Trading activity bounced on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Friday and sending the market indices soaring with the All Jamaican Composite Index jumping 5,002.74 points to 355,792.10, as the JSE Main Index surged 6,694.66 points to close at 327,042.43 and the JSE Financial Index rallied 2.25 points to 72.45.following a 63 percent jump in the volume of stocks traded accompanied by a 150 percent increase in the value over Thursday after trading in 59 securities compared with 56 on Thursday, with 29 rising, 20 declining and 10 ending unchanged.
A total of 22,184,532 shares were traded for $189,538,021 compared with 13,644,908 units at $75,752,827 on Thursday, including General Accident that was added to the Main Market but only traded 100 shares at the price of $6.
Trading averaged 376,009 shares at $3,212,509 compared with 248,672 shares at $1,377,324 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 221,775 units at $1,796,258 versus 213,334 units at $1,718,745 on the previous day. August closed with an average of 313,108 units at $1,846,392.
Stanley Motta led trading with 6.05 million shares for 27.3 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 5.56 million units for 25.1 percent of the day’s trade, Wigton Windfarm ended with 3.21 million units for 14.5 percent of market share and Radio Jamaica with 2.32 million units for 10.5 percent of the overall volume.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.4. 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 up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 13 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and seven with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments skidded $4.90 and ended at a 52 weeks; low of $70, with 654,421 shares changing hands, Berger Paints gained 43 cents to close at $7.47 with traders dealing in 3,603 stocks, Caribbean Cement jumped $4.80 in closing at $56.80 with an exchange of 359,134 units, Guardian Holdings rallied $16.60 to $506.60 after 255 stock units crossed the market. Jamaica Broilers popped $1.50 to end at $34 after 220,631 units passed through the market, Jamaica Producers shed 50 cents to close at $19.50 with shareholders swapping 2,099 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange declined $1 to end at $9 after trading 286,744 stocks, JMMB Group increased $1.70 in closing at $29 and ended with 113,305 stocks changing hands. Kingston Properties advanced 31 cents to $8 in switching ownership of 248,150 units, Kingston Wharves climbed $1 and ended at $30 with investors transferring 111,326 shares, Margaritaville rallied 55 cents in closing at $16.60 with 17,775 stock units clearing the market, 
Mayberry Investments dropped $1 to end at $7 in an exchange of 279,105 stocks. Mayberry Jamaican Equities lost 50 cents and ended at $10 after exchanging 6,074 stock units, NCB Financial rose $4.97 to $69.97 in an exchange of 51,699 stocks, Proven Investments dipped $1.87 to close at $20.12 with stakeholders exchanging 11,810 units, Pulse Investments fell 36 cents and ended at $2.06 with investors dealing in 10,577 shares. Radio Jamaica increased 38 cents to end at $1.79 as investors exchanged 2,318,438 units, Sagicor Group gained $3.48 in closing at $48.48, with 202,225 shares crossing the market, Seprod climbed $4.91 to $74.90 after 75,505 stock units passed through the exchange and Stanley Motta advanced 35 cents to close at $5.95 in trading 6,053,426 stocks.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% popped $6.40 and ended at $48.40 after an exchange of 113 stock units and JMMB Group 7% preference share rallied 43 cents in closing at $2.30 after 522 shares were traded.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading dives on the JSE Main Market
Trading activity dropped on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Thursday from Wednesday’s levels, with the volume of stocks traded declining 70 percent and the value 77 percent lower, after trading occurred in 55 securities, down from 57 on Wednesday and ended with 20 rising, 15 declining and 20 ending unchanged.
A total of 13,644,908 shares were traded for $75,752,827 down from 45,685,912 units at $335,401,719 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 248,089 shares at $1,377,324 versus 801,507 shares at $5,884,241 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 213,334 units at $1,718,745, compared with 211,465 units at $1,737,101 on the previous day. August closed with an average of 316,608 units at $1,867,646.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 4.75 million shares for 34.8 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 3.18 million units for 23.3 percent of the day’s trade and Stanley Motta with 2.12 million units for 15.5 percent of the day’s trade.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 368.40 points to 350,789.36, the JSE Main Index shed 2,429.16 points to close at 320,347.77 and the JSE Financial Index fell 1.52 points to 70.20.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.6. 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 up to 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, Barita Investments fell $3.20 to $74.90 and closed with an exchange of 18,238 shares, Caribbean Producers climbed 86 cents in closing at $9.99 with investors trading 600,538 stocks, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund increased $2.99 to end at $39.99 after trading of 13 stocks. GraceKennedy popped $1 and ended at $74, with 82,680 units crossing the exchange, Guardian Holdings skidded $30 to close at $490 with investors transferring 658 stock units, Jamaica Producers gained $1.28 to close at $20, with just 27 units crossing the market. 
Kingston Wharves rose $1 in closing at $29, with 17,510 stocks changing hands, Mayberry Jamaican Equities dipped 75 cents and ended at $10.50 after hitting an intraday 52 weeks’ low of $8.01, with 3,441 shares clearing the market, NCB Financial dropped $3 to $65 after 227,799 stock units passed through the market. Pan Jamaica rallied $1.20 to end at $50.20 with an exchange of 12,890 stocks, Portland JSX advanced 30 cents to close at $10.80 in switching ownership of 1,939 shares, Proven Investments increased $1.99 and ended at $21.99 with traders dealing in 12,480 units. Sagicor Group rallied 40 cents to $45 with a transfer of 204,396 shares, Seprod rose 74 cents in closing at $69.99, with investors trading 4,137 stock units and Stanley Motta advanced 32 cents to end at $5.60, with 2,117,321 units crossing the market
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share gained $2 to end at $105 with shareholders swapping 1,400 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Mixed trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange
Trading ended mixed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Thursday, with a fall in the volume and value of stocks traded while the Junior Market and the JSE USD Index rose as the JSE Main Market index fell following a $22 fall in the price of Guardian Holdings as the All Jamaican Composite Index rose modestly.
At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index shed 2,157.21 points to close at 334,118.11, the All Jamaican Composite Index increased 368.40 points to close at 350,789.36, the JSE Main Index declined 2,429.16 points to 320,347.77, the Junior Market Index rose 11.60 points to 3,846.67, while the JSE USD Market Index rose 5.22 points to finish at 257.74.
At the close, investors traded 23,642,772 shares in all three markets, down from 58,796,275 stock units on Wednesday. The value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $94.79 million, down from $373.3 million on Wednesday. Trading on the JSE USD market ended with investors exchanging 1,133,465 shares for US$157,008 compared with 1,007,248 units at US$34,775, on Wednesday.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share advanced $2 to end at $105.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks ended at 20 on 2022-23 earnings and 1.11 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report 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 successfully navigate numerous investment options in the local 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 assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Trading surges on JSE Main market
Trading surged on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Wednesday, helped by increased trades in Wigton Windfarm, Grace Kennedy and Transjamaican Highway pushing the volume of stocks traded up by a solid 612 percent and the value 706 percent compared to trading on Tuesday, following trading in 57 securities compared with 52 on Tuesday, and ending prices of with 22 rising, 17 declining and 18 ending unchanged, resulting in a sharp bounce in the market indices.
A total of 45,685,912 shares were traded for $335,401,719 compared to 6,414,893 units at $41,595,803 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 801,507 shares at $5,884,241 compared with 123,363 shares at $799,919 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 211,465 units at $1,737,101, compared with 176,649 units at $1,492,394 on the previous day and August that ended with an average of 316,608 units at $1,867,646.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 30.15 million shares for 66 percent of the volume, Transjamaican Highway followed with 7.88 million units for 17.3 percent of the day’s trade, GraceKennedy with 3.50 million units for 7.7 percent market share and JMMB Group 7.5% with 1.0 million units for 2.2 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 4,951.59 points to settle at 350,420.96, the JSE Main Index surged 6,384.67 points to close at 322,776.93 and the JSE Financial Index climbed 2.18 points to 71.72.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.3. 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 up to 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, Barita Investments fell 40 cents to $78.10 in an exchange of 19,017 shares, Berger Paints skidded 68 cents and ended at $7.04 after an exchange of 3,403 stocks, Caribbean Cement popped $3 in closing at $52 with an exchange of 18,082 stock units, Caribbean Producers shed 89 cents to close at $9.13 after 31,340 units passed through the market. Eppley dropped $7.45 to end at a 52 weeks’ low of $27.55 with investors trading 350 units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund lost $1.90 in closing at $37 crossing the exchange 172 shares, Guardian Holdings surged $75 to end at $520 in trading 403 stocks, Jamaica Broilers rose $1.05 to $32.50, with 59,356 stock unit crossing the market. Jamaica Producers declined $1.28 to close at $18.72 after an exchange of 5,350 stock units, Kingston Properties climbed $1 and ended at $7.50 with traders dealing in 135,929 units, 
Kingston Wharves rallied 51 cents and ended at $28 with a transfer of 93,940 shares, Mayberry Investments advanced 50 cents to $8 with stakeholders exchanging 42,900 stocks. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy jumped $13 to end at $83 while exchanging 1,477 shares, NCB Financial increased $2.50 to close at $68, with 37,557 stocks crossing the market, Pan Jamaica gained $3.25 in closing at $49 with investors dealing in 40,529 stock units. Portland JSX popped $2.07 in closing at $10.50 after 20,000 units changed hands, Supreme Ventures dipped $1.52 to close at $27, with 202,492 stock units changing hands and Wisynco Group rallied 56 cents and ended at $17.90 in an exchange of 175,282 shares.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 7% preference share lost 53 cents to close at $1.87 after a transfer of 3,787 stocks, 138 Student Living preference share leapt $22.70 to end at $103 with investors trading 3,889 units and Productive Business Solutions 10.5 % preference share dipped $1 and ended at $1,214 in switching ownership of 11 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Big bounce for JSE Main Market
The Main Market index of the Jamaica Stock Exchange jumped sharply on Wednesday, with a 17 cents rise in Transjamaican share price following the announcement of a nearly 19 cents dividend payment in October more than twice the last amount paid, and with Guardian Holdings jumping $80, while the Junior Market rose and the JSE USD Index fell, but trading levels surged well above that on Tuesday as Wigton traded 30 million shares and Grace Kennedy 3.5 million shares at $253.8 million.
At close, the JSE Combined Market Index surged 6,224.67 points to close at 336,275.32, while the All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 4,951.59 points to 350,420.96, the JSE Main Index soared 6,384.67 points to end at 322,776.93, the Junior Market Index rose 29.61 points to 3,835.07, while the JSE USD Market Index slipped 1.47 points to finish at 252.52.
In closing, investors traded 58,796,275 shares in all three markets, up from 10,734,163 stock units on Tuesday. The value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $373.3 million, up from $50.2 million on Tuesday. Trading on the JSE USD market ended with investors exchanging 1,007,248 shares for US$34,775 compared with 401,339 units at US$48,561, on Tuesday.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share advanced $22.70 to end at $103 and Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share dipped $1 and ended at $1,214.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks ended at 19.7 on 2022-23 earnings and 10.9 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report 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 successfully navigate numerous investment options in the local 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 assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Kingston Wharves & Scotia lift JSE
Trading activity dropped sharply on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 54 percent and the value 55 percent compared to Monday, with 52 securities trading down from 54 on Monday, with prices of 20 rising, 12 declining and 20 ending unchanged and resulted in Kingston Wharves and Scotia Group jumped more than $2 followed by Supreme Ventures with a rise over $1.
A total of 6,414,893 shares were traded for $41,595,803, far adrift from 14,060,598 units at $91,699,748 on Monday.
Trading averaged 123,363 shares at $799,919 versus 260,381 shares at $1,698,143 on Monday and month to date, an average of 176,649 units at $1,492,394, compared with 179,681 units at $1,531,791 on the previous day and down from August with an average of 316,608 stock units at $1,867,646.
Sagicor Select Financial Fund led trading with 1.76 million shares for 27.5 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.08 million units for 16.9 percent of the day’s trade, Transjamaican Highway with 1.01 million units for 15.8 percent market share and Jamaica Producers with 1.0 million units for 15.6 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 1,077.90 points to 345,469.37, the JSE Main Index rose 586.98 points to close at 316,392.26 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.34 points to 69.54.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.3. 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 up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints increased 57 cents to $7.72 while exchanging 4,030 shares, Caribbean Producers rose 57 cents in closing at $10.02 with just 1,452 stocks crossing the exchange, Eppley declined $1.50 to $35 in an exchange of 125 stocks. GraceKennedy fell 40 cents to close at $73 in an exchange of 6,523 units, Jamaica Stock Exchange rallied 50 cents and ended at $10, with 5,453 shares crossing the market, 
Kingston Properties dropped 78 cents in closing at $6.50 with investors exchanging 5,498 units. Kingston Wharves advanced $2.49 to $27.49, with just 32 stocks changing hands, Massy Holdings dipped 52 cents and ended at $103.88 with an exchange of 250 stock units, Mayberry Investments climbed 38 cents to close at $7.50 after investors traded 15,050 shares. Pulse Investments rose 39 cents to end at $2.39 with investors transferring 278,723 stocks, Scotia Group gained $2.05 in closing at $34.05 with a transfer of 1,941 units, Seprod skidded 41 cents and ended at $68.99 after 1,725 stocks passed through the market and Supreme Ventures increased $1.17 to end at $28.52 after exchanging 59,109 units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share popped 43 cents to close at $6.58 after 201 shares were exchanged, Jamaica Public Service 7% lost $11.07 to close at $42 with shareholders swapping 1,650 stock units and Productive Business Solutions 10.5 % preference share jumped $195 to $1,215 with investors dealing in 21 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Slow Jamaica Stock Exchange trading
In a slow trading session on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Tuesday, Kingston Wharves and Scotia Group jumped over $2 followed by Supreme Ventures with a rise over $1 and helped to lift the Marin Market while the Junior Market rose moderately and the JSE USD Index fell following a sharp drop in the volume and value of stocks traded on the overall market compared with trading on Monday.
At close, the JSE Combined Market Index rose 695.35 points to close at 330,050.64, the All Jamaican Composite Index rose 1,077.90 points to 345,469.37, the JSE Main Index increased 586.98 points to close at 316,392.26, the Junior Market Index rose 16.05 points to settle at 3,805.46, while the JSE USD Market Index rose 3.66 points to finish at 254.00.
At the close, investors traded 10,734,163 shares in all three markets, down from 21,346,569 stock units on Monday. The value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $50.2 million, up from $106.77 million on Monday. Trading on the JSE USD market ended with investors exchanging 401,339 shares for US$48,561 compared with 175,984 units at US$39,421, on Monday.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% lost $11.07 to $42 and Productive Business Solutions 10.5 % preference share climbed $195 to $1,215.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks ended at 19.7 on 2022-23 earnings and 10.8 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report 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 successfully navigate numerous investment options in the local 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 assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
JSE Main Market rallies on trading bounce
Trading picked up on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Monday, with a 263 percent jump in the volume of stocks traded following a 27 percent rise in the value over market activity on Friday, after 54 securities were traded compared with 50 on Friday, with 19 rising, 17 declining and 18 ending unchanged leading to a rise in the market indices at the close of trading.
A total of 14,060,598 shares were traded for $91,699,748 compared to 3,872,550 units at $72,059,401 on Friday.
Trading averaged 260,381 shares at $1,698,143 versus 77,451 shares at $1,441,188 on Friday and month to date, an average of 179,681 units at $1,531,791, compared with 174,613 units at $1,521,345 on the previous day and August with an average of 316,608 units at $1,867,646.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 5.17 million shares for 36.7 percent of total volume followed by QWI Investments with 2.79 million units for 19.9 percent of the day’s trade, Wigton Windfarm with 1.70 million units for 12.1 percent market share and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.24 million units for 8.8 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index advanced 755.20 points to 344,391.47, the JSE Main Index rallied 3,527.99 points to end at 315,805.28 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.47 points to close at 69.88.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.2, 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 up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 12 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments fell 49 cents to end at $78.50, with 69,542 shares crossing the market, Caribbean Producers dropped 74 cents to close at $9.45 and closed with an exchange of 19,489 units, First Rock Real Estate rose $1.10 to $8.40 after 247 stocks ended changing hands, GraceKennedy popped $1.40 in closing at $73.40 in an exchange of 263,558 stock units. Jamaica Broilers gained 41 cents and ended at $31.44. with 13,396 stocks crossing the exchange, Jamaica Producers lost 50 cents and ended at $20, with 423,227 units changing hands, Key Insurance shed 34 cents to end at $2.21 after investors exchanged 35 shares, Kingston Properties increased 38 cents to close at $7.28 with trading in 495 stock units. Kingston Wharves climbed $1 in closing at $25 with shareholders swapping 3,064 shares, 
NCB Financial advanced 40 cents to end at $65.50 with investors transferring 103,724 stocks, Pan Jamaica rallied 75 cents in closing at $45.75, with 35,700 units clearing the market, Proven Investments skidded $4.20 to $20 after a transfer of 3,396 stock units. Sagicor Real Estate Fund gained 30 cents and ended at $8.30 in an exchange of 112 stock units, Scotia Group declined $2 to close at $32 with traders dealing in 265,169 stocks and Seprod dipped 39 cents to end at $69.40 after 2,428 units passed through the market.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share rallied 59 cents to end at $6.15 after an exchange of 1,284 shares, 
Jamaica Public Service 7% climbed $8.78 and ended at $53.07 after trading 197 units and 138 Student Living preference share lost $24.70 to close at $80.30, with 4,300 shares crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main Market index jumps
Trading picked up on the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday, leading to a rise in the market indices but trading on the Junior Market slipped lower and pulled the index down but the JSE USD Index rose, with trading volume falling compared with trading on Friday.
The JSE Combined Market Index rose 3,102.28 points to close at 329,355.29, the All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 755.20 points to close at 344,391.47, the JSE Main Index jumped 3,527.99 points to settle at 315,805.28, the Junior Market Index shed 20.18 points to settle at 3,789.41, while the JSE USD Market Index rose 3.40 points to finish at 257.66.
At the close, investors traded 21,346,569 shares in all three markets, up from 11,124,804 stock units on Friday. The value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $106.77 million, up from $85.12 million on Friday. Trading on the JSE USD market ended with investors exchanging 175,984 shares for US$39,421 compared to 580,017 units at US$10,197, on Friday.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% climbed $8.78 and ended at $53.07 and 138 Student Living preference share lost $24.70 and ended at $80.30.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks ended at 19.9 on 2022-23 earnings and 10.8 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report 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 successfully navigate numerous investment options in the local 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 assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Solid gains for ICTOP10 stocks
The ICTOP10 stocks racked up some solid gains to close out the past week, even as the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior and the Main Market that suffered losses last week declined further this past week.
The Main Market had just two stocks with notable price changes this past week, with Scotia Group jumping 13 percent to $34 and Key Insurance slipping 8 percent to close the week at $2.55. There were more changes of note in the Junior Market ICTOP10 that closed the week with a 15 percent rise in General Accident Insurance to $5.24, the price of Elite Diagnostic rose 11 percent to $1.79 and Iron Rock Insurance gained 5 percent to end at $2.20. Image Plus with a 4 percent loss to $2.02, was the only declining stock of note.
Earnings for Margaritaville was adjusted to $3.10 for the current fiscal year ending May 2024, placing the stock at number 5 on the list.
At the end of the week, the average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP 10 is 5, well below the market average of 12.2. The Main Market TOP10 is projected to gain an average of 298 percent, to May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings.
A total of 11 of the most highly valued stocks representing 23 percent of the Main Market are priced with a PE of 16 to 84, with an average of 31 and 21 excluding the highest PE ratios, with a PE of 21 for the top half and 17 excluding the stocks with the over weighted valuations.
The PE of the Junior Market Top 10 sits at 5.2 just half of the market at 10.4. There are 10 stocks or 26 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 29, averaging 19 that are well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 15, possibly the lowest fair value for Junior Market stocks currently, and projected to rise by 288 percent to May 2024.
The divergence between the average PE of the Main and Junior Markets and the overall market valuation are important indicators of the level of likely gains for ICTOP10 stocks.
The markets are not in a bullish state but there continue to be cases of slow upward movements in some prices as investors respond to some recent results leading them to quietly nibble away at the supplies of a number of stocks on offer and paving the way for price appreciation ahead. The list includes stocks such as Access Financial, AMG Packaging, Everything Fresh, Dolphin Cove, Caribbean Cream, Caribbean Assurance Brokers, Lasco Distributors, Lasco Manufacturing and Transjamaican Highway.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners, accordingly, the list includes some of the best companies in the market but not always. 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 are likely to deliver the best returns up to the end of 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 changes 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.