Trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Monday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 105 percent and the value 99 percent more than on Friday, with trading taking place in 56 securities compared with 57 on Friday, with 10 rising, 28 declining and 18 unchanged after three stocks traded at a 52 weeks’ lows and one at a 52 weeks’ high and one at a record intraday high.
A total of 24,449,466 shares were exchanged for $83,643,070 up from 11,913,117 units at $42,086,420 on Friday.
Trading averaged 436,598 shares at $1,493,626 compared with 209,002 units at $738,358 on Friday and month to date, an average of 467,590 units at $2,998,844 compared with 473,702 units at $3,295,648 on the previous day. June closed with an average of 366,795 units at $6,952,581 including trading in Bonds.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 17.37 million shares for 71.1 percent of total volume while it traded at a record high of $2.60 and was followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 2.51 million units for 10.3 percent of the day’s trade and Ciboney Group with 924,651 units for 3.8 percent of market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rose 91.60 points to close trading at 363,379.58, the JSE Main Index dipped 1,424.39 points to end at 325,201.53 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.30 points to conclude trading at 71.15.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.1 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are computed based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 10 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
At the close, Berger Paints fell 20 cents in closing at $7.50 in an exchange of 1,050 shares, First Rock Real Estate lost $1.39 to close at a 52 weeks’ low of $8.36 in an exchange of 24,264 shares, following the dropping of the price to a 52 weeks’ intraday low of $7, GraceKennedy fell 80 cents in closing at $77 while exchanging 29,539 stocks. 
Guardian Holdings dropped $20 to end at a 52 weeks’ low of $400 with investors transferring 2,043 units, after the price hit a 52 weeks intraday low of $375.05, Jamaica Producers dropped $1 to end at $19.50, with 14,200 stock units crossing the market, Jamaica Stock Exchange declined 20 cents to $10.80 after 2,100 stocks changed hands, JMMB Group shed 75 cents and ended at $29.25 after trading 13,118 shares. NCB Financial declined $1.38 and ended at $64.02 after an exchange of 123,940 stock units, Pan Jamaica declined $1.25 to close at $49.50 with 207 stocks changing hands. Salada Foods shed 30 cents to end at a 52 weeks’ low of $2.50 after 234,280 units passed through the market, Seprod climbed $2.57 to $72.75, with stakeholders exchanging 1,837 stocks and Supreme Ventures dropped 30 cents in closing at $28.50 in switching ownership of 40,906 shares.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% lost $7.50 to close at $42.50 with shareholders swapping 50 stock units and Jamaica Public Service 9.5% rose $446.70 to a record high of $3,424.70 with a transfer of one unit.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Gains continue for ICTOP10
The Junior Market wiped all 2023 losses this past week, with the market index reclaiming the 4,000 mark for the first time since January and wiping out all of the 2023 losses recorded up to Thursday. The Main Market continues to struggle and has remained down 8 percent for the year to date.
Jamaica Broilers is now in at 3 on ICTOP10.
The Junior Market is now up 11.6 percent since the low in March and is on what will be a big bull ride over the coming months that is signalled by two indicators. The Main Market is likely bottoming after a traditional sell off in May before settling off in the early summer ahead of a rebound later. The action is now with the Junior Market with more potential for growth.
The Junior Market had 5 stocks for the week, each rising and falling. The Main Market ended with 3 rising and three declining, with the most significant change being a loss of 9 percent for JMMB Group to $30 and Berger Paints with a five percent fall being the biggest losers as all other changes were just one percent.
In the Junior Market, iCreate rose 18 percent to $1.30, Dolla Financial rallied 8 percent to $2.43, Everything Fresh popped 5 percent to $1.60, and Edufocal and Image Plus rose 3 percent. OneonOne slipped 10 percent to $1.10, while Iron Rock Insurance and Caribbean Cream fell 4 percent.
During the week whole, year results came out for Jamaica Broilers, with earnings of $4.43 including the write off of the Haitian operations, with revenues rising 23 percent but excluding the Haitian operations, earnings were $5.40 per share, with just over $7 projected by ICInsider.com for the current year, making it a compelling buy at current prices. The stock now sits at the number 3 position on the ICTOP10.
Dollar Financial reported second quarter profit after trading ended on Friday, showing a profit of $105 million compared with $59 million in the 2022 June quarter and $227 million for the six months to June versus $119 million in 2022. Earnings per share ended at 4 cents in the latest quarter and 9 cents year to date. The period shows a small amount set aside for expected credit losses, but the cash flow shows that only 75 percent of interest earned was paid during the period, down from 77 percent for the 2022 first half and 80 percent for the 2022 full year.
At the end of the week, the average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP 10 is 6.1, well below the market average of 13.3. The Main Market TOP10 is projected to have an average of 252 percent, by May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings.
The 15 most highly valued Main Market stocks are priced at a PE of 15 to 110, with an average of 29 and 20 excluding the highest PE stocks, 23 for the top half and 18 excluding the stocks with the highest PEs.
The Junior Market Top 10 PE sits at 5.9 compared with the market at 11.4. There are 10 stocks representing 21 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 44, averaging 21, well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 16, possibly the lowest fair value for Junior Market stocks currently. Junior Market is projected to rise by 240 percent by May 2024.
The divergence between the average PE ratio of the Main and Junior Markets and the overall market valuation are important indicators of the likely gains for ICTOP10 stocks.
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 will likely deliver the best returns up to the end of May 2024 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 falls
Trading declined on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Friday, with the volume of stocks traded falling 39 percent with a 12 percent lower value than on Thursday, with trading in 57 securities similar to trading on Thursday and ended with 17 rising, 25 declining and 15 ending unchanged.
A total of 11,913,117 shares were traded for $42,086,420 compared to 19,516,550 units at $47,807,103 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 209,002 shares at $738,358 compared with 342,396 units at $838,721 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 473,702 shares at $3,295,648, compared with 540,168 units at $3,937,787 on the previous day. Trading in June closed with an average of 366,795 units at $6,952,581 including trading in Bonds.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 3.33 million shares for 27.9 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.99 million units for 16.7 percent of the day’s trade, Ciboney Group with 1.95 million units for 16.4 percent of market share and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.46 million units for 12.3 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index lost 2,051.59 points to end at 363,287.98, the JSE Main Index fell 1,305.66 points to finish at 326,625.92 and the JSE Financial Index shed 0.61 points to end at 71.45.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.3 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are computed based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments dipped 35 cents to close at $75.14 with investors transferring 8,178 shares, Berger Paints fell 34 cents to end at $7.70 as 400 units passed through the market, Caribbean Cement declined $3.20 to $54.50 after an exchange of 838 stocks, 
Ciboney Group shed 32 cents in closing at $1.33, with 1,948,280 stock units changing hands. Eppley lost $2.45 and ended at $34, with 107 stocks crossing the market, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund dropped $3.48 in closing at $39 with an exchange of 1,030 stock units, Guardian Holdings rose $8 to end at $420, with 283 shares crossing the market, Jamaica Broilers dipped $1.84 to close at $35.05 with 56,101 units clearing the market, Jamaica Producers gained 35 cents and ended at $20.50 as investors exchanged 2,200 shares. JMMB Group dropped $2.30 to $30 after a transfer of 22,542 stocks, Margaritaville increased $2.68 in ending at $17.98 in an exchange of 2 units, Mayberry Jamaican Equities popped 56 cents to close at $11.56 with a transfer of 75,240 stock units, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy lost 50 cents to end at $68.50 in an exchange of 1,545 stock units. 
Proven Investments shed $1.59 to $22.12 in trading 46,772 shares and Seprod fell $2.82 in closing at $70.18 with shareholders swapping 181 units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 10.50% preference share declined $99.99 in closing at $1100.01 in switching ownership of 100 stocks and Jamaica Public Service 7% declined $6.21 to close at $50 after 18 stock units crossed the exchange.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Winners & losers shared JSE Main Market
Trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Thursday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 13 percent and the value 43 percent lower than on 
Wednesday, after trading took place in 57 securities compared with 56 on Wednesday, with prices of 21 rising, 21 declining and 15 ending unchanged.
A total of 19,516,550 shares were traded for $47,807,103 compared with 17,334,420 units at $83,845,979 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 342,396 shares at $838,721 in comparison with 309,543 stocks at $1,497,250 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 540,168 units at $3,937,787compared to 606,480 shares at $4,976,885 on the previous day. Trading in June closed with an average of 366,795 units at $6,952,581 including trading in Bonds.
Sagicor Select Financial Fund led trading with 7.61 million shares for 39 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 3.62 million units for 18.6 percent of the day’s trade,
Transjamaican Highway closed with 3.16 million units for 16.2 percent of market share and Ciboney Group ended with 3.06 million units for 15.7 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rose 655.47 points to close at 365,339.57, the JSE Main Index dipped 445.92 points and closed at 327,931.58 and the JSE Financial Index rallied 0.13 points to end at 72.06.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.5 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are computed based on last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows seven stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments rose 49 cents to close at $75.49 after trading 2,266 shares, Eppley gained $2.45 to end at $36.45 in switching ownership of 100 stocks, 
Eppley Caribbean Property Fund advanced $3.48 to $42.48, with 11,384 units changing hands, First Rock Real Estate increased 73 cents in closing at $9.75 after a transfer of 71 stock units. Jamaica Stock Exchange rallied 79 cents and ended at $11 after closing with 2,144 stock units changing hands, Massy Holdings dipped $2.20 to $98.80 with a transfer of 167 shares, Mayberry Jamaican Equities shed 56 cents and ended at $11, with 33,200 units crossing the exchange, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy climbed $8.99 to close at $69 in an exchange of 387 stocks. NCB Financial declined 30 cents in closing at $65.20 in an exchange of 51,169 stock units, Proven Investments dropped 35 cents to $23.71 with an exchange of 2,154 stocks, 
Sagicor Group lost 47 cents in closing at $47.53 in trading 122,107 units and Seprod popped $2.99 to $73 with 6,267 shares clearing the market.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% popped $1.21 in ending at $56.21 while exchanging 252 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Sharp drop in JSE Main Market in trading
Trading dropped sharply on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Wednesday, compared to Tuesday, with a 77 percent fall volume of stocks traded and an 87 percent drop in value following trading in 56 securities compared with 58, with prices of 17 rising, 26 declining and 13 ending unchanged.
A total of 17,334,420 shares were traded for $83,845,979 compared to 76,180,578 units at $630,021,406 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 309,543 shares at $1,497,250 compared with 1,313,458 shares at $10,862,438 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 606,480 units at $4,976,885, versus 752,344 units at $6,686,180 on the previous day. Trading in June closed with an average of 366,795 units at $6,952,581, including Bonds trading.
Ciboney Group led trading with 6.43 million shares for 37.1 percent of total volume, followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 2.75 million units for 15.9 percent of the day’s trade, Transjamaican Highway ended with 2.58 million units for 14.9 percent of market share, Wigton Windfarm chipped in with 2.41 million units for 13.9 percent share and Carreras with 1.13 million units for 6.5 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index lost 1,461.79 points to finish at 364,684.10, the JSE Main Index fell 487.98 points to close at 328,377.50 and the JSE Financial Indexslipped 0.53 points to close at 71.93.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.3 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are computed based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 13 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Producers popped 90 cents in closing at $10.95 after an exchange of 35,426 shares, Eppley dropped $1.90 to $34 with shareholders swapping 1,471 units, First Rock Real Estate dipped 98 cents to end at $9.02 with stakeholders exchanging 40,939 stock units, Guardian Holdings fell $40.49 to close at $412.01 after an exchange of 259 stocks. Jamaica Broilers rallied $1.14 to $36.95 with a transfer of 27,974 stocks, Jamaica Stock Exchange shed $1.29 to $10.21 in trading 138,185 stock units,
Kingston Wharves increased $1.90 in closing at $29.90 after 876 units crossed the market, Margaritaville lost $2.75 and ended at $15.30 after 1,105 shares passed through the exchange. Mayberry Investments rose 50 cents to end at $9 while exchanging 1,606 shares, NCB Financial advanced 45 cents to close at $65.50 in switching ownership of 121,185 stock units after the price hit an intraday 52 weeks’ low of $60, Pan Jamaica declined $2.01 and ended at $50.99, with 507,508 stocks crossing the exchange, Proven Investments declined $1 to end at $24.06 with 1,206 units crossing the market. Sagicor Group dipped $1 to close at $48 after a transfer of 38,194 stocks, Seprod shed $5.30 to $70.01 in an exchange of 2,630 stock units, Sygnus Real Estate Finance rose $1.22 in closing at $12 with 816 shares clearing the market.
In the preference segment, Eppley 5% preference share gained $2.87 and ended at $20 in an exchange of 100 units, Eppley 7.50% preference share rallied 61 cents to end at $6.70, after trading 868 units and Jamaica Public Service 7% advanced $6.12 to $55 and closed with an exchange of 1,488 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading jumps on JSE Main Market
Trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Tuesday with a big surge in the volume of stocks traded over that on Monday, with a 695 percent jump in volume and a 377 percent jump in the value after trading in 58 securities compared with 56 on Monday, with 18 rising, 27 declining and 13 ending unchanged.
A total of 76,180,578 shares were traded for $630,021,406 in contrast with 9,586,592 units at $132,203,147 on Monday.
Trading averaged 1,313,458 shares at $10,862,438 compared to 171,189 shares at $2,360,770 on Monday and month to date, an average of 752,344 units at $6,686,180. Trading in June closed with an average of 366,795 units at $6,952,581 including trading in Bonds.
JMMB Group 7.25% preference share – 2024, led trading with 50.25 million shares for 66 percent of total volume, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund followed with 8.35 million units for 11 percent of the day’s trade, Transjamaican Highway chipped in with 3.20 million units for 4.2 percent market share, Kingston Wharves ended with 2.75 million units for 3.6 percent of shares traded, Ciboney Group had 2.39 million units trading for 3.1 percent of the market s and Jamaica Stock Exchange with 2.22 million units for 2.9 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index shed 659.59 points to close at 366,145.89, the JSE Main Index fell 272.83 points to end trading at 328,865.48 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.57 points to 72.46.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.4 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are computed based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement fell $1.04 to close at $57.96 with a transfer of 14,586 shares, Caribbean Producers dipped 75 cents in closing at $10.05 in an exchange of 13,592 stock units, Ciboney Group rose 38 cents and ended at a 52 weeks’ high of $1.56, with 2,393,664 stocks crossing the market, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund dropped $4 to end at $39 as investors exchanged 8,348,944 units. First Rock Real Estate rallied 93 cents to $10, with 154,732 stocks crossing the exchange, 
Guardian Holdings surged $32.50 to $452.50 with 131 stock units passing through the market, Jamaica Stock Exchange lost 60 cents to end at $11.50 in an exchange of 2,215,100 shares, JMMB Group climbed 47 cents and ended at $32.47, with 8,676 units changing hands. Kingston Wharves shed $2 in closing at $28 with shareholders swapping 2,745,588 units, Massy Holdings popped $2 to close at $101 with an exchange of 2,700 stock units, Mayberry Jamaican Equities advanced 40 cents in closing at $11.70 after stakeholders traded 3,598 stocks. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy declined 98 cents to close at $60.02 after 667 shares were traded, NCB Financial lost 90 cents and ended at a 52 weeks’ low of $65.05 with 301,043 units clearing the market, Proven Investments rallied $2.03 to end at $25.06 after 10 stock units were traded. Sagicor Group gained $1 to end at $49 after a transfer of 7,962 shares, Seprod declined $2.91 in closing at $75.31 in switching ownership of 9,729 stocks and Supreme Ventures shed 45 cents to end at $29 as 12,335 shares passed through the market.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share dipped $1.08 and ended at $6.09 in trading 20,000 units, Jamaica Public Service 7% dropped $8.62 to close at $48.88 after an exchange of 100 stocks, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% fell $22 to end at $2978 while exchanging just one stock unit. 138 Student Living preference share rose $17 to end at $105 after exchanging 193 shares and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share rallied $12.90 to $103 with investors transferring 3 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main Market down first time in 4 days
The Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market suffered its first decline in four days as it started out the new month on a negative footing on Monday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 62 percent and the value 47 percent lower than on Friday and leading to trading in 56 securities compared with 55 on Friday and ended, with 19 rising, 24 declining and 13 ending unchanged.
A total of 9,586,592 shares were traded for $132,203,147 down from 25,472,457 units at $247,227,632 on Friday.
Trading averaged 171,189 shares at $2,360,770 compared with 463,136 stock units at $4,495,048 on Friday. June closed with an average of 366,795 stock units at $6,952,581, including trading in the Corporate Bond section.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 3.97 million shares with 41.4 percent of total volume, followed by Eppley Caribbean Property Fund with 1.22 million stock units for 12.8 percent of the day’s trade and Wigton Windfarm with 983,613 units for 10.3 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dived 3,768.45 points to 366,805.48, the JSE Main Index dropped 2,896.62 points to 329,138.31 and the JSE Financial Index fell 1.06 points to settle at 71.89.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.6 for the Main Market. The JSE 
Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments rose 91 cents in closing at $75 after an exchange of 53,075 shares, Caribbean Cement climbed $1 to $59, with 1,505 units changing hands, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rallied $1.05 to close at $43 after 1,223,210 stocks passed through the market, First Rock Real Estate dropped $1.19 and ended at a 52 weeks’ low of $9.07 in trading 22,157 stock units. GraceKennedy dipped $1 to $78 with stakeholders exchanging 179,610 shares, Jamaica Broilers climbed $1 in closing at $36, with an exchange of 15,933 stock units, Jamaica Stock Exchange popped 57 cents and ended at $12.10, with 19,890 stocks crossing the market, JMMB Group declined $1 to end at $32 in switching ownership of 22,750 units. Mayberry Investments lost 58 cents to close at $8.50 after an exchange of 1,391 shares, 
NCB Financial traded 319,722 shares and lost 5 cents in closing at a 52 weeks’ low of $65.95, Pan Jamaica fell 89 cents to close at $53 as investors traded 67,386 units. Proven Investments shed $2.77 to end at $23.03 after an exchange of 2,213 stock units, Sagicor Group declined $1 to close at $48 with a transfer of 68,657 stocks, Scotia Group increased 50 cents to $34.50, with 25,150 units crossing the market. Seprod gained $1.22 to end at $78.22 while investors traded 30,940 shares, Supreme Ventures fell $1.55 to $29.45 with a transfer of 265,619 stocks, Sygnus Credit Investments rallied 32 cents to close at $12.98 after 45,666 stock units crossed the exchange and Sygnus Real Estate Finance dipped $1.15 to $11 trading 1,100 shares.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% shed $9.50 and ended at $57.50 in an exchange of 224 stock units, JMMB Group 7% preference share fell 38 cents to $2 with 657 units changing hands and 138 Student Living preference share advanced $3 in closing at $88 with shareholders swapping 18 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Big gains for ICTOP10 stocks
Movement in the Junior Market this past week just about wiped out all of 2023 losses and resulted in most ICITOP10 stocks rising, with four recording double digit gains as the Junior Market consolidates around the 3,900 points level before breaking into the 4,000 points level. The Main Market enjoyed five out of 6 days of gains since the previous Friday and delivered four stocks with double digit gains.
Gains for the Junior Market this week occurred even as the price of Stationery and Office Supplies dropped $4.52 from $28 to $23.48 on Friday and former Caribbean Assurance Brokers ICTOP10 stock that fell out of the top tier the prior week pulled back in price to close at $3.30 from $4 as sellers offered stocks for sale below $4, with still more selling at the close of the week. History points to many investors buying into stocks after the split takes effect, usually at far higher prices than if they bought before, as such, it would not be surprising that investors will push the stock to a record valuation post-split. Accordingly, the stock now selling at a PE of 12.4 times current year’s earnings is a compelling buy at Friday’s price of $23.48.
The Junior Market ended the week with eight stocks rising and one declining, with Iron Rock Insurance the top stock, with a gain of 30 percent, followed by iCreate, up 21 percent to $1.10, and Caribbean Cream, up 18% to $4.70, but the company will be benefitting from lower input cost of some raw material, especially the price of milk solids that have fallen sharply by about 33 percent from peak prices last year March, Consolidated Bakeries popped 15% to end the week at $2.51, with very few stock offered for sale in the market at the close. The gains in Consolidated Bakeries propelled it out of the TOP10 and replaced by Edufocal, while OneonOne seems to be coming into its own with a rise of 9 percent to $1.22. In comparison, Dolphin Cove rose 6 percent to $16.90 but seems to have a seller with an undisclosed amount at that price. Dolla Financial is the only loser, with a decline of 4 percent to $2.25.
The Main Market had Caribbean Producers (CPJ) rising 15 percent to $10.95, JMMB Group climbing 14 percent to $33, with Berger Paints and Transjamaican gaining 11 percent each to close at $8.11 and a record close of $2.48, respectively. Guardian Holdings was the only declining stock, falling 7 percent to $420.
It is worth noting that Transjamaican US dollar denominated stock traded at 1.93 cents or almost $3 per share on Friday, putting well ahead of the local based issue at $2.48. The gap will close sooner or later, the question will the Jamaican dollar based stock move up to the $3 level or the US based one fall back to match the Jamaican dollar one. There is minimal selling in the US dollar market and much more in the Jamaican market.
CPJ sits at the number 10 position in the Main Market TOP 10, but it has a June year end, with the changeover to earnings per share for the 2023/4 fiscal year of $2.50 by August that will change the outlook for the price markedly above the current level, with the PE ratio at just 4.4.
At the end of the week, the average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP 10 is 6.3, well below the market average of 13.7. The Main Market TOP10 is projected to have an average of 242 percent, to May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings.
The 15 most highly valued Main Market stocks are priced at a PE of 15 to 110, with an average of 29 and 20 excluding the highest PE stocks, 24 for the top half and 19 excluding the stocks with the highest PEs.
The Junior Market Top 10 PE sits at 5.8 compared with the market at 11.7. There are 11 stocks representing 23 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 44, averaging 21, well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 17, possibly the lowest fair value for Junior Market stocks currently. Junior Market is projected to rise by 245 percent to May 2024.
The divergence between the average PE ratio of the Main and Junior Markets and the overall market valuation are important indicators of the likely gains for ICTOP10 stocks.
In the market generally, Investors continue to nibble away at a number of stocks and, in the process, gradually reduce the supply of several stocks that are attractively priced as the market moves toward the summer months, the start of the stock market year.
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 will likely deliver the best returns up to the end of May 2024 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.
Stocks rose Friday to close out June
Stocks rose at the close of trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Friday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 14 percent and the value 20 percent more than on Thursday, after trading took place in 55 securities trading compared with 53 on Thursday, with 24 rising, 19 declining and 12 ending unchanged as the All Jamaican Composite Index added a few points for June but the JSE Main Index suffered 4,500 points loss.
A total of 25,472,457 shares were traded for $247,227,632 compared to 22,306,090 units at $206,410,617 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 463,136 shares at $4,495,048 compared with 420,870 shares at $3,894,540 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 366,795 units at $5,403,360 versus 362,312 units at $5,445,625 on the previous day. Trading in May closed with an average of 226,361 units at $1,362,447.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 9.11 million shares for 35.8 percent of total volume followed by Supreme Ventures with 4.42 million units for 17.3 percent of the day’s trade, Radio Jamaica chipped in with 4.08 million units for 16 percent market share and Transjamaican Highway with 2.25 million units for 8.8 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 2,559.69 points to 370,573.93, the JSE Main Index climbed 1,645.95 points to settle at 332,034.93 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.03 points to close at 72.95.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.7 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are computed based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 10 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and 11 with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement fell $2.18 to $58 with shareholders swapping 32,347 shares, Eppley dropped 60 cents in closing at $35.90 in switching ownership of 583 units, First Rock Real Estate popped 61 cents to close at $10.26 while investors were exchanging 305 stocks, 
GraceKennedy rose $1 to end at $79 after 5,286 stock units changed hands, Jamaica Broilers lost $2.69 and ended at $35 as 286,206 units passed through the market, Jamaica Producers declined 30 cents and closed at $20.20, with trading in 20,000 shares, JMMB Group climbed $3.05 to $33 in an exchange of 270,782 stock units, Margaritaville rallied $3.45 to $18.05 in an exchange of 139 stocks, Pan Jamaica gained $4.77 to close at $53.89 after a transfer of 28,566 stocks, Proven Investments increased 80 cents to end at $25.80 with an exchange of 54,507 shares, Sagicor Group shed $1.50 in closing at $49 with 360,766 units clearing the market, Scotia Group dipped 74 cents to $34, with stakeholders exchanging 96,185 stock units, Seprod advanced $1.90 to $77 as investors exchanged 62,597 stocks, Supreme Ventures jumped $3.50 to end at $31 after 4,418,487 stock units crossed the exchange.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share gained 47 cents to close at $7.17 in trading 269 shares, Jamaica Public Service 7% advanced $9.50 to close at $67 with investors transferring 6 units and 138 Student Living preference share rallied $10.20 ended at $85 with trading in 1,072 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Gains for JSE Main Market
Trading activity changed markedly on Wednesday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market, with the market returning to more normal levels, with the absence of a lumpy trade as was the case on Tuesday and ended with a 35 percent fall in volume and an 83 percent drop in value compared with that on Tuesday, with trading 59 securities up from 56 on Tuesday, with 23 rising, 18 declining and 18 ending unchanged and leading to gains in the market indices.
A total of 22,105,112 shares were traded for $190,093,496, compared to 33,792,800 units at $1,151,873,370 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 374,612 shares at $3,221,802 compared with 603,443 stocks at $20,569,167 on Tuesday. Trading for the month to date ended with an average of 359,561 units at $5,518,438 compared with 358,731 units at $5,645,075 on the previous day. May closed with an average of 226,361 units at $1,362,447.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 8.11 million shares for 36.7 percent of total volume, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 4.38 million units for 19.8 percent of the day’s trade, Kingston Wharves ended with 3.01 million units for 13.6 percent market share, Carreras with 1.26 million units for 5.7 percent of the total and Sagicor Real Estate Fund with 1.25 million units for 5.7 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rose 2,113.23 points to end at 367,304.17, the JSE Main Index popped 902.81 points to 329,758.18 and the JSE Financial Index dipped 0.11 points to end at 72.78.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.2 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are computed based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints advanced 71 cents in closing at $8 with 1,120 shares clearing the market, Eppley gained 30 cents to land at $36.50 with shareholders swapping 576 stocks, First Rock Real Estate rallied 55 cents and ended at $9.80 after an exchange of 16,986 stock units, GraceKennedy increased 50 cents to close at $77 as investors exchanged 85,921 units. Jamaica Broilers climbed 40 cents to end at $37.70 as 46,997 stock units passed through the market, 
Jamaica Producers rose 50 cents in closing at $20.50 with stakeholders trading 889,716 units, Kingston Wharves fell 95 cents to $29, with 3,005,614 stocks changing hands, Massy Holdings declined $1 and ended at $100 after an exchange of 4,001 shares. Mayberry Investments dipped 30 cents to $8.20 in trading 12,349 stocks, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy popped $10.99 to end at $71 with investors transferring 2,479 shares, NCB Financial dropped 52 cents to end at $66.98 with a transfer of 223,094 units, Pan Jamaica increased $3.45 to $53.95 in switching ownership of 33,947 stock units, Proven Investments climbed 48 cents to $25.78 in an exchange of 7,723 stocks. Pulse Investments rallied 47 cents in closing at $2.52 after trading in 136,273 stock units, Sagicor Group fell 49 cents to close at $50.01 after 6,044 shares changed hands, Seprod popped 45 cents to end at $75.50 in trading 3,898 units and Supreme Ventures rose 60 cents and ended at $28.47 after 98,942 units crossed the exchange.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 10.50% preference share lost $50 to close at $1200 in an exchange of 131 stock units, Eppley 7.25% preference share dipped $2.81 to $16.19 with one stock changing hands. Eppley 7.50% preference share lost $1.08 in closing at $6.09 after a transfer of 1,000 shares, Jamaica Public Service 7% advanced $10.57 to close at $50 with an exchange of 8 stock units and JMMB Group 7.25% due 2024 preference share declined 31 cents to $1.74, with 133,290 stocks crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.