Rising stocks outpace losers on JSE Main Market

The Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Friday, with rising stocks outdoing those declining stocks by more than three to two and led to moderate changes in the market indices after the volume of stocks traded rose 90 percent over Thursday and the value dipped just 7 percent lower, after trading in 53 securities compared with 52 on Thursday.
Trading ended with prices of 22 stocks rising, including Scotia Group that traded at a 52 weeks’ high of $26.69 following release of record profits on Monday. Prices of 15 stocks declined and 16 closed unchanged.
A total of 5,322,135 shares were traded for $26,717,369 compared to 2,797,752 units at $28,650,079 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 100,418 shares at $504,101 in comparison to 53,803 units at $550,963 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 134,482 units at $1,091,671 compared to 137,876 stock units at $1,150,207 on the previous day and running below November, with an average of 275,587 units at $2,488,949.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 1.20 million shares for 22.6 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.10 million units for 20.7 percent of the day’s trade and QWI Investments with 939,280 units for 17.6 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index shed 451.88 points to lock up trading at 346,035.74, the JSE Main Index skidded 392.04 points to 311,317.38 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.23 points to 67.53.
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 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 10 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden shed 65 cents to end at $28.35 while exchanging 283 stock units, Caribbean Producers declined 55 cents to $8.50, with 202,378 shares crossing the market, Eppley gained $4 and ended at $39 as investors exchanged 5,429 units. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund popped $3.80 in closing at $39 after 13,016 stocks were traded, First Rock Real Estate rallied 29 cents to close at $7.50, with 4,696 shares changing hands, GraceKennedy increased $1 to $75.50 with investors swapping 40,616 units. Guardian Holdings climbed $2 and ended at $402, with 17 stocks crossing the market, Kingston Properties rose 40 cents to close at $7.40 after trading of 1,979 stock units, NCB Financial lost $1.47 to end at $65.50 with investors dealing in 11,542 shares. Pan Jamaica sank $6.73 in closing at $42.72 after an exchange of 9,445 units, Proven Investments fell 90 cents to $22.10, as 3,677 stocks passed through the market, Sagicor Group advanced 50 cents in closing at $40.50 with an exchange of 30,535 stock units. Scotia Group popped $1.50 and ended at a 52 weeks’ high of $36, with 211,460 shares clearing the market up to a high of $36.69, Supreme Ventures increased 94 cents to close at $25.50 with traders dealing in 11,951 units and Sygnus Credit Investments climbed 49 cents to end at $11, with 2,229 stocks crossing the exchange.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share skidded 54 cents in closing at $6.24 with a transfer of 3,251 stock units and Jamaica Public Service 7% dipped $4.50 to $40 after an exchange of 452 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.