Trading picked up in the Jamaican foreign exchange market on Thursday over the low level on Wednesday but is still below the levels expected for this time of the year with dealers buying the equivalent of US$86,482,978 and selling US$81,286,470, compared with US$30,144,415 purchased and US$32,965,153 sold on Wednesday.
In US dollars trading, dealers bought US$81,408,190 compared to US$25,692,915 on Wednesday with the buying rate for the US dollar rising 65 cents to $120.78. A total of US$76,491,607 was sold versus US$27,660,961 on Wednesday as the selling rate climbed by 3 cents to $121.04.
The Canadian dollar buying rate jumped $1.95 to end at $84.15 with dealers buying C$3,747,853 and selling C$5,750,040, at an average rate that rose $1.86 to $85.44. The rate for buying the British Pound climbed $1.14 to $169.71 for the purchase of £1,686,196, while £456,382 was sold, with the rate gaining 3 cents to $169.97. At the end of trading, it took J$131.86 to purchase the Euro, for a rise of 15 cents from Wednesday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$128.94 for a climb of 12 cents from Wednesday’s rate. The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$94,363 being bought, while US$95,194 was sold.
Highs & Lows| Notable changes to the highest and lowest rates the currencies traded at are, a jump of $18.72 in the lowest selling rate of the US dollar to $117.50. The Canadian dollar highest buying rate rose by $1.60 to $85.25. There was a rise of $3.74 in the highest selling rate of the British Pound, to $179.01 and an increase in the lowest selling rate of $1.20 to $164.50.
FX Inflows depressed on Tuesday
Trading in the Jamaican foreign exchange market on Tuesday was still below the levels expected for this time of a week in the winter months. Dealers bought the equivalent of just US$24,412,348 and sold US$31,030,871, compared with US$27,603,340 purchased and US$28,177,563 sold on Monday.
In US dollars trading, dealers bought US$21,172,486 compared to US$23,407,422 on Monday with the buying rate for the US dollar rising 37 cents to $120. A total of US$28,937,052 was sold versus US$26,363,858 on Monday as the selling rate climbed by 5 cents to $120.85. The Canadian dollar buying rate rose $1.05 to end at $81.84 with dealers buying C$2,359,149 and selling C$1,905,459, at an average rate that rose 89 cents to $83.05. The rate for buying the British Pound dropped $1.20 to $167.90 for the purchase of £1,052,798, 
while only £374,507 was sold, with the rate falling $1.72 to $169.60. At the end of trading, it took J$131.37 to purchase the Euro, for a fall of 91 cents from Monday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$128.15 for a decline of $1.64 from Monday’s rate. The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$157,901 being bought, while US$258,822 was sold.
Highs & Lows| Notable changes to the highest and lowest rates the currencies traded at are, a fall of $1.87 in the lowest selling rate of the US dollar to $98.86. The highest buying rate of the Canadian dollar fell $1.35 to $83.65 and the lowest selling rate slipped by $1.15 to $77. The British Pound, dropped $1.25 in the highest buying rate to $172.20 and by $1.50 in the lowest selling rate to $164.
Inflows of FX below norm on Monday
Trading in the Jamaican foreign exchange market on Monday was well below the levels expected for the first day of a week in the winter months. Dealers bought the equivalent of just US$27,603,340 and sold US$28,177,563, compared with US$58,820,996 purchased and US$48,672,598 sold on Friday.
In US dollars trading, dealers bought US$23,407,422 compared to US$55,716,976 on Friday with the buying rate for the US dollar falling 68 cents to $119.63. A total of US$26,363,858 was sold versus US$45,573,684 on Friday as the selling rate climbed by just 2 cents to $120.80. 
The Canadian dollar buying rate rose 28 cents to end at $80.79 with dealers buying C$2,421,519 and selling C$980,032, at an average rate that declined by $1.50 to $82.16. The rate for buying the British Pound dropped $3.03 to $169.10 for the purchase of £1,645,063, while £689,638 was sold, with the rate falling 22 cents to $171.32. At the end of trading, it took J$132.28 to purchase the Euro, for a jump of $1.37 on Friday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$129.79 for a rise of $1.53 on Friday’s rate. 
The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$235,202 being bought, while US$169,063 was sold.
Highs & Lows| Notable changes to the highest and lowest rates the currencies traded at are, a fall of $2.30 in the highest selling rate of the Canadian dollar to $86.20 and the lowest selling rate falling by $1.55 to $78.15, the British Pound, dropping $3.10 of the highest buying rate to $173.45 and an increase of $1.34 in the highest selling rate to $178.90.
Jam$ gains vs Pound & Can$ – Friday
The Jamaican foreign exchange market returned to normal on Friday with gains against the Canadian dollar and the Pound sterling with dealers buying the equivalent US$58,820,996 and selling US$48,672,598, compared with US$33,372,380 purchased and US$30,923,069 sold on Thursday.
In US dollars trading, dealers bought US$55,716,976 compared to US$28,892,317 on Thursday with the buying rate for the US dollar rising 18 cents to $120.31. A total of US$45,573,684 was sold versus US$29,140,678 on Thursday as the selling rate climbed by just 1 cent to $120.78.
The Canadian dollar buying rate fell 77 cents to end at $80.51 with dealers buying C$1,061,474 and selling C$2,675,194, at an average rate that declined by 65 cents to $83.65. The rate for buying the British Pound dropped $1.37 to $172.13 for the purchase of £1,449,673, while £599,840 was sold, with the rate falling $1.24 to $171.54. At the end of trading, it took J$130.91 to purchase the Euro, for a fall of 8 cents on Thursday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$128.26 for a fall of 9 cents from Thursday’s rate. 
The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$319,663 being bought, while US$394,128 was sold.
Highs & Lows| Notable changes to the highest and lowest rates the currencies traded at are, a fall of $16.88 in the lowest selling rate for the US dollar to $100.57, the Canadian dollar highest buying rate rising $1.39 to $85 and the highest selling rate of British Pound, dropping $2.20 to $177.56.
Jamaican $ slips on Thursday
The Jamaican foreign exchange market returned to normal on Thursday with dealers buying the equivalent US$33,372,380 and selling US$30,923,069, compared with US$36,348,672 purchased and US$33,993,285 sold on Wednesday. Changes in the rates of the various currencies saw the Jamaican dollar losing value against the majors.
In US dollars trading, dealers bought US$28,892,317 compared to US$32,927,644 on Wednesday with the buying rate for the US dollar rising 3 cents to $120.13. 
A total of US$29,140,678 was sold versus US$31,914,028 on Wednesday as the selling rate climbed 4 cents to $120.77. The Canadian dollar buying rate fell 48 cents to end at $81.28 with dealers buying C$1,221,260 and selling C$1,111,039, at an average rate that rose 52 cents to $84.30. The rate for buying the British Pound jumped $2.30 to $173.50 for the purchase of £2,418,796, while £545,310 was sold, with the rate rising 9 cents to $172.78. At the end of trading, it took J$130.99 to purchase the Euro, for a rise of 30 cents on Wednesday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$128.35 for a fall of 15 cents from Wednesday’s rate. The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$160,372 being bought, while US$226,645 was sold.
strong>Highs & Lows| Notable changes to the highest and lowest rates the currencies traded at are, a rise of $16.88 in the lowest selling rate for the US dollar to $117.45, the Canadian dollar highest selling rate fell $1.50 to $88.50, the lowest selling rate fell $1 to $80. The highest buying rate of British Pound, rose by $1.48 to $176.68 and the lowest selling rate declined by $1.90 to close at $166.10.
FX market normalizes on Wednesday
The Jamaican foreign exchange market returned to normal on Wednesday with dealers buying the equivalent US$36,348,672 and selling US$33,993,285, compared with US$113,650,452 purchased and US$115,800,882 sold on Tuesday. Changes in the rates of the various currencies were mixed with the US dollar continuing to gain.
In US dollars trading, dealers bought US$32,927,644 compared to US$110,719,783 on Tuesday with the buying rate for the US dollar fell 40 cents to $120.10. A total of US$31,914,028 was sold versus US$114,279,943 on Tuesday as the selling rate climbed 2 cents to $120.73.
The Canadian dollar buying rate fell 29 cents to end at $81.76 with dealers buying C$1,224,307 and selling C$911,193, at an average rate that rose 11 cents to $83.78. The rate for buying the British Pound climbed 81 to $171.20 for the purchase of £1,659,859, while £935,638 was sold, with the rate dropping 74 cents to $172.69. At the end of trading, it took J$130.68 to purchase the Euro, for fall of 30 cents on Tuesday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$128.50 for a rise of 28 cents on Tuesday’s rate. The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$221,512 being bought, while US$108,614 was sold.
Highs & Lows| Notable changes to the highest and lowest rates the currencies traded at were, a fall of $1.80 in the highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar to $84.60, a rise in the highest selling rate of $2.05 to $90, a fall in the highest buying rate of British Pound, by $2.30 to $175.20 and a $2.79 decline in the highest selling rate that closed at $178.90.
Huge US$114m trading Tuesday
Tuesday was a big day for trading in the Jamaican foreign exchange market, as dealers bought the equivalent US$113,650,452 and sold US$115,800,882, compared with US$45,414,864 purchased and US$40,270,681 sold on Monday. Changes in the rates of the various currencies were mixed with the US dollar continuing to gain.
In US dollars trading, dealers bought US$110,719,783 compared to US$41,206,124 on Monday with the buying rate for the US dollar rising 57 cents to $120.50 A total of US$114,279,943 was sold versus US$38,724,325 on Monday as the selling rate climbed 3 cents to $120.71. The Canadian dollar buying rate fell 62 cents to end at $82.05 with dealers buying C$1,475,053 and selling C$923,548, at an average rate that fell 62 cents to $83.67. 
The rate for buying the British Pound declined by $2.70 to $170.39 for the purchase of £1,158,431, while £465,990 was sold, with the rate rising 96 cents to $173.43. At the end of trading, it took J$130.98 to purchase the Euro, for fall of 57 on Monday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$128.21 for a decline of 32 cents on Monday’s rate. The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$288,183 being bought, while US$211,300 was sold.
Highs & Lows| Notable changes to the highest and lowest rates the currencies traded at were, a rise in the lowest selling rate of the US dollar of $1.96 to $100.57, a rise of $1.25 in the highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar to $86.40, a fall in the highest selling rate of $1.55 to $87.95, a rise in the highest buying rate of British Pound, by $1.10 to $177.50 and a $1.80 decline in the lowest selling rate that closed at $167.20.
NIR climbs US$94m in December
Jamaica enjoyed a week of strong net inflows on the FX front
The inflows brought the net inflows to US$93.9 million for the month, moving the reserves to $2.437 billion from $2.34 at the end of November.
Reserves now amount to 33.37 in Weeks of Goods Imports, up from 31.80 weeks and 22.98 weeks in reserves of Goods & Services Imports up from 21.90 weeks from the November amounts a release from Bank of Jamaica disclosed.
Bank of Jamaica confirmed that for the December 2015 quarter the net purchase by them amounted to US$137.48 million. The intake by the bank helped to build up the reserves.
Jamaican$ had mixed Monday
In the Jamaican foreign exchange market, dealers bought the equivalent of US$45,414,864 and sold US$40,270,681, compared with US$21,534,854 purchased and US$25,878,122 sold on Friday. Changes in the rates of the various currencies were mixed with the US dollar gaining.
In US dollars trading, dealers bought US$41,206,124 compared to US$18,827,307 on Friday with the buying rate for the US dollar rising 27 cents to $119.93. A total of US$38,724,325 was sold versus US$24,377,840 on Friday as the selling rate climbed 5 cents to $120.68. The Canadian dollar buying rate gained 28 cents to end at $82.67 with dealers buying C$2,311,311 and selling C$1,118,593, at an average rate that fell 42 cents to $84.29. The rate for buying the British Pound rose $1.37 to $173.09 for the purchase of £1,681,260, while £421,527 was sold, with the rate dropping $2.34 to $172.47. At the end of trading, it took J$131.55 to purchase the Euro, 
for an increase of $1 on Friday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$128.68 for a rise of 55 cents on Friday’s rate. The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$188,807 being bought, while US$162,575 was sold.
Highs & Lows| Notable changes to the highest and lowest rates the currencies traded at were, a fall in the lowest selling rate of the US dollar of $18.39 to $98.61, a rise in the highest buying rate for the British Pound, of $1 to $176.40 and a $1.50 increase in the highest selling rate that closed at $180.69.
JSE main market rebounds on Monday
Scotia Group traded at a new 52 weeks’ high of $32.75 on Monday.
The Jamaica Stock Exchange closed on Monday with wild swings in the indices with the main markets rising quite strongly in the early morning session only to see it fall by 11 am but regained lost ground to be up strongly at the close. The junior market surged out of the block from the start with that index rising over 8 percent at the peak.
The JSE Market Index jumped 1,053.22 points to 157,776.59, the all Jamaica Composite Index 1,177.02 points to end at 175,280.53 and the JSE combined index rose 2,503.44 points to close at 169,179.92.
At the close, 6,236,086 units valued at only $35,592,624 changed hands in all markets with the junior market accounting for of 2,024,430 units changed hands, valued at $9,319,672. Trading was broad based with a total of 43 active securities in all market segments as 25 in the combined markets gained and 12 declined. Eight stocks closed at 52 weeks’ highs and two traded at intraday highs.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading of 13 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 6 with lower offers.
In trading, Barita Investments traded 31,500 shares and added 15 cents to close at $3.95, Berger Paints ended with 25,670 shares trading at $3.69, for a rise of 49 cents. Cable and Wireless ended with 649,150 units changing hands to close at $1.40, Caribbean Cement jumped $3.95 to end at $25, with 11,122 shares trading, Carreras climbed $1 and closed at $61 with 69,500 units changing hands. Ciboney traded only 1,318,523 shares with price rising 1 cent to 26 cents, Gleaner Company traded 142,515 shares to close at $2.70, Grace Kennedy closed with a gain of 33 cents as 18,969 units changed hands at $84.33. Jamaica Broilers gained 20 cents and closed at $10.95 with 86,400 shares changing hands, for a new 52 weeks’ high, Jamaica Stock Exchange traded 27,135 shares and gained 22 cents to close at $18.82, JMMB Group traded 34,090 units and rose 59 cents to end at a 52 weeks high of $12.95, Kingston Wharves traded 34,334 units at $11.25. 
Mayberry Investments traded 20,000 shares and gained 25 cents to end at $4.65, National Commercial Bank fell $1.54 to end at $41.51, with 37,983 units changing hands. Radio Jamaica had 115,654 shares trading at $5.50. Sagicor Group fell 3 cents to close at $23 with 338,597 units changing hands, Sagicor Real Estate Fund traded 34,900 shares at $11.60, Scotia Group closed with 16,708 shares changing hands at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $32.75 for a gain of 75 cents. Scotia Investments fell 3 cents to close at $29.02 after 3,830 units traded, Seprod traded 20,541 units but gained 60 cents to end at $20.60, Supreme Ventures rose 6 cents to end at $4.66 with 981,818 units changing hands and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share traded 176,760 units to end at $2.