With trading resuming on the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Friday after the two days break for the Christmas holidays, investors pushed the market down on higher volume but lower value than on Tuesday.
At the close of trading, the JSE All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 2,216.87 points to 553,648.38, the JSE Market Index sank 2,016.26 points to close at 503,932.55 and the JSE Financial Index declined by 0.22 points to 136.36.
The market closed, with 42 securities changing hands in the Main and US dollar markets, with 17 advancing, 10 declining and the prices of 15 stocks closed unchanged. JSE Main Market activity ended, with 39 securities accounting for 81,729,915 units amounting to $324,228,411 in contrast to 35,380,225 valued at $722,803,611 from 39 securities changing hands on Tuesday.
Pulse Investments dominated trading, with 60 million shares and 73 percent of volume traded followed by Wigton Windfarm with 14.2 million units for 17 percent of the day’s trade, and Sagicor Select Funds – Financial with 2.7 million shares for 3 percent market share.
The market closed, with an average of 2,095,639 units valued at $8,313,549 for each security traded, in contrast to 907,185 units valued at $18,533,426 on Tuesday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 596,352 units for $9,410,939 and previously, an average of 509,598 units for $9,478,232 for each security changing hands. The market closed out November, with an average of 653,621 units valued at $8,699,916 for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 10 stocks ending, with bids higher than their last selling prices and one closed, with a lower offer. The PE ratio of the market ended at 19.3, with the Main Market ending at 18.9 times the current year’s earnings.
In the premier market, Caribbean Cement lost 48 cents to end at $78.50 in transferring of 222,406 stock units; Grace Kennedy gained 49 cents to close at $69.99, after exchanging 185,514 shares, Jamaica Producers rose 46 cents to end at $24.96, with 4,616 shares changing hands. Kingston Wharves fell 60 cents to $61 with 605 stock units trading. NCB Financial climbed $1 to close at $202 in the transferring of 30,245 stock units,
PanJam Investment fell 60 cents to $99.50, with 64,308 shares crossing the exchange. Pulse Investments dropped 86 cents to end the day at $4.10, with a whopping 60,013,935 shares changing hands. Sagicor Group dropped $3 to close at $66 with an exchange of 13,050 shares, Supreme Ventures lost 50 cents to end at $25, after exchanging 65,195 shares and Sygnus Credit Investments lost $1.86 to end at $25.14 with 34,783 stock units trading.
Trading in the US dollar market closed with 314,514 amounting to $94,537, with the market index declining 1.97 points to close at 221.54. Margaritaville rose 1 cent in trading 250,000 shares to end at 52 weeks’ high of 31.02 US cents, Proven Investments slipped 1 cent in trading 44,316 shares to close at 31.01 US cents and Sygnus Credit Investments exchanged 20,198 stock units and held firm at 14 US cents.
Sygnus US$ stock hits IC TOP 10
The JSE Main Market TOP 10 had just stock leaving with Sygnus Credit Investments Jamaican dollar listing replaced by the US dollar listed stock, with the price of the latter at 14 US cents or just under J$19 equivalent.
The Sygnus Jamaican quoted stock climbed to a record high of $30 on Friday, but ended at a record closing high of $27 at the end of trading and moved down to 12th spot in the overall market ranking.
The recently listed Lumber Depot closed trading at $1.91 on Friday and moved out of the TOP Junior Market listing. Also, leaving the TOP 10 was Honey Bun, with the price rising to $8.39 with a limited supply of the stock.

Coming into the Junior Market listing, are Lasco Distributors and Paramount Trading as investors beat down their prices.
The targeted PE ratio is now 25, with several stocks trading at that level or around 22 currently. The average projected gains for the IC TOP 10 stocks are 179 percent for Junior Market and 154 percent for JSE Main market Top 10 shares.
The top three Junior Market stocks currently are the Main Event with projected gains of 243 percent, followed by Medical Disposables with a potential increase of 238 percent and Jamaican Teas with 220 percent likely capital growth.
Radio Jamaica still holds on to the lead for Main Market stocks, with an expected increase of 236 percent, followed by Pulse Investments in the number two spot with projected growth of 205 percent and Sygnus US dollar-denominated stock with likely gains of 186 percent, is next.
The JSE Main Market closed the week, with an overall PE of 20.6 and the Junior Market at 14.3, based on current year’s earnings. The PE ratio for Junior Market Top 10 stocks averages 9.1 with the Main Market PE at 10.1.
The TOP 10 stocks now trade at a discount of 36 percent of the average for Junior Market stocks and the Main Market stocks trade at a discount of 51 percent to the overall market.
IC TOP 10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns to March next year. Projected earnings, along with the PE ratio for each company’s current fiscal year, are used in determining potential gains with the likely gains ranked in descending order with highest-ranked being the most attractive. Forecasted values will change as stock prices fluctuate and will result in movements of the selection in and out of the lists for most weeks. Earnings per share are revised on an ongoing basis as new information is received that can result in changes in and out of the list.
This report is compiled by persons who may have an interest in securities included in the commentary.
TTSE indices slip again

Republic Bank traded at 52 weeks high on Friday.
The Trinidad & Tobago Stock Exchange indices closed lower on Friday, with an equal number of stocks rising as falling including two stocks trading at 52 weeks’ high and one at a 52 weeks’ low.
Trading ended with 16 securities changing hands, against 17 on Thursday, with just four advancing, four declining while eight remained unchanged as 306,927 shares traded for $2,734,005, compared to 334,319 shares for $2,569,200 on Thursday.
At the close of the market, the Composite Index lost 3.47 points to close at 1,468.48. The All T&T Index fell by 2.26 points to 1,836.20, while the Cross Listed Index slipped 0.64 points to 149.19.
IC bid-offer Indicator| The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator ended with the bids of seven stocks higher than their last selling prices and just one with a lower offer.
Gains| First Citizens Bank ended at $44.75, with the trading of 1,100 units, Grace Kennedy rose 2 cents to close at $4, with 28,325 stock units changing hands. Republic Financial rose 5 cents and completed trading at 52 weeks’ high of $131.05, with 700 units crossing the exchange and L.J Williams rose 19 cents and settled at 52 weeks’ high of $1.69, with 1,140 stock units changing hands.
Losses| Massy Holdings fell 5 cents and closed at $59.70, with just 15 units crossing the exchange, National Flour closed with a loss of 5 cents at a 52 weeks’ low of $1.30, with investors exchanging 16,660 shares. NCB Financial dropped 45 cents and settled at $10.90, with 124,465 stock units changing hands and Scotiabank closed with a loss of 10 cents at $59.90, after swapping of 49 shares.
Firm Trades| Clico Investment Fund ended at $27.25, with 6,637 units crossing the exchange, Guardian Holdings settled at $21.50, with 5,278 stock units changing hands, JMMB Group completed trading at $2.81, with investors exchanging 13,300 shares. National Enterprises settled at $5.55, with the trading of 99,834 units, One Caribbean Media settled at $8.50, after exchanging 4,473 shares, Trinidad & Tobago NGL traded 4,132 shares at $22.50, West Indian Tobacco closed at $42, swapping 744 shares and Unilever Caribbean ended at $23, with 75 units traded.
Prices of securities trading are those at which the last trade took place.
Falling TTSE stocks edge advancers

Trinidad & Tobago Stock Exchange Head Quarters
Declining stocks just edged out advancers at the close of trading on the Trinidad & Tobago Stock Exchange on Thursday, pushing the market indices moderately up and ending with one stock trading at 52 weeks’ high and one at a 52 weeks’ low.
Trading ended with 17 securities changing hands, against 18 on Wednesday, with just four advancing, five declining while eight remained unchanged as 334,319 shares traded for $2,569,200, compared to 917,251 units for $8,126,649 on Wednesday.
At the close of the market, the Composite Index gained 1.09 points to close at 1,471.95. The All T&T Index gained 0.15 points to end at 1,838.46, while the Cross Listed Index rose 0.28 points to 149.83.
IC bid-offer Indicator| The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator ended with the bids of seven stocks higher than their last selling prices and just one with a lower offer.
Gains| JMMB Group gained 1 cent and settled at 52 weeks’ high of $2.81, in completing trading of 42,120 shares, Massy Holdings added 45 cents and settled at $59.75, with an exchange of 1,185 units. Prestige Holdings increased 10 cents to $8.50, with 1,000 stock units changing hands and Scotiabank rose 15 cents and ended at $60, with 900 units crossing the exchange.
Losses| Guardian Media shares fell 30 cents and ended at a 52 weeks’ low $7.50, with investors exchanging 2,000 shares, National Flour share fell 1 cent and settled at $1.35, with 83,325 stock units trading,
NCB Financial dropped 15 cents and settled at $11.35 after 43,993 stock units changed hands. West Indian Tobacco closed with a loss of 50 cents and ended at $42, with 1,778 units and Unilever Caribbean closed 40 cents down at $23, in trading 1,000 units.
Firm Trades|Clico Investment Fund completed trading at $27.25, with 3,750 units crossing the exchange, Ansa Merchant Bank ended at $35.50, after exchanging 2,820 shares, First Caribbean International Bank concluded trading of 118,600 units at $8. , First Citizens Bank closed at $44.75, with 4,463 stock units changing hands, Grace Kennedy ended at $3.98, swapping of 25 shares, Guardian Holdings completed trading at $21.50, with 1,120 units crossing the exchange, One Caribbean Media completed trading at $8.50, with investors exchanging 25,100 shares and Point Lisas settled at $3.55, with investors exchanging 1,140 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those at which the last trade took place.
Falling TTSE stocks crush advancers
Declining stocks crushed advancers at the close of trading on the Trinidad & Tobago Stock Exchange, on Wednesday, ending seven days of unbroken positive movement for the market and ending with one stock trading at 52 weeks’ high and one a 52 weeks’ low.
Trading ended with 18 securities changing hands, against 14 on Tuesday, with just three advancing, seven declining while eight remained unchanged as 917,251 shares were exchanged for $8,126,649, compared to 424,712 units for $5,733,529 on Tuesday.
At the close of the market, the Composite Index lost 11.47 points to end at 1,470.86. The All T&T Index shed 13.25 points to 1,838.31, while the Cross Listed Index declined 1.32 points to close at 149.55.
IC bid-offer Indicator| The Investor’s Choice bid-offer ended with the bids of five stocks higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
Gains| Clico Investment Fund gained 25 cents and ending at a 52 weeks’ high of $27.25, with 69,180 stock units trading, First Citizens Bank rose 25 cents and settled at $44.75, with 2,685 stock units changing hands and Trinidad & Tobago NGL gained 50 cents trading 24,646 shares to close at $22.50.
Losses| Ansa McAl closed with a loss of 5 cents and completed trading of 100 shares at $50, Grace Kennedy lost 2 cents and settled at $3.98 while swapping of 250 shares, Guardian Holdings declined 50 cents to close $21.50, with 64 stock units changing hands.
Massy Holdings closed 40 cents down and ended at $59.30, after exchanging 39 shares, One Caribbean Media shed 50 cents and concluded trading of 31,575 units at a 52 weeks’ low of $8.50. Scotiabank dropped 15 cents to close at $59.85, with 39 stock units trading and Unilever Caribbean declined by 9 cents and completed trading of 500 units at $23.40.
Firm Trades| Ansa Merchant Bank settled at $35.50, with 28 units crossing the exchange, Endeavour Holdings traded 3,160 shares at $12.50, First Caribbean International Bank completed trading at $8, with 486,000 units, JMMB Group ended at $2.80, with 244,378 units crossing the exchange. National Flour exchanged 240 units at $1.36, NCB Financial closed at $11.50, with 52,035 units crossing the exchange, Republic Financial settled at $131, with 319 stock units changing hands and West Indian Tobacco settled at $42.50, with 2,013 units crossing the exchange.
Prices of securities trading are those at which the last trade took place.
Trading on the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange resulted in moderate gains in the two primary market indices on Tuesday as advancing stocks subdued decliners with a surge of cash passing through the market.
Proven Investments dropped $4 to land at $50 while trading 4,696 stock units, Sagicor Group lost 99 cents to $69 with 193,572 shares changing hands. Seprod jumped $3 in exchanging 2,931,938 shares to close at $51.50, Sterling Investments added 39 cents to close at $3.34 with an exchange of 10,000 stock units, Supreme Ventures added 560cents to end at $2550., while trading 58,057 shares and Wisynco Group lost 95 cents to $23.50, with 133,370 shares changing hands.
Trading on the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange resulted in moderate gains for the two primary market indices on Monday as rising stocks edged out decliners after trading declined again following a sharp drop on Friday. 
PanJam Investment fell 99 cents to end at $101, with 17,366 shares crossing the exchange, Proven Investments dropped $4 to land at $50 while trading 4,696 stock units, Sagicor Group jumped $3.99 to $69.99 with 25,664 shares changing hands. Sagicor Real Estate Fund gained $1.20 to $10 with 36,350 shares, Scotia Group gained $1.50 to end at $55.50, in transferring 339,093 shares, Seprod lost $1.50 in trading 53,370 units to close at $48.50 and Supreme Ventures shed 56 cents to end at $25 while trading 24,197 stock units.

Sagicor Group dropped $2 to $66 with 17,851 shares changing hands, Salada Foods traded just 18 shares after rising 95 cents to end at $30.95, Scotia Group lost 70 cents to end at $54, in transferring 29,645 shares. Seprod recovered the $2 lost on Thursday in trading 12,567 stock units to close at $50, Sygnus Credit Investments put on $1.87 to close at $27, with 72,065 units crossing the market and Wisynco Group rose 20 cents to $24.30, with 54,141 shares changing hands.
Trading on the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange resulted in a surge in the two primary market indices on Thursday as rising stocks edged out decliners following a rise in volume and values of shares changing hands.
MPC Caribbean gained $2 to end at $202 with an exchange of 116 stock units, NCB Financial Group advanced by $2.40 to close at $202.40, in swapping 228,153 shares. PanJam Investment lost 99 cents to end at $101, with 21,070 shares crossing the exchange. Sagicor Group dropped $2 to settle at $68 with 219,174 shares changing hands, Scotia Group lost 80 cents to settle at $54.70, in transferring 30,971 shares. Seprod dipped $2 trading 22,600 stock units to close at $48, Supreme Ventures gained 50 cents to end at $25.50, while exchanging 97,424 shares, Sygnus Credit Investments put on $1.13 to close at $25.13, with 47,758 units crossing the market and Wisynco Group fell 39 cents to $24.10, with 128,188 shares changing hands.
The Jamaica Stock Exchange suffered more declines in the market indices on Wednesday with an almost equal number of rising and declining stocks and a fall in volume and a modest rise in values of stocks crossing the market.
The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 448,856 units for $10,376,356 and previously, an average of 464,870 units for $10,941,397 for each security changing hands. The market closed out November, with an average of 653,621 units valued at $8,699,916 for each security traded.
NCB Financial Group lost $1 to close at $200, in swapping shares, 45,342 shares. PanJam Investment gained $1.99 to end at $101.99, with 24,456 shares crossing the exchange. Portland JSX lost 75 cents to settle at $7, with 18,180 shares changing hands. Proven Investments lost $1 in trading 14,915 to close at a $49, Salada Foods slipped 95 cents to end at $30, trading 198 shares, Scotia Group rose $1.50 to settle at $55.50, in transferring 526,827 shares. Seprod added $1 in trading 26,364 units to close at $50, Sygnus Credit Investments put on $1.10 to close at $24, with 78,111 units crossing the market and Wisynco Group climbed $1.47 to $24.49, with 564,12 5 shares changing hands.