Trading dropped on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Wednesday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 15 percent and the value 76 percent lower than on Tuesday, with trading in 61 securities compared with 59 on Tuesday, with prices of 21 stocks rising, 18 declining and 22 ending unchanged.
Trading netted 7,107,320 shares for $37,509,746 compared with 8,349,044 units at $156,852,014 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 116,513 shares at $614,914 compared to 141,509 units at $2,658,509 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 954,617 units at $3,852,247, down from 1,031,265 units at $4,148,315 on the previous day and March with an average of 828,473 units at $2,341,254.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 1.49 million shares for 20.9 percent of total volume followed by General Accident with 1.35 million units for 19 percent of the day’s trade in closing at a 52 weeks’ high of $6.20 and Lasco Distributors with 1.17 million units for 16.5 percent of the day’s trade.
The All Jamaican Composite Index sank 1,794.74 points to lock up trading at 360,220.92, the JSE Main Index dropped 1,004.10 points to lock up trading at 322,943.86 and the JSE Financial Index shed 0.36 points to cease trading at 68.72.
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 2025.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden climbed $1.12 to $40 after a transfer of 907 units, Barita Investments increased $1 to finish at $72 with investors swapping 1,931 stocks, GraceKennedy slipped 97 cents and ended at $73 with a transfer of 76,208 shares. Guardian Holdings popped $10 in closing at $370 after trading 88 stock units, Jamaica Broilers gained $1 to close at $34 after an exchange of 15,572 shares, Jamaica Producers rose $1.14 to end at $23.02, with 12,001 stock units crossing the market. Mayberry Jamaican Equities sank 50 cents to $10 with traders dealing in 14,970 stocks, NCB Financial declined 53 cents and ended at $63.97 after 24,433 units crossed the exchange, Pan Jamaica lost 50 cents to finish at $47.50 with investors trading 11,241 stocks. 
Sagicor Group fell 65 cents to close at $41 as 12,998 units passed through the market, Sagicor Real Estate Fund dipped 50 cents in closing at $7 after an exchange of 4,782 shares, Scotia Group shed $1.10 to end at $44.50 with investors dealing in 29,354 stock units. Seprod rallied $2.17 to close at $82.17 in an exchange of 12,882 shares, Supreme Ventures dropped 50 cents to close at $24.50 with investors transferring 17,220 stock units and Sygnus Real Estate Finance advanced $1.21 and ended at $14 in an exchange of 202 stocks.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share skidded $5 in closing at $210 with an exchange of 16 units and Productive Business Solutions 10.5 % preference share rose $50 to end at $1200 in trading 4 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Fall for all JSE markets
All three markets of the Jamaica Stock Exchange declined in trading on Wednesday and ended with a sharp rise in trading on the USD market, with trading in the rest of the market enjoying a modest increase in the volume of stocks changing hands but with a fall in the value traded compared with the previous day and resulting in prices of 32 shares rising and 33 declining.
At the close of trading on Wednesday, the JSE Combined Market Index shed 1,130.34 points to end trading at 335,763.89, while the All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 1,794.74 points to close at 360,220.92, while the JSE Main Index lost 1,004.10 points to close at 322,943.86. The Junior Market Index fell 24.08 points to lock up trading at 3,756.95 and the JSE USD Market Index declined 3.55 points to end at 239.06.
At the close of trading, 11,705,524 shares were exchanged in all three markets compared to 11,538,316 units on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amount to $43.87 million, well below the $162.75 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 1,005,394 shares for US$50,711 compared to 86,667 units at US$14,748 on Tuesday.
In Main Market activity, Wigton Windfarm led trading with 1.49 million shares followed by General Accident with 1.35 million units and Lasco Distributors with 1.17 million stock units.
In Junior Market trading, EduFocal led trading with 866,123 shares followed by ONE on ONE Educational with 661,048 stock units and Dolla Financial with 459,774 units.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share skidded $5 in closing at $210 and Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share rose $50 to end at $1,200.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 19.9 on 2023-24 earnings and 13.6 times those for 2024-25 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 within a sector and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Pertinent information is required 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.
The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector, 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 quickly assess the value of stocks based on this measure. 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 jumps on the JSE Main Market
Trading climbed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Tuesday, with 36 percent rise in the volume and after a 429 percent surge in value over Monday, with trading in 59 securities compared with 61 on Monday, with prices of 20 stocks rising, 18 declining and 21 ending unchanged.
The market closed with 8,349,044 shares trading for $156,852,014 up from 6,145,603 units at $29,633,029 on Monday.
Trading averaged 141,509 shares at $2,658,509 compared to 100,748 units at $485,787 on Monday and month to date, an average of 1,031,265 units at $4,148,315, in comparison with 1,117,606 units at $4,292,885 on the previous day and March that closed with an average of 828,473 units at $2,341,254.
Sagicor Group led trading with 3.04 million shares for 36.4 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.63 million units for 19.5 percent of the day’s trade, Transjamaican Highway with 1.13 million units for 13.5 percent market share and General Accident with 1.08 million units for 12.9 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index sank 4,420.59 points to culminate at 362,015.66, the JSE Main Index skidded 3,062.56 points to lock up trading at 323,947.96 and the JSE Financial Index dipped 1.00 point to 69.08.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.1. 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 2025.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 10 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden lost $1.12 to close at $38.88 after 334 shares were traded, Barita Investments slipped $1.50 and ended at $71 after 9,956 stocks passed through the market, Caribbean Cement gained 75 cents to close at $57.99 after a transfer of 8,209 shares. Eppley sank $1 to end at $39, with 110 stock units crossing the market, Jamaica Stock Exchange dropped 55 cents in closing at $11.56 with investors trading 57,058 shares, Kingston Properties shed 32 cents to finish at $7.75, with 52,114 stocks crossing the market. Lasco Manufacturing declined by 30 cents and ended at $5.25 after an exchange of 35,532 units, Mayberry Jamaican Equities rose 50 cents to $10.50 with 400 stock units clearing the market, 
NCB Financial fell 75 cents to end at $64.50 with an exchange of 32,268 shares. Proven Investments dipped 50 cents to close at $21.50 after investors traded 1,103 stock units, Scotia Group rallied $1.60 to finish at $45.60 after an exchange of 28,074 stocks, Seprod increased $2.42 to end at $80 with traders dealing in 1,110 units and Supreme Ventures popped $1 to $25, with 8,401 stocks crossing the exchange.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% gained $3.01 to finish trading 22 units at $50, 138 Student Living preference share climbed $5 in closing at $215 after exchanging one share, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share skidded $3.45 and ended at $115 with a transfer of 110 stock units and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% popped $5.49 to finish at $109.49 with investors dealing in 2,000 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Fall for Main & Junior Markets but USD rises
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange declined in trading on Tuesday as the Junior Market JSE USD market closed moderately higher as trading ended with the number of stocks changing hands rising moderately over that on Monday, with a much higher the value, resulting in prices of 31 shares rising and 32 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index fell 2,956.19 points to close at 336,894.23, the All Jamaican Composite Index declined 4,420.59 points to 362,015.66, the JSE Main Index dropped 3,062.56 points to end the day at 323,947.96. The Junior Market Index dipped 2.92 points to end at 3,781.03 and the JSE USD Market Index popped 1.19 points to settle at 242.61.
At the close of trading, 11,538,316 shares were exchanged in all three markets, marginally up from 11,094,504 units on Monday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $162.75 million, well over the $40.23 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 86,667 shares for US$14,748 compared to 152,339 units at US$5,545 on Monday.
In Main Market activity, Sagicor Group led trading with 3.04 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.63 million stock units, Transjamaican Highway with 1.13 million stocks and General Accident with 1.08 million shares.
In Junior Market trading, One Great Studio led trading with 1.06 million shares followed by Spur Tree Spices with 1.05 million units and ONE on ONE Educational with 199,059 units for 6.4 percent market share.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% advanced $3.01 to end at $50, 138 Student Living preference share climbed $5 in closing at $215, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share skidded $3.45 and ended at $115 and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% popped $5.49 to finish at $109.49.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20 on 2023-24 earnings and 13.4. times those for 2024-25 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 within a sector and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Pertinent information is required 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.
The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector, 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 quickly assess the value of stocks based on this measure. 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.
Tepid Main Market trading
Trading activity dipped on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Monday, with a 44 percent drop in the volume of stocks traded, with an 82 percent lower value than on Friday, following trading in 61 securities as was the case on Friday, with prices of 15 stocks rising, 28 declining and 18 unchanged.
The market ended trading of 6,145,603 shares at $29,633,029 compared to 10,926,398 units at $160,297,742 on Friday.
Trading averaged 100,748 shares at $485,787 compared to 179,121 units at $2,627,832 on Friday and month to date, an average of 1,117,606 units at $4,292,885 compared with 1,231,003 units at $4,717,442 on the previous day and March with an average of 828,473 units at $2,341,254.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 2.33 million shares for 37.9 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.53 million units for 25 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund with 541,191 stocks for 8.8 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index lost 64.70 points to close at 366,436.25, the JSE Main Index rose 255.28 points to end the day at 327,010.52 and the JSE Financial Index shed 0.11 points to end at 70.08.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.1. 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 2025.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 10 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and eight with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden increased $1.02 and ended at $40 with investors trading 4,641 shares, Barita Investments shed 50 cents to $72.50 in an exchange of 5,198 shares, Caribbean Cement lost $2.25 in closing at $57.24 with investors swapping 3,071 units. Eppley climbed $4 to close at $40 with a transfer of 2,500 stocks, Guardian Holdings sank $9.50 to finish at $360 after exchanging 347 units, Jamaica Stock Exchange rose 53 cents to end at $12.11 in switching ownership of 31,956 stocks. Kingston Wharves advanced 30 cents to $30.70 after a transfer of 7,584 shares, Mayberry Jamaican Equities fell 85 cents to finish at $10, with 9,216 stock units crossing the exchange, NCB Financial dropped $1.25 and ended at $65.25 with traders dealing in 25,786 shares. 
Scotia Group declined $2.93 to end at $44 in an exchange of 3,421 units, Seprod dipped $5.77 in closing at $77.58 with 9,441 stocks clearing the market, Stanley Motta slipped 75 cents to close at $6.05 with an exchange of 4,597 stock units. Supreme Ventures skidded $1 to $24 after 126,649 shares crossed the market and Wisynco Group dropped $1.39 to finish at $20.61 as investors exchanged 51,035 units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% slipped $1.01 and ended at $46.99, with 110 stocks crossing the market, 138 Student Living preference share lost $3 to end at $210 after an exchange of 6 stock units, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share popped $23.37 in closing at $118.45 with investors transferring 8 shares and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% dipped $6 to close at $104 after 379 stock units passed through the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Subdued Jamaica stock market trading
Investors shunned trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday resulting in just $40 million being exchanged in the Main and Junior Markets as trading in the JSE USD market climbed sharply above Friday’s extremely low level and helped push prices of 28 stocks higher and 43 lower, at the close of trading.
At the end of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index gained 104.84 points to close at 339,850.42, the All Jamaican Composite Index skidded 64.70 points to 366,436.25, but the JSE Main Index gained 255.28 points to end at 327,010.52. The Junior Market Index skidded 20.07 points to conclude trading at 3,783.95 and the JSE USD Market Index sank 0.73 points to 241.42.
At the close of trading, 11,094,504 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 14,089,380 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to a mere $40.23 million, well below the $166.13 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 152,339 shares for US$5,545 compared to 9,705 units at US$1,717 on Friday.
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led trading with 2.33 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.53 million stocks and Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund with 541,191 units
At the close of the Junior Market, Spur Tree Spices led trading with 1.47 million shares followed by EduFocal with 536,957 units and Stationery and Office Supplies with 517,761 units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% slipped $1.01 and ended at $46.99, 138 Student Living preference share lost $3 to end at $210, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share popped $23.37 in closing at $118.45 and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% dipped $6 to close at $104.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20 on 2023-24 earnings and 13.4. times those for 2024-25 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 within a sector and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Pertinent information is required 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.
The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector, 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 quickly assess the value of stocks based on this measure. 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.
Scotia & Express Catering depart ICTOP10
In a week of the market ups and downs with Scotia Group and Express Catering dropping out of the ICTOP10 listing. Price movements in the TOP10 have been notable, with Express Catering at long last making a move higher in adding 10 percent, to close at $4.45, but the potential of the stock is held back by the company’s poor corporate governance practices highlighted by the fact that loan funding is used to on-lend to related group companies, with no benefit to the company’s to the company, with the company giving up more than US$1 million per year.
In a review of the ICTOP10, the earnings for the current year were confirmed at 45 cents for AMG Packaging, following the release of six months’ results on Friday, showing profit up 78 percent for the latest quarter and the half year while tTech earnings were projected for the current year at 30 cents per share pushing the stock in the TOP10.
In market activity during the week, Caribbean Cream climbed 9 percent to $3.90, but Iron Rock Insurance fell 12 percent to $2.20 followed by Edufocal, down 10 percent to an all time low of 93 cents while Consolidated Bakeries slipped 8 percent to $2.01. In the Main Market, Key Insurance rose 12 percent to $2.48 and 138 Student Living rose 6 percent to $4.18 while Margaritaville dropped 12 percent to $14.10.
tTech is a new addition to the Junior Market ICTOP10 with the increase in projected earnings for 2024, replacing Express Catering and in Main Market TOP10, Jamaica Broilers returns, edging out the undervalued Scotia Group. Jamaica Broilers another severely undervalued stock with good long term growth prospects returns to the TOP10.
It is worth noting that Honey Bun that was last in the TOP10 in the week ending March 8 and hit a 52 weeks’ high of $7.92 this week to be up 18 percent since it was added to the listing in mid-February at $6.69. The price should continue to increase throughout 2024.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market ICTOP 10 stands at 5.5, well below the market average of 13.2 and the Junior Market TOP10 sits at 7.4 over half of the market, with an average of 12.6.
The Main Market ICTOP10 is projected to gain an average of 273 percent by May 2025, based on 2024 forecasted earnings, providing better values than the Junior Market with the potential to gain 191 percent over the same period.
In the Main Market ICTOP 10, a total of 16 of the most highly valued stocks representing 31 percent of the Main Market are priced at a PE of 15 to 107, with an average of 32 and 23 excluding the highest PE ratios, and a PE of 25 for the top half and 19 excluding the stocks with overweight values.
In the Junior Market IC TOP10 are 9 stocks, or 20 percent of the market, with PEs ranging from 15 to 44, averaging 22, 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.
ICTOP10 stocks will likely deliver the best returns on or around May 2025 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.
Trading climbs but falling prices dominate
More funds were pumped into trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Friday, but the volume of stocks traded declined by 32 percent while the value surged 390 percent over market activity on Thursday, with the number of securities traded remaining the same as Thursday at 61 of which prices of 17 rose, 19 declined and 25 ended unchanged.
Trading closed with an exchange of 10,926,398 shares for $160,297,742 compared to 16,091,472 units at just $32,718,333 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 179,121 shares at $2,627,832 compared to 263,795 units at $536,366 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 1,231,003 units at $4,717,442 compared to 1,363,030 units at $4,979,719 on the previous day and March with an average of 828,473 units at $2,341,254.
Sagicor Group led trading with 3.08 million shares for 28.2 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.93 million stocks for 26.8 percent of the day’s trade and Wigton Windfarm with 2.60 million units for 23.8 percent of the day’s trade.
The All Jamaican Composite Index sank 1,102.99 points to close at 366,500.95, the JSE Main Index dropped 1,547.35 points to end trading at 326,755.24 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.36 points to finish at 70.19.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.2. 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 10 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments dipped 70 cents in closing at $73 after an exchange of 3,889 shares, Caribbean Producers fell 40 cents to $9 after 14,680 units passed through the market, First Rock Real Estate sank 85 cents and ended at $8.15 in an exchange of 9,317 shares. Jamaica Broilers dropped $1.10 to end at $32.80 with 45,528 stock units clearing the market, Jamaica Stock Exchange rallied $1.52 to close at $11.58 after an exchange of 211,603 shares, JMMB Group lost 54 cents to finish at $25.45 with investors swapping 36,491 units. Kingston Properties increased 32 cents to $8.07 and closed after two stocks were traded, Margaritaville shed $1.40 to close at $14.10 with traders dealing in 1,004 stocks,
Mayberry Group popped 30 cents to end at $7.30 as investors traded 784 shares. NCB Financial climbed $1.50 to $66.50 in switching ownership of 7,884 units, Proven Investments declined by 33 cents to $22.10, with 17,399 stock units crossing the market, Sagicor Real Estate Fund skidded 52 cents to finish at $7.50 in an exchange of 74,563 stock units. Stanley Motta slipped 30 cents to end at $6.80 with investors dealing in 2,000 shares, Supreme Ventures rose 40 cents to finish at $25 with a transfer of 29,121 stocks and Wisynco Group climbed $1 and ended at $22, with 57,591 units changing hands.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share fell $3 to end at $213 in trading 14 stock units and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% gained $4 in closing at $110 after 116 shares crossed the exchange.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Volume plunges on JSE combined market
The Junior Market cleared the 3,800 barrier at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Friday but the Main Market JSE USD market closed with losses as trading ended with the number of stocks changing hands falling and the value jumping sharply over the previous trading day, as the Junior and Main markets switched roles for the level of stocks traded compared with Thursday, with the value of stocks traded in the Main Market jumping 390 percent even as the volume dropped by 32 percent, with the Junior Market trading dropping over 95 percent compared with Thursday as trading resulted in prices of 33 shares rising and 32 declining in the markets.
At the close of trading on Friday, the JSE Combined Market Index shed 1,284.91 points to end at 339,745.60, the All Jamaican Composite Index skidded 1,102.99 points to close at 366,500.95, the JSE Main Index fell 1,547.35 points to 326,755.24. The Junior Market Index popped 28.47 points to end trading at 3,804.02 and the JSE USD Market Index slipped 0.26 points to settle at 242.15.
At the close of trading, 14,089,380 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down on the 83,531,081 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $166.13 million, moderately below the $188.25 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 9,705 shares for US$1,717 compared to 326,941 units at US$17,135 on Thursday.
In Main Market activity, Sagicor Group led trading with 3.08 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.93 million units and Wigton Windfarm with 2.60 million stocks, while in the Junior Market trading, Caribbean Assurance Brokers led trading with 864,573 shares followed by EduFocal with 851,715 units and MFS Capital Partners with 497,347 stock units.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share fell $3 to end at $213 and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% gained $4 in closing at $110.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.37 on 2023-24 earnings and 13.7 times those for 2024-25 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.
Pertinent information is required 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.
The chart should be used in making 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.
Main market trading climbs but…
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Thursday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 83 percent and the value 17 percent more than on Wednesday, with trading in 61 securities compared with 64 on Wednesday, with prices of 19 stocks rising, 21 declining and 21 ending unchanged.
The market closed with trading of 16,091,472 shares for $32,718,333 up from 8,771,865 units at $27,969,713 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 263,795 shares at $536,366 compared to 137,060 units at $437,027 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 1,363,030 units at $4,979,719 compared with 1,520,802 units at $5,617,470 on the previous day and March with an average of 828,473 units at $2,341,254.
Sagicor Select Financial Fund led trading with 6.73 million shares for 41.8 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 5.18 million stock units for 32.2 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway with 3.09 million units for 19.2 percent of the market’s trading.
The All Jamaican Composite Index lost 45.90 points to conclude trading at 367,603.94, the JSE Main Index increased 163.28 points to close at 328,302.59 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.29 points to 70.55.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.3. 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 six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments rallied 70 cents to finish at $73.70 with investors swapping 2,233 shares, Caribbean Cement shed 31 cents to close at $59.49 after an exchange of 2,601 units, First Rock Real Estate dropped 90 cents to end at $9, with 6,321 shares crossing the market. Guardian Holdings popped $9.50 in closing at $369.50 after an exchange of 14 stock units, Jamaica Broilers climbed 90 cents to close at $33.90 with investors trading 17,157 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange sank 59 cents and ended at $10.06, with 6,490 units crossing the exchange. 
JMMB Group rose 97 cents to $25.99 after a transfer of 25,334 stocks, Kingston Properties skidded 34 cents in closing at $7.75 after 2,000 stock units passed through the market, Mayberry Group fell 30 cents to end at $7, with 10 shares changing hands. NCB Financial declined by $1.70 and ended at $65 in an exchange of 17,898 stocks, Pan Jamaica lost $2 to finish at $48 with investors transferring 637 units, Stanley Motta advanced 79 cents to close at $7.10 after closing with an exchange of 540 stock units and Wisynco Group increased 50 cents to $21 with a transfer of 14,045 shares.
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share gained $50 to end at $1,150, with investors dealing in 180 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.