The slippage of the Jamaican dollar continued on Thursday against two of its main trading currencies as purchases of all currencies by dealers amounted to US$29,464,814 equivalent, compared with US$39,727,764, on Wednesday and selling of the equivalent of US$32,319,414 versus sale of US$38,332,411, previously.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$25,297,611 compared to US$34,618,052 on Wednesday. The buying rate for the US dollar rose 4 cents to $115.06 and US$30,716,384 was sold versus US$35,235,410 on Wednesday, the selling rate increased by 11 cents to end at $115.65. 
The Canadian dollar buying rate rose 37 cents to $94.41 with dealers buying C$1,273,867 and selling C$596,732, at an average rate that fell 9 cents to $96.10. The rate for buying the British Pound rose 16 cents to $174.77 for the purchase of £1,977,760, while £566,872, was sold, at an average rate that was up 70 cents to $178.10. At the end of trading it took J$128.83 to purchase the Euro, $1.97 more than on Wednesday, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$126.32 for a rise of $1.90 on Wednesday’s rate. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$117,743, while the equivalent of US$234,214, was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, rose 17 cents to $116.05. The lowest buying rate remained at $94.19. The highest selling rate rose 21 cents to $120.91 with the lowest selling rate remaining unchanged at $96.16. 
The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar fell 15 cents to $96.40. The lowest buying rate jumped $2.15 to $76.15, the highest selling rate dropped 68 cents to $98.17 and the lowest selling rate rose 50 cents to $91. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, declined 25 cents to $178.50, the lowest buying rate climbed $2.20 to $142.35, the highest selling rate climbed 76 cents to $181.83 with the lowest selling rate falling 45 cents to $167.05.
J$ falls against US & Pound
Junior market trading picks up
Activity on the Junior Market picked up on Thursday with a number on new highs recorded as investors increased their exposure to the segment of the market that has been late to the rally.
The market closed with 10 securities traded and ending with 2,839,792 units changing hands valued at $6,035,405. The JSE Junior Market Index rose 28.36 points to close at 785.93, with the price of 6 stocks advancing and 1 declining. At the close of the market, two stocks closed at new 52 weeks’ high and two hit 52 weeks’ high during trading but retreated. At the end of trading there were 4 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 1 with the offer lower. The junior market ended with 3 securities closing with no bids to buy and 10 securities that had no stocks being offered for sale.
Stocks trading in the junior market are, Access Financial traded 2,000 units and lost $1.89 to end at all-time high of $15.09. AMG Packaging price moved up in trading to $3 with 9,000 and closed with a gain of 74 cents, the stock was halted during trading for an hour and then was reopened at minutes before the close at which time it officially traded. Caribbean Producers traded 1,089,045 units between $2.75 and $3, where it closed with a gain of 25 cents. 
Dolphin Cove gained 30 cents with 1,000 shares trading, to close at a new 52 weeks’ high, of $9.50. General Accident Insurance had 1,152,419 shares trading, at a new 52 weeks’ high of $2, the stock traded as low as $1.75 but closed 10 cents higher than Wednesday’s closing price, at $1.80, Lasco Distributors had 177,909 shares trading to close with a loss of 3 cents at $1.40, but traded between $1.37 and $1.43. Lasco Financial Services closed with a gain of 7 cents as 175,000 shares traded, to end at $1.20. Lasco Manufacturing trading of 212,000 as high as $1.30, a new 52 weeks’ high but ended with a closing price of $1.20, Medical Disposables traded only 2,000 shares at $1.70 after losing 10 cents and Paramount Trading had 19,419 units trading at $3.60.
J$ falls most vs Pound & Canadian
The slippage of the Jamaican dollar continued on Wednesday against all its main trading currencies as purchases of all currencies by dealers, amounted to US$39,727,764 equivalent, compared with US$42,569,572, on Tuesday and selling of the equivalent of US$38,332,411 versus sale of US$42,408,749, previously.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$34,618,052 compared to US$39,083,575 on Tuesday. The buying rate for the US dollar fell 1 cent to $115.02 and US$35,235,410 was sold versus US$39,865,854 on Tuesday, the selling rate rose 2 cents to end at $115.54.
The Canadian dollar buying rate rose 80 cents to $94.04 with dealers buying C$1,924,120 and selling C$1,243,546, at an average rate that increased $1.01 to $96.19. The rate for buying the British Pound climbed $1.60 to $174.61 for the purchase of £2,185,138, while £1,037,093 was sold, at an average rate that climbed $1.19 to $177.40. At the end of trading it took J$126.86 to purchase the Euro, $1.23 more than on Tuesday, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$124.42 for a rise of $1.34 on Tuesday’s rate. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$219,391, while the equivalent of US$469,393, was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, rose 3 cents to $115.88. The lowest buying rate rose 25 cents to at $94.19. The highest selling rate remained unchanged $120.70 and the lowest selling rate dropped $16.64 to $96.16.
The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar climbed 35 cents to $96.55. The lowest buying rate is down 87 cents to $74, the highest selling rate gained 54 cents to $98.85 and the lowest selling rate rose 20 cents to $90.50. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, rose $1.55 to $178.75, the lowest buying rate climbed 83 cents to $140.15, the highest selling rate climbed 80 cents to $181.07 with the lowest selling rate falling 35 cents to $167.50.
J$ falls most against the Pound
The slippage of the Jamaican dollar continued on Tuesday against all its main trading currencies as purchases of all currencies by dealers amounted to US$42,569,572 equivalent, compared with US$47,599,698, on Monday and selling of the equivalent of US$42,408,749 versus sale of US$45,306,652, previously.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$39,083,575 compared to US$40,204,355 on Monday. The buying rate for the US dollar was up 22 cents to $115.03 and US$39,865,854 was sold versus US$38,650,336 on Monday, the selling rate rose 9 cents to end at $115.52. The Canadian dollar buying rate fell $1.45 to $93.24 with dealers buying C$1,080,630 and selling C$627,164, at an average rate that declined by 75 cents to $95.18. The rate for buying the British 
Pound climbed $1.93 to $173.01 for the purchase of £1,150,674, while £570,089 was sold, at an average rate that climbed $1.31 to $176.21. At the end of trading it took J$125.63 to purchase the Euro, 26 cents more than on Monday, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$123.08 for a rise of 25 cents from Monday’s rate. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$879,276, while the equivalent of US$1,156,585, was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, rose 13 cents to $115.85. The lowest buying rate remained unchanged at $93.94. The highest selling rate rose 33 cents to $120.70 and the lowest selling rate jumped $19.03 to $112.80. 
The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar climbed 50 cents to $96.20. The lowest buying rate was up 42 cents to $74.87, the highest selling rate gained $1.16 to $98.31 and the lowest selling rate rose 30 cents to $90.30. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, rose 95 cents to $177.20, the lowest buying rate fell 12 cents to $139.32, the highest selling rate climbed 51 cents to $180.27 with the lowest selling rate falling 15 cents to $167.85.
Juniors down but pregnant to go
Bids are building for Caribbean Cream. the company recently reported strong 9 months’ results.
At the close of the market, there were 8 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and just 1 with a lower offer. The junior market ended with 4 securities closing with no bids to buy and 9 securities that had no stocks being offered for sale.
Bids are building for some of the junior market stocks, included in this list are Caribbean Cream with 194,000 units at 75 cents and below 6,535,715 units between 70 and 71 cents, Blue Power with 100,000 units at $8.50, Dolphin Cove 96,171 shares at $9.20, General Accident 76,207 units at $1.73.
and Lasco Manufacturing 187,544 shares at $1.10Stocks trading in the junior market are, Caribbean Producers had 70,000 shares trading at $2.75, with a gain of 5 cents. Dolphin Cove closed at $9.20, with 2,693 shares changing hands, Knutsford express traded 11,534 shares and closed unchanged at $6, Lasco Distributors had 75,720 shares trading at $1.30 for a loss of 7 cents and Lasco Financial Services with 5,500 units traded at the close at $1.15 after gaining 5 cents.
No end to J$ devaluation yet
The slippage of the Jamaican dollar continued on Monday against all its main trading currencies. Purchases of all currencies by dealers on Monday amounted to US$47,599,698 equivalent, compared with US$28,651,795, on Friday and selling of the equivalent of US$45,306,652 versus sale of US$28,357,266, previously.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$40,204,355 compared to US$25,241,737 on Friday. The buying rate for the US dollar was up 4 cents to $114.81 and US$38,650,336 was sold versus US$26,240,617 on Friday, the selling rate rose 4 cents to end at $115.43. The Canadian dollar buying rate gained $2.24 to $94.70 with dealers buying C$4,871,468 and selling C$6,032,486, at an average rate that rose $1.12 to $95.93. 
The rate for buying the British Pound fell 61 cents to $171.08 for the purchase of £1,684,985, while £569,172 was sold, at an average rate that climbed $1.07 to $174.90. At the end of trading it took J$125.37 to purchase the Euro, 83 cents more than on Friday, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$122.83 for a rise of 73 cents from Friday’s rate. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$866,764, while the equivalent of US$780,456, was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, rose 7 cents to $115.72. The lowest buying and the highest selling rates remained unchanged at $93.94 and $120.37 respectively. The lowest selling rate fell 17 cents to $93.77. 
The Canadian dollar fell 58 cents to $95.70. The lowest buying rate was unchanged at $74.45, the highest selling rate declined 65 cents to $97.15 and the lowest selling rate gained 25 cents to $90. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, rose $1.15 to $176.25, the lowest buying rate increased $2.32 to $139.44, the highest selling rate climbed $1.73 to $179.76 with the lowest selling rate climbing $2.80 to $168.
2 weeks of decline for J$
The slippage of the Jamaican dollar continued on Friday and was unabated against the US dollar since Tuesday April 14. Purchases of all currencies by dealers on Friday amounted to US$28,651,795 equivalent, compared with US$32,959,776, on Thursday and selling of the equivalent of US$28,357,266 versus sale of US$32,149,238, previously.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$25,241,737 compared to US$29,244,108 on Thursday. The buying rate for the US dollar was unchanged at $114.77 and US$26,240,617 was sold versus US$29,126,877 on Thursday, the selling rate rose 9 cents to end at $115.39. The Canadian dollar buying rate fell $1.16 to $92.45 with dealers buying C$898,214 and selling C$1,039,537, at an average rate that rose 47 cents to $94.81. 
The rate for buying the British Pound rose $1.19 to $171.69 for the purchase of £1,113,056, while £340,322 was sold, at an average rate that climbed 92 cents to $173.83. At the end of trading it took J$124.55 to purchase the Euro, 96 cents more than on Thursday , according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$122.11 for a rise of 90 cents from Thursday ’s rate. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$1,021,450, while the equivalent of US$749,751, was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, rose 12 cents to $115.65. The lowest buying rate inched up 17 cents to $93.94, the highest selling rate remained unchanged at $120.37 and the lowest selling rate rose 17 cents to $93.94.
The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar rose $1.28 to $96.28. The lowest buying rate was unchanged at $74.45, the highest selling rate gained 69 cents to $97.80 and the lowest selling rate gained 5 cents to $89.75. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, dropped $1.66 to $175.10, the lowest buying rate declined 66 cents to $137.12, but the highest selling rate fell 47 cents to $178.03 with the lowest selling rate falling 80 cents to $165.20.
Positive end to strong week – JSE
JMMB Group closed week at a new 52 weeks’ high with over 10 m shares trading
Main Market| The JSE Market Index gained 768.58 points on Friday to end at 87,414.75, for the week 2,324.62 points were added. The JSE All Jamaican Composite index rose 859.30 points to close at 96,452.04, for the week the index gained 2,599.03 points
and the JSE combined index gained 739.54 points to close at 89,146.88 and put on 2,209.08 for the week.IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 14 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and only 2 with offers that were lower, a very strong indication of a robust day for gains on Monday.
In trading, Carreras has fully recovered from the sell off when the Government announced new taxes on cigarettes in February and traded 12,000 shares to close at new 52 weeks’ high of $46 by rising 95 cents, Grace Kennedy closed with 5,300 shares changing hands at $62.56 by gaining 36 cents. Jamaica Producers continues to trade in heavy volume, this week and closed the week with 753,915 units trading at $17, for a gain of 20 cents,
JMMB Group had heavy trading amounting 10,617,440 ordinary shares valued at $79,623,408 to end at a new 52 weeks’ high of $7.50 after posting a 44 cents rise. Kingston Wharves’ 13,714 that traded led to a new 52 weeks’ high of $7, after putting on 10 cents, National Commercial Bank traded 21364 units to close at a new 52 weeks’ high of 26.72 and gained 2 cents but closed with the offer at $26.99. Pan Jamaican Investment traded 24,900 shares at $55.28 to record a 22 cents decline. Sagicor Group traded 882,127 shares ending at $10.50, Scotia Investments traded 113,900 units and gained 20 cents to end at $23.80 and Supreme Ventures traded 200,000 units at $2.85, down 10 cents but the bid ended at $3 to purchase 10,131 shares
More losses for J$ on Thursday
Purchases of all currencies by dealers on Thursday amounted to US$32,959,776 equivalent, compared with US$36,496,804, on Wednesday and selling of the equivalent of US$32,149,238 versus sale of US$32,811,106, previously.
In US dollar trading, dealers bought US$29,244,108 compared to US$33,079,206 on Wednesday. The buying rate for the US dollar rose 2 cents to $114.77 and US$29,126,877 was sold versus US$30,687,641 on Wednesday, the selling rate rose 6 cents to end at $115.30. The Canadian dollar buying rate rose $2.03 to $93.61 with dealers buying C$2,315,687 and selling C$2,060,600, at an average rate that rose 2 cents to $94.34. The rate for buying the British Pound rose 25 cents to $170.50 for the purchase of £1,116,860, while £713,333 was sold, at an average rate that climbed 62 cents to $172.91. 
At the end of trading it took J$123.59 to purchase the Euro, 14 cents less than on Wednesday, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$121.21 for a fall of 5 cents from Wednesday’s rate. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$167,713, while the equivalent of US$266,636, was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, rose 8 cents to $115.53. The lowest buying and lowest selling rates remained unchanged at $93.77 each and the highest buying rate rose 21 cents to $120.37. The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar was unchanged at $95. The lowest buying rate rose 16 cents to $74.45, the highest selling rategained 92 cents to $97.11 
The highest buying rate for the British Pound,jumped $3.46 to $176.76, the lowest buying rate rose 71 cents to $137.78, but the highest selling rate rose $1.50 to $178.50 with the lowest selling rate falling $2 to $166.
Bulls take over JSE with 6 new highs
Seprod traded at 52 weeks’ high on Thursday at $16
Stocks closing at 52 weeks’ high on Thursday are Carreras, Knutsford Express from the junior market, National Commercial Bank, Seprod, Supreme Ventures and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share.
Main Market| The JSE Market Index gained 346.41 points to 86,646.17, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index rose 387.31 points to close at 95,592.74 and the JSE combined index gained 412.97 points to 88,407.34.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and just 2 with offers that were lower.In market activity, Cable & Wireless traded 123,000 shares, in closing at 52 cents, after trading as high as 54 cents. Caribbean Cement had 46,061 units trading, to gain 25 cents in ending at $2.50, Carreras traded only 15,934 shares between $43 and the last traded price of $45.05, in posting a gain of $1.05. Grace Kennedy’s price fell 80 cents, while trading 5,801 shares at $62.20, Jamaica Producers had 173,904 units trading at $16.80 for a gain of 84 cents but had 1,569,027 shares on the bid at $16, at the close. National Commercial Bank put through only 25,149 units between $26.01 and the closing price of $26.70 with an increase of 20 cents. The banking group reported improved results in the quarter of $1.32 versus $1.24 per share in March 2014. Pan Jamaican Investment gained 37 cents in trading 9,054 shares at $55.50 but traded as low as $55.19. Radio Jamaica lost 25 cents in trading just 1,000 shares at $1.75,Sagicor Group posted 65,992 shares to end at $10.57 and gain just 2 cents. Scotia Group swapped
48,477 shares to close at $22, after trading at $22.50, Scotia Investments had 10,000 shares changing hands at $23.80, for an increase of 20 cents. Seprod put on $1.93 but with a mere 200 shares to end at $16, Supreme Ventures had the ownership of 51,600 units changing to close with a gain of 11 cents at $2.95. Proven Investments had 77,330 shares trading to close at 17.5 US cents but traded as high as 17.99 US cents, Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share traded 227,950 units at $2.30 and gained 28 cents or 14 percent, which is indicative of what now happening to interest rates, that have been declining from April last year, and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 8.75% preference share traded 174,738 units at $3.20.