Prices up prices down index gains

The Jamaica Stock Exchange ended the week on a positive note with most prices for stocks rising and new highs still being recorded, resulting in the prices of 14 stocks rising, 10 declining as 35 securities changed hands, ending in 17,846,913 units trading, valued at $135,894,171, in all market segments.
Hardware & Lumber closed at a new 52 weeks’ high of $18, Jamaica Stocks Exchange closed at an all-time high of $4 and Scotia Investments also closed at a new high of $30 after jumping $3.70 but with limited volume and Palace Amusement traded at $60 for a new 52 weeks’ low.
TheJSE Market Index gained 451.19 points to 98,766.37, theJSE All Jamaican Composite index rose 504.32 points to close at 109,333.21 and the JSE combined index put on 439.21 points to end at 101,019.67.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator continues to reflect a market that has a upward bias with 11 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and just 2 with offers that were lower.
Barita Investments traded 134,024 shares at $2.50 but closed with the bid at $2.55 to buy 11,765 shares, Carreras traded 160,324 shares with the price rising to $50 from $49 on Thursday after the company announced a $2 dividend. The stock traded as high as $51.06 for an intraday 52 weeks’ high. Caribbean Cement slipped 40 cents to close at $4.60 with 12,000 units changing hands. Desnoes & Geddes had 62,181 shares trading, to close 12 cents lower at $7.38, Grace Kennedy with 20,682 units changing hands, closed with a loss of 50 cents at $63. Jamaica Broilers shared 1,284,333 units at 20 cents higher, than on Thursday, at $5.50, Jamaica Stock Exchange had 1 million units changing hands in one trade, to close at $4, the stock closed without an offer. JMMB Group enjoyed trading in 171,384 shares to end at $9, Mayberry Investments had 37,164 units changing hands between $3.16 and the ending price, of $3. National Commercial Bank closed at $29.57 after losing 53 cents, Palace Amusement traded 566 shares and fell by $20 to $60, Sagicor Group had another heavy day of trading with 5,359,993 units changing hands and Scotia Group traded 14,391 units at $25.05 for a 45 cents decline.
In the preference sector, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share traded 429,000 units at $2.30, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 8.75% preference shares 370,000 units at $3.02.