The Jamaica Stock Exchange, ended with 13 stocks advancing, 10 declining as 30 securities changed hands, ending in 3,850,561 units trading, valued at $23,389,820. Trading closed with 7 stocks ending at new 52 weeks’ highs and 1 ending a new low, in all market segments.
The JSE Market Index lost 556.70 points to 97,333.36, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index fell 622.25 points to close at and the 107,731.47 JSE combined index dropped 542.27 points to end at 100,220.42.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows only 3 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 6 with offers that were lower, an indication of the markets softening in the short term. 
The junior market that recorded 3 gains to 2 declines showed weakness at the end with 3 stocks closing with lower offers than the last sale and only 1 with the bid that was higher.
Stocks trading include, Barita Investments trading 24,000 shares at $2.65 for an increase of 14 cents, Cable & Wireless with 290,187 shares changing hands closing at 44 cents, Gleaner trading 500,000 shares gained 7 cents to close at $1.07, Hardware & Lumber closed with 5,950 shares trading to end at $19. Investors pushed Jamaica Stock Exchange 50 cents to close at $6.50 with 78,000 units changing hands, in continued favourable response to the company’s increased first quarter profit and the payment of a 53 cents dividend. Jamaica Producers had 7,450 units trading 10 cents lower at $18.55, JMMB Group saw 13,200 shares trading, to close 4 cents down at $7.22, down 24 cents, Mayberry Investments traded 623,497 stock units and lost 19 cents to end at $2.88, at the close there was a bid by Mayberry to buy 1,198,980 units at $2.88.
National Commercial Bank had 315,733 shares trading with a gain of 10 cents to close at $29.50, Radio Jamaica traded 12,265 units at a new 52 weeks’ high of $3.01 by adding 1 cent, Sagicor Group trading at the close at a new 52 weeks’ high of $12.40 after putting on 10 cents with 113,740 shares changing hands. Scotia Group dropped 90 cents with only 5824 shares trading, to close at $23.50, Scotia Investments traded 7,000 stock units, to end at $26.28. Proven Investments traded 236,105 ordinary stock units at 21.05US cents, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share trading 500,850 units at $2 while losing 3 cents.
Record highs for junior stocks
Lasco Financial closed at a new all-time high of $2.06.
At the close of the market, there was 1 stock with the bid higher than the last selling price and 3 with lower offers. The junior market ended with 4 securities closing with no bids to buy and 7 securities that had no stocks being offered for sale.
Stocks trading in the junior market are, Caribbean Cream traded with 100,000 units changing hands, 10 cents higher, at $1.75 for a new all-time high. KLE Group with 15,000 shares trading closed 5 cents lower at new low of 70 cents,
Lasco Distributors with 131,195 shares trading, lost 5 cents in closing at $1.05, Lasco Financial Services finished trading with 350,600 units, closed with a gain of 8 cents to new a new 52 weeks’ high of $2.06, making it the first of the three Lasco companies to break the $2 barrier although it was the last of the three to really shot up. Lasco Manufacturing end with 73,470 shares trading at $1.50, Medical Disposables traded 95,000 shares to end at a new 52 weeks’ high of $2.10 after adding 10 cents and Paramount Trading ended trading with 109,543 shares to end at $5.50, after trading as high as $6.10. At the close, Access Financial seems set to fall with an offer at $15.54 to sell 15,000 units well below the last traded price of $16.75.
Ansa McAl closes at new high
Ansa closed at a 52 weeks’ high on Thursday
At the close of the market, the Composite Index rose 0.47 points to close at 1,162.20, the All T&T Index fell by just 0.01 points to close at 1,970.57 and the Cross Listed Index gained 0.13 points to end at 46.44.
Gains| Stocks increasing in price at the close are, Ansa McAl trading 2,660 shares valued at $178,433, closed at a 52 weeks’ high, with a gain of 1 cent at $67.08. One Caribbean Media with 935 shares changing hands, gained 3 cents, to close at $22.45, Sagicor Financial contributed 36,115 shares with a value of $225,108 and gained 19 cents, to close at $6.25 and West Indian Tobacco traded just 82 shares and closed 1 cent higher at $125.34.
Declines| The stocks declining at the end of trading are, Republic Bank fell 3 cents to close at $114.97 and Scotia Investments with 2,540 shares traded and closed down 2 cents to $1.45.
Firm Trades| Stocks closing with prices unchanged at the end of trading are, a total of 47,962 Clico Investment Fund shares changed hands, for a value of $1,042,643 and closed at $22.55, First Citizens Bank traded 2,110 shares to close at $35.81, Grace Kennedy with a volume of 100,000 shares trading for $353,000, ended at $3.53. Massy Holdings traded 18,436 shares valued at $1,186,356 to close at $64.35, National Commercial Bank was the volume leader with 303,396 shares changing hands for a value of $546,113 to end at $1.80, National Flour Mills added 20,298 shares to close at $2 and Praetorian Property Mutual Fund closed with 2,000 units trading to close at $3.10.IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 1 stock with the bid higher than the last selling price and 2 stocks with offers that were lower.
4 new highs for junior market
Paramount is one of fours stocks to close at 52 weeks’ high. The stock closed at $5.50 on Wednesday for an all-time high.
At the close of the market, there were 2 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 with lower offers. The junior market ended with 4 securities closing with no bids to buy and 9 securities that had no stocks being offered for sale.
Stocks trading in the junior market are, Caribbean Cream traded at a 52 weeks’ high with 10,000 units, 10 cents higher, at $1.65. Caribbean Producers with 330,543 shares trading closed at $3, Dolphin Cove with 2,092 shares changing hands to close higher by 25 cents at a new high of $11.25, Honey bun finishing trading with 83,634 shares to close unchanged at $2.95.
Jamaican Teas closed with 4,041 shares trading 4 cents higher at $3.54, Lasco Distributors with 21,867 shares trading, unchanged at $1.65, Lasco Financial Services finished trading with 352,000 units, to close with a gain of 3 cents to new a new 52 weeks’ high of $1.98. Lasco Manufacturing end up with 124,000 shares trading 5 cents higher at $1.50 and Paramount Trading ended trading with 12,000 shares to end with an increase of 70 cents to an all-time high of $5.50. At the close Access Financial seems set to fall with an offer at $15.84 to sell 5,951 units well below the last traded price of $16.75.
J$ firm vs US dollar on Wednesday
Sale of all currencies by dealers exceeded the amounts bought by US$2 million on Wednesday as the Jamaican dollar slipped against the British Pound and the Canadian dollar but held firm against the US dollar. Dealers bought the equivalent of US$26,615,499 compared with US$33,963,876, on Tuesday while they sold the equivalent of US$28,759,140 versus US$37,019,836 previously.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$23,232,481 compared to US$29,012,318 on Tuesday. The buying rate for the US dollar declined by 19 cents at $115.55 and US$26,875,275 was sold versus US$33,329,699 on Tuesday, the selling rate remained at $116.26. The Canadian dollar buying rate slipped 15 cents to $92.56 with dealers buying C$1,291,758 and selling C$740,662, at an average rate that rose $1.15 to $94.99. 
The rate for buying the British Pound dropped 41 cents to $176.17 for the purchase of £1,496,192, while £617,593 was sold, at an average rate that rose by 46 cents to $178.36. At the end of trading it took J$130.73 to purchase the Euro, 50 cents more than on Tuesday, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$128.19 for 52 cents higher than Tuesday’s rate. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$67,275, while the equivalent of US$331,234, was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar fell 10 cents to $116.35, the lowest buying rate gained $6.69 to $95.19, the highest selling rate remained unchanged at $121.98, but the lowest selling rate dropped $2.26 to $95.19. 
The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar rose $2.09 to $96.39, the lowest buying rate climbed 45 cents to $74.82, the highest selling was up 68 cents at $97.18 and the lowest selling rate rose $1.40 to $91. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, increased $2.05 to $180.75, the lowest buying rate rose 87 cents to $143.01, with the highest selling rate climbing $2.19 to $183.66 and the lowest selling rate rose $2.30 to $174.30.
3 TTSE stocks rise none declined
Trading on the Trinidad Stock Exchange ended with 10 securities changing hands 3 of which advanced and 7 traded firm, with a total of 62,727 units, valued at $923,515.
At the close of the market, the Composite Index rose 0.07 points to close at 1,161.73, the All T&T Index gained 0.02 points to close at 1,970.58 and the Cross Listed Index increased by a mere 0.2 points to end at 46.31.
Gains| Stocks increasing in price at the close are, Clico Investment Fund with only 415 shares trading at $22.55, One Caribbean Media traded 550 shares and closed 1 cent higher at $22,42 and Sagicor Financial Corporation ended trading 6,842 units at $6.06 after rising 2 cents.
Firm Trades| Stocks closing with prices unchanged at the end of trading are, 
ANSA McAL trading 212 shares and closed at $67.07 while Angostura traded 371 shares at $13.95, First Citizens Bank traded 5,422 shares valued at $194,162, to close at $35.81, Guardian Holdings closed at $14.05 while trading 30,000 shares carrying a value of $421,500. Massy Holdings traded 2,855 shares valued at $183,719to close at $64.35, Scotia Investments closed with 3,460 shares changing hands and closed at $1.47 and Trinidad Cement ended the day at $2.90, with 12,600 shares changing hands.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 1 stock with the bid higher than their last selling prices and 2 stocks with lower offers.
Selling exceeds buying on Tuesday
Sale of all currencies by dealers exceeded the amounts bought by US$3 million on Tuesday as the Jamaican dollar slipped against the three main currencies it regularly trades against. Dealers bought the equivalent of US$33,963,876 compared with US$42,299,523, on Monday while they sold the equivalent of US$37,019,836 versus US$ $37,983,946 previously.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$29,012,318 compared to US$39,031,074 on Monday. The buying rate for the US dollar gained 6 cents at $115.74 and US$33,329,699 was sold versus US$36,387,817 on Monday, the selling rate rose 3 cent to $116.26. 
The Canadian dollar buying rate jumped $2.25 to $92.71 with dealers buying C$1,886,229 and selling C$1,600,514, at an average rate that rose 62 cents to $93.84. The rate for buying the British Pound climbed $2.35 to $176.58 for the purchase of £2,157,374, while £1,211,712, was sold, at an average rate that rose by 45 cents to $177.90. At the end of trading it took J$130.23 to purchase the Euro, $1.12 more than on Monday, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$127.67 for 98 cents higher than Monday’s rate. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$149,391, while the equivalent of US$544,350, was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar rose 5 cents to $116.45, the lowest buying rate gained 44 cents to $88.50, the highest selling rate remained unchanged at $121.98, but the lowest selling rate climbed $2.26 to $97.45. 
The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar rose 30 cents to $94.30, the lowest buying rate climbed 75 cents to $74.37, the highest selling was unchanged at $96.50 and the lowest selling rate rose 90 cents to $89.60. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, increased 20 cents to $178.70, the lowest buying rate jumped $7.14 to $142.14, with the highest selling rate falling $1.77 to $181.47 and the lowest selling rate rose 75 cents to $172.
Rising stocks outnumber decliners
Activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, resulted in the prices of 16 stocks rising, 5 declining as 29 securities changed hands, ending in 2,166,650 units trading, valued at $9,438,928, and 8 stocks trading at new 52 weeks’ high, in all market segments. Trading was characterized by number of the stocks trading recorded relatively high levels of price movements.
TheJSE Market Index gained 411.58 points to 98,200.49, theJSE All Jamaican Composite index rose 460.04 points to close at 108,700.70 and the JSE combined index put on 519.16 points to end at 100,983.07.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 7 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 with offers that were lower.
Stocks trading include, Barita Investments losing 14 cents with 334,867 shares trading to end at $2.51, Caribbean Cement with 365,811 shares closing at $5, Carreras ending with a 50 cents loss with 9,995 units to close at $49.50, Desnoes & Geddes traded 608 shares to rise cents to $8 having gained 45 cents. 
Jamaica Stock Exchange traded 37,000 units after the company announced a 53 cents dividend, payable in July and closed at $5.75 with a gain of 75 cents for a new high, National Commercial Bank ended with 42,811 shares changing hands $1 higher to end at $30. Pan Jamaican Investment traded 10,000 units to gain $1.50 and end at a 52 weeks’ high of $63.50, Sagicor Group ended with 121,095 shares trading at $12.06 for a 5 cents gain. Scotia Group had just 11,600 units trading to close $1.01 down at $24.50, Scotia Investments traded only 3,000 units to close up by $3.57 to $29.85, Supreme Ventures enjoyed trading in 21,700 shares at $3.60 and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share traded 113,120 units at $2.11 for a 19 cents dip.
Junior market closes at new high
Dolphin Cove was one of 6 stocks ending at 52 weeks’ high
At the close of the market, there were 4 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 with lower offers. The junior market ended with 5 securities closing with no bids to buy and 9 securities that had no stocks being offered for sale.
Stocks trading in the junior market include, Access Financial with just 100 shares changing hands, to close lower by 25 cents at $16.75, Cargo Handlers finishing with 500 units to close with a gain of 51 cents, to a new all-time high of $23.51. Caribbean Cream with 435,000 shares trading at an all-time high of $1.55, gained 20 cents, Dolphin Cove finished trading with 1,000 shares to closed at an all-time high of $11, to gain 75 cents, Honey Bun concluded trading with 20,000 shares changing hands to close 25 cents higher at a 52 weeks’ high of $2.95.
Lasco Distributors traded 23,150 shares at $1.65, Lasco Financial Services finished trading with 495,970 units, with the price rising 4 cents to $1.95. Lasco Manufacturing traded 79,899 shares at $1.45, Paramount Trading ended with just 1,000 shares changing hands with an increase of 54 cents to $4.80, a new all-time high. The stock closed with a bid to buy 49,500 units at $5 and Eppley 9.5% preference share closed trading with 4,000 units and put on just 1 cent to $6.01 to new high, with a 1 cent gain.
Only 3 stock rose 1 fell on TTSE
Trading on the Trinidad Stock Exchange ended with 11 securities changing hands of which 3 advanced, 1 declined and 7 traded firm with a total of 718,142 units, valued at $1,958,691.
At the close of the market, the Composite Index rose 1.21 points to close at 1,161.66, the All T&T Index gained just 0.12 points to close at 1,970.56 and the Cross Listed Index increased by a mere 0.31 points to end at 46.29.
Gains| Stocks increasing in price at the close are, Clico Investment Fund with 4,400 shares trading, gained by 5 cents to end at $22.55, National Commercial Bank contributing 329,506 shares with a value of $283,784, to end at $1.80 up 4 cents and West Indian Tobacco ]traded 550 shares and closed at $125.40, up 7 cents.
Declines| JMMB Group with 314,254 shares being traded for $142,389 to close down by 2 cents at 45 cents to be the sole stock declining.
Firm Trades| Stocks closing with prices unchanged at the end of trading are, ANSA McAL trading 318 shares and closed at $67.07, First Citizens Bank trading 635 shares to close at $35.81. Guardian Holdings close at $14.05 while trading 40,000 shares with a value of $562,000, Massy Holdings traded 5,509 shares valued at $354,504 to close at $64.35, National Flour traded 1,000 units and closed at $2, Sagicor Financial Corporation traded 13,470 units at $6.04 and Scotia Investments ended with 8,500 shares changing hands at $1.47.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had 1 stock with the bid higher than the last selling price and 2 stocks with lower offers.