Investors pushed the volume of stocks traded up 273 percent and the value 30 percent higher than on Monday at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Tuesday, after trading 51 securities compared to 55 on Monday, with 19 rising, 19 declining and 13 ending unchanged.
A total of 47,132,067 shares were exchanged for $105,575,678 compared to 12,642,427 units at $81,389,720 on Monday.
Trading averaged 924,158 units at $2,070,131 versus 229,862 shares at $1,479,813 on Monday and month to date, an average of 273,634 units at $2,972,954, compared to 231,797 units at $3,031,017 on the previous day. February closed with an average of 183,599 units at $2,160,070.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 30.87 million shares for 65.5 percent of total volume followed by QWI Investments with 9.78 million units for 20.8 percent of the day’s trade, Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 2.30 million units for 4.9 percent of market share and Wigton Windfarm with 2.05 million units for 4.3 percent of stocks traded.
The All Jamaican Composite Index declined 1,777.23 points 
to 362,932.88, the JSE Main Index fell 1,543.61 points to 321,896.20 and the JSE Financial Index lost 1.24 points to end at 74.41.
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 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement lost 40 cents in closing at $57.50 after investors exchanged 6,678 shares, Eppley increased $5.50 in closing at $37.50 after investors switched ownership of 47 stock units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund dropped $4.58 to $40.41 with one unit changing hands. First Rock Real Estate dipped 55 cents to close at $11.50 in trading 3,000 stocks, GraceKennedy rose $3 to end at $81 while exchanging 24,170 units, 
Jamaica Producers gained 74 cents to close at $20.99 with 4,304 stocks crossing the exchange. JMMB Group popped 48 cents in closing at $30 after trading 388,135 stock units after hitting a new 52 weeks’ low of $29, Mayberry Investments advanced 41 cents to $8.21 after an exchange of 1,011 shares, NCB Financial shed $1.69 to hit a 52 weeks’ closing low of $68 as 45,814 stock units passed through the market. PanJam Investment declined $4.50 to end at $52 after a transfer of 20,023 shares, Proven Investments climbed $1.86 to $28.37 as investors exchanged 6,216 stocks, Seprod rallied $5.87 in closing at $67.88 in an exchange of 1,379 units. Sterling Investments advanced 41 cents to close at $2.96 with a transfer of 54,910 units and Wisynco Group fell 40 cents to end at $16.60 with 95,712 shares clearing the market.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% popped $50 to record high of $250, with 306 stock units crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
KLE Group is Main Event in ICTOP10
Stocks continued to be battered in the past week sending the Junior Market back to January 2022 levels and the Main Market declined for a second week and as far back as September 2018 levels, but some stocks bucked the trend and posted gains.
Main Event
Earnings season delivered a few new results during the past week, with Main Event posting positive profit gains for the January first quarter and seeming poised to earn $1.80 for the year. Fosrich released full year results to December, with profit jumping to $325 million from $199 million in 2021 as revenues climbed a solid 43.4 percent, Dolla Financial posted increased profit of 18 cents per share and should go on to earn 40 cents in 2023, but it is not in ICInsider.com TOP10 reporting solid results that augur well for full year’s profit. Limners and Bards delivered disappointing first quarter results of a mere $7 million, down from $66 million in 2022, as revenues dropped sharply from $443 million to $248 million. Lumber Depot suffered a decline in revenues for the January quarter, with a decline in profit and Blue Power reported an increase in revenues year over year, with a profit rising for their third quarter to January, with profit slipping for the nine months.
Performance in the past week for the Junior Market TOP10 saw four stocks rising and three falling. AMG Packaging gained 16 percent to $2.90, followed by Everything Fresh with a 5 percent gain, Lasco Distributors gained 4 percent to $2.74. Tropical Battery lost 10 percent of its value to close at $2.02 and Image Plus lost 4 percent to end at $1.85.
Stationery and Office Supplies is said to continue to enjoy buoyant business into 2023, rose 3 percent to $15 and dropped out of the Junior Market ICTOP10 along with AMG Packaging as Main Event and KLE Group replaced those that fell out, with the former posting strong first quarter results that point to earnings of $1.80 for the year. KLE is now in, based on the fall in the stock price, but investment in the stock is not without above average risk. They are yet to release 2022 earnings, but they should benefit from pick up in business in their associated restaurant business in which they hold a 49 percent interest, with exposure in Montego Bay that will see added inflows from the considerable pick up in tourist patronage and should have income generated from managing the Bessa apartments in Oracabessa on the north coast of Jamaica.
The Main Market TOP10 saw the highest gaining stock rising just 3 percent while Jamaica Broilers dropped 12 percent to $33.50’ following some large trades in the week, Guardian Holdings followed with a fall of 6 percent to close at $480 and 138 Student Living being down by 4 percent to $5.01.
There have been no changes in the listing in the Main Market ICTOP10 this past week.
At the end of the week, the average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP 10 is 5.4, well below the market average of 13.3, while the Junior Market Top 10 PE sits at 5.9 compared with the market at 11.3. The differences are important indicators of the likely gains for ICTOP10 stocks. 
The Junior Market is projected to rise by 245 percent and the Main Market TOP10 by an average of 282 percent, to May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings.
The Junior Market has 12 stocks representing 25 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 24, averaging 18.3, well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 15.
The Main Market 18 highest valued stocks are priced at a PE of 18 to 115, with an average of 30 and 21 excluding stocks with the highest valuations and 20 for the top half excluding the stocks with the highest valuation. The above average shows the extent of potential gains for the TOP 10 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 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 near 5 year low
Trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Monday, with the market closing at the lowest point since September 2018, even as the volume of stocks traded rose by 83 percent with a marginally higher value than on Friday, with investors dealing in 55 securities similar to that on Friday, with prices of 13 rising, 28 declining and 14 ending unchanged.
A total of 12,642,427 shares were exchanged for $81,389,720 versus 6,908,564 units at $81,081,310 on Friday.
Trading averaged 229,862 shares at $1,479,813 compared with 125,610 shares at $1,474,206 on Friday and month to date, an average of 231,797 units at $3,030,966, versus 231,941 units at $3,146,566 on the previous day. Trading in February ended with an average of 183,599 units at $2,160,070.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 3.62 million shares for 28.6 percent of total volume, followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 2.68 million units for 21.2 percent of the day’s trade, Jamaica Stock Exchange, 1.16 million units for 9.2 percent of the market, Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund with 1.16 million units for 9.1 percent of stocks traded and JMMB Group 7.35% – due 2028 with 1.06 million units for 8.4 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 3,422.66 points to 364,710.11, the JSE Main Index declined 2,021.79 points to 323,439.81 and the JSE Financial Index shed 0.66 points to end at 75.65.
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 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments lost $1 to close at $79 after 109,758 shares were traded, Eppley fell $4 to $32, with 1,000 stocks changing hands, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rallied $4.59 in ending at $44.99, with 4,558 stock units crossing the market. GraceKennedy shed $2 in closing at $78 in switching ownership of 119,969 units, Guardian Holdings popped $10 to end at $490 with the swapping of 1,823 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange declined $1 to close at $13 after 1,160,007 units crossed the exchange. JMMB Group dipped 48 cents to $29.52 with investors transferring 42,247 stocks, Kingston Wharves rallied $3.68 to $34.48 after 15,306 stock units passed through the market, Margaritaville climbed $1.24 in closing at $17.64 as investors exchanged 300 shares. 
Mayberry Investments dropped $1 to $7.80 after an exchange of 430,294 stocks, NCB Financial dipped $2.31 to a 52 weeks’ low of $69.69 in an exchange of 49,530 units, PanJam Investment rose $2.50 to close at $56.50 in trading 57,273 stock units. Proven Investments advanced 51 cents to $26.51, with 2,510 stock units clearing the market, Scotia Group declined $1 to $34 in an exchange of 62,062 stocks, Seprod shed $1.39 in ending at $62.01, with 11,256 shares crossing the market. Sterling Investments lost 41 cents to end at $2.55 with a transfer of 65,854 units, Supreme Ventures dipped 88 cents in closing at $25 while exchanging 156,110 stocks and Wisynco Group fell 40 cents to close at $17 with an exchange of 28,984 stock units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% lost $21.51, ending at $200 after a transfer of just three units and 138 Student Living s preference share dropped $7.43 to $70, trading three shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Increased action on JSE Main Market
Trading activity resulted in a rise in the level of market activity leading to a fall in the market on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Friday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 81 percent and the value 91 percent more than on Thursday, 
after trading in 55 securities up from 50 on Thursday and ended with prices of 14 rising, 21 declining and 20 unchanged.
Investors traded 6,908,564 shares for $81,081,310 versus just 3,815,209 units at $42,492,694 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 125,610 shares at $1,474,206, up from 76,304 stocks at $849,854 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 231,941 units at $3,146,622, compared with 240,504 units at $3,281,297 on the previous day. In contrast February averaged 183,599 units at $2,160,070.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 2.75 million shares for 39.8 percent of total volume followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.04 million units for 15.1 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway, 651,680 units for 9.4 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dipped 2,977.64 points to close at 368,132.77, the JSE Main Index declined 2,484.15 points to close at 325,461.60 and the JSE Financial Index shed 0.61 points to end at 76.31.
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 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows seven stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and one stock with a lower offer.
At the close, Eppley climbed $1 to close at $36 trading 7 shares, GraceKennedy dipped $2 in ending at $80 after 138,649 units crossed the market, Guardian Holdings declined $4 to $480 with the swapping of 3,082 stocks. 
Jamaica Broilers rose 49 cents to end at $33.50 in switching ownership of 446,715 stock units, Jamaica Producers shed $2.24 to close at $20.25 in an exchange of 64,697 stocks, JMMB Group dropped $1 to close at $30 in trading 187,664 shares. Mayberry Jamaican Equities popped 97 cents to $12.97 as 22,000 stock units passed through the market, NCB Financial gained 50 cents to end at $72 after an exchange of 215,558 units, 138 Student Living increased 49 cents in closing at $5.50 with a transfer of 888 stocks. PanJam Investment fell $2.79 to $54 in an exchange of 2,774 stock units, Sagicor Group lost $2.90 to close at $47, with 261,239 units crossing the market, Seprod fell $4.57 to $63.40, with 7,759 shares changing hands and Wisynco Group rallied 40 cents to end at $17.40 after exchanging 30,667 stocks.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% surged $46.28 in closing 26 percent higher to record high of $221.51 with investors exchanging 7,599 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Main Market rises on depress volume
Trading activity dropped below normal levels on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Thursday, following a big rise in trading on Wednesday with the volume of stocks traded declining 89 percent and the value 84 percent lower than on Wednesday, with just 50 securities trading compared to 56 on Wednesday, with 16 rising, 19 declining and 15 ending unchanged.
A total of 3,815,209 shares were exchanged for $42,492,694 versus 34,822,128 units at $269,703,535 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 76,304 shares at $849,854 versus 621,824 shares at $4,816,135 on Wednesday. Trading month to date, averaged 240,504 units at $3,281,297 compared to 253,474 units at $3,473,354 on the preceding trading day. Trading in February averaged 183,599 units at $2,160,070.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 1.68 million shares for 44.1 percent of total volume followed by Palace Amusement with 235,004 units for 6.2 percent of the day’s trade and Supreme Ventures with 168,670 units for 4.4 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rose 496.57 points to 371,110.41, the JSE Main Index gained 303.85 points to close at 327,945.75 and the JSE Financial Index increased 0.17 points to close at 76.92.
The PE Ratio, a formula used 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 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows nine stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and eight with lower offers.
At the close, GraceKennedy dipped 50 cents to $82 and closed with 76,020 shares changing hands, Guardian Holdings fell $25.50 to close at $484 after exchanging 303 stock units, Jamaica Broilers declined $3.64 in closing at $33.01, with 91,622 stocks crossing the market. Kingston Wharves shed $1.50 after ending at $30.50 while exchanging 16,694 units, NCB Financial rose 45 cents to end at $71.50 trading 13,327 stock units, 138 Student Living dropped 49 cents to $5.01 with an exchange of 2,274 stocks. 
PanJam Investment rallied $1.79 to end at $56.79 after investors exchanged 41,158 units, Portland JSX advanced $1 in closing at $11.50 after a transfer of 5 shares, Proven Investments lost 59 cents to close at $26 in trading 30,700 shares. Sagicor Group increased $1.15 to $49.90 with 1,931 units changing hands, Seprod climbed $2.97 to close at $67.97 as investors exchanged 3,420 stock units, Supreme Ventures gained 89 cents to end at $25.88 in switching ownership of 168,670 stocks and Wisynco Group declined 45 cents ending at $17 with a transfer of 25,835 stock units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% popped $34.50 in closing at yet another record high of $175.23 with just 46 units clearing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Main Market trading surges
Trading activity surged on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Wednesday, with the volume of stocks traded jumping 328 percent higher than on Tuesday with a 490 percent higher value, after trading occurred in 56 securities compared to 55 on Tuesday, with 22 rising, 17 declining and 17 ending unchanged.
A total of 34,822,128 shares were traded for $269,703,535 up sharply from 8,135,336 units at $45,729,948 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 621,824 shares at $4,816,135 versus 147,915 shares at $831,454 on Tuesday. Trading month to date, averaged 253,474 units at $3,473,289, compared with 217,724 stock units at $3,342,961 on the previous day. February closed with an average of 183,599 units at $2,160,070.
JMMB Group 7.35% due 2028 preference share led trading with 16.68 million shares for 47.9 percent of the volume, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 5.37 million units for 15.4 percent of stocks traded, Jamaica Broilers chipped in with 3.51 million units for 10.1 percent market share, followed by JMMB Group 7.5% preference share, with 2.31 million units for 6.6 percent, Carreras ended with 1.87 million units trading for 5.4 percent of the market and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.80 million units for 5.2 percent.
The All Jamaican Composite Index slipped 558.16 points to 370,613.84, the JSE Main Index lost 341.03 points at 327,641.90 and the JSE Financial Index dropped 0.09 points to finish at 76.75.
The PE Ratio, a formula used 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 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows seven stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Barita Investments rallied $1 to $80 while trading 79,464 shares, Eppley dipped $4.40 to close at $35 after exchanging 3,358 stock units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund fell 60 cents to $40.40 with the swapping of 1,143 stocks. First Rock Real Estate climbed 99 cents to end at $12.04, with 11 units crossing the exchange, 
Guardian Holdings gained $25.50 to close at $509.50 in switching ownership of 21 units, JMMB Group dropped 49 cents to close at $31, with 298,216 stock units crossing the market. Wharves rose 95 cents to $32 after 6,199 stocks were exchanged, Mayberry Jamaican Equities lost 98 cents to end at $12, with 4,200 shares changing hands, Palace Amusement popped 52 cents to $3.80 with an exchange of 186,662 stock units. PanJam Investment shed $1.50 to end at $55 after trading 81,003 units, Portland JSX popped 91 cents to end at $10.50 with investors transferring 74 shares, Seprod increased 50 cents to $65 in an exchange of 3,046 stocks and Supreme Ventures advanced 99 cents in ending at $24.99 as 88,209 shares passed through the market.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 10.50% preference share climbed $30 to $1200 with 100 units clearing the market, Jamaica Public Service 7% popped $34.74 to close at a new record high of $140.73 in trading 705 stock units and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share increased $16.90 ending at $107 with a transfer of 10 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Funds entering JSE Main Market sinks
Trading activity dropped sharply on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Tuesday with the volume of stocks traded declining 22 percent and the value plunging 77 percent lower than on Monday, after 55 securities changed hands compared to 59 on Monday, with 19 rising, 22 declining and 14 unchanged.
Investors traded 8,135,336 shares for $45,729,948, down from 10,369,191 units at $197,162,179 on Monday.
Trading averaged 147,915 shares at $831,454 compared with 175,749 shares at $3,341,732 on Monday and month to date, an average of 217,724 units at $3,343,032 compared to 225,080 units at $3,607,662 on the previous day. February averaged 183,599 units at $2,160,070.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 3.19 million shares for 39.2 percent of total volume followed by JMMB Group 7.5% with 1.43 million units for 17.6 percent of the day’s trade and Wigton Windfarm with 1.01 million units for 12.4 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dipped 1,004.69 points to 371,172.00, the JSE Main Index fell 876.87 points to close at 327,982.93 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.46 points to end at 76.84.
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 ICInsider.com forecasted earnings for companies with the financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and one stock with a lower offer.
At the close, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund fell $3.40 to $41 with 1,443 shares changing hands, First Rock Real Estate fell $1.03 to end at $11.05 in an exchange of 6,550 units, GraceKennedy shed 70 cents at $82.30 as investors traded 116,378 stock units. Jamaica Broilers dipped $1.30 to $36.65 in transferring 286,378 stocks, Jamaica Producers popped $1.33 to end at $22.83 with the swapping of 21,590 stocks, JMMB Group gained 49 cents to close at $31.49 after an exchange of 21,842 stock units. 
MPC Caribbean Clean Energy dropped $19 after ending at $71 with a transfer of 104 shares, NCB Financial dipped $1.95 to $71.05 after trading 16,340 units, 138 Student Living gained 42 cents in closing at $5.44 in switching ownership of 83 stocks. Portland JSX fell $1.69 to $9.59 after 31,902 shares passed through the market, Sagicor Group shed 99 cents in closing at $49.01 with an exchange of 6,622 stock units, Scotia Group lost 47 cents to finish at $34.52 trading 4,694 units. Seprod rose $1.20 to end at $64.50 with 34,213 stocks changing hands and Wisynco Group popped 47 cents to $17.50 after transferring 9,584 units.
In the preference segment,Jamaica Public Service 7% rallied $6.04 to close at $105.99 with the swapping of 6 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Surge in money passing through Main Market
The Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market closed Monday with the volume of stocks traded falling moderately with a value 169 percent more than on Friday, from the trading in 59< securities up from 56 on Friday, with 21 rising, 21 declining and 17 unchanged.
A total of 10,369,191 shares were exchanged for $197,162,179 versus 10,856,108 units at $73,363,572 on Friday.
Trading averaged 175,749 shares at $3,341,732 versus 193,859 shares at $1,310,064 on Friday and month to date, an average of 225,080 units at $3,607,583 compared to 231,366 units at $3,641,549 on the previous trading day. February closed with an average of 183,599 units at $2,160,070.
Jamaica Broilers led trading with 3.48 million shares for 33.5 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.52 million units for 14.7 percent of the day’s trade, Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.45 million units for 14 percent market share and Transjamaican Highway with 1.21 million units for 11.7 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index fell 745.02 points to 372,176.69, the JSE Main Index declined 1,581.47 points to 328,859.80 and the JSE Financial Index shed 0.53 points to close at 77.30.
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 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 10 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments popped 85 cents in closing at $78.90 after an exchange of 15,322 shares, Caribbean Cement advanced $1.16 after ending at $58.20 in transferring 3,332 stock units, First Rock Real Estate rose $1.08 to close at $12.08 in trading 430 units. GraceKennedy rallied $3 to end at $83 with the swapping of 104,745 stocks, Guardian Holdings declined $25.50 to $484 as investors traded 54 stock units, Kingston Wharves shed 95 cents in closing at $31.05 with an exchange of 1,846 shares. Mayberry Jamaican Equities gained 98 cents to end at $12.98 with a transfer of 2,500 stock units, NCB Financial rose $1 to close at $73 with investors transferring 21,654 stocks, 
Palace Amusement gained 61 cents to finish at $3.60 after 401,456 stock units were traded. Portland JSX advanced $1.47 to $11.28 with 10 units changing hands, Proven Investments fell $1.97 in closing at $26.59 in an exchange of 5,496 stocks, Salada Foods popped 46 cents to end at $3.99 with the swapping of 136 shares. Seprod rallied 65 cents to close at $63.30 with an exchange of 17,417 stock units, Stanley Motta lost 49 cents while ending at $4.80 with 13,794 stocks clearing the market, Wisynco Group shed 97 cents to end at $17.03 after an exchange of 51,065 units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 10.50% preference share dipped $80 to close 
at $1,170 with 110 shares switching ownership of 409 units and Jamaica Public Service 7% climbed $21.45 in closing at a record $99.95 after trading 3,230 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Everything & Guardian head ICTOP10
Everything Fresh and Guardian Holdings continue to head the ICInsider.com TOP10 in a week when the Main Market fell 2.7 percent and the Junior Market dropped a hefty 7.8 percent and reversed all the gains of the previous week, but the Investors Choice bid-offer Indicator is flashing positive signals for both markets on Monday.
Guardian Holdings has a commanding lead over its next rival by almost 100 points, but Everything Fresh likely gain of 344 percent is just above Caribbean Assurance at 333 percent, but the latter is currently far more appealing, with the stock selling at a PE of a mere 7 times 2022 earnings and 4.6 times 2023. Everything Fresh PE based on 2022 earnings is at a much higher 17 and 4.5 based on projected 2023 earnings.
Earnings season had two companies in ICInsider.com TOP10 reporting very strong results that augur well for a full year’s profit.
Caribbean Assurance Brokers is selling at a PE of just 7 based on historical earnings.
Scotia Group reported a net income of $3.4 billion for the quarter that ended January 2023, an increase of $2.2 billion or 173 percent over the prior year period as loans the primary driver of profits increased a solid 18.8 percent to $237 billion while deposits grew only 7.7 percent to $4.05 billion and resulted in net interest income surging $2.6 billion as interest expenses actually declined. These results suggest ICInsider.com forecast for $5 per share may be a bit light with solid prospects that earnings of $5.50 seem possible. It noted that overall comprehensive profit shows a loss of $1 billion after accounting for pension obligations of $9.5 billion and other items of gains.
Jamaica Broilers continues to churn out strong growth in profits with their nine months results more than double that of the prior year while the January quarter is up 27 percent to $1.5 billion as revenues climbed a solid 20 percent after finance cost nearly doubled. With the tourism industry back to normal the company should get a further boost for the rest of 2023. ICInsider.com forecast for $6 per share for the current fiscal year from continuing operations seem well within reach and could be exceeded making it a solid buy for the long haul.
Scotia Group had a significant increase in profits for the January 2023 quarter.
Performance in the past week was mixed for the Junior Market TOP10 but was far better than the near 8 percent fall by that market, with only three stocks rising of which two rose by 2 percent or less. Iron Rock Insurance gained 15 percent this past week to $2.30 after falling 13 percent the previous week. Lasco Distributors fell 6 percent to $2.64, followed by AMG Packaging and Stationery and Office Supplies which fell by 3 percent to $2.51 and $14.50, respectively.
The Main Market TOP10 performed worse than the overall market with only two stocks gaining and six declining. Jamaica Broilers rose 6 percent to $38 as investors warmed to the stock following release of outstanding results, with the price having a far way to run, while JMMB Group a clear winner for the long term, put on just 2 percent to close at $31.01. Key Insurance fell 7 percent to $2.61 followed by a 5 percent for NCB Financial and 138 Student Living to $72 and $5.20 respectively.
There are no new additions in either market to the ICTOP10 this past week.
At the end of the week, the average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP 10 is 5.5, well below the market average of 13.3, while the Junior Market Top 10 PE sits at 6.1 compared with the market at 11.3. The differences are important indicators of the level of likely gains of ICTOP10 stocks. The Junior Market is projected to rise by 238 percent and the Main Market TOP10 by an average of 274 percent to May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings.
The Junior Market has 11 stocks representing 23 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 25, averaging 19.7, well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 16.
The Main Market 16 highest valued stocks are priced at a PE of 15 to 98, with an average of 30 and 22 excluding the highest valued stocks and 20 for the top half excluding the stocks with the highest valuation.
The above average shows the extent of potential gains for the TOP 10 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 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.
Main Market trading drops to close out the week
Trading declined on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Friday with a 39 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded valued 22 percent below Thursday’s outturn, from trading in 56 securities compared to 63 on Thursday, as the market closed with prices of 25 rising, 21 declining and 10 ending unchanged.
A total of 10,856,108 shares were exchanged for $73,363,572 down from 17,712,923 units at $93,659,946 on Thursday.
Trading averages 193,859 units at $1,310,064 versus 281,158 shares at $1,486,666 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 231,366 units at $3,641,549 compared to 236,526 units at $3,962,243 on the previous day. trading in February closed with an average of 183,599 units at $2,160,070.
Sagicor Select Financial Fund led trading with 4.63 million shares for 42.7 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.56 million units for 14.4 percent of the day’s trade and Wisynco Group with 1.07 million units for 9.8 percent of market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index slipped 269.67 points to 372,921.71, the JSE Main Index climbed 948.24 points to settle at 330,441.27 and the JSE Financial Index gained 0.64 points to close at 77.83.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 13.2 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 12 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and one stock with a lower offer.
At the close, Caribbean Cement declined $3.80 to end at $57.04 after exchanging 38,525 shares, Eppley shed 50 cents to close at $39.50 in trading 1,300 stocks, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund advanced $4.04 to $44.44 after 333 units passed through the market. First Rock Real Estate fell 70 cents to $11 with the swapping of 21,103 stock units, GraceKennedy dropped $4.99 in ending at $80 with 89,984 units changing hands, Guardian Holdings climbed $23.50 in closing at $509.50 in an exchange of 3 stocks. Jamaica Broilers lost 50 cents to finish at $38 after transferring 247,946 stock units, Key Insurance shed 53 cents to close at $2.61 with investors exchanging 24,899 shares, Kingston Wharves rose 98 cents to $32 with 1,613 stocks changing hands. 
Mayberry Jamaican Equities shed 64 cents to end at $12 in switching ownership of 513,273 units, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy rallied $9 to end at $90 after trading 12 shares, NCB Financial popped $1.95 to $72 with a transfer of 15,018 stock units. Palace Amusement gained 49 cents in closing at $2.99 after clearing the market with 161,399 shares and Supreme Ventures lost 45 cents after ending at $24.05 as investors exchanged 27,819 units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 10.50% preference share jumped $50 to close at $1250 in switching ownership of 100 stock units. Eppley 7.50% preference share fell 61 cents to close at $5.99 in exchanging 1,872 stocks, 
Jamaica Public Service 7% advanced $15.88 to end at a record $78.50 with the swapping of 373 stock units, 138 Student Living preference share advanced $7.44 to $77.44 after a transfer of 2 shares and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share dipped $15.90 in ending at $90.10 after an exchange of 20 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.