Main Market gains on low volume

Rising stocks impacted the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market positively on Thursday, with the major market indices gaining even as the volume of stocks traded declined 17 percent from Wednesday’s level, and valued 63 percent less after trading in 58 securities, up from 54 on Wednesday, and ended with prices of  19 rising, 22 declining and 17 ending unchanged.
A total of 8,211,791 shares were exchanged for $46,473,139, down from 9,841,967 units at $126,164,786 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 141,583 units at $801,261 compared with 182,259 shares at $2,336,385 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 150,524 units at $1,318,558 versus 151,804 units at $1,392,640 previously. December closed with an average of 604,110 units at $4,072,598.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 2.14 million shares for 26.1 percent of total volume, followed by JMMB Group 7.35% – 2028 with 1.40 million units for 17.1 percent of the day’s trade, Transjamaican Highway with 1.14 million units for 13.9 percent of trading, Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.13 million units for 13.8 percent share of the day’s trade and Caribbean Producers with 1.02 million units for 12.4 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 2,760.22 points to 389,643.62, the JSE Main Index rose 2,168.78 points to 343,253.10 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.37 points to 82.24.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.1 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Barita Investments declined $3.84 to $90 with an exchange of 1,946 shares, Caribbean Producers gained 57 cents to end at $11.69 with 1,021,075 units crossing the market, GraceKennedy rose $1.29 to $81.25 in transferring 5,520 stocks. Jamaica Broilers shed 99 cents to end at $30 as investors exchanged 6,576 stock units, Jamaica Stock Exchange popped $1 to close at $15.50 in switching ownership of 11 units, JMMB Group lost 49 cents to finish at $32.95 after an exchange of 73,893 stock units. Kingston Wharves climbed $3.39 to $34.45 with a transfer of 432 shares, Margaritaville rallied $1.45 to $21 in the swapping of 404 stocks, Mayberry Investments fell 65 cents to $8.25 after 12,577 stocks cleared the market. Mayberry Jamaican Equities fell 51 cents to $13 with 4,704 stock units changing hands, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy shed 95 cents in closing at $83, trading 238 units, Palace Amusement climbed $72.39 to a 52 weeks’ high of $1,902.39 after a transfer of 305 shares. Sagicor Group gained 49 cents to end at $51.49, trading 5,138 stocks, Scotia Group rose $1.99 to $34 in an exchange of 343,004 shares, Seprod fell 53 cents to $67.45 after 3,703 stock units passed through the market. Stanley Motta rallied 50 cents to $5 with investors transferring 54,322 units and Supreme Ventures advanced 85 cents to $28 with 4,006 shares changing hands.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 10.50% preference share popped $12.01 in closing at $1,012.01 after switching ownership of 100 stock units, Eppley 5% preference share fell $1.90 to end at $23 in an exchange of 5 stocks, JMMB Group 7% preference share shed 67 cents to close at $2.22 with the swapping of 5,891 units and 138 Student Living preference share advanced $4.95 to $69.95 after exchanging 37 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.