Trading jumped sharply by the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market on Monday, with the volume of stocks traded surging 68 percent more than on Friday as the value of stocks trading jumped 131 percent higher than the previous trading day.
Market activity led to 41 securities trading compared to 42 on Friday, with 15 rising, 21 declining and five closing unchanged. At the close, the Junior Market Index fell 38.77 points to settle at 4,013.42.
The PE Ratio, a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 21.8. The PE ratio of each stock in the attacked chart is based on ICInsider.com earnings forecast for companies with financial years up to August 2022.
Overall, 49,008,399 shares traded for $190,021,639 up from 29,255,984 units at $82,401,537 on the Friday. EduFocal led trading with 29.64 million shares and controlled 60.5 percent of total volume after trading at a record high, followed by JFP Limited with 5.42 million units for 11.1 percent of the day’s trade, Future Energy Source contributed 3.98 million units for 8.1 percent market share, iCreate had 1.57 million units changing hands for 3.2 percent market share and Fosrich ended with 1.52 million units for 3.1 percent of the trades.
Trading averaged 1,195,327 shares at $4,634,674 in contrast to 696,571 shares at $1,961,941 on Friday with the month to date, averaging 616,440 units at $2,354,900, up from 572,569 units at $2,182,126 on the previous trading day. February closed with an average of 370,064 units at $1,402,517.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three, with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging dropped 20 cents to close at $2.95 after trading 111,476 shares, Cargo Handlers fell $3 to $8.50, with 4,059 stocks clearing the market, Caribbean Cream rallied 52 cents in closing at $5.23 after switching ownership of 33,000 stock units. Dolphin Cove increased $2 to $26, with 233,348 units crossing the market, Express Catering lost 19 cents to end at $5.06 trading 43,078 stock units, Fosrich shed 65 cents in closing at $16.20 while exchanging 1,519,918 shares. Jamaican Teas rose 13 cents to end at $3.50, with 486,088 stocks changing hands, KLE Group popped 65 cents to $2.85 with the swapping of 20,852 units, Knutsford Express declined 15 cents to close at $7.85 in trading 11,860 stocks. Lasco Distributors fell 22 cents in ending at $3.48 after 47,266 stock units crossed the market, Lasco Financial shed 24 cents in closing at $3.20 with an exchange of 40,868 units, Limners and Bards declined 15 cents to end at $3.20 in exchanging 294,766 shares. 
Lumber Depot dropped 13 cents to $3.50 in an exchange of 909,098 stocks, Main Event gained 81 cents ending at a 52 weeks’ high of $9.14 after an exchange of 460,045 units, Spur Tree Spices lost 14 cents to close at $3.46, with 497,787 shares changing hands. SSL Venture climbed 30 cents to close at $2.20 after exchanging 41,161 stock units, Tropical Battery advanced 16 cents after ending at $2.17 and trading 685,585 stocks and tTech lost 34 cents to end at 3.91 with 55,488 units changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
10 stocks for 10 years
In the world of investing, it would be nice to find big winners at all times and invest in them just before their prices explode; that is not how stock markets work. Most investors need to buy and wait, to be rewarded with much higher prices later on. History is replete with many examples that show patience paying off handsomely.
In more recent times, some investors are demonstrating levels of exuberance in buying some stocks at excessive values that will take a long time to generate a reasonable return on investment.
In Jamaica, over the past few years, there are several stocks that recorded huge gains, allowing persons who hold them for years to make a bungle. One of the most celebrated is Lascelles DeMercado is no longer listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange having been acquired by Angostura in late 2007 for the equivalent of $643 or US$10.65 per share valuing the company at $61.7 billion. The stock traded at $4.25 (the equivalent of 10.5 cents) in 1983, with 2.4 million shares issued, valuing the group then at just $10 million and it gained 6,000 percent between 1983 and 2007. In other words, a $10,000 investment in 1983 would be worth over $6 million in 2007. How many persons saw that coming? Not many but some seasoned investors did. But Lascelles is not the only stock on the local market to provide rich rewards for Investors.
What the information above shows is that long term investment can be very rewarding. This is especially so for persons with limited time to spend monitoring their investment on an ongoing basis.
In 2017, this publication recited portions of an article captioned “Teachings from silly Unilever Investors.” “In 2013 ICInsider.com posted a report on the Unilever Caribbean, a company based in Trinidad and traded on the country’s stock exchange. “
”Since the report, the company stock has been on a downward slope after rising to a new record in 2013. On November 8, 2017, Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market listed Knutsford Express, after a long period of overvaluation relative to the market, dropped $2.75 as demand for the stock evaporated. Similarly, Cargo Handlers was pushed unrealistically to $30, only for it to currently be trading at $10, which is still above normal valuation. This latter stock came as a big buy recommendation on the way up by a brokerage house at the time.
“Unilever’s profit peaked in the period to September 2014 and started a downhill ride since, but investors kept on pushing the price higher until it peaked at an unrealistically high of TT$68.30 in December 2015.”
The IC Insider.com recommendation at the time was as follows: When stock prices rise much faster than the growth in profits, time out is needed to discover what is happening. That recommendation is as true then as it is now.
Knutsford Express
Notably, after several years, all three of the above stocks are currently trading well below their peak while many other stocks in the markets have gone on to record high prices. At the last trade Unilever is trading at TT$15.20, Cargo Handlers for a long time around $7, but recently hit $12 and Knutsford that traded at a high of $17, with a PE of 31 now trades at $8, with a PE closer to 40.
Investing in undervalued stocks that have products to support growth, as was the case in Lascelles shares, can pay rich dividends over time.
Investors should be mindful of chasing after the popular stocks that are fully valued or overpriced as was the case in the above three stocks that failed to perform in more than four years while others have delivered outstanding gains. That is why ICInsider.com has come up with a list of 10 stocks in both the Main and Junior Markets that, in our estimation, are good candidates for long-term investment for the next ten years. 
The numbers climbed to 11 each as we could not separate the 11th ones from the lists. The listings are a compilation based on inputs from some knowledgeable investors as well as ICInsider.com’s own assessment. The selections are based on an evaluation of the quality of management, products and services each company offers to their customers, and prospects for growth by these companies and the economies they service.
Most importantly, the analysis considers that management has the quality or will get the talent to steer the companies successfully over a ten year period.
Note is taken of the local economy, the commitment to fiscal surplus or modest deficit financing if at all for a number of years. This will lead to low interest rates and stimulate long term economic growth, subject to world conditions. In such an environment investors can look to invest for the long term rather than a few months or years.
Caribbean Producers almost made the cut with expected strong growth in the tourism sector in which it is a major player, but the historical performance since it was listed on the Junior Market in 2012, leaves doubt if management can in fact deliver predictable good returns for investors over the next ten years.
ICInsider.com was assisted with the selection by Karl Wynter and an individual investor, with years of managerial experience working for some leading groups in the Caribbean. Karl Wright former head of VM Group and individual investor, Ryan Strachan of GK Capital and Nigel Coke former investment advisor and trader at one of the leading Jamaican stockbrokers and an individual investor.
Coming in two separate articles are commentaries on the rationale for each selection.
Trading picks up for JSE Main Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market jumped sharply on Friday, with an exchange of 103 percent more shares valued 74 percent more than on Thursday, leading to rising stocks exceeding those declining and sending the main indices higher at the close.
The All Jamaican Composite Index popped 1,319.00 points to settle at 429,258.81, the JSE Main Index rallied 1,620.15 points to close at 384,350.94 and the JSE Financial Index climbed 0.18 points to settle at 92.36.
Trading ended with 59 securities compared to 54 on Thursday, with 24 rising, 20 declining and 15 ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a formula for computing appropriate stock values, averages 16.1. The PE ratio for the JSE Main and USD Market closing quotes is based on ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending to August 2022.
Overall, 22,970,250 shares were exchanged for $151,749,632 versus 11,327,830 units at $87,135,931 on Thursday. Wigton Windfarm led trading with 13.10 million shares for 57 percent of total volume, followed by JMMB Group 7.5% with 2.66 million units for 11.6 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway with 2.15 million units for 9.4 percent market share.
Trading averages 389,326 units at $2,572,028, compared to 209,775 shares at $1,613,628 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 407,288 units at $6,223,499, compared to 408,901 units at $6,551,408 on the previous trading day. February closed with an average of 392,520 units at $3,199,976.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows ten stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments popped 31 cents in closing at $89.41, with 3,417 shares crossing the market, Berger Paints climbed 69 cents to $12.79 in exchanging just one unit, Caribbean Cement dropped $1 to $69, with 8,944 stock units crossing the exchange. Carreras gained 35 cents to end at $8.75, trading 128,780 units, Eppley fell 55 cents to close at $39.95 with an exchange of 1,951 shares, First Rock Capital increased 66 cents in closing at $11.95 in an exchange of 8,777 units. GraceKennedy rallied 50 cents to close at $102 with the swapping of 168,647 stocks, Guardian Holdings declined $24 to $526 after trading 12 stock units, Jamaica Broilers shed 90 cents to end at $27 in trading 73,134 stocks. Jamaica Stock Exchange rose 57 cents to $17.60 after exchanging 385 shares, JMMB Group lost 50 cents to close at $41 after trading 809,440 stock units, Massy Holdings shed $4.99 to close at $109 while exchanging 39,691 units. Mayberry Jamaican Equities lost 79 cents in closing at $7.11 and finishing trading of 6,922 shares, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy declined $14.45 to end at $101.05 in switching ownership of 84 stock units, Palace Amusement advanced $25 to $975 after 25 stocks crossed the market. 
Seprod fell 79 cents to $54, with 54,762 units clearing the market, Stanley Motta dropped 42 cents in closing at $5.50, with 1,310 stock units changing hands, Supreme Ventures increased 35 cents in ending at $17.60 after exchanging 9,879 units and Victoria Mutual Investments rallied 30 cents to end at $6.75, with 88,059 stocks changing hands.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% preference share gained 65 cents to close at $20.65 after trading 241 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
NCB in sharp fall below $100 on Thursday
NCB Financial traded to an intraday low for the day of $91.01 as demand for the stock melted away made worse by the stock hitting 52 weeks’ lows in the Trinidad and Tobago market, but it closed at $115, with few bids that are weak. Elsewhere market activity ended, with the volume of shares trading declining moderately but the value dropped 44 percent lower than on Wednesday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market as declining stocks exceeded those rising leaving the market falling at the close on Thursday.
NCB Financial hits a new low on Thursday.
The All Jamaican Composite Index fell 4,466.69 points to settle at 427,939.81, JSE Main Index declined 2,641.22 points to close at 382,730.79 and the JSE Financial Index fell 0.80 points to settle at 92.18.
Trading ended with 54 securities compared to 55 on Wednesday, as 20 rose, 24 fell and 10 ended unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a formula for computing appropriate stock values, averages 16. The PE ratio for the JSE Main and USD Market closing quotes are based on ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending up to August 2022.
Overall, 11,327,830 shares traded at $87,135,931 versus 11,622,326 units at $156,171,406 on Wednesday. Wigton Windfarm led trading with 6.08 million shares accounting for 53.6 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway, 1.30 million units for 11.5 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Financial Fund, 1.03 million units with 9.1 percent market share.
Trading averages 209,775 units at $1,613,628, compared to 211,315 shares at $2,839,480 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 408,901 units at $6,551,408, compared to 426,733 units at $6,993,598 on the previous trading day. February closed with an average of 392,520 units at $3,199,976.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows ten stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and eight with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments shed 87 cents to close at $89.10 with an exchange of 33,219 shares, Berger Paints fell 30 cents to close at $12.10 trading 102 stock units, Eppley rallied 60 cents in closing at $40.50, with 199 stocks changing hands. GraceKennedy dropped $1 to end at $101.50, with 366,663 units crossing the market, Guardian Holdings rose $27 in ending at $550 with the swapping of 1,820 units, Jamaica Stock Exchange lost 96 cents to end at $17.03 after 4,495 stock units were traded. JMMB Group popped $1.50 to close at $41.50, with 258,062 stocks crossing the market, Kingston Properties increased $1 in ending at $9.50 while exchanging 35 shares, Kingston Wharves declined $1.51 in closing at $39.49, with 2,495 units clearing the market. Margaritaville advanced $2.20 to $24.20 with 5,300 stock units changing hands, Massy Holdings gained $6.19 in ending at $113.99 after exchanging 26,384 stocks, Mayberry Investments shed 49 cents to close at $6.02 after trading 906 shares. 
Mayberry Jamaican Equities climbed 84 cents to end at $7.90 in switching ownership of 2,535 shares, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy popped $10.50 in closing at $115.50 in an exchange of 20 stock units, Sagicor Real Estate Fund rose $1.96 to $8.19 in exchanging 36,732 stocks. Supreme Ventures dropped 35 cents in closing at $17.25, with 6,098 units crossing the exchange and Sygnus Real Estate Finance fell 43 cents to end at $16.50 in trading 3,603 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
More decline for JSE Main Market
Market activity ended on Tuesday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market with the volume of shares trading sliding 59 percent as 37 percent less funds entered the market compared to Monday and resulted in rising stocks pressured from those declining.
The All Jamaican Composite Index fell 4,236.02 points to 434,185.95, JSE Main Index dropped 3,408.49 points to close at 386,530.80 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 1.03 points to 94.30.
A total of 49 securities traded down from 59 on Monday, with 14 rising, 18 declining and 17 ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, the most used formula to compute appropriate stock values, averages 16.1. The PE for JSE Main and USD Market incorporates earnings forecast done by ICInsider.com for companies with financial years ending to August 2022.
A total of 12,554,479 shares traded for $195,108,057 versus 30,346,423 units at $309,070,966 on Monday. Wigton Windfarm led trading with 3.15 million shares for 25.1 percent of total volume, followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 2.24 million units for 17.9 percent of the day’s trade and QWI Investments with 1.19 million units for 9.5 percent market share.
Trading averages 256,214 units at $3,981,797, compared to 514,346 shares at $5,238,491 on Monday and month to date, an average of 448,354 units at $7,410,526, down from 467,221 units at $7,747,214 on the previous trading day. February closed with an average of 392,520 units at $3,199,976.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement shed $1.10 to close at $68.90 trading 7,575 shares, Eppley rose $1.20 to $41.50 after 1,358 stock units crossed the market, Jamaica Stock Exchange gained $1.01 in ending at $18.01, with 215,905, with stocks changing hands. Key Insurance popped 42 cents to $4.70, with 8,532 units clearing the market, Kingston Properties dropped $1 to $8.50 in switching ownership of 11,259 shares, Kingston Wharves popped $1.50 to $41 after exchanging 200 stocks. Massy Holdings jumped $8 in closing at $107, finishing at 108,561 stock units, Mayberry Investments lost 75 cents to close at $6.50 after exchanging 537 units, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy dropped $19 to end at $100 with an exchange of 92 shares. 
NCB Financial rallied $2.25 to $119 while exchanging 34,372 stock units, PanJam Investment declined 50 cents to end at $68 in exchanging 45,596 units, Proven Investments fell $1.10 in closing at $35 after 14,131 stocks changed hands. Sagicor Group lost $3 after ending at $58 in an exchange of 605,621 stocks, Seprod climbed $2.10 to close at $57.50, with 7,462 units crossing the market, Victoria Mutual Investments fell 30 cents to $6.45, with 10,788 shares crossing the exchange and Wisynco Group shed 42 cents to close at $19.10 with the swapping of 93,865 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JFP gain saves Junior Market on Monday
The price of JFP Limited stock that was a recent Initial Public Offer climbed 31 percent when trading in stock commenced at the start of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market on Monday and contributed over 53 percent in the overall market volume that jumped 106 percent over trading on Friday.
Market activity led to 42 securities trading compared to 40 on Friday and ended with nine rising, 27 declining and six, ending unchanged, but the Junior Market Index eked out a 1.59 points rise to close at 4,033.48. The PE Ratio, one of the most popular measures to value stocks, averages 19.1 as a multiple of earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with financial year ends, up to August 2022.
Overall, 19,487,231 shares were traded for $50,742,595 compared to 9,481,171 units at $48,828,789 on the Friday. JFP Limited led trading with 10.19 million shares for 52.3 percent of total volume followed by Tropical Battery with 3.27 million units for 16.8 percent of the day’s trade and Future Energy Source with 2.29 million units for 11.7 percent market share and Spur Tree Spices ended trading 1.14 million units accounting for 5.8 percent market share.
Trading averaged 463,982 shares at $1,208,157 in contrast to 237,029 shares at $1,220,720 on Friday and month to date, an average of 510,146 units at $2,360,875, compared to 516,040 units at $2,508,031 on the prior trading day. February closed with an average of 370,064 units at $1,402,517.
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 dropped $1.74 in ending at $19.51 with 138 shares crossing the market, AMG Packaging lost 20 cents in ending at $3 in exchanging 36,497 stocks, Cargo Handlers shed $1.40 to $10.6 with an exchange of 28,043 units. Caribbean Cream declined 50 cents to close at $4.70, with 12,000 stock units crossing the exchange, Dolphin Cove fell 14 cents to end at $24 after 91,275 units changed hands, Everything Fresh lost 11 cents to end at $1.10 after exchanging 130,801 shares. Express Catering shed 10 cents to close at $5.17, with 23,119 stocks clearing the market, Fontana declined 29 cents to $9.51 in an exchange of 52,394 stock units, Fosrich climbed 97 cents to $17.48, with 21,632 stock units crossing the market. Future Energy Source fell 30 cents in closing at $6.20 in trading 2,288,325 shares, General Accident popped 19 cents to $6.10 while exchanging 23,555 stocks, Honey Bun dropped 13 cents to $9.10 in switching ownership of 85,019 units.
Iron Rock Insurance declined 20 cents in closing at $3.11 and trading 2,215 stocks, ISP Finance advanced $5.86 to close at $32.20 finishing at 119 units changing hands, newly listed JFP Limited gained 31 cents to end at a record high of $1.31 with the exchanging of 10,194,843 stock units. Lasco Manufacturing shed 15 cents in closing at $4.50 after trading 109,808 shares, Spur Tree Spices lost 16 cents to end at $3.75 and closed with an exchange of 1,138,242 units, Stationery and Office Supplies dropped 20 cents to $7 after trading 16,151 stocks and tTech fell 30 cents to $3.95 after 1,500 stock units were traded.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market making spirited recovery
The Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market made more recovery from the near 300 points loss up to Wednesday as it closed on Friday, with the Market Index jumping 90.51 points to 4,031.89 after picking up 70 points on Thursday as the volume of stocks traded declining 63 percent and the value dropped 52 percent than Thursday.
At the close 40 securities traded compared to 42 on Thursday ended with 18 rising, 14 declining and eight closing unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 19. The PE ratio of stocks in the chart below is computed based on the ICInsider.com earnings forecast for companies with financial years up to August 2022.
Overall, 9,481,171 shares traded for $48,828,789 compared to 25,403,714 units at $100,810,194 on the Thursday Future Energy Source led trading with 4.74 million shares for 50 percent of total volume followed by Spur Tree Spices with 940,637 units for 9.9 percent of the day’s trade and Jamaican Teas with 845,015 units for 8.9 percent market share.
Trading averaged 237,029 shares at $1,220,720 in contrast to 604,850 shares at $2,400,243 on Thursday and month to date, averaging 516,040 units at $2,508,031, compared to 554,657 units at $2,686,206 on the previous day. February closed with an average of 370,064 units at $1,402,517.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ended with the bid higher than the last selling price and four stocks with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging popped 14 cents in closing at $3.20, with 68,829 shares clearing the market, CAC 2000 fell 37 cents to end at $7.53 while exchanging 47,545 stock units, Cargo Handlers declined 10 cents to close at $12 with an exchange of 3,805 units. Caribbean Cream climbed 43 cents after ending at $5.20 in trading 887 stocks, Derrimon Trading gained 18 cents to $2.70 in exchanging 210,647 stocks, Dolphin Cove increased $1.14 to $24.14, with 29,367 shares crossing the exchange. Fontana lost 20 cents in closing at $9.80, with 50,347 stock units changing hands, Fosrich advanced 51 cents to end at $16.51 after exchanging 16,473 units, General Accident dropped 29 cents to close at $5.91 after finishing trading of 22,175 units. Honey Bun rallied 33 cents to $9.23 in an exchange of 9,467 shares, Indies Pharma rose 10 cents to $3.10 in trading 3,629 stocks, Knutsford Express climbed 10 cents in closing at $8, with an exchange of 15,855 stock units. 
Lasco Distributors advanced 12 cents to close at $3.60 after exchanging 1,002 units, Lasco Manufacturing gained 32 cents in ending at $4.65, with 336,334 shares crossing the market, Lumber Depot increased 10 cents to end at $4 with the swapping of 321,125 stock units and Mailpac Group shed 12 cents in ending at $2.92 trading 281,628 stocks.
In the preference segment, CAC 2000 9.5% preference share popped 10 cents to end at $1.07 in switching ownership of 975 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market claws some recent losses
Trading on the Junior Market surged on Thursday, with the market Index jumping 70.26 points to 3,941.38 at the close almost wiping out the 76 percent loss on Wednesday as the volume of stocks traded jumped 64 percent above Wednesday’s level, with 59 percent more funds entering the market than the prior day.
A total of 42 securities traded on Thursday versus 40 on Wednesday and ended with 25 rising, 13 declining and four closing unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing stock values, averages 18.9. The PE ratio of each stock in the chart below is based on ICInsider.com earnings forecast for companies with financial years up to August 2022.
Overall, 25,403,714 shares traded for $100,810,194 compared to 15,506,157 units at $63,400,100 on the Wednesday. Future Energy Source led trading with 6.15 million shares for 24.2 percent of total volume, followed by Indies Pharma with 5.05 million units for 19.9 percent of the day’s trade and Tropical Battery with 3.27 million units for 12.9 percent market share, Lumber Depot with 2.22 million units for 8.7 percent market share, 
Spur Tree Spices traded 1.95 million units for 7.7 percent market share and Blue Power exchanged 1.45 million units for 5.7 percent market share.
Trading on Thursday averaged 604,850 shares at $2,400,243 up from 387,654 shares at $1,585,002 on Wednesday, with month to date, averaging 554,657 units at $2,686,206, versus 546,122 units at $2,734,831 on the preceding day. February closed with an average of 370,064 units at $1,402,517.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ended with the bid higher than the last selling price and three stocks with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial rallied $1.55 to $21.25 with an exchange of 263 shares, AMG Packaging dropped 12 cents to end at $3.06, with 13,172 stock units clearing the market, Cargo Handlers rose $2.17 in closing at a 52 weeks’ high of $12.10 after trading 26,969 units. Dolphin Cove lost 50 cents to close at $23, with 105,931 stocks changing hands, Express Catering gained 12 cents in ending at $5.27 after exchanging 141,019 stock units, Fontana climbed 20 cents in closing at $10 after 156,915 stocks changed hands. Fosrich advanced $1 to close at $16 with the swapping of 114,600 shares, Future Energy Source increased $1.13 to $6.41, with 6,153,347 units crossing the market, General Accident popped 10 cents to end at $6.20 trading 20 stock units. 
Honey Bun rallied 14 cents to $8.90 in trading 14,224 units,Indies Pharma shed 18 cents in closing at $3 in switching ownership of 5,049,965 stocks, Iron Rock Insurance rose 21 cents to close at $3.31 after 290 shares crossed the exchange. ISP Finance gained $1.34 to end at $26.34 after exchanging 200 shares, Jamaican Teas declined 19 cents to end at $3.50 while exchanging 211,656 stock units, Knutsford Express fell 10 cents to $7.90 after trading 9,694 stocks. Limners and Bards fell 14 cents to $3.44 after 10,795 units crossed the market, Main Event advanced 10 cents to $7.20 in an exchange of 107,369 stocks and tTech climbed 24 cents after ending at $4.25 with the swapping of 241 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market drops 298 points in 3 days
The Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market suffered a third day of a big drop in the market index after shedding 76.00 points to 3,871.12 following a 221.54 points fall on the previous two days and pulling the gains for the year to date from 21.5 percent on Friday to 15.1 percent up to the close on Wednesday, with the value and volume of stocks traded just slightly less than on Tuesday.
Forty securities traded on Wednesday against 41 on Tuesday and ended with 19 rising, 13 declining and eight closed unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 18.3. The PE ratio of each stock in the chart below is based on ICInsider.com earnings forecast for companies with financial years, up to August 2022.
A total of 15,506,157 shares traded valued at $63,400,100 compared to 17,265,483 units at $71,846,641 on the Tuesday. Future Energy Source led trading with 3.64 million shares for 23.5 percent of the total volume followed by Tropical Battery with 3.48 million units for 22.5 percent of the day’s trade, Spur Tree Spices with 2.94 million units for 19 percent market share and Lumber Depot ended with 1.72 million units changing hands and accounting for 11.1 percent market share.
Trading averaged 387,654 shares at $1,585,002 compared to 421,109 units at $1,752,357 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 546,122 units at $2,734,831, versus 576,744 units at $2,957,020, previously. February ended with an average of 370,064 units at $1,402,517.
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, Access Financial fell $1.55 in closing at $19.70, with 77,354 shares crossing the market, AMG Packaging popped 10 cents to $3.18 after an exchange of 744 stock units, Cargo Handlers gained 83 cents to close at 52 weeks’ closing high of $9.93 while exchanging 36,059 units but traded at an intraday high of $10.72. Caribbean Assurance Brokers rallied 13 cents to $2.30 with the swapping of 12,177 stocks, Caribbean Cream increased 15 cents to $4.82, with 3,600 stocks changing hands, Dolphin Cove rose $1.15 to $23.50, with 183,677 shares crossing the market. Everything Fresh popped 15 cents to end at $1.15 after exchanging 19,852 units, Express Catering advanced 10 cents in ending at $5.15 after trading 74,680 stock units, Fontana rose 18 cents to close at $9.80 with an exchange of 142,369 stock units. Future Energy Source dropped 22 cents in closing at $5.28 trading 3,637,389 shares, ISP Finance plunged $5 to close at $25 in an exchange of 634 units, Jamaican Teas advanced 13 cents in closing at $3.69 after trading 479,945 stocks. KLE Group shed 51 cents to end at $2.25, with 6,000 stock units clearing the market, Knutsford Express rallied 10 cents to $8 with an exchange of 10,000 shares, Lasco Distributors increased 12 cents to $3.50 in switching ownership of 5,100 stocks. 
Main Event gained 39 cents to close at $7.10 in trading 143,281 units, Paramount Trading climbed 21 cents to $1.82 in exchanging 6,010 shares, Spur Tree Spices lost 19 cents to end at $3.98 in exchanging 2,940,031 stock units. Tropical Battery popped 19 cents in ending at $2.19 with 3,483,706 stocks changing hands and tTech dropped 24 cents in closing at $4.01 with 1,870 units clearing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Five Junior stocks fell for each that rose
Thirty Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market stocks fell in trading on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 26 percent and the value falling 37 percent from Monday trades as 41 stocks traded compared to 43 on Monday and ended with six rising while five closed unchanged.
At the close, the Junior Market Index dropped 91.49 points to settle at 3,947.12 after falling 129.55 points on Monday and taking back to just below where it closed on February 7 but only after opening trading at 4,101.41 or an increase of 62.80 points.
The PE Ratio, a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 18.2. The PE ratio of each stock in the chart below is based on ICInsider.com earnings forecast for companies with financial years, up to August 2022.
A total of 17,265,483 shares traded for $71,846,641 down from 23,386,245 units at $113,928,631 on the Monday. Future Energy Source led trading with 5.69 million shares for 33 percent of total volume followed by Tropical Battery with 4.24 million units for 24.6 percent of the day’s trade, Lumber Depot, 1.53 million units for 8.9 percent market share Spur Tree Spices ended with 1.27 million units changing hands with 7.3 percent market share after the price ended at a 52 week’s closing high of $4.17 and an intraday high of $4.49.
Trading averaged 421,109 shares at $1,752,357 against 543,866 shares at $2,649,503 on Monday and month to date, averaging 576,744 units at $2,957,020, compared to 615,184 units at $3,254,557 on the preceding day. February closed with an average of 370,064 units at $1,402,517.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
At the close, AMG Packaging fell 11 cents to $3.08, with 40,712 shares crossing the market, Cargo Handlers climbed 32 cents ending at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $9.10 with an exchange of 93,674 stocks, Caribbean Assurance Brokers lost 32 cents in closing at $2.17 with the swapping of 449,141 units. Caribbean Cream fell 58 cents to close at $4.67 in exchanging 21,323 stock units, Derrimon Trading dropped 39 cents to end at $2.50 with 773,805 shares changing hands, Dolphin Cove shed $2.15 to close at $22.35 in trading 164,452 stocks. Express Catering fell 20 cents to $5.05 after 68,769 stock units crossed the market, Fontana dropped 26 cents to end at $9.62, with 127,490 units changing hands, Fosrich dropped $2.10 in closing at $15 while exchanging 26,073 units. Future Energy Source shed $1 in ending at $5.50 with an exchange of 5,690,194 stocks, General Accident declined 10 cents to close at $6.10 with 24,395 shares clearing the market, Honey Bun declined 20 cents to $8.70 after exchanging 73,071 stock units. Iron Rock Insurance shed 31 cents in closing at $3.10 after trading 2 units, Knutsford Express dipped 10 cents to $7.90 in switching ownership of 110 stock units, Lasco Distributors fell 17 cents to $3.38 after trading 39,863 shares. Lasco Manufacturing lost 16 cents to close at $4.29 in trading 220,198 stocks, Limners and Bards declined 10 cents in closing at $3.60 in an exchange of 121,754 stock units, Lumber Depot shed 20 cents to end at $3.90, with 1,531,194 stocks crossing the market. 
Mailpac Group rose 11 cents to $2.96 in an exchange of 619,295 shares, Main Event fell 49 cents after ending at $6.71 in exchanging 13,526 units, Medical Disposables dropped 24 cents ending at $6.05 after an exchange of 52,600 units. Stationery and Office Supplies lost 15 cents to end at $7.20 while exchanging 4,393 shares and Tropical Battery declined 41 cents to end at $2 with an exchange of 4,242,465 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
