The Jamaica Stock Exchange Main market closed ahead of the month-end on a positive note with the market index rising after NCB Financial Group put on $8 to recover some of its recent losses.

NCB Financial bounced $8 on Wednesday and helped to lift the JSE market index.
At the close, the JSE All Jamaican Composite Index 4,251.05 points to 397,572.10, the JSE Market Index dropped 3,892.00 points to close at 362,404.98 and the JSE Financial Index rose 1.87 points to 97.36.
The market closed with 44 securities changing hands in the Main and US dollar markets with prices of 12 stocks advancing, 22 declining and ten securities trading firm. The JSE Main Market activity ended with 37 securities accounting for 7,206,423 units valued at $124,023,333, in contrast to 96,137,935 units valued at $316,661,417 from 36 securities on Tuesday.
Trans Jamaican Highway led trading with 1.9 million shares for 26.5 percent of total volume followed by QWI Investments with 995,244 units for 13.8 percent of the day’s trade and Pulse Investments with 851,165 units for 12 percent market share.
The Market closed with an average of 194,768 units valued $3,351,979 for each security traded, in contrast to 2,670,498 units valued at an average of $8,796,150 on Tuesday.
The average volume and value for the month to date amount to 1,033,414 units valued at $3,863,268 for each security changing hands, compared to 1,073,044 units valued at $3,888,297 for each security traded. Trading in March resulted in an average of 1,146,245 units valued at $7,550,295 for each security.
IC bid-offer Indicator│ At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows eleven stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and six stocks closing with lower offers. The PE ratio of the market ended at 13.8, while the Main Market ended at 14.1 times 2020-21 earnings.
In the Main Market, Caribbean Cement gained 99 cents to close at $45.99, with a transfer of 27,975 stock units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund advanced by $2.99 to $36, in trading 808 units, First Rock Capital closed 75 cents lower to $11.25, after exchanging 11,226 units. Grace Kennedy fell $1.69 swapping 9,077 units to end at $55.20, Jamaica Broilers finished at $25, with a loss of $1.10 in transferring 275,520 shares, Jamaica Producers shed 75 cents to settle at $18, with 132,079 shares changing hands.
Key Insurance raked in 95 cents to reach a record high of $6.50, with a transfer of 25,094 stock units, Mayberry Investments lost 30 cents trading 3,413 units and closed at $5.50, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy climbed $2 to $149, after swapping 420 units. NCB Financial Group recovered $8 of the recent losses to close at $146, trading 437,464 shares, PanJam Investment closed $1 lower at $75, in exchanging 317,961 shares, Proven Investments declined $2.40 to finish at $35.10, with 44,783 stock units changing hands. Scotia Group fell $2 to $41, after transferring 33,448 stock units, Seprod picked up $1.50 to close at $43.50, in trading 8,215 units and Stanley Motta gained 30 cents to end the day at $5, with 15,000 units crossing the exchange.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
At the close, the JSE All Jamaican Composite Index declined 11,964.17 on Monday, fell a further by 13,352.19 points to close at 393,321.05. The JSE Market Index dropped 12,250.06 points on top of the 10,830.61 points fall on Monday to 358,512.98 and the JSE Financial Index lost 4.24 points to 95.49. The losses pushed the year to date loss to 30 percent, for main market stocks and ahead of the Junior Market that is down by 28 percent for the year.
The Market closed with an average of 2,670,498 units valued at an average of $8,796,150 for each security traded, in contrast to 467,969 units valued at an average of $2,080,475 on Monday. The average volume and value for the month to date amount to 1,073,044 units valued at $3,888,797 for each security changing hands, compared to 996,058 units valued at $3,638,209 for each security traded. Trading in March resulted in an average of 1,146,245 units valued at $7,550,295 for each security.
Key Insurance added 35 cents to finish at a 52 weeks’ high of $5.55, after swapping 91,058 shares. Kingston Properties ended at a 52 weeks’ high of $4.50, with a loss of $1.50 after a transfer of 56,639 stock units, Mayberry Investments gained 60 cents trading 28,831 units and closed at $5.80, NCB Financial Group fell $2 to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $138, with an exchange of 276,121 shares. PanJam Investment closed 50 cents higher to $76 after 482,161 shares changed hands, Proven Investments declined to $37.50, after losing $1.35 transferring 359 units, Sagicor Group closed $1 lower to $45, in swapping 73,341 shares. Scotia Group traded $2 lower to end at $43, with an exchange of 255,788 shares and Seprod ended with a loss of $2.60 to close at $42, in trading 101,200 shares.
The Market closed with an average of 467,969 units valued $2,080,475 for each security traded, in contrast to 410,412 units valued at an average of $2,124,137 on Friday. The average volume and value for the month to date amount to 996,058 units valued at $3,638,209 for each security changing hands, compared to 1,025,936 units valued at $3,731,907 for each security traded. Trading in March resulted in an average of 1,146,245 units valued at $7,550,295 for each security.
Key Insurance gained 30 cents after exchanging 46,773 stock units and closed at a 52 weeks’ high of $5.20, Mayberry Investments shed 35 cents to settle at $5.20, with a transfer of 202,000 shares. NCB Financial Group plunged $12 to end at $140, in trading 163,821 shares in reaction to the suspension of dividend payments by banks, mandated by Bank of Jamaica. PanJam Investment fell $1.85 to $75.50, with 1,760 units changing hands, Sagicor Group closed $3.37 lower in reaction to the suspension of dividends announced by Jamaica Central Bank and finished at $46, after trading 101,069 shares. Scotia Group also reacted negatively to the dividend suspension dropping $2 lower to end at $45, with 66,944 stock units crossing the exchange, Seprod fell $3.20 to $44.60, in transferring 2,255 units and Sygnus Credit Investments closed at $15.99, shedding 95 cents trading 23,433 stock units.
This week’s focus: General Accident is set to do very well. Last year’s earnings grew 48 percent from an increase of 22 percent in gross premium income and a 25 percent increase in net premium. The company acquired majority shares in the Trinidad based
Uncertainties exist in the economy and financial markets accordingly, and it is not possible to determine the exact impact on company earnings for the rest of the year. Actual earnings could vary materially from IC Insider.com’s forecast. Looking beyond the immediate fallout or benefits for companies can be useful in guiding investment decisions for above-average gains in the period ahead.
The JSE Main Market ended the week, with an overall PE of 12.8 and the Junior Market a mere 9, based on current 2020-21 earnings. The PE ratio for Junior Market Top 10 stocks averages a just 5.3 with the Main Market at a much higher level of 8.5.
IC TOP 10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns to March 2021. Forecasted earnings and PE ratio for the current fiscal year are in determining potential gains. The ranking of stocks is in order of likely increases, with the highest-ranked, being the most attractive. Expected 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 when new information is received that affects earnings significantly.
At the close, the All Jamaican Composite Index rose 1,331.58 points to close at 418,817, the JSE Market Index gained 1,205.42 points to close at 381,593.65 and the JSE Financial Index added 0.55 points to 103.52.
The Market closed with an average of 410,412 units valued at $2,124,137 for each security traded, in contrast to 418,093 units valued at $3,884,360 on Wednesday. The average volume and value for the month to date amount to 1,025,936 units valued at $3,731,907 for each security changing hands, compared to 1,060,899 units valued at $3,829,348 for each security traded. Trading in March resulted in an average of 1,146,245 units valued at $7,550,295 for each security.
Jamaica Stock Exchange lost 37 cents to end at $20.63 after 11,170 shares passed through the market, JMMB Group dropped $1.44 and closed at $36, after exchanging 213,331 stock units, Mayberry Investments gained 32 cents trading 22,096 stock units and closed at $5.55.NCB Financial Group rose $2 to end at $152, with 47,023 units changing hands, PanJam Investment traded 1,465 and fell $2.35 to close at $77.35, Proven Investments jumped $2.79 to close at $38.79 after 9,478 shares changed hands. Pulse Investments lost 35 cents in exchanging 3,858,682 stock units at $2.05, Salada Foods dropped $2.90 to $26, in exchanging 5,901 units. Sagicor Group traded 38,531 and lost 38 cents to end at $49.37 and Scotia Group rose $2 after transferring 21,667 stock units to finish at $47.
The JSE Market Index fell by 3,337.15 points to 380,388.23 and the JSE Financial Index slid 1.32 points to 102.97.
IC bid-offer Indicator│ At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows nine stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and seven securities closing with lower offers. The PE ratio of the market ended at 14.1, while the Main Market ended at 14.3 times 2020-21 earnings.
Key Insurance gained 90 cents to finish at a record $4.90, with 57,241 units changing hands. Mayberry Investments gained 47 cents trading 6,101 stock units and closed at $5.87, NCB Financial Group sustained a loss of $4.93 to end at $150, in swapping 24,481 units, Salada Foods bounced $1.95 to $28.90, having gained in exchanging 100 units. Seprod rose 50 cents after transferring 8,376 stock units to finish at $48, Stanley Motta traded 500 units at $4.70, after picking up 33 cents, Sygnus Credit Investments added 50 cents to end at $17, with 25,122 stock units changing hands and Wisynco Group ended the day at $17.50, with a loss of $1.18 with 63,156 shares crossing the exchange.
At the close, the JSE All Jamaican Composite Index declined by 1,972.21 points to 421,131.86, the JSE Market Index fell 1,936.13 points to 383,725.38 and the JSE Financial Index slid 0.40 points to 104.29. The Main Market has gone seven days without closing with gains in the Indices.
The Market closed with an average of 3,226,882 units valued at $5,139,593 for each security traded, in contrast to 867,914 units valued at an average of $1,806,657 on Tuesday. The average volume and value for the month to date amount to 1,105,053 units valued at $3,825,298 for each security changing hands, compared to 960,218 units valued at $3,728,658 for each security traded. Trading in March resulted in an average of 1,146,245 units valued at $7,550,295 for each security.
Jamaica Stock Exchange rose 98 cents to end at $21.98, in trading 81,638 shares, JMMB Group ended at $37.99, with gains of $1.05 and the exchanging 213,440 stock units, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy declined by $29 to $147, in swapping 100 units. NCB Financial Group closed $1.92 higher to $154.93, after transferring 142,312 shares, PanJam Investment gained 58 cents and ended at $74.78, trading 6,709 stock units, Proven Investments closed 50 cents lower to $36, in exchanging 563 shares. Salada Foods fell by $2.05 to $26.95 trading 151 units, Scotia Group lost 41 cents to finish at $45.01, with an exchange of 6,276 stock units, Seprod closed with a loss of 49 cents in transferring 12,903 stock units to finish at $47.50 and Sygnus Credit Investments picked up 50 cents to end at $16.50, with 54,861 shares changing hands.
At the close of the market, the JSE All Jamaican Composite Index declined by 421.48 points to 423,104.07, the JSE Market Index fell 411.64 points to 385,661.51 and the JSE Financial Index lost 0.57 points to close at 104.69.
The Market closed with an average of 867,914 units valued $1,806,657 for each security traded, in contrast to 755,502 units valued at an average of $1,774,456 on Monday. The average volume and value for the month to date amount to 960,218 units valued at $3,728,658 for each security changing hands, compared to 966,799 units valued at $3,877,090 for each security traded. Trading in March resulted in an average of 1,146,245 units valued at $7,550,295 for each security.
Jamaica Producers fell by $2.78 to $16.22, after swapping 200,696 shares, JMMB Group shed 46 cents to finish at $36.94, with 30,709 shares changing hands, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy dropped to $176, with a loss of $4.58 trading a mere 30 units. NCB Financial Group declined $1.99 to $153.01, in transferring 13,994 stock units, 138 Student Living picked up 30 cents exchanging 30,500 shares and closed at $7, PanJam Investment ended the day at $74.20, after losing $3.55 after swapping 8,643 stock units. Proven Investments closed $1.99 lower to $36.50, with a transfer of 1,404 units, Scotia Group gained 41 cents to finish at $45.42, with an exchange of 14,792 units, Seprod added $2 to close at $47.99, in trading 52,988 shares and Sygnus Credit Investments closed at $16, with a loss of $1 after exchanging 171,557 shares.
At the close, the JSE All Jamaican Composite Index declined by 2,223.70 points to 423,525.55, the JSE Market Index fell by 1,987.23 points to 386,073.15 and the JSE Financial Index lost 0.49 points to 105.26.
Trading in March resulted in an average of 1,146,245 units valued at $7,550,295 for each security.
138 Student Living ended at $6.70, after a losing 30 cents swapping 1,276 units, PanJam Investment rose $1.75 to $77.75, with 126,281 shares changing hands. Proven Investments added 39 cents to finish at $38.49, with a transfer of 2,300 units, Sagicor Group closed at $50, after picking up $1 trading 39,750 shares, Salada Foods gained $1 swapping only I unit at $29. Scotia Group shed 80 cents to finish at $45.01, with an exchange of 61,455 shares, Seprod rose 99 cents to $45.99 trading 5,496 units, Supreme Ventures lost 48 cents transferring 509,318 shares to end at $15. Sygnus Credit Investments closed at $17, with gains of $2 swapping 24,526 stock units and Wisynco Group climbed $2.80 to $18.80, ending with 348,655 shares changing hands.
the Main Market, Berger Paints leads the pact, followed by Radio Jamaica and Sygnus Credit Investments with projected gains of 180 to 186 percent.
The JSE Main Market ended the week, with an overall PE of 13 and the Junior Market a mere 9, based on current 2020/21 earnings. The PE ratio for Junior Market Top 10 stocks averages a just 5.4 with the Main Market at a much higher level of 8.2.
IC TOP 10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns to March 2021. Forecasted earnings and PE ratio for the current fiscal year are in determining potential gains. The ranking of stocks is in order of likely increases, with the highest-ranked, being the most attractive. Expected 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.