The Jamaica Stock Exchange closed on Wednesday, with a drop in volume and value of stocks changing hands, compared to Tuesday. At the close, the major indices of the Main Market rose, the Junior Market index rallied, and the JSE USD Market slipped. At the close, prices of 40 shares rose, 42 declined and 28 remained firm.
The JSE Combined Market Index popped 4,158.95 points to finish at 391,059.25, with the All Jamaican Composite Index rising 3,974.61 points to close at 461,008.24, the JSE Main Index jumped 4,262.38 points to 385,643.79, the Junior Market Index increased by 11.64 points to 3,111.02 and the JSE USD Market Index shed 1.63 points to finish at 282.42.
At the close of trading, 21,889,294 shares were exchanged in all markets, down from 105,751,057 units on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounting to $157.34 million, down from $390.84 million the previous day. Trading on the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 451,658 shares for US$30,462, compared to 236,327 units at US$16,739 on Tuesday.
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led trading with 7.06 million shares, followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.75 million stocks and Carreras with 892,034 units.
In Junior Market trading, Jamaican Teas led with 2.60 million shares, followed by ONE on ONE Educational with 904,896 stocks and RA Williams with 681,734 units.
In Main Market ordinary shares top winners, Guardian Holdings rallied $17 to close at $377.00, Barita Investments increased $5.01 to $75.00, NCB Financial climbed $2.50 and ended at $74.00, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rose $1.59 to finish at $42.00 and First Rock Real Estate advanced $1 in closing at $6.00.
Among the top losers, GraceKennedy declined $2.50 to $91.00, AS Bryden fell $1.98 in closing at $17.02, Scotia Group dipped by $1.80 to $72.20, Caribbean Producers lost $1.15 to end at $6.30 and Pan Jamaica shed $1.10 to finish at $43.00.
Amongst the Junior Market, winners, Cargo Handlers rose 25 cents and ended at $15.75, Elite Diagnostic increased 24 cents to end at $1.84, Fosrich climbed by 20 cents to $1.60, Fontana rallied 18 cents and ended at $6.18 and Spur Tree Spices rose 14 cents to end at $1.39. Among the top losers, Jetcon Corporation slipped 29 cents and ended at $4.50, Jamaican Teas skidded 15 cents to close at $2.01, Caribbean Assurance Brokers shed 14 cents to finish at $1.41, Mailpac Group declined 12 cents and ended at $2.20 and Regency Petroleum shed 10 cents to $4.15.
At the close of trading, the PE ratio for the current year, compiled from projected 2026-27 earnings, is 13.5 and 17.1 based on 2025 historical earnings. Major one-off income or expenses are excluded from earnings where applicable. The PE ratio is one of the most u sed measures in valuing shares. It is calculated by dividing the stock price by earnings per share. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to assist in making investment decisions.
The PE ratio chart includes all ordinary shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry and facilitates easy comparisons within sectors and the overall market.
Pertinent information is needed to navigate the numerous options in the stock market. The chart should be used to help in decision-making, especially when investing close to the market or sector averages, and not going too far from it unless compelling reasons exist. This approach reduces emotional bias in investment decisions and places them on fundamentals, without straying far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy stocks near the average will not overpay. The net asset value of each company is incorporated into the chart. Investors can use this measure in assessing stock values. The chart also includes daily changes in stock prices and percentage year to date price movements based on the last traded price. Dividends that are paid or 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.