Junior Market bounces on lower volume

Trading closed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market on Thursday, with the volume of stocks traded falling 52 percent and the value 44 per cent lower than Wednesday, leading to more stocks rising than falling at the close.
Market activity led to 41 securities trading compared to 44 on Wednesday and ended with 20 rising, 12 declining and nine closing unchanged. At the close, the Junior Market Index rallied 76.74 points to close at 4,104.09.
The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values, averages 13. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks incorporate ICInsider.com projected earnings for companies with financial years closing up to the end of August 2023.
Overall, 5,929,550 shares traded for $29,697,652, down from 12,355,521 units at $52,828,520 on the Wednesday. Future Energy Source led trading with 839,783 shares for 14.2 percent of total volume, followed by JFP Limited with 726,038 units for 12.2 percent of the day’s trade and EduFocal with 663,231 units for 11.2 percent market share.
Trading averaged 144,623 shares at $724,333, down from 280,807 shares at $1,200,648 on Wednesday with the month to date, averaging 406,842 units at $1,757,732 compared to 421,331 units at $1,814,834 on the previous trading day. April closed with an average of 449,923 units at $1,781,786.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, AMG Packaging gained 10 cents to end at $3.60 after exchanging 105,867 shares, Blue Power fell 25 cents in closing at $3.70 in trading 1,380 stock units, CAC 2000 advanced $1.08 to close at $7.40 with the swapping of 6,093 stocks. Cargo Handlers declined $1.70 to $10, with 4,508 units changing hands, Caribbean Cream popped 24 cents to $4.95 in exchanging 34,938 stock units, Derrimon Trading climbed 39 cents in closing at $3.19 after 59,319 stocks crossed the market. Dolphin Cove rose $1.96 to $18.28 with 102,441 shares changing hands, Elite Diagnostic rallied 59 cents to end at $3.80, with 35,361 units crossing the exchange, Fontana lost 10 cents to end at $9.80 trading 63,328 shares. Future Energy Source increased 11 cents to $6 after exchanging 839,783 stocks, Honey Bun climbed 50 cents to $9, trading 23,266 units, iCreate popped 49 cents to $3.59 in an exchange of 207,696 stock units. Jetcon Corporation dropped 11 cents to end at $1.32 with an exchange of 44,902 shares, KLE Group shed 21 cents to close at $2.40, with 2,077 units clearing the market, Knutsford Express dropped 10 cents in closing at $7.50 in switching ownership of 2,933 stocks. Lasco Financial shed 19 cents to close at $3.30 after exchanging 15,433 stock units, Lasco Manufacturing lost 14 cents to end at $5.11 after trading 16,182 units, Lumber Depot rallied 25 cents to $3.30 after exchanging 440,168 stocks. Paramount Trading fell 15 cents in closing at $1.75 after 14,620 shares changed hands, Spur Tree Spices rose 14 cents to end at $3.80 in switching ownership of 383,910 stock units, Stationery and Office Supplies advanced 35 cents to close at $11, with 32,258 stock units crossing the market and Tropical Battery increased 20 cents in closing at $2.70 with 647,164 units clearing the market.
In the preference segment, CAC 2000 9.5% preference share gained 10 cents to end at $1.10 after an exchange of 10,202 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.