The Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Friday, with rising stocks outdoing those declining stocks by more than three to two and led to moderate changes in the market indices after the volume of stocks traded rose 90 percent over Thursday and the value dipped just 7 percent lower, after trading in 53 securities compared with 52 on Thursday.
Trading ended with prices of 22 stocks rising, including Scotia Group that traded at a 52 weeks’ high of $26.69 following release of record profits on Monday. Prices of 15 stocks declined and 16 closed unchanged.
A total of 5,322,135 shares were traded for $26,717,369 compared to 2,797,752 units at $28,650,079 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 100,418 shares at $504,101 in comparison to 53,803 units at $550,963 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 134,482 units at $1,091,671 compared to 137,876 stock units at $1,150,207 on the previous day and running below November, with an average of 275,587 units at $2,488,949.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 1.20 million shares for 22.6 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.10 million units for 20.7 percent of the day’s trade and QWI Investments with 939,280 units for 17.6 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index shed 451.88 points to lock up trading at 346,035.74, the JSE Main Index skidded 392.04 points to 311,317.38 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.23 points to 67.53.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.9. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 10 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden shed 65 cents to end at $28.35 while exchanging 283 stock units, Caribbean Producers declined 55 cents to $8.50, with 202,378 shares crossing the market, Eppley gained $4 and ended at $39 as investors exchanged 5,429 units. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund popped $3.80 in closing at $39 after 13,016 stocks were traded, First Rock Real Estate rallied 29 cents to close at $7.50, with 4,696 shares changing hands, GraceKennedy increased $1 to $75.50 with investors swapping 40,616 units. Guardian Holdings climbed $2 and ended at $402, with 17 stocks crossing the market, Kingston Properties rose 40 cents to close at $7.40 after trading of 1,979 stock units, NCB Financial lost $1.47 to end at $65.50 with investors dealing in 11,542 shares. 
Pan Jamaica sank $6.73 in closing at $42.72 after an exchange of 9,445 units, Proven Investments fell 90 cents to $22.10, as 3,677 stocks passed through the market, Sagicor Group advanced 50 cents in closing at $40.50 with an exchange of 30,535 stock units. Scotia Group popped $1.50 and ended at a 52 weeks’ high of $36, with 211,460 shares clearing the market up to a high of $36.69, Supreme Ventures increased 94 cents to close at $25.50 with traders dealing in 11,951 units and Sygnus Credit Investments climbed 49 cents to end at $11, with 2,229 stocks crossing the exchange.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share skidded 54 cents in closing at $6.24 with a transfer of 3,251 stock units and Jamaica Public Service 7% dipped $4.50 to $40 after an exchange of 452 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Drop in trading on the JSE Main Market
The Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended trading on Thursday, with the volume of stocks changing hands declining 57 percent and the value 26 percent lower than on Wednesday, with trading in 52 securities compared with 54 on Wednesday and ended with prices of 20 rising, 21 declining and 11 unchanged.
Trading accounted for 2,797,752 shares changing hands for $28,650,079 versus 6,457,532 stock units at $38,558,222 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 53,803 shares at $550,963 compared to 119,584 units at $714,041 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 137,876 units at $1,150,207 compared with 146,984 units at $1,215,126 on the previous day, down from November with an average of 275,587 units at $2,488,949.
JMMB Group 7.35% – 2028 led trading with 514,145 shares for 18.4 percent of the volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 386,691 units for 13.8 percent of the day’s trade and Wisynco Group with 363,182 units for 13 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 5.10 points to finish at 346,487.62, the JSE Main Index rallied 755.51 points to close at 311,709.42 and the JSE Financial Index gained 0.32 points to wrap up trading at 67.76.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.8. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 14 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Eppley rallied $2 to close at $35 with investors transferring 141 stock units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund skidded $3.80 to $35.20, with investors exchanging 1,522 shares, GraceKennedy fell $1.50 to end at $74.50 after 12,237 units passed through the market. Guardian Holdings rose $8 in closing at $400 in an exchange of 20 stocks, Jamaica Broilers advanced $1.10 and ended at $35 with 148,882 shares clearing the market, Jamaica Stock Exchange dipped 64 cents to $9.50 in switching ownership of 160 stocks. 
Key Insurance popped 52 cents to end at $2.50 after a transfer of 19,670 units, Massy Holdings climbed $1.45 in closing at $89.95, with 184 stock units changing hands, Mayberry Group increased 12 cents and ended at $8.20 and closed with an exchange of 154,229 shares. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy lost $2.98 to close at $89.01, with just 2 stock units crossing the market, NCB Financial rallied $1.87 to $66.97 after an exchange of 13,905 units, Pan Jamaica rose 45 cents and ended at $49.45, with 596 stocks crossing the market. Proven Investments dropped 41 cents to close at $23 while exchanging 8,503 units, Seprod gained $4.17 to end at $74.90 in trading 32,628 stocks, Sygnus Credit Investments shed 92 cents in closing at $10.51, with 2,200 shares crossing the exchange and Wisynco Group declined 79 cents to $20.17 trading 363,182 stock units.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share fell $24 to $90 in an exchange of 50 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Markets marking time
The Main market and the USD markets of the Jamaica Stock Exchange eked out gains on Thursday while the Junior Market declined, with the volume of stocks changing hands exceeding those on Wednesday fueled by a rise in the traded value.
At the close of trading, Guardian Holdings led stocks rising with a gain of $8 followed by Seprod up $4.17, Eppley rose $2 $2.49, NCB Financial a $1.87 and Massy Holdings off $1.45 and Jamaica Broilers up by $1,10. Declining stocks saw Eppley Caribbean Property Fund falling $3.80 followed by MPC Caribbean Energy Fund with a fall of $3.64 and GraceKennedy down $1.50.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index popped 524.07 points to close at 324,399.50, the All Jamaican Composite Index popped 5.10 points to wrap up trading at 346,487.62, the JSE Main Index advanced 755.51 points to end at 311,709.42. The Junior Market Index shed 21.06 points to close at 3,661.32 and the JSE USD Market Index inched 0.13 points higher to finish at 223.89.
Investors traded 22,170,439 shares, in all three markets, up from 11,954,522 units on Wednesday. The value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounts to a mere $63.54 million up from $48.78 million on Wednesday. The JSE USD market closed after 10,110 shares were traded, for US$968 compared to 730,855 units at US$13,102 on Wednesday.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share fell $24 and ended at $90.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21 on 2022-23 earnings and 13.6 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to 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 quickly assess the value of stocks based on this measure. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Steady trading on the JSE Main Market
Trading activity was steady on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Wednesday, with the volume of stocks traded virtually the same as the day before but with a value that was 31 percent more than on Tuesday, with trading in 54 securities compared with 51 on Tuesday, as the market closed with prices of 15 stocks rising, 21 declining and 18 ending unchanged.
A total of 6,457,532 shares were traded for $38,558,222 compared to 6,426,800 units at $29,546,040 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 119,584 shares at $714,041 compared to 126,016 units at $579,334 on Tuesday. Trading for the month to date, averages 146,984 units at $1,215,126 compared to 150,457 units at $1,278,643 on the previous day. November closed with an average of 275,587 units at $2,488,949.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 1.95 million shares for 30.3 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.43 million units for 22.1 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.14 million units for 17.6 percent of the day’s trade.
The All Jamaican Composite Index increased 384.80 points to wrap-up trading at 346,482.52, the JSE Main Index skidded 173.48 points to end at 310,953.91 and the JSE Financial Index remained at 67.44.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.9. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 12 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and eight with lower offers.
At the close of trading, AS Bryden lost 32 cents to close at $29.08, with 391 stocks crossing the market, Berger Paints rallied 64 cents to $6.64 with a transfer of 100 units, Eppley fell $2.49 in closing at $33 with 115 shares crossing the exchange. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund shed 50 cents to end at $39, with 877 stock units changing hands, GraceKennedy rose $2 and ended at $76 with investors trading 170,596 shares, Guardian Holdings climbed $2 to $392, with 100 stocks crossing the market. Jamaica Broilers popped 40 cents to close at $33.90 with stakeholders exchanging 31,624 units, JMMB Group dropped 75 cents to end at $25 after a transfer of 20,610 stock units, Kingston Wharves advanced $1.41 in closing at $28.41 with investors dealing in 326 shares. Massy Holdings skidded $1.44 and ended at $88.50 after trading 7,907 units, NCB Financial declined $1.85 to $65.10 as investors exchanged 18,211 stocks, Pan Jamaica dipped 50 cents in closing at $49 in the trading of 4,724 stock units. 
Proven Investments gained 41 cents to end at $23.41 after an exchange of 1,178 shares, Sagicor Group lost $1.98 and ended at $40 after 3,134 stocks passed through the market, Seprod increased 73 cents to close at $70.73 while exchanging 3,149 units. Supreme Ventures dipped 39 cents to $24.51, with 57,191 stock units clearing the market and Sygnus Credit Investments climbed 73 cents to close at $11.43 in an exchange of 39,186 shares,
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share increased $1.26 and ended at $6.76 with traders dealing in 29 stocks. Jamaica Public Service 7% fell $1.50 to end at $44.50 after an exchange of 447 units, JMMB Group 7% preference share popped 45 cents in closing at $2.49 with 2 stock units changing hands and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share skidded $11.15 to $105 in an exchange of 10 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading dived on the JSE Main Market
Trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks traded declining by just 4 percent, as the value plunged 68 percent compared to Monday, with trading of 51 securities down from 54 on Monday, with 18 rising, 15 declining and 18 ending unchanged.
A total of 6,426,800 shares were traded for $29,546,040 compared with 6,685,964 units at $92,499,615 on Monday.
Trading averaged 126,016 shares at $579,334 versus 123,814 units at $1,712,956 on Monday and month to date, an average of 150,457 units at $1,278,643, compared with 153,781 units at $1,373,749 on the previous day, down sharply from November with an average of 275,587 units at $2,488,949.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 3.03 million shares for 47.2 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 1.12 million units for 17.4 percent of the day’s trade and Ciboney Group with 505,742 units for 7.9 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index declined 63.64 points to end the day at 346,097.72, the JSE Main Index rallied 477.68 points to end trading at 311,127.39 and the JSE Financial Index increased 0.19 points to conclude trading at 67.44.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.4. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Producers increased 38 cents to $8.99 with an exchange of 28,284 units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund climbed $3.50 to end at $39.50, with 500 stocks crossing the market, First Rock Real Estate popped 60 cents in closing at $7.45 with an exchange of 8,000 shares. GraceKennedy declined by $3 to $74 with shareholders swapping 16,173 stock units, Guardian Holdings fell $12.95 to close at $390 in switching ownership of 138 shares, Jamaica Producers rallied $1 to close at $23 after an exchange of 8,930 stocks. Jamaica Stock Exchange rose 94 cents and ended at $10.14 with investors dealing in 941 units, JMMB Group gained 65 cents to close at $25.75 after an exchange of 16,986 stock units, Key Insurance shed 52 cents in closing at $1.98, with 100,000 shares changing hands. 
Massy Holdings advanced 44 cents to end at $89.94 in an exchange of 93 stock units, NCB Financial rose $1.95 to $66.95, with 9,960 units crossing the market, Pan Jamaica dropped 26 cents to $49.50 in trading 4,904 stocks. Proven Investments advanced 50 cents to end at $23 and closed after 767 shares were traded, Sagicor Group popped $1.98 in to $41.98 after a transfer of 15,408 units, Seprod lost $2.90 to close at $70 with an exchange of 14,600 stocks. Supreme Ventures rallied 80 cents to $24.90 after 101,992 stock units passed through the market, Sygnus Credit Investments skidded 55 cents in closing at $10.70 with stakeholders exchanging 9,656 shares and Wisynco Group increased 96 cents to close at $20.96, with 18,115 stock units clearing the market.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share dipped $1.40 and ended at $5.50 with investors transferring 920 stocks and Jamaica Public Service 7% climbed $6 to end at $46 after exchanging 838 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading surges on JSE Main Market
Trading activity picked up on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Monday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 14 percent and the value surging 367 percent more than on Friday, with trading in 54 securities compared with 52 on Friday and ended with prices of 16 rising, 24 declining and 14 ending unchanged.
A total of 6,685,964 shares were traded on Monday for $92,499,615 up from 5,872,659 units at just $19,826,535 on Friday.
Trading ended with an average of 123,814 shares at $1,712,956 up from 112,936 units at $381,280 on Friday. Trading for the month to date averaged 153,781 units at $1,373,749 compared with 158,823 stock units at $1,316,687 on the previous trading day and down from November, with an average of 275,587 units at $2,488,949.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 1.58 million shares for 23.6 percent of total volume followed by JMMB Group with 1.13 million units for 16.9 percent of the day’s trade and Wigton Windfarm with 979,356 units for 14.6 percent market share.
At the close of the market, the All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 711.18 points to settle at 346,161.36, the JSE Main Index skidded 1,549.88 points to end the day at 310,649.71 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.05 points to wrap-up trading at 67.25.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.8. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and eight with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement lost $1.50 to close at $53 after trading 7,536 units, Caribbean Producers declined 47 cents to $8.61 after an exchange of 1,847 stocks, First Rock Real Estate fell 62 cents and ended at $6.85 with 75 shares clearing the market. Jamaica Broilers skidded $1.38 in closing at $33.50 in switching ownership of 12,794 stock units, Jamaica Producers dropped $1 to end at $22 while investors exchanged 634 shares, Key Insurance rose 30 cents in closing at $2.50, with 7,785 units crossing the market. Kingston Properties shed 47 cents to $6.93 as investors exchanged 2,170 stocks, Kingston Wharves dipped $1.49 and ended at $27 with shareholders swapping 1,060 stock units, Massy Holdings fell 50 cents to end at $89.50 after 24,519 shares passed through the market. 
NCB Financial skidded $2 to close at $65 with stakeholders exchanging 27,329 stock units, 138 Student Living lost 25 cents to $3.94, with 1,415 stocks crossing the market, Pan Jamaica gained $4.74 in closing at $49.76 with a transfer of 214 units. Sagicor Group shed $1 to end at $40, with 50,000 shares crossing the exchange, Scotia Group popped $1.70 to close at $34.70 after a transfer of 257,005 stock units, following release of full year results that surged 67 percent to $5.54 per share, with a net profit of $17.22 billion, as the group also reported that a dividend of 40 cents per share will be paid in January. Seprod advanced $1.40 and ended at $72.90 with traders dealing in 2,420 stocks. Stanley Motta climbed 34 cents to $6.03 in an exchange of 1,025 units and Supreme Ventures declined $1.60 in closing at $24.10 with investors transferring 561,862 shares,
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share increased 33 cents to end at $6.90 after an exchange of 33 stock units and Jamaica Public Service 7% rallied 50 cents and ended at $40 with investors dealing in 485 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Shakeup of ICTOP10
The Main and Junior Markets closed the week lower, resulting in three new entrants into the top 10 listings and some notable price movements, with the two markets without a clear direction, but the Main Market is showing signs of bottoming out with a big breakout not seeming far away.
Some emerging signs of potential moves higher are emerging for some stocks, with a sharp decline in the volume of some select stocks being offered for sale, setting the stage for sharp upward push in prices of some stocks in the coming weeks. Scotia Group is one such, as it approaches the release of full year results and an announcement on dividend, but buying interest is currently low keyed. The stock trades at an extremely low PE of 5.7 times projected 2023 earnings. AMG Packaging trades at 6.5 times 2024 earnings with only 58,816 shares on offer at the close on Friday and so is Jamaica Teas, with offers now generally above $2.53, with buyers mostly at $2.30, Access Financial is yet another, but buying is weak, Caribbean Cement also has limited stocks on offer.
Four Junior Market stocks gained 6 percent and over and two ended with big losses, while the Main Market had two stocks with worthwhile gains and two with moderate losses of 4 and 6 percent.
The Main Market ICTOP10 ended with Palace Amusement rising 15 percent to $1.29, Key Insurance popped 10 percent to $2.20, while Margaritaville declined 6 percent to $16 and Caribbean Producers lost 4 percent to close at $9.08.
The Junior Market ended with Caribbean Cream jumping 19 percent to $3.69, AMG Packaging climbed 12 percent to $2.89 while Jamaica Teas rose 7 percent to $2.55, Iron Rock Insurance jumping 20 percent to $2.65 and Honey Bun rose 6 percent to $6.44. The losers were Iron Rock Insurance down 22 percent to $2.06 and Lasco Distributors with a fall of 12 percent to 3.61.
Honey Bun and Elite Diagnostic dropped out of Junior Market ICTOP10 and are replaced by Tropical Battery and Stationery and Office Supplies. Sygnus Credit Investments drop out of the Main Market TOP10 with Pulse Investments coming in to replace it.
Indications of where stock prices could be by May 2024 can be seen from stocks with the highest values in the Main and Junior Markets.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market ICTOP 10 stands at 5.3, well below the market average of 12.8. The Main Market ICTOP10 is projected to gain an average of 287 percent by May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings and now provides better values than the Junior Market.
In the Main Market ICTOP 10, a total of 15 of the most highly valued stocks representing 31 percent of the Main Market are priced at a PE of 15 to 108, with an average of 29 and 19 excluding the highest PE ratios, and a PE of 23 for the top half and 20 excluding the stocks with overweight values.
The PE of the Junior Market TOP10 sits at 6.9, over half of the market, with an average of 13.2. There are 16 stocks, or 33 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 49, averaging 20 that are well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 18, possibly the lowest fair value for Junior Market stocks currently, with the market projected to rise by 200 percent on or around May 2024.
Of great significance is that the averages of both markets are now converging around a PE of 20 for close to a third of the market, as the year is coming to a close and with more information available on the full year’s earnings.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners, accordingly, the list includes some of the best companies in the market, but this is not always so. ICInsider.com ranks stocks based on projected earnings, allowing investors to focus on the most undervalued stocks and helping to remove emotions in selecting stocks for investments that often result in costly mistakes.
IC TOP10 stocks will likely deliver the best returns on or around May 2024 and are ranked in order of potential gains, computed using projected earnings for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate and result in weekly movements in and out of the lists. Revisions to earnings are ongoing, based on receipt of new information.
Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.
Rising stocks beat out Main Market decliners
Rising stocks ran riot over decliners on the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange ended on Friday, with trading in 52 securities as was the case on Thursday, and ended with gains in 26 in contrast to just 13 declining and 13 ending unchanged after the volume of stocks traded declined 52 percent and the value 86 percent lower than on Thursday
A total of just 5,872,659 shares were exchanged for a mere $19,826,535 down from 12,317,838 units at $140,029,195 on Thursday.
Trading for the day averaged 112,936 shares at $381,280 versus 236,882
units at $2,692,869 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 158,823 units at $1,316,687, compared with 167,693 units at $1,497,509 on the previous day, well down on November that closed with an average of 275,587 units at $2,488,949.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 2.33 million shares for 39.7 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.51 million units for 25.8 percent of the day’s trade and Ciboney Group with 483,576 units for 8.2 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 2,477.78 points to close trading at 346,872.54, the JSE Main Index rallied 3,128.14 points to 312,199.59 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.82 points to close at 67.30.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.8. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 15 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden increased $1.14 to end at $29.40 as investors exchanged 3,253 stocks, Caribbean Cement climbed $2 to $54.50, with 10,653 units changing hands, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rose 80 cents in closing at $36 with stakeholders exchanging 51 shares. Jamaica Broilers gained 88 cents and ended at $34.88 with a transfer of 12,135 stock units, Jamaica Producers popped 99 cents to close at $23 while exchanging 86 shares, Kingston Properties shed 25 cents to close at $7.40 with traders dealing in 1,827 stock units. Kingston Wharves advanced $1.49 and ended at $28.49, with 853 units crossing the exchange, Massy Holdings rallied 50 cents to $90 with investors swapping 5,781 stocks, 
Mayberry Investments popped 59 cents in closing at $8.10 after an exchange of 16,339 shares. NCB Financial climbed $1.80 to close at $67 after 16,124 units passed through the market, 138 Student Living rose 27 cents to $4.19 with an exchange of 329 stocks, Proven Investments declined $1.18 in closing at $22.30, with 12 stock units clearing the market. Scotia Group lost $1.52 to end at $33 after a transfer of 29,724 shares, Seprod dipped $1.70 to close at $71.50, with 3,418 stock units crossing the market, Stanley Motta fell 35 cents and ended at $5.69 with investors dealing in 1,508 units. Supreme Ventures advanced 98 cents to $25.70 and closed with an exchange of 91,853 stocks and Sygnus Credit Investments gained 59 cents to end at $11.44 with investors transferring 84,858 units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% dropped $6.50 in closing at $39.50 after an exchange of 15 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading up prices fall on JSE Main Market
Trading activity jumped on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Thursday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 59 percent and the value 175 percent more than on Wednesday, after trading in 52 securities compared with 55 on Wednesday and ended with prices of 20 rising, 22 declining and 10 ending unchanged.
A total of 12,317,838 shares were traded for $140,029,195 compared to just 7,745,089 units at $50,833,820 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 236,882 shares at $2,692,869 compared to 140,820 units at $924,251 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 167,693 units at $1,497,509 compared to 151,113 units at $1,211,063 on the previous day. November closed with an average of 275,587 units at $2,488,949.
Wisynco Group led trading with 3.07 million shares for 24.9 percent of total volume and accounted for $61.3 million of the value of stocks traded, followed by JMMB Group 7.5% with 2.49 million units for 20.2 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway with 2.43 million units for 19.7 percent of the day’s trade.
The All Jamaican Composite Index declined 3,179.90 points to 344,394.76, the JSE Main Index fell 
3,034.26 points to close at 309,071.45 and the JSE Financial Index dipped 1.17 points to lock trading at 66.48.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.7. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 12 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden dipped 99 cents to close at $28.26 while exchanging 29,972 stocks, Barita Investments popped 55 cents to $70.45 in trading 11,520 units, Berger Paints fell 59 cents to end at $6.10 after an exchange of 10,348 shares. Caribbean Cement declined $1.50 in closing at $52.50 in a swapping of 24,458 stock units, GraceKennedy gained $1 and ended at $77 with traders dealing in 57,351 shares, Guardian Holdings rose $3 to $403 after a transfer of 34 stocks. Kingston Wharves lost $1.35 to close at $27, with 2,428 units clearing the market, Margaritaville dropped 97 cents to end at $16 after trading 1,000 stock units, Mayberry Investments shed 58 cents in closing at $7.51 with investors dealing in 4,080 shares. 
Pan Jamaica skidded $4.78 and ended at $45.02 after 2,143 stocks passed through the market, Scotia Group advanced 97 cents to $34.52 with stakeholders exchanging 822,622 units, ahead of the likely announcement of an increase in dividend payment and a big jump in full year earnings to be made on Friday. Sterling Investments rallied 42 cents in closing at $2.48 in switching ownership of 21 stock units, Supreme Ventures fell 78 cents to end at $24.72 after an exchange of 101,770 shares, Sygnus Credit Investments dropped 25 cents and ended at $10.85 with a transfer of 53,546 stocks, Sygnus Real Estate Finance lost 44 cents to close at $9 as investors exchanged 56 units and Wisynco Group skidded 97 cents to $19.99 with shareholders swapping 3,067,300 stock units.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share jumped $24.07 to close at $114 in an exchange of just one share.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Slippage for Main & Junior Markets as trading jumps
Trading picked up on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Wednesday but the rise was confined to the Main market trading with Wisynco Group contributing 3.07 million shares valued at $61.3 million and JMMB Group 7.5% preference shares with 2.49 million units with a value of $25 million, Transjamaican Highway with 2.43 million units valued $6.3 million and Scotia Group 822,622 shares valued $28.3 million as investors lined up ahead of the full year results and final dividend declaration for the year due out on Friday.
At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index tumbled by 2,952.13 points to close at 322,378.34, while the All Jamaican Composite Index sank 3,179.90 points to end at 344,394.76, the JSE Main Index dived 3,034.26 points to wrap up trading at 309,071.45. The Junior Market Index lost 12.14 points to finish at 3,713.03 and the JSE USD Market Index rose 4.74 points to end at 231.03.
Investors traded 14,894,359 shares, in all three markets, up from 13,928,517 units on Wednesday. The value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounts to $144.79 million versus $62.87 million on Wednesday. The JSE USD market closed after 134,274 shares were traded, for US$39,564 compared to 228,802 units at US$5,310 on Wednesday.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share surged $24.07 to close at $114.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.5 on 2022-23 earnings and 13.8 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to 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 quickly assess the value of stocks based on this measure. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
