Trading activity picks up on JSE

The main market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange saw increased trading on Tuesday over Monday’s activity, with higher values and volumes. The market closed at a new record high with the gains for the year to date being 33 percent based on the All Jamaica Composite Index that advanced 1,183.31 points by the close of trading.
In trading Cable Bahamas Jamaica dollar denominated preference share, traded for the first time with 3 units changing hands at $1,000,000 each.
Elsewhere, at the close of market activity, the securities changing hands, the last price and volume traded for the day are, Barita Investments with a fall of $1.48 to $9.01 with 6,099 shares, after investors seemed to have lost interest in it, following the announcement of a buyout of majority shares. Berger Paints closed at $15.80, losing 20 cents with 60,636 shares, Cable and Wireless lost 5 cents to close at $1.05 with 905,749 shares, Caribbean Cement exchanged 5,388 shares at $30, Carreras held firm at $108 with 730,722 shares, Grace Kennedy ending with a loss of 50 cents, t0 $41 with 5,213 shares. Jamaica Broilers rising 45 cents, to $18.20 with 234,394 shares, Jamaica Producers with a loss of 48 cents, closed at $14.50 with 326,105 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange jumped 79 cents to $6.49, in trading 5,300 shares, JMMB Group lost 15 cents to $20.75 with 284,052 shares. Kingston Properties closed at $7.50, after losing 50 cents with 10,325 shares, Kingston Wharves climbed $1.15, to $32 with 164,207 shares, Mayberry Investments gained 10 cents to finish at $4.60 with 12,020 shares, NCB Financial Group closed at $87.54, losing 45 cents with 110,532 shares, PanJam Investment lost 2 cents to close at $32.98 with 150,000 shares. Pulse Investments closed with a loss of 1 cent, at $1.99 trading 20,701 shares, Radio Jamaica gained 10 cents to $1.30 with 54,276 shares, Sagicor Group closed at $32 with 55,233 units, Sagicor Real Estate Fund ended at $12 trading 8,200 shares, Salada Foods exchnaged 7,705 shares at $10, Scotia Group closed 50 cents higher to $46 with 16,854 stock units, Seprod climbed $3.25 to close at $33 with 9,091 shares, Supreme Ventures closed at record high of $11, gaining $1.49 with 34,580 shares. Proven Investments US ordinary shares closed at 23 US cents with 2,420 units, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.5% preference share, closed at $1.85 with 74,950 units, JMMB Group 7.5% preference share closed with 300,000 shares at $1.15 and Proven 8.25% preference share gained 10 cents to close at $5.10 with 279,533 units.

 

JSE main market pulls back from record

The Jamaica Stock Exchange pulled back from the record close on Friday with the market indices declining with the volume and value traded rising above Friday’s levels.
The All Jamaica Composite Index declined 452.43 points to close at 278,307.75, the JSE Market Index declined 412.22 points to 253,569.88 and the JSE US dollar market index fell 6.51 points to 177.52.
At the close of trading, 24 securities changed hands in the main market with 1 trading in the US dollar market, leading to 9 stocks advancing and 10 declining. The main market ended with 3,602,298 units valued at $94,690,959 changing hands compared to 2,197,630 units valued at $56,139,038 at the close on Friday. Trading in the US dollar market accounted for 174,932 units valued at US$40,234 bringing the total of all trades to J$99,840,958.
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 4 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 1 with a lower offer.
The main market ended trading with an average of 150,096 units valued at $3,945,457 for each security traded compared to an average of 84,254 units valued at $2,159,194. The average volume and value for the month to date ended at $185,421 units with an average value of $3,984,939 compared with an average of 187,499 units with an average value of $3,987,261 on the previous trading day. The average volume and value for July ended at 160,668 units with an average value of $2,691,438.
At the close of the market, the last traded prices of securities and volume changing hands are, Barita Investments with a loss of 51 cents in closing at $10.49 with 2,449 shares, Berger Paints closed at $16, after gaining 25 cents with 500 shares, Cable and Wireless lost 5 cents to close at $1.10 with 299,771 shares, Caribbean Cement climbed $2.50 and ended at $30 with 76,723 shares, Carreras inched 1 cent higher to close at $108 with 473,898 shares, Grace Kennedy traded 206,942 shares at $41.50. Jamaica Broilers with gains of 14 cents, closed at $17.75 with 4,965 shares, Jamaica Producers dropped $1.52 to $14.98 with 1,053,204 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange closed at $5.70, with a loss of 30 cents trading 1,645 shares, JMMB Group lost 10 cents to close at $20.90 with 301,858 shares. Kingston Properties closed at $8 with 4,184 units, Kingston Wharves rose 6 cents and closed at $30.85 with 5,743 shares, NCB Financial Group closed at $87.99, having lost $1 with 5,571 stock units, PanJam Investment gained 5 cents to $33 with 39,433 shares, Portland JSX traded 5 cents lower to $9.25 with 10,000 shares. Pulse Investments ended with a loss of 5 cents at $2 with 16,600 shares, Sagicor Group added 50 cents, closing at $32 with 19,990 shares, Sagicor Real Estate Fund gained 2 cents to close at $12 trading 490,652 shares, Scotia Group closed 40 cents higher at $45.50 with 1,651 shares, Sterling Investments exchanged 2,000 shares at $14, Supreme Ventures closed at $9.51, losing 49 cents with 74,519 shares. Proven Investments US ordinary shares lost 1 cent US and closed at 23 US cents with 174,932 units, 138 Student Living variable rate preference share traded 500 units at $5.68, Jamaica Money market Brokers 7.5% preference share closed at $1.85 with 61,500 units being exchanged and JMMB Group 7.5% preference share closed with 448,000 shares at $1.15.

 

Main market stocks at record close – Friday

Supreme Ventures closed at record high of $10 on Friday.

Shares of Jamaica’s gaming company, Supreme Ventures hit a new high of $10 at the close of trading on Friday and helped push Jamaica Stock Exchange main market to a new high on Friday, following Thursday’s record close.
At the close of trading on Friday, the All Jamaica Composite Index advanced 106.76 points to end at a record close at 278,760.18, the JSE Market Index rose 97.27 points to a record close of
and the JSE US dollar market index ended 3.84 points higher to 184.03.
At the close of trading, 26 securities changed hands in the main market with 2 trading in the US dollar market, leading to 11 stocks advancing and 13 declining. The main market ended with 2,197,630 units valued at $56,139,038 changing hands compared to 4,236,294 units valued at $109,212,854 at the close on Thursday. Trading in the US dollar market accounted for 82,203 units valued at US$31,069 bringing the total of all trades to J $60,115,919.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and US dollar markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading ended at 8 to 1.
The main market ended trading with an average of 84,524 units valued at $2,159,194 for each security traded compared to an average of 184,187 units valued at $4,748,385. The average volume and value for the month to date ended at $187,499 units with an average value of $3,987,261 compared with an average of $193,935 units with an average value of $4,101,515 on the previous trading day. The average volume and value for July ended at 160,668 units with an average value of $2,691,438.
At the close of the market, the last traded prices of securities and volume changing hands are, Barita Investments with a loss of 10 cents, to close at $11 with 900 shares, Berger Paints ending at $15.75, after falling 40 cents with 7,041 shares, Cable and Wireless added 1 cent to $1.15 with 14,200 shares, Caribbean Cement dropping $2.50 to $27.50 with 2,589 shares, Carreras slipping 39 cents, to close at $107.99 with 8,582 shares, Grace Kennedy traded 50 cents higher to $41.50 with 33,114 shares. Jamaica Broilers with gains of 56 cents, ended at $17.61 with 210,036 shares, Jamaica Producers fell 50 cents to close at $16.50 with 18,317 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange closing at $6, with a loss of 19 cents trading 4,905 shares, JMMB Group lost 50 cents to close at $21 with 523,305 shares. Kingston Properties closed at $8 with 3,014 shares, Kingston Wharves finished 71 cents lower to $30.79 with 1,000 shares, Mayberry Investments closed at $4.50 with 162,111 shares, NCB Financial Group climbed $1 to $88.99, with 242,433 shares, 1834 Investments inched higher by 5 cents to $1.40, trading 12,717 shares, PanJam Investment concluded trading at $32.95, falling 5 cents with 11,536 shares. Pulse Investments climbed 25 cents to $2.05 with 100 shares, Radio Jamaica lost 10 cents to end at $1.20 with 285,000 shares, Sagicor Group climbed 50 cents, to $31.50 with 109,676 shares, Sagicor Real Estate Fund dropped 8 cents to $11.98 trading 6,028 shares, Scotia Group closed $1.85 lower to $45.10 with 235,195 shares, Seprod traded 27,869 shares at $29.75, Supreme Ventures climbed to a record high of $10, gaining $1.20 with 30,246 shares. Proven Investments US ordinary shares gained 1 cent US and closed at 24 US cents with 69,200 units, JMMB Group US 6% preference share traded 2 US cents higher to US$1.12 with 13,003 units, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.5% preference share declined 14 cents to $1.85 with 142,500 units, JMMB Group 7.25% preference share closed at $1.50, losing 10 cents with 239 units and JMMB Group 7.5% preference share closed with 104,977 shares at $1.15.

Huge gains push JSE to record high – Thursday

Main market indices of the Jamaica Stock Exchange made huge gains in trading on Thursday, to close at new record highs.
The All Jamaica Composite Index surged 6,467.89 points to a record close of 278,653.42, as the market recovered from near 5,000 points drop on Wednesday. The JSE Market Index leapt 5,892.98 points to a record close of 253,884.83, bettering the record reached August 10 for both indices. The JSE US dollar market index declined 3.84 points to 180.19.
At the close of trading, 23 securities changed hands in the main market with 2 trading in the US dollar market, leading to 11 stocks advancing and 8 declining. The main market ended with 4,236,294 units valued at $109,212,854 changing hands compared to 12,794,782 units valued at $308,295,023 at the close on Wednesday. Trading in the US dollar market accounted for 26,814 units valued at US$7,765 bringing the total of all trades to J$110,206,772.
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 7 with lower offers.
The main market ended trading with an average of 184,187 units valued at $4,748,385 for each security traded compared to an average of 473,881 units valued at $11,418,334. The average volume and value for the month to date ended at $193,935 units with an average value of $4,101,515 compared with an average of $194,585 units with an average value of $4,058,391 on the previous trading day. The average volume and value for July ended at 160,668 units with an average value of $2,691,438.
At the close of the market, the last traded prices of securities and volume changing hands are, Berger Paints closing at $16.15 after gaining 15 cents with 1,658 shares, Cable and Wireless lost 1 cent to close at $1.14 with 78,544 shares, Caribbean Cement rising $1.51 to $30 with 40,298 shares, Carreras with a loss of 40 cents to $107.60 with 128,994 shares, Grace Kennedy traded 50 cents higher to $41 with 333,520 shares. Jamaica Broilers finished with a loss of 45 cents at $17.05 with 502,272 shares, Jamaica Producers advanced by $1 to $17 with 2,297,691 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange closed at $6.19 with gains of 49 cents trading 7,551 shares, JMMB Group gained 50 cents to close at $21.50 with 37,534 shares. Kingston Properties closed at $8 with 1,250 shares, Kingston Wharves climbed $2 to $31.50 with only 800 shares, Mayberry Investments rose 32 cents to $4.50 with 20,438 shares, NCB Financial Group traded $1.99 higher to $87.99 with 252,941 shares, 138 Student Living closed at $5.15 trading 7,850 shares, PanJam Investment closed at $33 with 32,820 shares, Portland JSX lost 11 cents, closing at $9.30 with 200 shares. Pulse Investments ended with a loss of 40 cents at $1.80 with 7,800 shares, Radio Jamaica traded 234,820 shares at $1.30, Sagicor Group fell by 60 cents, closing at $31 with 42,184 shares, Sagicor Real Estate Fund added 1 cent to close at $12.06 in trading 11,185 shares, Scotia Group gained 45 cents and closed at $46.95 with 56,384 shares, Seprod lost 25 cents to close at $29.75 with 56,860 shares, Supreme Ventures held firm at $8.80 with 82,070 shares. Proven Investments US ordinary shares lost US 1 cent and closed at 23 US cents with 25,097 units and JMMB Group US 6% preference share traded at US$1.10 with 1,717 units.

JSE prices drop sharply – Wednesday

The main market indices of the Jamaica Stock Exchange dropped sharply on Wednesday. The All Jamaica Composite Index dived 4,980.99 points to 272,185.53, the JSE Market Index dropped 4,538.24 points to 247,991.85 while the JSE US dollar market index rose 6.51 points to 184.03.
At the close of trading, 27 securities changed hands in the main market with 1 trading in the US dollar market, leading to 10 stocks advancing and 7 declining. The main market ended with 12,794,782 units valued at $308,295,023 changing hands compared to 1,806,656 units valued at $31,094,257 at the close on Tuesday. Trading in the US dollar market accounted for 300,000 units valued at US$71,995.17 bringing the total of all trades to J$317,510,404.
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 7 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 with lower offers.
The main market ended trading with an average of 473,881 units valued at $11,418,334 for each security traded compared to an average of 82,121 units valued at $1,413,375. The average volume and value for the month to date ended at $194,585 units with an average value of $4,058,391 compared with an average of $174,635 units with an average value of $3,532,680 on the previous trading day. The average volume and value for July ended at 160,668 units with an average value of $2,691,438.
At the close of the market, the last traded prices of securities and volume traded are: Barita Investments with 8,593 shares closing at $11.10, Cable and Wireless falling 5 cents to close at $1.15 with 360,547 shares, Caribbean Cement with a loss of 46 cents to end at $28.49 with 41,516 units. Carreras held firm at $108 with 361,378 shares, Grace Kennedy traded $1.49 lower to $40.50 with 1,509,528 shares, Jamaica Broilers rose 50 cents to $17.50 with 1,513,181 stock units, Jamaica Producers jumped $2 to $16 with 1,572,555 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange closed at $5.70 with a loss of 77 cents trading 874,717 shares, JMMB Group fell 20 cents to $21 with 782,429 stock units. Kingston Properties gained 80 cents to close at $8 with 5,729 shares, Kingston Wharves ended at $29.50 with 2,000 shares, Mayberry Investments inched up by 9 cents to $4.18 with 4,000 units, NCB Financial Group dropped $3 to $86 with 1,026,736 shares, 1834 Investments closed with a 1 cent gain at $1.35, trading 5,500 shares, PanJam Investment closed at $33 with 9,606 shares, Portland JSX added 11 cents to finish at $9.41 with 789,000 shares. Pulse Investments gained 25 cents to $2.20 with 1,000 shares, Radio Jamaica closed with a loss of 5 cents at $1.30 with 17,096 shares, Sagicor Group added 10 cents in closing at $31.60 with 103,700 shares, Sagicor Real Estate Fund lost 1 cent to conclude trading at $12.05 while exchanging 3,995 units, Salada Foods closed at $10 with 2,000 shares, Scotia Group gained 50 cents and closed at $46.50 with 169,559 shares, Seprod remained at $30 with 15,925 shares, Sterling Investments traded at $14 with 7,000 shares, Supreme Ventures held firm at $8.80 with 3,589,118 shares. Proven Investments US ordinary shares gained US 1 cent and closed at 24 US cents with 300,000 units, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.5% preference share closed at $1.99 with 13,791 shares and JMMB Group 7.5% preference share lost 1 cent to close at $1.15 with 4,583 shares.

Construction boosting Montego Bay economy

The official data from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica show that activity in the construction sector grew 0.4 percent in the December 2016 quarter and 0.2 percent in the March 2017 quarter.

New NCB Financial centre being built in Fair View Montego Bay

IC Insider.com took a tour of Jamaica’s two cities to get a glimpse of what was taking place in the sector and we have the pictures to show.
Within the Montego Bay area, the region of Jamaica that is said to be the fastest growing in the country, most buildings are taking place around the Fairview area that is next door to Bogue. Commercial activity continues to attract more entities to the western region and they seem to be heading to this location. Building of NCB Financial Centre for the region is in full flight and could be finished very soon, based on where the construction of building reached. Sited two blocks just south west of the Scotiabank centre the building occupies two stories.

Two new buildings going up at Farview, the one to the right is said to be a shopping cenre and a warehiouse to the left

Also going up close by was what is said to be a shopping centre, but that seems to be more like offices that should be ready for occupancy shortly, based on the painting of the exterior. And next to that building is another, that IC Insider.com was advised is a warehouse.Lands have been cleared and marled for what looks like another building or two one of which is a site for Victoria Building Society.
Other the other side of town on the way to adjoin the Pye River cemetery are two new commercial buildings,

New bidong going up at Bogue in Montgo Bay

one fairy advanced and another just going up, and across from what seems a BPO operations.
On the return leg to Kingston, IC Insider.com spotted advanced construction at what is commonly known as Puerto Seco Beach. This is said to be a Guardsman development and seems to be a resort type facility, with restaurants and cabanas in addition to the beach and represents a major upgrading of the popular

Pueto Seco Beach main building

Puerto Seco Beach facilities. This development is set to generate increased business for the Discovery Bay, a town that has been undergoing increased business activities in recent years with more commercial activities and business.
Increased activity within the sector has a number of positives, including increased employment during the construction phase for both skilled and unskilled workers and for workers who are going to be employed in the commercial entities after the constructions are completed. The wider Montego Bay economy will benefit from the business that will be conducted by the increased number of persons who will be employed. Entities such as taxis, buses, shops, restaurants and of course the government who will be collecting more taxes will all benefit for the increase economic activities to be generated.
Wider afield cement producer Caribbean Cement and paint manufactures as well as suppliers of other construction goods, will benefit from the continuing growth in the construction sectors in the region

JSE main market rises on Tuesday

Trading closed on main market stocks of the Jamaica Stock Exchange with gains in the indices up to 1,000 points but with the stocks rising equalling those declining at on Tuesday.
The All Jamaica Composite Index advanced 1,030.80 points to close at 277,166.52, the JSE Market Index gained 939.17 points to 252,530.09 and the JSE US dollar market index declined 0.98 points to 177.52.
At the close of trading, 22 securities changed hands in the main market with 1 trading in the US dollar market, leading to 9 stocks advancing and 9 declining. The main market ended with 1,806,656 units valued at $31,094,257 changing hands compared to 2,163,104 units valued at $46,639,859 at the close on Monday. Trading in the US dollar market accounted for 104,517 units valued at US$24,043 bringing the total of all trades to J$34,171,703.
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 5 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 with lower offers.
The main market ended trading with an average of 82,121 units valued at $1,413,375 for each security traded compared to an average of 83,196 units valued at $1,793,841. The average volume and value for the month to date ended at $174,635 units with an average value of $3,532,680 compared with an average of 181,752 units with an average value of $3,695,704 on the previous trading day. The average volume and value for July ended at 160,668 units with an average value of $2,691,438.
The last price at close of the market and the volume of securities traded are, Barita Investments declining 15 cents to $11.10 with 7,675 shares, Berger Paints closing 95 cents lower to $16 with 6,159 units, Cable and Wireless lost 7 cents to close at $1.20 with 102,613 shares, Caribbean Cement ended at $28.95 with 15,949 stock units,Carreras held firm at $108 with 37,181 shares, Grace Kennedyclimbing $2.98 higher to $41.99 with 6,361 units. Jamaica Broilers with a loss of 50 cents, to $17 with 433,797 shares, Jamaica Producers declined 98 cents to $14 with 55,760 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange closed at $6.47 with 2,957 stock units, JMMB Group closing with a loss of 30 cents to $21.30 with 109,395 shares. Kingston Wharves ended at $29.50 with 340 shares, Mayberry Investments gained 3 cents to $4.09 with 192,037 shares, NCB Financial Group declined 10 cents to $89 with 58,746 shares, PanJam Investment advanced $1.40 to $33 with 9,000 shares and Portland JSX closed at $9.30 with 10,600 shares. Radio Jamaica gained 5 cents to close at $1.35 with 2,240 shares, Sagicor Group traded 50 cents higher to $31.50 with 33,696 shares, Sagicor Real Estate Fund with a 1 cent gain to $12.06 exchanging 41,250 shares, Scotia Group climbed 97 cents to $46 with 33,173 shares, Seprod gained 16 cents to close at $30 with 165 shares, Sterling Investments traded 70 cents higher to $14 with 22,100 shares, Supreme Ventures ended with a loss of 20 cents to $8.80 with 624,922 shares. Proven Investments US ordinary shares lost US 1 cent and closed at 23 US cents with 104,517 units.

Two financial stocks return to TOP 10

Unlike last week when there were several changes to the TOP 10 lists, this past week had just two changes, with Lasco Financial returning to the junior market and Sagicor Group to the Main market lists.
CAC 2000 dropped out of the Junior Marketlisting, allowing for the return of Lasco Financial that dropped sharply in price, to close the week at $3.40. Mayberry Investments was edged out by Sagicor Group, dropping from $34.35 to $31.75 at the close of the past week.
Former TOP main market value stock, Barita Investments moved up from $9.40 during the previous week to close at $11.60 for a gain of more than 273 percent since September last year. The most recent Initial Public Offering, Stationery and Office Supplies that exited the TOP 10 after listing in the prior week, is fluctuating between $4 and just over $5, and should undergo some amount of wide price movements until demand and supply find some balance. JMMB Group climbed to $23 on Friday before closing back at $21.45, supply has dried up for this stock and it seems to be readying to make an early exit in the next few weeks.
The average PE ratio for the Junior Market Top stocks is at 7.5 and the PE for the main market TOP 10, ends the week at 7.2. The average PE for the overall main market trades at 13.3 and 13.2 for Junior Market, based on 2017 estimated earnings.
At the close of the week, IC Insider.com’s TOP 10 stocks now trade at an average discount of 42 percent to the average of the market for Junior Market Top stocks and it remains at 46 percent for the main market.

JSE main market jumps sharply – Tuesday

Main market stocks surge higher at the close of trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Tuesday even as declining stocks beat out advancing almost 3 to 1. Market activity took place from increased volumes as 30 securities changed hands up from 26 on Monday.
At the close of trading 2 securities were active in the US dollar market, 6 stocks advanced and 15 declined in both markets. The main market ended with 3,703,287 units valued at $102,098,446 changing hands compared to 6,318,090 units valued at $56,287,458 at the close on Monday. Trading in the US dollar market accounted for just 984 units valued at US$623, bringing the total of all trades to J$102,178,210.
The All Jamaica Composite Index jumped 2,655.88 points to close at 277,217.25, the JSE Market Index climbed 2,419.81 points to 252,576.32 and the JSE US dollar market index lost 0.07 points to close at 186.15.
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 4 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 with lower offers.
The main market ended trading with an average of 123,443 units valued at $3,403,282 for each security traded compared to an average of 243,003 units valued at $2,164,902. The average volume and value for the month to date ended at 157,392 units with an average value of $3,180,224 compared with an average of 161,636 units with an average value of $3,152,342 on the previous trading day. The average volume and value for July ended at 160,668 units with an average value of $2,691,438.
In market activity, Barita Investments jumped $1.20 to record high of $12 with 16,931 shares changing hands, just over a week that the company reported that the directors were considering an offer to purchase the majority of its shares. Cable and Wireless closed at $1.20, losing 3 cents as 1,114,661 shares were exchanged, after the company posted a profit in the June quarter, Caribbean Cement lost 49 cents, closing at $27.01 with 6,500 shares, Carreras climbed $1 to $109, with 761,392 shares Grace Kennedy dipped 15 cents to $41 trading 7,606 shares. Jamaica Broilers exchanged 28,206 shares at $17.50, Jamaica Producers closed at $15, with gains of 34 cents, trading 2,000 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange lost 3 cents to $6.45, with 8,586 shares changing hands, JMMB Group gained 78 cents to close at $21, with 68,950 shares. Kingston Properties exchanged 43,400 shares at $7.20, having lost 80 cents, Kingston Wharves slid 50 cents to $29.50, with an exchange of 37,483 shares, Mayberry Investments lost 30 cents to close at $4.40, with 80,978 shares changing hands, NCB Financial Group fell 50 cents to $90, after exchanging 73,999 units, 1834 Investments lost 5 cents to close at $1.30 while trading 137,746 shares, 138 Student Living closed at $5.15, after losing 35 cents with 4,100 shares, PanJam Investment closed 5 cents lower at $30.95 trading 33,152 shares, Portland JSX exchanged 41,892 shares at $9.30. Pulse Investments gained 9 cents to close at $1.95 trading 33,986 shares, Radio Jamaica exchanged 1,000 shares at $1.40, Sagicor Group closed 47 cents lower to $31.52, with 35,648 shares, Sagicor Real Estate fund traded 24,422 shares at $12.05, Salada Foods closed at $9.50 with 442 shares changing hands, Scotia Group closed at $45.90 with trades of 27,550 shares, Scotia Investments gained 10 cents with 500 shares traded and closed at $35.10, Seprod dropped $2.55 to $30 with an exchange of 35,937 shares, Sterling Investments closed 5 cents lower to $14 trading 15,000 shares, Supreme Ventures traded 56,148 shares at $8. Proven Investments US ordinary share, closed at 24 US cents with 534 units changing hands, JMMB Group US 6% preference shares was down 2 US cents to US$1.10, trading 450 units, , Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.5% preference share traded 4,852 units at $1.99, JMMB Group 7.5% preference closed at $1.15, with 1,000,000 units changing owners and Proven 8.25% preference share closed at $4.98, losing 1 cent exchanging 220 units.

Barita at record high on Monday

The main market stocks of the Jamaica Stock Exchange declined for the second consecutive day with moderate fall in the indices at the close on Monday. Barita Investments, the subject of a proposed takeover bid closed at a new all-time high of $10.80 at the close.
The All Jamaica Composite Index declined 515.97 points to close at 274,561.37, the JSE Market Index declined 470.10 points to 250,156.51 and the JSE US dollar market index lost 2.04 points to close at 186.22.
At the close of trading, 26 securities changed hands in the main market with 2 trading in the US dollar market, leading to 8 stocks advancing and 9 declining. The main market ended with 6,318,090 units valued at $56,287,458 changing hands compared to 7,902,262 units valued at $237,278,617 at the close on Friday. Trading in the US dollar market accounted for 243,556 units valued at US$58,933, bringing the total of all trades to J$63,830,938.
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 4 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 with lower offers.
The main market ended trading with an average of 243,003 units valued at $2,164,902 for each security traded compared to an average of 395,113 units valued at $11,863,931. The average volume and value for the month to date ended at 161,636 units with an average value of $3,152,342 compared with an average of 150,012 units with an average value of $3,293,405 on the previous trading day. The average volume and value for July ended at 160,668 units with an average value of $2,691,438.
In market activity, Barita Investments traded $1.40 higher to close at an all-time high of $10.80 with 30,000 shares changing hands, Berger Paints gained 95 cents and closed at $16.95 trading 1,218 shares, Cable and Wireless closed at $1.23, after gaining 16 cents with an exchange of 3,513,068 shares, with investors reacting positively to the report of profit in the June quarter. Caribbean Cement lost 51 cents to end at $27.50 with 16,500 shares,Carreras closed at $108, with 88,618 shares switching owners, Grace Kennedy jumped $1.15 to close at $41.15 trading 20,997 shares. Jamaica Broilers lost 50 cents exchanging 332,468 shares to close at $17.50, Jamaica Producers closed at $14.66, with a loss of 44 cents trading 42,186 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange closed at $6.48 with 13,000 shares changing hands, JMMB Group lost 28 cents to close at $20.22, with 341,624 shares. Kingston Properties exchanged 1,000 shares at $8, Kingston Wharves traded $1 higher to $30, with an exchange of 7,000 shares, Mayberry Investments gained 21 cents to close at $4.70, with 465,061 shares changing hands, NCB Financial Group dipped 50 cents to $90.50, after exchanging 111,568 shares, 1834 Investments lost 5 cents to close at $1.35 while trading 1,834 shares, 138 Student Living traded 26,498 shares at $5.50, PanJam Investment closed $1 higher to $31 trading 127,297 shares,Proven Investments exchanged 26,560 shares at $25.02, Pulse Investments closed at $1.86 trading 39,165 shares, Radio Jamaica lost 20 cents exchanging 52,658 shares to close at $1.40, Sagicor Group closed $2.36 lower to $31.99, with 142,899 shares, Sagicor Real Estate Fund exchanged 18,151 shares at $12.05, Scotia Group closed at $45.90 with trades of 28,304 shares, Supreme Ventures traded 468,136 shares at $8. Margaritaville Turks US ordinary share was down 3 US cents to 33 US cents trading 5,000 units, Proven Investments US ordinary share closed at 24 US cents with 238,566 units changing hands, JMMB Group 7.5% preference share gained 4 cents, closing at $1.15, with 399,500 units changing owners and Proven 8.25% preference share closed at $4.99 exchanging 2,780 units.