Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday, with the volume of stocks rising 126 percent and the value 72 percent over Friday trades, with rising stocks outnumbering declining ones, two to one at the close.
Market activity led to 39 securities trading, down from 41 on Friday, with 21 rising, 11 declining and seven closing unchanged.
At the close, the Junior Market Index slipped 4.77 points to 3,324.73 to be up just under 26 percent for the year to date. The PE Ratio based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2021-22 earnings averaged 12.3.
A total of 13,810,331 shares traded at $29,320,428, up from 6,105,277 units at $16,999,068 on Friday.
Future Energy Source led trading with 54.5 percent of total volume after it traded 7.53 million shares, followed by Lasco Distributors with 11.4 percent while exchanging 1.58 million units and Lasco Manufacturing with 4.8 percent with an exchange of 657,218 units.
Trading averaged 354,111 units at $751,806, down from 148,909 at $414,611 on Friday. The month to date averaged 318,089 units at $760,337, compared to 316,141 units at $760,798 on Friday. April closed with an average of 329,241 units at $854,716.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Assurance Brokers advanced 8 cents to $1.97 with 1,500 shares passing through the market, Caribbean Producers climbed 14 cents to $3.80 with 159,024 units changing hands, Dolphin Cove dropped 20 cents to $6.80 with 32,861 stocks traded. Fontana gained 20 cents to close at $6 with investors exchanging 185,586 stock units, General Accident increased 15 cents to $6 with an exchange of 90,605 shares, Honey Bun rose 5 cents to $6.85 with a transfer of 60,639 units. Jamaican Teas added 6 cents to close at $4.07 with 218,302 stocks passing through the market, Jetcon Corporation slipped 8 cents to 94 cents with 174,027 stock units changing hands, KLE Group fell 6 cents to $1.22 with 644,500 shares traded. Knutsford Express shed 30 cents to $8, trading 19,174 units, Lasco Distributors dropped 29 cents to $3.96 in exchanging 1,576,784 stocks, Limners and Bards lost 9 cents to finish at $3.06 with a transfer of 127,224 stock units.
Lumber Depot advanced 10 cents to $3.40 with 155,164 shares passing through the market, Mailpac Group rose 5 cents to $3.76 with 248,853 units changing hands, Medical Disposables shed 60 cents to close at $4.40 with 18,477 stock units traded. SSL Venture gained 8 cents to end at 63 cents with investors swapping 6,366 stocks, Stationery and Office Supplies dropped 20 cents to $8 with a transfer of 10,501 units and Tropical Battery fell 7 cents to $1.15 with 583,616 shares crossing the exchange.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market recovers Thursday’s loss
Trading closed on Friday with the Junior Market Index gaining 34.45 points to 3,329.50, but the volume of stocks trading dropped 36 percent and the value falling 17 percent from Thursday levels at the conclusion of market activity of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market.
Trading ended with 41 active securities compared to 37 on Thursday and closed with 16 rising, 18 falling and seven unchanged.
At the close, the PE Ratio, based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2021-22 earnings, averages 12.4.
Trading ended with 6,105,277 shares changing hands for $16,999,068, down from 9,546,922 units at $20,365,504 on Thursday.
Future Energy Source led trading with 33.5 percent of total volume for an exchange of 2.05 million shares followed by Jamaican Teas with 13.2 percent for 803,886 units and Mailpac Group with 8 percent market share for 488,914 units.
Trading averaged 148,909 units at $414,611, down from 258,025 at $550,419 on Thursday. Trading month to date averages 316,141 units at $760,798, compared to 326,224 units at $781,671 on Thursday. April closed with an average of 329,241 units at $854,716.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial shed 49 cents to end at $22 in an exchange of 1,082 shares, AMG Packaging lost 8 cents in closing at $1.60 with 16,001 stocks changing hands, Blue Power dipped 9 cents to settle at $3.90 in transferring 140 units. CAC 2000 fell 77 cents to $9.23 trading 5,396 shares, Caribbean Cream gained 13 cents to end at $5.90 with 811 stock units clearing the market, Caribbean Producers lost 8 cents to close at $3.66 with 17,378 shares changing hands. Consolidated Bakeries picked up 20 cents to finish at $1.70 with the swapping of 9 stock units, Derrimon Trading gained 5 cents to end at $2.51 in trading 204,421 stocks, Express Catering rose 28 cents to $5 in exchanging 13,842 units, Fontana fell 38 cents to $5.80 with a transfer of 369,864 stocks.
Honey Bun lost 17 cents in trading 7,181 stock units at $6.80, Iron Rock Insurance gained 5 cents to finish at $3.25 with 200,000 units crossing the market, Knutsford Express rose 30 cents to $8.30 with 14,497 units changing hands, Lasco Distributors lost 5 cents in closing at $4.25 with the swapping of 27,858 stocks. Lasco Financial ended 35 cents higher at $3.75 after exchanging 171,636 stocks, Lasco Manufacturing gained 15 cents in closing at $5.50 with the swapping of 160,799 shares, Limners and Bards lost 5 cents to settle at $3.15 in exchanging 454,746 units. Main Event rose 45 cents to $4.65 after a transfer of 125 stocks, SSL Venture fell 8 cents to 55 cents in exchanging 10,100 shares and Stationery and Office Supplies gained 10 cents in closing at $8.20 with investors switching ownership of 1,000 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Falling stocks drive index below 3,300 points
Trading closed on Thursday with the volume of stocks traded rising 90 percent, with 64 percent greater value than in trading on Wednesday as the Junior Market closed with five stocks falling for every three that rose and sending the market index down below the 3,300, for the first time since May 10.
A total of 37 securities traded versus 36 on Wednesday, with 12 rising, 19 declining and six closing unchanged.
The Junior Market Index fell 33.16 points to close at 3,296.05. The PE Ratio based on ICInsider.com’s 2021-22 earnings forecast averages 12.3.
Trading ended with 9,546,922 shares for $20,365,504, up from 5,015,838 units at $12,383,936 on Wednesday.
Future Energy Source led trading with 51.5 percent of total volume after 4.91 million shares traded, followed by Lasco Financial 8.9 percent with 846,659 units and Jamaican Teas with 8.7 percent market share with an exchange of 830,856 units.
Trading averaged 258,025 units at $550,419 in contrast to 139,329 at $343,998 on Wednesday. Month to date averages 326,224 units at $781,671, compared to 330,148 shares at $794,978 on Wednesday. April closed with an average of 329,241 units at $854,716.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ending with the bid higher than its last selling price and four with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial climbed $2.29 to $22.49 with an exchange of 2,500 shares, CAC 2000 advanced 30 cents to $10 with 14,535 units changing hands, Caribbean Assurance Brokers lost 11 cents to finish at $1.86 with a transfer of 32,517 stocks. Caribbean Cream dropped 23 cents to $5.77 with 798 shares passing through the market, Caribbean Flavours rose 6 cents to $2.12 in exchanging 4,316 units, Derrimon Trading slipped 6 cents to $2.46 with 139,011 stocks changing hands. Dolphin Cove shed $1 to close at $7 with a transfer of 35,302 shares, Fontana gained 9 cents to end at $6.18 with 54,919 units passing through the market, General Accident fell 15 cents to $5.85 with 15,561 stocks traded. Honey Bun advanced 22 cents to $6.97 with an exchange of 36,956 shares, Jamaican Teas lost 5 cents to finish at $4 with 830,856 units changing hands, Jetcon Corpoation slipped 5 cents to $1 with a transfer of 51,340 stock units. 
KLE Group climbed 28 cents to $1.30 with 68,000 stocks passing through the market, Knutsford Express fell 10 cents to $8 with 500 shares traded, Lasco Distributors rose 11 cents to $4.30 with an exchange of 118,363 units. Lasco Manufacturing dropped 14 cents to $5.35 with 73,518 stocks changing hands, Limners and Bards slipped 5 cents to $3.20 with a transfer of 149,575 stock units, Lumber Depot lost 10 cents to settle at $3.30 with 373,843 stocks traded and Main Event advanced 20 cents to $4.20 with 1,582 shares crossing the exchange.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market rebounds on Wednesday
The Junior Market Index advanced 26.36 points to 3,329.21 on Wednesday, but the volume of stocks traded exchanged dropped 49 percent from Tuesday, with the value traded also falling in dipping by 50 percent.
Market activity resulted in 36 securities changing hands, compared to 38 on Tuesday, with 17 rising, seven declining and eight closing unchanged.
At the close of trading, the average PE Ratio based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2021-22 earnings ended at 12.5.
Trading ended with 5,015,838 shares for $12,383,936 down from 9,807,790 units at $24,800,486 on Tuesday.
Tropical Battery led trading with 23.4 percent of total volume for 1.18 million shares, followed by Future Energy Source with 14.4 percent after trading 720,272 units for and iCreate with 7.3 percent, with an exchange of 367,028 units.
Trading averaged 139,329 units at $343,998, down from 258,100 at $652,644 on Tuesday. The month to date averages 330,148 units at $794,978, compared to 341,465 units at $821,725 on Tuesday. April closed with an average of 329,241 units at $854,716.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ending with bids closing higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Assurance Brokers rose 8 cents to $1.97 with investors trading 1,200 shares, Caribbean Cream climbed 48 cents to $6 with 50,000 stock units changing hands, Caribbean Producers advanced 20 cents to $3.75 with an exchange of 228,985 stocks. Derrimon Trading increased by 8 cents to $2.52 with a transfer of 271,536 shares, Dolphin Cove jumped 50 cents to $8 with 1,275 units passing through the market, Express Catering gained 28 cents to end at $4.70 with 11,407 stock units changing hands. Fontana slipped 6 cents to $6.09 with an exchange of 53,758 shares, General Accident advanced 20 cents to $6 with investors switching ownership of 100 stocks, iCreate rose 5 cents to 90 cents with a transfer of 367,028 units. Indies Pharma lost 5 cents to settle at $3.80 with 35,925 stock units passing through the market, Jetcon Corporation gained 10 cents to finish at $1.05 with 257,091 shares traded, KLE Group dropped 19 cents to $1.02 with 5 units changing hands. Knutsford Express fell 20 cents to $8.10 with an exchange of 5,000 stock units, Lasco Distributors advanced 19 cents to $4.19 with a transfer of 6,780 stocks, Lasco Financial climbed 24 cents to $3.40 with 256,058 shares passing through the market. 
Lumber Depot increased by 15 cents to end at $3.40 with 333,743 units traded, Mailpac Group lost 6 cents to close at $3.75 with 235,899 stock units changing hands, Main Event dropped 30 cents to $4 with investors switching ownership of 133,079 stocks. SSL Venture gained 8 cents to settle at 63 cents with 4,746 units traded and Tropical Battery rose 6 cents to $1.22 with 1,175,768 shares crossing the exchange.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market down for a second day
Stock prices mostly pulled back in trading closed on Tuesday, after the market closed on Monday for the country’s Labour Day public holiday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 36 percent above Friday’s activity, with the value traded, rising 11.5 percent, at the close of the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
At the close, 38 securities traded, down from 41 on Friday and ended with 11 stocks rising, 18 declining and nine remaining unchanged.
At the close, the Junior Market Index slipped for the second day running, with a fall of 21.23 points to close at 3,302.85. The PE Ratio based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2021-22 earnings ended with an average of 12.3.
A total of 9,807,790 shares traded for $24,800,486 compared to 8,800,514 units at $18,269,545 on Friday.
Lumber Depot led trading with 2.73 million shares for 27.8 percent of the total volume, followed by Future Energy Source 22.5 percent of the day’s trade with 2.21 million units and CAC 2000 9.5% preference share 10.3 percent with 1.01 million units.
Trading averaged 258,100 units at $652,644 in contrast to 214,647 at $445,599 on Friday. For the month to date, trading averages 341,465 units at $821,725, compared to 347,033 units at $833,017 on Friday. April closed with an average of 329,241 units at $854,716.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial advanced $1.96 to finish at $22.16, trading 49 shares, Caribbean Assurance Brokers dropped 11 cents to close at $1.89, after 7,131 stock units crossed the market, Caribbean Cream fell 14 cents to $5.52, with 43,307 shares changing hands, Caribbean Flavours dropped 10 cents to end at $2.05 in exchanging 134,970 units. Caribbean Producers shed 20 cents to close at $3.55, with 60,909 stocks clearing the market, Consolidated Bakeries shed 20 cents in ending at $1.50 after exchanging 35,150 shares, Derrimon Trading dropped 6 cents to $2.44, with 203,827 stock units changing hands. Dolphin Cove lost 11 cents to end at $7.50 after trading 1,583 stock units, Express Catering lost $1.08 to end at $4.42 with an exchange of 35,563 units. Fontana climbed 9 cents to $6.15, trading 98,368 stocks, Gwest Corporation climbed 20 cents to $1 in switching ownership of 487,358 units. Jetcon Corporation shed 7 cents in closing at 95 cents after trading 101,563 units, Knutsford Express fell 5 cents to $8.30 in switching ownership of 2,107 stock units, Lasco Distributors lost 15 cents to end at $4 with an exchange of 49,113 stocks.
Lasco Financial fell 14 cents to $3.16, with 29,785 stock units crossing the exchange, Limners and Bards fell 15 cents to $3.21 after 148,066 units cleared the exchange. Mailpac Group rose 6 cents $3.81 after exchanging 216,045 units, SSL Venture declined 9 cents to 55 cents in an exchange of 50,318 stocks and Stationery and Office Supplies fell 20 cents to $8.10, trading 27,915 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Profit jumps 77% at Honey Bun
Net profits surged 77 percent to $77 million at Honey Bun in the quarter to March, this year from $43 million earned in the 2020 March quarter from a 16 percent rise in revenues to $527 million from $453 million in 2020.
For the six months to March, profit after tax grew 20.7 percent to $112 million from $92 million in 2020, with revenues coming in 13 percent ahead of the 2020 income of $876 million to close out the March 2020 half year at $989 million.
“The improvement was attributable to a number of factors, including the introduction of new products such as the Hot Dog roll and Cinnamon loaf’, chairman Herbert Chong and Michelle Chong, Chief Executive Officer, stated in their jointly signed commentary on the results.
Gross profit for the quarter grew 19 percent to $254 million over the $214 million realized in the prior year, whilst gross profit margin rose to 48 percent from 47.3 percent in the prior year.
“Easter bun sales performed well, in particular, Easter bun exports grew 48 percent over prior year,” the directors reported.
For the half year, gross profit came in at $472 million, 11 percent more than the prior year’s $426 million. Gross profit margin slipped to 47.7 percent compared to 48.6 percent in the prior year. “The decline was due to increased cost of raw materials and other manufacturing inputs that occurred mainly in the first quarter,” the directors stated.
Administrative cost rose 15 percent to $109 million in the quarter from $95 million in 2020 and climbed 18 percent to $216 million for the half year from $184 million. Selling and distribution costs slipped to $59 million from $63 million in the 2021 quarter versus that of 2020 and, for the half year, ended at $128 million for 2021 from 129 million in 2020.
Honey Bun historical earnings with projections for 2021.
“The company invested $69 million in capital expenditure in the period, mainly to upgrade vehicle fleet to service new routes, and to acquire additional manufacturing equipment,” the directors reported.
Fixed assets net of depreciation of $36 million for the half year amounts to $588 million. The company also has investments of $64 million.
Current assets climbed from $474 million at the end of March 2020 to $506 million, including cash and equivalent of $347 million and receivables of $81 million, compared to $119 million at the end of March 2020. Inventories declined from $94 million to $75 million at the end of the half year. Current liabilities stood at $181 million compared to $203 million at the 2020 half year and include trade and other payables of $161 million, down from $180 million at the end of March 2020. The movement in the working capital resulted in net current assets ending at $326 million, 20 percent higher than March 2020.
Shareholders’ equity ended at $939 million that compares with borrowed funds of just $25 million.
The company generated net cash of $168 million for the six months and paid out $42 million for dividends and, after spending to acquire fixed assets and investments, ended up with additional funds of $50 million.
Earnings per share for the quarter was 16 cents and is up from 9 cents in 2020, with the half year ending at 24 cents compared to 20 cents in 2020. ICInsider.com projects earnings of 50 cents per share for the current year giving it a PE of 13.5, slightly above the market average currently of 12.5, but less than others that are priced around 17. The stock traded at $6.75 on Friday on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
Slippage
Trading closed on Friday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 57 percent and the value down 52 percent from Thursday levels, leading the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange to decline for the day but ending marginally higher for the week.
Trading led to 41 securities changing hands compared to 39 on Thursday, with prices of 17 rising, 13 declining and 11 remaining unchanged.
The Junior Market Index declined 17.06 points to close at 3,324.08 and the average PE Ratio based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2021-22 is 12.5.
At the close, 8,800,514 shares traded for $18,269,545 versus 20,537,724 units at $37,783,073 on Thursday.
Future Energy Source contributed 52.5 percent of total volume traded, with 4.62 million shares, Jetcon Corporation followed, with 7.6 percent trading 669,133 units and Lumber Depot accounted for 7 percent with 614,786 stocks.
Trading averaged 214,647 units at $445,599 down from 526,608 at $968,797 on Thursday. Trading month to date averages 347,033 units at $833,012, compared to 357,313 units at $863,100 on Thursday. April closed with an average of 329,24 units at $854,716.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ended with the bid higher than the last selling price and two with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial fell $1.95 to $20.20 after exchanging 142 shares, Blue Power climbed 27 cents to $3.97, trading 608 shares. Cargo Handlers rose 70 cents to $8.70, with one stock unit changing hands, Caribbean Cream dropped 34 cents $5.66 in exchanging 2,750 units, Caribbean Flavours increased 5 cents to $2.15, with 9,558 stock units crossing the market. Caribbean Producers advanced 10 cents to end at $3.75 with the swapping of 73,746 units, Dolphin Cove lost 39 cents to end at $7.61 in trading 40,788 units. Elite Diagnostic fell 20 cents to $3 in switching ownership of 223,848 units, Fontana advanced 6 cents to $6.06 while exchanging 102,677 stocks. Fosrich advanced 11 cents to $8.50, trading 53,297 units, Future Energy Source climbed 3 cents to $1.05 in exchanging 4,624,020 units, Honey Bun fell 24 cents to $6.75 with the swapping of 51,683 stock units. Iron Rock Insurance declined 80 cents to $3.20 with the swapping of 7,150 stock units. Jamaican Teas rose 7 cents to $4.03, with 451,911 stocks hanging hands, Jetcon Corporation lost 8 cents in ending at $1.02 after exchanging 669,133 stock units, KLE Group rose 19 cents to close at $1.21 with an exchange of 800 stocks.
Knutsford Express declined 9 cents to $8.35 while exchanging 53,847 stock units, Lasco Financial lost 10 cents in closing at $3.30, with 295,424 stocks switching ownership, Lasco Manufacturing climbed 8 cents to $5.48 in trading 165,451 units. Limners and Bards gained 6 cents to close at $3.36 after 77,292 units changed hands, Mailpac Group declined 12 cents to $3.75 in an exchange of 105,978 stocks. Main Event declined 39 cents in closing at $4.30 after trading 41,268 shares and tTech rose 25 cents to $6.25 with 1,398 shares clearing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Fesco dominates Junior Market
Future Energy Source (Fesco) dominated trading on the Junior Market on Thursday, with 73 percent of the market share with 15.02 million units exchanged after the company posted full year results that were slightly lower than the forecast of $151 million that was contained in the prospectus with the year to March ended at $141 million. 
Lasco Manufacturing was next, with 9.5 percent of total volume after trading 1.95 million units, while Lumber Depot accounted for 4.1 percent of total volume with an exchange of market 847,830 units.
Trading closed on Thursday with investors transferring 43 percent more shares at 39 percent greater value than Wednesday as rising stocks outnumbered falling ones, with 39 securities changing hands compared to 36 on Wednesday. At the close, 18 stocks rose, 14 declined and seven remaining unchanged as the Junior Market Index gained 10.13 points to close at 3,341.14.
The PE Ratio based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2021-22 earnings averages 12.6.
A total of 20,537,724 shares traded for $37,783,073, up from 14,356,074 units at $27,238,932 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 526,608 units at $968,797 in contrast to 398,780 at $756,637 on Wednesday. Trading month to date, averages 357,313 units at $863,100, up from 343,811 units at $854,671 on Wednesday. April closed with an average of 329,241 units at $854,716.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ending with the bid higher than its last selling price and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Access Financial rose $2.14 to $22.15 with a transfer of 6,744 shares, CAC 2000 advanced $2.70 to $9.70 in an exchange of 5,000 units, Cargo Handlers dropped 68 cents to $8 with 6,250 stocks changing hands. Caribbean Assurance Brokers gained 10 cents to close at $2 with 8,350 shares traded, Caribbean Flavours slipped 7 cents to $2.10 with 101,082 stock units passing through the market, Caribbean Producers rose 7 cents to $3.65 with a transfer of 32,330 stocks. Consolidated Bakeries advanced 23 cents to $1.69 with an exchange of 30 shares, Derrimon Trading declined by 11 cents to finish at $2.50 with 208,882 units changing hands, Dolphin Cove climbed 50 cents to $8 with 2,124 stocks passing through the market. Elite Diagnostic gained 11 cents to end at $3.20 with 56,852 shares traded, Everything Fresh shed 10 cents to close at $1.02 with an exchange of 8,384 units, Express Catering jumped 50 cents to $5.50 with a transfer of 2,300 stocks. Fosrich shed 11 cents to end at $8.39 with 11,506 shares changing hands, Honey Bun climbed 49 cents to $6.99 with 12,973 units traded, Indies Pharma slipped 10 cents to $3.80 with 70,112 stock units passing through the market. Iron Rock Insurance advanced 55 cents to $4 with a transfer of 113,148 shares, Jetcon Corporation 25 cents to $1.10 with 420,889 units changing hands, KLE Group dropped 8 cents to $1.02 with 1,000 stocks traded. Knutsford Express jumped 44 cents to $8.44 with 763 shares passing through the market, Lasco Distributors rose 15 cents to $4.15 with a transfer of 6,800 stock units, Lasco Financial fell 42 cents to $3.40 with an exchange of 72,598 units. 
Lasco Manufacturing increased by 5 cents to close at $5.40 with 1,948,675 stocks changing hands, Limners and Bards fell 10 cents to $3.30 with 213,795 shares traded, Main Event advanced 19 cents to $4.69 with 35,831 units passing through the market. Paramount Trading fell 12 cents to $1.30 with investors switching ownership of 3,000 stocks, Stationery and Office Supplies dropped 22 cents to $8.28 with a transfer of 36,669 stock units and tTech jumped $1 to $6 with 6,211 shares crossing the exchange.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market hangs on to some early gains
After shooting to just over 3,370 points at the start of trading, the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market index managed to hold on to nearly 11 points at the close of market on Wednesday after exchanging 48 percent more shares valued 15 percent less than on Tuesday, after declining stocks outpaced rising ones more than two to one.
Thirty six (36) securities traded compared to 38 on Tuesday, with nine rising, 22 declining and five ending unchanged, leading the Junior Market Index to gain 10.89 points to settle at 3,331.01.
Trading of 14,356,074 shares cost $27,238,932 compared to 9,672,190 units at $32,065,947 on Tuesday. Future Energy Source led trading with 63.6 percent of total volume after an exchange of 9.13 million shares, followed by Jamaican Teas 15.6 percent, with 2.24 million units and Lumber Depot with 6.3 percent with 903,509 units.
Trading averaged 398,780 units at $756,637 in contrast to 254,531 at $843,841 on Tuesday. Trading month to date, averages 343,811 units at $854,671, compared to 339,442 units at $862,461 on Tuesday. April closed with an average of 329,241 units at $854,716 trading. The PE Ratio based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2021-22 earnings averaged 12.2.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Access Financial dropped $1.49 to $20.01 with an exchange of 9,017 shares, Blue Power fell 20 cents to $3.70 with 20,550 units changing hands, CAC 2000 fell $2.70 to $7 after 10 stock units changed hands. Caribbean Assurance Brokers lost 10 cents to close at $1.90 with 16,037 shares traded, Caribbean Cream slipped 5 cents to $6 with a transfer of 3,028 units, Consolidated Bakeries declined by 9 cents to $1.46 with an exchange of 3,859 stocks. Dolphin Cove dropped 48 cents to$7.50 with 7,442 stock units changing hands, Elite Diagnostic fell 51 cents to $3.09 with 9,030 units passing through the market, Express Catering shed 70 cents to end at $5 with investors switching ownership of 33,037 shares. Fontana slipped 10 cents to $6 with 98,435 stocks traded, General Accident gained 10 cents to close at $5.80 with a transfer of 500 shares, Honey Bun dropped 29 cents to $6.50 with an exchange of 15,222 units. Indies Pharma advanced 30 cents to $3.90 with 2,938 stocks changing hands, Jamaican Teas rose 6 cents to $3.95 with 2,244,608 stock units passing through the market, Jetcon Corporation lost 6 cents to land at 85 cents with 97,326 shares traded. 
Lasco Distributors dropped 20 cents to $4 with a transfer of 13,200 stocks, Lasco Manufacturing slipped 5 cents to $5.35 with 60,180 units changing hands, Limners and Bards declined by 5 cents to close at $3.40 with 69,773 shares passing through the market. Lumber Depot fell 19 cents to $3.26 with 903,509 stocks traded, Medical Disposables climbed 28 cents to $4.98 with a transfer of 245 units and SSL Venture gained 8 cents to close at 64 cents with 176,140 shares crossing the exchange.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market recovers ground on Tuesday
Junior Market stocks bounced at the close of trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Tuesday after 26 stocks rose, six declined and six remained unchanged, leading to a rebound in the market of 13.62 points to settle at 3,320.12, following Mondays’ decline and after an exchange of 26 percent more shares than on Monday but with 18.43 percent lower value.
Trading ended with 38 active securities from 40 on Monday resulting in an exchange of 9,672,190 shares for $32,065,947 down from 13,103,080 units at $39,313,013 on Monday.
Future Energy Source led trading with 18.7 percent of total volume for 1.8 million shares, followed by Mailpac Group 16.7 percent, with 1.61 million units and Jamaican Teas with 15.8 percent market share with an exchange of 1.53 million units. Lasco Manufacturing was the only other stock to exceed a million shares, with 1.16 million units changing hands.
Trading averaged 254,531 units at $843,841 in contrast to 327,577 at $982,825 on Monday. The month to date averaged 339,442 units at $862,461, compared to 347,217 units at $864,166 on Monday. April closed with an average of 329,241 units at $854,716 trading.
The PE Ratio based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2021-22 earnings averaged 12.6.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ended with the bid higher than its last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial rose 50 cents to $21.50 with an exchange of 200 shares, Blue Power gained 15 cents to end at $3.90 with 1,203 units traded, Caribbean Assurance Brokers fell 7 cents to $2 with a transfer of 5,019 stocks. Caribbean Cream rose 39 cents to $6.05 with 9,136 stock units changing hands, Caribbean Flavours rose 8 cents to $2.18 with 10,000 shares passing through the market, Caribbean Producers gained 10 cents to close at $3.60 with 58,723 units traded. Consolidated Bakeries climbed 21 cents to $1.55 with an exchange of 2,000 stocks, Derrimon Trading advanced 15 cents to $2.65 with a transfer of 483,093 stocks, Dolphin Cove jumped 60 cents to $7.98 with 46 shares changing hands. Elite Diagnostic gained 31 cents to close at $3.60, with investors switching ownership of 19,877 units, Everything Fresh increased by 15 cents to end at $1.15 with 2,900 stock units passing through the market, Express Catering declined by 20 cents to finish at $5.70 with 62,100 stocks traded. Fontana rose 10 cents to $6.10 with a transfer of 501,799 shares, Honey Bun climbed 49 cents to $6.79 with 43,943 units exchanged, Indies Pharma lost 10 cents to settle at $3.60 with 53,783 stocks changing hands.
Jamaican Teas slipped 6 cents to $3.89 with 1,527,305 shares passing through the market, Jetcon Corporation rose 5 cents to 91 cents with 187,309 units traded, Knutsford Express jumped 80 cents to $8 with a transfer of 274 stocks. Lasco Distributors gained 5 cents to close at $4.20 with an exchange of 18,634 stock units, Limners and Bards climbed 42 cents to settle at 52 weeks’ high of $3.45 with investors switching ownership of 345,420 shares, Lumber Depot advanced 42 cents to a record high of $3.45 with 334,579 units passing through the market. Mailpac Group increased by 21 cents to finish at $3.87 with 1,613,713 stocks traded, Medical Disposables gained 30 cents to settle at $4.70 with a transfer of 2,755 stock units, SSL Venture slipped 9 cents to 56 cents with 23,076 units changing hands. Stationery and Office Supplies jumped 87 cents to $8.50 with investors switching ownership of 267,890 stocks and tTech dropped 90 cents to close at $5 with 44,301 shares crossing the exchange.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
