Stocks pop higher on JSE Main Market

Investors exchanged 43 percent more stocks in the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Wednesday, valued slightly more than Tuesday, with trading in 55 securities, similar to Tuesday, and leading to prices of 26 stocks rising, 16 declining and 13 ending unchanged.
A total of 32,907,198 shares were traded for $46,037,711 compared to 23,052,827 units at $45,065,813 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 598,313 units at $837,049 versus 419,142 shares at $819,378 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 187,918 units at $1,331,594 compared to 162,977 units at $1,361,649 on the previous day. December closed with an average of 604,110 units at $4,072,598.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 27.79 million shares for 84.5 percent of total volume, followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.77 million units for 5.4 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway with 1.09 million units for 3.3 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index advanced 555.68 points to 386,165.16, the JSE Main Index popped 104.88 points to settle at 340,093.16 and the JSE Financial Index rose 0.50 points to end at 81.73.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 15.1 on the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows ten stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments dropped $3.43 to end at $86 after a transfer of 15,111 shares, Caribbean Cement rose $1.89 to close at $59.89 in an exchange of 6,533 stock units, Eppley shed $1.70 to end at $39 with the swapping of 170 units. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rallied $1.89 to $49.89 in trading 57 stocks, GraceKennedy popped 50 cents to end at $79 with investors transferring 34,697 shares, Guardian Holdings climbed $9.90 in closing at $520 after 1,370 stocks crossed the market. Jamaica Broilers fell 94 cents to $30.05 with 14,612 units changing hands, Jamaica Producers rose 99 cents to close at $20.99, trading 11,016 stock units, Jamaica Stock Exchange fell 76 cents to $13.72 after a transfer of 16,369 shares. Mayberry Investments advanced 74 cents to $8.81 in switching ownership of 504 units, NCB Financial rallied 99 cents to $79 in swapping 8,469 stock units, 138 Student Living gained 59 cents to finish at $4.90 trading 236 stocks. Palace Amusement climbed $100 to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $2,900 in transferring 832 stocks, PanJam Investment popped $2.20 to $57.20, with 250 units crossing the exchange, Proven Investments rose $1.48 in closing at $31.50 trading 1,539 stock units. Sagicor Group gained $1 to end at $52 with an exchange of 667 shares, Scotia Group popped 87 cents to $34.87 after an exchange of 32,403 units, Seprod rallied $1 to $68 with the swapping of 1,234 stock units. Supreme Ventures gained 65 cents to close at $28 in trading 20,247 stocks and Sygnus Credit Investments rallied 44 cents in closing at $12.50 with 1,305 shares crossing the market.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share declined $4, ending at $65, with nine stocks changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.