Trading closed Wednesday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange with Quantas Advantage listing on the Main Market and closing ahead of the IPO price. The market started the second half of 2026 with a fall in the volume of stocks exchanged, with a lower value than on Tuesday. Trading ended in mixed results for major indices of the Main Market, the Junior Market and the JSE USD Market indices, falling. At the end of trading, the prices of only 31 shares rose, 58 declined and 20 remained firm.
The market ended trading, with the JSE Combined Market Index slipping 371.83 points to finish at 360,136.05, as the All Jamaican Composite Index dipped 64.73 points to end at 419,379.68, the JSE Main Index gained 122.09 points to 353,980.92, the Junior Market Index dropped sharply by 68.06 points to 3,020.58 and the JSE USD Market Index fell just 0.52 points to 245.38.
At the close of market activities, 28,477,770 shares were traded hands in all three markets, down from 69,529,621 units on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounting to $97.62 million, down from $204.14 million on the previous day. Trading on the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 90,111 shares for US$4,785 compared to 101,881 units at US$6,258 on Tuesday.
In Main Market activity, Wigton Energy led with 11.47 million shares, followed by Transjamaican Highway with 1.50 million stocks and Supreme Ventures with 1.09 million units.
In Junior Market trading, Omni Industries led with 4.16 million shares, followed by Future Energy with 975,062 shares and Fosrich with 475,041 units.
Amongst the Main Market ordinary share winners are newly listed Quantas Advantage, climbing $2.61 from the IPO price in closing at $22, Margaritaville ending with a rise of $1.64 to $12.58, Proven Investments, increasing 96 cents to finish at $11.47, Sagicor Group climbing 51 cents in closing at $40 and Sygnus Credit Investments rose 50 cents to close at $10.
Among the top losers, Guardian Holdings dropped $9.50 to end at $340, Caribbean Cement slipped $2.49 to $103, Jamaica Producers lost $1.92 to end at $22.07, Scotia Group dipped $1.91 to close at $57 and Supreme Ventures dropped $1 to end at $17.
In the Junior Market, among the top winners, Dolphin Cove rallied 39 cents to finish at $9.99, CAC 2000 advanced 33 cents and ended at $1.70, Caribbean Cream rose 21 cents and ended at $1.41. Among the losers, Cargo Handlers skidded $2.40 in closing at $16.15, Knutsford Express dropped $1 to close at $6.50, ISP Finance declined 99 cents to end at $9, Iron Rock Insurance lost 45 cents in closing at $2.25 and Future Energy dipped 33 cents to $3.35.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share slipped $7.45 and ended at $238 and Productive Business Solutions 10.5% gained $70 to $1,200.
At the close of trading, the PE ratio for the current year, compiled from projected 2026-27 earnings is 13 and 14.6 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 paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the daily report charts for the Main and Junior Markets, along with the closing volumes of the highest bids and ask prices for each company.