Modest slippage for Junior Market

Trading closed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market Monday, with the volume ofJ stocks traded rising 18 percent and the value jumping 27 percent more than on Friday, resulting in slightly more stocks declining than those that gained.
A total of 44 securities were traded versus 40 on Friday, with 15 rising, 17 declining and 12 unchanged, resulting in the Junior Market Index losing 20.65 points to settle at 4,073.21.
The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values, averages 12.6. The PE ratios of the Junior Market incorporate ICInsider.com projected earnings for companies with year end that falls between November this year and August 2023.
A total of 8,135,173 shares traded for $31,415,140 up from 6,905,892 units at $24,772,346 on Friday. Trading averaged 184,890 shares at $713,980 in contrast to 172,647 shares at $619,309 on Friday, with the month to date, averaging 239,285 units at $995,375 compared to 246,694 units at $1,033,707 on the previous trading day. May closed with an average of 376,907 units at $1,638,631.
SSL Venture led trading with 1.91 million shares for 23.5 percent of total volume, followed by Tropical Battery with 695,314 units for 8.5 percent of the day’s trade and Spur Tree Spices with 648,106 units for 8 percent market share.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging advanced 12 cents to $3.70, with 172,080 shares crossing the exchange, CAC 2000 rose 40 cents to close at $7.40 after trading 5,186 units, following the release of solid half year results. Cargo Handlers rallied $1.10 in closing at $12.10 with an exchange of 8,498 stocks. Caribbean Cream gained 10 cents in ending at $4.85 while exchanging 7,000 stock units, Caribbean Flavours increased 8 cents to end at $1.98 in switching ownership of 65,293 units, Elite Diagnostic shed 10 cents in closing at $3.30 after exchanging 4,783 shares. Express Catering lost 20 cents to close at $5.60, trading 183,500 stock units, Fontana popped 13 cents to end at $9.75, with 123,110 stocks crossing the market, Future Energy Source fell 9 cents to $5.80 in an exchange of 413,185 shares.  Honey Bun climbed 30 cents in ending at $8.80 after 416,278 stock units crossed the market, Iron Rock Insurance declined 8 cents to $3 with the swapping of 298 stocks, Jamaican Teas increased 10 cents in closing at $2.97 after trading 317,167 units. Knutsford Express rose 50 cents to $8.50, with 40 stocks changing hands, Lasco Manufacturing rallied 24 cents to end at $5 after exchanging 89,244 stock units, Main Event dropped 9 cents to close at $8.80, with an exchange of 16,539 shares. Medical Disposables lost 45 cents in closing at $7, with 13,300 units clearing the market, Paramount Trading fell 10 cents to $1.90 after exchanging 365 stocks, Spur Tree Spices dipped 15 cents to close at $3.55 while trading 648,106 units and SSL Venture climbed 35 cents to $2.19 while exchanging 1,913,234 stock units.
In the preference segment, CAC 2000 9.5% preference share advanced 15 cents to end at $1.16 after exchanging 12,425 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.