The Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended with gains in the major market indices rising on Thursday, following a solid 167 percent rise in the volume of stocks traded with a 65 percent jump in value over trading on Wednesday, with trading in 57 securities compared with 51 on Wednesday, and ended with the prices of 19 rising, 27 declining, and 11 ending unchanged.
A total of 16,120,424 shares were traded for $137,525,796 compared to 6,033,114 units at $83,588,030 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 282,814 shares at $2,412,733 compared with 118,296 stocks at $1,638,981 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 293,471 units at $2,163,573 compared with 294,080 units at $2,149,357 on the previous day. Trading in June averaged 366,795 units at $6,952,581, including trading in bonds.
Stanley Motta led trading with 5.44 million shares for 33.8 percent of total volume, followed by Sygnus Real Estate Finance with 3.02 million units for 18.7 percent of the day’s trade, JMMB Group 7.35% – 2028 ended with 1.82 million units for 11.3 percent market share, Transjamaican Highway chipped in with 1.48 million units for 9.2 percent of the market trades and Wigton Windfarm with 1.15 million units for 7.1 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index popped 2,392.06 points to 365,690.74, the JSE Main Index gained 2,674.68 points to close at 328,877.60 and the JSE Financial Index rose 0.19 points to settle at 72.14.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.1 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are computed based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for financial years ending up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints declined 37 cents in closing at $7.60 with a transfer of 121 shares, Caribbean Producers shed 60 cents to close at $10.40 with shareholders swapping 16,046 stocks, First Rock Real Estate lost 58 cents to end at $9.50 with an exchange of 101 stock units, Guardian Holdings dropped $2 to $438. with investors trading 22 units. Jamaica Broilers gained 45 cents in ending at $34.75 after a transfer of 695 shares, 
Jamaica Producers dipped $1.41 to $19.08 in an exchange of 261,531 stock units, Kingston Properties fell 72 cents to close at $6.77 with stakeholders exchanging 5,150 units, Margaritaville rose 80 cents to $14.80 after an exchange of 3,944 stocks, Massy Holdings popped $2.45 and ended at $101 with 15 units clearing the market, Mayberry Investments climbed 78 cents to $8.80 after exchanging 67 shares, Palace Amusement shed 40 cents ended at $2.05 and closed with an exchange of 15,238 stocks, Proven Investments increased 70 cents to end at $23.25 as investors exchanged 106 stock units. Sagicor Group lost $1 to close at a 52 weeks’ low of $44 with investors transferring 283,656 stocks, Seprod dipped $2.50 to close at $71 with investors trading 974 units and Supreme Ventures advanced 60 cents in closing at $29.10, as 100,722 stock units passed through the market.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 10.50% preference share rallied $150 and ended at $1,250 while exchanging 900 shares, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% increased $97 to $2,900 in an exchange of one unit 
138 Student Living preference share fell $9.24 in closing at $78, with 192 shares crossing the exchange, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share gained $1.50 to end at $101.50 in switching ownership of 26 stock units and Transjamaican Highway 8% dropped 62 cents to close at $2.40, with 44,429 stocks changing hands.Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Rising stocks push JSE Markets higher
The JSE USD Market slipped at the close of trading on Thursday but the main and the Junior Market enjoyed a day of positive movement from the start of trading and never gave up the gains after investors pumped substantially more money into stocks by the close and ended with the volume and value of stocks traded, surging well over Wednesday’s levels.
At the close, the JSE Combined Market Index rose 2,679.41 points to 342,890.87, the All Jamaican Composite Index popped 2,392.06 points to 365,690.74, the JSE Main Index surged 2,674.68 points to finish at 328,877.60, while the Junior Market Index climbed 20.08 points to 3,935.55 and the JSE USD Market Index fell 5.2 points to end at 245.27.
Trading of preference shares ending with notable price changes for Jamaica Public Service 9.5% increasing $97 to $2,900, while 138 Student Living preference share fell $9.24 in closing at $78, Productive Business 10.50% preference shares rallying $150 to end at $1,250, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share gaining $1.50 to end at $101.50.
At the close, investors exchanged 49,783,784 shares in all three markets, up sharply from 18,797,388 stocks on 
Wednesday. The value of stocks trading in the Junior and Main Markets jumped to $245.97 million from $119.29 million on Wednesday. Trading on the JSE USD market ended with investors exchanging 1,106,224 shares for US$42,488, down from 88,156 units at US$3,695 on Wednesday.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks ended at 18.1 on 2022-23 earnings and 12.1 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. It shows companies 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 trading sinks
At the close of trading, the All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 2,254.10 points to 363,298.68, the JSE Main Index lost 1,843.86 points to conclude trading at 326,202.92 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.61 points to close at 71.95 as activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market slumped on Wednesday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 58 percent and the value 50 percent lower than on Tuesday.
A total of just 51 securities traded, down from 58 on Tuesday, with the price of 20 rising, 22 falling and nine ending unchanged.
A total of 6,033,114 shares were traded for $83,588,030 compared to 14,463,415 units at $168,226,895 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 118,296 shares at $1,638,981 compared with 249,369 units at $2,900,464 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 294,080 units at $2,149,357 compared with 303,536 units at $2,176,814 on the previous day. Trading in June ended with an average of 366,795 units at $6,952,581, including trading in bonds.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 1.21 million shares for 20 percent of total volume, followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.06 million units for 17.6 per cent of the day’s trade and Wigton Windfarm with 765,428 units for 12.7 percent of market share.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are calculated 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 11 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and 10 with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints climbed 37 cents to close at $7.97 with a transfer of a mere 180 shares, Caribbean Producers lost 45 cents and ended at $11 after closing with an exchange of 1,444 stock units, Eppley dipped $1 to end at $35, with 470 units crossing the exchange, First Rock Real Estate gained $1.08 in closing at $10.08 after a transfer of 28,892 stocks, Jamaica Broilers dropped 69 cents to $34.30 in an exchange of 39,168 stock units, 
Jamaica Producers advanced 94 cents to $20.49 in trading 30,521 stocks, JMMB Group fell 78 cents and finished at $28 after trading 11,759 units, Kingston Properties popped 79 cents to $7.49, with 1,926 shares crossing the market, Mayberry Jamaican Equities rose 34 cents to $11.85, with 300 stocks changing hands,Proven Investments increased $1.05 in closing at $22.55 in switching ownership of 1,006 units, Sagicor Group declined by a $1 and ended at at 52 weeks’ closing low of $45 with an exchange of 490,085 stock units, Sagicor Real Estate Fund rallied 50 cents to end at $8.50 as 735 shares passed through the market, 
Supreme Ventures shed 50 cents in closing at $28.50 while exchanging 22,292 stock units and Wisynco Group gained 38 cents to close at $17.99 after trading 19,485 stocks.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% fell $9.18 to close at $52.02, with 14 shares crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading picks up for JSE Main Market
Trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 12 percent and the value 29 percent more than trading on Monday, with 58 securities trading compared with 56 on Monday and ended with prices of 27 rising, 18 declining and 13 ending unchanged.
A total of 14,463,415 shares were traded for $168,226,895 compared to 16,376,768 units at $130,799,765 on Monday.
Trading averaged 249,369 shares at $2,900,464 versus 292,442 units at $2,335,710 on Monday and month to date, an average of 303,536 stocks at $2,176,814, compared to 307,066 units at $2,129,655 on the previous day. June ended with an average of 366,795 units at $6,952,581, including bond trading.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 4.81 million shares for 33.3 percent of total volume, followed by JMMB Group7.35% – 2028 with 1.88 million units for 13 percent of the day’s trade, Sagicor Select Financial Fund chipped in with 1.42 million units for 9.8 percent market share, NCB Financial ended with 1.37 million units for 9.5 percent market share and Wigton Windfarm with 1.27 million units for 8.8 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 114.21 points to 365,552.78, the JSE Main Index fell 1,300.23 points to 328,046.78 and the JSE Financial Index shed 0.46 points to close at 72.56.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.1 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are calculated 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 ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement shed 64 cents to end at $56.85 in trading 1,526 shares, Carreras rose 39 cents and finished at $8.43 with a transfer of 176,063 stock units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rallied 50 cents to $40 after 5,758 units passed through the market, Guardian Holdings climbed $10 to close at $440 in an exchange of 160 stocks. Jamaica Producers declined 95 cents in closing at $19.55 with 500 units clearing the market, Key Insurance popped 43 cents in closing at $2.94 in switching ownership of 13,226 stocks after hitting an intraday 52 weeks’ low of $2.15, Kingston Wharves rallied 75 cents to close at $30 with investors trading 6,400 shares, 
Margaritaville dipped $1.11 to end at $13.89 with an exchange of 400 stock units. Massy Holdings advanced 55 cents to $98.55 in an exchange of 36 stock units, Mayberry Investments fell 47 cents to $8.02 after exchanging 41,126 shares, Mayberry Jamaican Equities dropped 39 cents in closing at $11.51 with 37,576 stock units crossing the market, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy increased $7.12 to end at $78.32 as 126 units crossed over the exchange. NCB Financial climbed $1 to $75 after trading 1,370,510 stock units, Proven Investments lost $1.75 to close at $21.50, with 469 shares changing hands, Sagicor Real Estate Fund declined 35 cents and ended at $8 after closing with an exchange of 50,265 stocks. Seprod popped 50 cents to close at $73.50 with shareholders swapping 10,537 units, Supreme Ventures increased $1.01 in closing at $29 after a transfer of 67,440 stock units, Sygnus Real Estate Finance advanced $1.25 to $12.15 after an exchange of 795 shares.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 10.50% preference share shed $150 and ended at $1,100 with 100 units crossing the market, Eppley 7.50% preference share rose 47 cents to end at $6.59 while exchanging 571 stocks, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% dropped $297 
to close at $2,803, with stakeholders exchanging two units, 138 Student Living preference share fell $15.39 in closing at $87.24 as investors traded 32 shares and Transjamaican Highway 8% rallied 60 cents to $3 in an exchange of 200 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Main and Junior Markets fell and JSE USD rose
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange dipped on Tuesday but the USD Market closed moderately higher at the end of trading with the volume and value of stocks traded increasing over Monday trades.
At the close, the JSE Combined Market Index dropped 1,264.67 points to 341,903.42, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 114.21 points to 365,552.78, the JSE Main Index fell 1,300.23 points to 328,046.78, while the Junior Market Index slipped 5.61 points to 3,912.36 and the JSE USD Market Index added 3.25 points to settle at 248.02.
Trading of Preference shares with notable price changes are Productive Business 10.50% preference share shed $150 to end at $1,100, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% dropped $297 to close at $2,803, 138 Student Living preference share fell $15.39 to $87.24 and Transjamaican Highway 8% preference shares rallied 60 cents to $3.
At the close, investors exchanged 25,471,611 shares, in all three markets, compared with 20,410,245 stocks on Monday. The value of stocks trading in the Junior and Main Markets was $192.9 million, up from $143.54 million on Monday. Trading on the JSE USD market ended with investors exchanging 329,260 shares for US$12,513 up from 199,644 units at US$11,531 on Monday.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks ended at 18.2 on 2022-23 earnings and 12.2 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. It shows companies 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.
Three day rally for JSE Main Market
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange ended on Monday, with the major market indices jumping for a third consecutive day even as the volume of stocks traded declined marginally by 6 percent and the value climbed 16 percent more than on Friday, with trading in 56 securities compared with 58 on Friday, resulting in the prices of 16rising, 21 falling and 19 ending unchanged.
A total of 16,376,768 shares were traded for $130,799,765 compared to 17,423,772 units at $113,062,974 on Friday.
Trading averaged 292,442 shares at $2,335,710 compared to 300,410 shares at $1,949,362 on Friday and month to date, an average of 307,066 units at $2,129,655, compared to 308,048 units at $2,115,819 on the previous trading day. June closed with an average of 366,795 units at $6,952,581, including trading in bonds.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 6.29 million shares for 38.4 percent of total volume, followed by JMMB Group 7.35% – 2028 with 1.93 million units for 11.8 percent of the day’s trade, Carreras was next with 1.55 million units for 9.5 percent market share, Wigton Windfarm closed with 1.48 million units for 9.1 percent of the day’s trades and QWI Investments with 1.26 million units for 7.7 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index gained 2,921.07 points to finish at 365,438.57, the JSE Main Index popped 1,479.39 points to 329,347.01 and the JSE Financial Index rose 0.25 points to 73.02.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.1 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are calculated 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 five with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments dipped $1.50 to $74.50 after trading 9,979 shares, Caribbean Cement jumped $7.46 in closing at $57.49, with 169,426 units crossing the market, Caribbean Producers climbed 70 cents to close at $11.47, with 81,091 stocks crossing the exchange, Guardian Holdings shed $25 and ended at $430 after it closed with an exchange of 261 stock units, 
Jamaica Producers increased 50 cents to end at $20.50 after a transfer of 25,601 units, Key Insurance lost 43 cents and ended at $2.51, with stakeholders exchanging 39,760 stock units, Kingston Wharves fell 55 cents to end at $29.25 after an exchange of 531 shares, Massy Holdings dropped 50 cents in closing at $98 after exchanging 12,898 stocks, Mayberry Investments advanced 33 cents to close at $8.49 while exchanging 591 stock units, NCB Financial declined 99 cents to $74 with investors transferring 809,369 units, Seprod dipped $1.10 and ended at $73 after 1,514 shares crossed the market, Supreme Ventures popped 50 cents in closing at $27.99 with a transfer of 5,700 stocks, Sygnus Credit Investments rallied $1.20 to $12.37 in an exchange of 84,056 stocks and Victoria Mutual Investments declined 37 cents to end at $3 in trading 319,190 units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 10.50% preference share gained $272.50 to close at $1,250 as investors exchanged four shares,
Jamaica Public Service 7% dropped $8.80 to close at $61.20 with 403 stock units clearing the market, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share shed $2 after it ended at $100 in switching ownership of 571 units and Transjamaican Highway 8% fell 65 cents to $2.40 with shareholders swapping 436 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Main & JSE USD Markets rally Juniors fall
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange jumped sharply on Monday and the USD Market closed moderately higher at the end of trading but the Junior Market could not hold on to early morning gains and slipped lower to close out the day, following a decline in the volume of stocks traded at an increased value compared to Friday.
The JSE Combined Market Index climbed 1,279.08 points in ending at 343,168.10, while the All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 2,921.07 points to 365,438.57, the JSE Main Index popped 1,479.39 points to 329,347.0, the Junior Market Index slipped 11.07 points to end at 3,917.98 and the JSE USD Market Index added 5.89 points to settle at 244.77.
Preference shares with notable price movements are Productive 10.50% preference share that jumped $272.50 to $1250, Jamaica Public Service 7% dropping $8.80 to close at $61.20, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share shedding $2 and to end at $100 and Transjamaican Highway 8% fell that fell 65 cents to $2.40.
At the close, investors exchanged 20,410,245 shares, in all three markets, compared with 26,925,878 stocks on Friday. The value of stocks trading in the Junior and Main Markets was $143.54 million, up from $133.9 million on Friday.
Trading on the JSE USD market ended with investors exchanging 199,644 shares for US$11,531 from 584,142 units at US$30,721 on Friday.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks ended at 18.1 on 2022-23 earnings and 12.2 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. It shows companies 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.
Major price changes for ICTOP10
The past week was one of contrast, with the Main Market rising and the Junior Market declining moderately, as the ICOP10 stocks recorded mixed results ranging from increases of 21 percent and losses of as much as 12 percent, at the same time, Transjamacian Highway that ended last week at $2.78, came under selling pressure on Friday and closed at $2.50 after reaching a record high of $2.88 on Monday and continues to a great buy, especially with the price pulling back.
Guardian Holdings jumped 21 percent during the week
For the week, 5 Junior Market TOP10 stocks declined and just two rose, while the Main Market ended with 5 rising and 4 declining. Image Plus closed at a record high on Friday and dropped out of the TOP10 along with Iron Rock Insurance. Everything Fresh and Elite Diagnostic replaced them, with the latter dropping to a record low of $1.55. There were no changes to the listing for the Main Market TOP10.
In the Junior Market, Image Plus having listed in January this year and never got the usual big IPO bounce, now seems to be just coming into its own, with a 20 percent jump to close the week at $2.50 after the price hit a record high of $2.60 on Friday and was followed by Caribbean Cream, up 10 percent to $4.49 as declining stocks dominated the week with iCreate dropping 12 percent to $1, followed by Dolla Financial shedding 9 percent to $2.08, with Dolphin Cove and OneonOne falling 8 percent to $15 and $1 respectively.
Guardian Holdings jumped 21 percent to $455, following changes in NCB Financial top management team, while Caribbean Producers rose 8 percent to $10.77, Sygnus Credit 
Investments fell 12 percent to $11.17 and Caribbean Cement slipped 9 percent to $50.03.
At the end of the week, the average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP 10 is 6, well below the market average of 13.1. The Main Market TOP10 is projected to have an average of 256 percent, to May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings.
The 14 most highly valued Main Market stocks representing 30 percent of the Main Market are priced at a PE of 15 to 98, with an average of 30 and 20 excluding the highest PE ratios, with a PE of 23 for the top half and 18 excluding the stocks with the highest PEs.
The Junior Market Top 10 PE sits at 5.6 compared with the market at 11.1. There are 9 stocks representing 19 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 41, averaging 21 that are well above the average of the market. The top half of the market has an average PE of 16, possibly the lowest fair value for Junior Market stocks currently and projected to rise by 264 percent to May 2024.
The divergence between the average PE ratio of the Main and Junior Markets and the overall market valuation are important indicators of the level of likely gains for ICTOP10 stocks.
Investors continue to nibble away at a number of stocks and gradually reducing the supply of several of them that are attractively priced as the market moves through the summer months, the start of the stock market year when new results will be coming to the market for investors to assess and determine what to do.
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.
IC TOP10 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 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.
More gains for JSE Main Market
The Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market closed higher for a second consecutive day on Friday, with the volume of stocks changing hands climbing 42 percent and the value 41 percent lower than on Thursday, with 58 securities trading compared with 52 on Thursday, with 26 rising, 19 declining and 13 ending unchanged.
A total of 17,423,772 shares were exchanged for $113,062,974 versus 12,158,165 units at $187,080,964 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 300,410 shares at $1,949,362 compared with 233,811 units at $3,597,711 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 308,048 stocks at $2,115,819, compared with 308,619 units at $2,128,260 on the previous day. Trading in June closed with an average of 366,795 units at $6,952,581, including trading in bonds.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 5.75 million shares for 33.3 percent of total volume, followed by JMMB Group 7.35% – 2028 with 2.57 million units for 14.9 percent of the day’s trade, Sagicor Select Financial Fund ended with 2.53 million units for 14.6 percent market share, QWI Investments controlled 1.46 million units for 8.4 percent of the market and Wigton Windfarm with 1.40 million units for 8.1 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 91.12 points to 362,517.50, the JSE Main Index rose 906.61 points to 327,867.62 and the JSE Financial Index dipped 0.08 points to 72.77.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.1 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are calculated 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 seven stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments rallied $1.50 and ended at $76 after trading 57,195 shares, First Rock Real Estate fell $1.45 in closing at $9, with 3,400 stock units clearing the market, Guardian Holdings climbed $4 to $455 as investors exchanged 849 units, Jamaica Broilers gained 47 cents to end at $35 with a transfer of 22,072 stocks. Jamaica Stock Exchange dipped $1.21 to close at $10.22 in an exchange of 36,696 stock units, JMMB Group dropped 30 cents in closing at $28.90 in trading 28,280 stocks, Kingston Wharves popped 31 cents and ended at $29.80 after an exchange of 21,223 shares, Margaritaville advanced 40 cents to $15 after an exchange of 54 units. 
Massy Holdings declined 50 cents to end at $98.50, with 5,272 stock units crossing the market, Mayberry Jamaican Equities rose 40 cents to close at $11.90 and closed after 2,505 stocks changed hands, NCB Financial increased $2.49 to end at $74.99 in switching ownership of 709,089 units, 138 Student Living advanced 65 cents to close at $4.65 with an exchange of 111,931 shares. Pan Jamaica shed $1.35 in closing at $49 with stakeholders exchanging 50,625 shares, Proven Investments increased $1.25 to $23.25 in an exchange of 1,228 stocks, Scotia Group rose 70 cents to $33.75, with 204,253 units crossing the market, Seprod climbed $2.10 to $74.10 with investors transferring 3,139 stock units. Supreme Ventures rallied 49 cents to close at $27.49 after a transfer of 208,004 stock units, Sygnus Credit Investments lost 83 cents to end at $11.17 with shareholders swapping 146,619 units, Victoria Mutual Investments gained 37 cents in closing at $3.37, with 56,404 stocks changing hands and Wisynco Group popped 30 cents to end at $18 with 50,440 shares crossing the exchange.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share rallied 91 cents in closing at $6.12, as 3,056 units passed through the market, Jamaica Public Service 7% dipped $1 to $70 while exchanging 1,022 stocks. JMMB Group 7.25% due 2024 preference share fell 30 cents and ended at $1.70 with investors transferring 208,689 shares and 138 Student Living preference share rose $13.39 to close at $102.63 in trading one stock unit.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Main Market rallies others fall
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange rose moderately on Friday, but the Junior Market and the USD Market slipped lower following a rise in the volume of stocks traded but with a lower value than Thursday as the markets continue to consolidate.
At the close, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 535.15 points to 341,889.02, the All Jamaican Composite Index rose 91.12 points to 362,517.50, the JSE Main Index rose 906.61 points to 327,867.62 while the Junior Market Index lost 33.95 points to end at 3,929.05 and the JSE USD Market Index fell 4.07 points to settle at 238.88.
Trading of Preference shares with notable price movements are Eppley 7.50% preference share rallied 91 cents in closing at $6.12, Jamaica Public Service 7% dipped $1 to $70 and 138 Student Living preference share jumped $13.39 to close at $102.63.
At the close, investors exchanged 26,925,878 shares, in all three markets, compared with 18,916,750 stocks on Thursday. The value of stocks trading in the Junior and Main markets was $133.9 million, down from $217 million on Thursday. Trading on the JSE USD market ended with investors exchanging 584,142 shares for US$30,721 from 477,710 units at US$21,075 on Thursday.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks ended at 18.1 on 2022-23 earnings and 12.2 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. It shows companies 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.