Scotia Group and Transjamaican Highway stock prices hit 52 weeks’ closing high on Tuesday while Sagicor X Fund closed at a 52 weeks’ low of $7.85 at close of the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange at the early stage of a bull market run that is returning to the market, with investors pumping more money into stocks but ended with fewer shares at the end of trading that on Monday.
The volume of stocks traded declined by 52 percent, but the value jumped by 54 percent than on Monday, after an exchange of 48 securities down from 55 on Monday, with prices of 19 rising, 18 declining and 11 ending unchanged as the market closed with an exchange of 7,620,490 shares for $62,076,383 compared with 15,892,941 units at $40,238,845 on Monday.
Trading averaged 158,760 shares at $1,293,258 compared to 288,963 units at $731,615 on Monday. Trading month to date, an averages 202,242 shares at $1,483,266, in comparison to 205,891 units at $1,499,211 on the previous day in comparison with December with an average of 264,266 units at $3,755,946.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 4.42 million shares for 58 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 706,792 units for 9.3 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Real Estate Fund with 402,277 units for 5.3 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 2,400.43 points to close at 359,385.57, the JSE Main Index advanced 1,467.74 points to end the day at 322,832.91 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.81 points to wrap up trading at 69.14.
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 the financial year ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows nine stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement increased 50 cents and ended at $56 while exchanging 454 units, First Rock Real Estate climbed $1 to $8, with 16,755 stocks crossing the market, General Accident dipped 65 cents in closing at $4.70 after an exchange of 3,901 shares. GraceKennedy fell 95 cents to close at $77.05 with investors transferring 33,887 stock units, 
Jamaica Broilers dropped $1.02 to end at $32.50 with 20,709 shares crossing the exchange, JMMB Group sank 67 cents in closing at $24 with trading of 15,379 stocks. Margaritaville lost $2.58 to end at $15 in switching ownership of 31,000 units, Massy Holdings declined by $1 to $88 with investors swapping 211,913 stocks, Mayberry Group rose 86 cents to close at $8.41 after an exchange of 1,699 shares. NCB Financial shed 40 cents to $67 with investors trading 13,181 units, Pan Jamaica skidded 42 cents to $50 with an exchange of 92,892 stocks, Scotia Group jumped $2.47 to end at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $41.50, with 35,353 units crossing the market and Stanley Motta popped 88 cents in closing at $6.15 with investors dealing in 31,297 shares.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share rallied $36.45 and ended at $167.27 closing with an exchange of 4 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
All JSE Markets rise
The Jamaica Stock Exchange recorded gains in all three markets on Tuesday in trading on Monday as trading ended with a decline in the number exchanged, with the value traded rising over that on Monday
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index popped 178.57 points to 335,378.11, the All Jamaican Composite Index gained 2,400.43 points to wrap-up trading at 359,385.57, the JSE Main Index rose 1,467.74 points to finish at 322,832.91. The Junior Market Index rallied 11.23 points to finish at 3,723.72 and the JSE USD Market Index increased 5.74 points to end at 243.50.
At the close of trading, 19,941,630 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 25,106,007 units on Monday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $83.9 million, up from $52.25 million on Tuesday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 508,298 shares for US$11,596 compared to 501,713 units at US$12,814 on Monday.
Main Market trading was dominated by Transjamaican Highway with 4.42 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 706,792 units and Sagicor Real Estate Fund with 402,277 units.
In the Junior Market, Fosrich led trading with 2.86 million shares followed by MFS Capital Partners with 2.06 million units, One Great Studio closed with 1.24 million units, iCreate ended with 1.14 million stocks, Tropical Battery with 1.12 million shares and EduFocal with 1.02 million units.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are First Rock Real Estate climbed $1 to $8, Scotia Group advanced $2.47 to end at $41.50, Mayberry Group rose 86 cents to close at $8.41 and Stanley Motta popped 88 cents in closing at $6.15.
The major declining Main Market stocks include General Accident dipped 65 cents in closing at $4.70, GraceKennedy fell 95 cents to close at $77.05, Jamaica Broilers dropped $1.02 to close trading at $32.50, Margaritaville lost $2.58 to $15, Massy Holdings declined $1 to end at $88.
On a day of limited price movement in the Junior Market, the major stocks with gains are Access Financial climbed $2.17 to close at $22.68, Knutsford Express gained 38 cents to $12.38 and Main Event advanced 60 cents to close at $14.80, with the major losing stocks being AMG Packaging skidded 63 cents to $2.42 and Cargo Handlers that sank 92 cents to end at $13.08.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share rallied $36.45 and ended at $167.27.
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 13.7 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.
Slippage for JSE Main market
Trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Monday, with the volume of stocks traded declining by 18 percent and the value 89 percent lower than on Friday, with trading in 55 securities compared to 52 on Friday, with prices of 19 rising, 23 declining and 13 ending unchanged.
The market closed with trading of 15,892,941 shares valued $40,238,845 compared to 19,335,881 units at $380,400,356 on Friday.
Trading averaged 288,963 shares at $731,615 compared to 371,844 units at $7,315,391 on Friday and month to date, an average of 205,891 units at $1,499,211 compared with 197,054 units at $1,580,870 on the previous day and December that closed with an average of 264,266 units at $3,755,946.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 8.92 million shares for 56.1 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.37 million units for 14.9 percent of the day’s trade, Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.70 million units for 10.7 percent market share and Ciboney Group with 1.35 million units for 8.5 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index declined 2,854.05 points to finish at 356,985.14, the JSE Main Index sank 873.63 points to conclude trading at 321,365.17 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.53 points to 68.33.
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 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 three with lower offers.
At the close of trading, Barita Investments fell $1.10 to $71.30 after 1,837 stocks passed through the market, Caribbean Cement shed $1.40 in closing at $55.50 after an exchange of 14,235 shares. Eppley lost 89 cents to end at $37.10, with 150 stock units crossing the market, First Rock Real Estate gained 99 cents to close at $7 after an exchange of 29,573 shares, General Accident sank 40 cents to $5.35 with a transfer of 1,285 stocks. GraceKennedy skidded $1 to close at $78 while exchanging 104,553 units, Guardian Holdings dropped $9.49 in closing at $350.51 with investors transferring 622 stock units, Jamaica Broilers declined 48 cents and ended at $33.52 in an exchange of 16,917 shares.
MPC Caribbean Clean Energy rose $1 to end at $91, with 380 stock units crossing the market, NCB Financial rallied $1.95 to $67.40 in an exchange of 39,356 units, Scotia Group dipped 35 cents to close at $39.03 after 27,475 stocks were traded. Seprod increased $1.95 and ended at $85.95 as investors exchanged 2,639 units, Stanley Motta sank 76 cents to $5.27 in trading 47,893 stocks, Supreme Ventures dropped 81 cents to end at $25 with 45,360 shares clearing the market and Sygnus Credit Investments lost 48 cents in closing at $10.50 with traders dealing in 102,871 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Main & Junior Markets fall on reduced trading
Trading dropped back on the Jamaica Stock Exchange gained on Monday, with the number of stocks exchanged rising to but with a lower value than on Friday, with the Main Market sliding and the Junior Market dropping sharply as the JSE USD market rose moderately, to start the week.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index fell 1,296.25 points to 333,903.28, the All Jamaican Composite Index sank 2,854.05 points to end trading at 356,985.14, the JSE Main Index dropped 873.63 points to conclude trading at 321,365.17. The Junior Market Index lost 54.46 to end at 3,712.49 and the JSE USD Market Index fell 0.30 points to finish at 237.76.
At the close of trading, 25,106,007 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 23,346,054 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $52.28 million, down from $389.49 million on Friday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 501,713 shares for US$12,814 compared to 30,414 units at US$3,460 on Friday.
Main Market trading was dominated by Wigton Windfarm led trading with 8.92 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.37 million units, Sagicor Select Financial Fund closed with 1.70 million units and Ciboney Group with 1.35 million units.
In the Junior Market, One Great Studio led trading with 2.19 million shares followed by Fosrich with 1.25 million units and iCreate with 904,279 stock units.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are First Rock Real Estate gained 99 cents to close at $7, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy rose $1 to end at $91, NCB Financial rallied $1.95 to $67.40 Seprod climbed $1.95 and ended at $85.95.
The major declining Main Market stocks include Caribbean Cement shed $1.40 in closing at $55.50, GraceKennedy skidded $1 to close at $78 while exchanging 104,553 units and Guardian Holdings dropped $9.49 in closing at $350.51.
On a day of limited price movement in the Junior Market, there were no stocks with a major higher, with the major losing stocks being ISP Finance down $3.41, Main Event with a loss of 60 cents and Caribbean Cream and Knutsford Express with a decline of 40 cents each.
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 21.2 on 2022-23 earnings and 13.8 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 drops ICTOP10
Access Financial returns to the Junior Market IC TOP10 after a week’s absence, replacing Express Catering at the end of the week that saw Jamaican Teas as the only Junior Market stocks with any sizable move, as the stock rose 12 percent to $2.59. No other Junior Market stock moved by more than two percent for the week.
There is no change to the Main Market list in the week but General Accident surprisingly jumped 23 percent to $5.75 on limited volume while Scotia Group was up 4 percent to $39.38. Palace Amusement fell 12 percent to $1.23, but supply seems low around these prices and Pulse Investment slipped by 6 percent to $1.85.
There are some developments in the market and in some stocks that are worth noting as they could surprise to the upside. Buying for Scotia Group is gradually improving and selling is not and the price could move solidly into the $40 range this coming week. Transjamaican Highway a previous TOP10 stock climbed this week to close at $2.84, up from $2.71 the previous week as the supply of the stock faded and demand has increased. AS Bryden has just two offers at the close of the week but the price seems to be above the average for the market, at a PE of 23, but be careful. Jamaican Teas has undisclosed selling at $2.59 by an institution but there was more buying by insiders than selling during the week. Junior Market TOP10 listed AMG Packaging climbed on Friday as investors quickly snapped up nearly 600,000 shares that were on offer at $2.40 before the stock closed at $3.17 ahead of first quarter results that show a solid 64 percent jump in profit to $39.86 million from $24.34 million in 2022. 
Caribbean Cement has both limited buying and selling currently, suggesting the price may stay around the mid $50 range for some time. Selling in General Accident is down but buyers are not yet close to the prices for limited stocks on offer. Watch Seprod as a visible supply of the stock below the $90 range is very limited. Stanley Motta has only three offers amounting to 10,437 shares between $6.04 and $8
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 287 percent by May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings, providing better values than the Junior Market with the potential to gain 191 percent over the same time frame.
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 110, with an average of 32 and 22 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 49, 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.
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.
Bryden at record high, Grace corners value
AS Bryden jumped to a record high of $45 at the close of trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Friday and GraceKennedy dominated trading with the value of shares traded on a day when the total value exceeded $380 million for the Main market.
The volume of stocks traded climbed 15 percent and the value surged 904 percent higher than in Thursday’s market activity, with trading in 52 securities compared with 57 on Thursday, with prices of 17 stocks rising, 18 declining and 17 ending unchanged.
The market closed on Friday with 19,335,881 shares trading for $380,400,356 up from 16,799,684 units at $37,893,948 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 371,844 shares at $7,315,391 compared to 294,731 units at $664,806 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 197,054 units at $1,580,870, in comparison with 177,507 units at $939,590 on the previous day and December that closed with an average of 264,266 units at $3,755,946.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 4.96 million shares for 25.7 percent of total volume followed by JMMB Group 7.5% with 4.18 million units for 21.6 percent of the day’s trade, 
GraceKennedy ended with 3.29 million units for 17 percent of market share, Carreras closed with 2.46 million units for 12.7 percent market share and Radio Jamaica had an exchange of 1.12 million units for 5.8 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 3,718.84 points to settle at 359,839.19, the JSE Main Index climbed 3,015.95 points to cease trading at 322,238.80 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.95 points and closed trading at 68.86.
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 nine stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden advanced $8.50 in closing at a record high of $45, up 55 percent from the price the stock first traded at on listing as investors exchanged 25,001 stock units on Friday, Barita Investments rose $1.87 to $72.40 after trading 9,624 shares, Caribbean Cement rallied 40 cents to close at $56.90 as investors exchanged 503,525 stocks.
First Rock Real Estate declined $1.04 and ended at $6.01 in switching ownership of 31,007 units, General Accident increased 75 cents to end at $5.75, with 6,000 stocks crossing the market, GraceKennedy fell 50 cents in closing at $79 in an exchange of 3,289,510 stock units. Jamaica Stock Exchange skidded 47 cents to $10.03 with investors dealing in 12,696 shares, JMMB Group climbed 88 cents and ended at $24.68 with a transfer of 1,638 stock units, NCB Financial lost $2.05 to end at $65.45, with 434,995 shares clearing the market. Pan Jamaica popped 30 cents to close at $50.50 with investors transferring 4,051 stock units, Scotia Group gained 50 cents to close at $39.38 after 599,431 stocks were traded and Supreme Ventures rose 51 cents in closing at $25.81 with traders dealing in 4,470 units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% dropped $6 to close at $42 in an exchange of 870 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Falling JSE Main Market
Trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Thursday, with the market value falling for a second day and ended with the volume of stocks traded rising 34 percent, with a 72 percent lower value than on Wednesday, following trading occurring in 57 securities compared with 58 on Wednesday, and ending with prices of 21 stocks rising, 20 declining and 16 ending unchanged.
The market closed with an exchange of 16,799,684 shares costing a total of $37,893,948 compared to 12,511,690 units at $136,341,735 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 294,731 shares at $664,806 compared to 215,719 units at $2,350,720 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 177,507 units at $939,590, in comparison with 161,130 units at $977,979 on the previous day and December with an average of 264,266 units at $3,755,946.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 12.69 million shares for 75.5 percent of total volume, Transjamaican Highway was next with 1.12 million units for 6.7 percent of the day’s trade and Radio Jamaica with 849,926 units for 5.1 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index lost 1,252.29 points to end the day at 356,120.35, the JSE Main Index dropped 1,306.80 points to close trading at 319,222.85 and the JSE Financial Index declined 0.52 points to finish at 67.91.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.5. 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 10 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden fell $3.50 and ended at $36.50 in an exchange of 19,836 stocks, Barita Investments lost 47 cents to close at $70.53 with investors dealing in 10,759 units, Berger Paints rallied 39 cents to close trading at $6.59 with 118 shares passing through the exchange. Caribbean Cement dropped 50 cents in closing at $56.50 after a transfer of 17,212 units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund sank $2.50 to close at $37.50 while exchanging 11,853 shares, Guardian Holdings declined $30 to $360 with investors trading 3,935 units. Jamaica Broilers popped 74 cents and ended at $33.99 with an exchange of 12,214 stocks, Jamaica Producers shed 80 cents to end at $22.50 with 2,510 stock units clearing the market, Jamaica Stock Exchange advanced 44 cents in closing at $10.50 in an exchange of 365 shares. 
JMMB Group dipped $1.15 to close at 52 weeks’ low of $23.80, with 41,688 stock units passing through the market, Margaritaville rose $2.58 to $17.58 after exchanging 111 stocks, Massy Holdings skidded $1.45 to $89 in trading 7,007 units. Mayberry Jamaican Equities gained 52 cents to end at $9.53 after an exchange of 68,648 stock units, Sagicor Group lost $2.93 in closing at $42 with a transfer of 114,096 shares, Seprod climbed $1 and ended at $84 with investors trading 2,091 shares and Supreme Ventures shed 60 cents to end at $25.30 in switching ownership of 35,171 units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions 10.5 % preference share declined $25 and ended at $1,075 with investors trading 95 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main market closes down as trading jumps
Trading activity picked up sharply on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Wednesday, with the volume of stocks traded jumping 131 percent and the value surging 499 percent more than Tuesday, with trading in 58 securities compared with 55 on Tuesday, with prices of 25 stocks rising, 21 declining and 12 ending unchanged resulting in a fall in the market indices but Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator is flashing a positive signal at the close.
The market closed with an exchange of 12,511,690 shares at $136,341,735 from 5,418,018 units at $22,750,182 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 215,719 shares at $2,350,720 up sharply from 98,509 units at $413,640 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 161,130 units at $977,979, in comparison with 152,084 stock units at $750,496 on the previous day and December that averaged 264,266 units at $3,755,946.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 3.67 million shares for 29.3 percent of the total volume followed by Jamaica Broilers with 3.22 million units for 25.7 percent of the day’s trade, JMMB Group 7.5% with 2.35 million units for 18.8 percent market share and Transjamaican Highway with 1.03 million units for 8.2 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index fell 3,548.11 points to settle at 357,372.64, the JSE Main Index declined 2,758.68 points to conclude trading at 320,529.65 and the JSE Financial Index declined 1.77 points to 68.43.
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 none with a lower offer, an indication of a surge in the market at the opening on Thursday.
At the close, AS Bryden rallied $1 and ended at a record high of $40 while exchanging 5,683 units, Barita Investments rose 49 cents to $71 after 6,404 stocks passed through the market, Caribbean Cement climbed $2.24 to close at $57 with an exchange of 1,772 shares. Carreras popped 41 cents in closing at $8.55 with 75,183 stock units clearing the market, First Rock Real Estate advanced 33 cents to end at $7.10 after exchanging 89 shares, Guardian Holdings sank $5 to $390 with a transfer of 46 stock units. Jamaica Broilers lost 65 cents in closing at $33.25 after investors ended trading of 3,216,002 units, Jamaica Producers increased 80 cents to end at $23.30 in an exchange of 178,177 stocks, Jamaica Stock Exchange dipped 96 cents to close at $10.06 with investors trading 4,391 shares. 
Kingston Properties fell 50 cents and ended at $7.05 in switching ownership of 33,468 stocks being traded, Mayberry Group fell 95 cents to $7.50 with 12,001 units, Mayberry Jamaican Equities shed 89 cents to close at $9.01 in trading 30,803 stocks. NCB Financial gained $1.30 in closing at $67.50 with 46,518 units crossing the exchange, Proven Investments dropped $1.30 and ended at $22.18 with traders dealing in 725 stocks, Sagicor Group skidded $1.07 to end at $44.93 after a transfer of 60,625 shares. Salada Foods popped 47 cents to $3.94, with 2,084 stock units crossing the market, Scotia Group advanced 70 cents to close at $38.80 after an exchange of 17,100 shares and Seprod sank $1.99 and ended at $83 with investors transferring 36,072 stock units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% rose $8.17 in closing at $48.17 in an exchange of one stock and Productive Business Solutions 10.5 % preference share rallied $40 to end at $1,100, with 280 units changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Decline for JSE Main Market, Junior & USD markets steady
The Junior Market and the JSE USD market were relatively stable in trading on Wednesday, with the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange declining meaningfully as trading ended with the number and the value of shares trading rising sharply over that on Tuesday as trading ended with 37 ordinary shares rising and 34 declining.
At the close of trading on Wednesday, the JSE Combined Market Index rallied 503.65 points to end trading at 336,013.76, while the All Jamaican Composite Index declined 3,548.11 points to 357,372.64, the JSE Main Index declined 2,758.68 points to lock up trading at 320,529.65. The Junior Market Index slipped 5.71 points to 3,741.82 points and the JSE USD Market Index rallied 1.02 points to end trading at 240.82.
At the close of trading, 16,686,862 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 14,586,125 units on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $145.58 million, up from $38.46 million on Tuesday and the JSE USD market closed after only 22,109 shares were exchanged for US$25,157 compared to 135,574 units at US$3,223 on Tuesday.
Main Market trading was dominated by Wigton Windfarm led trading with 3.67 million shares followed by Jamaica Broilers with 3.22 million units, JMMB Group 7.5% ended with 2.35 million units and Transjamaican Highway with 1.03 million units.
In the Junior Market, Dolla Financial led trading with 1.31 million shares, followed by One Great Studio with 558,940 units and iCreate with 323,373.
At the close of the market, Main Market stocks rising are AS Bryden that rallied $1 and ended at $40, Caribbean Cement climbing $2.24 to $57, NCB Financial gaining $1.30 in closing at $67.50.
Declining Main Market stocks include Guardian Holdings down $5 to $390, Jamaica Stock Exchange dipping 96 cents to $10.06, Mayberry Group declining 95 cents to $7.50, Mayberry Jamaican Equities shedding 89 cents to close at $9.01, Proven Investments dropping $1.30 and ended at $22.18 as Sagicor Group skidded $1.07 to end at $44.93 and Seprod sank $1.99 and ended at $83.
In the Junior Market, rising stocks include Main Event which rose 67 cents to close at $14.97 and the stock with the largest loss in the Junior Market was AMG Packaging fell 64 cents to $2.36.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% rose $8.17 in closing at $48.17 and Productive Business Solutions 10.5 % preference share rallied $40 to end at $1,100.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.6 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.
Most JSE Main Market prices fall but indices rise
Trading activity ended on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 53 percent and the value 39 percent lower than on Monday, following trading in 55 securities compared with 59 on Monday, with prices of 17 stocks rising, 22 declining and 16 ending unchanged including AS Byden that closed at a a record high of $39 with a gain of 73 percent since listing late last year.
The market closed with just 5,418,018 shares trading for a mere $22,750,182 from 11,530,654 units at $37,231,165 on Monday.
Trading averaged 98,509 shares at $413,640 compared to 195,435 units at $631,037 on Monday. Trading for the month to date, averages 152,084 units at $750,496 versus 162,073 units at $813,300 on the previous day and December with an average of 264,266 units at $3,755,946.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 2.32 million shares for 42.9 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 716,006 stock units for 13.2 percent of the day’s trade and Ciboney Group ended with 626,342 units for 11.6 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index popped 900.26 points to end at 360,920.75, the JSE Main Index gained 554.13 points to finish at 323,288.33 and the JSE Financial Index dipped 0.07 points to end at 70.20.
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 six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden rallied $5.51 to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $39 as investors exchanged 19,996 stock units, Barita Investments skidded 31 cents to $70.51 after a transfer of 11,254 shares, but ahead of the release of announcing a dividend of $1.634 to be paid on the second of February, Berger Paints fell 67 cents to close at $6.03, with 1,115 stocks changing hands. Caribbean Cement sank $2.86 in closing at $54.76 with 645 shares being traded, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rose $1.98 and ended at $40 after an exchange of 400 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange climbed $1.01 to $11.02 with a transfer of 1,129 stock units. JMMB Group increased 91 cents to close at $24.95 after exchanging 8,584 units, NCB Financial declined 78 cents in closing at $66.20 with investors transferring 27,475 stocks,
Pan Jamaica lost 30 cents to end at $50.20 in switching ownership of 358 shares. Scotia Group shed 90 cents and ended at $38.10 with investors trading 34,014 units, Seprod popped $2.49 to $84.99 while exchanging 45,431 stocks, Supreme Ventures advanced 49 cents to $25.99 in trading 19,835 stock units. Sygnus Credit Investments dropped 39 cents in closing at $10.90, with 115,762 shares crossing the market and Wisynco Group gained $1.14 and ended at $21.20 in trading 121,700 stock units.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 7.35% – 2028 dipped 30 cents to close at $3 with 200,294 stocks clearing the market and 138 Student Living preference share rose $10.82 to $130.82 with investors trading 2 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.