The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange had a sizable bounce on Friday, with the Junior Market falling following a rise in the volume of stocks exchanged, with a lower value than on Thursday, resulting in the prices of 30 shares rising, 44 declining and 39 remaining firm on a day when Fontana triggered the circuit breaker with the price climbing by $1.36 following the announcement of the acquisition of Monarch Pharmacies.
At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index rallied 2,069.08 points to conclude trading at 344,120.83, the All Jamaican Composite Index end up jumping 4,007.11 points to 384,616.64, the JSE Main Index climbed 2,488.97 points to 332,616.79, the Junior Market Index skidded 43.39 points to end at 3,632.37 and the JSE USD Market Index popped 0.78 points higher to 237.44.
At the close of trading, 19,774,969 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 9,885,996 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $87.65 million, down from $103.07 million on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 145,889 shares for US$9,208 compared to 176,396 units at US$76,642 on Thursday.
In Main Market activity, JMMB Group 7.35% – 2028 led with 5.98 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 3.59 million stocks and Radio Jamaica with 2.23 million units.
In Junior Market trading, Fontana led with 888,871 shares following the announcement that they will acquire the four stores of Monarch Pharmacy. Stationery and Office Supplies was next with 788,706 stocks and Regency Petroleum with 674,829 units.
In the preferred share segment, Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share jumped $165 to close trading at $1,100 and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% sank $5.50 to $104.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 13.8 based on the 2024 estimate of earnings and 20.2 based on 2023-24 historical earnings. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the other more detailed charts that are published daily provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making. The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons within a sector and the overall market. The earnings per share (EPS) and PE ratios are based on 2024 and 2025 actual or projected earnings, excluding any major one time income or expense.
Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the sector average, not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock. 
The net asset value of each company is incorporated into the chart. Investors can use this measure in assessing stock values. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices. Dividends that are paid or are due to be paid and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.