JSE: Participation rises, indices jump

Wednesday, 12th March 2014 | Trading on the Jamaica Stock market resulted in the prices of 12 stocks rising and 11 declining as 36 securities traded totalling 6,209,101 shares valued at $48,209,856. The number of companies trading was one of the highest for the year, tying with the previous highest day on January 29th, an indication that the market is generating more interest from investors.

Main Market trading | 7 companies in the main market advanced and 7 declined as the indices moved up strongly with the JSE Market Index gaining 1,182.56 points to 78,595.45 and the JSE All Jamaican Composite index moved up 1,321.76 points to close at 86,590.28

Gains | Caribbean Cement trading 18,567 units at $4.45 for a rise of 6 cents; Carreras traded 387,368 units at $35 to close up by 30 cents; Gleaner had 402,394 units changing hands a $1.20 up by 10 cents; Jamaica Broilers traded 457,322 shares at $5 as the price gained 20 cents; Jamaica Money Market Brokers had 207,214 ordinary shares changing hands to close at $7.20 for a one cent gain; Jamaica Money Market Brokers 8.75% preference traded 1,333,000 units at a cent higher to close at $3.01 and Sagicor Group put through 108,039 units at $9.40 up 40 cents.

Firm | Stocks without a price change are Grace Kennedy with 19,850 shares closing at $59.99; Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.25% preference shares traded 250 units and closed at $2.50 while the 7.50% preference traded 259,569 units to close at $2; Jamaica Producers had 27,440 shares trading at $18.26; Cable & Wireless 722,000 units at 60 cents; Proven Investments 4,230 units at 18 US cents; Salada Foods 9,800 shares at $9; Scotia Group 877,705 shares to close at $21 after trading as high as $22.49; Scotia Investments 25,230 shares to close at $25.50; Seprod 1,082 shares at $11.50 and Supreme Ventures 300 shares at $2.35.

Declines | Kingston Wharves with 4,796 units as the price lost 6 cents to end at $6; Mayberry Investments traded 1,000 shares to close 5 cents lower at $1.85; National Commercial Bank 6,604 units at 35 cents lower at $19; Pan Jamaican Investment 1,229 shares at $50 in losing a cent; Radio Jamaica 257,250 shares at $1.37, a fall of 3 cents; Sagicor Investments only 670 units to close at $17.99, down a cent and Sagicor Real Estate Fund 5,200 shares, closing down by 4 cents to end at $7.15.

Junior Market trading | The JSE Junior Market Index declined by 7.83 points to close at 714.99 as 11 stocks traded with 5 advancing and 4 declining.

Gains | Caribbean Producers traded 48,599 units to close at $2.75, up 5 cents; General Accident 165,461 units at $1.60 for a one cent increase; Jamaican Teas only 4,443 shares but the price rose 7 cents to end at $3.13 followed by Lasco Manufacturing with 67,941 units at $1.23 for a one cent gain and Paramount Trading exchanged 1,000 units to close at $2.93 a fall of a cent.

Firm Trades | Access Financial Services traded 3,784 units at $8 and Medical Disposables 31,717 shares to close at $2.05.

Declines | Cargo Handlers traded 3,177 units at $14.30, down a cent; Honey Bun 1,852 shares to close at $3 for a 5 cents fall; Lasco Distributors 727,333 units closing at $1.30 for a 5 cents fall and Lasco Financial Services 15,685 shares at $1.23 down 7 cents.

IC bid-offer Indicator | At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 6 stocks with bids higher than the last selling price and 4 stocks with offers lower.