Transjamaican Highway led trading with 26.28 million shares controlling 48.4 percent of the total volume, followed by Kingston Wharves with 17.71 million units for 32.6 percent of the day’s trade as trading activity surged sharply over Monday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 387 percent and the value 744 percent more than on Monday.
Trading occurred in 56 securities compared with 62 on Monday and ended with prices of 27 rising, 22 declining and seven unchanged as three stocks hit 52 weeks’ high and two 52 weeks’ low, stocks trading at 52 weeks’ high are Transjamaican closing at a record of $2.21, Sagicor Select MD at 70 cents and Wigton Windfarms at 87 cents while Barita closed at a 52 weeks’ low of $73.95 and Eppley 7.25 Preference Share at $16.15.
At the close of trading, 54,343,616 shares were traded for $593,158,740, compared with 11,158,702 units at $70,313,195 on Monday.
Trading averaged 970,422 shares at $10,592,120 versus 179,979 shares at $1,134,084 on Monday and month to date, an average of 329,517 units at $5,231,512, compared with 250,636 units at $4,571,744 on the previous day. May closed with an average of 226,361 units at $1,362,447.
Other than Transjamaican Highway and Kingston Wharves that dominated trading, other leading trades are 138 Student Living ended with 2.11 million units for 3.9 percent market share, Wigton Windfarm with 2.08 million units for 3.8 percent market share, QWI Investments with 2.05 million units for 3.8 percent market share and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.92 million units for 3.5 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 810.40 points to 362,087.53, the JSE Main Index rose 469.12 points to 329,000.52 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.13 points to close trading at 73.88.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are computed based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows ten stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints declined 57 cents to end at $7.10, with 985 shares clearing the market, Eppley popped $4.69 to $36.80 while exchanging 317 units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund dipped $1 to $40 in switching ownership of 100 stock units, First Rock Real Estate increased 48 cents to close at $10.49 with shareholders swapping 920 stocks, GraceKennedy advanced 40 cents in closing at $78.90 with investors transferring 40,608 stocks, Jamaica Broilers rallied $1.26 to end at $34.76 with an exchange of 44,648 stock units, Kingston Wharves dropped $1.50 to close at $28 17,706,722 shares crossing the market, Margaritaville shed 34 cents to end at $14.63 in an exchange of 12,057 units, 
Massy Holdings fell 43 cents to close at $99.57 in an exchange of 1,962 shares, Mayberry Investments gained 46 cents and ended at $9 after a transfer of 119,549 units, NCB Financial climbed 50 cents to end at $68 in trading 16,338 stock units, 138 Student Living lost 51 cents to close at $5, with 2,114,160 stocks changing hands, Pan Jamaica Group rose $1.88 to $49.99, with 906 shares crossing the market,Sagicor Group popped 45 cents to $48.95 as investors exchanged 100,393 stocks, Scotia Group rallied $1.10 in closing at $34.70 after an exchange of 91,334 stock units, Seprod shed $2.40 to end at $70 with a transfer of 482 units, Stanley Motta advanced 36 cents and ended at $5.44 after exchanging 33,521 shares, Sterling Investments slipped 39 cents to $2.50 after 6,196 stocks passed through the market, Supreme Ventures increased $2.19 to close at $26.69 trading 52,974 units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share declined $2.85 in closing at $16.15 with 50 stock units changed hands, 
Eppley 7.50% preference share climbed $1.19 to end at $7.39, with 220 units crossing the exchange, Jamaica Public Service 7% gained $2 in closing at $52 after a transfer of 200 stock units, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% fell $22 to close at $2978, with six shares crossing the market, 138 Student Living preference share rose $6.99 and ended at $87.99 in switching ownership of 7 stocks and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share dipped $14.50 to $91.50 in trading seven units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market heads north
Trading levels fell on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Tuesday, with a 29 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded, with the value 14 percent lower than on Monday with trading in 48 securities compared with 47 on Monday and resulting in prices of 23 rising, 18 declining and seven closing unchanged.
Investors traded 6,594,218 shares for $17,769,680 compared with 9,341,590 units at $20,596,072 on Monday.
Trading averaged 137,380 shares at $370,202 compared to 198,757 shares at $438,214 on Monday with the month to date, averaging 191,918 units at $524,263 compared to 199,484 stock units at $545,636 on the previous day. Trading in May averaged 239,954 units at $648,811.
Indies Pharma led trading with 1.76 million shares for 26.6 percent of total volume followed by Image Plus Consultants with 901,230 units for 13.7 percent of the day’s trade and Lasco Financial with 575,734 units for 8.7 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index popped 42.50 points to end trading at 3,844.90, the highest close since March 8 this year, but the market has broken a downward sloping trendline that suggests a rising market ahead.
The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values, averages 10.5. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks are computed using the last traded price in conjunction with ICInsider.com’s projected earnings for the financial years ending between November 2023 and August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows no stock ending with a bid higher than the last selling price and four with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging dropped 33 cents in closing at a 52 weeks’ low of $2.25 with shareholders swapping 85,524 shares, Blue Power dipped 24 cents and ended at $2.06 in an exchange of 23,107 stocks, CAC 2000 climbed $1.09 to close at $7.09 after an exchange of 200 units. Cargo Handlers climbed $3.59 to $19.20 with 200 stock units being traded, Caribbean Cream shed 39 cents to end at $3.55 with 847 units changing hands, 
Consolidated Bakeries rose 17 cents to close at $2.40, 2,756 shares crossing the market. Dolphin Cove popped 47 cents to end at $15.72 as investors exchanged 2,039 stocks, Elite Diagnostic dipped 19 cents to $2.20 with investors transferring 21,085 stock units, Express Catering fell 10 cents and ended at $4.88 after an exchange of 28,333 stock units. Fontana gained 25 cents in closing at $9.78, with 66,824 shares clearing the market, Future Energy Source shed 8 cents and ended at $3.93 while exchanging 114,480 units, General Accident rallied 55 cents to end at $5.30, with 20,029 stocks crossing the exchange. Honey Bun declined 44 cents in closing at $6.51 after shareholders ended trading 1,937 stocks, Jamaican Teas increased 9 cents to close at $2.17 with a transfer of 500 stock units, 
KLE Group rallied 16 cents to $1.77 after a transfer of 6,296 units. Lasco Manufacturing rose 20 cents to end at $4.48 in trading 100 shares, Main Event gained 25 cents in closing at $14.90 as 29,817 units passed through the market and MFS Capital Partners lost 10 cents in closing at $3 in switching ownership of 422,182 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Mixed Trinidad Stock Exchange trading
Trading ended mixed on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange on Tuesday, following a 12 percent rise in the volume of stocks traded, with a 55 percent greater value than Monday resulting in the trading of 20 securities compared with 18 on Monday, with prices of five stocks rising, seven declining and eight remaining unchanged.
Investors exchanged 158,060 shares for $1,769,524 up from 140,825 stock units at $1,141,837 on Monday.
An average of 7,903 shares were traded at $88,476 compared to 7,824 shares at $63,435 on Monday, with trading month to date averaging 9,736 shares at $167,069 compared with 10,002 units at $178,456 on the previous day. The average trade for May closed with 23,500 shares for $216,502.
The Composite Index slipped 1.11 points to close at 1,233.33, the All T&T Index increased 1.84 points to end trading at 1,900.70, the SME Index fell 0.93 points to 70.01 and the Cross-Listed Index dipped 0.60 points to 72.65.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Angostura Holdings ended at $23.10 after 10 shares were traded, Ansa McAl declined 44 cents to $50.55, with 10 units crossing the market, CinemaOne dropped 80 cents to close at $7 with an exchange of 1,000 stocks. First Citizens Group shed 9 cents to end at $48.90 in the swapping of 2,821 stock units, FirstCaribbean International Bank ended at $7.01 while 1,410 stock units were traded, GraceKennedy rose 15 cents to $3.50 after an exchange of 95,601 stocks. Guardian Holdings ended at $20.07 as investors traded 6,446 units, JMMB Group remained at $1.35, with 62 shares changing hands, Massy Holdings rallied 5 cents in closing at $4.97, with 720 stock units crossing the market. National Enterprises advanced 5 cents to $3.45 in trading 1,000 shares, National Flour Mills fell 2 cents ended at $1.51 after a transfer of 27,914 units, NCB Financial increased 5 cents to end at $2.80 with an exchange of 528 stocks. 
Point Lisas popped 20 cents to $3.25 and closed with 500 units changing hands, Prestige Holdings closed at $8 after 78 shares were traded, Republic Financial remained at $128.93 in an exchange of 4,951 stock units. Scotiabank ended at $76.50 with 5,368 stocks clearing the market, Trinidad & Tobago NGL dipped 12 cents in closing at $17.88 with investors transferring 248 shares. Trinidad Cement ended at $2.50 after an exchange of 6,000 stocks, Unilever Caribbean lost 49 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ low of $11.50 with shareholders swapping 1,986 units and West Indian Tobacco fell 25 cents to end at a 52 weeks’ low of $12.25 with a transfer of 1,407 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Volume jumps on JSE USD Market
Stocks jumped sharply in trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market on Monday, with a 139 percent rise in the volume of stocks changing hands valued 364 percent more than on Friday, resulting from trading in seven securities traded, compared to five on Friday with no price gains, five declining and two ending unchanged.
Overall, 2,048,216 shares were traded for US$53,374 compared to 857,775 units at US$11,508 on Friday.
Trading averaged 292,602 units at US$7,625 versus 171,555 shares at US$2,302 on Friday, with a month to date average of 75,210 shares at US$2,128 compared with 45,372 units at US$1,374 on the previous trading day. May ended with an average of 43,350 units for US$2,759.
The US Denominated Equities Index fell 4.97 points to finish at 233.94.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 8.7. The PE ratio is computed based on the last traded price divided by projected earnings done by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending between November 2023 and August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Margaritaville declined 1.47 cents to 10 US cents while exchanging 2,164 shares, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy remained at 55 US cents with a transfer of 1,500 stocks, Proven Investments lost 0.9 of a cent to end at 16 US cents with an exchange of 30,056 stock units, Sterling Investments dipped 0.08 cents to close at 1.6 US cents with an exchange of 2,750 units, Transjamaican Highway shed 0.14 cents in closing at 1.26 US cents in trading 1,999,979 shares.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 5.75% ended at US$1.90 trading 11,456 units and JMMB Group 6% fell 1 cent and ended at US$1.18, with 311 stocks changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Stock prices tumble on JSE Main Market
Trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Monday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 69 percent and the value 96 percent lower than on Friday, with 62 securities trading compared with 51 on Friday, with 15 rising, 34 declining and 13 ending unchanged.
A total of 11,158,702 shares were traded for $70,313,195 compared with 35,821,582 units at $1,604,168,706 on Friday.
Trading averaged 179,979 shares at $1,134,084 compared with 702,384 shares at $31,454,288 on Friday and month to date, an average of 250,636 units at $4,571,744 compared to 261,783 units at $5,114,072 on the previous trading day. May closed with an average of 226,361 units at $1,362,447.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 4.71 million shares for 42.2 percent of total volume with the price rising 9 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $2.20, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 2.24 million units for 20 percent of the day’s trade, with the stock closing at a 52 weeks’ high of 85 cents and Scotia Group with 1.05 million units for 9.4 percent of the day’s trade.
The All Jamaican Composite Index lost 325.98 points to close at 361,277.13, the JSE Main Index popped 1,197.20 points to finish at 328,531.40 and the JSE Financial Index climbed 0.54 points to close at 73.75.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 12.9 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are computed based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to 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, Berger Paints rose 80 cents to close at $7.67 after an exchange of 11,064 shares, Caribbean Cement advanced $3.15 to $54.15, with 9,685 units clearing the market, Eppley fell $4.89 to end at $32.11 after 1,005 stocks passed through the exchange, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund dropped $1.99 in closing at $41 after investors traded 1,139 stock units. First Rock Real Estate declined 76 cents to $10.01, with 3,238 shares changing hands, GraceKennedy lost 40 cents to end at $78.50 while shareholders exchanged 22,045 stock units, Jamaica Broilers dipped $1.50 in closing at $33.50 as investors traded 8,847 units, Jamaica Stock Exchange shed 50 cents to close at a 52 week’s closing low of $11.50 after an exchange of 88,083 stocks. Kingston Wharves dipped 50 cents and ended at $29.50 in trading 977 units, 
Margaritaville lost $3.02 to close at $14.97, with 10 stocks crossing the market, Mayberry Investments popped 54 cents to close at $8.54 in an exchange of 28 units, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy rallied 50 cents to $71 with 1,503 shares changing hands. NCB Financial dipped 50 cents to $67.50 and closed with 35,790 units being traded, 138 Student Living gained 36 cents in closing at $5.51 after investors ended trading 3,865 shares, Palace Amusement shed 35 cents ended at $2.63 after an exchange of 34,774 stocks, Pan Jamaica Group fell $3.39 to $48.11 in switching ownership of 3,287 stock units. Proven Investments declined 71 cents to close at $25.30 in an exchange of 13,918 stocks, Sagicor Group lost $2 in closing at $48.50 after a transfer of 4,824 units, Stanley Motta declined 32 cents and ended at $5.08 with 693 stock units changing hands, Supreme Ventures dipped $1.25 to end at $24.50 with investors transferring 30,683 shares and Sygnus Real Estate Finance climbed 99 cents to close at $12 with shareholders swapping 401 stock units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 10.50% preference share dropped $50 to end at $1200 with 50 stocks crossing the market, Eppley 7.50% preference share shed $1.28 to $6.20 with an exchange of 224 units, Jamaica Public Service 7% fell $10.48 in closing at $50 in trading 35 shares. 138 Student Living preference share declined $6.99 and ended at $81 while exchanging 104 stock units and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share slipped 94 cents to $106 as investors exchanged one unit.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
6 circuit breaker hits on Junior Market
The major feature of trading on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday was the halt in trading of six stocks in the morning session within 90 minutes of opening. The early circuit breakers are CAC 2000, Cargo Handlers and ISP Finance declined while Caribbean Cream and tTech rose but Stationery and Office Supplies joined the action late in the morning session to hit the circuit breaker at 52 weeks’ high of $21 just before midday, with just two units being exchanged.
Trading closed with the volume and value of stocks traded declining 40 percent and 37 percent respectively, compared to Friday, following trading in 47 securities compared with 41 on Friday and ended with 13 rising, 27 declining and seven unchanged.
Investors traded 9,341,590 shares for $20,596,072 compared to 15,463,887 units at $32,509,692 on Friday.
Trading averaged 198,757 shares at $438,214, compared to 377,168 shares at $792,919 on Friday, with the month to date averaging 199,484 units at $545,636 compared to 199,598 stock units at $562,522 on the previous trading day. May closed with an average of 239,954 units at $648,811.
Tropical Battery led trading with 5.19 million shares for 55.5 percent of total volume followed by Derrimon Trading with 1.13 million units for 12.1 percent of the day’s trade and Dolla Financial with 565,488 units for 6.1 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index dipped 3.64 points to close at 3,802.40.
The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values, averages 10.4. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks are computed using the last traded price in conjunction with ICInsider.com’s projected earnings for the financial years ending between November 2023 and 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, Access Financial increased $2.68 to $25 after an exchange of 35 shares, AMG Packaging fell 9 cents in closing at $2.58 after 1,806 stocks were traded, CAC2000 shed $1.09 to close at $6, with 36 units crossing the market, Cargo Handlers declined $3.59 to end at $15.61 as investors exchanged 65 stock units. Caribbean Cream rallied 74 cents to $3.94 after a transfer of 9,525 stocks, Caribbean Flavours gained 12 cents in ending at $1.36 after an exchange of 1,408 shares, Consolidated Bakeries fell 17 cents to $2.23 in switching ownership of 807 stock units, Dolla Financial fell 10 cents to $2.54 with a transfer of 565,488 units. Dolphin Cove dropped 69 cents in closing at $15.25 after an exchange of 4,653 stocks, Elite Diagnostic advanced 19 cents to close at $2.39 after 156 shares passed through the market, Everything Fresh fell 18 cents to close at $1.51 after 45,914 units crossed the market, Express Catering rose 8 cents to $4.98, with 17,892 stock units changing hands. 
Fontana dipped 17 cents in closing at $9.53 in an exchange of 145,680 stock units, Future Energy Source lost 11 cents to end at $4.01, with 203,561 stocks crossing the exchange, General Accident shed 53 cents and ended at $4.75 in trading 10 shares, iCreate climbed 31 cents to $1.26 in an exchange of 133,986 units. Jamaican Teas declined 14 cents to $2.08 while exchanging 25,550 shares, JFP Ltd dipped 10 cents to end at $1.65 with 519 units clearing the market, KLE Group lost 19 cents and ended at $1.61 with investors trading 50 stocks, Lasco Distributors dropped 16 cents to close at $3.15 after an exchange of 30,878 stock units. Lasco Manufacturing shed 20 cents and ended at $4.28 with shareholders swapping 479 shares, Limners and Bards declined 14 cents in closing at $2.21 with shareholders swapping 6,324 stocks, 
Main Event dipped 15 cents to close at $14.65, with 12,853 stock units crossing the exchange after hitting a 52 weeks’ intraday high of $14.89. Medical Disposables fell 30 cents to end at $4.20 after 3,389 units changed hands, Stationery and Office Supplies popped $5.01 to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $21 with 2,252 stocks clearing the market and tTech climbed 67 cents to end at $2.90, with 89,040 shares crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Falling stocks batter risers on Trinidad Exchange
Declining stocks outnumbered those rising three to one at the close of trading on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange on Monday, after a moderate decline in the volume of stocks traded following an 82 percent fall in the value compared to Friday, resulting from trading in 18 securities compared with 22 on Friday and leading to three stocks rising, nine declining and six remaining unchanged.
Investors exchanged 140,825 shares for $1,141,837 versus 145,467 stock units at $6,472,009 on Friday.
Trading averaged 7,824 shares at $63,435 compared with 6,612 units at $294,182 on Friday, with trading month to date averaging 10,002 shares at $178,456 compared to 10,328 units at $195,708 on the previous day. The average trade for May amounts to 23,500 shares at $216,502.
The Composite Index popped 1.87 points to end at 1,234.44, the All T&T Index climbed 7.39 points to 1,898.86, the SME Index remained at 70.94 and the Cross-Listed Index dipped 0.56 points to settle at 73.25.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Agostini’s ended at $68.80 with investors transferring 170 shares, Angostura Holdings remained at $23.10 after 40 stocks were traded, Calypso Macro Investment Fund ended at $21.80 as 250 units passed through the market. First Citizens Group climbed $1.49 to $48.99 in an exchange of 2,121 stock units, GraceKennedy rose 20 cents to $3.35, with 3,275 stock units crossing the market, Guardian Holdings shed 49 cents to close at $20.07 with a transfer of 2,299 units. JMMB Group fell 3 cents and ended at a 52 weeks’ low of $1.35 in an exchange of 24,002 shares, Massy Holdings remained at $4.92 with 5,501 shares being traded, National Enterprises lost 14 cents in closing at $3.40 with an exchange of 15,000 stocks. NCB Financial dropped 25 cents to end at a 52 weeks’ low of $2.75 as investors exchanged 61,153 stock units, 
One Caribbean Media remained at $3.70 with 300 units being traded, Prestige Holdings ended at $8 with 715 shares crossing the exchange. Republic Financial declined 7 cents to $128.93 after a transfer of 1,616 shares, Scotiabank increased 42 cents to end at $76.50, with 2,528 stocks clearing the market, Trinidad & Tobago NGL dipped 25 cents to $18 in switching ownership of 6,916 units. Trinidad Cement slipped 1 cent to end at $2.50 after 4,000 stock units were exchanged, Unilever Caribbean dipped 51 cents in closing at a 52 weeks’ low of $11.99, with 8,049 stock units changing hands and West Indian Tobacco dropped 50 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ low of $12.50 after 2,890 stocks were traded.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Kremi heads ICTOP10 as Lasd gains 19%
There was much activity in the Junior Market this past week, with the market index bouncing over the 3,800 mark for the first time since the middle of March, resulting in Caribbean Cream moving to $4.45 during the week but closed at $3.20 after traders pushed the stock down sharply on Friday, but Lasco Distributors shot to $3.31 and Lasco Manufacturing to $4.48 at the close with both moving out of the Junior Market ICTOP10.
Lasco Distributors and Lasco Manufacturing are still priced at less than 10 times 2023 fiscal year earnings when many others are priced over 15 times. Additionally, the company’s directors meet this week to consider dividends. Distributors is seemingly set to pay around 12 cents per share and Manufacturing 13 cents. With the dividend likely to be paid in July, the annual yield will equate to 42 percent and 35 percent, respectively, if the shares were acquired now. Replacing the two Lasco Companies are iCreate following a drop in the price to 95 cents and Edufocal closing at $1.78.
The Main Market TOP10 stocks remained the same as the week before, with the market struggling throughout the week, with four days of significant declines in the market index as selling pressure pushed prices down, resulting in just one stock, Transjamaican moving up in ICTOP10 with the largest gain of just 4 percent, with the stock hitting a record closing high of $2.11 on Friday. The chart shows it has the potential to gain another 200 percent. Berger Paints fell 9 percent to a 52 weeks’ low of $6.87, followed by JMMB Group with a loss of 4 percent to close at one year low of $28.75, Jamaica Broilers is down 3 percent to $35 and Scotia Group dipped 3 percent to $33.60 despite reporting increased profit for the first half of the 2023 fiscal year, with the second quarter almost doubling the similar quarter in 2022.
Lasco Distributors climbed 19 percent following an 11 percent rise last week to close at $3.31 and is up 59 percent from the 2023 low of $2.08 in April. Five stocks rose 6 percent: Caribbean Assurance Brokers, Dolphin Cove, General Accident, Consolidated Bakeries and Lasco Manufacturing, while One on One slipped 3 percent at the end of the week to be the biggest loser.
At the end of the week, the average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP 10 is 5.7, well below the market average of 13.2. The Main Market TOP10 is projected to have an average of 265 percent, to May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings.
The 15 most highly valued Main Market stocks are priced at a PE of 15 to 98, with an average of 30 and 20 excluding the highest PE stocks and 18 for the top half excluding the stocks with the highest valuation.
The Junior Market Top 10 PE sits at 5.3 compared with the market at 10.4. There are 10 stocks representing 21 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 25, averaging 19 are well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 15, possibly the lowest fair value for Junior Market stocks currently. Junior Market is projected to rise by 283 percent to May 2024.
The differences between the average PE ratio of the Main and Junior Markets and the overall market valuation are important indicators of the likely gains for ICTOP10 stocks.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners. Accordingly, the list includes some of the best companies in the market but not always. ICInsider.com ranks stocks based on projected earnings, allowing investors to focus on the most undervalued stocks and helping to remove emotions in selecting stocks for investments that often result in costly mistakes.
IC TOP10 stocks will likely deliver the best returns up to the end of May 2023 and are ranked in order of potential gains, computed using projected earnings for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate, resulting in weekly movements in and out of the lists. Revisions to earnings are ongoing, based on receipt of new information.
Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.
Trading slips on JSE USD Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Friday, with the volume of stocks changing hands rising 219 percent with a marginally lower value than on Thursday, resulting in the trading of just five securities, compared to 10 on Thursday and ending with prices of one rising, two declining and two ending unchanged.
Overall, 857,775 shares were traded for US$11,508 compared to 269,277 units at US$11,912 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 171,555 units at US$2,302 versus 26,928 shares at US$1,191 on Thursday, with a month to date average of 45,372 shares at US$1,374 compared to 31,656 units at US$1,273o n the previous day. May ended with an average of 43,350 units for US$2,759.
The US Denominated Equities Index gained 0.12 points to 239.50.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages nine. The PE ratio is computed based on the last traded price divided by projected earnings done by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending between November 2023 and August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ended with a bid higher than the last selling price and two with lower offers.
At the close, Proven Investments fell 0.1 of a cent to 16.9 US cents in an exchange of 227 shares, Sterling Investments ended at 1.68 US cents, with 2,321 stocks clearing the market, Sygnus Credit Investments ended at 11 US cents with investors transferring 350 units. Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share dipped 0.12 of a cent to close at 11 US cents with a transfer of one stock unit and Transjamaican Highway increased 0.06 of a cent in closing at 1.4 US cents with 854,876 shares changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
NCB dominates trading on Friday
Share of NCB Financial commanded the largest portion of the volume and value of stocks trading on Friday, with 22.75 million shares valued at $1.55 billion as trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Friday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 174 percent and the value surging 1,006 percent over Thursday, after trading in 51 securities compared with 61 on Thursday, with 20 rising, 20 declining and 11 ending unchanged.
A total of 35,821,582 shares were traded for $1,604,168,706 compared to 13,055,782 units at $145,021,241 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 702,384 shares at $31,454,288 versus 214,029 shares at $2,377,397 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 261,783 units at $5,114,072 versus 196,079 units at $1,186,146 on the previous day. May closed with an average of 226,361 units at $1,362,447.
NCB Financial led trading with 22.75 million shares for 63.5 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 4.92 million units for 13.7 percent of the day’s trade and ended with the price ending at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $2.11, Wigton Windfarm ended with 2.54 million units for 7.1 percent market share and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 2.19 million units for 6.1 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dived 2,291.49 points to 361,603.11, the JSE Main Index declined by 2,486.07 points to close at 327,334.20 and the JSE Financial Index fell by 1.12 points to end at 73.21.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.2 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are computed based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows nine stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments lost 90 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ low of $74.10, with 2,201 shares changing hands, Berger Paints declined $1.21 to close at a 52 weeks’ low of $6.87 as investors exchanged 78,000 stocks, Eppley increased $1.08 to end at $37 after trading 3 units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund climbed 30 cents and ended at $42.99 in an exchange of 271 stock units. First Rock Real Estate gained 62 cents in closing at $10.77 in switching ownership of 24,747 shares, 
GraceKennedy rose 90 cents to end at $78.90 in an exchange of 43,296 stocks. Guardian Holdings rallied $35 and ended at $485 with shareholders swapping 5,377 shares, Jamaica Broilers rose $1.99 to $35 in trading 218,282 units Jamaica Stock Exchange shed $1 to end at a 52 weeks’ closing low of $12 with investors trading 131,493 units, Kingston Properties fell 37 cents to close at $7.10 with an exchange of 5,000 units. Mayberry Investments dipped 50 cents to $8, with 227,543 stocks crossing the exchange, NCB Financial dropped $1 to close at $68, with 22,747,667 shares clearing the market, Palace Amusement popped 30 cents in closing at $2.98 with a transfer of 2,810 stock units. Pan Jamaica Group lost 50 cents and ended at $51.50 with an exchange of 5,684 shares, Proven Investments gained 70 cents to end at $26.01, with 2,012 units crossing the market, Sagicor Group rallied $1.50 to end at $50.50 after exchanging 27,716 stocks. Scotia Group dropped 58 cents and ended at $33.60 after a transfer of 277,369 units following the release of half year results that showed increased profit and 
Seprod rose $3.87 in closing at $72.50 while exchanging 7,135 stock units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share climbed $1.28 to $7.48 after an exchange of 90 shares, Jamaica Public Service 7% declined $3.35 to close at $60.48 after 16 stocks crossed the market and 138 Student Living preference share advanced $13.99 to end at $87.99 as 10 stock units passed through the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
