Junior Market trading slips Monday

Junior Market trading closed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Monday with a slight dip in the volume of stocks traded after a 17 percent fall in the value compared with Friday from 47 the trading of securities up from 43 on Friday and ending with prices of 18 rising, 19 declining and 10 closing unchanged.
A total of 5,698,340 shares were traded for $13,425,978 versus 5,955,194 units at $16,230,602 on Friday.
Trading averaged 121,241 shares at $285,659 versus 138,493 units at $377,456 on Friday with the month to date averaging 162,801 units at $421,058 compared to 173,713 stock units at $456,610. Trading in December ended with an average of 333,420 units at $925,533.
JFP Ltd led trading with 1.35 million shares for 23.7 percent of total volume followed by ONE on ONE Educational with 759,824 units for 13.3 percent of the day’s trade and Tropical Battery with 668,478 units for 11.7 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index advanced a mere 3.07 points to 3,903.85.
The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values, averages 12.6. The PE ratios of the Junior Market incorporate ICInsider.com projected earnings for the financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial dipped $3 to $22 in exchange of 74 shares, AMG Packaging lost 17 cents after ending at $2.88 with a transfer of 1,266 stocks, Cargo Handlers shed $1.04 in closing at $11.55 after the trading of 503 units. Consolidated Bakeries gained 24 cents to end at $2.24 with the swapping of 17,597 stock units, Derrimon Trading lost 22 cents to close at $2.12 with 183,574 stock units changing hands, Dolphin Cove declined 57 cents to finish at $13.53 in switching ownership of 12,796 shares. EduFocal lost 10 cents to end at $2.10 in transferring 1,172 stocks, Fosrich gained 9 cents to close at $3.90 with the swapping of 255,068 units,General Accident fell 31 cents to $4.60 with investors switching ownership of 34,050 stock units. Honey Bun declined 31 cents to $7.20 after 9,398 shares passed through the market, iCreate dipped 18 cents to $1.70 with 228,400 units crossing the market, Indies Pharma shed 20 cents in closing at $3 after trading 18,144 stocks. ISP Finance gained 51 cents in ending at $18 after an exchange of 2,570 units, Knutsford Express rallied 49 cents to finish at $9.44 with 8,373 shares changing hands, Lasco Distributors rose 17 cents to close at $2.80 as investors exchanged 55,844 stock units. Lasco Manufacturing popped 32 cents to $4.29 with the transfer of 567 stocks, Main Event fell 55 cents to $8.45 trading 12,425 shares, Medical Disposables dropped 64 cents to end at $4.64 after exchanging 61 units. MFS Capital Partners gained 9 cents to close at $2.89 with the swapping of 241,252 stocks, ONE on ONE Educational popped 9 cents to $1.34 in an exchange of 759,824 stock units, Paramount Trading gained 27 cents in closing at $1.80 with a transfer of 8,021 shares. Spur Tree Spices dipped 7 cents to $3.02 in transferring 60,697 units, Stationery and Office Supplies dropped 85 cents to end at $15.15 with 2,672 stocks changing hands and tTech lost 45 cents to close at $2.30 after an exchange of 160 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Trading jumps for JSE USD Market

Trading picked up sharply on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market on Monday, with the volume of stocks changing hands rising 92 percent and the value surging 472 percent more than on Friday, resulting in eight securities traded, compared to 13 on Friday with prices of four rising, three declining and one ending unchanged.
A total of 534,157 shares were traded for US$64,761, up sharply from 278,776 units at US$11,314 on Friday.
Trading averaged 66,770 shares at US$8,095 compared with 21,444 units at US$870 on Friday, with month to date average of 40,361 shares at US$2,179 compared with 34,801 units at US$934 on the trading previous day.  December ended with an average of 39,679 units for US$1,494.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index lost 2.03 points to end at 231.78.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in the computation of appropriate stock values, averages 8.6. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for financial years between November and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ended with a bid higher than the last selling price and four with lower offers.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share climbed 0.11 of a cent to close at 7.87 US cents after a transfer of 441 shares, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy dipped 5 cents in closing at 60 US cents in exchanging 360 units, Proven Investments increased 0.59 of one cent in ending at 19.89 US cents, with 319,970 stock units clearing the market. Sygnus Credit Investments USD share rallied 0.01 of a cent to 10 US cents in trading 9,000 stocks, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share slipped 0.01 of a cent to 12.47 US cents in an exchange of 1,000 shares and Transjamaican Highway ended at 0.97 of one US cent after an exchange of 203,141 units.
In the preference segmentProductive Business 9.25% preference share shed US$1.45 to end at US$10.55 after 200 stock units passed through the market and JMMB Group 5.75% rose 22.65 cents to US$1.7365, with 45 stocks changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Sharp drop in trading on T&T Stock Exchange

Trading dropped sharply on Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange on Monday, with an 89 percent fall in the volume of stocks exchanged, after the value dived 94 percent below Friday’s outcome, resulting in 13 securities trading compared with 20 on Friday, with one stock rising, four declining and eight remaining unchanged.
Investors traded a mere 69,361 shares for just $869,380 down sharply from 657,504 stock units at $15,259,330 on Friday.
Trading averaged 5,335  shares at $66,875 down from 32,875 units at $762,966 on Friday, with trading month to date averaging 41,382 shares at $465,195 versus 49,064 units at $550,083 on the previous day. December ended with an average trade of 42,745 shares at $474,822.
The Composite Index fell 0.33 points to 1,331.03, the All T&T Index popped 1.99 points to 2,001.75 and the Cross-Listed Index slipped 0.39 points to 85.85.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ended with a bid higher than their last selling price and none with a lower offer.
At the close, Agostini’s remained at $50 with a transfer of 550 shares, Angostura Holdings ended at $23.50 with an exchange of 1,089 stock units, First Citizens Group closed at $50.01, with 2,029 units crossing the market. GraceKennedy fell 15 cents to end at $4.35 with an exchange of 246 stocks, JMMB Group ended at $1.95 as 4,500 stocks passed through the market, L.J. Williams B share ended at $2.70 after trading 4,000 units. Massy Holdings ended at $4.70 in exchanging 39,420 stock units, National Enterprises popped 2 cents in closing at $3.61, with 10,186 shares changing hands, Point Lisas dipped 9 cents to end at $3.41 in trading 100 stocks. Republic Financial lost $1 to end at $137.50 after finishing trading of 1,817 stock units, Scotiabank dropped 98 cents in closing at $77.32 after exchanging 1,898 units, Trinidad & Tobago NGL ended at $21.80 with 3,279 shares clearing the market and West Indian Tobacco remained at $22, with 247 units crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Steady week for ICTOP10

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The Jamaica Stock Exchange pulled back from the pre new year’s bounce enjoyed in the last two weeks of 2022 and still retained some of those gains as trading commenced in the new year, with activity in the ICTOP10 quite muted and resulting in no new entrant to the Top Stock list, but there were a few outstanding price movements.
Junior Market action resulted in General Accident popping 11 percent to $4.91, followed by Lasco Distributors with a 5 percent rise to $2.63, but Paramount Trading lost 23 percent to close at $1.53 in a week when only three stocks declining, with the others slipping just one percent.
In the Main Market, Guardian Holdings dropped 8 percent to $524 and Jamaica Broilers fell 4 percent to $29.61 and were the only notable price changes.
At the end of the week, the average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP 10 is 5.6, well below the market average of 14.4. At the same time, the Junior Market Top 10 PE sits at 6.1 versus the market at 12.7, important indicators of the level of the undervaluation of the ICTOP10 stocks. The Junior Market is projected to rise by 231 percent and the Main Market TOP10, an average now of 278 percent, to May 2023.
The Junior Market has 15 stocks, 32 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 32, averaging 19 compared with the above average of the market. The top half of the market has an average PE of 18 and shows the extent of potential gains for the TOP10 stocks. The situation in the Main Market is similar, with the 19 highest valued stocks priced at a PE of 15 to 100, with an average of 31 and 23 excluding the highest valued ones and 26 for the top half excluding the highest valued stock.
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 are likely to 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.

Look out for the 2023 TOP15 stock listing that is coming soon.

Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.

Gains for JSE Main Market

Trading picked up sharply on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Friday, with an 84 percent increase in the volume of stocks traded with an 818 percent more value than Thursday, with 56 securities trading down from 60 on Thursday, with 18 rising, 22 declining and 16 ending unchanged.
The All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 3,559.20 points to 396,043.87, the JSE Main Index climbed 2,768.71 points to 348,180.63 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.93 points to settle at 82.91.
A total of 11,174,825 shares were traded for $201,235,785 compared to 6,062,724 units at $21,930,574 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 199,550 shares at $3,593,496, up from 101,045 stocks at $365,510 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 139,372 units at $1,474,729 compared to 120,650 units at $815,557 on the previous day. December closed with an average of 604,110 units at $4,072,598.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 6.36 million shares for 57 percent of total volume, followed by PanJam Investment with 1.07 million units for 9.6 percent of the day’s trade, Massy Holdings with 1.05 million units for 9.4 percent market share and Wisynco Group with 1.04 million units for 9.3 percent market share.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.4 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows ten stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Eppley gained 99 cents to close at $40.99 with an exchange of 1,110 shares, GraceKennedy lost 60 cents in closing at $81.40 after an exchange of 15,302 stocks, Guardian Holdings increased $2.50 to $524.50, with 199 units changing hands. Jamaica Broilers declined $1.39 to end at $29.61 with the swapping of 24,396 stock units, Kingston Wharves rose 55 cents to $34.60 with 4,215 stock units clearing the market, Massy Holdings advanced $1.50 to end at $80 and finishing with 1,054,501 units passing over the exchange.Palace Amusement shed $90 in ending at $1590 with investors trading 431 stocks, PanJam Investment rallied $6 to $63 with 1,072,233 shares crossing the market, Proven Investments climbed $2.01 in closing at $30 in an exchange of 170,085 stocks. Sagicor Group dropped $3.15 to close at $51.65 after exchanging 9,594 shares, Scotia Group fell 40 cents in ending at $34 in trading 1,236 units, Stanley Motta popped 90 cents to end at $5 as investors exchanged 198 stock units. Supreme Ventures dipped $2.37 in closing at $27.50 after 32,697 shares crossed the market and Sygnus Real Estate Finance fell 60 cents to close at $9.40, trading 11,699 stocks.
In the preference segmentEppley 5% preference share increased $2.25 to $24.73 with five units passing through the market and Eppley 7.25% preference share gained $4.80 to end at $22 after an exchange of 200 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Trading and index dips on Junior Market

The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed Friday, with the Market Index falling 20.07 points to 3,900.78, with a 16 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded having an 11 percent lower value than on Thursday after trading in 43 securities versus 4 on Thursday and ended with 23 rising, 14 declining and six closing unchanged.
A total of 5,955,194 shares were traded for $16,230,602 compared to 7,085,346 units at $18,259,575 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 138,493 shares at $377,456 compared to 157,452 units at $405,768 on Thursday, with the month to date, averaging 173,713 units at $456,610 compared with 184,849 stock units at $481,636 on the previous day. December closed with an average of 333,420 units at $925,533.
MFS Capital Partners led trading with 1.89 million shares for 31.7 percent of total volume followed by Regency Petroleum with 884,185 units for 14.8 percent of the day’s trade and Dolla Financial, with 847,223 units for 14.2 percent market share.
The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values, averages 12.7. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks incorporate ICInsider.com projected earnings for the financial year that fall between November this year and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial popped 58 cents to end at $25 as investors traded 186 shares, Caribbean Flavours dropped 10 cents to $1.72 with investors transferring 58,191 stocks, Consolidated Bakeries advanced 15 cents in ending at $2 and closed with 86,561 stock units changing hands. Derrimon Trading increased 22 cents to close at $2.34, with 29,609 units crossing the market, Dolla Financial dipped 10 cents in closing at $2.96 after the trading of 847,223 units, EduFocal rallied 12 cents to close at $2.20 in an exchange of 44,258 shares. Fontana lost 17 cents to end at $8.83 in switching ownership of 40,855 stock units, Fosrich fell 19 cents to $3.81, with 267,672 stocks changing hands, Honey Bun climbed 21 cents in ending at $7.51 with a transfer of 2,602 shares. iCreate gained 11 cents in closing at $1.88 trading 77,886 stocks, Iron Rock Insurance rose 37 cents to close at $2.35 as 264 stock units passed through the market, Lumber Depot increased 21 cents to end at $2.61 with an exchange of 160,503 units. Main Event popped 41 cents to $9, with 52,523 stocks crossing the market, MFS Capital Partners shed 14 cents in ending at $2.80 after exchanging 1,885,589 units, Paramount Trading declined 10 cents in closing at $1.53 while exchanging 31,032 shares. Stationery and Office Supplies dropped 50 cents to end at $16 in trading 6,075 stock units and tTech climbed 20 cents in closing at $2.75 after an exchange of 2,761 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Rising stocks edged out by those falling

Falling stocks edged out rising ones at the end of market activity on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange on Friday, with a 62 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded after funds entering the market jumped 90 percent above that on Thursday and resulted in 20 securities trading up from 15 on Thursday and ended with prices of seven rising, eight declining and five remaining unchanged.
Investors traded 657,504 shares for $15,259,330 versus 1,737,000 units at $8,045,167 on Thursday.
An average of 32,875 stock units were traded at $762,967 compared with 115,800 shares at $536,344 on Thursday, with trading month to date averaging 49,064 shares at $550,083 versus 56,960 units at $446,237 on the previous day. The average trade for December was 42,745 at $474,822.
The Composite Index dipped 1.11 points to 1,331.36, the All T&T Index rose 4.48 points to 1,999.76 and the Cross-Listed Index slipped 0.99 points to close at 86.24.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ending with a bid higher than their last selling prices and one stock with a lower offer.
At the close, Angostura Holdings remained at $23.50 in an exchange of 4,000 shares, Ansa McAl dipped 85 cents to end at $51 with the swapping of 1,084 stocks, Calypso Macro Investment Fund fell 15 cents to $21, with 14 units crossing the market. CinemaOne declined 21 cents to $8.20 in switching ownership of one stock unit, First Citizens Group popped 1 cent to $50.01, with 256,436 stocks clearing the market, FirstCaribbean International Bank dropped 10 cents to $5.60 in exchanging 212,310 stock units. GraceKennedy shed 20 cents to end at $4.50, with 50,107 units crossing the market, Guardian Holdings advanced 35 cents to close at $27.50 with trading in five shares, JMMB Group inched 1 cent higher to $1.95 trading 37,754 shares. L.J. Williams B share gained 35 cents in closing at $2.70 while exchanging 1,000 units, Massy Holdings rose 20 cents to $4.70 as investors exchanged 21,224 stock units, National Enterprises lost 1 cent to end at $3.59 with investors transferring 18,495 stocks. NCB Financial rose 2 cents in closing at $4.52 after an exchange of 5,000 stocks, One Caribbean Media ended at $3.30 with a transfer of 30,320 shares, Prestige Holdings declined 9 cents in ending at $6.71, with an exchange of 4,500 stock units. Scotiabank popped 30 cents to end at $78.30 after 3,343 units changed hands, Trinidad & Tobago NGL dropped $1.20 to close at $21.80, while 4,402 stock units passed through the market, Trinidad Cement ended at $3.90 after a transfer of 3,000 shares. Unilever Caribbean remained at $12.80 with an exchange of two units and West Indian Tobacco remained at $22 in trading 4,507 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Jamaica Stock Exchange poised for solid gains in 2023

The Jamaican stocks are poised to record a solid performance in 2023 as interest rates commence their decent later in the year and profits of several companies enjoy significant gains. Inflation has passed its peak from 2021 and trended down in 2022 towards the 7 percent level and is set to fall further. The economy is growing as the critical important tourism sector enjoys a sharp recovery while certain input costs have normalized.
Investors should focus on the likely performance of individual companies rather than on the market. Even as interest rates rose sharply last year, it did not prevent the majority of stocks in the Junior Market from rising and nearly half those in the Main Market, as profit growth out weight pressure from rising interest rates. Careful looking at economic developments for 2023 points to another year when there will be significant gains for several companies as profits of many will rise and BOJ cut interest rates as inflation subsides and foreign exchange inflows jump.

Dolphin Cove stock projected to a big 2023 winner.

A key investment observation reveals that good stocks deliver optimal returns over an extended period. They do not usually make huge moves over a short period that is clearly the case with ICTOP15 stocks that may deliver good gains over more than a one year period. Investors need to take this approach to benefit fully from the attractive bargains that currently exist in the Jamaica Stock Market, with uncertainty as to the exact timing of the market takeoff.
The past year ably demonstrated the need to focus on companies, not the markets. The Junior Market managed to record gains of 16.3 percent for the year, but it turned out to be lower than the 29.7 percent gain in 2021. The main market declined at the end of the year as investors forsook the financial institutions in the market and essentially pushed the market down due to rising interest rates.
2022 started off quite brightly for the Jamaica stock market, especially Junior stocks that were up 27 percent by May, but increasing interest rates placed a damper on the performance of stocks, even then, 31 stocks in the Junior Market rose, with 21 gaining 11 percent to a high of 312 percent and 15 stocks gaining over 50 percent, while 7 gained 100 percent or more.

Caribbean Producers to be a big 2023 winner

While the main market index fell 10 percent for the year, the market ended the year with gains in 22 stocks, with gains between two and 82 percent compared with 25 losers that fell from 3 percent to 40 percent. Increased profits were the primary reason for the gains in both markets.
In some cases, some stocks that did spectacularly well in the early part of the year pulled back markedly after Treasury bill rates surged to 8.5 percent in April and remained at that level to the end of the year.
The 80:20 rule of investing shows an average of only 20 percent of stocks that end in the TOP10 in a year repeat in the following one, while around 40 percent of the 10 worst performers end up in the TOP10 in the following year that is supported by data going back 40 years in the local market. The clear message is that investors should not get carried away with an outstanding winner and miss out on other opportunities.
The ICTOP15 are chosen based on the best information available, but there are many other factors to be aware of in 2023 that could swing in favour of or against the selections.  Shipping rates that were very high for some time in 2022 are almost back to normal and will result in lower input costs for many listed companies.

Everything Fresh to enjoy gains from tourism in 2023.

Interest rates have been hiked appreciably to contain inflation and foreign exchange demand. With inflation subsiding, interest rates could start a downward trek in the first half of the year and probably before the first quarter ends, when this happens it will be a positive sign for stocks. Worldwide, many prices are declining. Locally, tourism has bounced back strongly but could jump around 50 percent up to April and have significant implications for the broader economy and several listed companies. Bear in mind that the revenues and profits of companies will be affected in different ways and it will be challenging for forecasts to be always close to the mark. 2023 will be a year to key keen eyes on ongoing developments that could affect companies and their operations.
Two key features of the stock market in 2023 will be the strong rebound in tourism traffic in the first half of the year compared with 2022, this development will contribute to above average GDP growth in the first half but will also result in a significant jump in revenues and profits for a number of companies, Caribbean Producers, Dolphin Cove, Everything Fresh and Express Catering that are heavily involved in trading in that sector.

NCB Financial could move from worst performer to TOP10 2023 performer

For the first quarter of 2022 visitor arrivals to Jamaica averaged approximately 72 percent compared to 2019 and 97 percent in the April to June period but in September and October the numbers climbed approximately 12 percent over that for 2019 when this level of recovery is factored into the equation for 2023 visitor arrivals in the first half of the year quit drum by 30 percent or more.
Banks benefited from increased interest rates in 2022 and will continue to do so in 2023 and should see some reversal in losses recorded last year as other comprehensive income. Other companies that would benefit but to a lesser degree are companies such as Wisynco and Jamaica Broilers in addition ICInsider.com expect interest rates to decline during the course of the year and that should provide added stimulus to the market.
A lot of potential gains were not factored into stock prices in 2022 many attractive ones are cheap, investors only task is to make the right choices to pick up gains in 2023 that could be much more exciting than normal.
The Junior Market has 15 stocks representing 32 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 35, averaging 21 compared with the above average of the market. The top half of the market has an average PE of 18 and shows the extent of potential gains that lie ahead for the TOP 10 stocks. The situation in the Main Market is similar, with the 20 highest valued stocks priced at a PE of 15 to 110, with an average of 33.5 and 24 excluding the highest valued ones and 22 for the top half excluding the highest valued stock.
Some of the above gains will not be fully reflected until May 2023 as stocks move primarily in response to the release of results. Companies with earlier year ends will discount most of the earnings before those with later periods.
Main Market stocks did poorly as a group in 2022, but they should enjoy a better year in 2023 with interest rates falling during the year and investors are presented with many choices of undervalued stocks. Regardless, Junior Markets stocks are points to outperform those of the more mature companies in the Main Market.

Flat trading on JSE USD market

The Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market closed Thursday, with no change to the market index following activities that led to the volume of stocks changing hands falling 12 percent with a 170 percent increase in value than on Wednesday, resulting in trading of 11 securities, compared to seven on Wednesday with five rising, three declining and three ending unchanged.
A total of 40,710 shares were traded for US$9,508 compared to 46,347 units at US$3,524 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 3,701 units at US$864 versus 6,621 shares at US$503 on Wednesday, with month to date average of 41,747 shares at US$966 compared with 71,640 units at US$1,047 on the previous day. December ended with an average of 39,679 units for US$1,494.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index ended unchanged at 233.85 points.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 8.6. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending between November and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows no stock ended with a bid higher than the last selling price and four with lower offers.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share gained 0.1 of a cent in closing at 7.7 US cents with 150 shares changing hands, Margaritaville ended at 14 US cents with a transfer of 708 units, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy popped 4 cents to close at 65 US cents with an exchange of 2,501 stock units. Productive Business Solutions fell 0.01 of one cent to US$1.8039 with 100 stocks clearing the market, Proven Investments lost 0.79 of one cent in ending at 18.51 US cents after trading 15,867 shares, Sterling Investments rose 0.11 of a cent to close at 2.08 US cents with the swapping of 61 stocks. Sygnus Credit Investments J$ share remained at 13.62 US cents after 30 stock units passed through the market, Sygnus Credit Investments USD share ended at 9.99 US cents with 183 units changing hands and Transjamaican Highway gained 0.02 of a cent to end at 0.97 of one US cent after exchanging 20,744 units.
In the preference segmentProductive Business 9.25% preference share popped 95 cents to US$12 with an exchange of 365 stock units and Eppley 6% preference share dipped 1 cent and ended at US$1.07 after a transfer of one stock.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

JSE Main Market down for a second day

The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange ended trading on Thursday, with a decline in the index for a second day running after the number of stocks rising outpaced those falling three to two as the volume of stocks traded declined 18 percent while the value dropped 62 percent lower than Wednesday’s close, after trading in 60 securities compared to  58 on Wednesday, with 26 rising, 17 declining and 17 ending unchanged.
A total of 6,062,724 shares were traded for a mere $21,930,574 down from 7,402,150 units at $57,740,739 on Wednesday. Trading averages 101,045 units at $365,510 versus 127,623 shares at $995,530 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 120,650 units at $815,557, compared to 130,452 units at $1,040,581 on the previous day. December closed with an average of 604,110 units at $4,072,598.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 1.98 million shares for 32.6 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 1.73 million units at 28.6 percent of the day’s trade and Ciboney Group with 516,314 units for 8.5 percent of market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index shed 2,146.48 points to close at 392,484.67, the JSE Main Index declined 1,737.67 points to 345,411.92 and the JSE Financial Index shed 0.80 points to settle at 81.98.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.4 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments rallied 98 cents to close at $97.98, with 4,047 shares crossing the exchange, Berger Paints popped 55 cents to $10.40 with an exchange of 1,500 units, Caribbean Cement popped $1.46 after ending at $63.45 with a transfer of 1,330 stock units. Eppley rose $5.05 to $40 with 536 stocks clearing the market, First Rock Real Estate lost $1.79 in closing at $12.01, with 23,081 units crossing the market, GraceKennedy declined 60 cents to end at $82, as 16,204 stock units passed through the market. Guardian Holdings dipped $3 to $522 after an exchange of 416 stocks, Jamaica Producers climbed $1.07 in closing at $22.99, with 1,500 shares crossing the market, Jamaica Stock Exchange fell 80 cents ending at $14.50 in an exchange of 12,167 units. JMMB Group increased 40 cents to close at $33 while exchanging 58,195 stock units, Margaritaville shed $2.93 to close at $16.62 in exchanging 1,959 shares, Massy Holdings dropped $1.45 ending at $78.50 in switching ownership of 58,914 stocks. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy gained $9 to end at $84 with the swapping of 4,637 stock units, NCB Financial gained $1.79 to $80 trading 7,843 shares, Palace Amusement rallied $80 in closing at a 52 weeks’ high of $1680, with 404 stocks changing hands. Proven Investments increased 49 cents to end at $27.99 as investors exchanged 17,978 units, Sagicor Group rose $3.80 to $54.80 with investors transferring 854 stock units, Scotia Group popped $1.40 to close at $34.40 in trading 13,614 stocks. Seprod dropped 90 cents in ending at $69.10 after 1,831 shares changed hands, Stanley Motta shed $1.15 in closing at $4.10 after a transfer of 15,876 units and Supreme Ventures climbed $2.52 after ending at $29.87 with an exchange of 5,708 shares.
In the preference segmentJamaica Public Service 9.5% dipped $1 in closing at $2999 as a mere one share was traded.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.