The large blocks of stocks in four companies that swelled trading on Friday dominated trading again on Wednesday on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange, with the overall volume and the value of stocks traded rising a mere one percent over trading on Friday with trading in 44 securities up from 40 on Friday and ended with prices of 18 rising, 15 declining and 11 closing unchanged.
Mailpac Group was the leading trade with 50.06 million shares for 50.3 percent of total volume followed by Jamaican Teas with 32.75 million units for 32.9 percent of the day’s trade, Future Energy chipped in with 10.59 million units for 10.6 percent market share and Spur Tree Spices with 2.34 million units for 2.4 percent of total volume.
The total amount of stocks traded was 99,492,688 for $248,103,688 up from 98,460,419 units at $245,339,629 on Friday.
Trading averaged 2,261,197 shares at $5,638,720, compared with 2,461,510 units at $6,133,491 on Friday with the month to date, averaging 428,507 units at $1,012,729 compared with 301,518 stock units at $692,188 on the previous day. November closed with an average of 262,280 units at $587,545.
At the close, the Junior Market Index rose 5.11 points to end at 3,733.25.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.4, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for the financial years ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial fell 48 cents to $24.50 with 850,000 stock units clearing the market, AMG Packaging declined 30 cents and ended at $2.40 with traders dealing in 76 shares, Blue Power lost 36 cents to end at $2.66, with 1,000 stocks crossing the exchange. 
Cargo Handlers popped $1.84 in closing at $14.92 with investors trading 923 units, Dolphin Cove skidded 14 cents to close at $17 after an exchange of 701 stocks, Fontana advanced 16 cents to $10.14 with investors transferring 36,524 units. Honey Bun sank 14 cents to close at $6.26 in an exchange of 2,252 shares, Indies Pharma rose 14 cents and ended at $2.99, with 34,657 stock units crossing the market, ISP Finance shed $4.55 in closing at $24.85 with an exchange of 1,244 shares. Jamaican Teas climbed 19 cents to end at $2.50 after investors ended trading 32,747,972 stocks, Knutsford Express dropped $1.18 in closing at $11.40 while exchanging 5,852 units, Medical Disposables increased 20 cents to $2.70 in trading 6,000 stock units and Spur Tree Spices gained 39 cents to close at $2.89 with, 2,339,563 shares changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Mostly price gains for ICTOP10
The Main Market of the JSE rose around two percent and Junior Market just under one percent for the week and led the top 10 mostly higher, with 7 Main Market and 4 Junior Market stocks rising with declining stocks recording losses of 4 percent or less, at the same time one stock moved out of the TOP10.
The Main Market ICTOP10 ended with, General Accident declined 11 percent to $4.50. Buying interest picked up during the week for Scotia Group pushing the stock to several 52 weeks’ highs and a rose of 7 percent for the week to a 52 weeks’ closing high of $38.40. This stock has much more juice left that should take it into the $40 range by early 2024. Caribbean Producers rallied 6 percent to $9, while Margaritaville also rose 6 percent and closed at $17 and Pulse Investments rose 5 percent to $2.09 and Key Insurance slipped 4 percent to $2.40.
The Junior Market ended the week, with AMG Packaging climbing 17 percent to $2.70, buying is not aggressive currently while supplies up to $3.15 is limited, with none on offer until $10. Investors should expect a big bounce in the first quarter profits due by mid-January. The company states that they are exploring the possibility of new equipment and expanded facilities that could shape a future expansion of momentous proportions. Caribbean Cream rose 10 percent to $3.64 and Stationery and Office Supplies gained 9 percent and dropped out of the TOP10 and is replaced by Tropical Battery. There were no notable declines at the end of the week.
There was no new addition to the IC Main Market TOP10.
Indications of where stock prices could be by May 2024 can be seen from stocks with the highest values in the Main and Junior Markets.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market ICTOP 10 stands at 5.3, well below the market average of 13.1. The Main Market ICTOP10 is projected to gain an average of 288 percent by May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings and now provides better values than the Junior Market with the potential to gain 195 percent over the same time frame.
In the Main Market ICTOP10, 15 of the most highly valued stocks, 31 percent of the Main Market are priced at a PE of 15 to 108, with an average of 29 and 18 excluding the highest PE ratios, and a PE of 24 for the top half and 16 excluding the stocks with overweight values.
The PE of the Junior Market TOP10 sits at 7, just over half of the market, with an average of 13.2. There are 14 stocks, or 29 percent of the market, with PEsfrom 15 to 49, averaging 21, well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 18, possibly the lowest fair value for stocks.
Of great import is that the averages of both markets are now converging around a PE of 20 for close to a third of the market, as the year is coming to a close and with more information available on the full year’s earnings.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners, accordingly, the list includes some of the best companies in the market, but this is not always so. ICInsider.com ranks stocks based on projected earnings, allowing investors to focus on the most undervalued stocks and helping to remove emotions in selecting stocks for investments that often result in costly mistakes.
IC TOP10 stocks will likely deliver the best returns on or around May 2024 and are ranked in order of potential gains, computed using projected earnings for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate and result in weekly movements in and out of the lists. Revisions to earnings are ongoing, based on receipt of new information.
Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.
Big trading day for Junior Market
Trading surged on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Friday with Mailpac Group leading trading with 50.04 million shares accounting for 50.8 percent of total volume followed by Jamaican Teas with 32.66 million units for 33.2 percent of the day’s trade, Future Energy ended with 10.09 million units for 10.2 percent market share and Spur Tree Spices with 1.84 million units 
for 1.9 percent of total volume, resulting with the volume of stocks traded surging 3,131 percent, with the value 5,722 percent more than Thursday after trading in 40 securities as was the case on Thursday and ended with 16 rising, nine declining and 15 closing unchanged.
At the close investors traded a solid 98,460,419 shares for $245,339,629 compared with a mere 3,047,673 units at just $4,213,805 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 2,461,510 shares at $6,133,491, compared with 76,192 units at $105,345 on Thursday with the month to date, averaging 301,518 stock units at $692,188 compared with 156,308 stock at $326,386 on the previous day. November closed with an average of 262,280 units at $587,545.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index climbed 45.75 points to close at 3,728.14.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.3, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for the financial years ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Assurance Brokers popped 24 cents to $2.24 after a transfer of just 500 stocks, Caribbean Cream climbed 64 cents to end at $3.64 as investors exchanged a mere 18 units, Dolphin Cove rose 44 cents in closing at $17.14 after 4,684 shares passed through the market. Fosrich rallied 10 cents and ended at $2.40, with 5,551 stock units changing hands, 
Indies Pharma dropped 10 cents to close at $2.85 with a transfer of 2,500 shares, Iron Rock Insurance increased 49 cents to $2.55 with investors dealing in 2 units. Limners and Bards gained 14 cents in closing at $1.68 in an exchange of 500 stocks, One Great Studio advanced 12 cents and ended at 97 cents with investors transferring 259,498 stock units, Regency Petroleum rose 10 cents to end at $2.30 in an exchange of 36,407 shares. Spur Tree Spices climbed 25 cents to close at $2.50 with 1,844,997 stock units crossing the market and Stationery and Office Supplies popped 11 cents to $1.74 while exchanging 109,880 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market drops with reduced trading
Trading declined sharply below Wednesday’s levels on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Thursday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 68 percent and the value 80 percent lower than Wednesday after trading in 40 securities compared with 37 on Wednesday and ended with 14 rising, 17 declining and nine closing unchanged as two stocks traded at 52 weeks’ low.
Investors traded 3,047,673 shares for $4,213,805 down from 9,632,022 units at $21,100,384 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 76,192 shares at $105,345 compared with 260,325 units at $570,281 on Wednesday. Trading month to date, averages 156,308 units at $326,386 compared to 162,082 stock units at 342,317 on the previous day, down compared to November, with an average of 262,280 units at $587,545.
One Great Studio led trading with 1.46 million shares for 47.8 percent of total volume followed by the managerially troubled iCreate with 382,342 units for 12.5 percent of the day’s trade and EduFocal with 327,543 units for 10.7 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index shed 18.95 points to culminate at 3,682.39.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.1, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for the financial years ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging popped 33 cents to finish trading at $2.64, with 8 stocks changing hands, Blue Power climbed 37 cents to close at $3.03 in trading 515 units, Caribbean Cream skidded 31 cents to $3 after a mere 1,229 shares changed hands. Derrimon Trading fell 10 cents and ended at $1.92 in an exchange of 30,654 stock units, Dolla Financial rose 9 cents to $2.59 with investors dealing in 45,503 shares, Dolphin Cove shed 15 cents in closing at $16.70 while exchanging 4,782 units. Elite Diagnostic advanced 8 cents to $1.73 after 1,172 stocks passed through the market, Fosrich gained 12 cents to close at $2.30 in switching ownership of 44,673 stock units, GWest Corporation sank 12 cents and ended at 87 cents with 229 shares clearing the market.
iCreate gained 9 cents to end at 59 cents with investors swapping 382,342 units, Iron Rock Insurance declined 44 cents to $2.06 in an exchange of 37 stocks, Jamaican Teas lost 14 cents to end at $2.31, with 22,552 stock units crossing the market. Knutsford Express dipped 20 cents in closing at $12.58 after an exchange of 19 shares, Lasco Manufacturing rallied 13 cents to close at $4.63 after 4,596 stocks passed through the market, Main Event popped 40 cents and ended at $13.90 with a transfer of 321 units. Medical Disposables dropped 42 cents to a 52 weeks’ low of $2.50 after an exchange of 713 stock units, One Great Studio sank 12 cents in closing at an all-time low of 85 cents with investors trading 1,457,855 shares, Regency Petroleum dipped 10 cents to close at $2.20 with an exchange of 17,413 stocks and Stationery and Office Supplies fell 20 cents to end at $1.63 after trading 31,513 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main & USD markets gains, Juniors slip
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange gained at the close of trading on Thursday, with the USD Market also closing higher as the Junior Market slipped to close out trading, with market activity ending with the volume and value of stocks traded falling below Wednesday’s levels on the penultimate day before the Christmas break for the market.
At the close of the market, Main Market stocks rallying were Jamaica Broilers with a gain of $1.49, Sagicor Group up $1 and Scotia Group closing at a new 52 weeks’ closing high of $37.50, after gaining 38 cents. Declining Main Market stocks include GraceKennedy down $2.17 and Barita Investments with a fall of 90 cents.
Rising Junior Market stocks include Main Event with a gain of 40 cents, Blue Power up 37 cents, and AMG Packaging gaining 33 cents. Declining stocks include Medical Disposables falling 42 cents followed by Caribbean Cream with a loss of 31 cents and Iron Rock Insurance down 44 cents.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index rose 512.77 points to 328,594.68, the All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 571.53 points to wrap up trading at 351,983.29, the JSE Main Index popped 723.66 points to 315,985.82. The Junior Market Index dipped 18.95 points to wrap-up trading at 3,682.39 and the JSE USD Market Index gained 4.25 points to finish at 223.13.
Investors traded 10,449,490 shares, in all three markets, down from 13,761,322 units on Tuesday. The value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounts to $48.29 million compared with $65.97 million on Tuesday. The JSE USD market closed after just 6,525 shares were traded, for US$320 compared to 130,502 units at US$2,973 on Wednesday.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% rallied $1 to $41 and Productive Business Solutions 10.5 % preference share lost $30 to end at $1,060.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.7 on 2022-23 earnings and 13.7 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to quickly assess the value of stocks based on this measure. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Junior Market popps
Trading jumped at the close of Wednesday of the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange with the volume of stocks traded surging 175 percent and the value 141 percent more than Tuesday as Indies Pharma led trading with 3.90 million shares for 40.5 percent of total volume followed by 
Stationery and Office Supplies with 3.10 million units for 32.2 percent of the day’s trade and iCreate with 909,586 units for 9.4 percent market share with 37 securities trading compared with 41 on Tuesday with prices of 14 stocks rising, 15 declining and eight closing unchanged.
Investors traded 9,632,022 shares for $21,100,384, jumping from 3,501,618 units at $8,751,901 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 260,325 shares at $570,281, up from 85,405 stock units at $213,461 on Tuesday with the month to date, averaging 162,082 units at $342,317 compared with 155,065 stock units at $326,034 on the previous day, below November with an average of 262,280 units at $587,545.
At the close, the Junior Market Index jumped 51.10 points to finish at 3,701.34.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.1, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for the financial years ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging sank 43 cents in closing at $2.31 after an exchange of only 420 stocks, CAC 2000 advanced 34 cents to $4.85 with a transfer of just 4 stock units, Caribbean Assurance Brokers fell 25 cents to end at $2, with 61,967 shares crossing the market. Dolphin Cove lost 13 cents and ended at $16.85 with investors transferring 38,922 stock units, EduFocal skidded 15 cents to close at $1.67 in an exchange of 263,831 shares, Elite Diagnostic declined 9 cents to $1.65 with investors swapping 139,450 units. Everything Fresh rose 20 cents and ended at $1.52 with an exchange of 1,202 stocks, Express Catering gained 10 cents in closing at $4 after 509 stock units passed through the market, Fosrich shed 11 cents to close at $2.18 as investors exchanged 37,261 shares.
iCreate dropped 13 cents to end at 50 cents after a transfer of 909,586 stock units, Indies Pharma popped 9 cents to $2.95 with investors exchanging 3,904,111 stocks, ISP Finance dipped 50 cents to close at $29.40 with investors trading 24 units. Jamaican Teas climbed 15 cents in closing at $2.45, with 1,943 shares clearing the market, Lasco Distributors increased 14 cents to end at $3.91 after 1,211 units were traded, Lasco Manufacturing rallied 25 cents and ended at $4.50, with 5,533 stocks changing hands. Main Event popped 50 cents to $13.50 in an exchange of 5,831 stock units, MFS Capital Partners lost 10 cents to close at $2.25 with investors dealing in 49,244 shares, Regency Petroleum climbed 15 cents and ended at $2.30 and closed with 17,804 stock units changing hands and Stationery and Office Supplies rose 18 cents in closing at $1.83 in switching ownership of 3,098,440 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market slips on reduced trading
Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Tuesday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 29 percent and the value 15 percent lower than Monday with 41 securities trading compared with 42 on Monday and ended with 15 rising, 13 declining and 13 closing unchanged.
Investors traded 3,501,618 shares for $8,751,901 compared with 4,931,463 units at $10,278,286 on Monday.
Trading averaged 85,405 shares at $213,461, compared with 117,416 units at $244,721 on Monday with the month to date, averaging 155,065 units at $326,034 compared with 161,052 stock units at $335,710 on the previous day to end below November with an average of 262,280 units at $587,545.
iCreate led trading with 762,439 shares for 21.8 percent of total volume following the company being placed in receivership and was followed by Fosrich with 624,699 units for 17.8 percent of the day’s trade and Elite Diagnostic with 509,097 units for 14.5 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index lost 39.23 points to settle at 3,650.24.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.1, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for the financial years ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Blue Power declined 40 cents and ended at $2.65 with a transfer of 31,088 stocks, CAC 2000 rose 51 cents to $4.51, with just 10 stock units crossing the market, Caribbean Flavours lost 13 cents in closing at $1.63 in an exchange of 539 shares. Dolphin Cove advanced 43 cents to close at $16.98 after investors traded 3,293 stock units, EduFocal popped 12 cents to end at $1.82 after an exchange of 69,734 shares, Elite Diagnostic gained 11 cents in closing at $1.74 with investors transferring 509,097 stocks, but only after trading at a 52 weeks’ intraday low of $1.50. Express Catering rallied 10 cents to $3.90 in switching ownership of 3,250 units, Fontana skidded 47 cents and ended at $10 as investors exchanged 284,230 stock units, Future Energy increased 9 cents to close at $3.54 after 69,132 shares passed through the market.
iCreate fell 21 cents to end at 63 cents with traders dealing in 762,439 units, following an announcement on Monday that Sagicor Group had appointed a receiver for the company and comes after the majority shareholder muscled himself back in control of the company at board and executive levels. Indies Pharma dropped 9 cents in closing at $2.86, with 49,581 stocks changing hands, Lasco Distributors shed 16 cents to close at $3.77 with investors swapping 3,384 stock units. Lasco Financial climbed 26 cents to end at $1.88, with 600 shares crossing the exchange, Main Event sank $1.30 to close at $13 in trading 100,022 stock units and Paramount Trading increased 15 cents and ended at $1.63, with just 9 stocks crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Steady Junior Market
Market activity ended with 15 stocks rising and 15 declining in trading on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Monday and 12 closed unchanged after trading in 42 securities compared with 40 on Friday with the volume and value of stocks traded marginally lower than on Friday.
Investors traded 4,931,463 shares for $10,278,286 compared with 4,960,272 units at $11,287,117 on Friday.
Trading averaged 117,416 shares at $244,721 compared to 124,007 units at $282,178 on Friday with the month to date, averaging 161,052 stock units at $335,710 compared with 165,266 shares at $344,495 on the previous day. November closed with an average of 262,280 units at $587,545.
Dolla Financial led trading with 895,595 shares for 18.2 percent of total volume followed by KLE Group with 840,000 units for 17 percent of the day’s trade and iCreate with 674,354 units for 13.7 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index skidded 6.22 points to end the day at 3,689.47.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.1, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for the financial years ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging advanced 44 cents in closing at $2.74, with 6,077 stock units crossing the market, CAC 2000 sank 60 cents to $4 with a transfer of 2,105 shares, Cargo Handlers rose $1.77 to end at $13.08 after an exchange of 168 units. Derrimon Trading climbed 14 cents to close at $2 in switching ownership of 143 stocks, Dolphin Cove shed 45 cents and ended at $16.55 after a transfer of 35,558 shares, EduFocal lost 16 cents to close at $1.70, with 123,046 stock units changing hands. Elite Diagnostic fell 12 cents in closing at $1.63 in an exchange of 106,042 units, Everything Fresh skidded 12 cents to end at $1.31 with investors dealing in 150,000 stocks, Express Catering dipped 20 cents to $3.80, with 113,033 shares crossing the market. 
Fontana increased 8 cents to close at $10.47 in trading 97,108 stock units, GWest Corporation popped 12 cents to 99 cents and closed with an exchange of 797 units, Knutsford Express gained $1.42 to close at $12.78 with an exchange of 112 stocks. Lasco Financial declined 26 cents to end at $1.62 after trading 30,200 units, Lasco Manufacturing dropped 40 cents in closing at $4.23 with investors transferring 1,464 stocks, Limners and Bards fell 18 cents and ended at $1.50 in an exchange of 23,032 shares. Main Event rallied $1.30 to $14.30 with traders dealing in 984 stock units, Paramount Trading sank 19 cents and ended at $1.48 passed through the market 102,587 shares, Stationery and Office Supplies popped 8 cents to close at $1.68 with investors swapping 55,629 units and tTech increased 21 cents in closing at $2.21 after an exchange of 4,506 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Gains for Junior Market as trading dips
Trading dropped on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Friday, but the market closed higher with the volume of stocks traded declining 74 percent, valued 68 percent less than Thursday following trading in 40 securities compared with 36 on Thursday and ended winning stocks outpacing those declining by more than two to one, with 19 rising and only nine declining and 12 closing unchanged.
Investors traded 4,960,272 shares for $11,287,117 down from 19,362,577 units at $34,892,741 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 124,007 shares at $282,178, compared with 537,849 units at $969,243 on Thursday with the month to date, averaging 165,266 units at $344,495 compared with 169,444 stock units at $350,806 on the previous day just a fraction of November with an average of 262,280 units at $587,545.
tTech led trading with 1.0 million shares for 20.2 percent of total volume followed by EduFocal with 758,218 units for 15.3 percent of the day’s trade and Stationery and Office Supplies with 539,060 units for 10.9 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index popped 34.37 points to end the day at 3,695.69.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.2, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for the financial years ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Access Financial dipped 50 cents to $25 after a transfer of 69 stocks, Caribbean Cream rose 31 cents to $3.31 after 478 units were traded , Caribbean Flavours increased 50 cents and ended at $1.75 after an exchange of 1,300 shares. Derrimon Trading fell 14 cents to close at $1.86 with investors trading 28,536 stock units, Everything Fresh skidded 25 cents to end at $1.43 in an exchange of 72,000 shares, Fontana popped 9 cents to $10.39 with investors dealing in 93,349 units. Fosrich gained 10 cents to close at $2.30 while 238,818 stocks were exchanged, Future Energy lost 9 cents in closing at $3.45, with 215,746 stock units crossing the market, Honey Bun rose 10 cents and ended at $6.40 with an exchange of 213 shares. Indies Pharma advanced 15 cents to end at $3 with 8 stocks clearing the market,
Iron Rock Insurance rallied 44 cents to $2.50 as investors exchanged 20,043 units, Knutsford Express popped 26 cents to close at $11.36 in switching ownership of 337 stock units. Lasco Financial rallied 26 cents to $1.88 with investors dealing in 1,000 shares, Main Event declined 40 cents in closing at $13 with an exchange of 81,035 units, MFS Capital Partners rose 21 cents to end at $2.37, with 6,460 stocks changing hands. Regency Petroleum advanced 8 cents in closing at $2.14 after 98,934 stock units passed through the market, Tropical Battery shed 11 cents to end at $1.80 with a transfer of 248,942 shares and tTech increased 12 cents and ended at $2 with investors swapping 1,000,000 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading jumps on the Junior Market
Trading climbed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Wednesday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 43 percent and the value 58 percent more than Tuesday following trading in 40 securities similar to the outcome on Tuesday and ended with 18 rising, 13 declining and nine unchanged but that failed to save the market index from dropping at the close following a jump in the index in the morning session.
Investors traded 4,766,135 shares for $10,223,648 compared with 3,334,500 units at $6,456,830 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 119,153 shares at $255,591 compared to 83,363 units at $161,421 on Tuesday with the month to date, averaging 132,501 stock units at $288,790 compared to 134,174 shares at $292,953 on the previous day and markedly lower than November with an average of 262,280 units at $587,545, after the market opened in the 3,750 range.
Spur Tree Spices led trading with 1.02 million shares for 21.3 percent of total volume followed by Fosrich with 626,665 units for 13.1 percent of the day’s trade and Dolla Financial with 626,493 units for 13.1 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index lost 41.33 points to close at 3,682.38 after the market traded in the 3,750 range in early market activity.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.2, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for the financial years ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, Blue Power rallied 35 cents and ended at $3 as 69,678 stocks passed through the market, following the release of half year results with profit up 330 percent to $70.5 million, Cargo Handlers rose 95 cents to close at $14.95 with an exchange of 110 units, Caribbean Assurance Brokers rose 26 cents to $2.50, with 1,232 shares clearing the market. Caribbean Flavours popped 20 cents in closing at $1.50 with a transfer of 135,000 stock units, Derrimon Trading dipped 17 cents to end at $1.86, with 75,221 shares crossing the market, Dolla Financial increased 10 cents in closing at $2.50 with investors trading 626,493 stock units. Dolphin Cove fell 17 cents to $17 and closed with an exchange of 614 stocks, Elite Diagnostic advanced 8 cents and ended at $1.74 with investors trading 29,491 units, Express Catering gained 12 cents to end at $3.95, with an exchange of 415 shares. Fontana skidded 49 cents to close at $10 after a transfer of 53,519 stocks, GWest Corporation popped 12 cents to 95 cents with shareholders swapping 300,000 units, Indies Pharma lost 16 cents to end at $2.83 after an exchange of 130 stock units. 
Jamaican Teas climbed 16 cents in closing at $2.46, with the trading of 14,560 shares, Lasco Distributors declined 46 cents to $3.52 with stakeholders exchanging 4,272 units, Lasco Manufacturing shed 43 cents to end at $4.20 in switching ownership of 40,621 stocks. Mailpac Group dropped 8 cents to $2.02 as investors exchanged 18,030 stock units, Main Event popped 30 cents to $13.40 after 11,050 shares were traded, Paramount Trading advanced 15 cents in closing at $1.67 with traders dealing in 23 units. Regency Petroleum rose 18 cents and ended at $2.38 in an exchange of 216,183 stocks and Tropical Battery shed 15 cents to close at $1.80 with investors dealing in 85,794 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
