JSE main market slips on Thursday

JPS 9.5% preference sharejumped $23.50 to $1,300on Thursday.

Trading in the main market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed on Thursday with 24 securities changing hands with 1 trading in the US dollar market. At the close, 10 stocks advanced and 6 declined.
Trading levels in the main market ended at 7,307,280 units valued at $263,394,539 compared to 2,673,775 units valued at $51,217,614 at the close on Wednesday. Trading in the US dollar market accounted for 6,100 units valued at US$1,830.
The All Jamaica Composite Index declined 942.67 points to close at 246,949.65 the JSE Market Index fell 858.88 points to finish at 224,999.11 and the JSE US dollar market index remained at 219 points.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and US dollar markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 17 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 with lower offers.
The main market ended trading with an average of 122,740 units valued at $10,974,772 per security that traded, compared to an average of 53,047 units valued at $2,048,705 on Wednesday. The average volume for the month to date ended at 382,330 units with an average value of $5,264,239 versus at 398,555 units with an average value of $4,907,331 on the prior trading day. The average volume and value for March ended at 549,909 units and $1,379,459.
In market activity, Barita Investments closed at $7 exchanging 22,700 shares, Berger Paints closed 48 cents higher at $14 trading 4,900 shares, after trading at an intraday high of $15.50, Cable and Wireless closed at $1.31, with 508,000 shares changing hands, Caribbean Cement traded 50 cents lower at $30 with trades of 5,600 units. Carreras closed at $75 exchanging 8,770 shares, the stock traded during the day at an intraday high of $77.50, Grace Kennedy gained 90 cents to close at $43.90 trading 4,692,199 units, Jamaica Broilers closed at $16.49, losing 41 cents with an exchange of 924,823 shares, Jamaica Producers closed 50 cents higher at $16, exchanging 87,300 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange closed 97 cents lower at $7.03, with trades of 6,500 shares. JMMB Group closed at $22.50, gaining $2.28 trading 25,788 units, Kingston Wharves closed at $31, with gains of $1.60 exchanging 15,650 units, NCB Financial Group lost $1.25 to end at $63.75, with 93,122 shares changing hands, 1834 Investments gained 10 cents to close at $1.80, with an exchange of 41,856 shares, 138 Student Living closed at S4.49 with 40,000 shares changing hands, PanJam Investment closed 5 cents lower to $34.15 with trades of 30,466 shares. Pulse Investments gained 1 cent to close at $8.05 trading 5,000 units, Sagicor Group closed at $33.51, with gains of $1.51, trading 63,150 shares, Scotia Group closed at $40.50, losing 50 cents with 234,146 units changing owners, Seprod closed at $36 trading 2,900 shares, Sterling Investments closed at $17.15 with an exchange of 6,020 units, Supreme Ventures closed at $6.30 exchanging 700 shares. Proven Investments closed at 30 US cents with trades of 6,100 ordinary shares, JMMB 7.5% preference share gained 10 cents to close at $1.98 exchanging 11,000 units, Jamaica Public Service Company 9.5% preference share traded $23.50 higher at $1,300 with 14,000 units changing hands and JMMB Group 7.5% preference share closed at $1.05 trading 462,690 units.

14 stocks fell on Wednesday

Trading in the main market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed on Wednesday with 25 securities changing hands with 1 trading in the US dollar market. At the close, 7 stocks advanced and 14 declined.
Trading levels in the main market ended at 2,673,775 units valued at $51,217,614 compared to 5,505,950 units valued at $95,998,334 at the close on Tuesday. Trading in the US dollar market accounted for 168,860 units valued at US$50,658.
The All Jamaica Composite Index declined 1,021.50 points to close at 247,892.32 the JSE Market Index fell 930.70 points to finish at 225,857.99 and the JSE US dollar market index remained unchanged at 219 points.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and US dollar markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 8 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 with lower offers.
The main market ended trading with an average of 53,047 units valued at $2,048,705 per traded security compared to an average of 158,066 units valued at $4,173,841 on Tuesday. The average volume for the month to date ended at 398,555 units with an average value of $4,907,331 versus at 421,588 units with an average value of $5,097,906 on the prior trading day. The average volume and value for March ended at 549,909 units and $1,379,459.
In market activity, Barita Investments closed at $7 with a loss of 10 cents exchanging 100 shares, Berger Paints closed $1.48 lower to $13.52 trading 215,248 shares, Cable and Wireless closed at $1.31, after losing 4 cents with 19,178 shares changing hands, Caribbean Cement traded 50 cents lower to $30.50 with 233,626 units trading Carreras closed at $75, with a loss of 10 cents while exchanging 97,395 shares, Grace Kennedy gained $2 to close at $43 trading 27,300 units, Jamaica Broilers closed at $16.90, gaining 10 cents with an exchange of 1,023,770 shares, Jamaica Producers closed at $15.50 exchanging 3,187 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange closed 40 cents lower at $8, with trades of 22,332 shares. JMMB Group closed at $20.22, after losing 9 cents trading 79,664 units, Kingston Wharves closed at $29.40, with a loss of $2.60 in exchanging 1,718 units, Mayberry Investments exchanged 11,000 shares at $4.75, NCB Financial Group traded at $65, with 65,310 shares changing hands, 1834 Investments lost 15 cents to close at $1.70, with an exchange of 124,196 shares, 138 Student Living traded 1 cent higher to close at S4.49 with 21,860 shares changing hands, PanJam Investment closed 80 cents lower to $34.20 with trades of 25,244 shares. Radio Jamaica gained 5 cents to close at $1.70 trading 76,000 shares, Sagicor Group closed at $32 exchanging 55,909 shares, Sagicor Real Estate Fund closed at $10.35, with gains of 5 cents trading 35,276 shares, Scotia Group closed at $41, gaining $1.88 with 121,490 units changing ownership, Scotia Investments traded $1.89 lower to close at $36.11 with an exchange of 4,420 shares, Seprod gained 1 cent to close at $36 trading 7,853 shares, Supreme Ventures closed at $6.30, losing 8 cents exchanging 62,444 shares. Proven Investments closed at 30 US cents with trades of 168,860 ordinary shares, and JMMB Group 7.25% preference share lost 20 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ low of $1.30 exchanging 40,000 units.

JSE falls sharply on Tuesday

Trading in the main market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed on Tuesday with 23 securities changing hands with 2 trading in the US dollar market. At the close, 8 stocks advanced and 9 declined.
Trading levels in main market ended at 5,505,950 units valued at $95,998,334 compared to 1,892,384 units valued at $17,691,277 at the close on Monday. Trading in the US dollar market accounted for 10,079 units valued at US$5,123.
The All Jamaica Composite Index dropped 2,960.08 points to close at 248,913.82 the JSE Market Index slid 2,696.97 points to finish at 226,788.69 and the JSE US dollar market index remained unchanged at 219 points.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and US dollar markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 11 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 with lower offers.
The main market ended trading with an average of 158,066 units valued at $680,434 per traded security compared to an average of 258,710 units carrying an average value of $3,912,692 on Monday. The average volume for the month to date ended at 440,411 units with an average value of $5,163,911 versus 454,388 units with an average value of $5,508,794 on the prior trading day. The average volume and value for March ended at 549,909 units and $1,379,459.
In market activity, Barita Investments closed at $7.10 with an exchange of 73,748 shares, Berger Paints closed at $15, gaining 1 cent in exchanging 75,342 shares, Cable and Wireless closed at $1.35, losing 1 cent with 1,116,376 shares changing hands, Caribbean Cement traded $1 higher to $31 with trades of 20,823 units. Carreras closed at $75.10, with a loss of 80 cents while 2,840 shares were swapped, Grace Kennedy tumbled to $41, losing $3 in trading 1,204,283 units, Jamaica Broilers closed at $16.80 with 8,414 shares changing owners, Jamaica Producers closed at $15.50 with an exchange of 68,731 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange closed 40 cents higher to $8.40, with trades of 2,120,627 shares. JMMB Group closed at $20.31, while gaining 32 cents trading 119,977 units, Kingston Wharves closed at $32 exchanging 5,700 units, NCB Financial Group traded at $65, with 65,960 shares changing hands, 1834 Investments gained 20 cents to close at $1.85, with an exchange of 10,000 shares, 138 Student Living traded 2 cents higher to close at S4.48 with 2,050 shares changing hands, PanJam Investment closed 60 cents lower to $35 with trades of 10,169 shares. Pulse Investments closed at $8.04 with an exchange of 70,000 shares, Radio Jamaica lost 10 cents to close at $1.65 trading 48,055 shares, Sagicor Group closed at $32, losing $1 in exchanging 38,500 units, Sagicor Real Estate Fund closed at $10.30, with a loss of 20 cents trading 25,072 shares, Scotia Group closed with a loss of $1.88 at $39.12, with 255,649 units changing owners, Scotia Investments gained 92 cents to close at $38 with trades of 126,000 shares, Seprod lost 1 cent to close at $35.99 trading 5,420 shares, and Supreme Ventures closed at $6.38, gaining 3 cents exchanging 32,214 shares. Proven Investments closed at 30 US cents with trades of 8,330 ordinary shares and JMMB Group USD5.75% preference share closed at US$1.50 with trades of 1,749 units.

Market up 4 of 5 days to Monday

The main market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange continued its quiet move higher as the market closed on Monday with gains on 4 days out of 5. The market ended with 26 securities changing hands and 1 trading in the US dollar market. At the close, 12 stocks advanced and 8 declined and 3 stocks closed at 52 weeks’ high.
Trading levels in main market ended at 1,892,384 units valued at $17,691,277 compared to 2,910,852 units valued at $97,817,290 at the close on Friday. Trading in the US dollar market accounted for just 760 units valued at US$228.
The All Jamaica Composite Index gained 1,103.05 points to close at 251,873.90 the JSE Market Index advanced 1,005.00 points to finish at 229,485.66 and the JSE US dollar market index remained at 760 points at the close.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and US dollar markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 9 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 with lower offers.
The main market ended trading with an average of 184,556 units valued at $680,434 per security compared to an average of 116,434 units and $3,912,692 on Friday. The average trade for the month to date ended at 454,388 units and $5,163,911 versus an average of 454,388 units and $5,508,794 on the prior trading day. The average volume and value for March ended at 549,909 units and $1,379,459.
In market activity, Barita Investments closed at $7.10 with trades of 300 shares, Berger Paints closed at $14.99, with gains of $1.47 exchanging 1,230 shares, Cable and Wireless closed at $1.36, losing 4 cents with 1,031,203 shares changing hands, Caribbean Cement traded $2 lower at $30 with an exchange of 75,122 units. Carreras closed at a 52 weeks’ high of $75.90, with gains of 90 cents while exchanging 12,046 shares, Grace Kennedy closed at $44, with a loss of 50 cents trading 31,293 units, Jamaica Broilers closed at $16.80 with 19,196 shares changing owners, Jamaica Producers closed at $15.50 exchanging 2,602 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange closed 50 cents lower at $8, trading 107,792 shares. JMMB Group closed 29 cents higher to $19.99 trading 54,400 units, Kingston Properties gained 50 cents to close at $16 exchanging 5,980 units, Kingston Wharves closed at $32, while rising 50 cents trading 13,221 units, NCB Financial Group traded at $65, with 37,342 shares changing hands, 1834 Investments gained 15 cents to close at $1.65, with an exchange of 40,389 shares, PanJam Investments closed 95 cents higher to $35.60 trading 5,345 shares. Pulse Investments lost 1 cent with 200,000 shares changing hands, to end at $8.04,Radio Jamaica was down 4 cents to close at $1.75 with trades of 5,300 shares, Sagicor Group closed at $33, losing 50 cents with an exchange of 39,945 shares, Sagicor Real Estate Fund rose 45 cents to close at $10.50, with 991 shares being swapped, Scotia Group closed at $41 exchanging 61,310 units, Seprod closed $1 higher to $36, trading 1,563 shares, Supreme Ventures closed at $6.35, losing 3 cents exchanging 57,364 shares. Proven Investments closed at 30 US cents with trades of 760 ordinary shares, Proven Investments 8.25% preference share gained 6 cents in trading 20,000 units at $5.17, JMMB 7.25% preference share traded 10 cents higher to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $2.51 with 25,000 units changing hands, and JMMB 7.50% preference share closed 8 cents higher to $1.88 with trades of 26,250 units.

 

Stocks rise 2 for every 1 falling -Thursday

Sagicor Group traded 2.2 million shares on Thursday.

Trading in the main market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed on Thursday with 27 securities changing hands with 2 trading in the US dollar market leading to 14 stocks advancing and 7 declining.
Trading levels in main market ended at 12,546,567 units valued at $314,956,099 compared to 3,999,238 units valued at $59,651,337 at the close on Wednesday. Trading in the US dollar market accounted for 133,258 units valued at US$44,491.
The All Jamaica Composite Index shed 900.51 points to close at 249,435.64 the JSE Market Index fell 820.47 points to finish at 227,264.13 and the JSE US dollar market index lost 2.74 points to close at 216.26.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and US dollar markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 8 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 with lower offers.
The main market ended trading with an average of 464,688 units valued at $11,665,041 for each security traded compared to an average of 159,970 units valued at $2,364,549 for each security traded, on Wednesday. The average volume for the month to date ended at 482,551 units carrying an average value of $5,641,802 versus 484,175 units valued at $5,094,235 for each security on the prior trading day. The average volume and value for March ended at 549,909 units and $1,379,459.
In market activity, Barita Investments rose 10 cents to close at $7.10 with trades of 1,360 units, Berger Paints closed at $14, gaining 7 cents while trading 64,890 shares, Cable and Wireless closed at $1.36, added 1 cent with an exchange of 88,650 shares, Caribbean Cement traded 30,875 units at $32. Carreras closed at $74.01, after rising 1 cent in exchanging 281,265 shares, Grace Kennedy jumped $2.50 and closed at $44.50, trading 131,680 units, Jamaica Broilers closed 11 cents higher to $16.91 with 1,514,601 shares changing hands, Jamaica Producers closed at $15.50, with an addition of 9 cents, exchanging 133,019 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange lost 5 cents to close at $7.95, with 55,514 shares changing hands. JMMB Group closed 2 cents higher to $19, trading of 65,550 units, Kingston Wharves gained 1 cent to close at $31.01 trading 20,146 units, Mayberry Investments lost 15 cents to close at $4.55 exchanging 1,020 shares, NCB Financial Group traded $5 lower to close at $65, with 1,133,567 shares changing hands, 1834 Investments closed at $1.48, losing 2 cents with an exchange of 3,729 shares, PanJam Investment traded 63,059 shares at $35. Portland JSX rose 20 cents, to close at $10.20, with 26,113 units being exchanged, Pulse Investments closed 5 cents higher to $8.05 trading 2,000 shares, Radio Jamaica gained 11 cents to close at $1.76 with trades of 5,567,701 shares, Sagicor Group closed at $33.30, gaining 5 cents trading 2,201,519 shares, Sagicor Real Estate Fund closed at $10.05, with 10,181 shares traded, Salada Foods closed 15 cents lower at a new 52 weeks’ low of $6.90, with 450 shares changing owners, Scotia Group closed at $41.90, with gains of $1.90 exchanging 394,502 units, Scotia Investments closed at $37.01 trading 600,000 shares, Seprod traded 21,235 units at $35, Supreme Ventures shed 4 cents and closed at $6.11, exchanging 87,164 shares. Proven Investments closed at 30 US cents with trades of 126,928 ordinary shares, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% preference share lost $6.50 to close at $1,276.50 with an exchange of 45,277 units, JMMB Group 7.5% preference share traded at $1.05 with 1,500 units changing hands, and JMMB Group US 6% preference share closed at US$1.10 with trades of 6,330 units.

NCB & Berger could break out soon

NCB Financial Group’s shares looks like they could break into the $70 range soon.

In a shortened trading week on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, only one of the TOP 10 listings dropped out with Lasco Financial rising in price and gave way to just inch in Caribbean Flavours at 10th spot. For the coming week, NCB Financial Group is worth watching, with supply and demand at the close of the past week suggesting that the price could break into the $70 range before long.
is another stock worth watching with IC Insider.com upgrading earnings for the 2018 fiscal year starting April, to $1.90 from $1.60 previously used and 2017 earnings to $1.30 from $1.10. Berger ended the previous week with a last sale price of $12.20 but moved up by the end of the week to $14, closing with an offer of 1,453 units at $15 while 22,600 units are on the bid at $13.55.
The average PE ratio of both markets are currently at an average of 12, based on this year’s estimated. At the close of the markets on Thursday, IC Insider.com’s TOP 10 Junior Market stocks continue to trade at an average discount of just under 40 percent to the Junior Market average, those in the main market are trading just below 50 percent discount, leaving several stocks with good room for growth for the rest of the year.
Release of 2017 first quarter results will be important in determining if the steep price discount will continue for much longer, or whether the historical May syndrome of reduced market interest came early this year and last until summer or after, similar to 2016.
Overall bid volumes for junior market stocks remained low at the close of the past week continuing the low levels at the close of the week before.
Caribbean Cement continues to trade with a heavy downside bias notwithstanding the rise in price for the week to $32, with last year’s first quarter results dated April 20, this year’s results could be out in the coming week and provide direction for the stock. JMMB Group’s buying interest is at $18.10 for 2,073 units on the bid and 409,862 units offered at $18.40, NCB Financial Group traded on Thursday at a new record high of $66.90 before pulling back to $65 at the close, supply seems low and could help the price move up ahead of second quarter results, that should be out before month end. The stock also traded at a new high in Trinidad this past week. Pulse Investments has offers to sell 245,639 units at $8 with buying at $7 for 1,000 shares, the same as for the prior week. Radio Jamaica bid is at $1.60 to buy 279,561 units with 100,940 units on offer at $1.75 and Scotia Investments closed the week with only 550 units on the bid to buy at $37 and 4,180 units offered at $39.40.

TOP 10 selling at steep discount

I$P hits a new high on Friday.

The IC Insider.com’s TOP 10 Junior Market stocks, continue to trade at an average discount of 40 percent to the market average, while those in the main market are trading at a 50 percent discount presently.
The PE ratio of both markets are currently at an average of 12 based on this year’s estimated earnings.
During the past week ISP Finance hit a new high of $15.50 up from $12.50 at the close of the previous week to gain 24 percent for the week and 675 percent since it was listed just over a year ago, and is now out of the TOP 10. The company reported earnings of 46 cents per share for the year to December 2016 with management suggesting growth in business in the order of 30 to 40 percent for the current year, that should lift earnings sharply. Blue Power was eased out of the Top list for Juniors with Lasco Financial moving in to occupy the tenth spot, this past week. Access Finance that ended the previous week with the bid at $39, traded to end the past week at $34.25 to be back in the list.
Overall bid volumes for junior and main market stocks remain low with the only one of the Top 10 stocks with a sizeable volume on the bid for junior stocks being Key Insurance, with 172,600 units on the bid at $2.50 which is well below the last traded price of $3. Lasco Distributors is next with 37,012 units on the bid at $6.61 and a last sale of $7.30. Blue Power has 17,856 units on the bid at $35 without any stocks on offer.
In the Main market, Barita Investments has limited buying interest at the current price with just 100 units on the bid at $6.86 and just 9,200 units on the offer at $7.70, this represents quite some change form the week past when the offers were at $7, which were taken out by buyers.
Berger Paints ended with 2,500 units on the bid at $12.20 with 4,243 on offer at $12.30. Caribbean Cement’s weak demand continues in the mid-thirty dollar range, with the stock closing with only 2,340 units on the bid to buy at $31.50 while offers are at $32 to sell 53,579 units. JMMB Group’s buying is at $18.55 for 3,200 units on the bid and only 300 units offered at $18.98, Pulse Investments has offers for 245,639 units at $8 and buying at $7 for 1,000 shares while Radio Jamaica bid is at $1.60 to buy 280,761 units with 36,513 units on offer at $1.80 and Scotia Investments closed the week with 38,000 units on the bid to buy at $39.20 and 4,180 units offered at $39.40.

RJR in big trade on Thursday

Trading in the main market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed on Thursday with Radio Jamaica trading 90 million shares to be the market leader as the market close with 27 securities changing hands with 1 trading in the US dollar market. In both markets, 10 stocks advanced and 11 declined.
Trading levels in main market ended at 93,827,780 units valued at $320,466,964 compared to 2,784,846 units valued at $79,404,060 at the close on Wednesday. Trading in the US dollar market accounted for 117,700 units valued at US$35,310.
The All Jamaica Composite Index dropped 2,681.25 points to close at 245,424.71 the JSE Market Index dived 2,442.92 points to finish at 223,609.72 and the JSE US dollar market index lost 6 points to close at 216.59.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and US dollar markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 12 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 1 with a lower offer.
The main market ended trading with an average of 3,475,103 units valued at an average of $11,869,147 compared to an average of 107,109 units on Wednesday carrying a value of $3,054,002 per security traded. The average volume for the month to date ended at 938,424 units with an average value of $4,736,206 versus 92,865 units with a value of $4,736,206 per traded security on the prior trading day. The average volume and value for March ended at 549,909 units and $1,379,459.
In market activity, Barita Investments gained 14 cents to close at $7 trading 1,000 shares, Berger Paints closed at $12.30, gaining 25 cents with an exchange of 1,899 shares, Cable and Wireless closed at $1.28 with 28,579 shares changing hands, Caribbean Cement closed $1.80 lower to $30 with trades of 45,707 units. Carreras declined $1.98 to $70.02 with 11,300 shares exchanged, Grace Kennedy advanced $2.35 to $43.85, with 450,200 units traded, Jamaica Broilers closed with trades of 6,000 shares at $16.50, Jamaica Producers closed at $15, with 252,433 shares changing hands, Jamaica Stock Exchange gained 20 cents to close at $7.20, with an exchange of 3,000 units. JMMB Group added 50 cents to close at $19 trading 72,773 units, Kingston Properties closed 10 cents lower to $15.90 with an exchange of 2,079 shares, Kingston Wharves closed at $31.01, with a loss of $2.48 exchanging 6,300 units, Mayberry Investments gained 15 cents to close at $4.75 with trades of 21,984 shares, NCB Financial Group lost 10 cents, closing at $61.90 after exchanging 1,862,138 shares, 1834 Investments gained 9 cents to close at $1.54 trading 1,000 units, 138 Student Living traded 2,300 units at $4.49, Pan Jamaican closed $1.46 higher at $35.61 with 35,233 shares changing ownership. Portland JSX gained 90 cents trading 100 units to close at $10.90, Pulse Investments traded 1,000 shares at $8, Radio Jamaica closed at $1.60, losing 29 cents with an exchange of 90,043,125 units, Sagicor Group closed at $34, with 716,534 shares changing hands, Sagicor Real Estate Fund lost 30 cents to close at $10, with 4,500 shares traded, Scotia Group declined $1.39 to $38.61 trading 126,722 units, Scotia Investments tumbled $3.45 to close at $36.05 exchanging 101,100 shares, Seprod lost 30 cents, closing at $39.70 with 3,000 shares changing hands, Supreme Ventures closed at $6.35, with gains of 34 cents exchanging 23,758 shares. Proven lost US 1 cent trading 117,700 ordinary shares to close at 30 US cents and JMMB Group 7.5% preference share closed at $1.05, with an exchange of 4,016 units.

JSE majors in big drop on Wednesday

Trading in the main market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed on Wednesday with sharp fall in the indices as prices continue to swing in either direction. At the close 27 securities changed hands including 1 trading in the US dollar market. At the close of trading, 10 stocks advanced and 12 declined in the main market.
Trading levels in main market ended at 2,784,846 units valued at $79,404,060 compared to 2,777,139 units valued at $49,314,132 at the close on Tuesday. Trading in the US dollar market accounted for 58,000 units valued at US$17,945.
The All Jamaica Composite Index dropped 1,831.35 points to close at 248,105.96 the JSE Market Index fell sharply by 1,668.57 points to finish at 226,052.64 but the JSE US dollar market index gained 6 points to close at 222.59.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and US dollar markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 13 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 with lower offers.
The main market ended trading with an average of 107,109 units valued at 3,054,002 compared to an average of 106,813 units carrying an average value of $1,896,697 on Tuesday. The average volume for the month to date ended at 92,865 units with an average value of $2,358,559 versus 85,743 units with an average value of $2,010,837 on the prior trading day. The average volume and value for March ended at 549,909 units and $8,925,067.
In market activity, Barita Investments gained 1 cent to close at $6.86 with trades of 108,947 shares, Berger Paints closed at $12.05, losing 10 cents with an exchange of 21,661 shares, Cable and Wireless closed 7 cents lower at $1.28 with 92,912 shares changing hands, Caribbean Cement closed at $31.80, with gains of 80 cents trading 12,184 units. Carreras closed at $72 with 10,962 shares being exchanged, Grace Kennedy tumbled $1.75 to $41.50, with 30,568 units traded, Jamaica Broilers gained 49 cents to close at $16.50 exchanging 82,604 shares, Jamaica Producers closed $1 lower to $15, with trades of 122,336 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange closed at $7, losing 95 cents with an exchange of 384,712 units. JMMB Group added 24 cents to close at $18.50, with 8,392 units changing hands, Kingston Properties closed at $16 trading 1,035 shares, Kingston Wharves closed at $33.49, with gains of $2.49 and an exchange of 21,155 units, Mayberry Investments lost 5 cents to close at $4.60 with trades of 12,244 shares, NCB Financial Group added $1, closing at $62 after exchanging 318,152 shares, 1834 Investments lost 3 cents to close at $1.45 trading 15,888 units, 138 Student Living lost 1 cent to close at $4.49, with an exchange of 1,246 units, Pan Jamaican closed 85 cents lower to $34.15 with 91,726 shares traded. Pulse Investments traded 10,105 shares at $8, Radio Jamaica gained 4 cents to close at $1.89 while trading 73,739 units, Sagicor Group closed at $34, with a loss of 52 cents trading 1,043,448 shares, Sagicor Real Estate Fund added 30 cents, closing at $10.30 with 5,044 shares changing hands, Scotia Group advanced $1.29 cents to $40 trading 196,692 units, Seprod lost 50 cents to close at $40, with 44,200 shares changing hands, Supreme Ventures closed at $6.01, with a loss of 34 cents while swapping 68,195 shares. Proven traded 58,500 ordinary shares at 30.95 US cents, for a gain of almost 1 cent, JMMB 7.5% preference share closed at $2 with trades of 204 units and JMMB Group 7.5% preference share closed at $1.05, with an exchange of 6,495 units.

Berger returns Access out of Top 10

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Investors pushed down the price of Berger Paints to $12.01 by the end of the past week, pulling it back from $15 and pushing it back in the main market top list as Scotia Group slipped out.
The top main market stocks now sells at a 50 percent discount to the average main market stocks and is lower than the 40 percent discount of stocks in the junior market. During the past week ISP Finance hit a new high of $12.50 up from $12.25 at the close of the previous week, the stock still sits high on the list at number 4.
Top 10 junior stocks are trading at a 40 percent discount to the average of the junior market, at the close of the week. After dropping out of the TOP 10 for the last week Lasco Distributors returned during the end of past week while Lasco Financial Services that entered the list for the start of the past week has been squeezed out with prices declining elsewhere and Access Finance ending the week with the bid of 1,500 shares at $39, to be out of the top listing and Blue Power closing the week at $35 is back in the list. Overall bid volumes for junior and main market stocks remain low with the only ones of the Top 10 with decent volumes on the bid for junior stocks being Caribbean Producers with 60,712 units on the bid at $3.75, General Accident with 53,426 units at $3 and Medical Disposables with 103,417 units with the bid price ending at $6. Offers that are well about the bid volumes include AMG Packaging with an offer to sell 99,723 units at $5.95, Jetcon Corporation with 435,207 units at $12.99 and Lasco Distributors with 973,036 units at $6.70.
In the Main market, Barita Investments has limited buying interest at the current price with just 447 units on the bid at $6.85 and 28,224 units on the offer at $7. Berger Paints ended with 237 units on the bid at $12 with 49,894 on offer at $12.01. Carreras currently, has 38,619 shares on offer at $74 and buying of 3,000 shares at $73.95. Caribbean Cement’s weak demand continues in the mid-thirty dollar range, with the stock closing with only 2,340 units on the bid to buy at $31.50 while offers are at $32 to sell 53,579 units. JMMB Group’s buying is at $16.30 for 50,000 units on the bid and only 100 units offered at $18.24, Pulse Investments has offers for 150,000 units at $8 and buying at $7 for 1,005 shares.
Price movements continued be a bit volatile as buy and sell orders remain thin for several stocks. With little new news to come until a flood of first quarter results start to flow volatility in May, is likely to continue for a few weeks and this could provide patient investors with some good entry points.