The 3,800 Junior Market index barrier was crossed at the close of trading on Monday, after a mild decline in the volume of stocks traded, but with 23 percent greater value than on Friday with investors trading 46 securities compared with 47 on Friday and ending with prices of 15 rising, 20 declining and 11 closing unchanged, but closing bids and offers suggest that the market could fall below the barrier on Tuesday.
The market closed with an exchange of 5,320,099 shares for $13,969,282 compared with 5,395,966 units at $11,327,944 on Friday.
Trading averaged 115,654 shares at $303,680, up from 114,808 units at $241,020 on Friday with the month to date, averaging 183,124 units at $438,290 compared to 218,797 stock units at $509,463 on the prior trading day and January with an average of 175,081 units at $401,738.
Spur Tree Spices led trading with 1.21 million shares for 22.8 percent of total volume followed by EduFocal with 566,845 units for 10.7 percent of the day’s trade and Future Energy with 387,681 stock units for 7.3 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index gained 11.44 points to lock up trading at 3,810.21.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.5, 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 one stock ended with the highest bid higher than the last selling price and six with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging dipped 30 cents to end at $2.63 as investors traded 1,843 shares, Cargo Handlers climbed $1.46 to $14.63, in trading 4,201 units, Caribbean Assurance Brokers sank 38 cents in closing at $2.09 with an exchange of a mere 1,902 shares. Consolidated Bakeries rose 22 cents to end at $2.22 after 359 stock units passed through the market, Derrimon Trading dipped 8 cents and ended at $2 with investors exchanging 32,813 shares, Everything Fresh lost 18 cents to end at $1.47, with 5,034 stock units crossing the market. Future Energy skidded 8 cents to end at $3.62 after an exchange of 387,681 units, Honey Bun gained 9 cents in closing at $6.49 with investors dealing in 2,782 stocks, Indies Pharma popped 12 cents and ended at $2.81 with 1,008 shares crossing the exchange. 
ISP Finance increased 50 cents to close at $31.50 with investors trading 10,066 stock units, Knutsford Express advanced $1.30 to $12.40, with 1,052 units changing hands, Lasco Financial fell 22 cents to close at $2.09 and closed with an exchange of 85,754 stocks. Lasco Manufacturing shed 17 cents to end at $4.75, with 194,615 units crossing the market, Limners and Bards declined 9 cents in closing at $1.40 after an exchange of 48,145 stocks, Lumber Depot rallied 10 cents and ended at $2.60 with investors transferring 209 shares. Mailpac Group lost 10 cents to $2.12 in an exchange of 77,255 stock units, MFS Capital Partners popped 12 cents and ended at $2.42 with traders dealing in 74,374 shares, Regency Petroleum skidded 11 cents in closing at $2.23 after a transfer of 48,449 stocks and Stationery and Office Supplies advanced 11 cents to end at $1.60, with trading in 340,288 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market rises as falling stocks dominate
All 47 securities that were available to trade were active in the Junior Market on friday, up from 40 on Thursday, with trading ending with prices of 15 rising, 21 declining and 11 closing unchanged with trading closing with a 60 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded, with 66 percent less value than on Thursday.
Trading ended on Friday with 5,395,966 shares for $11,327,944 compared with 13,639,370 stock units for $32,995,315 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 114,808 shares at $241,020, compared with 340,984 units at $824,883 on Thursday with trading for the month to date averaging 218,797 units at $509,463 compared to January with an average of 175,081 units at $401,738.
One Great Studio led trading with 1.36 million shares for 25.2 percent of total volume followed by Lasco Distributors with 930,104 units for 17.2 percent of the day’s trade and ONE on ONE Educational with 639,673 units for 11.9 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index popped 20.28 points to settle at 3,798.77.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.6, 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 three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Blue Power dipped 40 cents to close at $3, with 1,413 shares crossing the market, Cargo Handlers dropped $1.75 to $13.17 with an exchange of 957 stock units, Caribbean Assurance Brokers advanced 23 cents to $2.47 with an exchange of 22,951 shares. Consolidated Bakeries skidded 22 cents to close at $2 with investors swapping a mere 2,044 stock units, Derrimon Trading popped 22 cents to end at $2.08, with 15,750 shares crossing the exchange, Dolphin Cove climbed 80 cents to close at $19 with investors transferring 2,137 stocks. Elite Diagnostic rose 11 cents to close at $1.64 after 848 stocks crossed the market, Everything Fresh fell 12 cents in closing at $1.65 while exchanging 10,092 units, Fontana declined 10 cents to end at $10.40 with investors trading 7,265 stocks. Fosrich rallied 15 cents and ended at $2.25 with 276,639 units clearing the market, Future Energy increased 15 cents to $3.70 as investors exchanged 52,544 shares, ISP Finance gained $10.70 to close at $31 in switching ownership of 2,993 stock units. 
JFP Ltd shed 9 cents to end at $1.37 with traders dealing in 111,886 shares, Knutsford Express dropped $1.30 in closing at $11.10 in an exchange of just 1,192 stock units, Lasco Financial popped 17 cents and ended at $2.31 as 8,571 stock units passed through the market. Limners and Bards rallied 16 cents to $1.49 in an exchange of 23,903 units, Mailpac Group rose 11 cents and ended at $2.22, with 6,188 shares changing hands, Main Event sank 88 cents to close at $15.12 in trading a mere 80 stocks and Regency Petroleum climbed 13 cents in closing at $2.34 after an exchange of 42,530 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Big price changes for several JSE stocks
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange slipped in trading on Friday and the Junior Market gained as the JSE USD market closed unchanged following a sharp reduction in the volume and value of stocks changing hands falling from the previous day andresulting in prices of 39 shares rose and 35, declined, with Scotia Group hitting new 52 weeks’ high in closing at $46 the largest Main Market rising stock.
At the close of trading on Friday, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 418.12 points to close at 342,138.51, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 1,152.06 points to finish trading at 366,713.88, the JSE Main Index advanced 256.53 points to 329,340.57. The Junior Market Index rose 20.28 points to 3,798.77 and the JSE USD Market Index ended unchanged at 251.01.
At the close of trading, 17,913,688 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 24,848,411 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounts to $65.21 million, down from $94.99 million yesterday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 1,000,615 shares for US$122,251 up from 393,307 units at US$18,728 on Thursday.
Main Market trading was led by JMMB 9.5% preference share with 4.66 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.93 million units and Wigton Windfarm with 952,293 stock units.
In the Junior Market, One Great Studio led trading with 1.36 million shares followed by Lasco Distributors with 930,104 units and ONE on ONE Educational with 639,673 stock units.
At the close of the market, the major Main Market stocks that rose are Caribbean Cement popped 95 cents to $54.95, Guardian Holdings rose $2 to close at $369, Jamaica Producers rallied $2.29 in closing at $23.90, Massy Holdings climbed $1.80 to $94.85, Scotia Group popped $5 to $46 and Wisynco Group climbed $1.87 to $22.97.
The major declining Main Market stocks are Barita Investments dropped $1.10 in closing at $70.05, Eppley fell $4.10 to end at $34, Proven Investments dipped 99 cents to end at $22.01, Seprod sank $1.99 to end at $87 and Sygnus Real Estate Finance fell $1 to close at $10.
Stocks ending with major gains in the Junior Market are Dolphin Cove climbing 80 cents to $19 and ISP Finance gained $10.70 to close at $31, with the major losing stocks being Knutsford Express dropping $1.30 in closing at $11.10 and Main Event sinking 88 cents to close at $15.12.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% skidded $7.40 and ended at $41.90, 138 Student Living preference share increased $3.50 to close at $214.50 and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share rallied $15.60 to end at $119.60.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.3 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 drops at start of February
Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Thursday, with the volume of stocks traded declining marginally, as 12 percent dollars passed through the market on Wednesday with trading in 40 securities compared with 46 on Wednesday and ending with prices of 12 rising, 21 declining and seven closing unchanged.
The market closed on Thursday with 13,639,370 shares being traded for $32,995,315 versus 13,718,596 units that were exchanged for $29,550,137 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 340,984 shares at $824,883 compared to 298,230 units at $642,394 on Wednesday and January with an average of 175,081 units at $401,738.
Stationery and Office Supplies led trading with 2.92 million shares for 21.4 percent of total volume followed by EduFocal with 2.67 million units for 19.6 percent of the day’s trade, MFS Capital Partners chipped in with 2.55 million stock units for 18.7 percent market share and Lasco Manufacturing ended with 2.20 million shares for 16.1 percent of total volume.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index dipped 35.69 points to culminate at 3,778.49.
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 four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging popped 30 cents and ended at $2.92 with an exchange of 20,648 units, Cargo Handlers advanced $1.92 to $14.92 with 50 stocks clearing the market, Caribbean Flavours rose 10 cents to $1.66 after an exchange of 1,000 shares. Derrimon Trading lost 24 cents to end at $1.86, with 164,017 stock units crossing the exchange, Dolphin Cove dropped 80 cents to close at $18.20 after trading of 120 shares, Elite Diagnostic sank 11 cents to $1.53 after 84,370 stocks passed through the market. Fontana rallied 30 cents to end at $10.50 as investors exchanged 61,643 units, Fosrich dipped 37 cents in closing at $2.10 after a transfer of 651,488 stock units, Future Energy fell 15 cents to close at $3.55, with 209,533 shares crossing the market. Honey Bun increased 28 cents and ended at $6.40 in an exchange of 2,340 stock units, Indies Pharma declined 25 cents to $2.70 with investors swapping 118,087 units, Jamaican Teas shed 20 cents to close at $2.50 with a transfer of just 52 stocks. 
Lasco Distributors climbed 10 cents and ended at $4.10 after an exchange of 125,228 units, Lasco Manufacturing gained 17 cents and closed at $4.92 with investors trading 2,202,375 shares, Lumber Depot skidded 8 cents to end at $2.52, with 150,776 stock units changing hands. Mailpac Group fell 16 cents to $2.11 after investors ended trading of 255,522 stocks, Main Event rose 96 cents to end at $16 while exchanging 10 units, MFS Capital Partners skidded 38 cents in closing at $2.32 with traders dealing in 2,546,621 shares. ONE on ONE Educational lost 14 cents to close at 93 cents in switching ownership of 145,540 stocks, Regency Petroleum dropped 19 cents and ended at $2.21 after exchanging 253,645 stock units, Spur Tree Spices shed 38 cents to $2.50 with investors dealing in 66,592 shares and Stationery and Office Supplies declined 24 cents to end at $1.45, with 2,924,503 stock units crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market surges to end January trading
The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Wednesday, closed January with a bounce in the market index with a rise of 57.59 points to close at 3,814.18, down 0.9 percent for the month as market activity leading to a 131 percent rise in the volume of stocks traded, valued 117 percent more than Tuesday, following trading in 46 securities the same as on Tuesday and ending with prices of 28 rising, seven declining and 11 closing unchanged.
The market closed with trading of 13,718,596 shares for $29,550,137 up from 5,951,560 units at $13,607,459 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 298,230 shares at $642,394 compared with 129,382 units at $295,814 on Tuesday with the month to date, averaging 175,081 units at $401,738 compared to 168,716 stock units at $389,300 on the previous day and December with an average of 466,866 units at $1,111,272.
Fosrich led trading with 3.20 million shares for 23.3 percent of total volume followed by ONE on ONE Educational with 2.72 million units for 19.8 percent of the day’s trade, Stationery and Office Supplies ended with trading in 1.45 million stocks for 10.6 percent market share and Derrimon Trading ended with 1.08 million shares for 7.9 percent of total volume.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.8, 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 12 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial rallied 67 cents to end at $22.67 with an exchange of 14,402 shares, AMG Packaging dropped 31 cents to $2.62, with 2,450 stocks crossing the market, Cargo Handlers sank $1.92 and ended at $13 after a transfer of 128 shares. Consolidated Bakeries increased 24 cents to close at $2.22, with 11 stock units crossing the market, Derrimon Trading popped 14 cents in closing at $2.10 with traders dealing in 1,082,943 shares, Dolla Financial climbed 10 cents to $2.70 in an exchange of 69,928 units. Dolphin Cove rose 40 cents to close at $19 after 18,173 stocks passed through the market, Everything Fresh advanced 20 cents to end at $1.75 after an exchange of 647,102 stock units, Fontana dipped 30 cents in closing at $10.20 with investors transferring 38,233 shares. Fosrich gained 17 cents and ended at $2.47 in an exchange of 3,195,839 stock units, Future Energy rose 28 cents to $3.70 after trading of 582,452 stocks, Honey Bun fell 28 cents to close at $6.12 while exchanging 23,979 units. 
Jamaican Teas rallied 30 cents to $2.70 after investors swapped 547,820 stocks, JFP Ltd declined 9 cents to end at $1.41, with 132,472 units crossing the exchange, Knutsford Express increased 10 cents to $12.40 with investors dealing in 89,197 shares. Lasco Distributors climbed 15 cents in closing at $4 in switching ownership of 243,602 stock units, Lasco Financial popped 14 cents to $2.14 with investors trading 21,632 shares, Limners and Bards advanced 24 cents to end at $1.35 with 175,252 stock units clearing the market. Lumber Depot gained 9 cents to close at $2.60 after 344,827 stock units changed hands, ONE on ONE Educational popped 13 cents and ended at $1.07 in trading 2,718,438 units, Regency Petroleum rallied 14 cents to $2.40 after exchanging 122,133 shares. Spur Tree Spices rose 40 cents to end at $2.88 with a transfer of 597,416 units, Stationery and Office Supplies climbed 24 cents in closing at $1.69 as investors exchanged 1,451,254 stocks and Tropical Battery increased 20 cents and ended at $2.40, 621,608 stock units with changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market falls again on Monday
Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Monday, with a 68 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded, following a 71 percent drop in value, with trading in 46 securities compared with 45 on Friday and ending with prices of 16 rising, 16 declining and 14 closing unchanged.
The main market closed with trading of 4,269,036 shares for $8,694,142 down from 13,178,824 units at $30,106,364 on Friday.
Trading averaged 92,805 shares at $189,003 compared to 292,863 units at $669,030 on Friday with a month to date average of 170,860 stock units at $394,395 compared to 175,359 stocks at $406,235 previously and December with an average of 466,866 units at $1,111,272.
One Great Studio led trading with 1.06 million shares for 24.8 percent of total volume followed by Dolla Financial with 548,477 units for 12.8 percent of the day’s trade and Jetcon Corporation with 301,021 units for 7.1 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index dipped 24.13 points to wrap-up trading at 3,735.24.
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 five stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial fell $3.60 and ended at $20.36 after an exchange of 5,776 stock units, Blue Power climbed 25 cents to $3.45 and closed with an exchange of 2,509 shares, Cargo Handlers skidded $2.87 to close at $12.03 after a transfer of 3,187 units. Caribbean Cream popped 10 cents in closing at $3.89, with 20 stocks crossing the exchange, Fontana sank 24 cents to end at $10.20 in switching ownership of 90,478 units, Future Energy dropped 8 cents in closing at $3.36, with 162,670 stocks clearing the market. Indies Pharma shed 21 cents to close at $2.69 in an exchange of 6,769 shares, Iron Rock Insurance rallied 9 cents to close at $2.51, with 30 stock units crossing the market, 
ISP Finance lost $1.99 and ended at $20.30 while exchanging 5,033 shares. KLE Group increased 21 cents to end at $2.46 in trading 21 stocks, Lasco Distributors declined 19 cents in closing at $3.80 after 29,816 units passed through the market, Limners and Bards rose 9 cents to $1.29, after trading at an intraday 52 weeks’ low of $1.13 with 115,607 stock units changing hands. Mailpac Group advanced 10 cents and ended at $2.38 as investors exchanged 219,323 shares, Main Event dipped $2 to end at $15 with a transfer of 16,479 stocks, Regency Petroleum gained 22 cents to close at $2.37 after exchanging 39,571 units and tTech popped 22 cents to $2.50 with investors dealing in 25,000 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market falls again on Monday
Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Monday, with a 68 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded, following a 71 percent drop in value, with trading in 46 securities compared with 45 on Friday and ending with prices of 16 rising, 16 declining and 14 closing unchanged.
The main market closed with trading of 4,269,036 shares for $8,694,142 down from 13,178,824 units at $30,106,364 on Friday.
Trading averaged 92,805 shares at $189,003 compared to 292,863 units at $669,030 on Friday. Trading for the month to date, averages 170,860 units at $394,395 compared with 175,359 stocks at $406,235 on the previous trading day and December that ended with an average of 466,866 units at $1,111,272.
One Great Studio led trading with 1.06 million shares for 24.8 percent of total volume followed by Dolla Financial with 548,477 units for 12.8 percent of the day’s trade and Jetcon Corporation with 301,021 units for 7.1 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index dipped 24.13 points to wrap up trading at 3,735.24.
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 five stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial fell $3.60 and ended at $20.36 after an exchange of 5,776 stock units, Blue Power climbed 25 cents to $3.45 and closed with an exchange of 2,509 shares, Cargo Handlers skidded $2.87 to close at $12.03 after a transfer of 3,187 units. Caribbean Cream popped 10 cents in closing at $3.89, with 20 stocks crossing the exchange, Fontana sank 24 cents to end at $10.20 in switching ownership of 90,478 units, Future Energy dropped 8 cents in closing at $3.36, with 162,670 stocks clearing the market. Indies Pharma shed 21 cents to close at $2.69 in an exchange of 6,769 shares, Iron Rock Insurance rallied 9 cents to close at $2.51, with 30 stock units crossing the market, ISP Finance lost $1.99 and ended at $20.30 while exchanging 5,033 shares. KLE Group increased 21 cents to end at $2.46 in trading 21 stocks, 
Lasco Distributors fell by 19 cents in closing at $3.80 after 29,816 units passed through the market, Limners and Bards rose 9 cents to $1.29, after trading at an intraday 52 weeks’ low of $1.13 with 115,607 stock units changing hands. Mailpac Group advanced 10 cents and ended at $2.38 as investors traded 219,323 shares, Main Event dipped $2 to $15 after a transfer of 16,479 stock units, Regency Petroleum gained 22 cents to close at $2.37 after exchanging 39,571 units and tTech popped 22 cents to $2.50 with investors dealing in 25,000 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Pull back for Junior Market
Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Friday, with the Junior Market Index declining 42.00 points to finish at 3,759.37, after a 501 percent rise in the volume of stocks traded at 364 percent greater value than for the previous day with trading in 45 securities compared with 38 on Thursday and ending with prices of 19 rising, 17 declining and nine closing unchanged.
The market closed with trading of 13,178,824 shares for $30,106,364 up from 2,193,612 units at $6,494,237 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 292,863 shares at $669,030, compared with 57,727 stock units at $170,901 on Thursday with the month to date, averaging 175,359 units at $406,235 compared to 168,337 stock units at $390,530 on the previous day and December with an average of 466,866 units at $1,111,272.
Mailpac Group led trading with 4.76 million shares for 36.1 percent of total volume followed by Dolla Financial with 1.45 million units for 11 percent of the day’s trade, Stationery and Office Supplies with 1.36 million units for 10.3 percent market share, Regency Petroleum ended with 1.27 million units for 9.7 percent market share and One Great Studio closed the week with 1.14 million units for 8.7 percent of total volume.
At the close of trading, 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 two stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging dipped 35 cents in closing at $2.60, with 126,303 stock units crossing the market, Blue Power fell 10 cents to $3.20 after trading of 62,490 shares, Caribbean Assurance Brokers advanced 19 cents to end at $2.24, with 524,434 units changing hands. Caribbean Cream rose 34 cents to close at $3.79 with investors swapping a mere 331 stocks, Consolidated Bakeries climbed 18 cents and ended at $2.18 in switching ownership of 50 units, Derrimon Trading popped 8 cents to $1.98 after an exchange of 48,820 stocks. Dolla Financial skidded 15 cents in closing at $2.50 with a transfer of 1,449,271 shares, Dolphin Cove lost 40 cents and ended at $18.60 with investors dealing in 785 stock units, EduFocal dropped 8 cents to end at $1.40 in an exchange of 578,590 shares. Express Catering gained 11 cents to close at $3.96, after 56,268 units crossed the market, Fontana sank 6 cents to $10.44 in an exchange of 164,684 stocks, Indies Pharma rallied 20 cents to close at $2.90 with traders dealing in 15,330 stock units. 
Iron Rock Insurance increased 32 cents and ended at $2.42 with 449 shares crossing the exchange, Jetcon Corporation popped 9 cents in closing at 91 cents with investors transferring 180 units, Lasco Financial shed 9 cents to end at $2, with 39,484 stocks clearing the market. Lasco Manufacturing declined 19 cents in closing at $4.75 while exchanging 10,206 stock units, Limners and Bards fell 10 cents to $1.20 and closed after an exchange of 22,140 shares, after hitting a 52 weeks’ low of $1.18, Mailpac Group advanced 25 cents to close at $2.28 with an exchange of 4,759,366 units. MFS Capital Partners rose 5 cents to end at $2.70 after 115,705 stocks passed through the market, Regency Petroleum dropped 23 cents and ended at $2.15 as investors exchanged 1,274,321 stock units, Spur Tree Spices rallied 13 cents to $2.58 in trading 111,801 shares and Stationery and Office Supplies increased 13 cents to close at $1.56 after a transfer of 1,359,144 stock units following a fall of the stock to a 52 weeks’ low of $1.41.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Top 5 JSE dividend paying stocks now
Companies with earnings that are consistently growing are usually the best dividend paying stocks to invest in if income is a prime objective. They will have more room to make increased dividend payments in the future.
Investors looking for the best dividend paying stocks on the Jamaica Stock Exchange should take the above factors into consideration. It is also a good factor to consider when buying stocks that are likely to increase in value over time.
On the Jamaica Stock Exchange, the Main Market, Carreras is the king of dividend payment with a yield of 11 percent based on the latest stock price of $8 in 2023, followed by Transjamaican Highway and at 7 percent, Scotia Group at 5 percent based on the last dividend paid of 40 cents and annualised, at a then stock price of $34. What is interesting about Scotia is the traditional metric is for the company to pay between 40 to 50 percent of profits.
Scotia historically pays just above 40 percent of profit, but that seems to have been interrupted as a result of the negative impact that flowed from the Covid 9 economic dislocation. 
The company reported earnings of $5.54 and that would suggest an annual dividend of $2.20 which would translate to a dividend yield of 6.7 percent with 2024 likely to be higher.
The Junior Market has two stocks with attractive yields Dolphin Cove and MailPac at 7 percent each. The payout for MailPac represent a full years’ profit.
Yields may have dipped in some cases but that does not change the longer term prospects.
Junior Market clears 3,800 mark on Thursday
The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange surged higher on Thursday, with the Junior Market Index climbing 75.77 points to close at 3,801.37, the second time for the month that it closed above 3,800 points for the year to date,
with the volume of stocks traded declining 8 percent, with an 11 percent lower value than on Wednesday, following trading in 38 securities compared with 44 on Wednesday with prices of 15 rising, 12 declining and 11 closing unchanged.
Trading ended with 2,193,612 shares for $6,494,237 down from 2,371,932 units at $7,325,090 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 57,727 shares at $170,901 compared to 53,908 units at $166,479 on Wednesday with a month to date average of 168,337 units at $390,530 compared to 174,216 stock units at $402,203 on the previous day and December with an average of 466,866 units at $1,111,272.
Future Energy led trading with 349,804 shares for 15.9 percent of total volume followed by Stationery and 
Office Supplies with 339,937 units for 15.5 percent of the day’s trade and Mailpac Group with 299,144 units for 13.6 percent market share.
At the close of trading, 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 three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial popped 76 cents to close at $23.96 after an exchange of 193 stock units, AMG Packaging dropped 17 cents to $2.95 with investors transferring 76 shares, Cargo Handlers advanced $1.82 to end at $14.90, with 165 units crossing the market. Dolla Financial rose 7 cents in closing at $2.65 in an exchange of 223,937 stocks, EduFocal climbed 7 cents and ended at $1.48, with 114,258 units changing hands, Express Catering increased 12 cents to $3.85 after a transfer of 54,730 stocks. 
Fosrich sank 6 cents to close at $2.29 in trading 24,461 shares, Honey Bun rallied 14 cents to end at $6.26 with 2,676 stock units clearing the market, ISP Finance gained 7 cents in closing at $22.29 with a transfer of 676 shares. KLE Group lost 22 cents and ended at $2.25 while exchanging 53,296 stock units, Lasco Manufacturing popped 33 cents to $4.94 in switching ownership of 4,914 units, Limners and Bards gained 10 cents in closing at $1.30 with investors swapping just one stock. Regency Petroleum rose 8 cents to end at $2.38 with an exchange of 31,412 shares and Stationery and Office Supplies fell 12 cents to close at $1.43 after an exchange of 339,937 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
