Trading climbed sharply on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday with trading in the Main Market dominating the volume and value of stocks that were exchanged and resulted in the Main and Junior Markets declining but the JSE USD market inched moderately higher as trading ended with the value and the number of stocks changing hands rising sharply over the previous trading day, resulting in prices of 29 shares rising and 46 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index dropped 3,871.23 points to 344,494.32, the All Jamaican Composite Index shed 1,953.23 points to end at 371,323.01, the JSE Main Index dived 3,941.08 points to 331,907.30. The Junior Market Index dipped 19.99 points to culminate at 3,792.90 and the JSE USD Market Index rallied 1.67 points to end the day at 255.68.
At the close of trading, 31,242,143 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 13,676,383 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $171.6 million, up from $74.93, million yesterday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 610,533 shares for US$78,231 up from 178,798 units at US$56,398 on Friday.
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by Carreras led trading with 10.07 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 7.44 million stock units, JMMB 9.5% preference share with 1.91 million stocks and Transjamaican Highway with 1.76 million shares.
In the Junior Market, Stationery and Office Supplies led trading with 1.46 million shares followed by Regency Petroleum with 685,156 units and Image Plus with 493,784 stocks.
At the close of trading on the Main Market, Barita Investments sank $1.50 to $69.90, Caribbean Cement rose $2.20 to $59.20, Eppley increased $3.51 and ended at $38.50, Kingston Wharves gained $1.42 to $30.17, Mayberry Jamaican Equities advanced $1.10 to end at $10.10, but Guardian Holdings dropped $10 to close at $360, Jamaica Producers shed 84 cents in closing at $23.10, Jamaica Stock Exchange declined 90 cents and ended at $9, Massy Holdings dipped $1.49 in closing at $90.01, Stanley Motta sank $1 and ended at $6 and Sygnus Real Estate Finance skidded $1.40 to close at $9.85.
At the end of Junior Market trading, Blue Power declined 50 cents in closing at $2.85, CAC 2000 rose 30 cents to $4.51, Consolidated Bakeries advanced 22 cents to close at $2.20 and ISP Finance popped $5.98 to end at $31. At the close Blue Power declined 50 cents to $2.85, Cargo Handlers shed 59 cents and ended at $14, Caribbean Assurance Brokers lost 27 cents to close at $2.13, Caribbean Cream skidded 55 cents to $3.35, Express Catering sank 19 cents in closing at $3.80, Fontana dipped 25 cents and ended at $10, Honey Bun dropped 24 cents to $6.45, Main Event dipped 66 cents to end at $14.10 and Stationery and Office Supplies skidded 19 cents to $1.61.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share rallied $1.59 and ended at $7.47 and 138 Student Living preference share rose $5.55 to close at $190.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.9 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.3 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide for investors to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Gains for all JSE markets
The Main Market continued to rise in trading on Friday at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange while the Junior Market and JSE USD market inched a few points higher as trading ended with the number and the value of stocks hanging hands falling compared with the previous trading day, resulting in prices of 41 shares rising and 29 declining.
At the close of trading on Friday, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed solidly by 1,293.91 points to 373,276.24, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied by 1,293.92 points to 373,276.24, the JSE Main Index popped 807.06 points to end at 335,848.38. The Junior Market Index gained 4.31 points to 3,812.89 and the JSE USD Market Index popped 0.21 points to end the day at 254.01.
At the close of the market, 13,676,383 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 45,443,191 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounting to $74.93 million, compared with $169.49, million yesterday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 178,798 shares for US$56,398 compared to 827,138 units at US$94,452 on Thursday.
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by Wigton Windfarm led trading with 3.91 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 1.12 million units, JMMB Group ended with 1.12 million units and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.10 million stocks.
In the Junior Market, Spur Tree Spices led trading with 904,399 shares followed by Image Plus with 904,064 units and Mailpac Group with 458,730 stock units.
At the close of trading on the Main Market, Caribbean Cement increased $1.02 to end at $57, Guardian Holdings rose $19.99 to $370, Jamaica Producers gained 84 cents and ended at $23.94, Margaritaville rallied $1.14 to close at $17.48, Pan Jamaica advanced $1.01 in closing at $51.51 and Scotia Group rallied $1 to close at $46
At the close of the Main Market, Eppley shed $1 and ended at $34.99 and Massy Holdings skidded $5.50 to end at $91.50.
At the end of Junior Market trading, AMG Packaging popped 28 cents to $3, Honey Bun advanced 39 cents to close at $6.69 and tTech rose 49 cents to close at $2.49, as Consolidated Bakeries fell 23 cents and ended at $1.98, Fontana skidded 23 cents in closing at $10.25 and Paramount Trading sank 21 cents to $1.27.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share fell $32.55 and ended at $184.45 and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share dropped $17.94 to $101.66.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 214. on 2022-23 earnings and 14.6 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide for investors to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
JSE get no held from profit reports
A plethora of company results hit the Jamaica Stock Exchange market ahead of trading on Thursday but did little to move stock prices in any major way as investors may not have had the time to digest most of the new numbers, with some being B enough to move prices in the weeks ahead and the market closed with gains in the Main Market indices, with moderate slippage in the Junior and JSE USD markets, with the volume and value of stocks changing hands surging over the previous trading day, resulting in prices of 35 shares rising and 36 declining.
At the close of trading on Thursday, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 549.45 points to close at 347,570.91, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 1,143.26 points to 371,982.32, the JSE Main Index climbed 634.96 points to end trading at 335,041.32. The Junior Market Index shed 5.26 points to end at 3,808.58 and the JSE USD Market Index skidded 1.80 points to cease trading at 253.80.
At the close of trading, 45,443,191 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 16,492,495 units on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $169.49 million, up from $62.80 million yesterday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 827,138 shares for US$94,452 compared with 180,495 units at US$53,094 on Tuesday.
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by Transjamaican Highway led trading with 26.75 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 3.84 million units and JMMB 9.5% preference share with 3.64 million stock units.
In the Junior Market, Mailpac Group led trading with 2.05 million shares followed by Image Plus with 783,408 units and One Great Studio with 731,290 units.
At the close of trading on the Main Market, Barita Investments climbed 92 cents to end at $71.10, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund popped $2.50 in closing at $40, JMMB Group rose $2.95 to close at $27, Margaritaville rallied $1.48 in closing at $16.34, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy increased $14.50 and ended at $91, NCB Financial climbed $1 to end at $69.75, Proven Investments popped $2.02 to close at $24.97.
The major declining Main Market stocks include Guardian Holdings declined $17.99 and ended at $350.01, Massy Holdings skidded $2.50 and ended at $97
At the end of Junior Market trading, Access Financial popped $1.27 to close at $22.68, CAC 2000 climbed 38 cents to $4.21 Dolphin Cove rallied 97 cents to $18.97, and Medical Disposables increased 18 cents and ended at $2.70. with the major losing stocks being Honey Bun that sank 39 cents to end at $6.30, Jamaican Teas shedding 18 cents to close at $2.40, Limners and Bards losing 18 cents in closing at $1.4 and Mailpac Group popping 19 cents to $2.38.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share declined 90 cents in closing at $6, Jamaica Public Service 7% gained $5.25 to close at $48.25 and 138 Student Living preference share popped $3 to $217.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.5 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.4 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide for investors to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
The JSE Main & Junior markets fall
The Main and the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange lost ground in trading on Tuesday as the JSE USD market inched moderately higher as trading ended with the volume and the value of stocks changing hands falling, compared with the previous day and resulted in the prices of 30 stocks rising and 42 declining.
At the close of trading, the Combined Market Index shed 524.55 points to close at 347,021.46, the All Jamaican Composite Index advanced by 93.57 points to 370,839.06, the JSE Main Index sank 377.08 points to close at 334,406.36. The Junior Market Index fell 19.52 to 3,813.32. The JSE Main & Junior markets rose 0.21 points to 255.60.
At the close of trading, 16,492,495 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 47,975,821 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $62.80 million, from $164.28 million yesterday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 180,495 shares for US$53,094 compared to 452,800 units at US$59,221 on Monday.
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by Wigton Windfarm with a leading trade of 4 million shares followed by JMMB 9.5% preference share with 3.94 million units and Transjamaican Highway with 1.83 million stocks.
In the Junior Market, Tropical Battery led trading with 847,958 shares followed by One Great Studio with 346,363 units and Indies Pharma with 292,036 shares.
At the close of trading on the Main Market, Barita Investments dipped $1.02 to $70.18, Caribbean Cement climbed $1.99 in closing at $55.99, Eppley popped $1.99 to $35.99, Guardian Holdings rose $8 to $368, Pan Jamaica increased $1.08 to end at $51.20, Seprod rallied $1 to $83 and Supreme Ventures increased $1.97 and ended at $26.50.
The major declining Main Market stocks are Eppley Caribbean Property Fund that fell $2.50 to close at $37.50, JMMB Group shedding $1.39 in closing at $24.05 and Kingston Wharves dropping $2.40 and ending at $28.10.
At the end of Junior Market trading, Fontana climbed 28 cents to close at $10.60, with the major losing stocks being Access Financial down $1.24 to close at $21.41, AMG Packaging shedding 24 cents to $2.71, CAC 2000 declining 68 cents to end at $3.83, Dolphin Cove skidding 32 cents to $18 as ISP Finance dropped $6.33 to $25.02.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% sank $5.80 to end at $43 and Productive Business Solutions 10.5 % preference share declined $16 to $1,284.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.3 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.2. times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so.
This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide for investors to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Values slip on the Jamaica Stock Exchange
Trading closed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday, with slippage in values in all markets and ended with QWI Investments leading trading with nearly 38 percent of the volume traded that exceeded trading on Friday in the overall market with the jumping sharply over trading on Friday, resulting in prices of 31 shares rising and 32 declining.
At the close of trading on Monday, the JSE Combined Market Index dipped 563.01 points to close at 347,546.01, the All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 775.69 points to cease trading at 370,745.49, the JSE Main Index shed 467.96 points to culminate at 334,783.44. The Junior Market Index fell 14.17 points to conclude trading at 3,833.36 and the JSE USD Market Index skidded 0.80 points to 255.39.
At the close of trading, 47,975,821 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 31,165,012 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $164.28 million, up from $120.9 million yesterday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 452,800 shares for US$59,221 compared to 72,092 units at US$2,833 on Friday.
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by QWI Investments led trading with 13.42 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 8.98 million units for 25.3 percent of the day’s trade, Transjamaican Highway with 5.22 million units, Mayberry Group with 1.31 million stock units, Carreras with 1.26 million shares and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.04 million units.
In the Junior Market, Derrimon Trading led trading with 5.46 million shares, Mailpac Group with 1.44 million units and One Great Studio with 1.10 million stocks.
At the close of trading on the Main Market, Barita Investments increased by 93 cents to $71.20, Kingston Wharves popped $2.50 to end at $30.50, Massy Holdings gained $1 and ended at $100
In the Main Market, Eppley declined $4.50 to end at $34, Guardian Holdings shed $8 to close at $360, Jamaica Producers dropped $1.45 in closing at $23.55, JMMB Group fell 94 cents to close at $25.44, Scotia Group lost $1 to end at $44.50, Supreme Ventures dipped $1.17 in closing at $24.53.
At the end of Junior Market trading, Knutsford Express increased $1 and ended at $12.38 and Tropical Battery climbed 30 cents to end at $2.70 but Dolphin Cove was down 66 cents to $18.32.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share increased 90 cents in closing at $18.90, Jamaica Public Service 7% popped $1.80 and ended at $48.80 and Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share advanced $210 to close at $1,300.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.5 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.2 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide for investors to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Main Market gains, Juniors inch higher
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange gained in trading on Friday as the Junior Market inched higher but the JSE USD market slipped moderately as trading ended with the volume and value of stocks changing hands rising over the previous trading day, resulting in prices of 32 shares rising and 31 declining.
At the close of trading Friday, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 2,190.46 points to end at 348,109.02, the All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 2,908.19 points to close trading at 371,521.18 and the JSE Main Index popped 2,195.36 points to settle at 335,251.40. The Junior Market Index rose 15.02 points to close trading at 3,847.53. and the JSE USD Market Index skidded 0.83 points to 256.19.
At the close of trading, 31,165,012 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 16,660,602 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $120.9 million, up from $44.73 million on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by JMMB 9.5% preference share led trading with 5.81 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 4.47 million units and Transjamaican Highway with 1.05 million stocks.
In the Junior Market, 15,974,371 shares for $35,900,988 compared with 5,836,386 units at $11,800,314 on Thursday.
At the close of trading on the Main Market, Jamaica Producers popped $1.68 in closing at $25, NCB Financial rose $2.85 in closing at $67.90, following the release of first quarter results.
The major declining Main Market stocks include Guardian Holdings down $2 to close at $368, Seprod shedding $3.50 to end at $82 and Sygnus Credit Investments declining $1.21 in closing at $10.52.
At the end of Junior Market trading, AMG Packaging increased 30 cents to end at $2.90, Caribbean Assurance Brokers climbed 33 cents in closing at $2.42, Caribbean Cream popped 40 cents to $3.90 and Limners and Bards rallied 39 cents to close at $1.69 with the major losing stock being Knutsford Express dropping $1.01 to end at $11.38.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share rallied $1 to close at $18, Jamaica Public Service 7% fell $2.30 and ended at $47 and Productive Business Solutions 10.5 % preference share popped $15 to end at $1,090.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.4 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.3 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide for investors to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
ICTOP 15 Main & Junior Market stocks for 2024
Stocks are set for a major ride higher in 2024 following two years of subpar performance of the Jamaica Stock Exchange. The market did not perform well in 2023, the Main Market fell 8.5 percent and the Junior Market the US dollar market declined by 3.5 percent and 1.2 percent respectively, but technical reading of the Main Market is pointing to a solid rally ahead, with some stocks breaking out of a prolonged period of consolidation.
Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) raised interest rates in 2021 with the overnight rate landing at 7 percent in November 2022 and has remained there since, with BOJ keeping a tight lid on market rates by the use of Certificate of Deposits with rates mostly around 10 percent on average, to tame inflation that peaked close to 12 percent in early 2023.
The stock market has not performed well in that environment. Contrasting that with the US where the Federal Reserve raised rates over two years, with the last increase in July last year. Notwithstanding, the US stock market indices were racing forward and are now at record levels while the JSE Main Market is still below the Covid-19-affected levels but the Junior Market trades at much higher levels than the lows of 2020.
Many investors consider that higher interest rates reduce stock prices, but they are only partially correct. Interest rates affect the valuation of stocks not necessarily the price of stocks. Put another way, higher rates reduce the PE ratios used to value stocks but if profits are rising faster than the increase in rates, stock values will tend to rise as the company is more valuable despite the rate increase. With rising rates the PE ratio mostly used in stock valuation will fall with rising rates and rise when rates are declining.
The Junior Market is presently in a triangular formation that will lead to a big breakout soon.
If profits don’t rise above the level of PE decline then the market will most likely adjust the stock price down. So while interest rates remained stable in 2023 at levels higher than 2021, a total of 31 companies posted gains in the market last year. That is the reason why Scotia Group posted gains from late 2023 into 2024, with some others doing likewise. Other factors to consider are that higher rates may result in higher interest costs for some companies or reduced revenues that could reduce profit but companies with investment funds may enjoy higher profits as they may enjoy increased interest income.
The lack of performance for the Jamaica Stock Exchange last year was not interest rates, but mostly lacklustre profit performance by several companies. What the issue illustrates is the import of careful stock selection with a focus on companies with a good track record of growing profits consistently over several years.
Technical indicators are pointing to a bottoming out of the Main Market that has broken out from a market squeeze, with technical indicators indicating a huge run ahead for the market, see market index chart. At the same time, the Junior Market closed 2023, with a negative undertone that could remain in place for a while until events push it in a new direction. Company profits seem the most likely factor in the medium term.
Part of the decline in the Junior Market in 2023 is due to an overall level of over-exuberance by investors in 2022, pushing the prices of a limited number of Junior Market stocks to unrealistic levels, with sharp correction for some of these in 2023 and helping to drag the market. The situation in the Main Market was somewhat different with a lack of interest from institutional investors until the final quarter of the year which is reflected in a continuous slide in the Main Market Index throughout the year until the end of September, indeed from a two-year high of 461,783 points on the All Jamaica Composite Index in May 2022 until it bottomed at the end of September 2023 at 344,153 points and put on almost 23,000 points to the end of the year. While the Main Market declined for two consecutive years, the Junior Market was experiencing its first yearly decline since 2020.
Inflation moderated during the year within the central bank’s target of 4 to 6 percent on a number of occasions. By the end of November, the year over year inflation rate was just above the bank’s upper limit of 6 percent, with the rate hitting 6.9 percent in December. Certain price adjustments particularly in public transportation impacted inflation negatively towards the latter part of the year, some of these may carry over into 2024. The bank also fears possible wage increases that could be unusually high and place upward pressure on inflation.
For the first three months of 2024, it should be instructive to see where inflation is likely to be and what could become of interest rates during the year. What is clear is that falling market rates in the USA are likely to set the tone ultimately in Jamaica and that should be aided by expectations that the FED will start reducing rates during the second quarter of 2024.
A look at the stock market at this juncture suggests that profits should continue to be positive as can be seen from a compilation of company results for the third quarter of 2023. Data shows that profits for the nine months are up 4 percent and for the quarter up a B 46 percent over similar periods in 2022. A major part of the drag on profits was approximately $11 billion provisions made by NCB Financial for staff redundancies and one-time bonus compensation.
Barring increased interest rates, the Jamaican economy should grow just around two percent in 20224 and that ought to be sufficient to help generate increased demand for goods and services and assist many listed companies to increase profits from existing operations. Expanding companies will see above average performances.
The Junior Market and the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange are flashing bullish signals that suggest an uptick in the market. This is reflected in projected PE ratios for 2024 for both markets with the projected ratios well below the current levels of valuation for 2023.
The average PE for the JSE Main and Junior Market for 2024 based on that year’s earnings is 10.5 and 9 respectively, compared to the current levels of 14 based on 2023 earnings, at the same time the ICTOP 15 based on 2024 earnings stand at around 5, well below the market average of 14, barring increases in interest rates and disappointing profits, PE ratios should return to the average around 14, resulting in a 180 percent jump in values for the IC TOP15 stocks during 2024 at the minimum, and more if the country’s central bank lowers rates during 2024, with a 50 percent rise in the overall market.
Data for the market in 2023 showed that companies with outstanding profit growth found favour with investors who bid the prices of those stocks higher in most cases. Stocks of companies with profit declining or with moderate profit increases were mostly marked down by the investing public. Examples, are to be found in TransJamaican Highway, Lasco Distributors, Lasco Manufacturers, Dolphin Cove, General Accident, Fontana, Main Event, Knutsford Express and Scotia Group with Wisynco Group to name a few that enjoyed price gains. A number of the performances of these stocks benefited from recovery in the tourism sector directly or indirectly.
For 2024, companies that are expanding may be worth investing in as they are likely to enjoy above-average growth in revenues and profits going forward. Companies in this category include Wisynco, Caribbean Cement, Caribbean Cream, Grace Kennedy, Jamaican Teas, Caribbean Producers, Jetcon, Fontana, Express Catering, Stationery and Office Supplies, Edufocal, Transjamaican Highway, Stanley Motta, and Tropical Battery.
Fall for JSE Main Market, others inched higher
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange fell in trading on Thursday as the Junior Market and the JSE USD market rose by a few points, with trading ended with the number of stocks changing hands falling, with the value of stocks traded jumping sharply over the previous trading day, resulting in prices of 43 shares rising and 24 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index lost 1,248.13 points to close at 345,918.56, the All Jamaican Composite Index declined 1,943.63 points to 368,612.99, the JSE Main Index dropped 1,377.96 points to 333,056.04. The Junior Market Index popped 5.05 points to 3,832.51 and the JSE USD Market Index advanced 5.04 points to close at 257.02.
At the close of trading, 16,660,602 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 13,838,528 units on Wednesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $44.73 million, down from $57.37 million on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 157,614 shares for US$22,646 compared to 263,941 units at US$62,436 on Wednesday.
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by JMMB 9.5% preference share trading 6.95 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.25 million units and Transjamaican Highway with 922,977 shares.
In the Junior Market, EduFocal led trading with 2.78 million shares followed by MFS Capital Partners with 495,943 units and Stationery and Office Supplies with 442,836 stocks.
At the close of trading on the Main Market Guardian Holdings gained $10 and ended at $370, JMMB Group increased 99 cents to end at $25.99, Massy Holdings climbed 99 cents to close at $98.99 and Sygnus Credit Investments climbed 93 cents to $11.73.
The major declining Main Market stocks are Jamaica Producers that fell $2.68 and ended at $23.32, NCB Financial shedding $1.95 to $65.05 and Seprod that lost $1.50 and ended at $85.50.
At the end of Junior Market trading, Dolphin Cove rose $1.46 to $18.98 and Caribbean Assurance Brokers shed 35 cents in closing at $2.09, Limners and Bards sank 42 cents to close at $1.30, MFS Capital Partners dropped 33 cents to end $2.11 and tTech skidded 49 cents to close at $2.
There were no stocks trading with a notable price change in the preference segment of the market.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21… on 2022-23 earnings and 14… times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide for investors to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Mixed trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange
Trading ended mixed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Wednesday as the Main Market indices ended mixed with moderate movements but the Junior Market and the JSE USD market rose moderately as trading ended with the number and the value of stocks changing hands falling, compared with Tuesday and resulting in prices of 30 shares rising and 36 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 193.07 points to close at 347,166.69, the All Jamaican Composite Index shed 2,284.76 points to lock up trading at 370,556.62, the JSE Main Index added just 137.97 points to end at 334,434.00. The Junior Market Index eked out a rise of 7.27 to end at 3,827.46 and the JSE USD Market Index gained 1.53 to close trading at 251.98.
At the close of trading, 13,838,528 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 29,750,591 units on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $57.37 million, from $88.9 million yesterday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 263,941 shares for US$62,436 versus 301,671 units at US$25,796 on Tuesday.
Wigton Windfarm dominated trading in the Main Market, with 1.95 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 1.44 million units and Supreme Ventures with 519,186 stock units.
In the Junior Market, EduFocal led trading with 1.14 million shares followed by Spur Tree Spices with 1.06 million units and Dolla Financialwith 760,918.
At the end of trading on the Main Market, Eppley increased $4.75 and ended at $38.50, JMMB Group rose $1 to $25, Massy Holdings advanced $5 in closing at $98 and Seprod rallied $1 in closing at $87.
The major declining Main Market stocks include Guardian Holdings which fell $9 in closing at $360, Margaritaville declining $2.61 to end at $14.86, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy losing $13.50 to $76.50, NCB Financial skidding by 99 cents to end at $67, Sagicor Group dipping $1.97 and ended at $44 and Scotia Group losing $1.58 to $45.
In the Junior Market, Blue Power advanced 35 cents in closing at $3.30, ISP Finance climbed $6.34 to $31.3, with the major losing stock being Dolphin Cove down $1.48 and ended at $17.52.
In the preference segment, Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% share fell $1 to close at $106.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.2 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.2 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to quickly assess the value of stocks based on this measure. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Main & Junior Market rises, USD market dips
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange had another day of positive movements in trading on Tuesday as the Junior Market inched marginally higher and the JSE USD market slipped moderately as trading ended with the number of stocks changing hands climbing, with the value of stocks traded rising over the previous trading day, resulting in prices of 34 shares rising 42 declining.
Trading activity ended with the JSE Combined Market Index climbing 948.84 points to 346,973.62, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 3,627.70 points to end at 372,841.38, the JSE Main Index popped 918.50 points to 334,296.03. The Junior Market Index rose 9.98 points to 3,820.19 and the JSE USD Market Index dipped 1.58 points to close at 250.44.
At the close of trading, 29,750,591 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 16,865,715 units on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $88.9 million, up from $79.13 million yesterday and the JSE USD market ended trading with 301,671 shares for US$25,796, up from 186,772 units at US$6,867 on Monday.
Trading in the Main Market was led by Wigton Windfarm led trading with 5.62 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.93 million units, Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund with 2.45 million units, Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.08 million units and QWI Investments with 1.02 million units.
In the Junior Market, Dolla Financial led trading with 7.19 million shares followed by Future Energy with 3.25 million units and Tropical Battery with 817,037 units.
At the close of the market, in the Main Market Eppley Caribbean Property Fund popped $1 to trading at $40, Guardian Holdings climbed $9 to end at $369, NCB Financial advanced 99 cents to $67.99 and Sagicor Group rose $2.07 to end at $45.97.
The major declining Main Market stock is GraceKennedy that dipped $1.52 to close at $75.50.
At the close of the Junior Market Caribbean Assurance Brokers advanced 35 cents to $2.44 and Dolla Financial rose 38 cents and ended at $2.98, while ISP Finance shed $6.49 to $25.01, Caribbean Cream lost 40 cents in closing at $3.50 and Lasco Financial dipped 32 cents to close at $1.77.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% gained $3.21 to end at $49.30.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.9 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.2 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to quickly assess the value of stocks based on this measure. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
