The Jamaica Stock Exchange closed trading on Tuesday with losses in all three markets after the Junior Market pushed higher in the morning session but fell in the latter part of trading as the market ended with the number of stocks that were exchanged fell, with the value jumping sharply over that on Tuesday as rising and declining stocks were even at 35 each.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index fell 731.57 points to 332,396.75, the All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 1,452.88 points to 355,718.64, the JSE Main Index shed 647.61 points to end at 319,662.38. The Junior Market Index dropped 14.18 points to settle at 3,722.82 and the JSE USD Market Index skidded 1.07 points to end at 239.66.
At the close of trading, 29,690,680 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 36,430,685 units on Monday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $120.94 million, up from $67.96 million on Monday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 147,004 shares for US$5,094 compared to 317,598 units at US$259,958 on Monday.
Main Market trading was dominated by JMMB 9.5% preference share led trading with 2.84 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 1.62 million stock units and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.17 million units.
In the Junior Market, Future Energy led trading with 15.91 million shares followed by JFP Ltd with 711,974 units and Regency Petroleum with 603,202 units.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are NCB Financial advanced $2.79 in closing at $68 and Seprod popped $2.30 to $84.30.
The major declining Main Market stocks include Eppley Caribbean Property Fund shed $1.01 and ended at $37.54, Guardian Holdings climbed $3, Jamaica Producers dropped $2.05 to $21.65, Mayberry Group sank $1.12 and ended at $7.08, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy dipped $1 and ended at $90 and Scotia Group declined $1.49 to close at $39.51.
Only one Junior Market stocks closed with solid gains on Tuesday as ISP Finance jumped $7.36 and ended at $30. The major losing Junior Market stocks include AMG Packaging dropping 60 cents to close at $2.56, Iron Rock Insurance dipping 41 cents to close at $2.10 and Knutsford Express falling $2.89 in closing at $9.50.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share skidded $2.64 in closing at $16.26 and Jamaica Public Service 7% rallied $7.99 to $49.99.
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 13.9 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 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Trading end mixed on JSE Main Market
Trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Monday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 269 percent with a 48 percent lower value than on Friday, with trading in 60 securities compared with 48 on Friday, with prices of 26 stocks rising, 23 declining and 11 ending unchanged.
The market closed with 28,085,342 shares being traded for $46,276,168 versus 7,609,408 units at $89,452,687 on Friday.
Trading averaged 468,089 shares at $771,269 compared with 158,529 units at $1,863,598 on Friday and month to date, an average of 224,736 units at $1,572,318, compared to 205,969 units at $1,634,096 on the previous trading day and December with an average of 264,266 units at $3,755,946.
JMMB 9.5% preference share led trading with 18.65 million shares for 66.4 percent of total volume, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 4.92 million units for 17.5 percent of the day’s trade, Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.16 million stocks for 4.1 percent market share and Transjamaican Highway with 1.12 million shares for 4 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rose 577.72 points to close at 357,171.52, the JSE Main Index dipped 1,065.68 points to lock up trading at 320,309.99 and the JSE Financial Index sank 0.06 points to culminate at 69.31.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.7. 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 12 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden fell $1 to $40 with investors swapping 70 stock units, Berger Paints dropped 87 cents in closing at $5.22, with 10,815 shares crossing the exchange, Caribbean Cement rose $1.68 to close at $53 after investors traded 1,219 stocks. Caribbean Producers lost 32 cents to end at $8.28 after an exchange of 49,479 units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund skidded $1.45 and ended at $38.55 with an exchange of 5,209 stocks, GraceKennedy advanced 55 cents to $76.95 after 23,988 shares were traded. Guardian Holdings sank $17 in closing at $372 with investors dealing in 218 stock units, Jamaica Broilers popped 45 cents and ended at $33.45 with a transfer of 18,508 units, Jamaica Producers climbed $1.70 to close at $23.70, with 57,546 stocks clearing the market. 
JMMB Group dipped 94 cents to end at $23.76 in an exchange of 36,987 units, Margaritaville increased $1.55 in closing at $17.05 with traders dealing in 7 shares, NCB Financial declined $2.78 to $65.21 in switching ownership of 14,720 stock units. 138 Student Living rallied 68 cents and ended at $4.18 after 120,803 shares passed through the market, Pan Jamaica shed 55 cents to close at $49.45 in trading 2,198 units, Proven Investments sank 54 cents to end at $21.40, with 4,956 stocks crossing the market. Sagicor Group shed 30 cents to $41.70 with an exchange of 4,824 stock units, Salada Foods dropped 55 cents to close at $3.30, with 107,023 shares crossing the market and Scotia Group gained $2 in closing at $41 after a transfer of 3,868 units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share rose 30 cents and ended at $6.30 with investors trading 406 stocks, 138 Student Living preference share rallied 72 cents to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $193 in an exchange of 28 stock units, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share lost $30 in closing at $90 with investors transferring 8 shares and Transjamaican Highway 8% increased 32 cents to $2.50, with 16,182 stocks changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading volume surges on the JSE markets
The market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed mixed in trading on Monday as the Junior Market JSE USD market edged moderately higher and the Main Market major indices recorded declines and gains after trading ended with the volume of stocks exchanged surging, with the value traded falling from that on Friday and resulting in 38 shares rising and 32 declining.
At the close of trading on Monday, the JSE Combined Market Index shed 934.48 points to end at 333,128.32, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 577.72 points to 357,171.52, the JSE Main Index shed 1,065.68 points to close at 320,309.99. The Junior Market Index popped 7.42 points to 3,737.00 and the JSE USD Market Index rose 3.41 points to end the day at 240.73.
At the close of trading, 36,430,685 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 12,488,845 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $67.96 million, down from $97.58 million on Friday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 317,598 shares for US$259,958 compared to 649,338 units at US$15,760 on Friday.
Main Market trading was dominated by JMMB 9.5% preference share led trading with 18.65 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 4.92 million units, Sagicor Select Financial Fund was next with 1.16 million stock units and Transjamaican Highway with 1.12 million shares.
In the Junior Market, Express Catering led trading with 3.37 million shares followed by JFP Ltd with 1.43 million units and Dolla Financial with 1.05 million stock units.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are Caribbean Cement rose $1.68 to close at $53, Jamaica Producers climbed $1.70 to close at $23.70, Margaritaville increased $1.55 in closing at $17.05and Scotia Group gained $2 in closing at $41.
The major declining Main Market stocks include AS Bryden fell $1 to $40, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund skidded $1.45 and ended at $38.55, Guardian Holdings sank $17 in closing at $372, NCB Financial declined $2.78 to $65.21.
On a day of limited price movement in the Junior Market, the major stocks with gains are Express Catering increased 36 cents to $3.97 KLE Group rallied 45 cents to end at $2.30.and Knutsford Express advanced 39 cents to close at $12.39, with the major losing stock being Dolphin Cove fell 50 cents and ended at $19.
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share lost $30 in closing at $90.
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 13.9 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 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Express Catering pops into ICTOP10
Paramount Trading dropped out of ICInsider.com following an earnings downgrade to 12 cents per share, with half year results continuing to fall coming from a fall off in revenues. Express Catering joins the ICInsider.com TOP 10 following an earnings upgrade to 55 cents per share and the stock price closing down at $3.61 on Friday in a week that the Main and Junior markets fell one percent during the week but there were some stocks with relatively sizable price changes.
There was just one stock with a notable gain in the Junior Market TOP 10 and four with sizable losses while in the Main Market, only one stock rose with a gain of three percent and 7 declined, with sizable moves by five. Junior Market listed Access Financial, rose 11 percent to $22.68 but Caribbean Cream fell a hefty 23 percent to close at $3.41 followed by a 7 percent fall by Jamaican Teas to $2.40, while Lasco Distributors lost 6 percent to close a $3.85 and Paramount Trading fell 4 percent to $1.54.
The Main Market General Accident dropped 17 percent to $4.75, followed by a 12 percent fall in Margaritaville to $15.50, 138 Student Living fell 11 percent to $3.50, while Key Insurance is down 6 percent to $2.19 and Caribbean Producers slipped 5 percent to $8.60.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market ICTOP 10 stands at 5.3, well below the market average of 13.6 and the Junior Market TOP10 sits at 7.2, just over half of the market, with an average of 13.
The Main Market ICTOP10 is projected to gain an average of 311 percent by May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings, providing better values than the Junior Market with the potential to gain 185 percent over the same time frame.
In the Main Market ICTOP 10, a total of 15 of the most highly valued stocks representing 31 percent of the Main Market are priced at a PE of 15 to 110, 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, there are 13 stocks, or 27 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 50, averaging 21, well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 18, 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.
TOP 10 Stocks, Daily Trading, Jamaican Stocks, Junior Market, Jamaican Stock Exchange,
JSE Main Market drops Friday
Trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Friday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 23 percent and the value rising three percent over trading on Thursday, with an exchange of 48 securities compared with 53 on the previous day and ended with prices of 13 stocks rising, 19 declining and 16 ending unchanged.
The market closed on Friday after 7,609,408 shares were traded for $89,452,687 versus 9,945,485 units at $87,264,668 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 158,529 shares at $1,863,598 compared to 187,651 units at $1,646,503 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 205,969 units at $1,634,096 in comparison with 209,088 units at $1,619,005 on the prior day and December with an average of 264,266 units at $3,755,946.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 2.47 million shares for 32.5 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.29 million units for 16.9 percent of the day’s trade and Jamaica Producers with 955,735 units for 12.6 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index sank 465.78 points to end at 356,593.80, the JSE Main Index dropped 723.40 points to 321,375.67 and the JSE Financial Index advanced 0.28 points to 69.37.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.4. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with their 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 one with a lower offer.
At the close, AS Bryden sank $2 in closing at $41, with 3,260 shares crossing the market, Barita Investments fell 82 cents to $70.48 with investors trading 2,921 stocks, Caribbean Cement lost $3.68 to close at $51.32 with 6,475 shares clearing the market. First Rock Real Estate skidded 36 cents and ended at $8.10 in an exchange of 1,814 stock units, GraceKennedy declined 80 cents to end at $76.40 with investors dealing in 12,908 shares, Jamaica Broilers shed 45 cents in closing at $33 in an exchange of 16,717 stocks. Jamaica Producers dropped $5 to $22, with 955,735 units changing hands, Kingston Properties popped 35 cents to end at $7.50 after an exchange of 2,520 stock units, Mayberry Group advanced 69 cents and ended at $8.25 as 443 shares passed through the market. 
Mayberry Jamaican Equities dipped 53 cents to close at $9 after exchanging 8,000 units, NCB Financial rose $1.89 to $67.99 in swapping 44,530 stocks, 138 Student Living lost 68 cents to end at a 52 weeks’ low of $3.50 with traders dealing in 37,005 stock units. Pan Jamaica gained $4.45 in closing at $50 after a transfer of 460 shares, Seprod skidded $3.70 and ended at $82 in trading 94,382 stocks and Wisynco Group fell 50 cents to close at $20, with 165,509 units crossing the exchange.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living climbed $24.28 to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $192.28 after trading of three stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE markets fall to close out the week
All three markets of the Jamaica Stock Exchange slipped at the close of trading on Friday as trading ended with a reduced volume of shares being exchanged, with a lower value than on Thursday, with a few stocks trading with sizable price movements on a day when prices of 27 stocks rose and 31 declined.
At the close of the market on Friday, the Composite Index shed 465.78 points to end at 356,593.80. The JSE Main Index lost 723.40 points to conclude trading at 321,375.67. The Junior Market Index slipped 2.31 points to 3,729.58 and the JSE USD Market Index sank 3.74 points to lock up trading at 237.32.
At the close of trading, 12,488,845 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 17,340,719 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $97.58 million, down from $109.09 million on Thursday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 649,338 shares for US$15,760 compared to 156,654 units at US$16,462 on Thursday.
Main Market trading was dominated by Transjamaican Highway which led trading with 2.47 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.29 million units and Jamaica Producers with 955,735 units.
In the Junior Market, ONE on ONE Educational led trading with 1.19 million shares followed by EduFocal with 910,630 units and Stationery and Office Supplies with 437,366 units.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are NCB Financial rose $1.89 to $67.99, Pan Jamaica gained $4.45 in closing at $50.
The major declining Main Market stocks include AS Bryden sank $2 in closing at $41, Caribbean Cement lost $3.68 to close at $51.32, Jamaica Producers dropped $5 to $22 and Seprod skidded $3.70 to $82.
On a day of limited price movement in the Junior Market, the major stocks with gains are Dolphin Cove gained $1.49 to $19.50, KLE Group climbed 51 cents to end at $1.85, Knutsford Express rose $1 in closing at $12 and Main Event advanced $1 to $16. No stocks ended with a major loss on Friday.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share climbed $24.28 to $192.28.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 2… on 2022-23 earnings and 1… 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 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
JSE Main Market drops on reduced trading
Trading activity ended on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Thursday, with the volume
of stocks traded declining 43 percent, with the value 50 percent lower than on Wednesday, with trading in 53 securities compared with trading in 57 on Wednesday and closed with prices of 21 stocks rising, 18 declining and 14 ending unchanged.
The market closed with an exchange of 9,945,485 shares at $87,264,668 down from 17,298,746 units at $174,984,093 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 187,651 shares at $1,646,503 compared to 303,487 units at $3,069,896 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 209,088 units at $1,619,005, in comparison with 210,767 units at $1,616,852 on the previous day and with December that closed with an average of 264,266 units at $3,755,946.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 3.55 million shares for 35.7 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.20 million units for 22.2 percent of the day’s trade and GraceKennedy with 687,786 units for 6.9 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index shed 1,879.32 points to 357,059.58, the JSE Main Index sank 971.08 points to lock up trading at 322,099.07 and the JSE Financial Index fell 0.58 points to end at 69.09.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.6. 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 11 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden gained $1 in closing at $43 in an exchange of 2,602 units, Barita Investments popped 30 cents to $71.30 with investors dealing in 669 stocks, Caribbean Cement rallied $3.74 to end at $55 in switching ownership of a mere 558 shares. Eppley skidded 60 cents and ended at $36.50, with just 11 stock units crossing the exchange, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund increased $2.49 to close at $40 in trading only 10 shares, First Rock Real Estate climbed 46 cents to $8.46 with a meagre 43 stocks clearing the market. 
General Accident fell 60 cents to close at $4.75 with an exchange of 3,000 units, Guardian Holdings rose $20 and ended at $389 after closing with an exchange of a mere 7 stock units, Jamaica Producers advanced $1 to end at $27 after an exchange of 103,751 shares. JMMB Group rose 30 cents in closing at $24.70 with a transfer of 4,519 units, Pan Jamaica dropped $3.95 to end at $45.55 while exchanging 2,035 stocks, Proven Investments advanced 63 cents and ended at $21.94 after facilitating trading of 906 stock units. Sagicor Group sank 99 cents to close at $42 after an exchange of 12,294 shares, Scotia Group declined $2.34 to end at $39.06, with 23,083 stock units crossing the market, Seprod popped $2.70 in closing at $85.70 in an exchange of 46,853 stocks and Stanley Motta increased 30 cents to $6.45 with investors trading 100 units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% lost $50 in closing at $2850 after a transfer of just 8 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Markets slipped on Thursday
All three markets of the Jamaica Stock Exchange declined moderately at the close of trading on Thursday following a fall in the number and value of traded shares dropped compared to Wednesday’s trading.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index dropped 994.07 points to 334,761.41, the All Jamaican Composite Index shed 1,879.32 points to 357,059.58. The JSE Main Index shed 971.08 points to end at 322,099.07, the Junior Market Index declined 9.51 points to 3,731.89 and the JSE USD Market Index slipped 1.27 points to end at 241.06.
At the close of trading, 17,340,719 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 26,660,691 units on Wednesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $109.09 million, down from $154.59 million on Wednesday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 156,654 shares for US$16,462 compared to 664,963 units at US$18,341 on Wednesday.
Main Market trading was dominated by Wigton Windfarm led trading with 3.55 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.04 million units and GraceKennedy with 687,786 units
In the Junior Market, Future Energy led trading with 2.23 million shares, followed by Derrimon Trading with 888,112 units and Jamaican Teas with 641,782 units.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are AS Bryden climbed $1 to end at $43, Caribbean Cement popped $3.74 to $55, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rallied $2.49 and ended at $40, Guardian Holdings advanced $20 and ended at $389, Jamaica Producers gained $1 to end at $27 and Seprod increased $2.70 to close at $85.70.
The major declining Main Market stocks include Pan Jamaica skidded $3.95 to $45.55, Sagicor Group fell 99 cents to end at $42 and Scotia Group dropped $2.34 in closing at $39.06.
Trading ended in the Junior Market, with only moderate price changes.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% declined $50 to close at $2,850.
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 13.9 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 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Trading picked up for Main Market but falling prices dominated
Trading activity picked up on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Wednesday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 127 percent and the value 182 percent more than on Tuesday, with trading in 57 securities compared with trading in 48 on Tuesday and ended with more stocks declining than rising with trading activity resulted in prices of 15 stocks rising, 26 declining and 16 ending unchanged.
The market ended with an exchange of 17,298,746 shares for $174,984,093 compared with 7,620,490 units at $62,076,383 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 303,487 shares at $3,069,896 compared to 158,760 units at $1,293,258 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 210,767 units at $1,616,852 compared with 202,242 units at $1,483,266 on the previous day and December that averaged 264,266 units at $3,755,946.
Jamaica Producers led trading with 3.96 million shares for 22.9 percent of total volume followed by Jamaica Stock Exchange with 3.72 million stocks for 21.5 percent of the day’s trade, Transjamaican Highway chipped in with 2.66 million units for 15.4 percent of the market, JMMB 9.5% preference share ended with 1.59 million units for 9.2 percent market share, Wigton Windfarm with 1.38 million units for 8 percent of stocks traded and Carreras with 1.18 million units for 6.8 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index shed 446.67 points to close trading at 358,938.90, the JSE Main Index climbed 237.24 points to settle at 323,070.15 and the JSE Financial Index increased 0.53 points to finish at 69.67.
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 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden shed $3 to end at $42 with just 482 stocks clearing the market, Barita Investments dipped 43 cents in closing at $71 with trading in 2,131 units, Berger Paints fell 37 cents to $6.22 after a mere 116 shares passed through the market. Caribbean Cement skidded $4.74 to close at $51.26 in an exchange of 18,488 stock units, Caribbean Producers lost 30 cents and ended at $8.50 with investors dealing in 17,089 shares, Carreras dipped 41 cents to $8.12 and closed after trading in 1,183,532 stock units. General Accident increased 65 cents in closing at $5.35 with investors swapping just 499 stocks, Guardian Holdings climbed $18.49 and ended at $369 after an exchange of 1,420 units, Jamaica Broilers popped $1 to end at $33.50 in trading 17,013 stocks. 
Jamaica Producers rallied $3.50 to close at $26 after a transfer of 3,963,336 shares, JMMB Group rose 40 cents to $24.40, with 6,362 stock units crossing the exchange, Margaritaville advanced 50 cents and ended at $15.50 with investors transferring 8 units. Mayberry Group sank 85 cents in closing at $7.56 after an exchange of 1,224 stocks, NCB Financial declined $1 to end at $66, with 18,192 units crossing the market, Pan Jamaica fell 50 cents to close at $49.50 with an exchange of 2,136 shares. Proven Investments shed 64 cents to $21.31 with 1,836 stock units crossing the market, Sagicor Group gained 99 cents to end at $42.99 as investors exchanged 6,404 shares, Seprod fell $3.17 in closing at $83 with a transfer of 2,973 stocks and Wisynco Group dipped 48 cents and ended at $20.50 while exchanging 29,423 units.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share rose 73 cents to close at $168 in switching ownership of 56 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading rose on the Jamaica Stock Exchange
Trading picked up sharply on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Wednesday as the volume and value of stocks traded in the Main Market jumped well over that on Tuesday as the Junior Market trading levels held close to Tuesday outturn as the JSE USD market trading levels rose as the market ended with mixed changes in the indices.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 377.37 points to end at 335,755.48, the All Jamaican Composite Index shed 446.67 points to close at 358,938.90, the JSE Main Index advanced 237.24 points to end at 323,070.15. The Junior Market Index rose 17.68 points to 3,741.40 and the JSE USD Market Index slipped 1.17 points to end the day at 242.33.
At the close of trading, 26,660,691 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 19,941,630 units on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $194.59 million, up from $83.9 million on Tuesday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 664,963 shares for US$18,341 compared to 508,298 units at US$11,596 on Tuesday.
Main Market trading was dominated by Jamaica Producers led trading with 3.96 million shares followed by Jamaica Stock Exchange with 3.72 million units, Transjamaican Highway with 2.66 million stock units, JMMB 9.5% preference share with 1.59 million shares, Wigton Windfarm with 1.38 million units and Carreras with 1.18 million stocks.
In the Junior Market, Express Catering led trading with 2.12 million shares followed by EduFocal with 2.04 million units and iCreate with 971,348 units.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are Guardian Holdings climbed $18.49 and ended at $369, Jamaica Broilers popped $1 to end at $33.50, Jamaica Producers rallied $3.50 to close at $26 and Sagicor Group gained 99 cents to end at $42.99.
The major declining Main Market stocks include AS Bryden shed $3 to end at $42, Caribbean Cement skidded $4.74 to close at $51.26, NCB Financial declined $1 to end at $66 and Seprod which fell $3.17 in closing at $83.
Major price movement in the Junior Market, with gains are AMG Packaging popped 76 cents and ended at $3.18, Iron Rock Insurance gained 44 cents to close at $2.51, ISP Finance rose $1.19 and ended at $22.64 with the major losing stock being Knutsford Express declining $1.38 to end at $11.
In the preference segment, no stock traded with a notable price change.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.3 on 2022-23 earnings and 13.6 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 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.