Trading picked up with 43 percent more funds entering the market and driving the volume of stocks traded up 17 percent at the close on Wednesday, over Tuesday’s trades and sent the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange rising moderately, with declining stocks edging out those that rose as the market continues to consolidate.
The number of stocks trading fell to 33, from 37 on Tuesday and ended with 12 rising, 14 declining and seven closing unchanged. The Junior Market Index rose 5.10 points to settle at 3,287.73.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 12.5 based on ICInsider.com forecasted 2021-22 earnings.
Trading ended with 5,353,446 shares changing hands for $20,594,887 up from 4,576,086 units at $14,364,164 on Tuesday. Jamaican Teas led trading, with 32.2 percent of total volume and 1.72 million shares, followed by Lumber Depot 23.7 percent with 1.27 million units and Future Energy Source 14.8 percent, with 793,771 shares.
Trading averaged 162,226 shares at $624,087 in contrast to 123,678 units at $388,221 on Tuesday. Trading month to date, averages 167,235 shares at $596,470, compared to 168,725 units at $588,260 on Tuesday. September closed with an average of 207,032 units at $668,264.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and just one with a lower offer.
At the close, AMG Packaging rallied 16 cents to $1.81 after exchanging 13,311 shares, Caribbean Cream fell 20 cents to $6.30 with an exchange of 60,498 stock units, Everything Fresh shed 7 cents to close at 90 cents after trading 21,739 units. Express Catering rose 10 cents to $5.50 switching ownership of 12,270 stocks, Fontana declined 12 cents to $6.40 after exchanging 343,755 units, Honey Bun dropped 15 cents to $8.50, with 155,598 shares clearing the market. Indies Pharma gained 30 cents to end at $3.45 with 1,500 stock units crossing the exchange, Iron Rock Insurance lost 75 cents to close at $3.35 in trading 100 stocks, Jamaican Teas dropped 10 cents in closing at $4.40, with 1,722,319 shares changing hands. 
Lasco Distributors fell 13 cents to $3.77 after exchanging 48,765 stocks, Lasco Manufacturing climbed 11 cents to $4.80 with the swapping of 2,693 stock units, Mailpac Group shed 14 cents to $3.70 while trading 141,762 units. Medical Disposables declined 9 cents to close at $4.71, with 15,685 stocks crossing the market, Stationery and Office Supplies popped 15 cents in, ending at $6.20 after trading 3,000 units and Tropical Battery rallied 7 cents to end at $1.37 in an exchange of 1,654 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main market down again
Trading in Sygnus Real Estate Finance shares commenced on Tuesday after the company’s initial public offer was coolly received by the investing public and traded 12,000 stock units at the IPO price of $19.20. Elsewhere Market activity ended with the volume and the value of stocks tracking close to trading on Monday at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market as the market indices slipped at the close.
The All Jamaican Composite Index shed 546.04 points to end at 451,893.58, the Main Index declined 527.95 points to 410,679.73 and the JSE Financial Index fell 0.19 points to 99.20.
A total of 55 securities traded compared to 51 on Monday, with 16 rising, 19 declining and 20 ending firm.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 15.8 based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2021-22 earnings.
Trading amassed 11,674,398 shares for $83,242,103 versus 11,193,417 units at $94,709,427 on Monday. QWI Investments led trading with 15.8 percent of total volume after trading 1.84 million shares followed by Ciboney Group 12.5 percent, with 1.45 million units, Wigton Windfarm traded 11.1 percent with 1.29 million units, Sagicor Select Financial Fund accounted for 11 percent with 1.28 million units, Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund ended with 10.4 percent after an exchange of 1.21 million units and Transjamaican Highway 9.7 percent with 1.13 million units.
Trading averages 212,262 units at $1,513,493, compared to 219,479 shares at $1,857,048 on Monday and month to date, an average of 245,350 units at $4,624,261 compared to 263,019 units at $6,285,351 on Monday. 
September closed with an average of 335,669 units at $7,507,338.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows nine stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments shed $1.05 to end at $99.96 in switching ownership of 456,340 shares, Caribbean Cement advanced $3 to $118 with 18,775 stocks crossing the exchange. Caribbean Producers gained 56 cents in closing at $5.95 with the swapping of 447,387 stock units, as investors responded to a near US$2 million profit in the company’s fourth quarter and suggesting record profits for the 2022 fiscal year. Eppley declined $4.44 to $33.06 in trading 1,439 units, First Rock Capital rose 70 cents to $13 with 8,873 stocks changing hands, Guardian Holdings shed $1 in ending at $579 in an exchange of one stock unit. Jamaica Broilers fell 50 cents to $30.50 in trading 13,368 shares, Jamaica Producers slipped 50 cents to $22 after transferring 54,134 stocks, Kingston Properties popped $1 to $10 in switching ownership of 500 shares. Mayberry Investments lost 29 cents to end at $5.51 after trading 90,670 stocks, Palace Amusement spiked $124 to $1,024 with one stock unit crossing the market,
Portland JSX fell $2.05 in closing at a 52 weeks’ low of $6.95 with an exchange of 555 units. Proven Investments dipped 75 cents to $33 after 4,667 stock units cleared the market, Pulse Investments rallied 27 cents to $5.10 with the swapping of 917,170 stocks, Sagicor Group slipped $1 to $55 in transferring 20,259 shares and Scotia Group lost 48 cents to end at $38.50 in exchanging 12,027 units.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 7.35% share due 2028, gained 30 cents to close at $3.50 with 5,728 units crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Rising stocks beat two to one
The Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market just hang to a modest gain at the close on Tuesday, after the volume traded fell 30 percent lower and the value traded falling 30 percent below trading activity on Monday leaving the market index with a single digit increase.
Market activity led to 37 securities trading compared to 38 on Monday and ended with 19 rising, 11 declining and seven, closing unchanged.
The Market Index gained 4.42 points to settle at 3,282.63 after it traded above the 3,300 mark.
The PE Ratio, a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 12.5 based on ICInsider.com’s 2021-22 earnings forecast.
Overall, a total of 4,576,086 shares traded for $14,364,164 down from 6,492,921 units at $22,067,491 on Monday. Jamaican Teas led trading with 1.14 million shares and accounted for 25 percent of total volume, after closing at a 52 weeks’ high, followed by Caribbean Flavours with 815,999 units and 17.8 percent of the day’s trade and Lumber Depot 700,592 units for 15.3 percent of the market.
Trading averaged 123,678 units at $388,221 in contrast to 170,866 shares at $580,723 on Monday. Trading month to date, averages 168,725 units at $588,260, compared to 191,248 units at $688,279 on Monday. September closed with an average of 207,032 units at $668,264.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Blue Power popped 5 cents in closing at $3.30 while exchanging 110 shares, Caribbean Cream rose 10 cents to $6.50, with 101,030 stocks clearing the market, Consolidated Bakeries fell 16 cents to $1.64 in exchanging 11,500 units. Dolphin Cove shed $1.50 in ending at $7.50, with 8,199 stock units changing hands, spiked 17 cents to end at $6.52 after exchanging 116,724 stocks, Future Energy Source rallied 5 cents to end at $2.70 after 363,385 stock units crossed the exchange. Honey Bun gained 43 cents in ending at $8.65 with the swapping of 18,521 units, iCreate advanced 10 cents to close at 85 cents with an exchange of 290,770 shares, Indies Pharma declined 50 cents in closing at $3.15, with 7,600 units crossing the market. Jamaican Teas climbed 17 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $4.50 in switching ownership of 1,143,669 stocks, KLE Group dropped 11 cents to end at $1.02 in an exchange of 60,000 shares, Knutsford Express lost 25 cents in ending at $8.15, after trading 179 stock units. Lasco Financial rose 15 cents to $3.15 after trading 79,696 shares, 
Lasco Manufacturing increased 12 cents to $4.69 in trading 4,063 stock units, Limners and Bards advanced 10 cents to $3.45, with 84,220 stocks changing hands. Main Event climbed 30 cents to $4.50 after exchanging 400 units, Medical Disposables fell 20 cents to end at $4.80 in exchanging 30,000 stocks, SSL Venture popped 5 cents to close at 68 cents, with one share changing hands. Stationery and Office Supplies dropped 59 cents to $6.05 after 10,000 units crossed the exchange and tTech rose 14 cents to $4.20 after 18,619 stock units changed hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Second day of decline for JSE main market
Stocks mostly fell on Monday, with investors trading 30 percent fewer shares at 83 percent lower value than on Friday and leading to a fall in the market indices at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 4,050.22 points to 452,439.62, the Main Index dived 3,370.07 points to 411,207.68 and the JSE Financial Index fell 1.65 points to end at 99.39.
Trading ended with 51 securities changing hands down from 52 on Friday, with 17 rising, 23 declining and 11 ending unchanged. The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 15.9 based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2021-22 earnings.
A total of 11,193,417 shares traded for $94,709,427 versus 15,897,514 units at $552,681,759 on Friday. Transjamaican Highway led trading with 30.5 percent of total volume for an exchange of 3.41 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 18.2 percent for 2.04 million units and Pulse Investments 14.2 percent with 1.59 million units changing hands.
Trading averages 219,479 units at $1,857,048, down from 305,721 shares at $10,628,495 on Friday and month to date, an average of 263,019 units at $6,285,351. September closed with an average of 335,669 units at $7,507,338.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments declined $2.24 ending at $101.01 with 389,913 shares crossing the exchange, Berger Paints shed 75 cents in closing at $13.25 with the swapping of 2,825 stock units, Caribbean Cement dipped $5 to $115 after exchanging 11,326 units. Carreras gained 23 cents to close at $8.73 with the transfer of 67,276 stock units, Eppley rallied $5 to $37.50, with 1,503 units clearing the market, First Rock Capital slipped 70 cents to $12.3 in an exchange of 12,354 stock units. Guardian Holdings fell $2 to $580 in exchanging 8,734 stocks, Jamaica Broilers shed $1 in closing at $31 after trading 4,319 shares, Jamaica Producers slipped 70 cents to $22.50 in switching ownership of 13,032 units. Jamaica Stock Exchange fell 50 cents to close at $17.10 in exchanging 5,350 stocks, PanJam Investment popped $1.44 to $64.44, with 311 stock units clearing the market, Proven Investments advanced $1.25 to $33.75 in switching ownership of 3,286 shares. Sagicor Group declined $1.30 to end at $56 with an exchange of 21,378 stocks, Sagicor Real Estate Fund fell 40 cents to $8 in trading 815 shares, Salada Foods spiked 43 cents to $6.50 with 23,574 stock units crossing the market. 
Scotia Group advanced $1.38 in ending at $38.98 after an exchange of 6,181 units, Seprod shed 35 cents to end at $62.15 in trading 15,515 stocks, Stanley Motta rose 30 cents to $6 with 2,655 units crossing the market and Victoria Mutual Investments gained 25 cents in closing at $5.70 in exchanging 93,216 stock units.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 7.15% – 2028 dipped 25 cents to $3.10 in transferring 225,025 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Stocks dived Monday on the Junior Market
Stocks mostly fell in trading closed on Monday, Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market, with the volume traded declining 15 percent and the value traded falling 24 percent less than below Friday’s trades.
Market activity led to 38 securities trading compared to 36 on Friday and ended, with 11 rising, 20 declining and seven, closing unchanged.
The Junior Market Index shed 34.29 points to 3,278.21.
The PE Ratio, a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 12.4 based on ICInsider.com’s 2021-22 earnings forecast.
Trading ended with 6,492,921 shares changing hands for $22,067,491 down from 7,659,422 units at $28,865,188 on Friday. Jamaican Teas led trading with 49.8 percent of the volume traded, after an exchange of 3.24 million shares, followed by Lumber Depot 18.9 percent, with 1.23 million units and Future Energy Source 10.4 percent after 677,720 shares changed hands.
Trading averaged 170,866 units at $580,723 in contrast to 212,762 shares at $801,811 on Friday. Trading month to date, averages 191,248 units at $688,279. September closed with an average of 207,032 units at $668,264.
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, AMG Packaging declined 7 cents to $1.63 in an exchange of 19,888 shares, Blue Power shed 12 cents in closing at $3.25, with 19,781 stock units crossing the exchange, Cargo Handlers fell 19 cents to $7.60 after trading 1,000 units. Caribbean Cream dropped 60 cents to $6.40 with an exchange of 10,000 stock units, Caribbean Flavours lost 7 cents to end at $1.91 in switching ownership of 16,227 stock units, Consolidated Bakeries increased 10 cents to $1.80 while exchanging three shares. Dolphin Cove fell $1 to $9 after exchanging 2,246 units, Express Catering lost 23 cents to end at $5.40 in trading 2,600 stocks, Fontana shed 15 cents in closing at $6.35 in trading 45,705 units. Fosrich climbed 6 cents to close at $8.13, with 15,125 stock units changing hands, Future Energy Source declined 5 cents to $2.65, with 677,720 shares clearing the market, Honey Bun dropped 43 cents to $8.22 trading 22,677 stocks. iCreate fell 5 cents to 75 cents, with 30,100 units crossing the market, Indies Pharma rallied 42 cents in closing at $3.65 with the swapping of 18,292 stock units, Jamaican Teas advanced 33 cents to $4.33 in trading 3,235,514 stocks. Jetcon Corporation rose 13 cents to $1.14 with 165,000 shares crossing the market, Lasco Distributors gained 40 cents to close at $3.90 while exchanging 6,631 stocks,
Lasco Financial declined 15 cents to $3 in exchanging 109,786 units. Lasco Manufacturing rallied 7 cents to $4.57 with an exchange of 28,959 shares, Limners and Bards shed 15 cents to $3.35, with 75,791 stock units changing hands, Medical Disposables lost 15 cents to end at $5 after 1,083 units crossed the exchange and Stationery and Office Supplies popped 15 cents to $6.64 after trading 500 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main Market down to start October
The Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market commenced trading on the first day of October robustly, with The All Jamaican Composite Index sprinting to 460,374.69 points after 43 minutes of trading elapsed on Friday, with Caribbean Cement jumping 30 percent to a record $146.12 before pulling back to close at $120 as trading volume of shares moderated from trading levels on Thursday even as the value of stocks traded jumped 35 percent.
The All Jamaican Composite Index declined 202.09 points to 456,489.84, the Main Index shed 312.21 points to 414,577.75 and the JSE Financial Index lost 0.64 points to end at 101.04.
Trading ended with 52 securities similar to Thursday, with 15 stocks rising, 23 declining and 14 ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 15.7 based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2021-22 earnings.
Overall, 15,897,514 shares traded for $552,681,759 versus 18,546,540 units at $409,063,174 on Thursday. Eppley led trading with 19.8 percent of the day’s volume, after an exchange of 3.14 million shares, followed by Wigton Windfarm 11.7 percent with1.85 million units. GraceKennedy followed with 11.4 percent from 1.82 million units, Sagicor Select Financial Fund accounted for 8.8 percent, with 1.40 million units, Pulse Investments 8.5 percent with 1.34 million units and NCB Financial with 7.5 percent in trading 1.19 million units.
Trading averaged 305,721 units at $10,628,495, compared to 356,664 shares at $7,866,600 on Thursday. September closed with an average of 335,669 units at $7,507,338.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows nine stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments dived $4.84 to$103.25 after trading 623,197 shares, Berger Paints lost 48 cents to end at $14 in switching ownership of 59,491 stock units, Caribbean Cement spiked $8, in closing at $120 with 29,739 stocks clearing the market after the price hit a record $146.12 in mid-morning trading. Caribbean Producers rose 75 cents to $5.50 in exchanging 568,310 units, Eppley dropped $7.50 to finish at $32.50 with a transfer of 3,144,676 shares, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund fell $4.25 to $42.50 in an exchange of 1,100 stocks. First Rock Capital lost 30 cents in closing at $13 with 8,977 shares crossing the exchange, GraceKennedy popped 20 cents to $99.20, after 1,815,401 units crossed the market, Guardian Holdings fell $3 to $582, with 5,213 stocks changing hands. Jamaica Producers shed 55 cents to $23.20 in trading 4,491 shares, Kingston Properties rallied 50 cents to settle at $9 with the swapping of 170 stock units, Mayberry Jamaican Equities rose 74 cents to $9, with 1,262 units changing hands. Palace Amusement surged $130 to $900 in transferring 26 units, PanJam Investment shed $1 to close at $63 after trading 5,320 shares, Proven Investments declined $1.25, to $32.50 with 7,072 stock units changing hands. 
Sagicor Group dipped 70 cents to $57.30, with 31,390 stocks crossing the market, Sagicor Real Estate Fund gained 40 cents to finish at $8.40 in trading 500 stock units, Salada Foods shed 83 cents to close at $6.07 in an exchange of 55,074 stocks. Scotia Group fell $1.15 to $37.60, with 46,115 shares clearing the market, Seprod slipped 59 cents to $62.50 in switching ownership of 4,365 units, Sygnus Credit Investments lost 37 cents to close at $15.98 with the swapping of 82,282 stocks and Victoria Mutual Investments lost 20 cents after ending at $5.45 in trading 35,256 shares.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share shed 75 cents to end at $6.70 in exchanging 165 stock units, Eppley 7.50% preference share dropped 80 cents in closing at $6, with 10,027 stocks crossing the market and JMMB Group 7.25% popped 38 cents to $2.88 with 18 shares changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market rose into October
Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market started October off to a good note, with the market index closing higher but only after more stock declined than gained at the close on Friday, with the volume and value of stocks traded falling 30 percent and 31 percent respectively, from Thursday trades.
Market activity led to 36 securities trading compared to 34 on Thursday and ended with 10 rising, 18 declining and eight, closing unchanged.
The Junior Market Index rose 16.15 points to 3,312.50. The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 12.7 based on ICInsider.com’s 2021-22 earnings forecast.
A total of 7,659,422 shares traded for $28,865,188 down from 11,102,954 units at $41,080,349 on Thursday. Jamaican Teas led trading with 61.4 percent of total volume after 4.70 units of the company’s million shares were traded, followed by Lumber Depot 9.9 percent with 758,308 units and Future Energy Source traded 9.5 percent, with 730,160 shares.
Trading averaged 212,762 units at $801,811 down from 326,557 shares at $1,208,246 on Thursday. Trading in September closed with an average of 207,032 units at $668,264.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ended with a bid higher than their last selling prices and seven with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial popped $2.90 to $20 with the swapping of 2 shares, AMG Packaging climbed 9 cents to $1.70, with 185,800 stock units crossing the market, Blue Power rallied 40 cents to $3.37 in switching ownership of 25,998 units. Cargo Handlers rose 79 cents to $7.79 after exchanging 447 stocks, Caribbean Cream spiked $1.01 to $7 while exchanging 50,966 shares, but the stocks had 100000 units on offer at $6.50 at the close, Consolidated Bakeries fell 10 cents to $1.70, with 2,488 stocks crossing the exchange. Dolphin Cove gained 14 cents to end at $10, with 958 stock units changing hands, Elite Diagnostic dropped 5 cents to close at $3 after exchanging 247,582 units, Fontana lost 9 cents in closing at $6.50 with an exchange of 33,339 stocks. Future Energy Source declined 16 cents to $2.70 in exchanging 730,160 shares, General Accident rose 15 cents to $5.45 1n trading 3,693 stock units, Indies Pharma shed 52 cents to end at $3.23 with 1,070 units changing hands. ISP Finance popped $1.50 to close at $25, with 500 stock units clearing the market, Jamaican Teas shed 10 cents to $4 in an exchange of 4,701,946 units, Jetcon Corporation lost 15 cents after ending at $1.01 and trading 19,000 stocks. 
Lasco Distributors fell 49 cents to $3.50, with 23,144 shares crossing the market, Lasco Manufacturing declined 30 cents to end at $4.50 after swapping 22,583 shares, Limners and Bards dropped 35 cents to $3.50 in trading 15,895 stocks. Mailpac Group fell 6 cents to $3.84 after exchanging 418,371 stock units, Main Event lost 8 cents to close at $4.20 while trading 1,037 units and Medical Disposables climbed 15 cents to $5.15 after 46,950 units crossed the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main Market rise to close out September
Stocks market activity ended September on a bullish note, as 141 percent more funds bought slightly fewer shares than on Wednesday at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market and ended with rising stocks exceeding those declining, greater than two to one ratio on Thursday.
The market closed lower than August, measured by the market indices but recorded gains for a fifth straight day, with the All Jamaican Composite Index climbing 4,591.49 points on Thursday to 456,691.93. The Main Index gained 3,991.06 points to end at 414,889.96 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.96 points to end at 101.68.
At the end of the month, when some investors bid prices up for portfolio enhancement purposes, 52 securities traded similar to Wednesday, with 31 stocks rising, 14 declining and seven ending unchanged. The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 16.1 based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2021-22 earnings.
A total of 18,546,540 shares traded for $409,063,174 versus 18,954,825 units at $169,922,552 on Wednesday. Pulse Investments led trading with 38.3 percent of total volume for an exchange of 7.11 million shares, Transjamaican Highway followed, with 8.9 percent and 1.65 million units, Sagicor Select Financial Fund 8.8 percent with 1.64 million shares, Barita Investments accounted for 6.7 percent with 1.24 million units, GraceKennedy with 5.7 percent for 1.05 million shares and Sagicor Group with 5.6 percent after 1.05 million units changing hands.
Trading averages 356,664 units at $7,866,600, compared to 364,516 shares at $3,267,741 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 335,669 units at $7,507,338, compared to 334,642 units at $7,489,764 on Wednesday. August closed with an average of 480,039 units at $8,561,549.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 15 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments spiked $1.10 to a record close of $108.09 after an exchange of 1,243,352 shares, Berger Paints rallied 98 cents to $14.48 in transferring one stock unit, Caribbean Cement popped $11 to $112 with 91,434 stock units crossing the market. Eppley gained 50 cents in closing at $40 and trading 2,720 stocks, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund spiked $2.80 to finish at $46.75 in exchanging 28,318 stock units, First Rock Capital jumped 40 cents to $13.30 with an exchange of 12,900 shares. Guardian Holdings advanced $4 in closing at $585 after trading 3,587 units, Jamaica Producers rallied $1.05 in ending at $23.75 with the swapping of 290,300 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange rose 75 cents to $17.60 in switching ownership of 54,295 stocks. JMMB Group gained 30 cents to close at $38 with 233,778 stock units crossing the market, Kingston Properties lost 50 cents after ending at $8.50 with 230 units changing hands, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy popped $4.99 to $119.99 with the swapping of 65 shares. NCB Financial shed 50 cents to end at $127 after exchanging 50,259 stocks, 138 Student Living gained 49 cents to close at $5 with a transfer of 11 units, Palace Amusement dived $260 to $770 with 146 stock units clearing the market. 
PanJam Investment climbed $1 to $64 after trading 7,022 units, Portland JSX rose $1 to close at $9 in exchanging 1,670 stocks, Proven Investments popped $1.59 to $33.75 in switching ownership of 17,756 units. Sagicor Group advanced $2 to $58 with 1,047,226 shares clearing the market, Sagicor Real Estate Fund shed 50 cents to $8 after 5,485 stock units crossed the market, Salada Foods rose 75 cents in closing at $6.90 with the swapping of 60,713 shares. Scotia Group gained 35 cents to finish at $38.75 after exchanging 33,237 stocks, Stanley Motta picked up 23 cents to $5.80 in switching ownership of 87,104 units and Sygnus Credit Investments rose 85 cents to $16.35 with 270,538 stock units crossing the exchange.
In the preference segment, Eppley 5% popped $1 to end at $20 in exchanging 2 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
BOJ to raise policy interest rate today
Bank of Jamaica will announce their latest overnight interbank policy interest rate today. The new rate is expected to increase from 0.50 percent that has been in place since August 2019.
On most occasions, the lowering of the overnight rates was mostly cut by cut 25 basis points, indicating the likely upward moves. In light of the sharp rise in CD rates, the move upward for the rate could push the new rate to one percent, initially, with the moderate movement helped by the appreciation in the value of the Jamaican dollar that is going to results in a sharp drop in inflation if sustained.
In August, the Central Bank announced the decision to consider commencing a tightening of monetary policy at the next meeting of the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (the MPC Committee) in September and to immediately implement other measures aimed at moderating inflation expectations, including the containment of Jamaican dollar liquidity expansion.
A precursor to the policy rate increase and further tightening of the financial market, the CDs offered by the BOJ on September 29 resulted in a further rise in CD rates and followed other increases in the month.
On Wednesday, this week, the auction of CDs saw 45 bids amounting to $11.6 billion, chasing $10.5 billion offered by the central bank, resulting in average rates of 2.59 percent, up from 2.15 percent at September 22 auction. The latest rate represents a steep increase since the beginning of August when the rate was at just 0.59 percent.
Since the end of July, the bank has withdrawn $10.5 billion from the system and will hold a total of $45.5 million in CDS.
Back to normal for JSE Main Market
Trading activity on Wednesday could not match the heady trading levels resulting from the dominant trade by Barita Investments on Tuesday. The volume of shares trading on Wednesday dropped 63 percent and the value 96 percent from Tuesday’s levels, helping the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market to close higher for a fourth consecutive day.
Fifty two securities traded, up from 49 on Tuesday, with 15 rising, 23 declining and 14 ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 15.8 based on ICInsider.com forecast of 2021-22 earnings.
The All Jamaican Composite Index popped 3,488.35 points to 452,100.44, the JSE Main Index jumped 2,700.82 points to 410,898.90 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.89 points to end at 100.72.
A total of 18,954,825 shares traded at $169,922,552 from 50,863,279 units at $4,450,256,298 on Tuesday. Sagicor Select Financial Fund led the market, with 28.3 percent of total volume in exchanging 5.37 million shares followed by Pulse Investments 20.5 percent with 3.89 million units, Transjamaican Highway 14.3 percent with 2.71 million shares, Wigton Windfarm 11.4 percent with 2.17 million units and Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund with 5.6 percent after trading 1.07 million units.
Trading averages 364,516 units at $3,267,741, down from 1,038,026 shares at $90,821,557 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 334,642 units at $7,489,764, compared to 333,105 units at $7,706,920 on Tuesday. August closed with an average of 480,039 units at $8,561,549.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments spiked $4.99, ending at a record close of $106.99 in exchanging 594,219 stocks, Eppley gained 50 cents to finish at $39.50 with 454 stock units crossing the market, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rose 96 cents to close at $43.95 in switching ownership of 23,576 units. First Rock Capital gained 60 cents in closing at $12.90 after trading 8,091 shares, Jamaica Broilers shed 99 cents to $32 with the swapping of 15,304 stocks, Jamaica Producers lost 28 cents to end at $22.70 with 1,306 shares crossing the exchange. Jamaica Stock Exchange dipped 29 cents to close at $16.85 in switching ownership of 7,067 stock units, JMMB Group fell 45 cents to $37.70 in an exchange of 216,455 units, Kingston Wharves popped 95 cents to $45 after three stocks cleared the market. 138 Student Living shed 54 cents to $4.51 with the swapping of 897 shares, Palace Amusement dropped $19 in closing at $1,030 after trading 71 units, Proven Investments shed 59 cents ending at $32.16 with 6,024 stock units changing hands. 
Pulse Investments gained 23 cents to close at $4.93 with an exchange of 3,890,553 shares, Sagicor Group advanced $2 to $56 in transferring 152,988 stocks, Scotia Group declined 60 cents to end at $38.40 in switching ownership of 85,570 units. Seprod lost 20 cents to close at $63.10 with 120,483 shares crossing the market, Sygnus Credit Investments shed 35 cents to end at $15.50 after 49,632 stock units cleared the market.
In the preference segment, Eppley 5% fell $1 to end at a 52 weeks’ low of $19 with an exchange of 399 shares and Eppley 7.50% preference share declined $1.20 in closing at $6.80 with a transfer of 10,800 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
