138 Student Living

GraceKennedy shakes up JSE Main Market

January 21, 2025 by IC Insider.com

Transjamaican Highway just edged out GraceKennedy with the volume of stocks traded by both companies on Tuesday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market, Grace clobbered the former, with their stock accounting for $203 million 82 percent of the market value for the day jumped 454 percent higher after the volume climbed 83 percent over Monday, with trading in 60 securities down from 63 on Monday, with prices of 26 rising, 16 declining and 18 ending unchanged, with Scotia Group trading at a new 52 weeks’ high.

The market closed with 9,345,201 shares trading for $253,994,490 up from 5,102,009 units at $45,848,686 on Monday.
Trading averaged 155,753 stocks at $4,233,241 compared with 80,984 shares at $727,757 on Monday and month to date, an average of 237,121 units at $1,893,712 compared with 243,285 stocks at $1,716,475 on the previous day and December with an average of 967,720 stock units at $18,390,902.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 2.87 million shares for 30.8 percent of total volume followed by GraceKennedy which ended with 2.82 million stocks for 30.2 percent of the day’s trade and Wigton Energy with 1.42 million stock units for 15.2 percent of the day’s trade.
The All Jamaican Composite Index sank 2,435.47 points to wrap up trading at 382,822.48, the JSE Main Index declined 1,534.48 points to close trading at 331,958.77 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.93 points to cease trading at 68.15. The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 14.5. 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 a rise in trading, AS Bryden increased $1.75 to $31.90 with investors trading 126 stock units, Caribbean Cement dropped $3.37 to $83.63 after closing with trading of 16,866 shares, Eppley lost $1.98 and ended at $35.02 as investors exchanged 519 stocks. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund climbed $1.10 to end at $38 with just one unit changing hands, First Rock Real Estate rose 70 cents to finish at $9.20 in the trading of 2,017 shares, GraceKennedy sank $1.98 to finish at $72 with 2,820,553 stock units clearing the market. Guardian Holdings fell $9 and ended at $300 with investors swapping 1,538 stocks, Jamaica Broilers gained $1.20 to $38.60 after an exchange of 152,100 stock units, Kingston Properties shed 58 cents to close at $8.41 with trading of 1,016 shares. Kingston Wharves popped $1.78 to end at $30.09 after an exchange of 9,436 stock units, Massy Holdings sank $1.45 in closing at $82.50 after investors ended trading 4,051 stocks, Mayberry Group rallied 73 cents to finish at $8.29 after a transfer of 3,406 units. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy advanced $4.98 to $70 with traders dealing in 250 shares, Pan Jamaica dipped $3.68 to end at $50.32 after an exchange of 10,300 stock units, Proven Investments popped $2.58 to close at $20.48 with a transfer of 893 stocks. Scotia Group climbed $2 to finish at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $63, after trading at an intraday high of $63.99 with 21,024 units crossing the exchange, Seprod rose $1 and ended at $85 with 5,735 shares switching owners, Stanley Motta advanced $1 to close at $8 50 with stock units crossing the market and Wisynco Group slipped 73 cents to $21.15 with investors dealing in 35,141 stocks.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preferred share declined $43 to close at $238.75 with 50 units passing through the market and Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share skidded $13.99 to end at $1,100 with an exchange of 207 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: 138 Student Living, AS Bryden, Barita Investments, Berger Paints, Caribbean Cement, Caribbean Producers, Carreras, Daily Trading, Emerging markets, Eppley, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund, First Rock Capital, General Accident, GraceKennedy, Jamaica Broilers, Jamaica Producers, Jamaica Stock Exchange, Jamaican stocks, JMMB Group, Key Insurance, Kingston Properties, Kingston Wharves, Lasco Distributors, Lasco Manufacturing, Mayberry Group, Mayberry Jamaica Equities, NCB Financial, PANJAM Investment, Portland JSX, Proven Investments, QWI Investments, Radio Jamaica, Sagicor Group, Sagicor Real Estate Fund, Sagicor Select Fund, Salada Foods, Scotia Group, Seprod, Stanley Motta, Sterling Investments, Supreme Ventures, Sygnus Credit, Trading Activity, Transjamaican Highway, Victoria Mutual Investments, Wigton Windfarm, Wisynco Group

Trading jumps on Jamaica Stock Exchange

January 21, 2025 by IC Insider.com

Scotia Group climbed to a new 52 weeks’ closing high on Tuesday

Trading closed Tuesday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange with a rise in the volume of stocks exchanged, carrying a greater value than on Monday and resulting in the Main Market major indices falling, the Junior Market index ending with gains and the JSE USD Market slipping modestly, with the market closing with prices of 44 shares rising, 35 declining and 30 remaining firm.

At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index sank 1,340.70 points to end at 343,920.04, the All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 2,435.47 points to 382,822.48, the JSE Main Index declined 1,534.48 points to wrap up trading at 331,958.77, the Junior Market Index advanced 17.67 points to finish at 3,692.13 and the JSE USD Market Index dropped 0.96 points to 238.48.
The market closed with 13,915,261 shares traded in all three markets, up from 10,906,252 stock units on Monday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and the Main markets amounting to $261.56 million, up from $54.8 million on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with 325,340 shares being exchanged for US$10,946 versus 20,668 units at US$13,498 on Monday.
In Main Market, Transjamaican Highway led trading with 2.87 million shares followed by GraceKennedy with 2.82 million stocks and Wigton Energy with 1.42 million units.
In Junior Market trading, Lasco Financial led with 2.37 million shares followed by Image Plus with 311,884 stocks and Limners and Bards with 209,758 units.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share sank $43 to finish at $239 and Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preferred share dropped $13.99 and ended at $1,100.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 13.8 on 2024-25 earnings and 20.3 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: 138 Student Living, Caribbean Cement, Daily Trading, Emerging market, Eppley, Jamaica Producers, Jamaica Stock Exchange, Jamaica Stock Exchange Combined Index, Jamaican stocks, JPS, JSE Main Index, junior market, Junior Market index, NCB Financial, Net asset Value of Jamaican stocks, Omni Industries, Pan Jamaica, PE Ratio of Jamaican stocks, RA Williams, Scotia Group, Seprod, Trading Activity, Transjamaican Highway, Wigton Windfarm

Scotia’s $6 jump pushes JSE Main Market up

January 20, 2025 by IC Insider.com

Scotia Group head quarters in Kingston.

Scotia Group jumped $6 to end at a new multiple year high of $61 and helped the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market to end higher on Monday, trading in 63 securities up from 61on Friday, with prices of 24 rising, 26 declining and 13 ending firm, following an 80 percent drop in the volume of stocks traded with the value 67 percent lower than on Friday.

The market closed with the trading of 5,102,009 shares at $45,848,686 down sharply from 25,420,490 stock units at $137,218,439 on Friday. Trading averaged 80,984 shares at $727,757 compared with 416,729 stocks at $2,249,483 on Friday and month to date, with an average of 243,285 units at $1,716,475 just less than the 257,311 shares that were traded at $1,801,920 on the previous trading day and December with an average of 967,720 stock units at $18,390,902.

Transjamaican Highway led the market with 1.37 million shares for 26.8 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Energy with 1.30 million stock units for 25.5 percent of the day’s trade and JMMB Group preferred 7.35% – 2028 with 372,144 units for 7.3 percent of the volume traded.
The All Jamaican Composite Index gained 541.44 points to close at 385,257.95, the JSE Main Index climbed 418.99 points to end at 333,493.25 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.51 points to end at 69.08. The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 14 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 14.3. 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 trading activity, Caribbean Cement climbed $1.09 to $87 in an exchange of 159,933 stocks, Caribbean Producers fell 69 cents to close at $8.31 with 9,575 stocks clearing the market, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund sank $1.10 to $36.90 following a transfer of 9,738 shares. First Rock Real Estate slipped 95 cents to close at $8.50 with 5,503 stocks crossing the exchange, JMMB Group fell 35 cents to $20.90 with 68,424 stocks changing hands, Mayberry Group shed 83 cents to finish at $7.56 with an exchange of 11,146 stocks. Pan Jamaica rose $3.11 and ended at $54 after 537 units crossed the market, Proven Investments sank $3.10 to $17.90 after an exchange of 6,700 stock units, Sagicor Group lost $1 to close at $39 with investors swapping 5,521 shares. Scotia Group gained $6 to end at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $61 with 50,871 stock units switching owners, after trading at an intraday high of $62, Seprod dropped $1 to close at $84 as investors exchanged 19,018 stocks, Supreme Ventures popped 49 cents to finish at $21.99 closing at 4,569 units and Wisynco Group increased 43 cents and ended at $21.88 with investors trading 54,779 shares.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% preferred share declined $3 to $19 with 49 units crossing the market, Jamaica Public Service 7% climbed $1.85 to end at $43.85 with investors dealing in 63 stocks. JMMB Group 7% preferred share dipped 44 cents to close at $2.50 with a transfer of 9,075 stock units, 138 Student Living preference share surged $35.25 to finish at $281.75 trading 14 shares, Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preferred share increased $58.99 to close at $1,113.99 with a mere one unit passing through the market and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% slipped 40 cents to $104 with investors trading 139 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Scotia hits new yearly record high

January 20, 2025 by IC Insider.com

Scotia Group head quarters in Kingston.

ended trading $6 higher to a 52 weeks’ closing high of $61 after hitting an intraday high of $62 on Monday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange following a drop in the volume of stocks exchanged, having a lower value than on Friday and resulted in all three market indices falling, and ended with prices of 42 shares rising, 48 declining and 28 remaining firm.

At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 650.14 points to 345,260.74, the All Jamaican Composite Index advanced 541.44 points to end at 385,257.95, the JSE Main Index rallied 418.99 points to wrap up trading at 333,493.25, the Junior Market Index climbed 34.79 points to finish at 3,674.46 after trading over 3,700 points in the morning session and the JSE USD Market Index rose 5.43 points to settle at 239.44.
At the close of trading, 10,906,252 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 36,562,506 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $54.8 million, down from $153.03 million on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with 20,668 shares trading for US$13,498 down from 843,267 stocks at US$30,797 on Friday.
In the Main Market activities, Transjamaican Highway was the lead trade with 1.37 million shares followed by Wigton Energy with 1.30 million stocks and JMMB Group 7.35% – 2028 with 372,144 units.
In Junior Market trading, Kintyre Holdings led with 1.18 million shares followed by Limners and Bards with 777,058 stocks and Omni Industries with 719,885 units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% preference share lost $3 and ended at $19, Jamaica Public Service 7% climbed $1.85 to $44, 138 Student Living preference share increased $35.25 to finish at $282 and Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share popped $58.99 to close at $1,114.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 13.7 on 2023-24 earnings and 19.9 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.

New additions to ICTOP10 stocks

January 18, 2025 by IC Insider.com

Stocks ended a mixed week with the Main Market adding a few hundred points or less than 0.2 percent and the Junior Market declining 1.6 percent for the week following a fall of half of one percent in the previous week, resulting in mostly price gains in the Main Market and the Junior Market with losers edging out winners as the ICTOP10 gets 3 new listings.

Only three stocks rose and six declined in the Junior Market ICTOP10 during the week. The Main Market ICTOP10 ended with six stocks gaining and just two declining. The All JSE TOP10, compiled from all listed ordinary stocks on the JSE, had one change, with Jamaica Broilers replacing Caribbean Cream. Guardian Holdings with the potential to gain 436 percent continues to hold the number one spot in the market with 138 Student Living at number 2 in the All JSE ICTOP10. Elite Diagnostics holds the number one spot in the Junior Market TOP10 followed by Express Catering.
In the Junior Market IC TOP10, Caribbean Flavours jumped 17 percent to $1.41 Access Financial and Jamaican Teas rose 4 percent to $17.70 and $2.15 respectively. Caribbean Cream fell 14 percent to $2.77, Elite Diagnostics slipped 5 percent to $1.79, while AMG Packaging and Express Catering shed 4 percent to $3.28 and $3.11 respectively.
The Main Market ICTOP10 Berger Paints added 13 percent to close at $8.34, Caribbean Producers and Scotia Group rose 6 percent to close at $9 and $55, Key Insurance and QWI Investments propped 5 percent to $2.30 and 90 cents respectively.
Jamaica Broilers dropped 9 percent in the week and returned to the Main Market ICTOP10, replacing JMMB Group and the Junior Market ICTOP10 listings, Caribbean Cream and Image Plus released lower results than expected for the November quarter, resulting in earnings downgrades for both, with them dropping out of the TOP10 and were replaced by Limners & Bards and Lumber Depot.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market ICTOP 10 sits at just 5.6, well below the market average of 14.4 and the Junior Market TOP10 stands at 9.1, more than half of the market, with an average of 13.3.
Based on the earnings projected estimates for 2024, the Main Market ICTOP10 is projected to gain an average of 273 percent by May 2025, providing better values than the Junior Market, projected to achieve a 151 percent increase for the same time.
In the Main Market ICTOP 10, there are 14 stocks with the highest values representing 27 percent of the Main Market, with PEs between 15 to 105, with an average of 29 and 21 excluding the highest PE ratios and a PE of 24 for the top half of the market with the highest values and 19 excluding the stocks with overweight values.
In the Junior Market IC TOP10 are 14 stocks, 29 percent of the market, with PEs ranging from 15 to 31 with an average of 21 and a PE of 18 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 so. ICInsider.com ranks stocks based on their 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 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: 138 Student Living, AMG Packaging, Berger Paints, Caribbean Cream, Daily Trading, Emerging markets, Express Catering, Guardian Holdings, Image Plus, Iron Rock Insurance, Jamaican Stock Exchange, Jamaican stocks, JMMB Group, junior market, Key Insurance, Knutsford Express, Margaritaville, Pulse Investments, QWI Investments, Scotia Group, Stocks to Watch, TOP 10 stocks, Trading Activity

Main Market dips amidst big Transjamaican trade

January 17, 2025 by IC Insider.com

Jamaica’s first toll road operators, Transjamaican Highway, sped away with just 80 percent of all shares traded on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Friday, helping to drive the volume of stocks traded up by 96 percent and the value a solid 76 percent higher than on Thursday, flowing from trading in 61 securities, slightly down from 62 on Thursday and ending with prices of only 12 rising, 30 declining and 19 ending unchanged including Sterling Investments and Scotia Group that traded at 52 weeks’ high of $2.99 and $59.95 respectively.

The market closed with 25,420,490 shares trading for $137,218,439 compared with 12,971,604 stock units at $78,127,187 on Thursday. Trading averaged 416,729 shares at $2,249,483 compared to 209,219 stocks at $1,260,116 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 257,311 stock units at $1,801,920 compared with 242,754 shares at $1,761,050 on the previous day and December averaging 967,720 stock units at $18,390,902.
Transjamaican Highway was the leading trade with 20.32 million shares for 79.9 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Energy which ended with 1.30 million units for 5.1 percent of the day’s trade and Carreras with 763,258 stocks for 3 percent of the volume traded.
The All Jamaican Composite Index skidded 257.67 points to 384,716.51, the JSE Main Index declined 685.56 points to conclude trading at 333,074.26 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.11 points to close trading at 68.57. The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 10 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 14.4. 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 market activity on Friday, AS Bryden dropped $1.80 to finish at $30.20 after an exchange of 15,461 shares, Barita Investments declined 48 cents and ended at $73.50 with investors dealing in 9,711 stock units, Caribbean Cement shed $3.88 to close at $85.91 after exchanging 2,926 shares. Eppley rallied $2 to end at $37 with a transfer of 19 stock units, GraceKennedy sank 68 cents in closing at $74.02 after an exchange of 54,680 shares, Jamaica Broilers skidded $3.29 to close at $37.21 in trading 10,613 stock units. Jamaica Producers fell 95 cents to $23.70 after a transfer of 13,054 units, Jamaica Stock Exchange rose 39 cents to close at $12.99 with traders dealing in 13,854 stocks, Kingston Wharves dropped $2.48 to end at $28.02 with 10,754 units passing through the market. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy fell $5 to finish at a 52 weeks’ low of $65 with investors trading 15 shares, NCB Financial advanced 55 cents and ended at $50.75 with 125,859 stock units crossing the market, Pan Jamaica dropped $5.10 to close at $50.89 with investors swapping 3,572 stocks. Seprod declined 60 cents to $85 with 3,652 units changing hands and Supreme Ventures sank 50 cents to close at $21.50 with an exchange of 11,992 stocks.

In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% dropped $1.94 to finish at $42 with 140 shares crossing the market and Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share popped $60 and ended at $1,055 with a mere 2 stock units switching owners.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Big Transjamaican Highway trade leads the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Friday

January 17, 2025 by IC Insider.com

Trading closed Friday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange with a fall in the volume of stocks exchanged, even as Transjamaican Highway accounted for over 20 million units with the market closing with a greater value than on Thursday, resulting in the Main Market major indices falling moderately, the Junior Market dropping sharply and the JSE USD Market declining. At the end of trading the prices of just 30 shares rose, 50 declined and 32 remained firm.

At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index declined by 1,049.35 points to 344,610.60, at the same time the All Jamaican Composite Index dipped 257.67 points to 384,716.51, the JSE Main Index slipped by 685.56 points to wrap up trading at 333,074.26, the Junior Market Index shed 54.91 points to finish at 3,639.67 and the JSE USD Market Index sank 4.41 points to end at 234.01.
At the close of trading, 36,562,506 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 44,212,615 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $153.03 million, up from $119.46 million on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 843,267 shares for US$30,797 compared to 80,626 units at US$9,893 on Thursday.
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led with 20.32 million shares followed by Wigton Energy with 1.30 million stocks and Carreras with 763,258 units.
In Junior Market trading, Lasco Financial led with 6.03 million shares followed by Kintyre Holdings with 1.43 million stocks and Everything Fresh with 525,576 units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% declined $1.94 to finish at $42 and Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share popped $60 to $1,055.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 13.7 on 2024-25 earnings and 20.1 based on 2023-24 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 ease in the comparison 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.

JSE Main Market reverses early week’s loss

January 16, 2025 by IC Insider.com

The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange climbed at the close of trading on Thursday and with the gains on Wednesday has now recovered the grounds lost on Monday and Tuesday, following trading in 62 securities compared with 59 on Wednesday, with prices of 28 rising, 14 declining and 20 ending unchanged and resulting in the volume of stocks traded declining 13 percent and the value 54 percent lower than on Wednesday, with Scotia Group trading at an intraday 52 weeks’ high of $58 and ending at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $55.24.

The market closed with trading in 12,971,604 shares for $78,127,187, down from 14,875,532 stock units at $170,956,270 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 209,219 shares at $1,260,116 compared with 252,128 stocks at $2,897,564 on Wednesday and month to date an average of 242,754 stock units at $1,761,05 compared with 246,185 shares at $1,812,300 on the previous day and with an average of 967,720 stock units at $18,390,902 in December
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 3.39 million shares for 26.1 percent of total volume followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 2.19 million stocks for 16.9 percent of the day’s trade, Sterling Investments closed with 1.78 million stock units for 13.7 percent of the volume traded, Wigton Energy ended with 1.47 million shares for 11.3 percent of the stocks traded and Carreras with 1.08 million stock units for 8.3 percent of market trade.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rose 1,293.20 points to 384,974.18, the JSE Main Index gained 1,535.63 points to close at 333,759.82 and the JSE Financial Index advanced 0.82 points to end at 68.46. The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows nine stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 14.7. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with financial year ending around August 2025.
At the close of the market, AS Bryden jumped $1.83 to end at $32 with investors trading 321 stocks, Barita Investments rose 37 cents to close at $73.98 with 2,664 shares changing hands, Caribbean Cement rallied $8.76 to $89.79 with investors trading 53,557 stocks. Carreras shed 60 cents to finish at $14 with 1,075,983 units clearing the market, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund declined $1.99 and ended at $38 as investors exchanged 307 shares, First Rock Real Estate increased 39 cents to close at $9.49 in trading 2,542 stock units. GraceKennedy popped 70 cents to $74.70 with 22,011 units passing through the market, Jamaica Broilers skidded 49 cents and ended at $40.50 in an exchange of 43,693 stocks, Jamaica Producers gained 75 cents to finish at $24.65 in trading 502 shares. Kingston Wharves advanced 50 cents to close at $30.50 with 2,567 stocks crossing the market, Mayberry Group rose 84 cents to close at $8.40 after a transfer of 23,202 stock units, Mayberry Jamaican Equities advanced 62 cents to end at $9.99 with investors dealing in 5,340 stock units. Pan Jamaica rose $5.10 in closing at $55.99 with a mere 5 shares, Proven Investments climbed $3.30 to $20.80 after an exchange of 45,359 stock units, Seprod increased $1.58 to end at $85.60 with a transfer of 2,738 stocks. Sterling Investments rallied 43 cents and ended at $2.80 with 1,776,929 units crossing the exchange, Supreme Ventures gained 85 cents to close at $22 with 8,325 shares switching owners and Sygnus Credit Investments dipped 49 cents to finish at $12.01 after an exchange of 11,582 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Trading volume rise, values drop on the JSE

January 16, 2025 by IC Insider.com

Trading closed Thursday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange with a sharp rise in the volume of stocks exchanged, with a lower value than on Wednesday, resulting in the prices of 47 shares rising, 31 declining and 38 remaining firm and ending with a rise in the Main Market major indices and the Junior Market index rising and the JSE USD Market declining.

At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index increased 1,293.20 points to conclude trading at 384,974.18, the JSE Main Index advanced 1,535.63 points to 333,759.82, the Junior Market Index rose 18.41 points to end at 3,694.58 and the JSE USD Market Index declined 1.06 points to 238.42.
At the close, 44,212,615 shares were exchanged in all markets, up from just 17,532,335 units on Wednesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $119.46 million, down from $175.73 million on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 80,626 shares for US$9,893 compared to 153,983 units at US$11,863 on Wednesday.
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led trading with 3.39 million shares followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 2.19 million stocks and Sterling Investments with 1.78 million units.
In Junior Market trading, Lasco Financial led with 11.97 million shares followed by GWest Corporation with 11.31 million stocks and Limners and Bards with 3.80 million units.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 13.8 on 2024-25 earnings and 20 based on 2023-24 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 and is 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 to assess 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.

Jamaica Stock Exchange leads Main Market

January 15, 2025 by IC Insider.com

Jamaica Stock Exchange captured 34 percent of the volume of shares traded, on Wednesday, followed by Carreras with another big haul for a third day, pushing the volume of stocks traded up by 91 percent and the value up a robust 229 percent over Tuesday, resulting from trading in 59securities down from 62 on Tuesday, with prices of 21 rising, 18 declining and 20 ending unchanged.

The market closed with 14,875,532 shares trading for $170,956,270 up robustly from 7,781,071 stock units at $51,965,822 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 252,128 shares at $2,897,564 compared to 125,501 stocks at $838,158 on Tuesday and for the month to date, an average of 246,185 units at $1,812,300 up from 245,543 shares at $1,695,243 on the previous day and compared with December that averaged 967,720 stock units at $18,390,902.
Jamaica Stock Exchange led trading with 5.03 million shares for 33.8 percent of total volume followed by Carreras which ended with 4.01 million stocks for 27 percent of the day’s trade, Transjamaican Highway closed with 1.43 million stock units for 9.6 percent of the volume traded and Caribbean Producers ended with 1.06 million shares for 7.1 percent of market trade.
The All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 3,085.68 points to end at 383,680.98, the JSE Main Index rallied 2,484.38 points to wrap up trading at 332,224.19 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.63 points to end at 67.64. The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 14 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 14.5. 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 trading, AS Bryden fell $1.83 and landed at $30.17 after investors traded just 30 stock units, Barita Investments sank 39 cents to $73.61 with 1,573 shares being traded, Berger Paints rallied 87 cents to close at $8.37 with a mere 40 stocks switching owners. Caribbean Cement skidded $7.97 to close at $81.03 after a transfer of 5,831 units, Caribbean Producers rose 66 cents to end at $9 in trading 1,058,265 shares, Eppley advanced $2.27 to finish at $35 with 322 stock units crossing the market. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund popped $2.68 to $39.99 in an exchange of 260 stocks, Guardian Holdings gained $1 to close at $309 with investors dealing in 878 stock units, Jamaica Stock Exchange lost 48 cents and ended at $12.51 with 5,031,631 shares crossing the exchange. Kingston Wharves sank 90 cents to finish at $30 with investors trading 2,617 stock units, Margaritaville climbed 90 cents to end at $14.20 after an exchange of 9,577 units, Mayberry Group declined 84 cents to $7.56 with investors swapping 4,744 stocks. Mayberry Jamaican Equities shed 63 cents to $9.37 with an exchange of 715 shares, 138 Student Living increased 43 cents to end at $4.24 with 7,857 stocks clearing the market, Pan Jamaica popped 77 cents in closing at $50.89 after an exchange of 377 stock units. Proven Investments dropped $2.10 to finish at $17.50 with 12,396 stock units crossing the market, Scotia Group rallied $1 and ended at $55 with traders dealing in 143,589 shares, Seprod dipped $1.98 to close at $84.02 with 2,253 stock units changing hands. Stanley Motta rose 60 cents to $7 with a transfer of 13,264 stocks, Supreme Ventures slipped 85 cents to end at $21.15 with 314,247 stock units passing through the market, Sygnus Credit Investments climbed 50 cents to finish at $12.50 as investors exchanged 2,465 shares and Wisynco Group increased 56 cents to close at $21.58 with investors trading 271,612 stocks.