Trading closed Thursday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange with a rise in the volume of stocks that were exchanged, with a greater value than on Wednesday, resulting in the major indices of the Main Market declining, the Junior Market index and that of the JSE USD Market rising. At the end of trading, prices of 49 shares rose, 41 declined and 23 remained firm.
At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index skidded 1,514.60 points to wrap up trading at 351,960.84, the All Jamaican Composite Index shed 1,008.97 points to end at 408,441.14, the JSE Main Index lost 1,665.55 points to settle at 345,896.17, the Junior Market Index rose 10.76 points to 2,958.78 and the JSE USD Market Index popped 6.80 points to end trading at 239.31.
At the close of trading, 55,684,158 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 48,006,494 units on Wednesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounting to $1.25 billion, up sharply from just $154.86 million on the previous day. The JSE USD market picked up sharply from trading on Wednesday and closed with an exchange of 922,462 shares for US$57,771 compared to 16,748 units at US$664 on previously.
In Main Market activity, NCB Financial led with 21.89 million shares worth $1.1 billion, followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.69 million stocks and Kingston Wharves with 1.09 million units.
In Junior Market trading, Kintyre Holdings led with 19.32 million shares followed by Woodcats International with 1.03 million stocks and Stationery and Office Supplies with 898,482 units.
In the preference share segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share declined $2.88 to close at $16, 138 Student Living preference share climbed $25 to $200, Productive Business Solutions 10.5% rose by $8 to $1,158, Sygnus Credit Investments 10% advanced $2.48 and ended at $111 and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% shed $2.49 to end at $104.
At the close of trading, the PE ratio for the current year, which is compiled with projected 2026-27 earnings is 12.4 and 14.4 based on 2025 historical earnings. Major one-off income or expenses are excluded from earnings where these apply. The PE ratio is one of the most utilised measures used in valuing shares. It is calculated by dividing the stock price by the company’s 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.