Transjamaican record $8, 118% yearly gain


Continued B demand for toll road operator, Transjamaican Highway, led to trading of 7 million shares, with the price jumping to a record close of $7.99, resulting in a rise of 118 percent in the past twelve months, following solid 2026 first quarter results. Trading ended on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Wednesday, with the volume of stocks traded, climbing 29 percent with a 15 percent higher value than Tuesday. The market closed with an exchange of 60 securities, after slipping from 63 on Tuesday, with prices of 24 rising, 24 declining and 12 ending unchanged.

The market closed with 16,301,774 shares having been traded with a value of $91,641,614 after jumping from 12,611,862 stock units with a value of $79,545,152 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 271,696 shares at $1,527,360, after an increase from 200,188 stock units with an average value of $1,262,621 on Tuesday. Trading for the month to date, averages of 211,676 units at $2,064,130 compared to 207,000 shares worth $2,105,956 on the preceding day and April with an average of 342,509 stock units at $2,726,829.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 7.09 million shares for 43.5 percent of total volume followed by QWI Investments with 3.45 million stocks for 21.2 percent of the day’s trade and Wigton Energy with 1.89 million units for 11.6 percent of the total s trades.
The All Jamaican Composite Index popped 624.83 points to 411,473.13, the JSE Main Index gained 301.76 points to wrap up trading at 349,494.94 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.24 points to end at 66.02. At the close, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 13 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 16.7. ICInsider.com compiles the JSE Main and the USD Market PE ratios based on last traded prices and earnings forecasts for companies with the financial year ending around August 2026.
At the close of trading, Berger Paints increased 67 cents to $5.76 with an exchange of 1,066 shares, Caribbean Cement rose 50 cents to $103 after 6,140 stocks were  traded, Carreras rose 49 cents to close at $22.89 with an exchange of 309,919 shares. Eppley gained $1 to close at $37 with trading of 66 stock units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund popped 50 cents to end at $46.50 with 2,048 stocks crossing the exchange, General Accident lost $1.15 in closing at $6.25 after a transfer of 30,425 shares. Guardian Holdings skidded $2 to $345 wwith investors exchanging 37 stocks, Jamaica Broilers sank $2 to finish at $13.50 with 167,389 units crossing the market, Jamaica Producers declined 50 cents and ended at $23.50 after an exchange of 1,533 stock units. Jamaica Stock Exchange shed 89 cents to settle at $10.50 with investors dealing in 203,881 shares, Kingston Properties fell $1.52 to $10.55 after traders swapped 500 stocks, Lasco Manufacturing slipped 49 cents to $6.31 with investors trading 771,376 units. Pan Jamaica rallied $2.42 to $47.94 in an exchange of 208 stock units, Proven Investments advanced $1 to end at $12.50 with investors dealing in 1,763 shares, Seprod fell 99 cents to $82 with 7,923 stock units changing hands. Sygnus Real Estate Finance dipped $1.30 to end at $9.35 following trading of 6,658 units, Transjamaican Highway popped 51 cents to finish at record close of $7.99 with an exchange of 7,094,544 stock units and Wisynco Group dropped 51 cents to close at $19 in an exchange of 67,330 shares.
In the preference share segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share gained 50 cents to close at $19.50 with investors swapping 5 stocks and Productive Business Solutions 10.5% rose $5 to $1,135 after traders dealing in 25 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Steady trading on JSE Stock Exchange


Trading volumes slipped on Wednesday but finished marginally lower than with a greater value than Tuesday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, resulting in the major indices of the Main Market rising, the Junior Market index suffering another sizeable fall and the JSE USD Market slipping mildly. At the end of trading the prices of 41 shares rose, 45 declined and 25 remained firm.

The market closed with, the JSE Combined Market Index rising by 67.42 points to 55,967.53, the All Jamaican Composite Index gained 624.83 points to settle at 411,473.13, the JSE Main Index rallied 301.76 points to finish at 349,494.94, the Junior Market Index declined by 30.68 points to 3,037.44 and the JSE USD Market Index shed 1.81 points to finish at 264.37.
The market ended following an exchange of 43,404,559 shares in all three markets, just below 43,609,389 units on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounting to $113.29 million, up from $98.01 million on the previous day. The JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 690,528 shares for US$34,802 compared to 324,062 units at US$16,054 on Tuesday.
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led trading with 7.09 million shares, followed by QWI Investments with 3.45 million stocks and Wigton Energy with 1.89 million units.
In Junior Market trading, Kintyre Holdings led with 14.36 million shares, followed by Omni Industries with 4.11 million stocks and Atlantic Hardware with 3.23 million units.
In the preference share segment, Productive Business Solutions 10.5% rose $5 to close at $1,135.
At the close of trading, the market’s current year’s PE ratio, compiled with projected 2026-27 earnings is 12.8 and 14.6 based on 2025 historical earnings, with the exclusion of any major one-time income or expenses.
PE ratios are one of the more popular measures used by investors in valuing stocks, which is computed by dividing stock prices by earnings per share. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to assist in decision-making. The PE ratio chart includes all ordinary shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, with easy comparisons within sectors and the overall market.
Pertinent information is needed to navigate the numerous options in the stock market. The chart should be used to help in decision-making, especially when investing around the market or sector averages, and not going too far from it unless compelling reasons exist. This approach reduces emotion from investment decisions and places them on fundamentals, without straying far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy stocks near the average will not overpay. The net asset value of each company is incorporated into the chart. Investors can use this measure in assessing stock values. The chart also includes daily changes in stock prices and percentage year to date price movements based on the last traded price. Dividends that are paid or due to be paid and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.

Lasco Distributors tops JSE Main Market


Lasco Distributors, lead trading with 6 million shares accounting for 47 percent of the total volume traded on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Tuesday. Trading ended with a20 percent rise in volume as the value dipped 7 percent lower compared to Monday, following trading in 63 securities up from 62 on Monday, with prices of 21 rising, 27 declining and 15 ending unchanged.

The market closed with 12,611,862 shares being traded for $79,545,152 compared to 10,511,029 stock units at $85,903,688 on Monday.
Trading averaged 200,188 shares at $1,262,621 compared with 169,533 stocks for $1,385,543 on Monday. Trading for the month to date, averages 207,000 units, with an average value of $2,105,956, down moderately from 207,606 shares at $2,181,105 on the previous day and April with an average of 342,509 stock units at $2,726,829.
Lasco Distributors led trading with 5.96 million shares for 47.2 percent of total volume, followed by Transjamaican Highway with 3.34 million units for 26.5 percent of the day’s trade and Wigton Energy with 985,231 stocks for 7.8 percent of the volume traded.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 1,083.01 points to close at 410,848.30, the JSE Main Index gained 1,691.13 points to close trading at 349,193.18 and the JSE Financial Index increased 1.19 points to65.78. At the close, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows seven stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 16.9. ICInsider.com compiles the JSE Main and the USD Market PE ratios based on last traded prices and forecasted earnings for those companies with their financial year ending around August 2026.
At the close of trading on Tuesday, Barita Investments rose $1.79 to finish at $69.80 with 7,040 shares crossing the exchange, Caribbean Cement shed 50 cents and ended at $102.50 with 10,671 units changing hands, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund advanced $2 to $46 with a transfer of 900 shares. First Rock Real Estate popped $1.04 to $9.97 with 20 stock units clearing the market, General Accident sank $1.55 in closing at $7.40 with an exchange of 32,441 stocks, GraceKennedy skidded $1.84 to $70.48 with 253,672 shares passing through the market. Guardian Holdings gained $27 to in closing at $347 following trading of 217 units, JMMB Group rallied 59 cents to finish at $15.80 in an exchange of 39,961 stocks, Kingston Properties increased $1.57 and ended at $12.07 with an exchange of 5,880 stock units. Margaritaville climbed $1.13 to$12.99 after a transfer of 506 shares, Massy Holdings fell 50 cents to close at $72.50 in switching ownership of 1,366 stock units, Mayberry Group rose 59 cents to $6.10 as investors traded 166 stocks. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy declined $5.53 to $31.32 in trading 275 stocks, Pan Jamaica sank $3.27 in closing at $45.52 with 10,260 units crossing the market, Scotia Group rallied $1.49 to end at $55 with investors trading 9,958 stocks. Seprod popped 99 cents to finish at $82.99 in an exchange of 2,431 shares and West Indies Petroleum dipped 60 cents and ended at $10.30 with investors dealing in 4,201 stock units.
In the preference share segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share lost 50 cents to end at $19 after an exchange of 3,800 share, 138 Student Living preference share advanced $8 to $220 with the trading of 102 units, Sygnus Credit Investments 10% climbed $4.50 to $108.50 after an exchange of 18 stocks and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% slipped $8 to finish at $101 with 818 stock units crossing the market.
Prices of traded securities are for the last transaction unless otherwise stated.

Kintyre – biggest trader on JSE market


Trading closed Tuesday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange resulting in the major indices of the Main Market rising, the Junior and the JSE USD markets falling. At the end of trading the prices of 33 shares rose, 56 declined and 25 remained firm following with a rise in the volume of stocks traded, with a slightly lower value than on Monday.

The close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 1,317.08 points to 355,900.11, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 1,083.01 points to finish at 410,848.30, the JSE Main Index popped by 1,691.13 points to end at 349,193.18, the Junior Market Index sank 41.58 points to close trading at 3,068.12 and the JSE USD Market Index shed 6.75 points to finish at 266.18.
At the close of trading, 43,609,389 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 26,567,559 units on Monday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounting to $98.01 million, down from $102.38 million on the previous day. The JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 324,062 shares for US$16,054, down from 442,856 units at US$23,193 on Monday.
In Main Market activity, Lasco Distributors took on the leader role after trading of 5.96 million shares, followed by Transjamaican Highway with 3.34 million stocks and Wigton Energy with 985,231 units.
In Junior Market trading, Kintyre Holdings led with 18.90 million shares followed by Woodcats International with 3.89 million stocks and Omni Industries with 2.06 million units.
In the preference share segment, 138 Student Living preference share gained $8 to close at $220, Sygnus Credit Investments 10% rose $4.50 to $109 and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% sank $8 to finish at $101.
The market’s PE ratio ended the day at 12.8 computed with the use of projected 2026-27 earnings and 14.6, compiled with 2025 historical earnings, excluding major one-time income or expenses.
The PE ratio is one of the more popular measures used in valuing shares and is calculated by dividing the stock price by the earnings per share. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to assist in decision-making. The PE ratio chart includes all ordinary shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, with easy comparisons within sectors and the overall market.
Pertinent information is needed to navigate the numerous options in the stock market. The chart should be used to help in decision-making, especially when investing around the market or sector averages, and not going too far from it unless compelling reasons exist. This approach reduces emotion from investment decisions and places them on fundamentals, without straying far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy stocks near the average will not overpay. The net asset value of each company is incorporated into the chart. Investors can use this measure in assessing stock values. The chart also includes daily changes in stock prices and percentage year to date price movements based on the last traded price. Dividends that are paid or due to be paid and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.

Junior Market sinks


Following the release of first quarter results for Kintyre Holdings, investors gobbled up 18.9 million shares, sending the price of the stock flying by 5 cents to close out the day on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Tuesday. At the close of business trading volume jumped by 96 percent with 12 percent higher value than on Monday, following. Trading of 43 securities up from 41 on Monday and ending, with prices of only nine rising, 25 declining and nine closing unchanged, and ended with a sharp pull back in the market index.

The market closed with trading of 30,673,465 shares for $18,460,010, after climbing from 15,613,674 units at $16,471,833 on Monday.
Trading ended with an average of 713,336 shares at $429,303, after increasing from 380,821 stock units at $401,752 on Monday with the month to date, averaging 589,618 units at $551,826 compared with 578,935 stock units at $562,405 on the preceding day and April, with an average of 504,653 shares at $502,169.
Kintyre Holdings led trading with 18.90 million shares for 61.6 percent of total volume followed by Woodcats International with 3.89 million stocks for 12.7 percent of the day’s trade and Omni Industries contributed 2.06 million units for 6.7 percent of the overall trade.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index sank 41.58 points to finish at 3,068.12. The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.4. ICInsider.com composes the PE ratios, that are derived by dividing the last traded price of a stock by earnings per share for companies with the fiscal year ending around August 2026.
At the close of trading, AMG Packaging dipped 20 cents and ended at $1.80 in trading 19,632 shares, Cargo Handlers dipped $1.44 to $15.53 with investors trading 4,134 stocks, Derrimon Trading rallied 8 cents to close at $1.60 with 459,116 shares clearing the market. Everything Fresh slipped 10 cents to end at $2.10 following trading of 2,676 units, Express Catering sank 35 cents in closing at $1.90 with 524,610 stock units changing hands, Future Energy declined 10 cents to finish at $3.70 after an exchange of 213,791 shares. Indies Pharma sank 5 cents and ended at $2.68 in trading 19,222 units, Iron Rock Insurance popped 41 cents to close at $2.70 with 9,000 stocks crossing the exchange, Jetcon Corporation skidded 12 cents to close at $2.69 with investors trading 30,833 stock units. Kintyre Holdings advanced 5 cents to end at 29 cents with an exchange of 18,895,629 shares, Knutsford Express fell $1 to $8 with 11,184 stocks crossing the market, Lasco Financial rose 10 cents to finish at $1.65 in an exchange of 100 units. Lumber Depot dipped 11 cents and ended at $2.34 with investors swapping 5,776 stock units, Main Event shed $1.30 to close at $4.70 with 5,000 shares passing through the market, Medical Disposables sank 9 cents in closing at $1.17 with investors dealing in 1,194 units. Omni Industries gained 10 cents to end at $1.13 after a transfer of 2,055,824 stocks, ONE on ONE Educational lost 6 cents to close at 82 cents as investors exchanged 404,033 stock units and Woodcats International sank 5 cents to finish at at 72 cents, the lowest since listing in March in switching ownership of 3,891,585 shares.

Prices of traded securities are those for the last transaction unless otherwise stated.

Trading drops on the JSE Main Market 


Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market dipped on Monday, following activities in 62 securities, from 58 on Friday, with prices of 22 rising, 25 declining and 15 ending unchanged. The number of shares traded declined by 6 percent, with a 7 percent lower value compared to Friday.

The market closed with 10,511,029 shares trading valued $85,903,688, down from 11,151,447 stock units at $92,004,030 on Friday.
Trading averaged 169,533 shares at $1,385,543 after decreasing from 192,266 stock units at $1,586,276 on Friday. For the month to date, trading averages 207,606 units at $2,181,105, in sliding from 211,266 shares at $2,257,577 on the prior trading day and in April with an average of 342,509 stock units at $2,726,829.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 3.22 million shares for 30.7 percent of total volume followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund which ended with 1.75 million stocks for 16.7 percent of the day’s trade, Wigton Energy closed with 1.18 million stock units for 11.3 percent of the volume traded and Supreme Ventures with 1.16 million shares for 11 percent of market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index slipped 1,444.32 points to finish at 409,765.29, the JSE Main Index fell 2,160.53 points to 347,502.05 and the JSE Financial Index lost 0.91 points to close at 64.59. At the close, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 13 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 15.4. ICInsider.com compiles the JSE Main and the USD Market PE ratios based on last traded prices and earnings forecasts for companies with the financial year ending around August 2026.
At the close of trading, Caribbean Cement popped 90 cents to finish at $103 as investors exchanged 9,692 shares, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund slipped by $2 to $44 with 971 stock units clearing the market, General Accident rallied by 96 cents to conclude the trading of 1,056 shares at a 52 weeks high of $8.95, GraceKennedy climbed 82 cents and ended at $72.32 with 6,836 units passing through the market, Guardian Holdings fell $28.75 to $320 in switching ownership of 5,186 stocks, Jamaica Broilers gained 45 cents to close at $15.65 with investors dealing in 18,791 units. Jamaica Producers skidded 99 cents tto $24 after an exchange of 4,574 stocks, JMMB Group fell 59 cents to $15.21 in trading 11,046 shares, Kingston Properties declined $1.48 and ended at $10.50 with 8,922 stock units changing hands. Margaritaville climbed $1.56 to end at $11.86 with an exchange of 18 shares, Mayberry Group shed 49 cents to finish at $5.51 with 13,908 stocks crossing the market, Proven Investments dropped $1.19 to close at $11.40 with investors trading 3,628 units. Scotia Group increased 51 cents to $53.51 with 117,892 stock units crossing the exchange, Seprod rallied 76 cents to finish at $82 with investors swapping 3,314 shares, Supreme Ventures popped 75 cents and ended at $17.25 with 1,158,538 units crossing the market. Sygnus Credit Investments lost 70 cents to end at $10.20 after an exchange of 9,932 stocks and Sygnus Real Estate Finance rallied $1.15 in closing at $10.65 after traders dealt in 500 stock units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% dipped $11 to close at $2,389 with a transfer of 13 shares. 138 Student Living preference share sank $8 to $212 following trading of 8 stock units and Sygnus Credit Investments 10% fell $5 to finish at $104 in an exchange of 1,018 units.
Prices of traded securities are those of the last transaction unless otherwise stated.

Junior Market trading drops


The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed moderately higher on Monday, following a sharp 86 percent drop in the volume of stocks traded, with a 47 percent lower value compared with Friday. Trading closed with an exchange of 41 securities, up from 40 on Friday and ended, with prices of 14 rising, 22 declining and five closing unchanged.

The market closed with trading of 15,613,674 shares for $16,471,833, down from 109,906,939 stock units at $31,108,989 on Friday.
Trading ended with an average of 380,821 shares at $401,752, after a fall from 2,747,673 stock units at $777,725 on Friday. Trading for the month to date, averages 578,935 units at $562,405, marginally lower than 596,709 sharess at $576,818 on the previous day but higher than April, with an average of 504,653 shares at $502,169.
The most recently listed Woodcats International led trading with 5.05 million shares for 32.3 percent of total volume, followed by Kintyre Holdings, with 3.50 million stocks for 22.4 percent of the day’s trade and MFS Capital Partners with 1.37 million units for 8.8 percent of the day’s volume.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index advanced by just 4.03 points to settle at 3,109.70. The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator ends with eight stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and eight with lower offers.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.2. ICInsider.com compiles the PE ratios, which are derived by dividing the last traded price of a stock by the earnings per share for companies with their fiscal year ending around August 2026.
At the close, AMG Packaging slipped 6 cents to $2 after an exchange of 24,386 shares, Atlantic Hardware rallied by 18 cents to close at $1.88, after 815,075 stocks passed through the market, following release of positive first quarter results, Blue Power fell by 5 cents and ended at $3.85 with traders dealing in 1,011 units. Caribbean Cream popped 10 cents to finish at $1.66 after a transfer of a mere 5 shares, Caribbean Flavours declined 6 cents to close at $1.19 in trading 10,433 stock units, Consolidated Bakeries lost 6 cents in closing at $1.25 after an exchange of 841 shares. Derrimon Trading dropped 5 cents to $1.52, following trading of 191,263 stock units, Dolla Financial sank 6 cents to $2.36 with an exchange of 46,262 stocks, Dolphin Cove skidded 30 cents in closing at $10.11, with 2,330 units crossing the market. Everything Fresh sank 7 cents and ended at $2.20 with investors trading 9,149 shares, Express Catering gained 20 cents to close at $2.25 in switching ownership of 198,189 stocks, Fontana shed 5 cents to finish at $6.45 with investors trading 216,575 units. Future Energy dipped 10 cents to $3.80, with 394,231 stock units crossing the exchange, Honey Bun lost 9 cents to $6.10 with a transfer of 876 shares, Indies Pharma rose 8 cents and ended at $2.73 with investors swapping 25,816 units. Jamaican Teas slipped by 7 cents to end at $2.26 with an exchange of 6,162 stocks, Jetcon Corporation dipped by 8 cents in closing at $2.81 with investors dealing in 171,634 stock units, Knutsford Express advanced 75 cents to close at $9 in an exchange of 3,438 shares. Lasco Financial sank 10 cents to $1.55 with 136,628 stock units changing hands, Lumber Depot increased 5 cents to $2.45 as investors exchanged 498,079 units, Mailpac Group rallied 10 cents and ended at $2.41, with 483,288 stocks clearing the market. Main Event skidded 80 cents tto $6, with 3,755 units changing hands, Omni Industries increased 12 cents to close at $1.03, with 881,716 stocks crossing the market and Woodcats International fell 5 cents to 77 cents with traders dealing in 5,050,519 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Transjam & Genac hit yearly highs


The Jamaica Stock Exchange closed on Monday with Transjamaican Highway and insurance company, General Accident hitting yearly highs at the close of trading on the JSE Main market, with both companies reporting big gains in the first quarter results, but investors punished Caribbean Producers with a 34.5 percent drop following the release of first quarter results showing a US dollar million loss.

Elsewhere in the market, trading ended on the Jamaica Stock Exchange with a sharp fall in the volume of stocks changing hands, with a moderately lower value than on Friday, resulting in the major indices of the Main Market falling, while the Junior Market index inched higher and the JSE USD Market slipped. At the end of trading the prices of 39 shares rose, 48 declined and 22 remained firm.
At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index declined 2,036.24 points to 354,583.03, the All Jamaican Composite Index sank 1,444.32 points to wrap up trading at 409,765.29, the JSE Main Index fell 2,160.53 points to finish at 347,502.05, the Junior Market Index gained 4.03 points to end at 3,109.70 and the JSE USD Market Index dropped 2.34 points to finish at 272.93.
At the close of trading, 26,567,559 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 121,491,748 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $102.38 million, down from $123.11 million on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 442,856 shares for US$23,193 compared to 433,362 units at US$20,839 on Friday.
At the end of Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led trading with 3.22 million shares, followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.75 million stock units and Wigton Energy with 1.18 million shares.
In Junior Market trading, Woodcats International led with 5.05 million shares, Kintyre Holdings followed with 3.50 million stock units and MFS Capital Partners with an exchange of 1.37 million shares.
In the preferred share segment, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% skidded $11 and ended at $2,389, 138 Student Living preference share sank $8 to $212 and Sygnus Credit Investments 10% declined $5 in closing at $104.
At the close of trading, the market’s PE ratio ended at 13.1. The PE is computed using projected 2026-27 earnings and 14.7 based on 2025 historical earnings, excluding major one-time income or expenses. The PE ratio is one of the more popular measures used iin valuing shares and is calculated by dividing the stock price by the company’s earnings per share. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to assist in decision-making. The PE ratio chart includes all ordinary shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, with easy comparisons within sectors and the overall market.
Pertinent information is needed to navigate the numerous options in the stock market. The chart should be used to help in decision-making, especially when investing around the market or sector averages, and not going too far from it unless compelling reasons exist. This approach reduces emotion from investment decisions and places them on fundamentals, without straying far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy stocks near the average will not overpay. The net asset value of each company is incorporated into the chart. Investors can use this measure in assessing stock values. The chart also includes daily changes in stock prices and percentage year to date price movements based on the last traded price. Dividends that are paid or due to be paid and yields for each company are shown

Profit triples at Berger Paints


Berger Paints, Jamaica’s major paint manufacturer concluded their 2026 annual general meeting this past Friday, with a new chairman at the helm. Management informed shareholders of the demolition of fourth quarter profits due to the damage caused by Hurricane Melissa. According the General Manager Dwaine Williams the company was on target to deliver one of the best results with the hurricane snatching it away.

Berger Paints directors at the recently held AGM right to left are the chairman Ian Mitchell, Dwaine Williams General Manager, former chairman, Christian Llanos, Chamika Cuffy, Financial Controller, Michael Fennel , OJ, Nicholas Maclean. In attendance but not at the head table are Milton Samuda and Jacqueline Sharp.

He went on to point out that the improved 2025 first quarter results, suggesting that the new-year is on track for a surge in profits. According to Williams, the first quarter has some demand as a result of the rebuilding out west, but suggests that increased demand is expected as the rebuilding matures. The rebuilding is seeing demand for steel, cement and other construction materials, but after that, paints will be demanded he stated.

The directors in reporting on the first quarter performance stated,” demand strengthened progressively through the quarter as rebuilding activity accelerated. The Company met that demand with high service levels and dependable supply.”
The new year has started well for the company with a 180 percent jump in the March quarter, at Berger Paints to $31 million, from just $11 million after corporate taxes in first quarter 2025. Profit before tax came in at $38 million, up 123 percent from $17 million in the prior year. The profit was partially fueled by a sharp jump in other income to $24 million, from a gain of just $7 million, in 2025, partially reflecting a $20 million swing from a foreign exchange loss of $13 million in 2025 to a gain of $7 million in the current period. Taxation rose 19 percent to $7 million form $6 million in 2025.
The 2026 outcome on the surface appears impressive, but falls well short of the profit of $48 million in 2024. For the first quarter this year, revenues climbed 16 percent to $890 million, from $769 million in first quarter of 2025, just slightly less than the solid 20 percent growth in the third quarter last year over the 2024 gross inflows.

Shareholders in attendance at Berger Paints 2026 Annual General Meeting held on Friday, May 15 at the Courtyard- Marriott Hotel

At the nine-month stage in 2025, net profit amounted to $18 million on revenues of $2.4 billion, compared to $9 million on revenues of $2.3 billion in the same period of 2024. Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica at the end of October last year, the start of peak painting season, which traditionally accounts for around 90 percent of Berger’s annual profits, suggesting profit in the region of $200 million for the full year, but for the devastating effect on the fourth quarter performance.

Raw materials cost climbed 11 percent to $423 million for the quarter from: $381 million in 2025. Gross margin before manufacturing costs, climbed to 54 percent from 50 percent, in the 2025 first quarter and reflects gains from ongoing capita investments. in this regard the company stated that they plan to spend $100 million in the current year on capital expenediture.. Manufacturing expenses increased by 31 percent to $17 million from $13 million in 2025. Employee expense rose 11 percent to $185 million from $166 million in 2025. Other operating expenses rose 31 percent to $226 million from $172 million in the prior year. Depreciation amounted to $26 million, up 7 percent from $24 million.

First quarter2026 earnings per share came in at 14 cents, up from 5 cents in 2025 first quarter. IC Insider.com projects the full year’s earnings at $1.35 on the assumption there will no major disruption to business during the year. The stock closed at $5.35 on May 15, 2026, with a P/E ratio of just 4, based on the current years projected earnings and 214.3 million shares outstanding. Net asset value per share is $5.13, just below the last traded stock price.

The operations generated was $63 million in Cash flow during the quarter with movements in working capital resulting in a net outflow of $69 million and ending with cash on hand amounting to $200 million and reflecting an improvement over $165 million at the end of March 2025.
Inventories grew 29 percent to $920 million, but was lower than the position at the end of the 2025 at $1.23 billion. Receivables declined 17 percent to $741 million from $891 million at the end of March 2025. Current liabilities ended the period at $1.25 billion slightly up on the $1.19 billion at the end of March 2025.
Shareholders’ equity stood at $1.10 billion up from $1.18 billion year ago.

General Accident jumps to $8 on Friday


General Accident jumped to a new yearly high of $8, on Friday, with investors grabbing all the shares available at the that price following the release of solid first quarter results, with profit jumping 61 percent over 2025.Trading ended on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market, with the volume of stocks traded declining 24 percent and the value 52 percent lower than at the close on Thursday, following trading in 58 securities compared with 61 on Thursday, with prices of 23 rising, 21 declining and 14 ending unchanged.

The market closed with 11,151,447 shares changing hands valued at $92,004,030, following the trading of 14,630,398 stock units valued at $191,383,130 on Thursday. Trading resulted in an average of 192,266 shares at $1,586,276 well below 239,843 stock units at $3,137,428 on Thursday. Month to date, trading ended with an average of 211,570 units at $2,278,262 after slipping from 213,478 shares at $2,346,635 on the previous day and April with an average of 342,509 stock units at $2,726,829.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 4.66 million shares for 41.8 percent of total volume, with the stock hitting a record high of $7.19, followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund which ended with 2.0 million stocks for 17.9 percent of the day’s trade and General Accident with 1.34 million units for 12 percent of the day’s trade.
The All Jamaican Composite Index increased 195.23 points to 411,209.61, the JSE Main Index gained 692.11 points to close at 349,662.58 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.19 points to 65.50. At the close, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 18.3. ICInsider.com compiles the JSE Main and the USD Market PE ratios based on last traded prices and earnings forecasts for companies with the financial year ending around August 2026.
At the close of the market on Friday, Berger Paints rallied $1.40 in closing at $5.45 after an exchange of a mere 404 shares, following release of robust first quarter results. General Accident popped $1.55 to end at a 52 weeks high of $7.99 in trading 1,336,830 stock units, and comes following the release of first quarter results with net profits jumping a solid 61 percent over 2025, even before savings and gains that are likely to flow from the proposed acquisition of the Beacon Insurance company in Trinidad. GraceKennedy advanced 99 cents and ended at $71.50 after a transfer of 21,851 shares. Jamaica Producers rose $1.97 to finish at $24.99 with traders dealing in 293 stocks, Jamaica Stock Exchange declined 41 cents to end at $11.55, following the switching ownership of 6,145 units, JMMB Group climbed 50 cents to close at $15.80, with 95,463 shares clearing the market. Kingston Wharves fell 71 cents to $36.77 with an exchange of 439 stocks, Massy Holdings increased $1.50 in closing at $73 following trading of 976 units, Pan Jamaica gained $1.75 to end at $48.75 in an exchange of 3,190 stock units. Seprod dropped $1.76 to close at $81.24, with 2,999 shares changing hands, Sygnus Credit Investments rose 72 cents and ended at $10.90, after 116,613 units passed through the market and Sygnus Real Estate Finance sank $1 to finish at $9.50 in an exchange of 22,200 stocks.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% preference share advanced 49 cents to $19.99, with a mere 3 stock units crossing the market and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% popped $6 to finish at $109 as investors exchanged 20 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.