Rising Main Market stocks trounced decliners

Rising stocks trounced declining ones at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Wednesday, following trading in 61 securities the same as Tuesday, with prices of 27 stocks rising, 18 declining and 16 ending unchanged with the volume of stocks traded declining 26 percent and the value 40 percent lower than the previous day.
The market closed with 6,012,380 shares being traded for $41,169,914, down from 8,127,453 stock units at $68,683,585 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 98,564 shares at $674,917 compared to 133,237 units at $1,125,960 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 161,763 units at $1,057,918 down from 174,614 units at $1,135,795 on the previous day and April that closed with an average of 680,802 units at $3,619,595.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 2.25 million shares for 37.4 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 690,330 units for 11.5 percent of the day’s trade and Sygnus Credit Investments with 505,038 units for 8.4 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 1,083.37 points to end the day at 357,811.78, the JSE Main Index slipped 44.74 points to 319,512.39 as declines in overseas-based stocks had a drag on the index and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.54 points to cease trading at 68.21.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.9. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2025.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 15 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden dropped $3.64 to finish trading of 3,515 shares at $33.11, Barita Investments rose $1.45 to $72.47 in an exchange of 5,900 units, Berger Paints rallied 50 cents to $5.50 with investors transferring 200,686 shares before the release of results showing the company returning to profit of $48 million in the first quarter with earnings of 23 cents per share. General Accident shed $1.07 to end at $6.50 with 2,155 stock units clearing the market, GraceKennedy popped $1 in closing at $75 after investors ended trading 11,507 shares, Jamaica Broilers declined 46 cents to close at $31 in switching ownership of 20,798 stocks. Jamaica Producers fell 55 cents to $22 with investors swapping 21,865 units, JMMB Group dipped 50 cents in closing at $25 with a transfer of 7,752 stock units, Kingston Properties climbed 65 cents to close at $8.46 as investors exchanged 21,200 shares. Margaritaville increased 54 cents and ended at $16.25 in trading 366 stock units, Mayberry Group sank 50 cents to end at $7.50 after closing with an exchange of 2,474 units, 138 Student Living gained $1.13 to finish at $4.14 with traders dealing in 19 stocks. Pan Jamaica advanced 38 cents and ended at $45.10 after an exchange of 1,020 shares, Sagicor Group slipped $1.93 to $40 with investors dealing in 258,545 stock units, Scotia Group popped $1.90 to close at $43.15 after 53,613 units passed through the market. Seprod gained $5.38 in closing at $81.98, with 63,375 stocks changing hands, Sygnus Real Estate Finance lost $1.37 to end at $10.52 with an exchange of 1,396 units and Wisynco Group rose 50 cents to finish at $20.50, with 8,297 stocks crossing the market.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share advanced $18 to $218 after a transfer of just 4 shares and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% climbed 99 cents to end at $109.99 after an exchange of 1,000 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.