Trading closed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market Friday, with the volume of stocks traded declining by 36 percent with the value 24 percent lower than on Thursday and resulting in falling stock prices overwhelming those rising, with earnings season virtually at an end.
Market activity led to 44 securities trading the same as Thursday and ended with only 10 rising, 23 declining and 11 unchanged. At the close, the Junior Market Index fell 20.57 points to 4,444.25.
The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values averages 13.6. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks incorporate ICInsider.com projected earnings for companies with financial years closing up to the end of August 2023.
Overall, 14,998,955 shares traded for $69,879,663 versus 23,316,932 units at $92,287,477 on the Thursday. Trading averaged 340,885 shares at $1,588,174 down from 529,930 shares at $2,097,443 on Thursday with month to date, averaging 483,905 units at $2,198,219 compared to 500,041 units at $2,267,045 on the previous trading day. April closed with an average of 449,923 units at $1,781,786.
Spur Tree Spices led trading with 1.91 million shares for 12.7 percent of total volume, followed by Derrimon Trading with 1.59 million units for 10.6 percent of the day’s trade, Honey Bun chipped in with 1.21 million units for 8 percent market share, JFP Limited traded 1.16 million units for 7.7 percent market share, Elite Diagnostic, 1.13 million units for 7.5 percent of the volume and Future Energy Source with 1.02 million units for 6.8 percent market share.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
At the close, Access Financial rose 59 cents to $21.50 after exchanging 149 shares, Cargo Handlers lost $2.75 to $10.25 in an exchange of 23,829 units, Caribbean Assurance Brokers popped 15 cents in closing at $2.59 while trading 45,112 stocks. Dolphin Cove declined $3.20 in ending at $18 in exchanging 105,134 stock units, EduFocal fell 13 cents to close at $3, with 642,761 stocks crossing the market, Fontana advanced 89 cents to $10.99 in an exchange of 85,158 stock units. Fosrich lost $1 in ending at $30.98 with 122,203 units changing hands, Future Energy Source shed 38 cents to close at $6.50 in switching ownership of 1,017,033 shares, General Accident lost 15 cents to close at $5.95, with 13,000 units clearing the market. Honey Bun dropped 15 cents to $9.20 after finishing trading of 1,206,963 stocks, Iron Rock Insurance shed 25 cents to close at $3.20 in an exchange of 26,771 stock units, Jetcon Corporation fell 26 cents to end at $1.35, trading 102,085 shares. Lasco Distributors climbed 10 cents to $3.50, with 828,816 shares crossing the market, Lasco Financial gained 19 cents to $3.59 in trading 539,344 units, Main Event declined 49 cents in closing at $8.50 with the swapping of 325,825 stocks. 
Stationery and Office Supplies rallied $3.40 to a 52 weeks’ high of $11 after 429,937 stock units changed hands and tTech fell 25 cents to end at $3.50, with 26,531 stocks crossing the exchange.
In the preference segment, CAC 2000 9.5% preference share declined 11 cents in, ending at $1.05, with 4,867 stock units clearing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market plunges
The Junior Market Index plunged 99.56 points to close at 4,464.82 and ended with prices of 13 stocks rising, 23 declining and eight unchanged after 44 securities traded similar to Wednesday, at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market on Thursday, with the volume and value of stocks traded rose by 10 and 9 percent respectively, above Wednesday trades.
The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values, averages 13.5. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks incorporate ICInsider.com projected earnings for companies with fiscal years closing up to the end of August 2023.
Overall, 23,316,932 shares were traded for $92,287,477 compared to 21,140,775 units at $84,601,284 on the Wednesday. JFP Limited led trading with 5.08 million shares for 21.8 percent of total volume, followed by Future Energy Source with 3.91 million units for 16.8 percent of the day’s trade, Tropical Battery chipped in with 3.36 million units for 14.4 percent market share, Jamaican Teas ended with 2.59 million units for 11.1 percent market share, Lumber Depot, 1.36 million units for 5.8 percent of the volume traded and Derrimon Trading, 1.15 million units for 5 percent market share.
Trading averaged 529,930 shares at $2,097,443 in contrast to 480,472 shares at $1,922,756 on Wednesday with month to date, averaging 500,041 units at $2,267,045 compared to 496,240 units at $2,288,613 on the previous day. strong>April closed with an average of 449,923 units at $1,781,786.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial fell $2.49 in closing at $20.91 in switching ownership of 7,917 shares, AMG Packaging shed 15 cents to $3.50, with 318,240 stocks crossing the market, Blue Power declined 55 cents to $4 while exchanging 39,488 units. Caribbean Assurance Brokers lost 10 cents to close at $2.44 after 151,267 stock units crossed the market, Caribbean Cream dropped 15 cents to end at $5.20, trading 11,731 shares, Derrimon Trading shed 17 cents in closing at $3.29 after an exchange of 1,154,330 units. Dolphin Cove advanced 64 cents in ending at $21.20 with the swapping of 31,141 stock units, Elite Diagnostic lost 33 cents to close at $3.97 in exchanging 90,256 stocks, Express Catering fell 17 cents to end at $6, with 24,650 shares crossing the exchange. Fontana declined $1 to $10.10 after an exchange of 168,277 stock units, Fosrich dropped $1.91 to $31.98 after exchanging 251,557 units, General Accident climbed 13 cents ending at $6.10 in an exchange of 5,082 stocks. Honey Bun gained 14 cents to end at $9.35 after trading 5,151 units, Iron Rock Insurance rose 25 cents to close at $3.45 after trading 1,010 stock units, ISP Finance dropped $7.20 in closing at $22.30, with 98,368 shares clearing the market. KLE Group lost 22 cents to end at $2.17 in trading 156,299 stocks, Knutsford Express shed 20 cents in closing at $7.79 with an exchange of 23,210 stocks, Lasco Distributors rallied 10 cents to $3.40 after trading 201,935 shares. 
Mailpac Group fell 31 cents to close at a 52 week’s low of $2.74 in trading 878,720 units after the price dipped to a low of $2.27 during the morning session as investors reacted negatively to the fall in profits for the March quarter. Medical Disposables popped 26 cents ending at $7.26 while exchanging 40,793 stock units, Spur Tree Spices declined 10 cents to $4 with the swapping of 1,137,489 units, Stationery and Office Supplies fell $1.60 to close at $7.60, with 20,000 stocks clearing the market, before the release of the March first quarter results, showing record profits and revenues were reported. The stock is set to open much higher on Friday, with several bids posted to buy at $10 and over after trading closed. Tropical Battery declined 16 cents to end at $2.92, with 3,358,233 stock units changing hands and tTech increased 25 cents in closing at $3.75 after 1,904 shares crossed the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
More Junior Market stocks fell than rose
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market on Wednesday resulted in the volume and value of stocks traded declining 7 percent and 15 percent, respectively, from Tuesday and ended with more stocks falling than rising.
All but one of the 45 listed stocks traded on Wednesday, numbering 44, similar to Tuesday, ending with 13 rising, 19 declining and 12 closing unchanged and the Junior Market Index rose just 3.59 points to 4,564.38. Blue Power ended at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $.455, iCreate traded at an intraday high of $4.45 and Derrimon Trading ended at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $3.46.
The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values, averages 14.1. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks incorporate ICInsider.com projected earnings for companies with financial years closing up to the end of August 2023.
Overall, 21,140,775 shares traded for $84,601,284 compared to 22,692,843 units at $99,354,256 on the Tuesday. Trading averaged 480,472 shares at $1,922,756 in contrast to 515,746 shares at $2,258,051 on Tuesday with month to date, averaging 496,240 units at $2,288,613 compared to 498,537 units at $2,341,916 on Tuesday the previous trading day. April closed with an average of 449,923 units at $1,781,786.
JFP Limited led trading with 4.38 million shares for 20.7 percent of total volume, followed by Future Energy Source with 2.62 million units for 12.4 percent of the day’s trade. Lasco Distributors controlled with 2.51 million units for 11.9 percent market share, Derrimon Trading, 2.19 million units for 10.4 percent market share, EduFocal traded 1.74 million units for 8.2 percent market share and Tropical Battery, 1.50 million units for 7.1 percent market share.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial declined $1.08 to end at $23.40 in an exchange of 4,470 shares, AMG Packaging lost 10 cents to close at $3.65 in trading 61,147 units, Caribbean Cream popped 15 cents to $5.35 in switching ownership of 38,465 stocks. Caribbean Flavours climbed 10 cents in closing at $2.08 after trading 12,502 stock units, Derrimon Trading gained 11 cents in ending at $3.46 and exchanging 2,190,743 units, Dolphin Cove fell $1.78 to $20.56, with 43,509 stocks crossing the exchange. EduFocal shed 74 cents to close at $3.35, with 1,743,479 shares crossing the market,Elite Diagnostic rallied 55 cents to $4.30 while exchanging 84,392 stock units, Fontana rose 20 cents to $11.10, trading 178,349 shares. Fosrich dropped 61 cents in closing at $33.89 after trading 307,960 stock units, Future Energy Source shed 13 cents to close at $6.87, with 2,622,002 stocks changing hands, Honey Bun lost 16 cents in closing at $9.21 after exchanging 38,855 units. iCreate fell 24 cents to $4.02, with 662,269 stock units changing hands, ISP Finance jumped $6.52 to $29.50, with 635 units crossing the market, Jetcon Corporation fell 12 cents to $1.63 with the swapping of 324,421 stocks. JFP Limited advanced 18 cents to close at $1.68 with an exchange of 4,380,376 shares, 
KLE Group climbed 24 cents in closing at $2.39 with 12,280 stock units clearing the market, Lumber Depot dipped 12 cents to $3.27 trading 413,408 shares. Medical Disposables advanced 30 cents to $7 after 23,478 stocks crossed the market, Spur Tree Spices shed 10 cents to end at $4.10 while exchanging 1,359,511 units, Tropical Battery fell 12 cents to end at $3.08 after trading 1,499,721 units and tTech fell 30 cents to $3.50, with 134,649 stocks changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market flashes negative signal
The Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market fell Tuesday after posting a record intraday high of 4,669.78 in early trading but closed the day flashing negative signals after the volume of stocks traded declined 41 percent while the value fell 36 percent compared to Monday, with the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator showing only one stock ending with the bid higher than the last selling price while seven closed with lower offers.
Forty four securities trading compared to 45 on Monday and ended with 12 rising, 27 declining and five closing unchanged. Five stocks ended at 52 weeks’ closing high and one traded at an intraday low. The Junior Market Index declined 21.62 points to settle at 4,560.79.
The PE Ratio, a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 14.1. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks are based on ICInsider.com projected earnings for companies with financial years closing up to the end of August 2023.
Overall, 22,692,843 shares traded for $99,354,256 ompared to 38,331,981 units at $155,216,877 on the Monday. Tropical Battery led trading with 5.42 million shares for 23.9 percent of total volume, followed by Jamaican Teas with 4.78 million units for 21.1 percent of the day’s trade, Spur Tree Spices with 2.35 million units for 10.4 percent market share, Lumber Depot with 1.68 million units for 7.4 percent market share, JFP Limited with 1.45 million units for 6.4 percent market share and Derrimon Trading with 1.24 million units for 5.5 percent market share.
Trading averaged 515,746 shares at $2,258,051, down from 851,822 shares at $3,449,264 on Monday with the month to date, averaging 498,537 units at $2,341,916 compared to 495,602 units at $2,356,219 on the previous trading day. April ended with an average of 449,923 units at $1,781,786.
At the close, Access Financial shed $1.02 in ending at $24.48 after exchanging 3,127 shares, Blue Power popped 85 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $4.50 after trading 106,480 stock units, Cargo Handlers fell $1 to end at $13, with 4,292 stocks changing hands. Caribbean Assurance Brokers rallied 15 cents in closing at $2.60 after 6,879 units passed through the market, Caribbean Cream lost 14 cents to end at $5.20, trading 9,743 units, Caribbean Flavours dropped 10 cents in closing at $1.98 in trading 11,410 shares. Derrimon Trading gained 14 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $3.35 in switching ownership of 1,241,187 stock units, Dolphin Cove declined 16 cents in ending at $22.34 after exchanging 175,705 stocks, EduFocal climbed 29 cents to a 52 weeks’ closing high of $4.09, with 1,049,957 units crossing the market. Fontana dropped 25 cents to $10.90 in an exchange of 432,337 stocks, Fosrich fell 91 cents to $34.50 in exchanging 475,464 stock units, Future Energy Source declined 19 cents to $7 with the swapping of 964,177 shares. GWest Corporation rose 22 cents to close at $1.27, with 44,313 shares clearing the market, iCreate popped $1.03 to end at 52 weeks’ closing high of $4.26 with an exchange of 978,543 units, Iron Rock Insurance shed 30 cents in closing at $3.20 after 142,929 stock units crossed the market.
ISP Finance advanced 98 cents to $22.98 after 6,167 stocks crossed the exchange, Jamaican Teas lost 10 cents to end at $3.45 while exchanging 4,778,217 stocks after the price hit a 52 weeks’ intraday low of $3. KLE Group declined 20 cents to close at $2.15 after trading 1,493 stock units. Lasco Financial increased 11 cents to $3.40, trading 6,519 shares, Lumber Depot popped 14 cents to $3.39, trading 1,683,552 units, Main Event slipped 39 cents to $9.01 with the swapping of 743 shares. Medical Disposables shed 20 cents to close at $6.70, with 69,302 units changing hands, SSL Venture fell 10 cents to $1.70, with 10,000 stock units crossing the market, Stationery and Office Supplies dropped 10 cents to $9.20 in switching ownership of 77,539 stocks and Tropical Battery rallied 25 cents to $3.20 after exchanging 5,423,834 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
New Junior Market record close
Trading closed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market Monday, with the volume of stocks traded more than twice that on Friday with a 107 percent increase after the value jumped 100 percent and resulted in slightly more stocks rising than declining.
All 45 listed securities traded, up from 44 on Friday, with 20 rising, 17 declining and eight closing unchanged.
The Junior Market Index advanced 45.26 points to a record close of 4,582.41 after the market opened at a record high of 4,613.31, with the market index rising 33.70 percent to date, surpassing the full year gains of 29.75 percent in 2021.
The PE Ratio, a measure in computing appropriate stock values, averages 14. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks incorporate ICInsider.com projected earnings for companies with financial years closing up to the end of August 2023.
Overall, 38,331,981 shares traded for $155,216,877 up from 18,509,529 units at $77,694,953 on the Friday. Derrimon Trading led with 13.47 million shares for 35.1 percent of total volume, followed by Spur Tree Spices with 10.35 million units for 27 percent of the day’s trade, JFP Limited ended with 3.54 million units for 9.2 percent market share. Tropical Battery closed trading with 2.34 million units for 6.1 percent market share, Lumber Depot contributed 1.46 million units for 3.8 percent market share and EduFocal, 1.31 million units for 3.4 percent market share.
Trading averaged 851,822 shares at $3,449,264 in contrast to 420,671 shares at $1,765,794 on Friday with month to date, averaging 495,602 units at $2,356,219 compared to 420,345 units at $2,125,294 on the previous trading day. April closed with an average of 449,923 units at $1,781,786.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Access Financial shed 20 cents to close at $25.50, with 3,890 shares clearing the market, Cargo Handlers rallied $1.50 to a 52 weeks’ high of $14 in exchanging 44,307 stock units, Derrimon Trading popped 10 cents ending at a 52 weeks’ high of $3.21 after 13,469,757 units crossed the market. Dolphin Cove advanced 51 cents in closing at $22.50 after exchanging 333,111 stocks, EduFocal gained 32 cents to end at $3.80 after an exchange of 1,307,069 shares, Elite Diagnostic declined 10 cents to $3.80, with 400,199 stock units crossing the market. Express Catering fell 10 cents to $6.08 while exchanging 144,623 units, Fontana rose 20 cents in closing at $11.15 with an exchange of 350,945 stocks, Fosrich surged $2.42 to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $35.41, with 508,542 units changing hands after the price hit an all-time high of $38. iCreate dropped 22 cents to end at $3.23 after exchanging 535,733 shares, Iron Rock Insurance climbed 28 cents in ending at $3.50 with the swapping of 2,122 stocks, ISP Finance lost $5 to close at $22 in an exchange of 214 stock units. JFP Limited gained 13 cents to $1.46 in trading 3,542,705 shares, Knutsford Express climbed 35 cents to $8 after trading 8,250 stock units, Lasco Financial dropped 17 cents to end at $3.29 in switching ownership of 209,362 units. Lasco Manufacturing declined 25 cents to $5.10, with 5,444 stocks crossing the exchange, Lumber Depot shed 20 cents in closing at $3.25, trading 1,460,226 stock units, Main Event fell 55 cents to close at $9.40, with 12,026 shares changing hands. 
Medical Disposables lost 10 cents to end at $6.90 after exchanging 12,118 units, Spur Tree Spices increased 27 cents to $4.26, crossing the exchange of 10,348,476 stocks, SSL Venture popped 12 cents ending at $1.80, with 32,701 shares clearing the market. Stationery and Office Supplies declined 20 cents in closing at $9.30, with 6,075 stocks crossing the market, Tropical Battery rallied 21 cents to close at $2.95 in exchanging 2,335,013 units and tTech fell 10 cents to end at $3.80, trading 675 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Markets 4,582 record close, majors fall
The Junior Market pushed 45.26 points higher in trading on Monday, closing at another record high of 4,582.41 after it traded over the 4,600 points mark for the first time, hitting 4613.27 just after the market opened as fresh results posted since the close on Friday saw investors pushing some stocks higher in response. The Jamaica Stock 
Exchange Main Market and US dollar market experienced moderate slippage, with the JSE Combined Index falling 600.65 points to close at 415,781.56.
The All Jamaican Composite Index lost 1,039.71 points to 458,077.02, the JSE Main Index lost 1,070.82 points to end at 400,644.60 and the JSE USD market index slipped 0.48 points to end at 223.24.
Trading ended with an exchange of 52,943,073 shares in all markets. The value of stocks traded in the Main and Junior Markets amounts to $536.6 million and the JSE USD market, US$14,951. The market’s PE ratio ended at 26.4 based on 2021-22 earnings and 13.5 times those for 2022-23 at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
Investors need a series of measures and pertinent information to successfully navigate the many investment choices 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 with decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational investment decisions by investing in stocks that are 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 take emotions out of the investment decision and put in 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 ICInsider.com PE Ratio chart covers all ordinary shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange. It shows companies grouped on an industry basis, allowing easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market.
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 payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts that show the closing volume for the bids and offers.
The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2021 and 2022 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items. The PE Ratio is the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks.
Results push Junior Market to record 4,613
The release of results for Junior Market companies since Friday’s market close helped to push the Junior Market to a new record of 4,613.27 points after the market opened on Monday, surpassing the record close of 4,537.15 on Friday, with the index crossing over into the 4,600 mark for the first time.
Spur Tree Spices generated revenues of $237 millionin their first quarter to March, an increase of 40.7 percent over the $168 million in 2021, helped by the newly acquired subsidiary, Exotic Products generated revenues of $73 million for the quarter, with only $2.18M is included in the consolidated revenue of $237 million. Profit before tax was $51 million, an improvement of $28.6M or 128 percent above the $22.4 million for the 2021 quarter. Investors traded 9 million shares for $36 million up to $4.30.
Dolphin Cove reported US$2.3 million in revenue in quarter Q1 2022, up from just US$374,000 in 2021, as visitors to the parks bounced sharply in the quarter to reach 58 percent of the attendance in the first quarter of 2019. Profitability was enhanced by the strict management of costs, with the quarter incurring only US$1.5 million of expenses, a decline of almost US$1 million compared to the first quarter of 2019, reflecting permanent efficiencies that were put in place. Net profit amounted to US$795,000, compared to a loss of US$154,000 in 2021. The stock traded up to $23.25 before settling at $22.51 after trading 131,329 shares.
Fosrich traded 368,000 shares early Monday.
Fontana grew revenues by 24 percent to $1.52 billion, over the $1.22 billion for the 2021 first quarter, with net profits popping by 43.4 percent, to $105 million from $72.9 million in the first quarter last year. Investors traded the stock at $11.18 after an exchange of 158,512 shares.
Fosrich posted blowout results with a 64 percent surge in revenues to $900 million from$549 million in 2021 and profits surging 314 percent to $159 million in the March Quarter from just $38 million in 2021. The investors responded instantly to the news by trading 368,361 shares up to $36.22.
New record close for Junior Market
Rising stocks outpaced those declining by more than two to one at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market on Friday, as the volume and value of stocks traded rose 40 percent, respectively, over Thursday, with the market closing at a new record high to be up 32.3 percent for 2022 to date.
The Junior Market Index advanced 5.78 points to settle at a record close of 4,537.15.
The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values, averages 13.8. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks incorporate ICInsider.com projected earnings for companies with financial years closing up to the end of August 2023.
A total of 44 securities traded up from 42 on Thursday and ended with 28 rising, 13 declining, with three unchanged.
Overall, 18,509,529 shares traded for $77,694,953, up from 13,259,209 units at $55,620,943 on the Thursday. AMG Packaging led trading with 3.34 million shares for 18 percent of total volume, followed by Future Energy Source with 2.53 million units for 13.7 percent of the day’s trade, JFP Limited ended with 1.85 million units for 10 percent market share. EduFocal exchanged 1.52 million units for 8.2 percent market share, Mailpac Group with 1.32 million units for 7.1 percent market share and Lasco Distributors with 1.21 million units for 6.5 percent market share.
Trading averaged 420,671 shares at $1,765,794 in contrast to 315,695 shares at $1,324,308 on Thursday with month to date, averaging 420,345 units at $2,125,294 versus 420,260 units at $2,218,892 on the previous trading day. April closed with an average of 449,923 units at $1,781,786.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four stocks with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial climbed $1.70 to $25.70, with 24,333 shares clearing the market, AMG Packaging rose 17 cents in closing at $3.77 after trading 3,339,123 stocks, CAC 2000 rallied 67 cents to $7.42 in exchanging 110 stock units. Cargo Handlers gained 26 cents to $12.50, with 47,727 units crossing the market, Caribbean Cream rallied 10 cents to close at $5.35, with 170 stock units changing hands, Consolidated Bakeries dropped 16 cents to close at $1.19 after exchanging 333,361 shares. Dolphin Cove popped $1.19 to $21.99 with the swapping of 32,836 stocks, EduFocal rose 18 cents in closing at $3.48 trading 1,520,340 units, Elite Diagnostic lost 65 cents in ending at $3.90 with an exchange of 334,865 shares. Everything Fresh advanced 14 cents to end at $1.69 in an exchange of 106,074 stock units, Future Energy Source declined 29 cents to close at $7.11 with 2,533,969 units changing hands, General Accident shed 15 cents in closing at $6, with 51,195 stocks crossing the exchange. 
iCreate fell 24 cents to end at $3.45 while exchanging 467,069 stocks, ISP Finance popped $5 to end at $27 in exchanging 441 units, Jamaican Teas declined 25 cents to $3.51 in switching ownership of 946,429 shares. Lasco Manufacturing rose 25 cents to end at $5.35 after 61,867 stock units changed hands, Mailpac Group shed 11 cents to $3.06, with 1,318,018 units crossing the market, Medical Disposables gained 15 cents in ending at $7 after an exchange of 42,054 shares. Stationery and Office Supplies increased 50 cents in closing at $9.50, trading 5,094 stock units, Tropical Battery rallied 12 cents to close at $2.74, with 512,723 stocks crossing the market and tTech climbed 17 cents ending at $3.90, with 607,636 stocks changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
New Junior Market record close of 4,537 as majors rise
The Junior Market squeezed out another closing record high as the week ended on Friday. The market index rose just 5.78 points to close at 4,537.15, as the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market and US dollar market enjoyed modest gains at the close. Trading resulted in the JSE Combined Index rising 1,184.96 points to close at 416,382.22.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rose 726.82 points to 459,116.74, the JSE Main Index added 1,210.82 points to end at 401,715.42 and the JSE USD market index rallied 0.60 points to end at 223.73.
Trading ended with an exchange of 30,223,124 shares in all markets. The value of stocks traded in the Main and Junior markets amounts to $185.7 million and the JSE USD market, US$21,115. The market’s PE ratio ended at 26.4 based on 2021-22 earnings and 13.6 times those for 2022-23 at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
Investors need a series of measures and pertinent information to successfully navigate the many investment choices 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 with decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational investment decisions by investing in stocks that are 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 take emotions out of the investment decision and put in 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 ICInsider.com PE Ratio chart covers all ordinary shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange. 
It shows companies grouped on an industry basis, allowing easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market.
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 payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts that show the closing volume for the bids and offers.
The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2021 and 2022 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items. The PE Ratio is the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks.
Junior Market up 32% for year to record close
Trading closed at another record an end of the day high after the index jumped 69.16 points to settle at 4,531.37 and is up 32.2 percent for the year to date after hitting an intraday high at the opening of 4,572.21 on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market Thursday, with the volume of and the value stocks traded moderately different from Wednesday out turn.
Market activity led to 42 securities trading against 41 on Wednesday and ended with 21 rising, 18 declining and three closed unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values, averages 13.6. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks incorporate ICInsider.com projected earnings for companies with financial years closing up to the end of August 2023.
Overall, 13,259,209 shares traded for $55,620,943 compared to 12,678,453 units at $58,144,463 on the Wednesday. Tropical Battery led trading with 1.52 million shares for 11.4 percent of total volume, followed by Future Energy Source with 1.51 million units for 11.4 percent of the day’s trade, Jamaican Teas ended with 1.36 million units for 10.3 percent market share, Indies Pharma, with 1.36 million units for 10.3 percent market share, JFP Limited, 1.28 million units for 9.7 percent market share and iCreate with 1.21 million units for 9.1 percent market share.
Trading averaged 315,695 shares at $1,324,308 in contrast to 309,231 shares at $1,418,158 on Wednesday, with the month to date averaging 420,260 units at $2,218,892 compared to 454,840 units at $2,514,738 on the previous trading day. April closed with an average of 449,923 units at $1,781,786.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial advanced $3 to $24 in switching ownership of 12,427 shares, Blue Power dipped 20 cents to close at $3.70 in exchanging 31 stock units, Dolphin Cove climbed 80 cents to $20.80 in finishing trading of 81,282 stocks. Elite Diagnostic rallied 55 cents to $4.55 with the swapping of 744,421 units,Everything Fresh fell 14 cents to end at $1.55 after exchanging 23,923 stock units, Future Energy Source rose 40 cents in closing at $7.40, with 1,514,802 shares crossing the exchange. iCreate lost 50 cents after ending at $3.69, with 1,205,534 stocks clearing the market, Indies Pharma shed 14 cents to close at $3 in trading 1,359,798 units, Jamaican Teas popped 23 cents to $3.76, trading 1,361,288 shares. KLE Group rallied 35 cents to end at $2.30 after an exchange of 9,691 stock units, Knutsford Express declined 20 cents to $7.60, with 5,686 stocks crossing the market, Lasco Distributors increased 12 cents in closing at $3.42, with 61,148 units crossing the market. 
Lasco Manufacturing dropped 25 cents to $5.10, with 133,284 shares changing hands, Medical Disposables lost 15 cents to end at $6.85 in an exchange of 156,514 units, Spur Tree Spices rallied 15 cents to close at $3.95 while exchanging 447,724 stocks. Stationery and Office Supplies climbed 75 cents to close at $9 after 6,154 stock units changed hands and Tropical Battery declined 13 cents to end at $2.62 with an exchange of 1,515,720 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.