The Main and Junior markets of the Jamaica Stock Exchange ended the first month of 2025 with gains but the US dollar Market slipped as trading level fell from activities on Thursday, resulting in Main Market major indices falling and closing the month lower than the end of 2024, the Junior Market index ended the month at the highest level for the year to date and higher than the 2024 close and the JSE USD Market declined. At the end of trading the prices of 52 shares rose, 27 declined and 32 remained firm.
At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index increased 1,673.87 points to finish at 346,756.41, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 2,039.04 points to 386,394.19, the JSE Main Index gained 1,440.86 points to end at 334,219.11, the Junior Market Index rose 41.28 points to end at 3,786.25 and the JSE USD Market Index fell 2.30 points to 244.97.
At the close of trading, 40,699,662 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 47,757,958 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $253.59 million, down from the hefty $1.02 billion on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 249,958 shares for US$17,257 compared to 112,384 units at US$52,111 on Thursday.
In Main Market activity, Wigton Energy led with 8.62 million shares followed by Carreras with 5.13 million stocks and Transjamaican Highway with 2.13 million units.
In Junior Market trading, Lasco Financial led with 7.03 million shares followed by Stationery and Office Supplies with 2.58 million stocks and Regency Petroleum with 2.08 million units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share gained $63 and ended at $1,113.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 14.1 on 2023-24 earnings and .20.4 based on 2024-25 historical earnings. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the other more detailed daily charts 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 and 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.