JSE Main Market down for a second day

The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange ended trading on Thursday, with a decline in the index for a second day running after the number of stocks rising outpaced those falling three to two as the volume of stocks traded declined 18 percent while the value dropped 62 percent lower than Wednesday’s close, after trading in 60 securities compared to  58 on Wednesday, with 26 rising, 17 declining and 17 ending unchanged.
A total of 6,062,724 shares were traded for a mere $21,930,574 down from 7,402,150 units at $57,740,739 on Wednesday. Trading averages 101,045 units at $365,510 versus 127,623 shares at $995,530 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 120,650 units at $815,557, compared to 130,452 units at $1,040,581 on the previous day. December closed with an average of 604,110 units at $4,072,598.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 1.98 million shares for 32.6 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 1.73 million units at 28.6 percent of the day’s trade and Ciboney Group with 516,314 units for 8.5 percent of market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index shed 2,146.48 points to close at 392,484.67, the JSE Main Index declined 1,737.67 points to 345,411.92 and the JSE Financial Index shed 0.80 points to settle at 81.98.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.4 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments rallied 98 cents to close at $97.98, with 4,047 shares crossing the exchange, Berger Paints popped 55 cents to $10.40 with an exchange of 1,500 units, Caribbean Cement popped $1.46 after ending at $63.45 with a transfer of 1,330 stock units. Eppley rose $5.05 to $40 with 536 stocks clearing the market, First Rock Real Estate lost $1.79 in closing at $12.01, with 23,081 units crossing the market, GraceKennedy declined 60 cents to end at $82, as 16,204 stock units passed through the market. Guardian Holdings dipped $3 to $522 after an exchange of 416 stocks, Jamaica Producers climbed $1.07 in closing at $22.99, with 1,500 shares crossing the market, Jamaica Stock Exchange fell 80 cents ending at $14.50 in an exchange of 12,167 units. JMMB Group increased 40 cents to close at $33 while exchanging 58,195 stock units, Margaritaville shed $2.93 to close at $16.62 in exchanging 1,959 shares, Massy Holdings dropped $1.45 ending at $78.50 in switching ownership of 58,914 stocks. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy gained $9 to end at $84 with the swapping of 4,637 stock units, NCB Financial gained $1.79 to $80 trading 7,843 shares, Palace Amusement rallied $80 in closing at a 52 weeks’ high of $1680, with 404 stocks changing hands. Proven Investments increased 49 cents to end at $27.99 as investors exchanged 17,978 units, Sagicor Group rose $3.80 to $54.80 with investors transferring 854 stock units, Scotia Group popped $1.40 to close at $34.40 in trading 13,614 stocks. Seprod dropped 90 cents in ending at $69.10 after 1,831 shares changed hands, Stanley Motta shed $1.15 in closing at $4.10 after a transfer of 15,876 units and Supreme Ventures climbed $2.52 after ending at $29.87 with an exchange of 5,708 shares.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% dipped $1 in closing at $2999 as a mere one share was traded.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.