Trading falls back on JSE Main Market

March 13, 2025 by
Following the trading of 5.2 million GraceKennedy shares worth $377.6 million the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended activity on Thursday, with the volume of stocks exchanged declining by 82 percent and the value 77 percent lower than Wednesday, with Wigton Energy accounting for 40 percent of trading from 58 securities down from 60 on Wednesday, with prices of 15 rising, 25 declining and 18 ending unchanged.

The market closed with trading of just 7,389,877 shares valued at $109,962,525 versus 41,544,650 stock units at $485,714,988 on Wednesday.
Trading ended with an average of 127,412 shares at $1,895,906, well below the 692,411 stocks at $8,095,250 on Wednesday and for the month to date, an average of 998,042 units at $39,035,197 down from 1,119,427 shares at $44,213,271 on the previous day and February with an average of 405,332 stock units at $1,953,730.
Wigton Energy led trading with 2.94 million shares for 39.8 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 1.83 million units for 24.7 percent of the day’s trade and Massy Holdings with 991,529 stocks for 13.4 percent of the volume traded.
The All Jamaican Composite Index fell 1,694.22 points to end trading at 377,201.91, the JSE Main Index skidded 1,421.60 points to 325,694.75 and the JSE Financial Index dipped 0.30 points to conclude trading at 67.76. The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 15. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2025.
At the close, Berger Paints lost 60 cents to finish at $7.15 with a transfer of 6,866 shares, Eppley shed $2.17 and ended at $33.33 with 11,421 stock units crossing the market, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund dropped $7.28 to $30 in switching ownership of 4,602 shares. JMMB Group sank 50 cents in closing at $21.60 after an exchange of 3,634 stock units, Kingston Properties rallied 62 cents to close at $8.52 with investors trading 14,000 shares, Kingston Wharves increased $2.15 to end at $29.65 with 2,717 units changing hands. Lasco Manufacturing climbed 50 cents to $7.50 in trading 7,823 stocks, Massy Holdings rose 52 cents to close at $81.50 as investors exchanged 991,529 stock units, Mayberry Group gained 41 cents to end at $8 in trading 16,609 shares. NCB Financial dipped 35 cents in closing at $45.20 with 115,459 stocks crossing the exchange, Pan Jamaica sank 35 cents and ended at $52 with investors swapping 26,240 units, Scotia Group skidded $1.20 to finish at $57.50 after an exchange of 32,662 stock units and Stanley Motta popped 54 cents and ended at $6.95 with an exchange of 50 shares.

In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share advanced $34.99 to $290 in an exchange of 2 stocks and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% popped $3.95 to end at $100 with traders dealing in 1,221 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, JSE Main Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

GraceKennedy grabs 78% of JSE value trade

March 12, 2025 by
GraceKennedy closed with 5.2 million shares being traded, value at $377.6 million on Wednesday accounting for 78 percent of the overall value of stocks traded on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market with a 125 percent jump in the volume of stocks changing hands valued at 576 percent more than on Tuesday.

Trading for the day ended with declining stocks whipping losers on a 2 to 1 basis following trading in 60 securities compared with 61 on Tuesday, with prices of 15 rising, 34 declining and 11 ending unchanged with VM Investments trading at a 52 weeks’ low of $2.14.
The market closed with 41,544,650 shares trading for $485,714,988 up sharply from 18,518,178 stock units at $73,536,330 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 692,411 shares at $8,095,250 well above the 303,577 stocks for $1,205,514 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 1,119,427 stocks for $44,213,271 being close to the 1,191,397 shares at $50,300,578 on the previous day and well over February with an average of only 405,332 stock units at $1,953,730.
JMMB Group 10% preferred shares led trading with 21.52 million shares for 51.8 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway which ended with 6.98 million stocks for 16.8 percent of the day’s trade, GraceKennedy closed with 5.21 million stocks for 12.5 percent of the volume traded and Wigton Energy with 4.43 million units for 10.7 percent of market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index sank 2,456.91 points to conclude trading at 378,896.13, the JSE Main Index dropped 1,497.96 points to 327,116.35 and the JSE Financial Index declined 0.47 points to end at 68.06. The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 13 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and seven with lower offers.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 15.1. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2025.
At the close, Caribbean Cement rose $1.97 to end at $85 with 8,584 stocks clearing the market, Eppley dipped $6.50 to $35.50 after an exchange of 4,217 units, First Rock Real Estate lost 66 cents to close at $8.52 with investors dealing in 6,004 shares. General Accident advanced 78 cents in closing at $6 in an exchange of 122,005 stock units, GraceKennedy slipped $1 to finish at $73 with 5,207,964 shares changing hands, Guardian Holdings popped $11.99 and ended at $299.99 as investors exchanged 67 stocks. Jamaica Producers climbed $1.90 to $23.90 with 72,638 units crossing the market, Kingston Wharves fell $1.44 to end at $27.50 in the trading of 4,858 stock units, Lasco Manufacturing skidded 50 cents in closing at $7 with 647,112 shares crossing the market. Pan Jamaica sank 65 cents and ended at $52.35 after an exchange of 6,603 stock units, Proven Investments declined $1.85 to close at $17.55 with investors swapping 1,956 units, Scotia Group sank $1.80 to finish at $58.70 in switching ownership of 150,366 stocks. Seprod shed $2 to $88 after a transfer of 1,787 shares, Stanley Motta dropped 58 cents and ended at $6.41 with trading of 2,601 stock units, Supreme Ventures increased 39 cents to finish at $18.50 in an exchange of 29,438 stocks. Sygnus Real Estate Finance fell 91 cents in closing at $8.80 with investors trading 13,462 units and Wisynco Group skidded 60 cents to end at $21.20 after 55,964 stocks passed through the market.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share sank $40.07 to close at $255.01 with 20 shares crossing the exchange. Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share declined $50 to $1,000 with a transfer of 218 stock units, Sygnus Credit Investments 10% sank 77 cents in closing at $110 with traders dealing in 1,803 units and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% lost $3.95 to close at $96.05 with investors trading 2,872 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, JSE Main Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Trading jumps on Jamaica Stock Exchange

March 12, 2025 by
Activity surged on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Wednesday with a giant rise in the volume and value of stocks exchanged, compared to Tuesday, resulting in Main Market indices and the Junior Market index declining and the JSE USD Market rising. At the end of trading the prices of 28 shares rose, 60 declined and 21 remained firm.

At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index declined 1,664.06 points to 338,112.08, the All Jamaican Composite Index shed 2,456.91 points to 378,896.13, the JSE Main Index dropped by 1,497.96 points to 327,116.35, the Junior Market Index skidded 32.31 points to 3,527.89 and the JSE USD Market Index climbed 2.53 points to finish at 240.09.
At the close of trading, 51,449,996 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 29,654,488 units on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounting to $498.42 million, up from $90 million on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 648,148 shares for US$24,798 compared to 266,132 units at US$92,122 on Tuesday.
In Main Market activity, JMMB Group 10% preferred shares led with 21.52 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 6.98 million stocks and GraceKennedy with 5.21 million units.
In Junior Market trading, MFS Capital Partners led with 2.02 million shares followed by Kintyre Holdings with 1.74 million stocks and ONE on ONE Educational with 934,062 units.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share dropped $40.07 to finish at $255, Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share sank $50 and ended at $1,000 and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% declined $3.95 to $96.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 12.6 based on 2024-25 earnings and 19.5 based on 2024 historical earnings. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the other more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making. The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons within a sector and the overall market. The earnings per share (EPS) and PE ratios are based on 2024 and 2025 actual or projected earnings, excluding any major one time income or expense.
Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the sector average, 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 incorporated into the chart. Investors can use this measure in assessing stock values. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices. Dividends that are paid or are due to be paid and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, JSE Combined, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Moderate JSE Main Market trading

March 11, 2025 by
Trading surged on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks traded jumping 114 percent, with the value just below Monday’s value, following investors’ active interest in 61 securities compared with 62 on the previous day and ending with prices of 24 stocks rising, 21 declining and 16 ending unchanged.
The market closed with 18,518,178 shares being traded for $73,536,330 compared with 8,671,979 stock units at $74,051,831 on Monday. Trading averaged 303,577 shares at $1,205,534 compared with 139,871 stocks at $1,194,384 on Monday and for the month to date, an average of 1,191,397 stock units at $50,300,578 compared with 1,374,970 shares at $60,452,110 on the previous day and February with an average of 405,332 stock units at $1,953,730. Sagicor Select Financial Fund led trading with 6.29 million shares for 34 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Energy with 6.03 million stocks for 32.6 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway with 1.58 million units for 8.5 percent of the volume of stocks traded. The All Jamaican Composite Index skidded 881.85 points to finish at 381,353.04, the JSE Main Index climbed 2,744.12 points to finish at 328,614.31 and the JSE Financial Index increased 0.26 points to 68.53. The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers. The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 15.2. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2025.
At the close of the market, Caribbean Cement declined by $1.47 to end at $83.03 with an exchange of 11,140 stocks, Carreras declined 39 cents in closing at $15.61 with 139,214 units crossing the market, Eppley rose $5 to $42 after an exchange of 6,535 shares. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund dropped $2.15 and ended at $37.28 with 265 stock units crossing the market, First Rock Real Estate rallied 66 cents to close at $9.18 in an exchange of 2,520 shares, General Accident fell 83 cents to finish at $5.22 with 1,631 stocks clearing the market. GraceKennedy popped 40 cents to $74 with a transfer of 198,864 units, Guardian Holdings skidded $10 to end at $288 and closed after 1,979 stock units were traded, Jamaica Broilers sank $2.42 in closing at $35 with investors swapping 46,401 shares. JMMB Group shed 40 cents and ended at $22.10 in an exchange of 3,451 stocks, Kingston Wharves gained 44 cents to finish at $28.94 with traders dealing in 3,191 units, Lasco Manufacturing sank 47 cents to close at $7.50 after a transfer of 73,684 stock units. Massy Holdings climbed $9.99 to $80.99 with investors dealing in 13,547 shares, Mayberry Jamaican Equities rose 59 cents to finish at $10 in trading 102,000 stock units, Proven Investments advanced 98 cents and ended at $19.40 as investors exchanged 65,693 stocks. Scotia Group rose $1.40 to end at $60.50 with 64,768 stocks changing hands, Stanley Motta gained 37 cents in closing at $6.99 after an exchange of 656 shares and Supreme Ventures slipped 79 cents to close at $18.11 after 767,305 units passed through the market. In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share popped $2.03 to $19.25 with investors trading 100 stocks, 138 Student Living preferred share rallied $35.83 and ended at $295.08 in switching ownership of 56 stock units and Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share increased $50 to end at $1,050 with investors trading 734 shares. Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Filed Under: Feature Stories, JSE Main Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Gains for Main & Junior Markets

March 11, 2025 by
Trading closed Tuesday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange with a rise in the volume of stocks exchanged, with a greater value than on Monday, resulting in the major Main Market and the Junior Market index rising and the JSE USD Market climbing. At the end of trading the prices of 42 shares rose, 46 declined and 27 remained firm.

At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index advanced 2,735.95 points to close at 339,776.14, the All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 881.85 points to end at 381,353.04, the JSE Main Index climbed 2,744.12 points to settle at 328,614.31, the Junior Market Index rose 15.57 points to 3,560.20 and the JSE USD Market Index declined 0.30 points to 237.56.
At the close of trading, 29,654,488 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 18,004,686 units on Monday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $90million, up from $86.75 million on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 266,132 shares for US$92,122 compared to 699,719 units at US$22,846 on Monday.
In Main Market activity, Sagicor Select Financial Fund led with 6.29 million shares followed by Wigton Energy with 6.03 million stocks and Transjamaican Highway with 1.58 million units.
In Junior Market trading, Kintyre Holdings led with 1.86 million shares followed by MFS Capital Partners with 1.81 million stocks and ONE on ONE Educational with 1.30 million units.
In the preferred segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share increased $2.03 to close at $19, at the same time 138 Student Living preference share climbed $35.83 to end at $295 and Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share rose $50 and ended at $1,050.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 12.7 based on 2025-26 earnings and 19.6 based on 2024-25 historical earnings. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the other more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making. The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons within a sector and the overall market. The earnings per share (EPS) and PE ratios are based on 2024 and 2025 actual or projected earnings, excluding any major one time income or expense.
Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the sector average, 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 incorporated into the chart. Investors can use this measure in assessing stock values. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices. Dividends that are paid or are due to be paid and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, JSE Combined, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

JSE Main Market trading drops

March 10, 2025 by
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 41 percent of the overall volume of stock exchanged on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Monday, as the volume of stocks exchanged fell by 46 percent and the value down 74 percent from the out turn on Friday, following movements in 62 securities up from 59 on Friday, with prices of 19 rising, 26 declining and 17 ending unchanged.

The market closed with trading in 8,671,979 shares for $74,051,831 down from 16,121,646 stock units at $289,183,399 on Friday.
Trading averaged 139,871 shares at $1,194,384 well below 273,248 stocks for $4,901,676 on Friday and month to date, an average of 1,374,980 stocks at $60,452,438 compared with 1,703,635 shares at $76,220,676 on the previous trading day and February with an average of 405,332 stock units at $1,953,730.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 3.57 million shares for 41.2 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Energy with 890,204 units for 10.3 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 707,529 stocks for 8.2 percent of the volume traded.
The All Jamaican Composite Index advanced 1,196.35 points to close at 382,234.89, the JSE Main Index shed 3,003.13 points to settle at 325,870.19 and the JSE Financial Index increased 0.44 points to wrap up trading at 68.27. The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 17 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 15.9. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2025.
At the close on a day of reduced trading, Caribbean Cement dipped 89 cents in closing at $84.50 with 2,561 units crossing the exchange, Eppley gained $2.70 to end at $37 with investors trading 514 shares, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rose $3.88 and ended at $39.43 in an exchange of 11 stocks. GraceKennedy climbed $1.10 to finish at $73.60 after 64,712 units changed hands, Guardian Holdings sank $1.14 to end at $298 with traders dealing in 441 stocks, Jamaica Broilers increased $2.02 to close at $37.42 after an exchange of 18,001 shares. Jamaica Producers declined $2.71 to $22.04 after 2,299 stock units passed through the market, JMMB Group advanced $1.73 to close at $22.50 in switching ownership of 311,421 shares. Kingston Properties shed 50 cents to end at $8.50 after an exchange of 14,000 units, Kingston Wharves rallied 50 cents in closing at $28.50 with a transfer of 6,947 stocks, Massy Holdings dropped $10.50 to finish at $71 with 4,011 stock units clearing the market. Proven Investments sank 40 cents to $18.42 in trading 5,500 shares, Scotia Group popped 90 cents to $59.10 with investors dealing in 358,019 units, Seprod gained $2.81 to end at $90 with 4,754 stocks crossing the market and Sygnus Real Estate Finance rose 88 cents in closing at $9.71 in trading 40 stock units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share slipped $2.03 to finish at $17.22 with 85 shares changing hands, Eppley 7.75% preference share fell 58 cents to close at $19.41 with an exchange of 48 stocks, JMMB Group 10% preferred shares ended at $2 after a transfer of 250,101 units and Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share climbed $20 to $1,000 with 55 units crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, JSE Main Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

JSE Main & Junior Markets drop USD rises

March 10, 2025 by

Trading closed Monday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange with a fall in the volume of stocks exchanged, having a lower value than Friday. At the close, the Main Market major indices and the Junior Market index fell and the JSE USD Market rose, resulting from the prices of 38 shares rising, 48 declining and 25 remaining firm.

At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index lost 2,910.24 points to end at 337,040.19, the All Jamaican Composite Index rose 1,196.35 points to 382,234.89, the JSE Main Index dropped 3,003.13 points to 325,870.19, the Junior Market Index fell 5.32 points to finish at 3,544.63 and the JSE USD Market Index enjoyed a healthy rally with a bounce of 16.36 points to settle at 237.86.
At the close of the market on Monday, a total of 18,004,686 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 23,374,881 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $86.75 million, well below the $299.11 million on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 699,719 shares for US$22,846 compared to 1,177,910 units at US$32,735 on Friday.
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led with 3.57 million shares followed by Wigton Energy with 890,204 stocks and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 707,529 units.
In Junior Market trading, EduFocal led with 1.91 million shares followed by Fosrich with 1.21 million stocks and Kintyre Holdings with 1.14 million units.
In the preferred shares segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share fell $2.03 and ended at $17 and Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share climbed $20 to $1,000.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 12.6 based on 2024-25 earnings and 19.3 based on 2024 earnings. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the other more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making. The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons within a sector and the overall market. The earnings per share (EPS) and PE ratios are based on 2024 and 2025 actual or projected earnings, excluding any major one time income or expense.
Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the sector average, 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 incorporated into the chart. Investors can use this measure in assessing stock values. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices. Dividends that are paid or are due to be paid and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, JSE Combined, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Berger drops out of ICTOP10

March 10, 2025 by
Berger Paints dropped out of ICTOP10 this past week, with a gain of 2 percent, following the release of full year results that are lower than ICInsider.com’s forecast, but 2025 is poised to be better, as some costs fade away and revenue rises. The week reflects a market caught up with investors who have sold stocks to help fund two ordinary share offerings in a week when the main market had just one change and none for the Junior Market.

The week closed with prices of only 2 stocks rising and 7 declining in the Junior Market ICTOP10 while the Main Market ICTOP10 ended with one winner and 5 losers.
In the Junior Market ICTOP10, Dolphin Cove rebounded sharply from its recent fall, with a 21 percent climb during the week to $17. Express Catering dropped 11 percent to $2.80, Access Financial declined by 6 percent to $16.60 and Elite Diagnostic fell 4 percent to $1.51.
In the Main Market ICTOP10, QWI Investments fell 8 percent to 77 cents while 138 Student Living, Jamaica Broilers and NCB Financial fell by 5 percent to close at $3.80, $35.40 and $45.35 respectively.
The All JSE ICTOP10, compiled from all listed ordinary stocks on the Jamaica Stock Exchange ended the week with Berger Paints falling out and replaced by Caribbean Producers.
There is no change to the Junior Market ICTOP10 while Berger Paints dropped out of the Main Market ICTOP10 and was replaced by GraceKennedy after a long absence, with the company reporting earnings for 2024 that rose 8 percent to $8.43. The company’s new CEO Frank James seems bullish on earnings for 2025, he indicated that a look at the 2024 segment accounts shows“ the food segment which is by far the largest and most profitable segment of our business is growing profits at 22 percent, banking and investments at 26 percent in the insurance at 8 percent as you pointed out remittances where we lost some ground and as you also point out there are some external factors however as indicated in the stockholders report we have made significant investments in digital which will pay off in this area as such while 2024 had some exceptions we are in good in growth mode,” he concluded.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market ICTOP 10 sits at just 5.7, well below the market average of 15.2 and the Junior Market TOP10 stands at 7.7, more than half of the market, with an average of 13.8.
Based on the earnings estimates for 2024, the Main Market ICTOP10 is projected to gain an average of 254 percent by May 2025, providing better values than the Junior Market, projected to achieve a 176 percent increase for the same period.
In the Main Market ICTOP 10, there are 19 stocks with the highest values representing 37 percent of the Main Market, with PEs between 15 to 43, with an average of 21 and a PE of 20 for the top half of the market with the highest values.
In the Junior Market IC TOP10, 13 stocks or 27 percent of the market have PEs ranging from 15 to 31 with an average of 19 and a PE of 15 for half of the market with the highest PEs.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners, accordingly, the list includes some of the best companies in the market, but this is not always the case as some weaker companies may be oversold and therefore end up in the list. 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 2025 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 the receipt of new information.

Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.

Filed Under: Buy Rated, Feature Stories, Stock Market, Stocks to watch Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Trading jumps on JSE Main Market

March 7, 2025 by
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Friday, with a 61 percent jump in the volume of stocks traded accompanied by a 344 percent surge in value over Thursday’s activities, following trading in 59 securities compared with 60 on Thursday, with prices of 26 rising, 17 declining and 16 ending unchanged.

The market closed with 16,121,646 shares trading for $289,183,399 compared with 10,010,074 stock units at $65,070,056 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 273,248 shares at $4,901,414 up from just 166,835 stocks at $1,084,501 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 1,703,635 stocks at $76,220,676 compared with 2,188,651 shares at $100,403,644 on the previous day and February with an average of 405,332 stock units at $1,953,730.
Kingston Wharves led trading with 4.0 million shares for 24.8 percent of total volume followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund which ended with 2.27 million stocks for 14.1 percent of the day’s trade, Transjamaican Highway closed with 2.21 million units for 13.7 percent of the volume traded, Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund ended with 1.67 million shares for 10.3 percent of the day’s volume and NCB Financial with 1.40 million units for 8.7 percent of market share after the price hit a new 52 weeks’ intraday low of $43.
The All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 1,628.08 points to wrap up trading at 381,038.54, the JSE Main Index rallied 1,734.11 points to conclude trading at 328,873.32 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.17 points to 67.83. The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 13 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 16.4. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on last traded prices and earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with financial year ending around August 2025.
At the close of the market, Caribbean Cement shed $1.11 to $85.39 with an exchange of 2,993 stocks, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund fell 50 cents to $35.55 with 2,664 shares being traded, Jamaica Broilers rallied 39 cents to end at $35.40 as investors exchanged 234,728 stocks. Jamaica Producers rose 77 cents to finish at $24.75 after 562,628 units passed through the market, JMMB Group declined $1.23 and ended at $20.77 with investors dealing in 6,020 stocks, Kingston Wharves fell $1.65 to close at $28 with 4,003,132 units crossing the market. Lasco Distributors rallied 40 cents to $5.10 with a transfer of 40,288 shares, Massy Holdings increased $4 to close at $81.50 and ended with 40,927 stock units, Pan Jamaica popped $1.98 to $53 in an exchange of 6,021 shares. Proven Investments rose 82 cents and ended at $18.82 with investors trading 6,411 stock units, Salada Foods dipped 38 cents to end at $3.20 after an exchange of 3,139 stock units, Supreme Ventures gained 50 cents in closing at $19 with 54,605 units clearing the market and Sygnus Real Estate Finance sank 42 cents to $8.83 in switching ownership of 352 shares.

In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preferred skidded $10.75 to end at $259.25 in trading 20 units, Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share rose $87 in closing at $980 after a transfer of 1,080 stocks, Sygnus Credit Investments 10% sank $4.73 to close at $110.77 with investors swapping 15 stock units and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% slipped $2 to finish at $100 after an exchange of 196 shares.

Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, JSE Main Market, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Trading surge for Jamaican listed stocks

March 7, 2025 by
Trading picked up on Friday over Thursday’s levels on the Jamaica Stock Exchange with a rise in the volume of stocks exchanged carrying a greater value than on Thursday and resulting in the Main Market major indices and the Junior Market index rising and the JSE USD Market falling. At the end of trading the increased trading activity pushed prices of 42 shares higher, 40 lower and 28 remaining firm.

At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index increased 1,760.22 points to wrap up trading at 339,950.43, the All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 1,628.08 points to 381,038.54, the JSE Main Index gained 1,734.11 points to end at 328,873.32, the Junior Market Index rose 14.21 points to settle at 3,549.95 and the JSE USD Market Index slipped 1.26 points to 221.50.
At the close of trading, 23,374,881 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 16,802,695 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $299.11 million, up from $80.27 million on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 1,177,910 shares for US$32,735 compared to 577,225 units at US$58,717 on Thursday.
In Main Market activity, Kingston Wharves led with 4.0 million shares followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 2.27 million stocks and Transjamaican Highway with 2.21 million units.
In Junior Market trading, MFS Capital Partners led with 1.72 million shares followed by Mailpac Group with 898,950 stocks and Lumber Depot with 751,407 units.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share fell $10.75 to $259, Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preferred share gained $87 to end at $980, Sygnus Credit Investments 10% lost $4.73 in closing at $111 and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% declined $2 to finish at $100.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 13.6 based on 2024-25 earnings and 19.5 based on 2023-24 historical earnings. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the other more detailed daily charts provide investors with information that is updated regularly to help decision-making. The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares listed on Jamaica Stock Exchange, that are grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons within a sector and the overall market. The earnings per share (EPS) and PE ratios are based on 2024 and 2025 actual or projected earnings, excluding any major one time income or expense.
Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the sector average, 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 incorporated into the chart. Investors can use this measure in assessing stock values. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices. Dividends that are paid or are due to be paid and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, JSE Combined, Stock Market Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,