In the Jamaican foreign exchange market, dealers bought the equivalent of US$41,941,236 and sold US$39,746,285, compared with US$35,703,146 purchased and US$43,237,725sold on Tuesday.
In US dollars trading, dealers bought US$36,834,944 compared to US$32,330,168 on Tuesday with the buying rate for the US dollar falling 7 cents to $119.77. A total of US$37,031,528 was sold versus US$41,672,381 on Tuesday as the selling rate slipped 3 cents to $120.43. The Canadian dollar buying rate dropped 42 cents to end at $83.35 with dealers buying C$2,592,782 and selling C$1,914,548, at an average rate that declined 17 cents to $84.93. The rate for buying the British Pound lost 31 cents to $173.50 for the purchase of £1,961,635, while £522,647 was sold, with the rate declining $3.38 to $172.84. At the end of trading, it took J$129.15 to purchase the Euro, 
for a decline of 91 cents from Tuesday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$126.55 for a fall of 67 cents from Tuesday’s rate. The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$460,202 being bought, while US$614,449 was sold.
Highs & Lows| Notable changes to the highest and lowest buying and selling rates were a rise in the lowest selling rate for Canadian dollar by $1.46 to $81.46 and the highest selling rate for the British Pound, that fell $1.24 to close $182.16.
Jam$ gains against all on Wednesday
Jam$ slips against most on Tuesday
In the Jamaican foreign exchange market, dealers bought the equivalent of US$35,703,146 and sold US$43,237,725, compared with US$44,360,218 purchased and US$40,052,989 sold on Monday.
In US dollars trading, dealers bought US$32,330,168 compared to US$39,298,993 on Monday with the buying rate for the US dollar rising 30 cents to $119.84. A total of US$41,672,381 was sold versus US$38,905,100 on Monday as the selling rate gained 9 cents to $120.46. The Canadian dollar buying rate climbed $1.06 to end at $83.77 with dealers buying C$1,870,425 and selling C$950,031, at an average rate that declined 17 cents to $85.10. The rate for buying the British Pound gained 69 cents to $173.81 for the purchase of £1,273,982, while £452,287 was sold, with the rate rising by 59 cents to $176.22. At the end of trading, it took J$130.05 to purchase the Euro, for a decline of 75 cents from Monday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, 
while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$127.22 for a fall of 80 cents from Monday’s rate. The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$217,825 being bought, while US$232,513 was sold.
Highs & Lows| The only major change to the highest and lowest buying and selling rates were recoveries in the lowest selling rate for US dollar by $79 to $117 and the lowest selling rate for the British Pound, that regained $94 to close $170.
Jam$ starts 2016 with gains
The Jamaican foreign exchange market trading activity on the last percent in 2015, fell below Thursday’s levels with dealers selling more funds than they purchased. The value of the local currency slipped against its major counterpart currencies.
In trading dealers bought the equivalent of US$44,360,218 and sold US$40,052,989, compared with US$32,723,774 purchased and US$42,295,648 sold on Thursday. Sale of US dollars , was almost equal to the amount purchased with dealers buying US$39,298,993 compared to US$29,243,474 on Thursday. The buying rate for the US dollar slipped 10 cents to $119.54.
A total of US$38,905,100 was sold versus US$40,545,786 on Thursday as the selling rate declined by 5 cents to $120.37. The Canadian dollar buying rate declined 57 cents to end at $82.71 with dealers buying C$2,074,068 and selling C$741,397, at an average rate that gained 36 cents to $85.27. The rate for buying the British Pound dropped $2.61 to $173.12 for the purchase of £1,343,622, while £328,665 was sold, with the rate rising $1.49 to $175.63. At the end of trading, it took J$130.81 to purchase the Euro, for a decline of 53 cents from Thursday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$128.02, for a fall of 56 cents from Thursday’s rate. The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$1,680,259 being bought, while US$143,150 was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for US dollar, the lowest buying and the highest selling rates were unchanged at $120.70, $98.61 and $126.37 respectively but for some inexplicable reason the lowest selling rate plummeted by $78 to only $38. The Canadian dollar highest buying rate declined by 30 cents to $86.50, the lowest buying rate ended unchanged at $68.48. The highest selling rate declined by 7 cents to $88.78 and the lowest selling rate slipped 50 cents to end at $81. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, declined $1.36 to $177.80, the lowest buying and the highest selling rates remained unchanged at $142.84 and $184.15 respectively while the lowest selling rate nosedived by $94.65 to $76.
26 stocks rose over 100%
The Jamaica stock market ended a momentous 2015 with the overall market doubling, aided by a 160 percent in the junior market to land the Jamaican market as the leader in the world in 2015. At the close, all three main market indices made huge gains to reach new record highs.
The JSE combined market index recorded gains of 102 percent for the year, the all Jamaica composite up 99 percent with the JSE Market Index climbing 97 percent.
In a year when just about anyone could use a dart to pick winning stocks out of the 51 securities that rose with gains ranging from a low of 1 percent to a high of 1,086 percent. Five stocks fell up to 17 percent and one ended with the price unchanged. A total of 25 securities rose by 103% or more and 16 between 50% and 95 percent.
After nearly 11 years passed, with the market not rising above the record set in 2005, the record was finally broken in the second half of 2015 as an announced takeover offer for the shares of Desnoes and Geddes helped push the market to new highs, but it was more than that. Treasury bill rates peaked at 9 percent in March 2014, falling to 6 percent by the end of 2015 was a major catalyst in igniting prices higher, aided by some strong increases in profit of a wide range of companies. The top 15 performing stocks for 2015 are those in the table. The Jamaica Stock Exchange delivered a stunning 1,085 percent gain for investors that were invested in the stock from the start of the year, followed by Pulse Investments with 757 percent and Caribbean Cement with 726 percent.
JSE stock gained 1,085% in 2015
With the level of gains in 2015, the PE ratio of the market rose sharply to an average around 10 times 2015 earnings. Some stocks are selling above the average. Interest rates on Treasury bills are around 6 percent but that should fall in 2016 and will result in higher PE ratios as stocks become more attractive as an investment means than before. The local economy grew 1.5 percent in the September quarter, much higher than the previous two quarters, suggesting potential for higher growth levels in 2016, if so corporate profits should continue to grow, hence 2016 should be seeing continuation of the market growing.
With data going back to the start of the Jamaica stock market, indicating that on average only 2 out of the top 10 stocks in a year repeat that performance in the subsequent year, investors should be looking outside the top 10 performing stocks for big winners in 2016. Of the top ten ones that could do very well are Pulse, Caribbean Flavour, Honey Bun. Jamaica Stock Exchange should continue to see attractive gains, with increased stock market activities in 2016. That should mean more revenues and profits, but it will be difficult to see them in the top 10. With the company paying a high level of dividends, investors could see the stock as very attractive for income and thus drive the price higher than profits may suggest is possible.
Jam$ dips to close out year down
The Jamaican foreign exchange market trading activity on the last Thursday in 2015, fell below Wednesday’s levels with dealers selling more funds than they purchased. The value of the local currency slipped against its major counterpart currencies.
In trading dealers bought the equivalent of US$32,723,774 and sold US$42,295,648, compared with US$35,663,399 purchased and US$42,378,801 sold on Wednesday.
Sale of US dollars , exceeded the amount dealers bought by US$11 million as dealers bought US$29,243,474 compared to US$31,547,200 on Wednesday. The buying rate for the US dollar rose 3 cents to $119.64.
A total of US$40,545,786 was sold versus US$40,319,564 on Wednesday as the selling rate rose 8 cents to $120.42. The Canadian dollar buying rate declined 27 cents to end at $83.28 with dealers buying C$1,528,540 and selling C$863,232, at an average rate that gained 15 cents to $84.91. The rate for buying the British Pound dropped 40 cents to $175.74 for the purchase of £1,513,957, while £686,125 was sold, with the rate rising $2.04 to $177.12. At the end of trading, it took J$131.34 to purchase the Euro, for a gain of 11 cents from Wednesday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$128.58, rising 6 cents from Wednesday’s rate. The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$192,608 being bought, while US$131,968 was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for US dollar rose 5 cents to $120.70, 
the lowest buying, the highest and lowest selling rates were unchanged at $98.61, $126.37 and $116 respectively. The Canadian dollar highest buying rate gained 30 cents to $86.80, the lowest buying rate rose 17 cents to $68.48. The highest selling rate declined by 65 cents to $88.85 and the lowest selling rate ended unchanged at $81.50. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, rose 16 cents to $179.16, the lowest buying rate remained unchanged at $142.84, the highest selling rate climbed $2.10 to $184.15 while the lowest selling rate rose 65 cents to $170.65.
Jam$ slips v US$ gains on others
The Jamaican foreign exchange market trading activity on the final Wednesday in 2015, fell below Tuesday’s levels with dealers selling more funds than they purchased. The value of the local currency slipped slightly against the US dollar but gained against others.
In trading dealers bought the equivalent of US$35,663,399 and sold US$42,378,801, compared with US$45,261,760 purchased and US$44,691,797 sold on Tuesday.
Sale of US dollars , exceeded the amount dealers bought by US$8.8 million as dealers bought US$31,547,200 compared to US$40,016,157 on Tuesday. The buying rate for the US dollar fell 3 cents to $119.61. A total of US$40,319,564 was sold versus US$41,999,216 on Tuesday as the selling rate rose 2 cents to $120.34. 
The Canadian dollar buying rate declined 21 cents to end at $83.55 with dealers buying C$1,541,212 and selling C$1,140,246, at an average rate that fell $1.13 cents to $84.76. The rate for buying the British Pound climbed by $1.04 to $176.14 for the purchase of £1,790,783, while £550,663 was sold, with the rate falling $2.06 to $175.08. At the end of trading, it took J$131.23 to purchase the Euro, for a fall of 89 cents from Tuesday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$128.52, falling by 57 cents from Tuesday’s rate. The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$402,446 being bought, while US$455,005 was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for US dollar fell 5 cents to $120.65,
the lowest buying was unchanged at $98.61. The highest selling rate fell 10 cents to close at $126.37 and the lowest selling rate was unchanged at $116. The Canadian dollar highest buying rate fell 70 cents to $86.50, the lowest buying rate remained at $68.31. The highest selling rate declined by 50 cents to $89.50 and the lowest selling rate rose by $1.50 to end at $81.50. The highest and lowest buying rates for the British Pound, remained unchanged at $179 and $142.84 respectively, the highest selling rate dropped $2.95 to $182.05 while the lowest selling rate fell 55 cents to $170.
Jamaican $ revalues on Tuesday
The Jamaican foreign exchange market trading activity on the final Tuesday in 2015, rose above Monday’s levels with dealers buying almost the same amounts as they sold. The value of the local currency recovered slightly against the three majors as inflows into the market rose to more normal levels for this time of the year.
Dealers bought the equivalent of US$45,261,760 and sold US$44,691,797, compared with US$31,609,960 and US$32,521,826 respectively on Monday.
Sale of US dollars , exceeded the amount dealers bought by US$2 million. Dealers bought US$40,016,157 compared to US$28,536,776 on Monday. The buying rate for the US dollar rose 19 cents to $119.64. A total of US$41,999,216 was sold versus US$31,277,510 on Monday as the selling rate fell 10 cents to $120.32.
The Canadian dollar buying rate rose $1.01 to end at $83.76 with dealers buying C$2,901,378 and selling C$1,872,608, at an average rate that fell $1.12 cents to $85.89. The rate for buying the British Pound dropped by $1.38 to $175.10 for the purchase of £1,899,154, while £857,233 was sold, with the rate falling 10 cents to $177.14. At the end of trading, it took J$132.12 to purchase the Euro, for a rise of 23 cents from Monday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$129.09, rising by 12 cents from Monday’s rate. The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$434,750 being bought, while US$93,951 was sold.
Highs & Lows| The lowest buying rate for US dollar fell 9 cents to $98.61 while the highest buying, 
the highest and lowest selling rates were unchanged at $$120.70, 126.47 and $116, respectively. The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar rose 75 cents to $87.20, the lowest buying rate fell 30 cents to $68.31. The highest selling rate remained at $90 and the lowest selling rate lost 50 cents to end at $80. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, dropped $3.80 to end at $179. The lowest buying rate was unchanged at $142.84 and the highest selling rate rose 85 cents to $185 while the lowest selling rate fell 15 cents to $170.55.
J$ moves to $120.42 to US dollar
The Jamaican foreign exchange market trading activity on the final Monday in 2015, fell well below Thursday’s levels with dealers buying almost $11 million less than they sold, as the value of the local currency slipping further against the US dollar. The inflows of funds into the market were unusually low for this time of the year, the closure of some businesses for the holiday may account for it.
Dealers bought the equivalent of US$31,609,960 and sold US$32,521,826, compared with US$34,740,726 and US$44,288,308 respectively on Thursday.
Sale of US dollars , exceeded the amount dealers bought by US$2.7 million. Dealers bought US$28,536,776 compared to US$32,213,491 on Thursday. The buying rate for the US dollar fell 25 cents to $119.45. A total of US$31,277,510 was sold versus US$42,468,505 on Thursday as the selling rate rose 7 cent to $120.42. 
The Canadian dollar buying rate fell by 37 cents to end at $82.75 with dealers buying C$1,131,418 and selling C$1,198,716, at an average rate that rose 63 cents to $87.01. The rate for buying the British Pound climbed by $1.03 to $176.48 for the purchase of £1,470,687, while only £150,953 was sold, with the rate falling 89 cents to $177.24. At the end of trading, it took J$131.88 to purchase the Euro, for a rise of 96 cents from Thursday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$129.21, rising by 80 cents from Thursday’s rate. The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$116,372 being bought, while US$156,024 was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, fell 5 cents to $120.70, 
the lowest buying, the highest and lowest selling rates were unchanged at $98.70, $126.47 and $116, respectively. The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar dropped $1.75 to $86.45, the lowest buying rate fell 20 cents to $68.61. The highest and lowest selling rates remained at $90 and $80.50 respectively. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, jumped $4.10 to end at $182.80. The lowest buying, the highest and the lowest selling rates were unchanged at $142.84, $184.15 and $170.70 respectively.
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Inflows down Jamaican$ slips
Flows into the Jamaican foreign exchange market on Thursday fell well below Wednesday’s levels with dealers buying almost $10 million less than they sold with the value of the local currency slipping just a cent against the US dollar.
Dealers bought the equivalent of US$34,740,726 and sold US$44,288,308, compared with US$56,579,543 and US$48,690,822 respectively on Wednesday.
Sale of US dollars , exceeded the amount sold by dealers by US$10 million. Dealers bought US$32,213,491 compared to US$52,781,867 on Wednesday. The buying rate for the US dollar fell 13 cents to $119.70. A total of US$42,468,505 was sold versus US$46,420,126 on Wednesday as the selling rate rose 1 cent to $120.35. 
The Canadian dollar buying rate fell by 1 cent to end at $83.12 with dealers buying C$1,146,311 and selling C$1,102,909, at an average rate that rose $1.65 to $86.38. The rate for buying the British Pound climbed by 47 cents to $175.45 for the purchase of £927,856, while £587,131 was sold, with the rate putting on 67 cents to $178.14. At the end of trading, it took J$130.92 to purchase the Euro, for a fall of $1.05 from Wednesday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$128.41 for a decline of $1.03 from Wednesday’s rate. The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$371,230 being bought, while US$159,109 was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, 
rose 20 cents to $120.75, the lowest buying rate held at $98.70, the highest selling rate fell 22 cents to $126.47 and lowest selling rates fell $1 to end at $116. The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar rose $1.20 to $88.20, the lowest buying rate remained at $68.81, the highest selling rate ended 10 cents lower at $90 and the lowest selling rate fell $1.50 to end at $80.50. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, slipped 30 cents to end at $178.70. The lowest buying rate was unchanged at $142.84, while the highest selling rate jumped $1.45 to end at $184.15 and the lowest selling rate rose by 20 cents to $170.70.
J$ still 120.34 to US$1
Flows into the Jamaican foreign exchange market on Wednesday rose from Tuesday’s levels with dealers buying almost $8 million more than they sold with the value of the local currency holding steady versus the US dollar for the second day running.
Dealers bought the equivalent of US$56,579,543 and sold US$48,690,822, compared with US$48,162,961 and US$59,905,869 respectively on Tuesday.
Purchases of US dollars , exceeded the amount sold by dealers by US$6.4 million with dealers buying US$52,781,867 compared to US$42,736,857 on Tuesday. The buying rate for the US dollar fell 1 cent to $119.83. A total of US$46,420,126 was sold versus US$56,287,373 on Tuesday as the selling rate held steady at $120.34.
The Canadian dollar buying rate fell by 43 cents to end at $83.13 with dealers buying C$1,908,607 and selling C$849,866, at an average rate that dropped $1.75 to $84.73. The rate for buying the British Pound declined by $1.83 to $174.98 for the purchase of £1,541,375, while £1,028,127 was sold, with the rate putting on 19 cents to $177.47. At the end of trading, it took J$131.97 to purchase the Euro, for a rise of 59 cents on Tuesday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$129.45 for a gain of 69 cents over Tuesday’s rate. The US dollar equivalent of other currencies traded, amounts to US$222,847 being bought, while US$156,094 was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, fell 5 cents to $120.55,
the lowest buying rate slipped by 16 cents to $98.70 and the highest and lowest selling rates were unchanged and $126.69 and $117, respectively. The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar rose 40 cents to $87, the lowest buying rate dropped 33 cents to $68.81, the highest selling rate ended 10 cents higher at $90.10 and the lowest selling rate lost $3 to end at $79. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, rose 6 cents to end at $179. The lowest buying rate fell $1.17 to $142.84, while the highest selling rate dipped $2.95 to end at $182.70 and the lowest selling rate declined by $1.60 to $170.50.