Falling stocks overwhelmed risers Thursday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange following a rise in the volume and value of stocks exchanged over Wednesday, resulting in Main Market major indices falling, the Junior Market index and the JSE USD Market closing higher as trading ended with the prices of 37 shares rising, 47 declining and 28 remaining firm.
At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index declined 2,077.48 points to 329,197.01, the All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 2,528.66 points to settle at 363,191.72, the JSE Main Index sank 2,329.66 points to 316,257.61, the Junior Market Index rallied 20.90 points to finish at 3,732.65 and the JSE USD Market Index rose 0.22 points to 252.36.
At the close of trading, 35,313,153 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 34,162,744 units on Wednesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $262.36 million, up significantly from $122.97 million on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 466,535 shares for US$18,867 compared to 1,404,682 units at US$104,481 on Wednesday.
In Main Market activity, Wigton Energy led trading with 8.64 million stocks followed by Transjamaican Highway with 3.51 million shares and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 3.22 million units.
In Junior Market trading, Regency Petroleum led trading with 2.40 million stocks followed by Derrimon Trading with 2.05 million shares and Jamaican Teas with 1.96 million units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% dipped $10 to end at $2,850 and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% rose $5 in closing at $105.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 13.8 based on 2024-25 earnings and 20.1 based on 2023-24 historical earnings. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and other 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 within a sector and the overall market. The earnings per share (EPS) and PE ratios are based on 2024 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one time income or expense.
Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the sector average, 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 incorporated into the chart. Investors can use this measure in assessing stock values. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices. Dividends that are paid or are 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.