Trading levels picked up on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Monday over that on Friday with the volume of stocks traded rising 20 percent, with a modestly lower value than on Friday, after 56 securities changed hands compared to 58 on Friday, with 16 rising, 28 declining and 12 ending unchanged.
A total of 8,954,820 shares were exchanged for $121,663,893 versus 7,443,601 units at $130,741,691 on Friday.
Trading averaged 159,908 units at $2,172,570 versus 128,338 shares at $2,254,167 on Friday and month to date, an average of 145,396 units at $1,822,938 compared to 140,698 units at $1,709,999 on the previous trading day. February closed with an average of 183,599 units at $2,160,070.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 2.54 million shares for 28.3 percent of total volume followed by Jamaica Broilers with 2.19 million units for 24.4 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway with 1.55 million units for 17.3 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index declined 3,144.18 points to 379,313.93, the JSE Main Index shed 1,878.30 points to close at 334,187.08 and the JSE Financial Index fell 0.01 points to 78.99.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 13.5 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 14 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
At the close, Barita Investments slipped 6 cents to a 52 weeks’ closing low of $78.94 after trading 90,188 shares, Berger Paints lost 40 cents to settle at $9 with 4,390 shares changing hands, Caribbean Cement fell $2.96 to end at $58.50 with a transfer of 694 stocks Eppley Caribbean Property Fund declined $5 to finish at $40 in exchanging 5,161 stock units. First Rock Real Estate lost 58 cents in closing at $12.10 after the trading of 1,426 units, Guardian Holdings dropped $25.99 to $484 after a transfer of 137 stock units, Jamaica Producers advanced 78 cents to close at $21.78 with the swapping of 12,192 shares. JMMB Group popped $1.49 in closing at $32 after investors traded 23,111 units, Kingston Properties fell 58 cents ending at $6.57 in switching ownership of 11,255 stocks,
Kingston Wharves fell $2.14 to $33.06 in an exchange of 2,821 units. Mayberry Investments shed $1.27 to end at $8.98 with 7,875 shares changing hands, NCB Financial dipped $2.49 to $73 after 18,540 stock units passed through the market, Palace Amusement lost 82 cents to end at $3.68 with the swapping of 756,211 stocks. PanJam Investment gained 55 cents in closing at $57.05 in trading 2,706 units, Proven Investments fell $2.65 after ending at $26.25 as investors exchanged 9,563 stock units, Sagicor Group declined $1.03 to $52.97 in switching ownership of 26,935 shares. Salada Foods rose 46 cents to end at $4 with investors transferring 3,204 stocks, Seprod fell $1.39 to $66.50 with an exchange of 4,965 stocks, Stanley Motta rallied 63 cents to $5.44 trading 495 shares and Supreme Ventures shed $1.20 to close at $24.60 after 74,008 units passed through the market.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 10.50% preference share dropped $99 in closing at $1,101 with 40 stock units clearing the market, Eppley 7.50% preference share dropped 98 cents to $5.65 with a transfer of 28,715 stocks. 
Jamaica Public Service 7% advanced $2.43 to another record high of $50.43 after exchanging 1,000 stock units and Jamaica Public Service 9.5% dropped $450 to end at $2550 trading 25 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
3 new ICTOP10 stocks after week’s gains
The Main Market gained 1.3 percent and the Junior Market 2.4 percent over the previous week, the first sign that stocks may be coming back to life, following the end of earning season with a mixed bag of results and the sounding of prospects for a better period ahead, with cost pressures that existed last year in stockpiling supplies to meet demand that squeezed margins have started to recede, with the promise of higher profit margins ahead.
Everything Fresh tops ICTOP10
The period saw many companies reporting solid gains in profit that investors are yet to award with better prices than the results demand, which is not expected to last for long as supplies of many stocks have been declining in recent weeks.
ICTOP10 has three new additions to the Junior Market TOP10 while the Main Market remains steady.
The week closed with rising stocks dominating the Junior Market TOP10. Paramount Trading fell 9 percent in the prior week, led rising stocks this past week, with a gain of 18 percent to $2.35, followed by Main Event, put on 15 percent to land at a new high of $12.39, Lasco Distributors and Lasco Manufacturing rose 8 percent to $2.81 and $4.30, respectively. Iron Rock Insurance fell 13 percent to $2.08 and Tropical Battery dipped 4 percent to $2.20.
Six stocks rose in the Main Market TOP10, with 138 Student Living rising 10 percent to $5.50, the price of Jamaica Broilers rose 9 percent to $36 as investors warmed to the stock following release of outstanding second quarter numbers and the price having a long way to run. Caribbean Producers, that is undervalued, rose 6 percent to $10 as selling pressure eased somewhat.
Price changes resulted in Paramount Trading, Main Event and Lasco Manufacturing exiting the Junior Market TOP10 and replaced by AMG Packaging, Everything Fresh and Stationery and Office Supplies.
AMG Packaging enjoyed improved profit margin in the November quarter compared with that in 2021, even as sales fell slightly in the latest quarter to November, which augurs well for increased profit in the current year, with revenues projected to rise in the year with more business opportunities as the economy continues to grow at a healthy pace. Everything Fresh and Stationery and Office Supplies (SOS) earnings reflect that for the current year. Everything Fresh now heads the Junior market TOP10, having reported profit for an entire year in 2022 for the first time since they released a depressed $16 million profit in 2018. Profit came in at $48 million before tax for 2022, a modest change from $47 million reported for the nine months to September after finance costs rose 43.5 percent in the December quarter over the nine months to September. With 2023 setting up to be the strongest tourist season since 2019, the company is set to see a big jump in business from that sector and profit in 2023, that should see the company earned 30 cents per share, that is why it is in ICTOP10. SOS posted record profits for 2022 with a 169 percent increase before tax from a 55 percent jump in revenues. Of note are a 35 percent increase in fourth quarter revenues and a deal struck with a company in Trinidad to cross sell products that should add to revenues in 2023 and push earnings to $2 per share for the year. With improving profits and shrinking supplies outside of the TOP 10 shareholders, who control 91 percent of the issued shares, the stock is setting up for a stock split that cannot be far off and, when given, will catapult the stock price upwards.
At the end of the week, the average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP 10 is 5.5, well below the market average of 13.9, while the Junior Market Top 10 PE sits at 6.1 compared with the market at 11.8. The differences are important indicators of the level of the undervaluation of the ICTOP10 stocks. The Junior Market is projected to rise by 240 percent and the Main Market TOP10 by an average of 284 percent to May 2024, now that TOP10 stocks earnings are based on 2023 profits.
The Junior Market has 13 stocks representing 27 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 26, averaging 19.5, well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 17. The above average shows the extent of potential gains for the TOP 10 stocks.
The situation in the Main Market is similar, with the 12 highest valued stocks priced at a PE of 15 to 115, with an average of 32 and 23 excluding the highest valued stocks and 21 for the top half excluding the highest valued stocks.
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 2023 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.
More gains for Main Market stocks
Trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Friday with the volume of stocks traded declining 35 percent and the value moderately than on Thursday, after trading in 58 securities compared to 55 on Thursday, resulting in prices of 20 rising, 19 declining and 19 ending unchanged.
A total of 7,443,601 shares were traded for $130,741,691 versus 11,506,995 units at $127,421,242 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 128,338 shares at $2,254,167 versus 209,218 shares at $2,317,495 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 140,698 units at $1,709,999, compared to 146,932 units at $1,435,550 on the previous day. February closed with an average of 183,599 units at $2,160,070.
Jamaica Broilers led trading with 1.95 million shares for 26.2 percent of total volume, followed by JMMB Group 7.5% with 960,608 units for 12.9 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway with 898,097 units for 12.1 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index advanced 2,192.36 points to 382,458.11, the JSE Main Index gained 227.19 points to 336,065.38 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.78 points to settle at 79.00.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 13.9 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments declined $1 to a 52 weeks’ low of $79 in switching owners of 59,496 shares, Caribbean Cement advanced $4.71 to close at $61.46 with the swapping of 1,427 stocks, GraceKennedy rose $2.98 to $84.98 in exchanging 14,814 units. Jamaica Broilers fell $1.55 in closing at $36 after trading 1,950,779 stock units, Jamaica Stock Exchange fell 60 cents to close at $13.95 with 38,298 shares clearing the market, JMMB Group shed 67 cents to end at $30.51 with a transfer of 120,492 stocks. 
Mayberry Investments rose $1.75 in closing at $10.25 after an exchange of 143,406 units, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy dropped $18 to end at $79 with 100 stock units changing hands, NCB Financial rallied $1.99 to $75.49 as investors exchanged 28,900 stocks. Palace Amusement lost $2.20 to close at $4.50 after trading 603,232 stocks, PanJam Investment dipped 60 cents ending at $56.50 after investors transferred 439 shares, Proven Investments gained $1 in closing at $28.90 after exchanging 5,160 units. Sagicor Group popped 65 cents to close at $54 with the swapping of 16,081 stock units, Salada Foods fell 45 cents to end at $3.54 after 4,000 stocks changed hands, Scotia Group popped 70 cents to close at $34.75 as investors traded 231,052 shares, Seprod advanced $5.84 to $67.89 with a transfer of 8,737 units and Sygnus Credit Investments lost 44 cents in closing at $12.24 in switching ownership of 32,719 stocks.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% climbed $9.77 to end at a record $48 as 1,766 shares passed through the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Main Market trading rises on softer prices
Trading activity picked up on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Thursday with a 113 percent jump in the volume of stocks traded as the value surged by 239 percent over trading on Wednesday, after trading took place in 55 securities trading down from 60 on Wednesday, with 23 rising, 22 declining and 10 ending unchanged.
A total of 11,506,995 shares were exchanged for $127,421,242 versus 5,390,205 units at $37,625,972 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 209,218 units at $2,317,495 compared with 89,837 shares at $627,100 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 146,932 stock units at $1,435,550. February closed with an average of 183,599 units at $2,160,070.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 6.13 million shares for 53.2 percent of the volume, Transjamaican Highway followed with 1.27 million units for 11 percent of the day’s trade and Massy Holdings with 1.10 million units for 9.6 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index declined 1,813.15 points to end at 380,265.75, the JSE Main Index shed 1,383.23 points to close at 335,838.19 and the JSE Financial Index rose 0.21 points to 79.78.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.2 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD MarketPE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments fell $1 to a 52 weeks’ low of $80 after 46,324 shares passed through the market, Berger Paints popped 79 cents to $9.06 in after an exchange of 60 stocks, Caribbean Cement declined $3.25 to close at $56.75 in switching ownership of 8,494 units. Caribbean Producers dipped $1 to $10 trading 33,889 stock units, Eppley shed 52 cents in closing at $37.48 after exchanging 18,305 stock units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund advanced $4 to $45 after investors traded 179 units. GraceKennedy rose $3 in closing at $82 with the swapping of 47,812 stocks, Guardian Holdings climbed $9.50 to end at $510 with investors transferring 898 shares, Jamaica Broilers rallied $1.80 to a 52 weeks’ high of $37.55 in exchanging 38,852 units. Jamaica Producers gained 69 cents to close at $21 after clearing the market with 115,235 shares, 
Jamaica Stock Exchange rose 57 cents to $14.55 with 8,700 stocks changing hands, JMMB Group dropped 71 cents to $31.18 with a transfer of 52,761 stock units. Mayberry Investments rallied 69 cents to end at $8.50 with an exchange of 219,534 stock units, NCB Financial shed $2 in closing at $73.50 after trading 16,302 shares, 138 Student Living rallied 49 cents to $5.50 after a transfer of 38,968 stocks. PanJam Investment gained 58 cents to end at $57.10 in exchanging 2,387 units, Proven Investments popped 40 cents to $27.90 as investors traded 212 stocks, Scotia Group dipped 70 cents to $34.05 after a transfer of 38,513 units. Seprod declined $4.95 to close at $62.05 as investors exchanged 109,920 shares and Wisynco Group popped 41 cents in ending at $18.01 with the swapping of 95,604 stock units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% continues to defy gravity in advancing $8.23 to a new record high of $38.23 with 1,720 units changing hands and 138 Student Living preference share advanced $3.45 to end at $77.45 in trading 158 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
March beckons JSE Main Market with a rally
March started off on a positive note for the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market with gains in the market indices after an exchange of 60 securities compared to 61 on Tuesday, with 22 rising, 26 declining and 12 unchanged on Wednesday, with a 66 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded and the value 58 percent lower than on Tuesday.
A total of 5,390,205 shares were traded for $37,625,972 down from 15,655,244 units at $89,795,027 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 89,837 units at $627,100 versus 256,643 shares at $1,472,050 on Tuesday. Trading in February averaged 183,599 shares at $2,160,070.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 1.84 million shares for 34.0 percent of total volume Transjamaican Highway followed with 977,873 units for 18.1 percent of the day’s trade and Radio Jamaica with 534,970 units for 9.9 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 3,384.45 points to 382,078.90, the JSE Main Index rallied 2,579.19 points to 337,221.42 and the JSE Financial Index advanced 0.66 points to settle at 79.57.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 13.9 for the Main Market. 
The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios combine the last traded price and earnings per share forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows nine stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments declined $1 in closing at $81 after hitting an intraday 52 weeks’ low of $80.01with an exchange of 74,498 shares, Berger Paints shed 68 cents to end at $8.27 in transferring 10,616 stock units, Caribbean Cement dipped $2 to close at $60 trading 99,488 units. Caribbean Producers gained 51 cents to end at $11 with 94,255 stocks changing hands, Eppley fell $2 to $38 after 5,255 stocks passed through the market, GraceKennedy rose 50 cents in closing at $79 after 10,608 units crossed the market. 
Guardian Holdings dropped $9.50 to end at $500.50 after investors traded 134 shares, Jamaica Broilers shed 75 cents to close at $35.75 with the swapping of 26,083 stock units, Jamaica Producers dipped $2.41 to $20.31 after an exchange of 8,604 stocks. Jamaica Stock Exchange shed 72 cents to $13.98 with investors transferring 7,620 stock units, JMMB Group rallied $1.38 in ending at $31.89 after an exchange of 20,197 units, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy rose $13.10 to $97 trading 10 shares. NCB Financial advanced $2.89 to end at $75.50 in switching ownership of 12,797 stocks, 138 Student Living lost 49 cents to close at $5.01 with a transfer of 508 stock units, Palace Amusement declined $1.05 in closing at $6.70 as investors swapped 33,208 shares. PanJam Investment shed 58 cents in closing at $56.52 with 1,032 units clearing the market, Proven Investments popped 48 cents to $27.50 in an exchange of 5,212 stock units, Sagicor Group fell $1.02 to close at $52.97 with 16,208 shares changing hands.
Seprod advanced $3.75 to end at $67 exchanging 624 stocks and Stanley Motta shed 74 cents ending at $4.90 with the swapping of 30,567 units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% gained $7.17 to close at a record high of $30 after trading 5,282 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Solid bounce for JSE majors
Trading activity picked up on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Tuesday but remained continues at muted levels, with a 166 percent rise in the volume of stocks traded value just 19 percent more than on Monday, from trading in 61 securities up from 57 on Monday with 34 rising, 14 declining and 13 unchanged.
A total of 15,655,244 shares were exchanged for $89,795,027 up from 5,884,158 units at $75,612,128 on Monday.
Trading averaged 256,643 units at $1,472,050 compared with 103,231 shares at $1,326,529 on Monday and month to date, an average of 183,599 units at $2,160,070 versus 179,166 units at $2,201,832 on the previous day. January closed with an average of 205,236 units at $1,805,558.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 3.93 million shares for 25.1 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 3.0 million units for 19.1 percent of the day’s trade, Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund with 1.25 million units for 8 percent, QWI Investments with 1.22 million units for 7.8 percent, JMMB Group 7.25% preference share due 2024 with 1.16 million units for 7.4 percent and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.08 million units for 6.9 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index surged 6,007.28 points to end at 378,694.45, the JSE Main Market Index rose 3,927.57 points to 334,642.23 and the JSE Financial Index rose 0.66 points to close at 78.91.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.2 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 20 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments advanced $1 to close at $82 in switching ownership of 27,419 shares, Berger Paints dipped 54 cents to $8.95 with 92,706 stock units changing hands, Caribbean Cement rose $1 to $62 with investors transferring 25,454 units. Caribbean Producers rallied $1.05 to end at $10.49 after exchanging 174,352 stocks, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund declined $5 to $41 trading 1,385 units, First Rock Real Estate gained 65 cents in closing at $12.30 as investors exchanged 2,452 shares. GraceKennedy advanced $1.30 to $78.50 in trading 75,517 stock units, Guardian Holdings dropped $9.99 to end at $510 as investors swapped 961 stocks, 
Jamaica Broilers rose $1.50 to close at $36.50 after 143,453 stock units cleared the market. Jamaica Producers popped 44 cents to $22.72 with a transfer of 42,840 stocks, Jamaica Stock Exchange gained 40 cents to close at $14.70 in an exchange of 18,632 shares, JMMB Group lost 49 cents to finish at $30.51 with the swapping of 100,248 units. Kingston Properties gained 85 cents in ending at $7.60 after an exchange of 429,151 stocks, Kingston Wharves rose $3 to settle at $35 after 86,523 stock units passed through the market, Margaritaville shed $2.90 in closing at $16.44 with 3 shares changing hands. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy advanced $14.89 to close at $83.90 in switching ownership of 379 units, NCB Financial declined $4.34 in closing at $72.61 with a transfer of 24,631 stocks, Palace Amusement rallied $1.80 ending at a record high of $7.75, after 51,341 units crossed the exchange. Portland JSX gained 55 cents to end at $11.45 after a transfer of 43,210 stock units, Sagicor Group popped $2.49 to $53.99 in clearing the market with 329,264 shares, Scotia Group rose 51 cents to $34.51 with the swapping of 78,951 units. 
Seprod advanced $1.25 to end at $63.25 after trading 33,205 stocks, Stanley Motta gained 60 cents to close at $5.64 in an exchange of 78,400 stock units, Supreme Ventures rose $1.38 in closing at $26.39 after trading 70,835 shares and Sygnus Credit Investments USD share advanced $2.09 ending at $22.99 after exchanging 85 stocks.In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% climbed $5.57 to close at a record high of $22.83 in transferring 1 stock unit and 138 Student Living preference share rallied $8.65 to end at $74.10 as investors exchanged 120 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main Market falters to start the week
Stocks suffered losses in trading closed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Monday following a 39 percent decline in the volume passing through the exchange and the value 67 percent less than in trading on Friday and ended with trading in 57 securities up from 55 on Friday, resulting in prices of 20 rising, 22 declining and 15 unchanged.
A total of 5,884,158 shares were exchanged for $75,612,128, down from 9,589,463 units at $231,326,583 on Friday.
Trading averaged 103,231 shares at $1,326,529 compared with 174,354 shares at $4,205,938 on Friday and month to date, an average of 179,166 units at $2,201,830 compared to 183,732 units at $2,254,459 on the previous day. January closed with an average of 205,236 stock units at $1,805,558.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 1.79 million shares for 30.4 percent of the volume traded, Transjamaican Highway followed with 985,284 units for 16.7 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 448,665 units for 7.6 percent market share. The All Jamaican Composite Index suffered a significant loss of 4,790.29 points to finish at 372,687.17, the JSE Main Index declined by a more moderate 2,606.82 points to 330,714.66 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.38 points to settle at 78.25.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 12 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Eppley advanced $2.51 to $40 after trading 447 shares, First Rock Real Estate rose $1.55 to $11.65 with a transfer of 220,567 stock units, GraceKennedy fell $1.55 to $77.20 after exchanging 148,988 units. Guardian Holdings climbed $19.99 in closing at $519.99 as investors swapped just 18 stocks, Jamaica Broilers rallied $2 to $35 in trading 12,001 stocks, Jamaica Producers popped $1.03 to close at $22.28 with 22,572 stock units changing hands. 
Massy Holdings gained 90 cents to settle at $79.90 in switching ownership of 23,305 units, NCB Financial shed $1.05 to end at $76.95 in trading 4,205 shares, 138 Student Living popped 69 cents to $5.70 after exchanging 2,000 stock units. Palace Amusement rose $1.45 to $5.95 after 211 stocks passed through the market, following the 600 to 1 stock split taking effect on the market, Proven Investments declined $2 to $27 after a transfer of 26,749 units, Seprod dipped $3.98 to close at $62 after swapping of 371,770 shares and Sygnus Real Estate Finance fell 80 cents to $9.20 after trading 553 stock units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 10.50% preference share climbed $50 to end at $1,200 with the swapping of 59 units, JMMB Group 7% preference share lost 42 cents 
in closing at $2.39 in switching ownership of 93 shares and 138 Student Living preference share declined $11.55 to $65.45with 20 stocks clearing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Elite out Tropical back in ICTOP10
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed the past week with gains in the indices. Still, the Junior Market suffered a significant loss on Friday to close the week with a loss following a sizable fall in the price of Fosrich. This most heavily weighted Junior Market stock fell from an average price of $3.20 at the previous week’s close down to $2.63.
ICTOP10 has only one new addition this week, in the Junior Market TOP10 and none in the Main Market, following major volatility in price movements in the listings.
In closing out the week, Iron Rock Insurance led stocks rising, with a gain of 13 percent to $2.30, followed by General Accident, that rose 6 percent to $4.99, while Main Event put on 4 percent to land at $10.80. Elite Diagnostic fell 21 percent to $2.45 as demand vanished for the stock following release of poor second quarter results. Paramount Trading fell 9 per cent to $2, Image Plus and Lasco Distributors dipped 5 percent to $1.90 and $2.60, respectively.
Five stocks rose in the Main MarketTOP10, with the price of Key Insurance rising 7 percent to $3.20, Sygnus Credit Investments rose 5 percent to $12.57, while 138 Student Living and Scotia Group popped 4 percent higher to $5.01 and $34.20, respectively. Berger Paints dropped 8 percent to $9.25, Caribbean Producers, Guardian Holdings and Jamaica Broilers lost 3 percent.
Earnings per share for Elite Diagnostic was revised down to 28 cents per share for the current year, following a small loss of $7 million in the December quarter, even as revenues rose a solid 20 percent or $30 million over the same quarter in 2021, resulting in the stock dropping out of the ICTOP10, to be replaced by Tropical Battery that is returning after a short absence.
At the end of the week, the average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP 10 is 5.4, well below the market average of 13.7, while the Junior Market Top 10 PE sits at 6.5 compared with the market at 11.6. The differences are important indicators of the level of the undervaluation of the ICTOP10 stocks. The Junior Market is projected to rise by 213 percent and the Main Market TOP10 by an average of 288 percent to May this year, assuming the market gets back to last year’s valuation. The primary concern for the Main Market achieving such gains by May is that the list is dominated by financial companies that are out of favour and may need to get to the summer months before the full interest of investors is visible.
The Junior Market has 13 stocks representing 27 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 27 averaging 19 compared with the above average of the market. The top half of the market has an average PE of 17. The above average shows the extent of potential gains for the TOP 10 stocks.
The situation in the Main Market is similar, with the 17 highest valued stocks priced at a PE of 15 to 109, with an average of 32 and 23 excluding the highest valued stocks and 21 for the top half excluding the highest valued stocks.
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 2023 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.
Trading jumps on JSE Main Market
Trading activity picked up sharply on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Friday with the volume of stocks traded rising 39 percent and the value 79 percent greater than on Thursday, with 55 securities trading up from 52 on Thursday, leading to prices of 21 rising, 19 declining and 15 ending unchanged.
A total of 9,589,463 shares were traded for $231,326,583 up from 6,903,600 units at $128,999,772 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 174,354 units at $4,205,938 versus 132,762 shares at $2,480,765 on Thursday and for the month to date, an average of 183,732 units at $2,254,461 compared with 184,309 units at $2,134,270 on the previous day. January closed with an average of 205,236 units at $1,805,558.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 3.38 million shares for 35.2 percent of total volume followed by Massy Holdings with 1.89 million units for 19.7 percent of the day’s trade and Jamaica Producers with 700,848 units for 7.3 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 3,396.57 points to 377,477.46, the JSE Main Market Index climbed 2,289.80 points to 333,321.48 and the JSE Financial Index advanced 0.23 points to 78.63.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 13.7 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments shed 79 cents in closing at $80.71 with an exchange of 6,755 shares, Berger Paints dipped 65 cents to $9.25 in transferring 1,685 stock units, Caribbean Cement popped $1.01 in ending at $61 with swapping of 9,990 units. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund climbed $9 to end at $46 after a mere three stocks passed through the market, First Rock Real Estate shed 90 cents to close at $10.10 after an exchange of 5,649 stock units, 
GraceKennedy rose $1.55 to $78.75 with a transfer of 37,607 shares. Jamaica Broilers declined $1.96 to close at $33 with investors trading 642,278 stocks, JMMB Group fell $1.87 in closing at $31 in an exchange of 450,035 units, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy rallied $7.01 to end at $69.01 with 200 stocks changing hands. Palace Amusement dropped $45 to $2,655 with the swapping of 894 shares, ahead of a stock split to take effect at the start of trading on Monday, PanJam Investment lost 50 cents to close at $56.60 with 2,045 units changing hands, Scotia Group advanced $1.94 to $34.20 after trading 177,491 stock units. Seprod rose $3.98 in closing at $65.98 after 2,579 stocks passed through the market, 
Supreme Ventures shed 96 cents to close at $25.04 in switching ownership of 41,444 units and Wisynco Group gained 79 cents to end at $17.40 as investors traded 14,900 stock units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 5% preference share declined $3.33 in closing at $19.61 after a transfer of 96 shares, Eppley 7.25% preference share advanced $4 tot $22 in exchanging 48 stocks and Jamaica Public Service 7% rallied $2.26 to a record high of $17.26 with an exchange of 1,000 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading pulls back on JSE Main Market
The volume passing through the market declined sharply and pulled the value drastically down at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Thursday with a 66 percent fall in volume and 57 percent drop in value compared to Tuesday, after 52 securities changed hands compared to 56 on Tuesday, with prices of 22 rising, 20 declining and 10 unchanged.
A total of 6,903,600 shares were traded for $128,999,772 versus 20,246,503 units at $297,780,461 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 132,762 units at $2,480,765 compared with 361,545 shares at $5,317,508 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 184,309 units at $2,134,268 compared with 187,496 units at $2,112,843 on the previous trading day. January closed with an average of 205,236 units at $1,805,558.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 1.86 million shares for 27 percent of total volume followed by JMMB Group 7.25% preference share due 2024 with 1.0 million units for 14.5 percent of the day’s trade and Massy Holdings with 509,158 units for 7.4 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index shed 1,325.39 points to end at 374,080.89, the JSE Main Index declined 1,395.74 points to 331,031.68 and the JSE Financial Index lost 0.93 points to close at 78.40.
The PE Ratio, a formula to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.3 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 14 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments rallied 49 cents to end at $81.50 with 45,615 shares clearing the market, Caribbean Cement rose $1.99 to $59.99 after investors traded 110,271 stock units, Eppley dipped 41 cents to $37.49 with investors transferring 314 stocks. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund declined $9 to close at $37 with 6,980 units changing hands, First Rock Real Estate lost 50 cents in closing at $11 after 2,107 stock units crossed the market, Guardian Holdings dropped $15 to $500 after an exchange of 2,210 shares. 
Jamaica Broilers gained 96 cents to settle at a 52 weeks’ high of $34.96 trading 190,225 units, Jamaica Producers fell 60 cents to $21.25 as investors traded 13,071 stocks, JMMB Group popped $2.27 to $32.87 with the swapping of 463,131 units. Massy Holdings shed 99 cents to close at $79.01 after a transfer of 509,158 shares, Mayberry Investments fell 68 cents to close at $7.85 in switching ownership of 7,095 stocks, Mayberry Jamaican Equities rose $1.04 to $12.25 with an exchange of 45,299 stock units. NCB Financial gained 48 cents in ending at $77.98 as investors traded 12,014 units, Palace Amusement gained $1 to end at $2,700 after exchanging 1,098 shares, PanJam Investment rose 60 cents in closing at $57.10 with the swapping of 3,569 stock units. Proven Investments rose $1 to $29 in an exchange of 3,575 stocks, Sagicor Group shed $1 to $51.50 with a transfer of 15,067 stock units, Scotia Group dipped $1.74 in closing at $32.26 in trading 4,072 stocks. Seprod declined $3.98 to close at $62 with 499,056 shares changing hands and Wisynco Group shed 89 cents to end at $16.61 with 165,256 units crossing the market.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 10.50% preference share dropped $50 ending at $1,150 as investors exchanged 41 units. Jamaica Public Service 7% advanced $3 to a record high of $15 with a transfer of 2,000 stocks and 138 Student Living preference share rose $1 to close at $77 with the swapping of 163 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.