The Jamaica Stock Exchange on Thursday closed with main market indices recording tripe digit losses, adding to the big losses on Wednesday. The market closed with a fairly high participation rate of 30 securities changing hands but with low activity resulting in just 2,344,156 units trading, valued at only $14,789,149 with 9 stocks rising, 10 declining with 2 stocks closing at 52 weeks high and 1 at a 52 weeks’ low, in all market segments.
At the close, the JSE Market Index fell 657.55 points to 98,441.76, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index dived 734.97 points to close at 108,970.43 and the JSE combined index dropped 731.14 points to end at 101,943.74.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading that reflects continuation of declining stocks having the upper hand over advancing one with 6 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 9 with offers that were lower.
In trading, Cable and Wireless had 214,092 shares changing hands to end at 40 cents, Caribbean Cement had 112,969 units changing hands at $8.01, Desnoes & Geddes traded 212,380 shares at $7 for a gain of 21 cents, Gleaner closed with 17,000 shares and fell 20 cents to $1.80. 
Jamaica Broilers traded at $5.85 with 8,550 shares changing hands for a loss of 20 cents, JMMB Group traded 383,750 shares at $7.95, National Commercial Bank traded 26,130 shares to end lower by $1 to $29, Proven Investments ordinary share traded 225,030 units at 19.5 US cents, up 0.50 cents. Sagicor Group with 17,030 shares changing hands, closed 51 cents down at $12.95, Sagicor Real Estate Fund fell 25 cents to close at $8.50 while trading a mere 865 units, Scotia Group traded 11,272 units to close at $23.75, up 5 cents. Supreme Ventures ended at $3.35 with 92,500 units to be down by 15 cents and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share traded 75,000 units at $2.
JSE decline continues on Thursday
JSE drops sharply on Wednesday
The Jamaica Stock Exchange on Wednesday closed with main market indices recording big losses, cancelling out the gains made in yesterday’s trading. The market closed with a fairly high participation rate of 33 securities changing hands accounting for 3,862,624 units trading, valued at $45,895,747 with 9 stocks rising, 16 declining with 1 stock closing at 52 weeks high, in all market segments.
At the close, the JSE Market Index fell 2,316.03 points to 99,099.31, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index dived 2,588.67 points to close at 109,705.40 and the JSE combined index dropped 2,164.74 points to end at 102,674.88.
The eve of and the actual Treasury bill auction days, historically have not been good for the local stock market. Stockbrokers main focus is on the outcome of the auction and interest rates out turn as well as how successful their bidding was. Wednesday’s sluggishness and pull back in prices could be related to this development with today being the day when Treasury bill bids are opened. At the close of trading on Tuesday the signals were for a weaker market on Wednesday as such today’s declines should come as no great surprise.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading that is better than Tuesday’s reading, with only of 3 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 9 with offers that were lower. Today’s reading is 4 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 6 with offers that were lower, a reading that still carries some negative undertone.
In trading, Cable and Wireless had 306,499 shares changing hands with a loss of 3 cents, to end at 40 cents, Caribbean Cement had 19,000 units changing hands at $8, Gleaner closed with 23,326 shares and fell 17 cents to $2. Grace Kennedy traded firm at $64 with 54,439 shares, Jamaica Broilers traded at $6.05 with 42,876 shares changing hands, Jamaica Producers traded at $18.25 with 4,000 shares changing ownership with a loss of 25 cents. JMMB Group traded 5,909 shares at $7.95 to add 22 cents, with the company reporting strong increase in profit for the first quarter. Jamaica Stock Exchange lost altitude and traded with a decline of $1.50 to $7.50 with only 7,100 shares changing hands.
Mayberry Investments had 242,254 shares trading down 26 cents to $3.14, National Commercial Bank traded 421,180 shares to end at $30, Palace Amusement gained $10 in trading 2,500 shares to end at $75, Pan Jamaican Investment closed at $60.70 after trading 1,539 shares with a loss of $1.30. Sagicor Group with 1,077,602 shares changing hands, closed 50 cents up, at $13.50, Sagicor Real Estate Fund gained 95 cents to close at $8.75 while trading 10,095 units, Scotia Group traded 471,710 units to close at $23.70, down 80 cents, Supreme Ventures ended at $3.50 with 56,004 units to be down by $1 and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference share traded 150,200 units at $2.
JSE up but looks weak at close
Jamaica Stock Exchange Traded at a new high of $9 on Tuesday.
At the close, the JSE Market Index jumped 687.52 points to 101,415.34, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index rose 768.46 points to close at 112,294.07 and the JSE combined index gained 530.40 points to end at 104,839.62.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading that was very negative with only of 3 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 9 with offers that were lower.In trading, Cable and Wireless with 154,750 shares changing hands with a loss of 1 cent to end at 43 cents, Caribbean Cement had 50,227 units changing hands with a gain of 50 cents at $8, Carreras traded at $50 with 8,706 shares changing hands, Gleaner closed with 63,082 shares and fell 56 cents at $2.17. Grace Kennedy traded at $64 down $1 with 79,842 shares, Hardware & Lumber ended up at $17, after adding $1 with just 500 units changing hands. Jamaica Broilers traded at $6.05 with 8,300 shares changing ownership and lost 94 cents, Jamaica Producers traded at $18.40 with 4,198 shares changing ownership with a loss of 60 cents. JMMB Group traded 20,084 shares at $7.73 to lose 26 cents, with the company reporting strong increase in profit for the first quarter, Jamaica Stock Exchange traded 70 cents up at a new high of $9 with only 9,990 shares changing hands. Mayberry Investments had 50,000 shares trading at $3.40, National Commercial Bank traded 62,888 shares at $30,
Palace Amusement gained $5 in trading 566 shares to end at $65, encouraged by the company reporting earnings of $26.56 per share for the year ended June. Pan Jamaican Investment closed at $62 after trading 27,303 shares to gain $1. Sagicor Real Estate Fund lost 30 cents to close at $7.80 while trading 140,000 units, Salada Foods ended with 2,750 units trading at $8.50 with a loss of $1.90. Scotia Group traded 25,980 units to close at $24.50, up 50 cents, Supreme Ventures ended at $4.50, with 20,000 units to be up 50 cents but the bid at the end of the day was at $4 to sell 300,000 units and Proven Investments ordinary share traded 137,105 units at 19 US cents, up from 18.5 US cents.
Scotia Group fall hits JSE indices
Scotia lost $2 on Friday
At the close, the JSE Market Index dropped 1,377.83 points to 100,808.67, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index shed 1,540.03 points to close at 111,615.98 and the JSE combined index dipped 1,378.55 points to end at 104,363.81.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading of 6 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 with offers that were lower.In trading, Cable and Wireless ended with 636,069 units changing hands to close 5 cents higher at 45 cents, Caribbean Cement stock rose 35 cents to close at $7.50 with 353,986 units traded, Gleaner closed with 127,400 shares traded to close at $2.71 for a loss of 1 cent, Jamaica Broilers traded at $7 with 18,345 shares changing ownership. Jamaica Stock Exchange traded 14,875 shares at a new all-time high of $8.30 to gain $1.29, JMMB Group
traded 6,545 units with the price rising 30 cents to end at $7.80, National Commercial Bank traded only 7,843 shares at $30.10. Pan Jamaican Investment closed at $61 after trading 5,484 shares, 9 cents higher, Proven Investments closed at 18.55 US cents after declining 0.45 US cents with 40,884 shares changing hand. Pulse Investments lost 15 cents in trading 62,750 shares to end at 45 cents, Radio Jamaica traded just 20,296 shares to end at $3.95, for a 5 cents fall, Sagicor Group ended trading with 46,300 units at $13 to fall by 10 cents. Sagicor Real Estate Fund closed at $8.30 while trading 15,274 units, Scotia Group lost $2 and ended with 89,612 units trading at $24 and Jamaica Money Market 7.5% preference ended at $2 with 54,500 units changing hands.
J$ trade mix on Thursday
Purchases by dealers of foreign currencies on Thursday, resulted in the Jamaican currency selling rates being mixed with the locally currency slipping just 2 cents versus the dominant US dollar. The market closed with dealers buying the equivalent of US$39,692,814 in contrast to US$34,248,600 on Wednesday, while they sold the equivalent of US$37,409,650, previously US$42,427,499.
In US dollar trading , dealers bought US$34,834,813 compared to US$31,335,438 on Wednesday. The buying rate for the US dollar rose 11 cents to $116.89 and US$35,232,533 was sold versus US$41,081,381 on Wednesday, the selling rate increased 2 cents to $117.43. The Canadian dollar buying rate fell 
45 cents to $87.58 with dealers buying C$1,047,913 and selling C$870,233, at an average rate that declined 15 cents to $89.78. The rate for buying the British Pound climbed 53 cents to $180.74 for the purchase of £2,559,153, while £816,276 was sold, at an average rate that climbed 2 cents to $182.62. At the end of trading, it took J$131.38 to purchase the Euro, with a rise of $1.69 on Wednesday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$128.70 for a rise of $1.54 on Wednesday’s rate. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$115,598, while the equivalent of US$242,327 was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, gained 5 cents to $117.60, the lowest buying rate rose 4 cents to $96.19, the highest 
selling rates climbed 5 cents to $123.26 and the lowest selling rate remained at $96.15. The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar rose 70 cents to $91. The lowest buying rate rose 54 cents to $71.63, the highest selling rate lost 50 cents to $92.50 and the lowest selling rate slipped 60 cents to $86.30. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, was unchanged at $183.20, the lowest buying rate rose $1.03 to $147.28, the highest selling rate dived $2.47 to $186.92 and the lowest selling rate dropped $1.50 to $176.
12 stocks up 15 down as JSE indices jump
JSE main market pierced resistance at 108,000 points & is heading to the next resistance level at 115,000 points.
At the close, the JSE Market Index gained 676.72 points to 102,186.50, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index rose 756.39 points to close at 113,156.01 and the JSE combined index climbed 660.25 points to end at 105,742.36.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading of 9 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 10 with offers that were lower.
In trading, Cable and Wireless ended with 990,000 units changing hands at 40 cents, Caribbean Cement stock fell $1.35 to close at $7.15 but traded as high as $8.60 with 669,805 units traded, Carreras traded 3,200 units to close 50 cents off at $51.50, Desnoes & Geddes had 43,637 shares changing hands at $6.80, up 29 cents. Gleaner closed with 377,400 shares traded at new closing 52 weeks’ high of $2.72 for a gain of 21 cents. Grace Kennedy traded 138,893 shares to end at $64.01, Jamaica Producers gained 20 cents to end at $19 with 3,160 units trading. JP yesterday reported earnings for the second quarter attributable to shareholders of $414 million but the bulk of that it, $319 million came from gain on sale of fixed assets and investments. The year-to-date to June net profit attributable to JP shareholders was $589 million compared to $138 million in 2014 of which $429 million came from gains on disposal of fixed assets and investments. JMMB Group traded 
30,000 units and fell 10 cents to end at $7.50, Mayberry Investments had 149,575 shares trading at $3.15, National Commercial Bank traded 109,682 shares at $30.10 with a decline of 90 cents. Radio Jamaica traded just 59,325 shares to end at $4, for a 30 cents decline, Proven Investments closed at 19 US cents after gaining 1.50 US cents with 255,000 shares changing hands, Sagicor Group ended trading with 30,528 units at $13.10 to add 5 cents. Sagicor Real Estate Fund closed at $8.30 while trading 27,548 units, Scotia Group lost 45 cents and ended with 61,898 units trading at $26, and Supreme Ventures traded 27,997 shares at $4 after shedding 50 cents and Proven Investments 8% preference ended at a new 52 weeks’ low of $4.96 with 418,000 units changing hands after losing 2 cents.
J$ slips against all on Wednesday
Purchases by dealers of foreign currencies on Wednesday, resulted in the Jamaican currency losing value against the three main currencies it regularly trades against, but the rate of the local currency has been relatively stable over the past two and a half weeks versus the United States dollar hovering around the $117.40 mark. The market closed with dealers buying the equivalent of US$34,248,600 in contrast to US$38,264,784 on Tuesday, while they sold the equivalent of US$42,427,499, previously US$50,151,893.
In US dollar trading , dealers bought US$31,335,438 compared to US$34,542,850 on Tuesday. The buying rate for the US dollar declined 8 cents to $116.78 and US$41,081,381 was sold versus US$47,644,632 on Tuesday, the selling rate increased 2 cents to $117.41. The Canadian dollar buying rate rose 50 cents to $88.03 with dealers buying C$1,355,970 and selling C$698,801, at an average 
rate that rose 18 cents to $89.93. The rate for buying the British Pound climbed 80 cents to $180.21 for the purchase of £1,076,904, while £460,885 was sold, at an average rate that climbed 59 cents to $182.60. At the end of trading, it took J$129.69 to purchase the Euro, with a rise of 82 cents on Tuesday’s rate, according to data from Bank of Jamaica, while dealers purchased the European common currency at J$127.17 for a rise of 81 cents on Tuesday’s rate. Other currencies bought, amounted to the equivalent of US$229,051, while the equivalent of US$94,152 was sold.
Highs & Lows| The highest buying rate for the US dollar, gained 6 cents to $117.55, but there were no changes to the lowest buying and the highest selling rates that remained at $96.15 and $123.21, respectively. The lowest selling rate 
gave up the $1.90 it gained the on the previous day, to end at $96.15. The highest buying rate for the Canadian dollar rose 90 cents to $90.30. The lowest buying rate rose 29 cents to $71.09, the highest selling rate gained just 10 cents to $93 and the lowest selling rate rose $1.40 to $86.90. The highest buying rate for the British Pound, fell 60 cents to $183.20, the lowest buying rate was unchanged at $146.25, the highest selling rate put on 86 cents to $189.39 and the lowest selling rate jumped $1.30 to $177.50.
20 stocks rose to 6 falling on JSE
RJR closed at a new 52 weeks high of $4.30.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading of 5 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 with offers that were lower.
In trading, Cable and Wireless ended with 1,182,806 units changing hands at 40 cents, Caribbean Cement stock gained 51 cents to close at $8.50, Carreras traded 6,834 units to close at $52, Desnoes & Geddes had 43,637 shares changing hands at $6.80, up 29 cents. Gleaner closed with 250,132 shares traded at new closing 52 weeks’ high of $2.51 for a gain of 36 cents. The stock had traded as high as $2.70 during trading. Grace Kennedy traded 72,578 shares to end at $64, Jamaica Broilers had 11,419 shares changing hands, in closing at $7 for a gain of 30 cents. Jamaica Producers (JP)dropped $1.20 to $18.80 with 986,248 units trading. JP reported earnings for the second quarter attributable to shareholders of $414 million but the bulk of that it, $319 million came from gain on sale of fixed assets and investments. The year-to-date to June net profit attributable to JP shareholders was $589 million compared to $138 million in 2014 of which $429 million came from gains on disposal of fixed assets and investments. JMMB Group traded 10,600 units and fell 39 cents to end at $7.60, 
Mayberry Investments had 219,866 shares trading at $3.15 for a loss of 35 cents, National Commercial Bank traded 44,926 shares at $31 with a gain of 50 cents. Radio Jamaica traded just 8,132 shares to end at $4.30, a new 52 weeks’ high, Sagicor Group ended trading with 17,790 units at $13.05, and lost 15 cents. Proven Investments closed at 17.5 US cents after falling 0.50 US cents with 200,000 shares, Sagicor Real Estate Fund closed at $8.30 while trading 295,742 units, Scotia Group gained 44 cents and ended with 109,216 units trading at $26.45, Scotia Investments ended with 15,000 shares changing hands at $27.99, up 99 cents and Supreme Ventures traded 1,974,455 shares at $4.50, a new all-time high by adding 92 cents.
Bulls & bears jostling for control on JSE
The Jamaica stock market closed with 7 stocks rising, 10 declining as 27 securities changed hands with 2,264,841 units trading, valued at $15,471,105 and 6 stocks closed at new 52 weeks’ high in all market segments.
At the close, the JSE Market Index gained 638.23 points to 101,233.39, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index rose 713.37 points to close at 112,090.69 and the JSE combined index climbed 601.76 points to end at 104,875.03.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and junior markets, 
the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading of 8 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 6 with offers that were lower.
In trading, Cable and Wireless ended with 286,500 units changing hands to end at 39 cents, Caribbean Cement stock gained 74 cents to close at $7.99, Carreras traded 11,949 units to close at $52 after trading at a 52 weeks, intraday high of $52.50, Desnoes & Geddes had 21,400 shares changing hands at $6.51, down 4 cents. Gleaner traded at $2.15, and gained 26 cents after 386,946 shares changed hands. At the close, Gleaner closed with the bids above the last traded price at $2.20 to buy 1,000 shares. Grace Kennedy traded 8,000 shares to end at $63, Jamaica Broilers had 61,000 shares changing hands, in closing at $6.70 for a fall 
of 30 cents. National Commercial Bank traded just 89,384 shares at $30.50 with a gain of 49 cents, at the close the stock was offered at $30.50 to sell 51,623 shares and then after that the bid is at $32.50 to sell 245 units, the only other offers posted are, at $33 to sell 503 units and at $60 to sell 2,000 shares. Radio Jamaica traded just 25,185 shares to end at $4, Sagicor Group ended trading with 195,878 units at $13.20, and lost 30 cents. Sagicor Real Estate Fund closed at $8.30 while trading 155,507 units, Scotia Group ended with 138,986 units trading at $26.01, Scotia Investments ended with 44,735 shares changing hands at $27 and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference traded 46,000 units at $2.
Bulls rampant with 6 new highs on Monday
Supply is virtually dried up for NCB
At the close, the JSE Market Index slipped 397.37 points to 100,596.16, the JSE All Jamaican Composite index fell 444.16 points to close at 111,377.32 and the JSE combined index declined 363.68 points to end at 104,273.27.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator had a reading of 8 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 7 with offers that were lower.
In trading, Cable and Wireless ended with 734,138 units changing hands and lost 1 cent to
end at 39 cents, Carreras traded 9,440 units to close at $52, Desnoes & Geddes had 64,610 shares changing hands at $6.55, down 15 cents. Gleaner traded at $1.89, and gained 37 cents after just 100 shares changed hands, in continued response to the merger of the company’s media operations, with that of Radio Jamaica. At the close, Gleaner closed with the bids above the last traded price at $2.09 with 6,238 shares for a new 52 weeks high. Grace Kennedy lost $1 in trading 10,933 shares to end at $63,
had 29,700 shares changing hands, in closing at $7 for a rise of 63 cents. Jamaica Producers traded 24,294 shares to end at $20 by gaining $1.15, The Jamaica Stock Exchange stock traded 104,900 units at $6.60, for a loss of 20 cents, Kingston Wharves ended with 699,999 shares changing hands at $7.05, to gain 5 cents. Mayberry Investments had 116,000 shares trading at $3.50 to gain 40 cents, for a new 52 weeks’ high, National Commercial Bank traded 66,421 shares at $30.01 after it traded earlier in the day at $30.50. At the close theJamaica Broilers
stock was offered at $32.50 to sell 245 units, the only other offers posted are, at $33 to sell 503 units and at $60 to sell 2,000 shares, the bid was at $30.01 to buy 51,091 units. Radio Jamaica traded just 106,922 shares to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $4 as the price gained 10 cents, Sagicor Group ended trading with 97,240 units at $13.50, to gain 54 cents. Sagicor Real Estate Fund lost 20 cents and closed at $8.30 while trading 48,229 units, Scotia Group ended with 768,044 units trading at $26 but traded as low as $23.66 during the day and Jamaica Money Market Brokers 7.50% preference traded 882,500 units at $2 after shedding 1 cent.