JSE Main market gains 2.4% in 2024

The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed higher on Monday, with the JSE Main Index racking up a rise of 2.4 percent for the year to date while the All Jamaican Composite Index clocked gains of 0.9 percent as the volume of stocks traded declined moderately and the value rising 21 percent above trading on Friday, with the market closing with an exchange of 60 securities compared with 57 on Friday, with prices of 23 stocks rising and just being edged out by 24 declining and 13 ending unchanged.
The market ended with an exchange of 11,358,844 shares for $65,164,581 versus 11,517,107 units at $53,884,020 on Friday.
Trading averaged 189,314 shares at $1,086,076 compared to 202,055 units at $945,334 on Friday and month to date, an average of 194,750 units at $1,046,514, in comparison with 197,636 units at $1,025,508 on the previous trading day and January that closed with an average of 265,804 units at $2,438,118.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 4.33 million shares for 38.1 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.62 million units for 23 percent of the day’s trade, QWI Investments was next with 1.40 million units for 12.3 percent market share and Carreras with 1.33 million units for 11.7 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index advanced 2,499.80 points to settle at 369,213.68, the JSE Main Index increased 4,036.96 points to 333,377.53 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.48 points to end at 70.90.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.7. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 13 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints popped 31 cents and ended at $5.75, with 2,223 stocks crossing the market, Caribbean Cement fell $1.15 to $53.80 with investors swapping 5,675 units, Eppley sank $1 in closing at $33 after an exchange of 4,943 shares. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund shed $1 to end at $39 in trading 1,007 stock units, First Rock Real Estate increased 30 cents to close at $9, with 276 shares crossing the market, General Accident climbed 42 cents to $5.20 with traders dealing in 2,050 stock units. Guardian Holdings lost $9 to end at $360 while exchanging 56 units, Jamaica Broilers rose 50 cents in closing at $34.50 with investors trading 41,960 stocks, Jamaica Producers rallied $2.35 to close at $26.25 with a transfer of 94,412 units. Kingston Properties gained 47 cents and ended at $7.53 with investors dealing in 685 stocks, Kingston Wharves advanced 48 cents to $27.98 in an exchange of 19,340 shares, Massy Holdings rose $3.64 to close at $98.49, with 314 stock units changing hands. Mayberry Group gained 59 cents in closing at $8.09 with an exchange of 6,017 shares, 138 Student Living popped 55 cents and ended at $4.16 with 219 stocks clearing the market, Pan Jamaica dipped $1.50 to end at $50 in an exchange of 3,734 units. Proven Investments increased 99 cents to $23 with investors trading 5,693 stock units, Seprod declined $1.87 to end at $85.13 after a transfer of 4,172 shares, Sygnus Credit Investments dropped 89 cents in closing at $10.85 after investors exchanged 38,278 units. Sygnus Real Estate Finance climbed $1.49 and ended at $11.49 in switching ownership of just two stock units and Wisynco Group skidded 97 cents to close at $22 after an exchange of 33,258 stock units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% preference share sank 48 cents to $19.02 and closed after an exchange of 79 shares. Jamaica Public Service 7% rallied $4.19 and ended at $46.09, with 10 stock units crossing the exchange and 138 Student Living preference share shed 50 cents in closing at $214 with investors transferring 56 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.