Stocks slipped to open up the new year on a losing note when the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed trading on Tuesday, with investors displaying restraint in chasing or exchanging stocks as the volume of stocks traded declined 68 percent with 70 percent less value than on Friday after all, but one security traded amounting to 47 up from 43 on Friday and ended with 14 rising, 26 declining and seven closing unchanged.
A total of 7,078,901 shares were traded for $20,254,759 down from 22,282,537 units at $68,002,755 on Friday.
Trading averaged 150,615 shares at $430,952 compared to 518,199 units at $1,581,459 on Friday. December closed with an average of 333,420 units at $925,533.
Regency Petroleum led trading with 1.64 million shares for 23.1 percent of total volume followed by Fosrich with 824,214 units for 11.6 percent of the day’s trade and ONE on ONE Educational with 682,021 units for 9.6 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index lost 38.19 points to settle at 3,948.25.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 12.6. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks incorporate ICInsider.com projected earnings for the financial year ending that fall between November this year and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial dropped $4 to $22, with 661 shares changing hands, AMG Packaging fell 39 cents to close at $2.66, with 4,897 stock units crossing the market, CAC 2000 shed $1.73 in ending at $6.75 in an exchange of 8 units. Caribbean Assurance Brokers dropped 28 cents to $1.88 after a transfer of 228,886 stocks, Caribbean Cream lost 14 cents to end at $3.86 trading 1,023 stocks, Consolidated Bakeries dipped 10 cents to $1.70 with an exchange of 1,176 stock units. 
Derrimon Trading fell 14 cents to $2.11 with the swapping of 254,671 units, Dolphin Cove popped $1.88 to close at $14.88 in trading 16,694 shares, Express Catering climbed 20 cents in closing at $5.40 after 22,124 stock units passed through the market. Future Energy Source dipped 30 cents to end at $5.20 with an exchange of458,046 shares, General Accident gained 66 cents to end at $5.07 as investors exchanged 110,279 stocks, Honey Bun declined 79 cents to close at $7.20 after exchanging 7,733 units. iCreate advanced 26 cents to $1.93 in switching ownership of 103,986 shares, Indies Pharma dropped 52 cents to $3, with 7,327 stock units crossing the market, JFP Ltd lost 10 cents in closing at $1.67 while exchanging 204,535 stocks. Knutsford Express shed 70 cents to close at $8, with 5,886 units clearing the market, Lasco Distributors rallied 10 cents in closing at $2.60 after exchanging 186,868 units, Medical Disposables rose 48 cents to end at $5.28 with investors transferring 385 shares. Spur Tree Spices shed 46 cents to $3.04 with an exchange of 57,994 stocks,
Stationery and Office Supplies dropped 65 cents to end at $16.50 after finishing trading of 129,446 stock units, Tropical Battery increased 15 cents to close at $2.45 with a transfer of 607,278 stocks and tTech declined 30 cents in closing at a 52 weeks’ low of $2.20 after exchanging 31,563 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
