Trading picked up on Tuesday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, with the value and volume of stocks trading rising higher, but with Main Market lost value for a second consecutive day while the Junior Market and the JSE USD market inched higher.
At close, the JSE Combined Market Index dropped 2,421.64 points to close at 326,549.17, while the All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 3,204.87 points to 344,012.32, the JSE Main Index dipped 2,768.86 points to finish at 311,981.16, the Junior Market Index climbed 18.93 points to 3,875.73 and the JSE USD Market Index gained 2.54 points to 245.54.
At the close, investors exchanged 61,568,093 shares in all markets, up sharply from 21,008,986 stock units on Tuesday. The value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $183.3 million, up from $141.08 million on Tuesday. On Tuesday, trading on the JSE USD market ended with investors exchanging 127,251 shares for US$12,519 compared to 129,260 units at US$4,240 on Tuesday.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share dropped $1.25 to $18.70, Jamaica Public Service 7% fell $2 to end at $48 and Jamaica Public Service 9.5% skidded $105 to $2,995
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21 on 2022-23 earnings and 11 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 successfully navigate numerous investment options in the local 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 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.
Big stock gains failed to hold up JSE Market
Trading on Tuesday ended with all three markets of the Jamaica Stock Exchange declining, with the volume of stocks trading rising with a much higher value than on Monday, with Seprod Grace and Wisynco the leading price increases of more than $2 in the Main Market and MPC Caribbean Energy, Eppley and Sagicor Group leading declining stocks with losses over $2.
At close, the JSE Combined Market Index dropped 1,339.60 points to close at 328,970.81, the All Jamaican Composite Index skidded 1,099.83 points to finish at 347,217.19, the JSE Main Index shed 1,262.05 points to 314,750.02, the Junior Market Index slipped 17.76 points to 3,856.80 and the JSE USD Market Index fell 0.85 points to close at 243.00.
By the close, investors exchanged 21,008,986 shares in all three markets, up from 14,826,176 stock units on Monday. The value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $141.08 million, up from $62.60 million on Monday. On Tuesday, trading on the JSE USD market ended with investors exchanging 129,260 stock units for US$4,340 compared with 576,968 shares for US$11,519.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% climbed $10 to close at $50 and 138 Student Living preference share rallied $2.01 and ended at $87.01.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21 on 2022-23 earnings and 11 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 successfully navigate numerous investment options in the local 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 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 slip
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange recorded gains in the Market Indices on Monday as the heavily weighted NCB Financial rose $3.38 and Scotia Group climbed $1 while the Junior Market and the US Dollar index dipped with the volume of stocks trading rising but with a lower value than Friday.
At close, the JSE Combined Market Index rallied 908.48 points to end at 330,310.41, while the All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 1,758.93 points to close at 348,317.02, the JSE Main Index advanced 1,026.11 points to end at 316,012.07, the Junior Market Index skidded 5.78 points to finish at 3,874.56 and the JSE USD Market Index fell 4.09 points to 243.85.
Investors traded 14,826,176 shares in all three markets, up from 11,222,892 units on Friday. The value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $62.6 million, up from $110.53 million on Friday. On Friday, trading on the JSE USD market ended with investors exchanging 576,968 stock units for US$11,519 compared to 145,630 shares for US$4,064.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share rallied $1.30 to close at $19.95, Jamaica Public Service 7% skidded $12 and ended at $40 and Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share fell $169 to $1,046.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.8 on 2022-23 earnings and 10.9 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 successfully navigate numerous investment options in the local 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 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.
New ICTOP10 listings
Stocks pulled back this past week from the month end Induced rally of the prior week on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, resulting in two new additions to the ICTOP10 stock, with mostly declining stocks dominating the ICTOP10.
Coming into the Junior Market TOP10 are Paramount Trading, with the price dropping to an appealing $1.50 and Everything Fresh dipping to $1.55. Leaving the Junior Market TOP 10 are Dolphin Cove and Lasco Distributors with modest price changes for the week. There are no changes to the Main Market TOP10.
The Main Market closed the week with Caribbean Producers rising 4 percent to close at $10.24, but Guardian Holdings dropped 13 percent to close the week at $440, followed by a 6 percent fall in Key Insurance and Scotia Group to $2.31 and $32 respectively.
There were no gains of worth in the Junior Market but One on One Educational Services fell 12 percent to $1.01, Caribbean Assurance Brokers fell 6 percent to $3.19 and Caribbean Cream slipped 4 percent to $4.
At the end of the week, the average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP 10 stands at 4.9, well below the market average of 12.2. The Main Market TOP10 is projected to gain an average of 344 percent, by May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings.
A total of 15 of the most highly valued stocks representing 23 percent of the Main Market are priced at a PE of 15 to 108, with an average of 32 and 21 excluding the highest PE ratios, and a PE of 23 for the top half and 16 excluding the stocks with overweight valuations.
The PE of the Junior Market Top 10 sits at 5.7 just half of the market at 10.9. There are 11 stocks or 23 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 37, averaging 20 that are well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 15, possibly the lowest fair value for Junior Market stocks currently and is projected to rise by 268 percent by May 2024.
The divergence between the average PE of the Main and Junior Markets and the overall market valuation are important indicators of the level of likely gains for ICTOP10 stocks.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners. The lists include some of the best companies in the market but not always. ICInsider.com ranks stocks based on projected earnings, allowing investors to focus on the most undervalued stocks and helping to remove emotions in selecting stocks for investments that often result in costly mistakes.
IC TOP10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns up to the end of May 2024 and are ranked in order of potential gains, computed using projected earnings for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate and result in weekly movements in and out of the lists. Revisions to earnings are ongoing, based on receipt of new information.
Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.
Juniors rise JSE USD and Main markets slip
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange declined and the Junior Market rose on Friday, while the US Dollar index dipped as trading activity picked up with the volume of stocks trading falling from Thursday but with a higher value.
At close, the JSE Combined Market Index dipped 1,046.10 points to close trading at 329,401.93, the All Jamaican Composite Index fell 613.07 points to end at 346,558.09, the JSE Main Index shed 1,281.78 points to 314,985.96, the Junior Market Index popped 17.15 points to finish at 3,880.34 and the JSE USD Market Index fell 0.78 points to 247.94.
At the close, investors traded 11,222,892 shares in all three markets, down from 15,326,745 stock units on Thursday. The value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $110.53 million, up from $70.27 million on Thursday. Trading on the JSE USD market ended with investors exchanging 145,630 stock units for US$4,064 compared with 526,142 shares for US$16,546 on Thursday.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% gained $4.68 to $52, 138 Student Living preference share dropped $28.85 and ended at $85 and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share climbed $2 and ended at $100.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21 on 2022-23 earnings and 11 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 successfully navigate numerous investment options in the local 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 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.
Juniors bounce JSE USD and Main markets drop
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange followed Junior Market trading on Wednesday, with a sharp fall on Thursday but the Junior Market made a partial recovery on Thursday while the US Dollar index dropped as trading activity fell with the volume and value of stocks trading fell sharply from Wednesday’s levels.
At close, the JSE Combined Market Index dropped 3,987.82 points to end at 330,448.03, while the All Jamaican Composite Index dived 4,288.27 points to settle at 347,171.16, the JSE Main Index plunged 4,681.02 points to close trading at 316,267.74, the Junior Market Index rallied 43.90 points to finish at 3,863.19 and the JSE USD Market Index fell 5.33 points to 248.72.
Overall, investors traded 15,326,745 shares in all three markets, down from 30,360,616 stock units on Wednesday. The value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $70.27 million, up from $170.57 million on Wednesday. Trading on the JSE USD market ended with investors exchanging 526,142 stock units for US$16546 compared with 268,786 shares for US$4,988 on Wednesday.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% climbed $6.17 to $47.32 and 138 Student Living preference share shed $6.47 and ended at $113.85.
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 11.1 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 successfully navigate numerous investment options in the local 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 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.
Trading climbs prices fall on Jamaica Stock Exchange
Stocks lost ground at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Wednesday, with the Junior Market index plunging sharply, while the Main Market index declined moderately compared to the close on Tuesday and the US Dollar index slipped moderately.
At close, the JSE Combined Market Index dropped 2,887.66 points to end at 334,435.85, the All Jamaican Composite Index dived 1,589.24 points to end at 351,459.43, the JSE Main Index fell 2,331.49 points to 320,948.76, the Junior Market Index dropped 79.03 points to end trading at 3,819.29 and the JSE USD Market Index declined by 1.83 points to end at 254.05.
At the close, investors exchanged 30,360,616 shares in all three markets, up from 15,733,452 stock units on Tuesday. The value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $170.57 million, up from $63.47 million on Tuesday. Trading on the JSE USD market ended with investors exchanging 268,786 stock units for US$4,988 compared with 252,693 shares for US$10,412 on Tuesday.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share advanced $15.32 and ended at $120.32 and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share shed $2 to close at $98.
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 11 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 successfully navigate numerous investment options in the local 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 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.
Low trading on Jamaica Stock Exchange
The Jamaica Stock Exchange ended mixed at the close of trading on Tuesday, with the Main Market index declining moderately compared to the close on Monday while the Combine index slipped but the All Jamaica index rose moderately while the Junior Market indexed slipped marginally to close just below the 3,900 points mark and the UUS Dollar index slip modesty to close out trading.
At close, the JSE Combined Market Index shed 822.14 points to close at 337,323.51, at the same time, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 825.44 points to settle at 353,048.67, the JSE Main Index dipped 791.70 points to end at 323,280.25, the Junior Market Index fell 9.13 points to end trading at 3,898.32 and the JSE USD Market Index shed 0.45 points to settle at 255.88.
At the close, investors exchanged 15,733,452 shares in all markets, down from 25,939,993 stock units on Monday. The value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $63.47 million, down from $118.24 million on Monday. Trading on the JSE USD market ended with investors trading 252,693 shares for US$10,412 compared with 266,503 units at US$6,378 on Monday.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share dipped 58 cents to end at $5.59 and Jamaica Public Service 7% declined $7.25 to $41.15.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks ended at 21.1 on 2022-23 earnings and 11 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 successfully navigate numerous investment options in the local 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 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.
Negative profits weighted down JSE
The Main Market of the JSE fell 8 percent and the Junior Market is down 0.7 percent to the year to September, helped by higher interest rates since 2022, but that is the least of the problems besetting the market. A close look at the underperforming companies shows that companies with growing profits have done far better than those with a recent history of disappointing results.
The Main Market had just eight companies recording gains for the first nine months of 2023 compared to 17 of the Junior Market, including One Great Studio, the latest listing.
Two of the best performing stocks for the year are listings on the Main Market with Ciboney ending with a rise of 150 percent, following the purchase of the majority shares from Finsac. Transjamaican Highway is next, up a solid 98 percent, following an outstanding jump in profits for the six months to June over the similar period last year, with earnings of 14 Jamaican cents per share versus just 3 cents for the same period last year, with the company poised to enjoy earnings of just over 30 Jamaican cents per share for the current year. The stock’s performance was also helped by the declaration of a substantial increase in dividend of 18.66 cents up from 8.55 cents last year.
The next best performer in the Main Market was a 30 percent rise in Massy Holdings followed by Stanley Motta, the commercial rental property company, with just 12 percent, Jamaica Broilers chipped in with 10 percent and Productivity Business Solutions with 9 percent.
Most of the Main Market’s worst performing stocks had disappointing results compared to the previous year. Palace Amusement Company was the only listing of the worst performing stocks that recorded improved profit compared to 2022. Mayberry Investments suffered a sharp reversal in profit during 2023 compared to the previous year, Berger Paints profit fell sharply with the company reporting a loss during the period, Radio Jamaica reported a loss during the last two quarters compared with the previous year. Barita Investments profits are down sharply with the third quarter to June down from $1.5 billion in 2022 to just $504 million in the current year.
Jamaica Stock Exchange led the declining stocks with a 43 percent drop, First Rock Capital was next with a fall of 38 percent followed by Palace and Pulse down 35 percent each. Barita Investments dropped 32 percent and Radio Jamaica ended with a fall of 31 percent, Salada Foods ended up with the lowest decline of the TOP10 worst performing stocks with a loss of 20 percent.
Junior Market’s performance was vastly better than the Main Market. ISP Finance led the Junior Market with a gain of 94 percent, following the announcement that two new directors with experience in the financial service sector were appointed to the board. There was also speculation that the majority shares could probably change hands sooner rather than later. There is also the expectation of the company increasing funds loaned which is expected to have a big impact on profits. Lasco Distributors was next with a solid increase of 70 percent as profits for the fiscal year to March jumped and was followed by improved results for the June Quarter. Main Event continued to recover from the damage to revenues and profits during the COVID, bouncing back with a gain of 58 percent as profit climbed. Caribbean Assurance Brokers chipped in with a 56 percent increase followed by Regency Petroleum up 46 percent. General Accident migrated from the Junior Market to the Main Market but gained 36 percent by the end of Friday.
Most of the top ten companies have seen improved profit performance with most recording b increase in profits for the half year over 2022.
Indies Pharma profit declined moderately for the nine months to June but was up 16 percent in the latest quarter, that performance does not warrant a 34 percent cut in the stock price. Fesco’s price declined sharply for the period even as the net profits for the June quarter were marginally higher than that of the similar in 2022 as revenues were marginally higher. The stock price pulled back from heady levels in 2022 to adjust to the earnings in the last fiscal year of just under 23 cents per share with indications that it may not significantly improve in the current fiscal year to warrant the high premium it had in 2022. Fosrich, on the other hand, had a sharp decline in profits but it too enjoyed a big premium in the stock price in 2022 and investors readjusted their expectations by marking the stock price down, although both stocks got a two day bounce that improved their performance year to date. Lasco Financial had a third less profit in the 2023 fiscal year than the prior year and reported vastly poorer results in the third quarter to June that seemed to encourage more selling of the stock. Revenues and profit bounced in the third quarter for Limners and Bards but are still down year to date compared with last year. 
Edufocal profit bounced in 2023 and may not necessarily justify the 38 percent fall in the stock price, while iCreate had a totally disastrous set of results in the 2022 fiscal year as well as in the first half of 2023, with the company’s performance continuing to raise questions about the future. Elite and CC 2000 suffered a reversal in fortune that is reflected in the decline in stock prices of both companies.
Of note is a 40 percent rebound in profits at Scotia Group for the July quarter and 74 percent for the nine months, but the stock still suffered a moderate decline in value even as the price earnings ratio is just over six times current year’s earnings and Stationery and Office Supplies that is having a good year with profits up 56 percent in the June quarter and 36 percent over that of first six months of 2022 from ongoing operations and warranted a better price performance, but the nine for one stock split created supply pressures that pushed the price down from nearly $4 two $1.91 currently.
Sharp rally for Jamaican stocks
General Accident migrated from the Junior Market to the JSE Main Market on Friday with little or no interest from investors resulting in just 100 units trading with only two bids and one offer on the board on a day when the Junior Market climbed more than 110 points with more than 40 points being added minutes before the close to crossover the 3,900 points mark and the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended with robust gains but the JSE USD Index declined to close out the week on a day of rising volume and funds passing through the market.
At close, the JSE Combined Market Index blasted 7,270.85 points higher to 341,388.96, the All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 5,002.74 points to close at 355,792.10, the JSE Main Index surged 6,694.66 points to 327,042.43, the Junior Market Index surged 112.67 points to conclude trading at 3,959.34, after Fosrich and Fesco jumped sharply in price and the JSE USD Market Index shed 3.91 points to settle at 253.83.
At the close, investors traded 50,931,729 shares in all three markets, up sharply from 23,642,772 stock units on Thursday. The value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $256.86 million, from $94.79 million on Thursday. Trading on the JSE USD market ended with investors exchanging 2,780,944 shares for US$60,312 compared with 1,133,465 units at US$157,008, on Thursday.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% popped $6.40 and ended at $48.40.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks ended at 20.5 on 2022-23 earnings and 11.4 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report 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 successfully navigate numerous investment options in the local 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 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.