Drop in JSE Main and USD markets

The Main and JSE US dollar markets declined at the close of trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Thursday while the Junior Market made a moderate recovery from Wednesday’s loss as the volume and value of stocks traded jumped sharply compared to Wednesday following trading of 113 million shares valued at $167 million in Transjamaican preference share.  
At the close, the JSE Combined Market Index shed 2,140.83 points to end at 340,544.78, the All Jamaican Composite Index declined 4,924.76 points to 361,073.80, the JSE Main Index fell 2,534.77 points to close at 326,525.24, while the Junior Market Index climbed 24.51 points to close at 3,919.03 and the JSE USD Market Index slipped 5.29 points to finish at 247.99.
Preference shares with notable price changes include Eppley 7.50% preference share shedding 61 cents to end at $6, Jamaica Public Service 7% advancing $11.48 to $61.48, Productive Business 10.50% preference share declining $55 to $1,100 and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share popping $2.50 in closing at $101.50.
At the close, investors had dealings in 135,167,230 shares in all three markets, up sharply from 20,722,918 stocks on Wednesday. The value of stocks trading in the Junior and Main Markets ended at $261.89 million, up from $80.9 million on Wednesday. Trading on the JSE USD market ended with investors exchanging 243,793 shares for US$38,581 compared with 174,417 units at US$27,278 on Wednesday.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks ended at 18.8 on 2022-23 earnings and 12.6. 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. It shows companies 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.