Trading closed with a fall in the volume of stocks traded, with a greater value on Wednesday compared to Tuesday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange. Trading resulted in the major indices of all three markets falling, ending with the prices of 48 shares rising, 36 declining and 30 remaining firm.
At the end of the market activity, the JSE Combined Market Index skidded 1,719.49 points to end at 377,748.91, the All Jamaican Composite Index shed 1,063.31 points to 445,995.53, the JSE Main Index dipped 1,587.60 points to conclude trading at 372,758.03, the Junior Market Index declined 8.08 points to 2,973.12 and the JSE USD Market Index shed 2.81 points to settle at 314.65.
At the close of trading, 19,892,203 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 26,659,324 units on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounting to $214.72 million, up from $126.32 million on the previous day. Trading on the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 845,195 shares for US$62,437, down from 517,105 units at US$47,725 on Tuesday.
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led trading with 10.68 million shares, followed by Wigton Energy with 1.04 million stocks and Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund with 907,901 units.
In Junior Market trading, Dolla Financial led with 939,872 shares, followed by Derrimon Trading with 390,878 stocks and Woodcats International with 333,700 units.
In Main Market activities, among the top winners, Guardian Holdings advanced $14 to close at $365.00, Quantas Advantage jumped $2.99 to $19.99, Sagicor Group climbed $2.95 to finish at $44.95, Pan Jamaica popped $1.98 and ended at $44.50 and Margaritaville increased $1.24 to end at $9.42. Among the top losers, Massy Holdings dropped $2.50 in closing at $70.00, Eppley lost $2 to $33.90, Caribbean Cement declined $1.37 in closing at $112.00, Carreras fell $1.01 to finish at $32.00 and Seprod dipped 99 cents and ended at $74.00.
In the preference share segment, 138 Student Living preferred stock fell $4.75 to close at $230.
In the Junior Market, the winners include, Lumber Depot climbing 38 cents to $2.69, Elite Diagnostic rallying 26 cents to end at $1.79. Dolphin Cove popped 24 cents to $10.45, Jetcon Corporation rose by 21 cents to $3.98 and Fontana gained 17 cents to end at $6.49. Amongst the leading losers, Cargo Handlers shed $1.52 to finish at $14.65, Main Event slipped 94 cents and ended at $3.01, Knutsford Express skidded 34 cents to close at $8.66, Access Financial fell 34 cents to $19.36 and Regency Petroleum dipped 12 cents in closing at $4.20.
At the close of trading, the PE ratio for the current year, compiled from projected 2026-27 earnings, is 13.7 and 16.3 based on 2025 historical earnings. Major one-off income or expenses are excluded from earnings where applicable. The PE ratio is one of the most utilised measures in valuing shares. It is calculated by dividing the stock price by earnings per share. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to assist in making investment decisions. The PE ratio chart includes all ordinary shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry and facilitates easy comparisons within sectors and the overall market.
Pertinent information is needed to navigate the numerous options in the stock market. The chart should be used to help in decision-making, especially when investing close to the market or sector averages, and not going too far from it unless compelling reasons exist. This approach reduces emotional bias in investment decisions and places them on fundamentals, without straying far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy stocks near the average will not overpay. The net asset value of each company is incorporated into the chart. Investors can use this measure in assessing stock values. The chart also includes daily changes in stock prices and percentage year to date price movements based on the last traded price. Dividends that are paid or due to be paid and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.