All three markets of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed moderately lower on Tuesday as the Junior Market and JSE USD market lost a few points and the Main Market four digit decline when trading ended with the number and value of stocks changing hands falling, from the previous Monday levels and resulting in prices of 24 shares rising and 43 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index declined by 630.92 points to close at 348,613.29, the All Jamaican Composite Index shed 930.44 points to culminate at 376,683.66, the JSE Main Index fell 669.73 points to end at 335,927.19. The Junior Market Index slipped 0.32 points to end the day at 3,832.74.and the JSE USD Market Index dropped 1.80 points to settle at 261.16.
At the close of trading, 16,093,329 shares were exchanged in all three markets from 32,837,215 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $57.13 million, down from $87.6, million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 112,337 shares for US$43,069 compared to 301,898 units at US$10,518 on Monday.
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by Wigton Windfarm with 5.05 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 1.81 million units and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 618,708 stock units.
In the Junior Market, EduFocal led with 2.37 million shares followed by Regency Petroleum with 681,910 units and One Great Studio with 599,993 stock units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% dipped $2 to end at $45.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.7 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.2 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide for investors to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume on the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Moderate Market movements Monday
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange declined in trading on Monday as the Junior Market JSE USD market closed moderately higher as trading ended with the number of stocks changing hands falling, with the value of stocks traded jumping sharply over the previous trading day, resulting in prices of 36 shares rising and 39 declining.
At the close of trading on Monday, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 101.90 points to 349,244.21, the All Jamaican Composite Index gained 1,226.40 points to 377,614.10, the JSE Main Index added 28.93 points in trading at 336,596.92. The Junior Market Index dipped 0.32 points to end at 3,832.74 and the JSE USD Market Index increased 4.71 points to wrap-up trading at 262.96.
At the close of trading, 32,837,215 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 28,196,991 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $87.6 million, down from $114 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 301,898 shares for US$10,518 compared to 30,628 units at US$3,928 on Friday.
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by Transjamaican Highway led trading with 6.86 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 3.16 million units and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 2.75 million stock units.
In the Junior Market, EduFocal led trading with 2.37 million shares followed by Regency Petroleum with 681,910 units and One Great Studio with 599,993 units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% sank $2.30 to $47.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.8 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.4 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one-time income or expenses.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide for investors to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Trading dropped on the JSE Main Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Monday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 27 percent with a 42 percent lower value than on Friday, following trading in 61 securities up from 59 on Friday, with prices of 17 stocks rising, 24 declining and 20 ending unchanged.
Investors traded 15,142,311 shares for $54,478,058, well down on 20,803,919 units at $94,602,958 on Friday.
Trading averaged 248,235 shares at $893,083 compared to 352,609 units at $1,603,440 on Friday and month to date, an average of 299,552 units at $1,242,342 compared with February that closed with an average of 385,143 units at $3,418,046.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 6.86 million shares for 45.3 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 3.16 million units for 20.9 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 2.75 million units for 18.2 percent of the day’s trade.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rose 1,226.40 points to end the day at 377,614.10, the JSE Main Index increased 28.93 points to close at 336,596.92 and the JSE Financial Index increased 0.18 points to 72.10.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.9. 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 13 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement lost $1.97 to end at $56.01 as investors exchanged 2,375 stock units, Eppley increased $1.20 to $34.20 with 1,266 shares clearing the market, GraceKennedy dropped $1 and ended at $74 with investors dealing in 50,481 units. Jamaica Producers fell 32 cents in closing at $24 with 630 stocks crossing the market, Jamaica Stock Exchange declined 49 cents to close at $10.01 while exchanging 1,321 units, JMMB Group climbed 80 cents to $27.50 with investors transferring 24,366 stocks. Kingston Wharves rose $1.57 in closing at $35.07 trading 24,123 shares, Massy Holdings sank $2.95 to close at $90.45 in an exchange of 215 stock units, NCB Financial advanced $1.23 and ended at $69.50 and closed with an exchange of 11,244 shares. 
Proven Investments shed 52 cents to end at $21.58 with an exchange of 40,713 stock units, Scotia Group dipped 35 cents in closing at $47 after 13,409 stocks passed through the market, Seprod popped $2.20 to $87.20 after exchanging 14,009 units. Sygnus Credit Investments skidded 34 cents to close at $11.25 with investors trading 136,859 stocks, Transjamaican Highway rallied 32 cents and ended at a 52 weeks’ high of $3.57 in an exchange of 6,857,612 shares and Wisynco Group gained 50 cents to end at $21.50 with traders dealing in 431,342 units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% fell $2.30 to $47 after 1,133 stock units crossed the exchange.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Mixed trading for JSE Markets to start March
The Markets closed mixed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Friday as the Junior Market JSE USD market closed moderately lower as the Main Market inched trading ended with the number of stocks changing hands falling, with the value of stocks traded jumping sharply over the previous trading day, resulting in prices of 30 shares rising and 42 declining.
Trading ended for the week, with the JSE Combined Market Index rising 198.41 points to 349,346.11, the All Jamaican Composite Index skidded 245.25 points to end at 376,387.70, the JSE Main Index rallied 462.86 points to 336,567.99. The Junior Market Index fell 26.91 points to close at 3,847.80 and the JSE USD Market Index skidded 5.22 points to conclude trading at 258.25.
At the close of trading, 28,196,991 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 49,347,388 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $114 million, from $161.13, million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 30,628 shares for US$3,928 compared to 21,861 units at US$7,612 on Thursday.
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by Wigton Windfarm led trading with 13.01 million shares followed by Wisynco Group with 2.56 million units, Transjamaican Highway with 2.17 million stock units and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.38 million units.
In the Junior Market, ONE on ONE Educational led trading with 1.26 million shares followed by Future Energy with 1.18 million units and EduFocal with 1.12 million stocks.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% gained $50 to close at $2,900, 138 Student Living preference share advanced $12.08 to end at $217 and Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share lost $1.69 in closing at $1273.30.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.3 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.4 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so, this approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors.
Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide for investors to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
The JSE Markets mostly rallied to close Month
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange and the Junior Market closed out February positively, with the market indices rising moderately in trading on Thursday as the JSE USD market closed moderately lower as trading ended with the number and value of stocks changing hands falling, and resulting in prices of 46 shares rising and 34 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 341.07 points to close at 349,147.70, the All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 1,486.05 points to end at 376,632.95, the JSE Main Index increased 228.87 points to settle at 336,105.13. The Junior Market Index popped 14.44 points to wrap up trading at 3,874.71 and the JSE USD Market Index skidded 2.46 points to settle at 263.47.
At the close of trading, 49,347,388 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 61,823,227 units on Wednesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $161.13 million, from $286.20 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 21,861 shares for US$7,612 compared to 125,830 units at US$25,026 on Wednesday.
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by Wigton Windfarm led trading with 10.37 million shares for 40.6 percent of total volume followed by Palace Amusement with 5.01 million units for 19.6 percent of the day’s trade, Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 2.65 million units for 10.4 percent market share, JMMB Group 7.35% – 2028 with 2.27 million units for 8.9 percent market share and Transjamaican Highway with 1.01 million units.
In the Junior Market, Spur Tree Spices led trading with 4.80 million shares followed by JFP Ltd with 4.25 million units, Regency Petroleum ended with 3.34 million stock units, Fosrich closed trading with 2.11 million units, Lasco Distributors closed with 1.95 million stocks and ONE on ONE Educational exchanged 1.02 million units.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share fell $12.08 to close at $204.92 after a transfer of 7 units. Productive Business Solutions 10.5 % preference share dropped $9 to end at $1274.99.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.5 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.4 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide for investors to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each.
Trading drops on the Jamaica Stock Exchange
Trading retreated on the Jamaica Stock Exchange in trading on Tuesday with the number of stocks changing hands falling, with the total value pulled back decidedly compared with the previous trading, resulting in prices of 26 shares rising and 47 declining on a day when the Junior Market popped but the Main Market and the JSE USD market closed lower.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index fell 2135.47 points to 346,386.21, the All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 4,582.25 points to finish at 372,562.75, the JSE Main Index shed 2,632.54 points to lock up trading at 333,599.81. The Junior Market Index jumped 38.08 points to finish at 3,827.68 and the JSE USD Market Index dipped 1.13 points to conclude trading at 256.18.
At the close of trading, 22,497,668 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 57,917,643 units on Monday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $97.9 million, down from $2.024 billion on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 6,443 shares for US$7,499 compared to 83,412 units at US$10,690 on Monday.
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by Wigton Windfarm led trading with 10.32 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 1.62 million units, Sagicor Select Financial Fund closed with 1.22 million units, JMMB Group 7.25% preference share due 2024 ended with 1.17 million units and General Accident with 1.0 million shares.
In the Junior Market, EduFocal led trading with 1.04 million shares followed by Stationery and Office Supplies with 698,934 units and Tropical Battery with 482,246 stock units.
At the close of trading the Main Market listed Eppley rose $3 in closing at $39.50 with investors dealing in 1,560 stocks, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund gained $1.74 to close at $40, Jamaica Broilers popped 95 cents to $33.99, Seprod climbed $1.70 to $80,
The major declining Main Market stocks include Guardian Holdings fell $19 in closing at $350, Mayberry Group lost $1.32 to end at $6.48, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy declined by $36 to $85, Pan Jamaica sank $3.50 in closing at $48.01, Scotia Group lost $1 to close at $44.50 and Supreme Ventures declined $1.92 and ended at $25.08.
At the end of trading, the Junior Market listed AMG Packaging dipped 61 cents to end at $3, Future Energy popped 29 cents to end at $3.50, Knutsford Express rallied 60 cents in closing at $12 with a transfer of 60 stock units, Lasco Distributors rose 24 cents to close at $4.35, while Consolidated Bakeries skidded 18 cents in closing at $2.01, Lasco Manufacturing shed 69 cents to $5.09, Main Event declined 71 cents to end at $14.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% preference share rallied $2.98 in closing at $22.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.4 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.5 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide for investors to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
NCB Dominated trading on Monday
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Monday, with the volume of stocks changing hands surging 281 percent and the value 2308 percent more than on Friday, as NCB Financial dominated trading, with the market ending with trading in 60 securities compared with 58 on Friday, with prices of 24 stocks rising, 18 declining and 18 ending unchanged as Carreras and JMMBGL 7.15% hit new 52 weeks’ high.
The market closed after 42,931,286 shares were traded for $1,976,142,956 in comparison with 11,253,996 stock units at $82,073,604 on Friday.
Trading averaged 715,521 shares at $32,935,716 compared with 194,034 units at $1,415,062 on Friday and month to date, an average of 369,995 units at $3,613,721, in comparison with 347,287 units at $1,686,756 on the previous trading day and January with an average of 265,804 units at $2,438,118.
NCB Financial led trading with 25.23 million shares for 58.8 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 5.03 million units for 11.7 percent of the day’s trade, Proven Investments ended with 3.60 million stocks for 8.4 percent market share, Sagicor Group closed with 2.11 million units for 4.9 percent of the market trades, Transjamaican Highway chipped in with 1.61 million shares for 3.8 percent market share and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.35 million units for 3.2 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 4,481.53 points to close at 377,145.00, the JSE Main Index increased 3,554.31 points to end the day at 336,232.35 and the JSE Financial Index gained 0.41 points to wrap up trading at 72.19.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.8. 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 eight stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement rallied $1.62 in closing at $61.50 after a transfer of 16,454 stocks, Caribbean Producers popped 69 cents to $10.47 with investors swapping 73,980 units, Eppley declined $1.50 and ended at $36.50, with 1,146 shares crossing the market. First Rock Real Estate fell 30 cents to close at $8.50 with traders dealing in 5,006 stock units, Jamaica Broilers dipped 95 cents to end at $33.04 with 185,529 shares clearing the market, Jamaica Producers climbed $2 to $24 in trading 118,127 stocks. JMMB Group lost 39 cents to close at $26.50, with 97,102 units changing hands, Kingston Wharves increased 97 cents in closing at $33 in an exchange of 46,005 stock units, Mayberry Group advanced 45 cents and ended at $7.80 after closing with an exchange of 17,833 shares. 
MPC Caribbean Clean Energy jumped $25.25 to end at $121 after an exchange of 75 units, NCB Financial skidded 49 cents to $69.01 with a transfer of 25,228,874 stocks, Proven Investments sank 99 cents in closing at $22.02 after an exchange of 3,602,931 stock units. Sagicor Group shed $1.80 to close at $42 with investors trading 2,110,802 shares, Scotia Group dropped 60 cents and ended at $45.50 as investors exchanged 45,251 stock units, Seprod fell $2.40 to end at $78.30, with 13,435 units crossing the market. Supreme Ventures gained 97 cents in closing at $27 with investors dealing in 435,128 stocks and Sygnus Credit Investments skidded 31 cents to $10.99 while exchanging 119,582 units.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 7.15% – 2028 popped 30 cents to close at $3.30 in switching ownership of 171 shares, JMMB Group 7.25% due 2024 preference share rallied 30 cents to end at $2 with investors trading 9,113 stock units, 
138 Student Living preference share rose $27 and ended at $217 in an exchange of 8 stocks, Productive Business Solutions 10.5 % preference share sank $209 to $1,075 after 186 units passed through the market and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% gained $1 to end at $107, with 1,140 stocks crossing the exchange.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Big surge in JSE trading on Monday
Trading surged on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday as the Junior Market JSE USD market closed moderately higher as trading ended with the number of stocks changing hands climbing, with the value of stocks traded jumping sharply over the previous trading day, resulting in prices of 33 shares rising and 29 declining.
At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 3,284.31 points to 348,521.68, the All Jamaican Composite Index rose 4,481.53 points to 377,145.00, the JSE Main Index climbed 3,554.31 points to 336,232.35. The Junior Market Index dropped 5.60 points to settle at 3,789.60 and the JSE USD Market Index slipped 2.68 points to end the day at 257.31.
At the close of trading, 57,917,643 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 21,088,796 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $2.024 billion, up from $117.77 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 83,412 shares for US$10,690 compared to 361,086 units at US$18,726 on Friday.
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by NCB Financial led trading with 25.23 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 5.03 million units, Proven Investments ended with 3.60 million units, Sagicor Group had an exchange of 2.11 million units, Transjamaican Highway chipped in with 1.61 million shares and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.35 million units.
In the Junior Market, Future Energy led trading with 10.98 million shares followed by Lasco Manufacturing with 1.19 million units and ONE on ONE Educational ended trading with 724,352 stock units.
At the close of trading the Main Market listed Caribbean Cement rallied $1.62 in closing at $61.50, Caribbean Producers popped 69 cents to $10.47, Jamaica Producers climbed $2 to $24, Kingston Wharves increased 97 cents in closing at $33, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy rose $25.25 to end at $121cents in closing at $22.02 and Supreme Ventures gained 97 cents in closing at $27.
At the same time, Eppley declined $1.50 and ended at $36.50, Jamaica Broilers dipped 95 cents to end at $33.04, Sagicor Group shed $1.80 to close at $42, Seprod fell $2.40 to end at $78.30, Proven Investments sank 99 cents in closing at $22.02, Sagicor Group shed $1.80 to close at $42, Seprod fell $2.40 to end at $78.30 and Proven Investments sank 99.
At the end of trading, the Junior Market listed Lasco Manufacturing rose 69 cents to close at $5.78, Limners and Bards advanced 25 cents to $1.85, Main Event popped $1.14 to end at $14.71 and tTech popped 28 cents to close at $2.50 with the major losing stocks being Future Energy that dropped 30 cents in closing at $3.21 and Lasco Distributors sinking 24 cents and ended at $4.11.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share rose $27 and ended at $217, Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share sank $209 to $1,075 and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% gained $1 to end at $107.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.3 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.5 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide for investors to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
ISP Finance & AMG tops ICTOP10
The Junior Market slipped by a few points at the end of the week but the Main Market declined around one percent, with Carreras and Wigton Windfarm hitting new 52 weeks’ highs.
AMG Packaging in ICTOP10
The Junior Market closed the week with ISP Finance jumping 26 percent to close at $31.50, a pretty high price based on the earnings of 57 cents per share in 2023, with 25 cents in the final quarter, with income jumping a solid 39.6 percent, that augurs very well for revenues and earnings for 2024. A close examination of the 2023 fiscal results reveals significant potential for revenues and profit ahead that should start in 2024. Watch for the first quarter numbers for this one.
There was an 18 percent jump in the price of AMG Packaging to close at $3.55, following the holding at the company’s AGM, Lasco Distributors rose 9 percent to $4.55. Lasco Manufacturing closed 4 percent higher at $5.09 after the price reached $6.14 on Friday, with the supply of the stock being sold drying up. Iron Rock Insurance dropped back 16 percent to $2.11 and in the Main Market TOP10, Palace Amusement shed 14 percent to close at $1.07.
For the full list of weekly percentage changes for the ICTOP10 stocks, check the attached charts for the weekly percentage price movements.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market ICTOP 10 stands at 5.3, well below the market average of 13.7 and the Junior Market TOP10 sits at 7.5 just over half of the market, with an average of 13.4.
The Main Market ICTOP10 is projected to gain an average of 281 percent by May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings, providing better values than the Junior Market with the potential to gain 170 percent over the same period.
In the Main Market ICTOP 10, a total of 14 of the most highly valued stocks representing 29 percent of the Main Market are priced at a PE of 15 to 108, with an average of 31 and 21 excluding the highest PE ratios, and a PE of 25 for the top half and 18 excluding the stocks with overweight values.
In the Junior Market IC TOP10 are 12 stocks, or 25 percent of the market, with PEs ranging from 15 to 45, averaging 21, well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 17, possibly the lowest fair value for stocks, currently.
Of great import is that the averages of both markets are now converging around a PE of 20 for close to a third of the market, as the year is coming to a close and with more information available on the full year’s earnings.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners, accordingly, the list includes some of the best companies in the market, but this is not always so. ICInsider.com ranks stocks based on projected earnings, allowing investors to focus on the most undervalued stocks and helping to remove emotions in selecting stocks for investments that often result in costly mistakes.
IC TOP10 stocks will likely deliver the best returns on or around May 2024 and are ranked in order of potential gains, computed using projected earnings for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate and result in weekly movements in and out of the lists. Revisions to earnings are ongoing, based on receipt of new information.
Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.
Main Market trading climbs as market falls
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Friday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 55 percent and the value 80 percent more than on Thursday, with trading in 58 securities compared with 56 on Thursday, with prices of 21 stocks rising, 18 declining and 19 ending unchanged as Carreras traded at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $9.20.
The market closed Friday with trading in 11,253,996 shares for $82,073,604 compared with 25,124,811 units at $45,570,028 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 194,034 shares at $1,415,062 compared to 448,657 units at $813,750 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 347,287 units at $1,686,756, down from 357,684 units at $1,705,186 on the previous day and January with an average of 265,804 units at $2,438,118.
Wigton Windfarm was the leading trade on Friday with 5.96 million shares for 53 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 1.70 million units for 15.1 percent of the day’s trade and Palace Amusement with 588,579 units for 5.2 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index declined 593.72 points to cease trading at 372,663.47, the JSE Main Index declined 2,896.26 points to cease trading at 332,678.04 and the JSE Financial Index rallied 0.05 points to settle at 71.78.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 14.1. 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 seven stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints rose 60 cents and ended at $6.60 in an exchange of 1,873 stocks, Caribbean Producers declined 30 cents to close at $9.78 with investors trading 5,508 units, General Accident climbed 40 cents to end at $5.40 with a transfer of 8,508 shares. Guardian Holdings gained $5.80 in closing at $369, with 70 stock units crossing the market, Jamaica Broilers popped 96 cents to close at $33.99 with investors trading 22,523 shares, Jamaica Producers fell $1 to close at $22, with 76,048 stocks changing hands. Jamaica Stock Exchange rallied 87 cents to end at $9.98 with an exchange of 4,375 units, JMMB Group advanced 38 cents in closing at $26.89, with 18,325 stock units crossing the market, Massy Holdings sank $2.80 to close at $94 with traders dealing in 435,176 shares. Mayberry Group skidded 82 cents and ended at $7.35 after an exchange of 2,755 stocks, Mayberry Jamaican Equities gained 89 cents and ended at $10.89 in trading 36,643 units, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy popped $4.75 in closing at $95.75 after an exchange of 220 stock units. 
NCB Financial gained $2 to end at $69.50 and closed with 108,670 shares changing hands, Proven Investments lost $1.74 and ended at $23.01 as investors exchanged 1,176 units, Seprod dropped $2.25 to close at $80.70 after 517 stocks passed through the market and Supreme Ventures rose 83 cents to $26.03 in an exchange of 17,709 stock units.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 7% preference share rallied 53 cents to end at $2.28 with investors transferring 300 shares, JMMB Group 7.25% due 2024 preference share shed 30 cents in closing at $1.70, with 550,786 units crossing the exchange and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share dipped $3.45 and ended at $115 with investors dealing in 86 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
