Trading activity closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Wednesday, with a 72 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded, carrying a 79 percent lower value than Tuesday with trading in 39 securities on both days and ending with prices of 14 rising, 12 declining and 13 closing unchanged including Iron Rock Insurance that closed at a 52 weeks’ high.
The market closed with trading of 3,536,843 shares at $6,698,902 down from 12,699,115 units at $31,583,992 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 90,688 shares at $171,767 compared to 325,618 units at $809,846 on Tuesday with trading month to date, averaging 231,865 units at $425,984 down from 250,786 stock at $460,054 on the previous day and July with an average of 358,542 units at $736,760.
Dolla Financial led trading with 780,363 shares for 22.1 percent of total volume followed by EduFocal with 732,539 stocks for 20.7 percent of the day’s trade and Mailpac Group with 456,031 units for 12.9 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index climbed 45.08 points to 3,624.09, well below the levels at the start of the month and just a fraction of the 183 points loss for August, up to Tuesday.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.2, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for financial years ending around August 2025.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Cargo Handlers sank 31 cents to $11.99 in switching ownership of 3,089 stocks, Caribbean Assurance Brokers dropped 9 cents to end at $3.75 after 32,135 units passed through the market, Caribbean Flavours lost 38 cents in closing at $1.12 with investors swapping 87,907 shares. Consolidated Bakeries slipped 5 cents to close at $2.05 in an exchange of 194 stock units, prior to the company reporting a loss in its second quarter. Dolla Financial climbed 19 cents to finish at $3 in trading 780,363 shares, Dolphin Cove sank $1.14 and ended at $21.80 with investors dealing in 5,614 stock units ahead of reduced results for the half year. Future Energy popped 10 cents to $3.30, with 37,646 stocks changing hands,
Image Plus skidded 12 cents to end at $1.60 with investors trading 35,976 units, Iron Rock Insurance increased 15 cents in closing at a 52 weeks’ high of $3.15 1,443 stocks crossing the exchange, ahead of the release of six months results that showed a major 40 percent jump in revenues in the June quarter and 35 percent for the half year and an improvement in profitability versus 2023. Knutsford Express advanced $1.17 to close at $10.92 with traders dealing in 550 units, Main Event rose 95 cents and ended at $11.95 after it closed with an exchange of 20 shares and Paramount Trading fell 9 cents to finish at $1.01 as investors exchanged 1,000 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
