trading climbed 21 cents to end at $1.25 in an exchange of 10,000 stocks, Stationery and Office Supplies plunged 85 cents to $5.90 in an exchange of 77,418 shares and tTech spiked 77 cents in closing at $4.77, with 213 units crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Drop again for JSE Main market
Market activity ended on Friday with the volume of shares trading falling 59 percent and the value marginally greater than Thursday as declining stocks overpowered those rising three to two on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market as NCB Financial hit a closing 52 weeks’ low.
The All Jamaican Composite Index fell 2,854.98 points to 437,644.58, the JSE Main Index declined 2,810.34 points to 395,171.32 and the JSE Financial Index shed 0.88 points to end at 95.52.
Trading ended with 53 securities compared to 49 on Thursday, with 16 rising, 25 declining and 12 ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a formula for computing appropriate stock values, averages 15.7. The PE ratio for the JSE Main and USD Market closing quotes are based on earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with financial years ending between the current year and August 2022.
Trading ended with 11,630,690 shares changing hands for $178,515,393 versus 28,191,943 units at $175,549,676 on Thursday. Scotia Group led trading with 23 percent of total volume for an exchange of 2.68 million shares, followed by Radio Jamaica with 17.3 percent after trading 2.01 million units, Transjamaican Highway accounted for 11.9 percent with 1.39 million units and Mayberry Investment 10 percent after trading 1.16 million shares.
Trading averages 219,447 units at $3,368,215, compared to 575,346 shares at $3,582,646 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 262,931 units at $2,448,639, compared to 267,974 units at $2,341,992 on Thursday. October closed with an average of 251,350 units at $2,773,208.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement fell $2.20 to $100 trading 17,409 shares, Eppley fell 79 cents to $37 with 265 units crossing the market, GraceKennedy slipped 94 cents to $99 after exchanging 387,356 stock units. Guardian Holdings declined $10 to $510, with 889 stocks crossing the exchange, Jamaica Producers advanced $1.40 to $23.40, after 3,880 units cleared the market, JMMB Group gained 30 cents after ending at $37.80 after an exchange of 116,390 shares. Kingston Properties lost 43 cents to close at $8.57 in trading 738 stock units, Margaritaville dipped 60 cents to $15.30 with a transfer of 74,498 shares, Mayberry Jamaican Equities rose 61 cents to $9.12, in swapping of 1,900 units. NCB Financial declined $4.68 to a 52 weeks’ closing low of $115.02 in transferring 34,177 shares, Palace Amusement dropped $20 to $960 after trading two stocks, PanJam Investment fell $1.70 to $66.30 with the swapping of 6,504 stock units.
Proven Investments advanced $1.99 to $33.50 with 1,706 units changing hands, Radio Jamaica shed 70 cents in closing at $3.50 with the swapping of 2,014,280 stocks, following the release of record six months results, Sagicor Group lost 50 cents to finish at $54 in trading 404 stock units. Salada Foods slipped 50 cents to $7 with an exchange of 45,736 shares, Scotia Group fell $1.95 to end at $34.05 after trading 2,680,542 stock units, Supreme Ventures shed 71 cents to close at $17.23 in switching ownership of 18,990 stocks. Sygnus Credit Investments rallied 78 cents to $18.90 in an exchange of 143,034 units and Sygnus Real Estate Finance declined $1.99 in closing at a 52 weeks’ low of $16 with 10,981 shares clearing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior stocks squeeze out modest gain
Trading closed on Friday, with the volume of stocks traded rising moderately over Thursday with a slightly higher value on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange, leading to rising stocks just edging out those declining, but Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator flashed negative signs of a possible pullback on Monday.
Market activity led to 38 stocks trading up from 37 on Thursday and ended, with 15 rising, 14 declining and nine, closing unchanged.
Fosrich, Honey Bun and Medical Disposables closed trading at a 52 weeks’ high and CAC2000 ordinary share at a 52 weeks’ low, while Future Energy traded at an intraday high of $3.50.
The Junior Market Index rose 4.95 points to 3,449.28. The PE Ratio, a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.6. The PE ratio of each stock shown in the chart below, is based on earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending up to August 2022.
In trading, 8,396,940 shares changed hands for $29,816,364 compared to 7,877,629 units at $26,515,994 on Thursday. Future Energy Source was the dominant trade, accounting for 56.9 percent of total volume with 4.78 million shares, followed by Mailpac Group 10.2 percent, with 856,569 units and Caribbean Assurance Brokers 7.2 percent with 601,737 shares.
Trading averaged 220,972 shares at $784,641, up from 212,909 shares at $716,648 on Thursday. Trading month to date, averages 151,225 units at $514,353 versus 143,476 units at $484,321 on Thursday. October closed with an average of 162,777 units at $557,275.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator is flashing a negative signal with just one stock ending with the bid higher than the last selling price and seven with lower offers.
In trading, Blue Power climbed 10 cents to close at $3.20 in trading 6,902 shares, CAC 2000 dropped $1.57 to close at a 52 weeks’ low of $6.55 while exchanging 31,000 stock units, Cargo Handlers shed 79 cents to end at $7.05 with 16,108 units changing hands. Caribbean Assurance Brokers fell 17 cents in closing at $2.32 after exchanging 601,737 stocks, Caribbean Cream lost 36 cents in ending at $5.73 with 500 stocks trading, Derrimon Trading declined 13 cents to $2.30, with 106,351 shares crossing the market. Elite Diagnostic rallied 21 cents to $3.46 after trading 101,427 units, Fontana fell 22 cents to end at $7.28, with 213,003 stock units changing hands after hitting an all-time high of $7.99, Fosrich popped 10 cents to a 52 weeks’ closing high of $9, with 500 stocks clearing the market. Future Energy Source rose 14 cents ending at $3.25 in switching ownership of 4,775,741 stock units after hitting an intraday record high of $3.50, GWest Corporation popped 8 cents to 93 cents in an exchange of 38,160 units, Iron Rock Insurance gained 30 cents in closing at $3.79 with an exchange of 3,681 shares. KLE Group lost 10 cents to end at $2.40 in exchanging 63,000 stocks, Knutsford Express shed 69 cents after finishing at $7.26 in an exchange of 18,512 units, Lasco Distributors fell 24 cents to close at $3.25, with 2,184 shares crossing the exchange. 
Limners and Bards increased 14 cents to $3.58 in trading 78,108 stock units, Lumber Depot dropped 11 cents to $2.85 after 341,461 stock units crossed the market. Mailpac Group advanced 7 cents to $3.78, with 856,569 shares changing hands. Medical Disposables spiked $1.18 to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $6.78 in trading 70,846 stocks and Paramount Trading shed 19 cents to $1.04 in exchanging 135,050 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Increased trading pushes JSE Main Market
Market activity ended on Thursday with the volume of shares trading surging 198 percent and the value of 81 percent higher than Wednesday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market, leading to rising stocks edging those that declined.
The All Jamaican Composite Index popped 1,608.31 points to 440,499.56, the JSE Main Index rose 1,916.17 points to 397,981.66 and the Financial Index popped 0.93 points to end at 96.40.
A total of 49 securities traded down from 54 on Wednesday, with 21 rising, 19 declining and nine ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 15.7. The PE ratio for the JSE Main and USD Market closing quotes are based on earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with financial years ending between the current year and August 2022.
Trading ended with 28,191,943 shares changing hands for $175,549,676 versus 9,456,467 units at $97,056,444 on Wednesday. Pulse Investments led trading with 34.1 percent of total volume after transferring 9.6 million shares followed by Carreras 18.4 percent with 5.18 million units, Wigton Windfarm contributed 15.7 percent after trading 4.43 million units, Radio Jamaica contributed 11.2 percent with 3.17 million units, Caribbean Producers ended with 7.5 percent in an exchange of 2.1 million units and QWI Investments with 4.9 percent after 1.38 million units changing hands.
Trading averages 575,346 units at $3,582,646, compared to 175,120 shares at $1,797,342 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 267,974 units at $2,341,992, versus 231,059 units at $2,192,992 on Wednesday. October closed with an average of 251,350 units at $2,773,208.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 14 ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement dropped $2.50 to $102.20 in trading 17,750 shares, Caribbean Producers rose $1.78 to a 52 weeks’ closing high of $9.98 with an exchange of 2,103,404 units, GraceKennedy popped 94 cents in ending at $99.94 in transferring 130,438 stocks. Guardian Holdings dropped $20 to $520 in switching ownership of 232 stock units, Jamaica Producers shed $1.50 to close at $22 with 26,522 shares changing hands, JMMB Group spiked 59 cents to end at $37.50, with 469,936 units clearing the market. Margaritaville gained 40 cents to close at $15.90 in trading 875 stocks. Mayberry Investments lost 48 cents to finish at $7.51 after exchanging 402 stock units. Mayberry Jamaican Equities dipped 61 cents to $8.51, with 1,018 units crossing the exchange. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy declined $5 to $110 in switching ownership of 2 shares, NCB Financial lost 25 cents in closing at $119.70 with a transfer of 44,033 stocks, Palace Amusement dropped $40 to $980 in trading 13 stock units. PanJam Investment rallied $5 to $68 after 14,000 stock units cleared the market, Proven Investments declined $2.39 to close at $31.51 with the swapping of 12,348 units, Radio Jamaica gained 28 cents to end at $4.20 after exchanging 3,168,173 shares. 
Sagicor Group rose 50 cents to $54.50 in switching ownership of 71,078 stocks, Salada Foods rallied 51 cents to $7.50 with 6,846 stock units crossing the market, Scotia Group gained 50 cents in ending at $36 with the swapping of 35,147 shares. Seprod spiked $2.20 in closing at $63.30 in exchanging 1,361 units, Stanley Motta rose 43 cents to end at $5.50 after 24,289 stock units changed hands, Sygnus Credit Investments shed 33 cents to close at $18.12 trading 52,125 units and Wisynco Group declined $1.10 to $16.65 in an exchange of 127,695 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market slips back on Thursday
Trading slowed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market on Thursday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 22 percent, with the value slipping 7 percent lower than on Wednesday as the number of securities trading remained at 37, similar to Wednesday and ended 2ith 17 rising, 18 declining and two closing unchanged.
At the close, the Junior Market Index shed 13.08 points to close at 3,444.33.
The PE Ratio, a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.7. The PE ratio of each stock is shown in the chart below, is based on earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending up to August 2022.
Trading accounted for 7,877,629 shares for $26,515,994 versus 10,137,629 units at $28,425,300 on Wednesday. Future Energy Source led trading after taking 40.8 percent of total volume with 3.21 million shares, followed by Caribbean Assurance Brokers 16 percent with 1.26 million units and Jamaican Teas 15.8 percent with an exchange of 1.24 million shares.
Trading averaged 212,909 shares at $716,648 in contrast to 273,990 shares at $768,251 on Wednesday. And for the month to date an average of 143,476 units at $484,321, compared to 135,053 units at $456,137 on Wednesday. October closed with an average of 162,777 units at $557,275.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ended with a bid higher than their last selling prices and three stocks with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging popped 10 cents to $1.75 in trading 141,730 shares, Blue Power shed 20 cents to close at $3.10 with 1,100 units changed hands, CAC 2000 rallied $1.10 in closing at $8.12, as 96 stocks crossed the market. Caribbean Assurance Brokers increased 20 cents ending at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $2.49 after trading at an intraday 52 weeks’ high of $2.96 in an exchange of 1,262,538 stock units, Caribbean Cream gained 9 cents to end at $6.09 in exchanging 8,501 stock units, Dolphin Cove rallied 25 cents to $10.25 in switching ownership of 111,395 units. Elite Diagnostic declined 23 cents to $3.25, trading 15,390 shares, Everything Fresh climbed 12 cents in closing at $1.04 with the swapping of 361,431 stocks, Fontana lost 10 cents in ending at $7.50, with 202,617 stocks changing hands after trading at an intraday high of $7.81. Fosrich shed 10 cents to end at $8.90 after an exchange of 14,295 shares, Future Energy Source rose 21 cents to close at $3.11, trading 3,212,089 stock units, General Accident fell 20 cents to end at $6.60 with an exchange of 20,722 units. Honey Bun popped 35 cents to end at $9.50, trading 116,429 stock units, Indies Pharma popped 8 cents in ending at $3.13 after 3,700 shares crossed the exchange, Iron Rock Insurance declined 29 cents to $3.49 with one stock trading.
Lasco Distributors fell 21 cents to close at $3.49, with 105,296 units clearing the market, Lumber Depot rose 14 cents to $2.96 while exchanging 445,823 stock units, Medical Disposables rallied 30 cents to $5.60 in trading 1,832 shares. SSL Venture popped 10 cents to 76 cents with the swapping of 45,300 stocks, Stationery and Office Supplies rose 22 cents to close at $6.75, with 6,299 units crossing the market and tTech gained 11 cents to end at $4 with an exchange of 452 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Main Market stocks plunge
Stocks plunged Wednesday on the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange, with the volume of shares trading declining 23 percent and the value 16 percent higher than on Tuesday on Main Market as rising stocks were less than those falling.
The All Jamaican Composite Index plunged 2,857.42 points to 438,891.25, the Main Index dived 3,958.63 points to 396,065.49 and the JSE Financial Index lost 1.15 points to end at 95.47.
Trading ended with 54 securities compared to 53 on Tuesday, with 20 rising, 22 declining and 12 ending unchanged. The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 15.7. The PE ratio for the JSE Main and USD Market closing quotes are based on earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with financial years ending between the current year and August 2022.
At close, 9,456,467 shares traded for $97,056,444 versus 12,270,585 units at $83,634,712 on Tuesday. Mayberry Investments led trading with 31.1 percent of total volume for an exchange of 2.94 million shares, followed by Wigton Windfarm 20.2 percent with 1.91 million units and Transjamaican Highway with 6.7 percent for 632,492 units changing hands.
Trading averages 175,120 units at $1,797,342, compared to 231,520 shares at $1,578,013 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 231,059 units at $2,192,992, compared to 239,592 units at $2,253,345 on Tuesday. October closed with an average of 251,350 units at $2,773,208.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 16 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund declined $4.50 to end at $38 with 3,736 shares crossing the market, First Rock Capital slipped 85 cents to $10.60 in trading 54,088 stocks, Jamaica Stock Exchange shed 81 cents in closing at $16.75 with the swapping of 29,233 units. Kingston Properties rose 50 cents to $9 in an exchange of 7,243 stock units, Kingston Wharves fell $1 to close at $45 in switching ownership of 16,480 units, Margaritaville gained 45 cents ending at $15.50 with a transfer of 34,995 stocks. Mayberry Investments rallied 93 cents to $7.99 in trading 2,939,523 shares, Palace Amusement popped $1 in closing at $1,020, with 23 units clearing the market, PanJam Investment dropped $6.90 to $63 after ownership of 15,000 shares were switched. Sagicor Group gained $1 to settle at $54 with 84,841 stock units crossing the exchange, Scotia Group shed 99 cents in ending at $35.50 with 332,671 stocks changing hands, Seprod dropped $2.15 to close at $61.10, with 10,699 units crossing the market. 
Sygnus Credit Investments gained 34 cents to finish at $18.45 in exchanging 44,506 stocks, Sygnus Real Estate Finance rose 49 cents in closing at $17.99 with a transfer of 10,721 shares and Wisynco Group popped $1.14 to close at $17.75 with the swapping of 199,941 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
