Junior Market pops higher on Tuesday

The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed higher on Tuesday, with trading in 44 securities, down from 46 on Monday and ending with prices of only 14 stocks rising, 22 declining and eight closing unchanged after the volume of stocks traded jumped 161 percent, carrying a value that was 198 percent greater than in market activity on Monday
The market closed with trading of 13,878,813 shares for $41,634,700 up from a mere 5,320,099 stock units at $13,969,282 on Monday.
Trading averaged 315,428 shares at $946,243, compared with 115,654 units at $303,680 on Monday with the month to date, averaging 216,013 units at $564,561 compared to 183,124 stock units at $438,290 on the previous day and January with an average of 175,081 units at $401,738.
Dolla Financial led trading with 7.19 million shares before releasing full year results that were up in 2023, with a profit of $430 million versus $280 million in the previous year but earnings per share dipped to 17 cents from 18 cents in 2022. Future Energy followed with 3.25 million units and Tropical Battery with 817,037 stock units for 5.9 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index increased 9.98 points to culminate at 3,820.19.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.4, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for the financial years ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ending with a bid higher than the last selling price and three with lower offers.
At the close, Cargo Handlers sank 23 cents to close at $14.40 in an exchange of 1,014 stock units, Caribbean Assurance Brokers rose 35 cents to close at $2.44 after 750 stocks were exchanged, Caribbean Cream fell 40 cents to $3.50, with 1,158 shares being traded. Consolidated Bakeries skidded 13 cents to $2.09 after trading 9,449 stock units, Dolla Financial rose 38 cents and ended at $2.98 as investors exchanged 7,187,009 shares, Fontana climbed 17 cents to $10.50, with 82,176 stocks clearing the market. Fosrich fell 8 cents and ended at $2.10 after an exchange of 309,773 units, Future Energy increased 8 cents to close at $3.70 and ended with an exchange of 3,250,558 stock units, Indies Pharma declined 10 cents in closing at $2.71 after 13,157 shares changed hands. ISP Finance shed $6.49 to end at $25.01 with investors transferring 27 units, Lasco Distributors dropped 15 cents to $3.85 with investors exchanging 101,806 stocks, Lasco Financial dipped 32 cents to close at $1.77 with a transfer of 94,155 stock units. Lasco Manufacturing popped 19 cents in closing at $4.94 while exchanging 7,180 shares, Limners and Bards rallied 12 cents to end at $1.52 with traders dealing in 24,717 units, Lumber Depot slipped 10 cents and ended at $2.50 after a transfer of 2,910 stocks and Stationery and Office Supplies gained 10 cents to close at $1.70 with investors swapping 146,423 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.