Trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Tuesday with a big surge in the volume of stocks traded over that on Monday, with a 695 percent jump in volume and a 377 percent jump in the value after trading in 58 securities compared with 56 on Monday, with 18 rising, 27 declining and 13 ending unchanged.
A total of 76,180,578 shares were traded for $630,021,406 in contrast with 9,586,592 units at $132,203,147 on Monday.
Trading averaged 1,313,458 shares at $10,862,438 compared to 171,189 shares at $2,360,770 on Monday and month to date, an average of 752,344 units at $6,686,180. Trading in June closed with an average of 366,795 units at $6,952,581 including trading in Bonds.
JMMB Group 7.25% preference share – 2024, led trading with 50.25 million shares for 66 percent of total volume, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund followed with 8.35 million units for 11 percent of the day’s trade, Transjamaican Highway chipped in with 3.20 million units for 4.2 percent market share, Kingston Wharves ended with 2.75 million units for 3.6 percent of shares traded, Ciboney Group had 2.39 million units trading for 3.1 percent of the market s and Jamaica Stock Exchange with 2.22 million units for 2.9 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index shed 659.59 points to close at 366,145.89, the JSE Main Index fell 272.83 points to end trading at 328,865.48 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.57 points to 72.46.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.4 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are computed based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement fell $1.04 to close at $57.96 with a transfer of 14,586 shares, Caribbean Producers dipped 75 cents in closing at $10.05 in an exchange of 13,592 stock units, Ciboney Group rose 38 cents and ended at a 52 weeks’ high of $1.56, with 2,393,664 stocks crossing the market, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund dropped $4 to end at $39 as investors exchanged 8,348,944 units. First Rock Real Estate rallied 93 cents to $10, with 154,732 stocks crossing the exchange, 
Guardian Holdings surged $32.50 to $452.50 with 131 stock units passing through the market, Jamaica Stock Exchange lost 60 cents to end at $11.50 in an exchange of 2,215,100 shares, JMMB Group climbed 47 cents and ended at $32.47, with 8,676 units changing hands. Kingston Wharves shed $2 in closing at $28 with shareholders swapping 2,745,588 units, Massy Holdings popped $2 to close at $101 with an exchange of 2,700 stock units, Mayberry Jamaican Equities advanced 40 cents in closing at $11.70 after stakeholders traded 3,598 stocks. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy declined 98 cents to close at $60.02 after 667 shares were traded, NCB Financial lost 90 cents and ended at a 52 weeks’ low of $65.05 with 301,043 units clearing the market, Proven Investments rallied $2.03 to end at $25.06 after 10 stock units were traded. Sagicor Group gained $1 to end at $49 after a transfer of 7,962 shares, Seprod declined $2.91 in closing at $75.31 in switching ownership of 9,729 stocks and Supreme Ventures shed 45 cents to end at $29 as 12,335 shares passed through the market.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share dipped $1.08 and ended at $6.09 in trading 20,000 units, Jamaica Public Service 7% dropped $8.62 to close at $48.88 after an exchange of 100 stocks, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% fell $22 to end at $2978 while exchanging just one stock unit. 138 Student Living preference share rose $17 to end at $105 after exchanging 193 shares and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share rallied $12.90 to $103 with investors transferring 3 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading bumped up over Monday
Trading surged on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Tuesday, as the Junior Market index rose but the Main and the USD markets declined after trading level more than doubled that on Monday as Eppley traded 8.4 million shares at a value of $358 million and JMMB Group 7.25C preference share traded 5 million units for $96.5 million
At the close, the JSE Combined Market Index dipped 113.78 points to end at 343,326.17, the All Jamaican Composite Index fell 659.59 points to 366,145.89, the JSE Main Index slipped 272.83 points to 328,865.48 fell 659.59 points to 366,145.89, the JSE Main Index declined 272.83 points to 328,865.48. The Junior Market Index rose 15.38 points to close at 3,984.34. The JSE USD Market Index fell 6.53 points to close at 242.48.
Preference shares with notable price movements but not in the Main Market TOP10 graphs are Eppley 7.50% preference share that dipped $1.08 to $6.09, Jamaica Public Service 7% dropping $8.62 to close at $48.88. Jamaica Public Service 9.5% fell $22 to end at $2978, 138 Student Living preference share rose $17 to end at $105 and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share rallied $12.90 to $103.
At the close, investors exchanged 83,893,459 shares in all three markets, up sharply from 24,673,817 stocks on Monday. The value of stocks trading in the Junior and Main markets was $654.8 million, a big climb from $192.4 million on Monday. 
Trading on the JSE USD market ended with an exchange of 447,072 shares for US$12,058 from 1,296,152 units at US$10,636 on Monday.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks ended at 18.8 on 2022-23 earnings and 12.6 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 and 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 and 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 base 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 down first time in 4 days
The Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market suffered its first decline in four days as it started out the new month on a negative footing on Monday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 62 percent and the value 47 percent lower than on Friday and leading to trading in 56 securities compared with 55 on Friday and ended, with 19 rising, 24 declining and 13 ending unchanged.
A total of 9,586,592 shares were traded for $132,203,147 down from 25,472,457 units at $247,227,632 on Friday.
Trading averaged 171,189 shares at $2,360,770 compared with 463,136 stock units at $4,495,048 on Friday. June closed with an average of 366,795 stock units at $6,952,581, including trading in the Corporate Bond section.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 3.97 million shares with 41.4 percent of total volume, followed by Eppley Caribbean Property Fund with 1.22 million stock units for 12.8 percent of the day’s trade and Wigton Windfarm with 983,613 units for 10.3 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dived 3,768.45 points to 366,805.48, the JSE Main Index dropped 2,896.62 points to 329,138.31 and the JSE Financial Index fell 1.06 points to settle at 71.89.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.6 for the Main Market. 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 two with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments rose 91 cents in closing at $75 after an exchange of 53,075 shares, Caribbean Cement climbed $1 to $59, with 1,505 units changing hands, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rallied $1.05 to close at $43 after 1,223,210 stocks passed through the market, First Rock Real Estate dropped $1.19 and ended at a 52 weeks’ low of $9.07 in trading 22,157 stock units. GraceKennedy dipped $1 to $78 with stakeholders exchanging 179,610 shares, Jamaica Broilers climbed $1 in closing at $36, with an exchange of 15,933 stock units, Jamaica Stock Exchange popped 57 cents and ended at $12.10, with 19,890 stocks crossing the market, JMMB Group declined $1 to end at $32 in switching ownership of 22,750 units. Mayberry Investments lost 58 cents to close at $8.50 after an exchange of 1,391 shares, 
NCB Financial traded 319,722 shares and lost 5 cents in closing at a 52 weeks’ low of $65.95, Pan Jamaica fell 89 cents to close at $53 as investors traded 67,386 units. Proven Investments shed $2.77 to end at $23.03 after an exchange of 2,213 stock units, Sagicor Group declined $1 to close at $48 with a transfer of 68,657 stocks, Scotia Group increased 50 cents to $34.50, with 25,150 units crossing the market. Seprod gained $1.22 to end at $78.22 while investors traded 30,940 shares, Supreme Ventures fell $1.55 to $29.45 with a transfer of 265,619 stocks, Sygnus Credit Investments rallied 32 cents to close at $12.98 after 45,666 stock units crossed the exchange and Sygnus Real Estate Finance dipped $1.15 to $11 trading 1,100 shares.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% shed $9.50 and ended at $57.50 in an exchange of 224 stock units, JMMB Group 7% preference share fell 38 cents to $2 with 657 units changing hands and 138 Student Living preference share advanced $3 in closing at $88 with shareholders swapping 18 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE markets fall in welcoming July
All three markets on Jamaica Stock Exchange closed lower on Monday, but the Junior Market made solid gains throughout the trading session after it opened down to just over 3,909 points within minutes of opening, thanks to a big jump in the prices of Fontana and Stationery and Office Supplies, the market index ended much higher at the close, but the Main and the USD Market suffered sharp reversal to Friday’s close.
At the close, the JSE Combined Market Index dropped 2,842.58 points to close at 343,439.95, the All Jamaican Composite Index dived 3,768.45 points to 366,805.48, the JSE Main Index declined 2,896.62 points to finish at 329,138.31. The Junior Market Index lost 15.27 points to close at 3,968.96. The JSE USD Market Index fell 7.39 points to close at 249.01.
Preference shares with notable price movements but not in the Main Market TOP10 graphs are Jamaica Public Service 7% shed $9.50 and ended at $57.50 and 138 Student Living preference share advanced $3 in closing at $88.
At the close, investors exchanged 24,673,817 shares, in all three markets, down sharply from 48,899,684 stocks on Friday. The value of stocks trading in the Junior and Main markets was $192.4 million, down from $307.37 million on Friday. Trading on the JSE USD market ended with investors exchanging 1,296,152 shares for US$10,636 down from 179,896 units at US$10,636 on Friday.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 18.8 on 2022-23 earnings and 12.8 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. 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 put in 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 ICInsider.com PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange and shows companies grouped per industry, allowing easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market.
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.
The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2021 and 2022 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items. The PE Ratio is the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks.
Big gains for ICTOP10 stocks
Movement in the Junior Market this past week just about wiped out all of 2023 losses and resulted in most ICITOP10 stocks rising, with four recording double digit gains as the Junior Market consolidates around the 3,900 points level before breaking into the 4,000 points level. The Main Market enjoyed five out of 6 days of gains since the previous Friday and delivered four stocks with double digit gains.
Gains for the Junior Market this week occurred even as the price of Stationery and Office Supplies dropped $4.52 from $28 to $23.48 on Friday and former Caribbean Assurance Brokers ICTOP10 stock that fell out of the top tier the prior week pulled back in price to close at $3.30 from $4 as sellers offered stocks for sale below $4, with still more selling at the close of the week. History points to many investors buying into stocks after the split takes effect, usually at far higher prices than if they bought before, as such, it would not be surprising that investors will push the stock to a record valuation post-split. Accordingly, the stock now selling at a PE of 12.4 times current year’s earnings is a compelling buy at Friday’s price of $23.48.
The Junior Market ended the week with eight stocks rising and one declining, with Iron Rock Insurance the top stock, with a gain of 30 percent, followed by iCreate, up 21 percent to $1.10, and Caribbean Cream, up 18% to $4.70, but the company will be benefitting from lower input cost of some raw material, especially the price of milk solids that have fallen sharply by about 33 percent from peak prices last year March, Consolidated Bakeries popped 15% to end the week at $2.51, with very few stock offered for sale in the market at the close. The gains in Consolidated Bakeries propelled it out of the TOP10 and replaced by Edufocal, while OneonOne seems to be coming into its own with a rise of 9 percent to $1.22. In comparison, Dolphin Cove rose 6 percent to $16.90 but seems to have a seller with an undisclosed amount at that price. Dolla Financial is the only loser, with a decline of 4 percent to $2.25.
The Main Market had Caribbean Producers (CPJ) rising 15 percent to $10.95, JMMB Group climbing 14 percent to $33, with Berger Paints and Transjamaican gaining 11 percent each to close at $8.11 and a record close of $2.48, respectively. Guardian Holdings was the only declining stock, falling 7 percent to $420.
It is worth noting that Transjamaican US dollar denominated stock traded at 1.93 cents or almost $3 per share on Friday, putting well ahead of the local based issue at $2.48. The gap will close sooner or later, the question will the Jamaican dollar based stock move up to the $3 level or the US based one fall back to match the Jamaican dollar one. There is minimal selling in the US dollar market and much more in the Jamaican market.
CPJ sits at the number 10 position in the Main Market TOP 10, but it has a June year end, with the changeover to earnings per share for the 2023/4 fiscal year of $2.50 by August that will change the outlook for the price markedly above the current level, with the PE ratio at just 4.4.
At the end of the week, the average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP 10 is 6.3, well below the market average of 13.7. The Main Market TOP10 is projected to have an average of 242 percent, to May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings.
The 15 most highly valued Main Market stocks are priced at a PE of 15 to 110, with an average of 29 and 20 excluding the highest PE stocks, 24 for the top half and 19 excluding the stocks with the highest PEs.
The Junior Market Top 10 PE sits at 5.8 compared with the market at 11.7. There are 11 stocks representing 23 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 44, averaging 21, well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 17, possibly the lowest fair value for Junior Market stocks currently. Junior Market is projected to rise by 245 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 likely gains for ICTOP10 stocks.
In the market generally, Investors continue to nibble away at a number of stocks and, in the process, gradually reduce the supply of several stocks that are attractively priced as the market moves toward the summer months, the start of the stock market year.
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 will likely 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, resulting 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.
Stocks rose Friday to close out June
Stocks rose at the close of trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Friday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 14 percent and the value 20 percent more than on Thursday, after trading took place in 55 securities trading compared with 53 on Thursday, with 24 rising, 19 declining and 12 ending unchanged as the All Jamaican Composite Index added a few points for June but the JSE Main Index suffered 4,500 points loss.
A total of 25,472,457 shares were traded for $247,227,632 compared to 22,306,090 units at $206,410,617 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 463,136 shares at $4,495,048 compared with 420,870 shares at $3,894,540 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 366,795 units at $5,403,360 versus 362,312 units at $5,445,625 on the previous day. Trading in May closed with an average of 226,361 units at $1,362,447.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 9.11 million shares for 35.8 percent of total volume followed by Supreme Ventures with 4.42 million units for 17.3 percent of the day’s trade, Radio Jamaica chipped in with 4.08 million units for 16 percent market share and Transjamaican Highway with 2.25 million units for 8.8 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 2,559.69 points to 370,573.93, the JSE Main Index climbed 1,645.95 points to settle at 332,034.93 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.03 points to close at 72.95.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.7 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 companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 10 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and 11 with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement fell $2.18 to $58 with shareholders swapping 32,347 shares, Eppley dropped 60 cents in closing at $35.90 in switching ownership of 583 units, First Rock Real Estate popped 61 cents to close at $10.26 while investors were exchanging 305 stocks, 
GraceKennedy rose $1 to end at $79 after 5,286 stock units changed hands, Jamaica Broilers lost $2.69 and ended at $35 as 286,206 units passed through the market, Jamaica Producers declined 30 cents and closed at $20.20, with trading in 20,000 shares, JMMB Group climbed $3.05 to $33 in an exchange of 270,782 stock units, Margaritaville rallied $3.45 to $18.05 in an exchange of 139 stocks, Pan Jamaica gained $4.77 to close at $53.89 after a transfer of 28,566 stocks, Proven Investments increased 80 cents to end at $25.80 with an exchange of 54,507 shares, Sagicor Group shed $1.50 in closing at $49 with 360,766 units clearing the market, Scotia Group dipped 74 cents to $34, with stakeholders exchanging 96,185 stock units, Seprod advanced $1.90 to $77 as investors exchanged 62,597 stocks, Supreme Ventures jumped $3.50 to end at $31 after 4,418,487 stock units crossed the exchange.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share gained 47 cents to close at $7.17 in trading 269 shares, Jamaica Public Service 7% advanced $9.50 to close at $67 with investors transferring 6 units and 138 Student Living preference share rallied $10.20 ended at $85 with trading in 1,072 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading drops as the JSE rises to close June
Stocks closed higher on Jamaica Stock Exchange on Friday, with all three markets recording moderate gains following a decline in the volume and the value of stocks trading on the final day of June.
In closing, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 1,755.88 points to end trading at 346,282.53, at the same time, the All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 2,559.69 points to 370,573.93 and the JSE Main Index popped 1,645.95 points to end at 332,034.93. The Junior Market Index rose 24.04 points to 3,984.23, with all the gains coming within a few minutes of closing as the market ended at the highest point since the first day in February this year and is now down a mere 0.01 percent for the year to date. The JSE USD Market Index rose 9.49 points to 256.40.
Preference shares with notable price change but not in the Main Market TOP10 graphs are Eppley 7.50% preference share gained 47 cents to close at $7.17, Jamaica Public Service 7% advanced $9.50 to close at $67 and 138 Student Living preference share rallied $10.20 ended at $85.
At the close, investors exchanged 48,899,684 shares, in all three markets, down sharply from 141,130,337 stocks on Thursday. 
The value of stocks trading in the Junior and Main markets was $307.37 million, down from $415.4 million on Thursday. Trading on the JSE USD market ended with investors exchanging 179,896 shares for US$10,636 down from 323,116 units at US$20,789 on Thursday.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 19.2 on 2022-23 earnings and 12.9 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. 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 put in 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 ICInsider.com PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange and shows companies grouped per industry, allowing easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market.
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.
The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2021 and 2022 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items. The PE Ratio is the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks.
Gains for JSE Main Market
Trading activity changed markedly on Wednesday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market, with the market returning to more normal levels, with the absence of a lumpy trade as was the case on Tuesday and ended with a 35 percent fall in volume and an 83 percent drop in value compared with that on Tuesday, with trading 59 securities up from 56 on Tuesday, with 23 rising, 18 declining and 18 ending unchanged and leading to gains in the market indices.
A total of 22,105,112 shares were traded for $190,093,496, compared to 33,792,800 units at $1,151,873,370 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 374,612 shares at $3,221,802 compared with 603,443 stocks at $20,569,167 on Tuesday. Trading for the month to date ended with an average of 359,561 units at $5,518,438 compared with 358,731 units at $5,645,075 on the previous day. May closed with an average of 226,361 units at $1,362,447.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 8.11 million shares for 36.7 percent of total volume, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 4.38 million units for 19.8 percent of the day’s trade, Kingston Wharves ended with 3.01 million units for 13.6 percent market share, Carreras with 1.26 million units for 5.7 percent of the total and Sagicor Real Estate Fund with 1.25 million units for 5.7 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rose 2,113.23 points to end at 367,304.17, the JSE Main Index popped 902.81 points to 329,758.18 and the JSE Financial Index dipped 0.11 points to end at 72.78.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.2 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 companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints advanced 71 cents in closing at $8 with 1,120 shares clearing the market, Eppley gained 30 cents to land at $36.50 with shareholders swapping 576 stocks, First Rock Real Estate rallied 55 cents and ended at $9.80 after an exchange of 16,986 stock units, GraceKennedy increased 50 cents to close at $77 as investors exchanged 85,921 units. Jamaica Broilers climbed 40 cents to end at $37.70 as 46,997 stock units passed through the market, 
Jamaica Producers rose 50 cents in closing at $20.50 with stakeholders trading 889,716 units, Kingston Wharves fell 95 cents to $29, with 3,005,614 stocks changing hands, Massy Holdings declined $1 and ended at $100 after an exchange of 4,001 shares. Mayberry Investments dipped 30 cents to $8.20 in trading 12,349 stocks, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy popped $10.99 to end at $71 with investors transferring 2,479 shares, NCB Financial dropped 52 cents to end at $66.98 with a transfer of 223,094 units, Pan Jamaica increased $3.45 to $53.95 in switching ownership of 33,947 stock units, Proven Investments climbed 48 cents to $25.78 in an exchange of 7,723 stocks. Pulse Investments rallied 47 cents in closing at $2.52 after trading in 136,273 stock units, Sagicor Group fell 49 cents to close at $50.01 after 6,044 shares changed hands, Seprod popped 45 cents to end at $75.50 in trading 3,898 units and Supreme Ventures rose 60 cents and ended at $28.47 after 98,942 units crossed the exchange.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 10.50% preference share lost $50 to close at $1200 in an exchange of 131 stock units, Eppley 7.25% preference share dipped $2.81 to $16.19 with one stock changing hands. Eppley 7.50% preference share lost $1.08 in closing at $6.09 after a transfer of 1,000 shares, Jamaica Public Service 7% advanced $10.57 to close at $50 with an exchange of 8 stock units and JMMB Group 7.25% due 2024 preference share declined 31 cents to $1.74, with 133,290 stocks crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
NCB dominates Main Market trading
Trading surged on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Tuesday, with a 118 percent jump in the volume of stocks traded and a 722 percent jump in value compared to Monday, with 56 securities trading compared with 58 on Monday, with 17 rising, 25 declining and 14 ending unchanged as NCB Financial dominated trading with nearly half of the day’s volume.
A total of 33,792,800 shares were traded for $1,151,873,370 compared to 15,466,316 units at $140,081,944 on Monday.
Trading averaged 603,443 shares at $20,569,167 compared with 266,661 units at $2,415,206 on Monday and month to date, an average of 358,731 units at $5,645,075 compared with 345,216 units at $4,820,865 on the previous day. The average for May closed at 226,361 units for $1,362,447.
NCB Financial led trading with 16.05 million shares for 47.5 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 5.60 million units for 16.6 percent of the day’s trade, Transjamaican Highway with 4.29 million units for 12.7 percent market share and Stanley Motta with 1.0 million units for 3 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rose 772.25 points to 365,190.94, the JSE Main Index fell 518.40 points to 328,855.37 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.22 points to 72.89.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.4 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 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 five with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement shed $1 to $53, with 956 shares crossing the exchange, Eppley popped $6.20 in closing at $36.20 as 50 stock units passed through the market, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rallied $1 to close at $42 in switching ownership of 265 stocks. 
First Rock Real Estate dropped $1.05 to $9.25 with a transfer of 6,241 units, Guardian Holdings dived $32 to a 52 weeks’ closing low of $421 as investors traded 42 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange lost 59 cents in closing at $11.50 with investors trading 56,596 stock units. JMMB Group dropped $1.56 and ended at $29.90 after an exchange of 2,817 stocks, Mayberry Investments fell 49 cents to close at $8.50 after a transfer of 1,123 units, Proven Investments lost 50 cents in closing at $25.30 while exchanging 1,112 stock units. Pulse Investments dropped 80 cents to end at $2.05 with shareholders swapping 361,533 shares, Supreme Ventures climbed $1.87 to end at $27.87 after exchanging 696,327 units and Sygnus Credit Investments fell $1.38 and ended at $13.02 with an exchange of 266,897 stocks.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% preference share advanced $1.02 to $20.02 with stakeholders exchanging one stock, Jamaica Public Service 7% declined $6.96 to close at $39.43 in trading 1,151 stock units, JMMB Group 7.25% preference share dipped 53 cents in closing at $3.53 and closed at 284 shares and 138 Student Living preference share shed $6.20 in closing at $74.80 in an exchange of 9 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
NCB pushes trading on JSE
The Jamaica stock market failed to hold on to Monday’s gains as the Junior Market had a big fall, while the Main Market slipped but the JSE USD Market jumped sharply as trading picked up considerably compared with that on Monday with NCB Financial swelling trading with 16.05 million shares, with a value of $1.06 billion.
At the close, the JSE Combined Market Index fell 958.7points to 342,581.56, the All Jamaican Composite Index rose 772.25 points to end at 365,190.94, the JSE Main Index shed 518.40 points to settle at 328,855.37, the Junior Market Index dropped 51.89 points to settle at 3,904.02, while the JSE USD Market Index jumped 1.07 points to finish at 241.37.
Preference shares with notable price movements but are not in the Main Market TOP10 graphs are
Eppley 7.75% preference share advanced $1.02 to $20.02, Jamaica Public Service 7% declined $6.96 to $39.43, JMMB Group 7.25% preference share dipped 53 cents to $3.53 and 138 Student Living preference share shed $6.20 in closing at $74.80.
At the close, investors exchanged 41,956,342 shares in all three markets, up from 22,226,900 stocks on Monday. The value of stocks trading in the Junior and Main markets was $1.18 billion, up from $158.6 million on Monday. Trading on the JSE USD market resulted in investors exchanging 183,070 shares for US$17,969 compared to 261,038 units at US$25,992 on Monday.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 18.5 on 2022-23 earnings and 12.5 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. 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 put in 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 ICInsider.com PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange and shows companies grouped on an industry basis, allowing easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market.
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.
The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2021 and 2022 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items. The PE Ratio is the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks.