Trading closed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Thursday, resulting in a fall in the volume of stocks changing hands with a marginally lower value than on Wednesday and a big drop in the Junior Market index, as the Main Market major indices closed moderately lower, the JSE USD Market rallied higher at the close, resulting in the prices of 37 shares rising, 43 declined and 37 remained firm.
At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index dipped 469.54 points to end at 335,243.40, the All Jamaican Composite Index increased by 124.15 points to finish at 371,725.69, the JSE Main Index slipped 27.65 points to settle at 323,548.25, the Junior Market Index declined 61.80 points to wrap up trading at 3,603.74 and the JSE USD Market Index climbed 6.42 points to 229.58.
At the close, 24,519,187 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 34,151,151 units on Wednesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $89.26 million, marginally lower than the $91.11 million on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 118,803 shares for US$8,042 well below the large 19,338,949 units that traded at a value of US$528,367 on Wednesday.
In Main Market activity, Lasco Distributors led trading with 7.03 million stocks followed by Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund with 5.61 million shares and Wigton Energy with 2.69 million units.
In Junior Market trading, Stationery and Office Supplies led with 823,023 stocks followed by Fosrich with 790,445 shares and Lumber Depot, 557,629 units.
In the preference segment of the market, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% gained $65 to end at $2,755 and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% skidded $3.62 to $101.38.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 13.8 based on 2024-25 earnings and 20.4 based on 2023-24 historical earnings. The IICInsider.com PE ratio chart and other more detailed daily charts provide investors with updated information to help in 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.