Investors pushed the market sharply higher in early trading on Monday, to the highest level in just a few days over a year ago as the All Jamaica Composite Index hit 441,056.72, after rising 4,461 points after 80 minutes of the market opening. Buying pressure eased thereafter, with the market only adding a few hundred points at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Monday.
The All Jamaican Composite Index increased 351.51 points to 436,947.49, the JSE Main Index carved out a gain of 316.37 points to close at 398,063.87 and the JSE Financial Index advanced 0.16 points to 99.60.
Trading ended with 51 securities, up from 47 on Friday and closed with 19 stocks rising, that includes Jamaica Producers and Seprod that closed trading at 52 weeks’ high. Prices of 16 stocks declined and 16 remained unchanged. The PE Ratio, based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2021-22 earnings, averages 15.6.
The volume of shares traded fell 51 percent, with the values dipping 15 percent from Friday as 7,546,049 shares traded for $75,677,429 down from 15,472,941 units at $89,310,861 on Friday. Transjamaican Highway led trading with 46.2 percent of total volume for 3.49 million shares, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 17.6 percent for 1.33 million units and Caribbean Cement with 6.8 percent for 513,466 units changing hands.
Trading ended averaging 147,962 units at $1,483,871, compared to 329,212 shares at $1,900,231 on Friday. Month to date trading averages 2323,625 units at $1,532,021, in contrast to 242,960 units at $1,537,268 on Friday. March averaged 354,304 units at $2,543,232.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows nine stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments advanced $1.20 to $86.30 in switching ownership of 2,702 units, Caribbean Cement rose $1 to $74 in an exchange of 513,466 shares, Eppley climbed $6.77 to $34.77 with the swapping of 45,285 units, Jamaica Producers closed $2.60 higher at a 52 weeks’ high of $27.60 with the trading of 4,876 stocks. Jamaica Stock Exchange slipped 35 cents in ending at $17.25 in an exchange of 15,021 units, Mayberry Investments rose 27 cents to $5.42 with the transfer of 2,000 stocks. 138 Student Living gained 20 cents to end at $5.70 with an exchange of 36 stock units, Palace Amusement climbed $41 to close at $850 in the swapping of 46 stock units, Pan Jam Investment rose $1.60 to close at $63.60 in switching ownership of 27,211 units, Proven Investments advanced $2 to $38 with an exchange of 143,958 shares. Sagicor Group gained 49 cents to close at $50.49 after exchanging 12,602 units, Seprod jumped $6.32 higher to a 52 weeks’ high of $82.92 with 8,914 stock units clearing the market. Supreme Ventures shed $1.90 in closing at $14.10 in the trading of 422,951 stocks and Victoria Mutual Investments gained 45 cents in ending at $5.78 with 58,944 units changing hands.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share fell 70 cents to close at $6.25 in exchanging 100 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.