Market activity jumped on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Tuesday, but that could not save the market from sinking at the close with the volume of stocks traded rising 58 percent with the value jumping 261 percent higher than Monday, after 56 securities traded similar to Monday, and resulting in prices of 18 rising, 22 declining and 16 ending unchanged.
A total of 13,347,493 shares were exchanged for $482,583,082 up from 8,448,292 units at $133,833,060 on Monday. Trading averages 238,348 units at $8,617,555, versus 150,862 shares at $2,389,876 on Monday and month to date, an average of 208,945 units at $2,855,006 compared to 206,642 units at $2,403,674 on the previous trading day. August closed with an average of 738,534 units at $5,975,613.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 2.99 million shares for 22.4 percent of total volume followed by Barita Investments with 2.56 million units for 19.2 percent of the day’s trade, Transjamaican Highway with 1.93 million units for 14.5 percent market share, Massy Holdings with 1.70 million units for 12.8 percent of the market and PanJam Investment ended with 1.05 million units for 7.8 percent of trading.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 4,194.74 points to 405,094.01 the JSE Main Index dived 5,837.99 points to 353,391.05 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 1.02 points to 85.54.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 13.1 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 nine stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one stock with a lower offer.
At the close, Barita Investments advanced 67 cents to $87.65 and closed with 2,563,691 shares being traded, Berger Paints shed $1.02 in closing at $10.30 while exchanging 1,044 stock units, Caribbean Producers lost 44 cents after ending at $13.23, with 16,741 stocks changing hands. Carreras dropped 52 cents to $8.48 after 44,622 units crossed the market, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund fell $3 to close at $39, with an exchange of 12,993 units, Jamaica Producers popped 46 cents to end at $20.96 in trading 7,127 shares. Kingston Wharves declined $2.50 to $35 after 37,915 stocks crossed the exchange, Massy Holdings climbed $2.95 to $89.95 after trading 1,703,213 stock units, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy dipped $16 to close at $68, with 44 stock units clearing the market. Palace Amusement increased $5 in closing at $850 after exchanging 91 units, PanJam Investment declined $1 to $58 with the swapping of 1,045,185 shares, Sagicor Group dropped $1.30 to end at $51 in exchanging 173,099 stocks. Seprod shed $7.50 to $62 with a transfer of 28,262 shares and Supreme Ventures lost 50 cents in closing at $29 after exchanging 45,951 stock units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share fell $1.18 to $6.66 after a transfer of 323 stocks. Eppley 7.75% preference share gained $1 to close at $21 in an exchange of 59 units, 138 Student Living s preference share dipped $11.21 to $63.54 as investors exchanged 600 stock units and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share dipped 50 cents in closing at $149.50 with investors transferring 130 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main Market stocks gain
Stocks rose on Monday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market, as the volume of stocks traded rising 11 percent with a 23 percent fall. In value compared to Friday, following activity in 56 securities up from 54 on Friday, resulting in 27 rising, 21 declining and eight ending unchanged.
A total of 8,448,292 shares were traded for $133,833,060 compared to 7,640,097 units at $172,839,636 on Friday.
Monday’s trading averaged 150,862 units at $2,389,876 versus 141,483 shares at $3,200,734 on Friday and month to date, an average of 206,642 units at $2,403,674 compared to 211,382 units at $2,404,846 on the previous trading day. August closed with an average of 738,534 units at $5,975,613.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 4.18 million shares for 49.5 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 864,808 units for 10.2 percent of the day’s trade and Barita Investments with 712,307 units for 8.4 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 1,243.77 points to 409,288.75, the JSE Main Index advanced 727.77 points to 359,229.04 and the JSE Financial Index gained 0.20 points to settle at 85.54.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 13.5 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 one stock with a lower offer.
At the close, Barita Investments rose 58 cents to $86.98, trading 712,307 shares, Berger Paints climbed 79 cents to $11.32 in switching ownership of 269,675 units, Eppley dropped $1.49 to $39.01 in an exchange of 700 stock units. Jamaica Broilers fell $1.50 to $28.50 after transferring 34,709 stocks, Jamaica Producers advanced $1 to $20.50, with 6,958 units crossing the exchange, Jamaica Stock Exchange popped 56 cents in closing at $16.50 after trading 14,324 shares. JMMB Group shed $1.39 to close at $40.11 trading 197,333 stock units, Mayberry Investments rallied 45 cents to $8 in exchanging 2,877 stocks, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy increased by 50 cents to $84 with investors transferring 148 units. NCB Financial gained $1.19 to $89.70 in exchanging 96,142 shares, PanJam Investment rose 70 cents to $59 after a transfer of 30,000 stocks, Proven Investments declined $1.96 to close at $30.02 with an exchange of 8,218 stock units. Sagicor Group lost $1.21 in closing at $52.30 with the swapping of 9,259 units, Salada Foods popped 58 cents to end at $4.68 while exchanging 28,857 shares, Seprod dipped 40 cents to $69.50 after 389 stocks crossed the market and Supreme Ventures rallied $2 to $29.50 and closed after 44,852 stock units changed hands.
In the preference segment, Eppley 5% preference share lost $3Sharon ending at $20.31, with two shares clearing the market,Jamaica Public Service 9.5% dropped $350to $2650 after exchanging 6,511 stock units. JMMB Group 7% preference share increased 55 cents to end at $2.50 crossing the market 19,040 stocks. Investors continue to push two preference shares to unrealistic values that defile logic, with 138 Student Living preference share advancing $9.75 to close at a record high of $74.75 after trading 78 units and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share gaining $5 to $150 as investors exchanged six stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Insurance companies join ICTOP10
Junior Market IC TOP10 stocks experienced a great deal of volatility in the past week but Main Market stocks were very stable, with minor price changes and resulted in two charges to listings with Iron Rock Insurance replacing Lasco Financial in the Junior Market, while Key Insurance in the main market replaced Radio Jamaica.
During the week in the Junior Market, Caribbean Cream jumped 18 percent to $4.70, Elite Diagnostic climbed 8 percent to $5.84, Lasco Financial rose 7 percent to $2.95 and Lasco Distributors gained 5 percent to $3.10. Caribbean Assurance Brokers declined 15 percent to $2.30, CAC 2000 dropped 14 percent to $6.90, Access Financial dipped 9 percent to $20 while General Accident fell 7 percent to $5.05.
At the end of the week, the average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP 10 is 6.2, well below the market average of 13.4, while the Junior Market Top 10 PE is at 5.8 versus the market at 12.9, important indicators of the level of undervaluation of the ICTOP10 stocks.
The Junior Market is projected to rise by 251 percent and the Main Market TOP10 is projected to gain an average of 238 percent, by May 2023.
The Junior Market currently sells at an average PE around 13 but already there are 15 stocks or a third of the market, with PEs from 16 to 33 averaging 21. The top half of the market has an average PE of 18. This data shows how much potential gains reside in the top 10. The situation in the main market is very similar, with the 15 highest valued stocks priced at a PE of 15 to 84, averaging 25 and 21 excluding the highest valued one.
Currently, the Junior Market is slightly negative but is poised to move higher in the weeks ahead but the main market is under negative clouds that could send the market index lower as NCB Financial and other financial companies continue to trade with inadequate support.
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 and result 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.
Knutsford Express – a good stock to watch
Fresh from the release of positive full year results to May of $87 million or 16 cents per share, Knutsford Express is a new stock to watch. ICInsider.com projects earnings for the new fiscal year at 90 cents per share, with the stock trading at a PE of 8 compared to the Junior Market average of 13. The stock stands a good chance of more than doubling in the next year.
Knutsford Express
Main Event reported incredible third quarter results to July of 41 cents per share, with ICInsider.com projecting earnings for the full year at 45 cents per share and 90 cents for 2023, with the stock trading at a PE of 17 based on the current year’s estimate, but well that based on the year’s numbers.
Express Catering also released full year results that show continued recovery from last year’s fallout, with a profit of US$1.1 million, from a loss of US$1.73 million in 2021. In contrast, in the nine months to February, profit was just US$364,607, with only US$120,248 profit generated in the February quarter. ICInsider.com earnings per share are projected at Jamaica 50 cents resulting in a PE of 11.
Elite Diagnostic is added to the list with projected earnings of 55 cents per share at a PE of 6.5 at a stock price of $3.58 and Consolidated Bakery that had an excellent half year with the promise of a good second half to come.
ICInsider.com identifies the following for the watch list. Caribbean Assurance Brokers, Dolphin Cove, Caribbean Producers, Everything Fresh, General Accident, Guardian Holdings, Jamaica Broilers, Lasco Distributors, Lasco Manufacturing, NCB Financial, Stationery and Office Supplies, Paramount Trading and Scotia Group.
Dolphin Cove, Caribbean Producers and Express Catering will be major beneficiaries of the strong rebound in tourist arrivals and the supply of General Accident has declined sharply over the past few weeks, but investors may be reluctant to pile into the stock ahead of the hurricane season.
Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on.
Trading climbs on JSE main market
More shares were traded on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Friday, than on Thursday with the market value falling at the close after the volume of stocks traded rose 67 percent and the value jumped 204 percent more than on Thursday, with 54 securities trading compared to 50 on Thursday, with 23 rising, 20 declining and 11 ending unchanged.
A total of 7,640,097 shares were exchanged for $172,839,636, up from 4,582,527 units at $56,809,986 on Thursday. Trading averaged 141,483 units at $3,200,734 versus 91,651 shares at $1,136,200 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 211,382 shares at $2,404,846 compared to 217,620 units at $2,333,808 on the prior day. August closed with an average of 738,534 units at $5,975,613.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 1.67 million shares for 21.8 percent of total volume followed by JMMB Group with 1.34 million units for 17.5 percent of the day’s trade and PanJam Investment with 1.02 million units for 13.4 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index shed 582.84 points to end at 408,044.98, the JSE Main Index fell 1,441.22 points to end the week at 358,501.27 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.08 points to close at 85.34.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 13.4 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 nine stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
At the close, Caribbean Cement lost $3.30 in closing at $59.10 after exchanging 2,724 shares, Eppley rose $1.49 to close at $40.50, with 561 stock units crossing the market, GraceKennedy declined 50 cents to $93, with an exchange of 20,390 stocks. Guardian Holdings dipped $4 to $495 in exchanging 4,371 units, Jamaica Broilers climbed $1.50 to $30 as investors traded 112,061 shares, Jamaica Producers gained 45 cents to end at $19.50 in switching ownership of 3,198 stock units. Jamaica Stock Exchange shed 54 cents to close at $15.94 while exchanging 20,184 units, Massy Holdings dropped $3 in closing at $87, with 8,259 stocks changing hands, Mayberry Jamaican Equities fell $1 to $12 with a transfer of 6,110 shares. NCB Financial fell 49 cents to $88.51, with 80,705 units changing hands, Palace Amusement rallied $114.98 to $845 with investors transferring four stocks, PanJam Investment dipped 70 cents to close at $58.30, with 1,020,796 stock units clearing the market. Proven Investments popped 43 cents to end at $31.98 after a transfer of 24,698 shares, Sagicor Group increased 51 cents in ending at $53.51 after trading 1,856 stock units, Scotia Group advanced 50 cents in closing at $35, with 169,077 units crossing the market.
Seprod rose 88 cents in ending at $69.90 after an exchange of 66,269 stocks and Supreme Ventures shed 51 cents to close at $27.50 in trading 89,674 stocks.
In the preference segment, Eppley 5% preference share gained $2.01 to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $23.90 in exchanging two units and Eppley 7.50% preference share increased 40 cents to $7.90 after trading 27 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading plunges on JSE main market
Market activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Thursday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 61 percent less and 66 percent lower than on Wednesday, with 50 securities trading compared to 52 on Wednesday, with 14 rising, 25 declining and 11 ending unchanged.
A total of 4,582,527 shares were exchanged for $56,809,986 down from 11,772,946 units at $169,332,476 on Wednesday. Trading averages 91,651 units at $1,136,200, versus 226,403 shares at $3,256,394 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 217,620 units at $2,333,808, compared to 228,969 units at $2,441,701 on the previous trading day. August closed with an average of 738,534 units at $5,975,613.
Sagicor Select Financial Fund led trading with 1.49 million shares for 32.5 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 743,657 units for 16.2 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway with 659,221 units for 14.4 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rose 157.40 points to 408,627.82, the JSE Main Index rallied 404.38 points to 359,942.49 and the JSE Financial Index shed 0.52 points to settle at 85.26.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 13.3 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 12 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments increased 40 cents to close at $86.40, with 139,885 shares crossing the market, Caribbean Cement popped 40 cents to $62.40 with investors transferring 9,997 stocks, Caribbean Producers advanced 50 cents in closing at $13.70 with the swapping of 5,002 units. Eppley dipped $1.49 after ending at $39.01, with 117 stock units crossing the exchange, First Rock Real Estate gained 50 cents to close at $12 with an exchange of 41,564 shares, GraceKennedy shed 85 cents in closing at $93.50 after exchanging 84,712 stocks. Guardian Holdings fell $30.93 to $499, with 260 stock units clearing the market, Jamaica Broilers lost 94 cents to end at $28.50 in an exchange of 1,684 units, Jamaica Producers declined 45 cents to $19.05 after 1,035 units crossed the market. Jamaica Stock Exchange rose 48 cents to close at $16.48 trading 18,284 stock units, Kingston Wharves rallied $1.40 to end at $37.50 with 27 shares changing hands, Massy Holdings climbed $3 to close at $90 while exchanging 23,457 stocks. Mayberry Investments dropped 77 cents to $7.52 in switching ownership of 544 shares, Mayberry Jamaican Equities shed $1.06 in closing at $13 in trading 345,720 stock units, NCB Financial lost $1 to $89 with a transfer of 126,186 units. 
138 Student Living fell 99 cents in ending at $5.51 after a transfer of 714 stocks, Palace Amusement dipped $168.98 to end at $730.02 as investors exchanged 184 stocks, Proven Investments dropped 44 cents to $31.55 after exchanging 4,801 units. Scotia Group declined $1.50 in closing at $34.50 in exchanging 11,962 stock units, Seprod declined 93 cents to close at $69.02 after finishing trading 7,413 shares and Supreme Ventures dipped $1.34 to end at $28.01, with 14,112 stock units changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main Market trading rises
Market activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Wednesday, with the volume of stocks traded 15 percent more than on Tuesday with a 70 percent rise value, with 52 securities trading against 53 on Tuesday, with 29 rising, 12 declining and 11 ending unchanged.
A total of 11,772,946 shares were exchanged for $169,332,476 up from 10,202,723 units at $99,881,216 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 226,403 units at $3,256,394 versus 192,504 shares at $1,884,511 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 228,969 stocks at $2,441,701 compared to 229,234 units at $2,357,478 on the previous day, well below trading in August,, with an average of 738,534 shares at $5,975,613.
Carreras led trading with 3.22 million shares for 27.3 percent of total volume followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.81 million units for 15.4 percent of the day’s trade, Wigton Windfarm with 1.64 million units for 13.9 percent market share and Supreme Ventures with 1.32 million units for 11.2 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index advanced 21.40 points to 408,470.42, the JSE Main Index popped 125.03 points to 359,538.11 and the JSE Financial Index declined 0.33 points to settle at 85.78.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 13.6 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 six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments dipped $1.35 to $86, with 201,896 shares clearing the market, Berger Paints shed 78 cents in closing at $10.23 in switching ownership of 15,941 stocks, Caribbean Cement climbed $2.90 to $62, 50,349 units crossing the exchange. Carreras popped 48 cents to end at $9 as 3,215,663 stock units changed hands, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rallied 65 cents to $42.25 with an exchange of 1,948 stock units, Jamaica Broilers advanced $1.14 to close at $29.44 while exchanging 269,207 stocks. Jamaica Producers fell 60 cents to end at $19.50, with 12,517 shares changing hands, Jamaica Stock Exchange dropped $1.10 ending at $16 after exchanging 18,420 units, Massy Holding rose $2 to $87 with a transfer of 3,877 units. Mayberry Investments increased 79 cents in closing at $8.29 after an exchange of 599 stock units, 138 Student Living gained $1 to close at $6.50 in trading 1,408 shares, Palace Amusement lost $1 in ending at $899 with the swapping of 12 stocks. PanJam Investment declined 95 cents to $59.05 in an exchange of 104,243 units, Pulse Investments advanced 60 cents to $3.90 with investors transferring 324,188 shares, Sagicor Group rose $1.50 in closing at $53 after a transfer of 409,251 stocks. Scotia Group rallied $2 to close at $36 in trading 198,153 stock units, Supreme Ventures rallied 85 cents to $29.35 after 1,318,760 stocks crossed the market and Sygnus Real Estate Finance popped 45 cents to $9.50 in exchanging 27,020 shares.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share increased 49 cents to end at $cents after trading 5,000 units, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% climbed $350 in closing at $3000 as investors exchanged 140 stock units and 138 Student Living preference share advanced $5 to end at $65 trading 33 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Prices pressured but Main Market gains
Market activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 18 percent, with 23 percent greater value than on Monday, with 53 securities trading compared to 62 on Monday, leading 15 rising, 28 declining and 10 ending unchanged.
A total of 10,202,723 shares were exchanged for $99,881,216 versus 8,665,395 units at $81,164,850 on Monday. Trading averaged 192,504 units at $1,884,551 versus 139,764 shares at $1,309,110 on Monday. The month to date averages 229,234 units at $2,357,478 compared to 233,560 units at $2,413,179 on the previous trading day. August closed with an average of 738,534 units at $5,975,613.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 3.12 million shares for 30.5 percent of total volume followed by Pulse Investments with 2.74 million units for 26.9 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway with 890,991 units for 8.7 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index gained 112.38 points to close at 408,449.02, the JSE Main Index rose 1,661.36 points to 359,413.08 and the JSE Financial Index increased 1.05 points to settle at 86.11.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 13.4 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 nine stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments fell $2.60 to $87.35 trading 124,600 shares, Caribbean Cement lost $2.40 to close at $59.10 in switching ownership of 5,558 stock units, Caribbean Producers dipped 70 cents in closing at $13.28, with 23,876 units crossing the exchange. Carreras shed 43 cents to $8.52 in an exchange of 150,296 stocks, Guardian Holdings gained $34.99 to end at $529.99 in exchanging two units, Jamaica Stock Exchange increased $1.50 to $17.10 after a transfer of 9,588 stocks. JMMB Group rallied 45 cents to end at $41.50 trading 51,042 stock units, Kingston Wharves dropped 41 cents in ending at $36.10 after exchanging 17,036 shares, NCB Financial rose $1 to close at $90, with 133,117 units crossing the market. 138 Student Living declined $1.30 in closing at $5.50 with an exchange of 3,184 stocks, Proven Investments advanced $1.94 in closing at $31.99 after exchanging 867 stock units, 
Scotia Group dropped $1.15 to $34 in trading 24,528 shares and Sygnus Credit Investments climbed 45 cents to $13.70, with 12,647 stocks changing hands.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% lost $450 to end at $2650, with 574 units changing hands and 138 Student Living preference share fell $1 to close at $60 as investors exchanged 100 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Access back is back in ICTOP10
Over the past two weeks, there are few changes in the IC TOP10 listings with Iron Rock Insurance replaced by Access Financial in the Junior Market, while there were no changes for the main market.
In the Junior Market, CAC 2000 surged 33 percent to $8 and Access Financial and dipped 6 percent to $22, Radio Jamaica fell 6 percent to $2.05, while Jamaica Broilers and Sygnus Credit Investments gained 4 percent.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP 10 is 6.2, well below the market average of 13.5, while the Junior Market Top 10 PE sits at 5.9 versus the market at 12.9, an important indicator of the level of undervaluation of the ICTOP10. The Junior Market is projected to rise by 245 percent and the Main Market TOP10 is projected to gain an average of 238 percent each, by May 2023.
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 to highlight winners from the rest, allowing investors to focus on potential winning 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.
Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.
JSE Main Market drops on Friday
The volume of stocks trading dropped sharply on Friday from Thursday, with 40 percent fewer shares changing hands but with 50 percent more value on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market, following trading in 57 securities compared to 49 on Thursday, with 16 rising, 23 declining and 18 ending unchanged.
Investors traded 9,582,712 shares for $160,269,027 compared to 15,879,100 units at $107,233,955 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 168,118 units at $2,811,737 versus 324,063 shares at $2,188,448 on Thursday and the month to date, an average of 248,548 units at $2,589,602, compared to 262,399 units at $2,551,349 on the previous trading day. August closed with an average of 738,534 units at $5,975,613.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 3.46 million shares for 36.1 percent of total volume followed by Jamaica Broilers with 2.66 million units for 27.7 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 702,907 units for 7.3 percent of market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index fell 1,798.48 points to 408,596.18, the JSE Main Index shed 2,629.10 points to 357,818.90 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 1.17 points to 85.46.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 13.5 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 seven stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement gained 99 cents in ending at $61.99 after exchanging 38,232 shares, Carreras increased 56 cents to end at $8.90 as investors exchanged 617,019 stocks, Eppley rose $1.49 to $40.50 after exchanging 20 units. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund dipped $2.40 to close at $41.60 in trading 232 stock units, Guardian Holdings fell $25 to $495 with a transfer of 14,824 shares, Jamaica Broilers added $2.45 in closing at $30, with 2,659,066 stock units clearing the market. Jamaica Producers popped $1.15 to end at $20.40 with investors transferring 10,352 units, JMMB Group climbed 50 cents to $41.50 in switching ownership of 56,597 stocks, NCB Financial dropped 99 cents to close at $89.01 with the swapping of 46,094 shares. 138 Student Living rallied 89 cents to $6.85 trading 1,557 units, Palace Amusement rallied $9.80 to end at $903.82, with 21 stocks clearing the market, PanJam Investment shed $1 to $59, with 42,076 stock units crossing the exchange. Portland JSX declined $1 in closing at $9, with 1,172 stock units changing hands, Proven Investments fell $2.46 after ending at $30.03 in an exchange of 6,403 stocks, Sagicor Group lost $3.70 to close at $50.75 while exchanging 13,872 shares. 
Salada Foods shed 62 cents to close at $4.06 after exchanging 16,003 units, Supreme Ventures fell 85 cents to $28.50 after a transfer of 11,671 units and Sygnus Credit Investments rose 51 cents to end at $13.72 with an exchange of 18,605 stock units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share declined 49 cents after ending at $7 in exchanging 151 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.