Wigton Energy trades into month end

May 29, 2026 by
Wigton Energy closed out May with a large trade of near 69 million shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Friday, helping in pushing the volume of stocks traded up 129 percent with 52 percent higher value compared to Thursday. Trading ended with a slight reduction in the number of securities changing hands at 59 compared with 60 on Thursday, with prices of 25 rising, 21 declining and 13 ending unchanged.

Market activity soared to 86,182,062 shares trading valued $259,773,986, rising from 37,670,421 stocks worth $170,868,876 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 1,460,713 shares at $4,402,949, following an increase from 627,840 units at $2,847,815 on Thursday and for the month to date, an average of 328,145 stock units at $2,328,972 compared with 269,426 shares at $2,221,446 on the prior day and April with an average of 342,509 stock units at $2,726,829.
Trading in Wigton Energy ended with an exchange of 68.57 million shares for 79.6 percent of total volume, followed well behind by Transjamaican Highway with 5.27 million stocks for 6.1 percent of the day’s trade, Sagicor Select Financial Fund closed with 5.24 million stock units for 6.1 percent of the volume traded, Carreras delivered 2.13 million shares for 2.5 percent of the overall volume and Radio Jamaica with 1.85 million stocks for 2.1 percent of market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index advanced 1,385.89 points to close at 403,382.31, the JSE Main Index rallied 717.46 points to end at 341,344.15 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.01 points to close at 64.54. At the close, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 14 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 15.6. ICInsider.com compiles the PE ratios for the JSE Main and the USD Market  based on last traded prices and earnings forecasts for companies with the fiscal year ending around August 2026.
At the close of trading, AS Bryden popped 65 cents in closing at $24 after a transfer of 2,860 shares, Eppley climbed 75 cents to $35.35, following trading of 386 units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund sank $3.30 to finish at $42.50 with 1,746 shares `crossing the market. First Rock Real Estate dipped $1.70 and ended at $7.10 with an exchange of 4,649 stocks, General Accident increased $1.26 to a 52 weeks close of $9.96 with 151,082 stock units changing hands, Guardian Holdings lost $4 to stop at $316 with traders dealing in 5,740 shares. Kingston Properties rose 50 cents to $12.50 with 73,218 stock units passing through the market, Margaritaville shed 58 cents to finish at $9.51 in an exchange of 200 stocks, Massy Holdings gained 40 cents and ended at $72.40 with 4,483 units clearing the market. Mayberry Group sank 79 cents to $5.51 in the trading of 10,469 shares, Proven Investments advanced 98 cents to $12.98 after an exchange of 253,614 stock units, Sagicor Group rallied $2 to close at $41, with trading of 195,053 stocks. Scotia Group rose $1 to $54 in an exchange of 44,087 units, Seprod skidded $1 to finish at $81 with investors swapping 56,437 shares and Sterling Investments fell 79 cents to a 52 weeks low of $2.71 with 22,978 stocks crossing the exchange.
In the preference share segment, 138 Student Living preferred share rallied $15 to end at $235 in switching ownership of 849 units and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% declined $1.99 to $105.01 with investors trading 497 stock units.
Prices of stocks trading, are those of the last transaction unless otherwise stated.

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Sharp jump in trading on JSE Main Market 

May 28, 2026 by
Trading jumped sharply on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Thursday, with the volume of stocks traded, jumping 169 percent to 37,670,421, from just 13,978,119 on Wednesday, with the value climbing 58 percent to $170,868,876, up from $108,261,883 previously, following trading in 60 securities down from 63 on Wednesday, with prices of 26 rising, 24 declining and 10 ending unchanged.

Trading ended with an average of 627,840 shares at $2,847,815 with an increase from 221,875 stock units worth $1,718,443 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 269,426 units at $2,221,446, rising from 249,478 shares at $2,186,583 on the preceding day and April with an average of 342,509 stock units at $2,726,829.
Sagicor Select Financial Fund was the lead trade, with 12.71 million shares for 33.8 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 7.56 million stocks for 20.1 percent of the day’s trade, QWI Investments closed with 6.17 million stock units for 16.4 percent of the volume traded, with the price closing at a 52 weeks low of 63 cents, Wigton Energy chipped in with 4.59 million shares for 12.2 percent of the overall trade and JMMB Group with 1.15 million stocks for 3 percent of market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index popped 1,426.30 points to 401,996.42, the JSE Main Index gained 1,435.15 points to close at 340,626.69 and the JSE Financial Index rallied 0.69 points to 64.53. At the close, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
The Main Market closed with an average PE Ratio of 15.7. ICInsider.com compiles the PE ratios for the JSE Main and the USD Market based on the last traded prices and projected earnings for the fiscal year ending around August 2026.
At the close of trading, Barita Investments sank $1.20 to $68.50 with 756 shares passing through the market, Eppley lost 75 cents to close at $34.60 with investors swapping 387 units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rallied 80 cents to $45.80 with 2,833 shares crossing the market. General Accident rose 86 cents in closing at $8.70 with investors dealing in 5,507 stock units, Jamaica Producers climbed $1.25 to finish at $24 with a transfer of 326,748 stocks, Jamaica Stock Exchange increased 43 cents and ended at $10.60 as investors exchanged 202,006 shares. JMMB Group shed 76 cents to $15 in switching ownership of 1,145,248 units, Massy Holdings fell 40 cents in closing at $72 after a transfer of 2,948 stocks, Pan Jamaica slipped 98 cents to end at $47 with investors trading 213,509 stock units. Proven Investments popped 82 cents to $12 after an exchange of 338,821 shares, Sagicor Group sank $2 to close at $39 with investors trading 145,615 stock units, Sterling Investments rallied 41 cents to finish at $3.50 in an exchange of 500,000 stocks and Sygnus Real Estate Finance advanced $1 and ended at $10 with investors dealing in 541 units.
In the preference share segment of the market, Jamaica Public Service 7% shed $11.07 to a 52 weeks low of $29.53 with 142 shares crossing the exchange, 138 Student Living preference share popped $8 to finish at $220 with 11,029 stock units changing hands and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% gained $1 in closing at $107 trading 301 stocks.

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

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Falling stocks overwhelm JSE Main Market

May 27, 2026 by
Wigton Energy and Transjamaican Highway controlled nearly three quarter of the shares traded on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market, following sluggish trading on Wednesday. At the close of market activity, the volume of stocks traded plunged 72 percent and the value dived 58 percent compared to market activity on Tuesday, resulting from trading in 63 securities down from 64 on Tuesday, with prices of 20 rising, 30 declining and 13 ending unchanged.

The market closed with just 13,978,119 shares trading for $108,261,883, falling steeply from 49,520,117 stock units at $256,704,799 on Tuesday.
Trading ends after an average of 221,875 shares with a value of $1,718,443, a steep drop from 773,752 stock units worth $4,011,012 on Tuesday. Trading for the month to date, an average of 249,478 units at $2,186,583 compared with 251,191 shares at $2,215,640 on the previous day and April with an average of 342,509 stock units at $2,726,829.
Wigton Energy led trading with 5.41 million shares for 38.7 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 4.61 million units for 33 percent of the day’s trade and Supreme Ventures with 721,516 stocks for 5.2 percent of the volume traded.
The All Jamaican Composite Index sank 4,752.39 points to settle at 400,570.12, the JSE Main Index slipped 3,746.53 points to wrap-up trading at 339,191.54 and the JSE Financial Index lost 1.21 points to end at 63.84. At the close, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 13 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 15.4. ICInsider.com compiles the JSE Main and the USD Market PE ratios based on last traded prices and earnings forecasts for companies with the financial year ending around August 2026.
At the closing of the Main Market, Caribbean Producers advanced 63 cents to end at $5.78 with a transfer of 39,447 shares, Eppley dropped 60 cents to $35.35 with 1,200 stock units passing through the market, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund sank $1.86 and ended at $45 after an exchange of 319 shares. General Accident skidded 86 cents in closing at $7.84, following trading of 12,375 stocks, Guardian Holdings sank $24 to $320 with 3,000 units crossing the exchange, Jamaica Broilers popped 73 cents to finish at $15.35 with investors trading 19,038 stocks. Jamaica Stock Exchange declined 43 cents to $10.17 in an exchange of 82,307 units, Kingston Wharves increased 60 cents to $37.50 with 8,291 shares crossing the market, Mayberry Jamaican Equities climbed 79 cents in closing at $6.79 as investors exchanged 1,653 stock units. NCB Financial rose $1.05 to finish at $53 with 370,481 shares clearing the market, Pan Jamaica gained $1.98 and ended at $47.98 after an exchange of 9,899 units, Sagicor Group rallied $1.80 to close at $41 with 64,300 stocks changing hands. Scotia Group fell 41 cents to $53.20 with an exchange of 63,647 stock units and Supreme Ventures dipped 44 cents to $16.70 with 721,516 shares crossing the market.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share popped 47 cents and ended at $19.50 in trading 7,750 units. Productive Business Solutions 10.5% advanced $4.78 to finish at $1,159.78 after a transfer of 18 stocks and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% lost $1 to close at $106 with investors trading a mere four stock units.
Prices of stocks are those for the last transaction unless otherwise stated.

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Losers batter winners on JSE Main Market

May 26, 2026 by
Nearly twice the number of stocks declined for everyone that rose on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Tuesday. Trading resulted in a 164 percent jump in the volume of stocks traded, after JMMB Group 7.35% preferred share delivered the highest volume of shares trading and helped in a 87 percent climb in value, compared to Friday, following trading in 64 securities up from 61 on Friday, with prices of 19 rising, 34 declining and 11 ending unchanged.

The market closed with 49,520,117 shares trading for $256,704,799, climbing steeply from 18,733,871 stocks at $137,474,613 on Friday.
Trading averaged 773,752 shares at $4,011,012 after increasing from 307,113 stock units at $2,253,682 on Friday and for the month to date, an average of 251,191 stock units at $2,215,640 compared with 216,024 shares at $2,094,816 on the previous day and below trading during April, with an average of 342,509 stock units at $2,726,829.
Preferred share, JMMB Group 7.35% – 2028, led trading with 33.34 million shares for 67.3 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 9.23 million stocks for 18.6 percent of the day’s trade, Carreras closed with 1.91 million stock units for 3.9 percent of the total volume and QWI Investments with 1.26 million units for 2.5 percent of market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index sank 2,217.57 points to settle at 405,322.51, the JSE Main Index fell 2,050.18 points to 342,938.07 and the JSE Financial Index lost 0.12 points to 65.05. At the close, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five 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 14.6. ICInsider.com compiles the JSE Main and the USD Market PE ratios based on the last traded prices and projected earnings for fiscal years ending around August 2026.
At the close of the market, AS Bryden popped $1.14 to $23.39 with investors trading 148 shares, Barita Investments gained $1.82 and ended at $69.80 with 8,770 units passing through the market, Guardian Holdings rose $1 in closing at $344 in switching ownership of 420 shares. Jamaica Producers rallied 50 cents to end at $23 with investors swapping 384 stocks, Kingston Properties increased $1.78 to close at $12.28 with 1,635 stock units clearing the market, Kingston Wharves shed 50 cents to finish at $36.90 with a transfer of 9,748 shares. Margaritaville sank $2.99 to $10 with 102 stocks crossing the market, Mayberry Jamaican Equities slipped 79 cents to close at a 52 weeks low of $6 with an exchange of 8,300 units, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy climbed $3.50 to finish at $34 with 254 stock units changing hands. Pan Jamaica sank $1.80 to $46 after an exchange of 1,662 shares, Sagicor Group fell $2.33 in closing at $39.20 with investors trading 4,556 stock units, Scotia Group dipped $1.36 to $53.61 in an exchange of 345,447 units. Sygnus Real Estate Finance lost $1.10 to $9 with investors dealing in 200 stocks and West Indies Petroleum skidded 95 cents to $9.05 with 80,481 shares crossing the exchange.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share declined by 47 cents in closing at $19.03 after a transfer of 9,982 stock units. Jamaica Public Service 9.5% advanced $201 to settle at $2,596 as investors exchanged 27 stocks, 138 Student Living preference share dropped $8 to finish at $212 after traders swapped 20 units, Productive Business Solutions 10.5% rose $20 and ended at $1,155 with traders dealing in 2 stocks and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% sank 97 cents to $107 with 97 units crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

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Transjamaican gets hit

May 22, 2026 by
Transjamaican Highway, having reached a recent price ceiling on Thursday of $8, closed the week at $7.73 with trading of 11.5 million of its shares that amounts to 61.5 percent of the total volume of shares traded on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Friday. The market closed with a 70 percent jump in the volume of stocks traded with a mildly lower value compared to Thursday. Trading activity ended with exchanges of 61 securities down from 60 on Thursday, with prices of 27 rising, 22 declining and 12 ending unchanged.

The market closed with trading of 18,733,871 shares with a value of $137,474,613 against 11,013,373 stock units worth $141,467,311 on Thursday.
Trading ended with an average of 307,113 shares at $2,253,682 in contrast to 183,556 stock units at $2,357,789 on Thursday. Trading for the month to date, ended with an average of 216,024 shares at $2,094,816, up moderately from 209,781 shares at $2,083,927 on the preceding day and lower than for April with an average of 342,509 stock units at $2,726,829.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 11.52 million shares for 61.5 percent of total volume, followed by QWI Investments with 3.0 million stocks for 16 percent of the day’s trade and Wigton Energy with 1.04 million units for 5.5 percent of the day’s outcome.
The All Jamaican Composite Index gained 1,540.69 points to end at 407,540.08, the JSE Main Index popped 198.55 points to 344,988.25 and the JSE Financial Index gained 0.20 points to end at 65.17. At the close, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
The Main Market closed trading resulting in an average  PE Ratio of 14.9. ICInsider.com compiles the JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios based on last traded prices and earnings forecasts for companies with the financial year ending around August 2026.
At the close of the market, AS Bryden dropped $2.77 to end at $22.25 following trading of 9,562 shares, Barita Investments fell $1.72 in closing at $67.98 with investors dealing in 10,646 units, Caribbean Cement advanced 65 cents to $103.85, while 13,554 shares were traded. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rose $4.86 and ended at $46.86 as investors exchanged 231 stocks, General Accident climbed $1.16 to finish at $8.87 after 16,864 stock units were exchanged, Guardian Holdings increased $20 to close at $343 with investors trading 89 shares. Jamaica Broilers fell 40 cents to $14.60 after an exchange of 37,171 units, Jamaica Stock Exchange dipped 60 cents to $10.25 after traders swapped 28,363 stocks, Kingston Properties lost $1.71 to finish at $10.50 with 1,532 stock units changing owners. Kingston Wharves popped 85 cents and ended at $37.40 with traders dealing in 5,261 shares, Massy Holdings gained 40 cents to $72.40 in an exchange of 1,514 stocks, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy rallied $3.88 to end at $30.50 with 490 units changing hands. Proven Investments dropped 41 cents to $11.19 with an exchange of 3,721 stock units, Sygnus Real Estate Finance rose 75 cents to $10.10 with 25 shares being exchanged, Transjamaican Highway shed 42 cents in closing at $7.73 in switching ownership of 11,522,135 stocks and West Indies Petroleum advanced $1.42 to close at $10 with investors trading 11,545 units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% popped $3.50 and ended at $40.50 with 116 stock units passing through the market, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% climbed $6 to finish at $2,395 with investors swapping 2 shares and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% sank $1.03 and ended at $107.97 with 4 stock units clearing the market.
The last price of securities trading are those for the last transaction unless otherwise stated.

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

Record high of $8.20 for Transjamaican

May 21, 2026 by
Transjamaican Highway shot to a record close of $8.15 after hitting a high of $8.20 for the day in garnering 44 percent of a 32 percent reduction of the volume traded on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Thursday, with the value of trading jumping 54 percent above that on Wednesday. Trading closed with an exchange of 60 securities similar to Wednesday, and ended with prices of 23 rising, 24 declining and 13 ending unchanged.

The market closed, following an exchange of 11,013,373 shares, worth $141,467,311 compared to 16,301,774 units at $91,641,614 on Wednesday.
Trading ended with an average of 183,556 shares at $2,357,789 compared to 271,696 stocks at $1,527,360 on Wednesday and for the month to date, an average of 209,781 units at $2,083,927 compared with 211,676 shares at $2,064,130 on the preceding day and lower than for April with an average of 342,509 stock units at $2,726,829.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 4.86 million shares for 44.1 percent of total volume, with the price rising 15 cents to a record high of $8.15, followed by Kingston Wharves, with 1.20 million stocks for 10.9 percent of the day’s trade and JMMB Group 7.35% – 2028 with 1.05 million units for 9.5 percent of the day’s trade.
The All Jamaican Composite Index sank 5,473.74 points to conclude trading at 405,999.39, the JSE Main Index dropped 4,705.24 points to close at 344,789.70 and the JSE Financial Index skidded 1.05 points to 64.97. At the close, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 10 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE of 15.9. ICInsider.com compiles the JSE Main and the USD Market PE ratios based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts for companies with the fiscal year ending around August 2026.
At the close of trading, AS Bryden fell $2.98 to close at $25.02 with dealings in 19,160 shares, Eppley fell $1 to end at $36 with trading of 135 stocks, Eppley Caribbean Property fell $4.50 to close at $42, following trading of 2,011 units. First Rock Real Estate shed $1.04 and settled at $8.93 with one share crossing the market, General Accident advanced $1.46 to close at $7.71 with an exchange of 500 stock units, Guardian Holdings declined $22 to finish at $323, following trading of 5,915 shares. Jamaica Broilers rose $1.50 to $15 with investors dealing in 24,113 units, Jamaica Producers sank 62 cents and ended at $22.88 with a transfer of 87,154 stocks, Kingston Properties gained $1.66 to finish at $12.21 with 323 stock units changing hands. Massy Holdings dropped 40 cents to close at $72 with investors trading 1,217 shares, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy skidded $4.70 in closing at $26.62 with 1,770 stocks crossing the market, Portland JSX dipped $1.20 to end at $6.80 with investors swapping 812 units. Proven Investments slipped 90 cents to $11.60 with 259 stock units passing through the market, Sagicor Real Estate Fund sank 99 cents to finish at $8.91 as investors exchanged 15,501 shares and West Indies Petroleum declined $1.42 to $8.58 after a transfer of 120,911 units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% shed $3.98 in closing at $37 after trading of 304 stocks and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% popped $8 to end at $109 in an exchange of 4 stock 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: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Transjamaican record $8, 118% yearly gain

May 20, 2026 by
Continued B demand for toll road operator, Transjamaican Highway, led to trading of 7 million shares, with the price jumping to a record close of $7.99, resulting in a rise of 118 percent in the past twelve months, following solid 2026 first quarter results. Trading ended on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Wednesday, with the volume of stocks traded, climbing 29 percent with a 15 percent higher value than Tuesday. The market closed with an exchange of 60 securities, after slipping from 63 on Tuesday, with prices of 24 rising, 24 declining and 12 ending unchanged.

The market closed with 16,301,774 shares having been traded with a value of $91,641,614 after jumping from 12,611,862 stock units with a value of $79,545,152 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 271,696 shares at $1,527,360, after an increase from 200,188 stock units with an average value of $1,262,621 on Tuesday. Trading for the month to date, averages of 211,676 units at $2,064,130 compared to 207,000 shares worth $2,105,956 on the preceding day and April with an average of 342,509 stock units at $2,726,829.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 7.09 million shares for 43.5 percent of total volume followed by QWI Investments with 3.45 million stocks for 21.2 percent of the day’s trade and Wigton Energy with 1.89 million units for 11.6 percent of the total s trades.
The All Jamaican Composite Index popped 624.83 points to 411,473.13, the JSE Main Index gained 301.76 points to wrap up trading at 349,494.94 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.24 points to end at 66.02. At the close, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 13 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 16.7. ICInsider.com compiles the JSE Main and the USD Market PE ratios based on last traded prices and earnings forecasts for companies with the financial year ending around August 2026.
At the close of trading, Berger Paints increased 67 cents to $5.76 with an exchange of 1,066 shares, Caribbean Cement rose 50 cents to $103 after 6,140 stocks were  traded, Carreras rose 49 cents to close at $22.89 with an exchange of 309,919 shares. Eppley gained $1 to close at $37 with trading of 66 stock units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund popped 50 cents to end at $46.50 with 2,048 stocks crossing the exchange, General Accident lost $1.15 in closing at $6.25 after a transfer of 30,425 shares. Guardian Holdings skidded $2 to $345 wwith investors exchanging 37 stocks, Jamaica Broilers sank $2 to finish at $13.50 with 167,389 units crossing the market, Jamaica Producers declined 50 cents and ended at $23.50 after an exchange of 1,533 stock units. Jamaica Stock Exchange shed 89 cents to settle at $10.50 with investors dealing in 203,881 shares, Kingston Properties fell $1.52 to $10.55 after traders swapped 500 stocks, Lasco Manufacturing slipped 49 cents to $6.31 with investors trading 771,376 units. Pan Jamaica rallied $2.42 to $47.94 in an exchange of 208 stock units, Proven Investments advanced $1 to end at $12.50 with investors dealing in 1,763 shares, Seprod fell 99 cents to $82 with 7,923 stock units changing hands. Sygnus Real Estate Finance dipped $1.30 to end at $9.35 following trading of 6,658 units, Transjamaican Highway popped 51 cents to finish at record close of $7.99 with an exchange of 7,094,544 stock units and Wisynco Group dropped 51 cents to close at $19 in an exchange of 67,330 shares.
In the preference share segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share gained 50 cents to close at $19.50 with investors swapping 5 stocks and Productive Business Solutions 10.5% rose $5 to $1,135 after traders dealing in 25 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: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Lasco Distributors tops JSE Main Market

May 19, 2026 by
Lasco Distributors, lead trading with 6 million shares accounting for 47 percent of the total volume traded on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Tuesday. Trading ended with a20 percent rise in volume as the value dipped 7 percent lower compared to Monday, following trading in 63 securities up from 62 on Monday, with prices of 21 rising, 27 declining and 15 ending unchanged.

The market closed with 12,611,862 shares being traded for $79,545,152 compared to 10,511,029 stock units at $85,903,688 on Monday.
Trading averaged 200,188 shares at $1,262,621 compared with 169,533 stocks for $1,385,543 on Monday. Trading for the month to date, averages 207,000 units, with an average value of $2,105,956, down moderately from 207,606 shares at $2,181,105 on the previous day and April with an average of 342,509 stock units at $2,726,829.
Lasco Distributors led trading with 5.96 million shares for 47.2 percent of total volume, followed by Transjamaican Highway with 3.34 million units for 26.5 percent of the day’s trade and Wigton Energy with 985,231 stocks for 7.8 percent of the volume traded.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 1,083.01 points to close at 410,848.30, the JSE Main Index gained 1,691.13 points to close trading at 349,193.18 and the JSE Financial Index increased 1.19 points to65.78. At the close, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows seven 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 16.9. ICInsider.com compiles the JSE Main and the USD Market PE ratios based on last traded prices and forecasted earnings for those companies with their financial year ending around August 2026.
At the close of trading on Tuesday, Barita Investments rose $1.79 to finish at $69.80 with 7,040 shares crossing the exchange, Caribbean Cement shed 50 cents and ended at $102.50 with 10,671 units changing hands, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund advanced $2 to $46 with a transfer of 900 shares. First Rock Real Estate popped $1.04 to $9.97 with 20 stock units clearing the market, General Accident sank $1.55 in closing at $7.40 with an exchange of 32,441 stocks, GraceKennedy skidded $1.84 to $70.48 with 253,672 shares passing through the market. Guardian Holdings gained $27 to in closing at $347 following trading of 217 units, JMMB Group rallied 59 cents to finish at $15.80 in an exchange of 39,961 stocks, Kingston Properties increased $1.57 and ended at $12.07 with an exchange of 5,880 stock units. Margaritaville climbed $1.13 to$12.99 after a transfer of 506 shares, Massy Holdings fell 50 cents to close at $72.50 in switching ownership of 1,366 stock units, Mayberry Group rose 59 cents to $6.10 as investors traded 166 stocks. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy declined $5.53 to $31.32 in trading 275 stocks, Pan Jamaica sank $3.27 in closing at $45.52 with 10,260 units crossing the market, Scotia Group rallied $1.49 to end at $55 with investors trading 9,958 stocks. Seprod popped 99 cents to finish at $82.99 in an exchange of 2,431 shares and West Indies Petroleum dipped 60 cents and ended at $10.30 with investors dealing in 4,201 stock units.
In the preference share segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share lost 50 cents to end at $19 after an exchange of 3,800 share, 138 Student Living preference share advanced $8 to $220 with the trading of 102 units, Sygnus Credit Investments 10% climbed $4.50 to $108.50 after an exchange of 18 stocks and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% slipped $8 to finish at $101 with 818 stock units crossing the market.
Prices of traded securities are for the last transaction unless otherwise stated.

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

Trading drops on the JSE Main Market 

May 18, 2026 by
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market dipped on Monday, following activities in 62 securities, from 58 on Friday, with prices of 22 rising, 25 declining and 15 ending unchanged. The number of shares traded declined by 6 percent, with a 7 percent lower value compared to Friday.

The market closed with 10,511,029 shares trading valued $85,903,688, down from 11,151,447 stock units at $92,004,030 on Friday.
Trading averaged 169,533 shares at $1,385,543 after decreasing from 192,266 stock units at $1,586,276 on Friday. For the month to date, trading averages 207,606 units at $2,181,105, in sliding from 211,266 shares at $2,257,577 on the prior trading day and in April with an average of 342,509 stock units at $2,726,829.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 3.22 million shares for 30.7 percent of total volume followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund which ended with 1.75 million stocks for 16.7 percent of the day’s trade, Wigton Energy closed with 1.18 million stock units for 11.3 percent of the volume traded and Supreme Ventures with 1.16 million shares for 11 percent of market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index slipped 1,444.32 points to finish at 409,765.29, the JSE Main Index fell 2,160.53 points to 347,502.05 and the JSE Financial Index lost 0.91 points to close at 64.59. At the close, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 13 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 15.4. ICInsider.com compiles the JSE Main and the USD Market PE ratios based on last traded prices and earnings forecasts for companies with the financial year ending around August 2026.
At the close of trading, Caribbean Cement popped 90 cents to finish at $103 as investors exchanged 9,692 shares, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund slipped by $2 to $44 with 971 stock units clearing the market, General Accident rallied by 96 cents to conclude the trading of 1,056 shares at a 52 weeks high of $8.95, GraceKennedy climbed 82 cents and ended at $72.32 with 6,836 units passing through the market, Guardian Holdings fell $28.75 to $320 in switching ownership of 5,186 stocks, Jamaica Broilers gained 45 cents to close at $15.65 with investors dealing in 18,791 units. Jamaica Producers skidded 99 cents tto $24 after an exchange of 4,574 stocks, JMMB Group fell 59 cents to $15.21 in trading 11,046 shares, Kingston Properties declined $1.48 and ended at $10.50 with 8,922 stock units changing hands. Margaritaville climbed $1.56 to end at $11.86 with an exchange of 18 shares, Mayberry Group shed 49 cents to finish at $5.51 with 13,908 stocks crossing the market, Proven Investments dropped $1.19 to close at $11.40 with investors trading 3,628 units. Scotia Group increased 51 cents to $53.51 with 117,892 stock units crossing the exchange, Seprod rallied 76 cents to finish at $82 with investors swapping 3,314 shares, Supreme Ventures popped 75 cents and ended at $17.25 with 1,158,538 units crossing the market. Sygnus Credit Investments lost 70 cents to end at $10.20 after an exchange of 9,932 stocks and Sygnus Real Estate Finance rallied $1.15 in closing at $10.65 after traders dealt in 500 stock units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% dipped $11 to close at $2,389 with a transfer of 13 shares. 138 Student Living preference share sank $8 to $212 following trading of 8 stock units and Sygnus Credit Investments 10% fell $5 to finish at $104 in an exchange of 1,018 units.
Prices of traded securities are those of the last transaction unless otherwise stated.

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Profit triples at Berger Paints

May 16, 2026 by
Berger Paints, Jamaica’s major paint manufacturer concluded their 2026 annual general meeting this past Friday, with a new chairman at the helm. Management informed shareholders of the demolition of fourth quarter profits due to the damage caused by Hurricane Melissa. According the General Manager Dwaine Williams the company was on target to deliver one of the best results with the hurricane snatching it away.

Berger Paints directors at the recently held AGM right to left are the chairman Ian Mitchell, Dwaine Williams General Manager, former chairman, Christian Llanos, Chamika Cuffy, Financial Controller, Michael Fennel , OJ, Nicholas Maclean. In attendance but not at the head table are Milton Samuda and Jacqueline Sharp.

He went on to point out that the improved 2025 first quarter results, suggesting that the new-year is on track for a surge in profits. According to Williams, the first quarter has some demand as a result of the rebuilding out west, but suggests that increased demand is expected as the rebuilding matures. The rebuilding is seeing demand for steel, cement and other construction materials, but after that, paints will be demanded he stated.

The directors in reporting on the first quarter performance stated,” demand strengthened progressively through the quarter as rebuilding activity accelerated. The Company met that demand with high service levels and dependable supply.”
The new year has started well for the company with a 180 percent jump in the March quarter, at Berger Paints to $31 million, from just $11 million after corporate taxes in first quarter 2025. Profit before tax came in at $38 million, up 123 percent from $17 million in the prior year. The profit was partially fueled by a sharp jump in other income to $24 million, from a gain of just $7 million, in 2025, partially reflecting a $20 million swing from a foreign exchange loss of $13 million in 2025 to a gain of $7 million in the current period. Taxation rose 19 percent to $7 million form $6 million in 2025.
The 2026 outcome on the surface appears impressive, but falls well short of the profit of $48 million in 2024. For the first quarter this year, revenues climbed 16 percent to $890 million, from $769 million in first quarter of 2025, just slightly less than the solid 20 percent growth in the third quarter last year over the 2024 gross inflows.

Shareholders in attendance at Berger Paints 2026 Annual General Meeting held on Friday, May 15 at the Courtyard- Marriott Hotel

At the nine-month stage in 2025, net profit amounted to $18 million on revenues of $2.4 billion, compared to $9 million on revenues of $2.3 billion in the same period of 2024. Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica at the end of October last year, the start of peak painting season, which traditionally accounts for around 90 percent of Berger’s annual profits, suggesting profit in the region of $200 million for the full year, but for the devastating effect on the fourth quarter performance.

Raw materials cost climbed 11 percent to $423 million for the quarter from: $381 million in 2025. Gross margin before manufacturing costs, climbed to 54 percent from 50 percent, in the 2025 first quarter and reflects gains from ongoing capita investments. in this regard the company stated that they plan to spend $100 million in the current year on capital expenediture.. Manufacturing expenses increased by 31 percent to $17 million from $13 million in 2025. Employee expense rose 11 percent to $185 million from $166 million in 2025. Other operating expenses rose 31 percent to $226 million from $172 million in the prior year. Depreciation amounted to $26 million, up 7 percent from $24 million.

First quarter2026 earnings per share came in at 14 cents, up from 5 cents in 2025 first quarter. IC Insider.com projects the full year’s earnings at $1.35 on the assumption there will no major disruption to business during the year. The stock closed at $5.35 on May 15, 2026, with a P/E ratio of just 4, based on the current years projected earnings and 214.3 million shares outstanding. Net asset value per share is $5.13, just below the last traded stock price.

The operations generated was $63 million in Cash flow during the quarter with movements in working capital resulting in a net outflow of $69 million and ending with cash on hand amounting to $200 million and reflecting an improvement over $165 million at the end of March 2025.
Inventories grew 29 percent to $920 million, but was lower than the position at the end of the 2025 at $1.23 billion. Receivables declined 17 percent to $741 million from $891 million at the end of March 2025. Current liabilities ended the period at $1.25 billion slightly up on the $1.19 billion at the end of March 2025.
Shareholders’ equity stood at $1.10 billion up from $1.18 billion year ago.

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