Investors extended 183 percent more funds on stocks on Thursday than they did on Wednesday in market activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market, leading to rising stocks exceeding those declining, but that did not prevent a fall in the market indices at the close.
The All Jamaican Composite Index slipped 295.03 points to 442,620.85, the Main Index fell 101.04 points to 403,090.52 and the JSE Financial Index lost 0.06 points to end at 98.44.
Trading touched 51 securities versus 52 on Wednesday, with 20 rising, 17 declining, and 14 unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 15.3 based on ICInsider.com forecast of 2021-22 earnings.
At the close, 10,685,503 shares traded for $226,729,653 versus 11,218,510 units at $80,012,135 on Wednesday. Wigton Windfarm led trading with 21.8 percent of total volume after trading 2.33 million shares, followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund 12.5 percent with 1.33 million units and Transjamaican Highway with 10.4 percent in exchanging 1.11 million units.
Trading averages 209,520 units at $4,445,679, compared to 215,741 shares at $1,538,695 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 306,370 units at $3,616,283, compared to 312,513 units at $3,563,672 on Wednesday. August closed with an average of 480,039 units at $8,561,549.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ended with higher bids than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments spiked $5.49 to $97 with an exchange of 274,521 shares, Berger Paints gained 40 cents in closing at $14.50, with 1,376 stock units clearing the market, GraceKennedy gained 20 cents in ending at $99 after trading 145,832 shares, Guardian Holdings climbed $5 to close at $585 with 5,361 stocks crossing the exchange. Jamaica Broilers advanced $2.50 to $27.50 in switching ownership of 22,590 units, Jamaica Producers shed $1 to $20 with 286,304 shares changing hands, JMMB Group rose 70 cents to $36.20 with the swapping of 417,393 stocks. Key Insurance advanced 19 cents to $4.22 in trading 26 units, Margaritaville shed 80 cents to close at $14.20 after seven stock units crossed the market, 
Mayberry Investments lost 20 cents to end at $5.50 in exchanging 301,484 units, Mayberry Jamaican Equities fell 55 cents to $8.20 in exchanging 794 units, NCB Financial Group rose $1.49 to $129.49 in trading 179,455 stocks. Palace Amusement rallied $8 to $910 with a transfer of 236 stock units, PanJam Investment popped $1.78 to end at $63.78 with 931,362 shares crossing the market, Scotia Group declined $1 to $39 after dropping to a 52 weeks’ low of $37 in 69,473 units changing hands and Wisynco Group rose 21 cents to $16 in an exchange of 65,458 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
