Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Wednesday, with the volume of stocks declining after trading 34 percent less and the value 46 percent lower than on Tuesday.
A total of 10,525,616 shares traded for $40,636,799 versus 15,922,725 units at $75,853,823 on Tuesday. Trading averaged 250,610 shares at $967,543 compared to 361,880 units at $1,723,951 on Tuesday, with the month to date, averaging 627,955 units at $3,287,715 compared to 656,459 units at $3,462,980 on the previous trading day. June closed with an average of 429,016 units at $1,630,104.
Dolla Financial led trading with 4.06 million shares for 38.5 percent of total volume, followed by JFP Limited ended with 1.38 million units for 13.1 percent of the day’s trade and Future Energy Source with 912,425 units for 8.7 percent market share.
Market activity led to 42 securities trading versus 44 on Tuesday and ended with 16 rising, 19 declining and seven closing unchanged. At the close, the Junior Market Index slipped 0.17 points to settle at 4,294.39. MailPac traded at a52 weeks’ low of $2.20 but ended at a 52 weeks’ closing low of $2.50, while Stationery and Office Supplies closed at a 52 weeks’ high of $18.43.
The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values, averages 12.7. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks incorporate ICInsider.com projected earnings for companies with financial year end that falls between November this year and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Blue Power rallied 13 cents in closing at $3.63, with 315 shares crossing the market, CAC 2000 increased 10 cents to $9 and closed with 50,000 units changing hands, Dolla Financial climbed 23 cents to end at $3.22 in exchanging 4,055,870 stock units. Dolphin Cove declined 10 cents to close at $15.40 while exchanging 187,753 stocks, EduFocal shed 20 cents to $2.15 in trading 580,732 units, Elite Diagnostic advanced 16 cents to end at $3.75 after 216,860 shares crossed the market. Everything Fresh gained 10 cents to close at $1.35 after exchanging 1,630 stock units, Express Catering fell 45 cents in closing at $5.55 with an exchange of 110,175 stocks, Fontana lost 28 cents in ending at $9.90 with 17,654 stocks passing through the exchange. Fosrich rose 21 cents to $37.25, with 121,818 shares changing hands, GWest Corporation popped 10 cents in closing at $1.13 with the swapping of 14,653 stock units, Indies Pharma dropped 17 cents to end at $3.03 after trading 57,674 units. Medical Disposables rallied 29 cents to $6.99, with 5,753 units clearing the market, 
SSL Venture popped 26 cents to close at $3.30 in an exchange of 132,235 shares, Stationery and Office Supplies jumped $3.43 in ending at a record high of $18.43 in switching ownership of 75,799 stock units and tTech shed 44 cents to end at $3.30 after exchanging 69,528 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Moderate changes to JSE market value
The Jamaica Stock Exchange closed on Tuesday with just modest changes to the market indices as trading levels declined from that on Tuesday and closed with the JSE Combined Index rising just 30.44 points to 394,547.29.
Trading ended, with 18,618,446 shares changing hands in the overall market, with a value of $100.4 million, while the JSE USD market ended with the value of stocks traded at US$5,437.
At the close, the All Jamaican Composite Index dipped 100.26 points to 435,389.78, the JSE Main Index rose 34.28 points to close at 380,670.30, the Junior Market slipped 0.17 points to 4,294.39 and the JSE USD market Index dipped 0.99 points to 211.23.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 23 based on 2021-22 earnings and 12.5 times those for 2022-23 at the close of trading.
Investors need pertinent information to successfully navigate many investment choices, in the local stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational investment decisions by investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and put in on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The ICInsider.com PE Ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange. It shows companies grouped on an industry basis, allowing easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices. Dividends payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts that show the closing volume for the bids and offers.
The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2021 and 2022 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items. The PE Ratio is the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks.
Main Market stocks lose altitude
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks climbing 67 percent with a 10 percent greater value than on Monday, with stocks declining edging out those rising on a day when the market indices recorded lost altitude, even as Supreme Ventures price hits a record high.
Overall, 11,308,755 shares were traded for $91,516,185 versus 6,753,577 units at $83,525,119 on Monday. Trading averages 194,979 units at $1,577,865, compared to 114,467 shares at $1,415,680 on Monday and month to date, an average of 176,489 units at $1,633,153, versus 174,862 units at $1,638,019 on the previous trading day. June closed with an average of 281,913 units at $5,309,050.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 4.17 million shares for 36.8 percent of total volume followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.35 million units for 11.9 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway with 953,112 units for 8.4 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index fell 1,135.65 points to 435,490.04, the JSE Main Index shed 1,091.49 points to 380,636.02 and the JSE Financial Index fell 0.19 points to settle at 90.55.
Trading ended with 58 securities down from 59 on Monday, with 21 rising, 23 declining and 14 ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.2 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are computed based on ICInsider.com’s forecasted earnings for companies with financial years ending up to August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ending with higher bids than the last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Caribbean Cement shed $1 in ending at $62 after trading 32,425 shares, Eppley lost $1 to close at $41 while exchanging 403 units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund advanced $3 in closing at $43 in trading 482 stocks. Guardian Holdings dropped $1.96 to end at $516.99 with the swapping of 15 stock units, Jamaica Broilers climbed $1.66 to $29.75 with an exchange of 544,517 units, Jamaica Stock Exchange rallied 50 cents to close at $18.20 with the swapping of 7,891 stocks. Margaritaville gained $2 to end at $21, with 100 units crossing the market, NCB Financial declined 95 cents to $97.05, with 33,541 shares switching owners, Portland JSX lost 50 cents to close at $10 in an exchange of 6,385 stocks. Scotia Group advanced 80 cents in closing at $38 after trading 14,731 stock units, Seprod declined $2.93 to $68.07 in an exchange of 183 units, 
Supreme Ventures rose 96 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ closing high at $32.99 with 571,121 shares changing hands after trading at an intraday 52 weeks’ high. Sygnus Real Estate Finance popped 45 cents to close at $13 after trading 2,019 stocks and Wisynco Group dropped 85 cents to finish at $19.25 in an exchange of 114,459 units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share rose 60 cents to $6.60, with 634 stock units clearing the market and JMMB Group 7.25% preference share gained 40 cents to $3.07 after an exchange of 3,948 shares and JMMB Group 7% preference share rose 33 cents and closed at a 52 weeks’ high of $2.51 after trading 31 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Gains for the JSE USD market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Tuesday, with the market index rising 5.75 points to 212.22 after eight securities were traded, compared to five on Monday with four rising, one declining and three ending unchanged.
Overall, 73,220 shares were traded for US$8,686 compared to 88,015 units at US$8,502 on Monday. Trading averaged 9,153 units at US$1,086, versus 17,603 shares at US$1,700 on Monday, with month to date average of 35,405 shares at US$3,566 versus 38,169 units at US$3,827 on the previous day. June ended with an average of 71,901 units for US$8,793.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 8.6. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending up to August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ended with a bid higher than the last selling price and three with lower offers.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share ended unchanged at 6 US cents after exchanging 54,700 shares, Margaritaville declined 1 cent to end at 12 US cents in trading 430 stock units, 
Proven Investments increased 1.25 cents to close at 24.25 US cents, with 6,755 stocks crossing the exchange. Sygnus Credit Investments USD share popped 0.02 of a cent in ending at 11.42 US cents in exchanging 10,000 units and Transjamaican Highway remained at 0.95 of one US cent, with four stock units changing hands.
In the preference segment, Eppley 6% preference share rose 16.9 cents in ending at US$1.296 after trading 46 shares, JMMB Group 5.75% finished at US$2.03, with 1,251 units crossing the market and JMMB Group 6% gained 8.77 cents to US$1.0987 in switching ownership of 34 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market inches higher
Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Tuesday, with the volume of stocks traded jumping 105 percent and the value surging 170 percent higher than on Monday and the market index closing moderately higher.
A total of 15,922,725 shares traded for $75,853,823 compared to 7,776,997 units at $28,142,208 on Monday. In addition, a block transaction of 316.3 million of SSL Venture Capital shares were traded at 10 cents each. Trading averaged 361,880 shares at $1,723,951 in contrast to 172,822 shares at $625,382 on Monday with month to date, averaging 656,459 units at 3,462,980 compared to 681,774 units at $3,612,428 on the previous trading day. June closed with an average of 429,016 units at $1,630,104.
Dolla Financial shares continued to be in high demand and ended trading with 8.78 million shares for 55.1 percent of total volume, followed by Fontana with 2.01 million units for 12.6 percent of the day’s trade and Spur Tree Spices with 1.07 million units for 6.7 percent market share.
Market activity led to 44 securities trading versus 45 on Monday and ended with 21 rising, 16 declining and seven closing unchanged. The Junior Market Index advanced 5.84 points to 4,294.56. The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values, averages 12.9. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks incorporate ICInsider.com projected earnings for companies with financial year end that falls between November this year and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging gained 30 cents to end at $4.30 in switching ownership of 380 shares, CAC 2000 dropped 10 cents to $8.90 while exchanging 1,441 stocks, Cargo Handlers fell 20 cents to $13.20 with 20,063 units clearing the market. Caribbean Flavours slipped 13 cents to close at $1.81 in an exchange of 12,599 stock units, Dolphin Cove shed 41 cents in closing at $15.50 with the swapping of 70,539 units, Elite Diagnostic advanced 16 cents to end at $3.59 after 6,335 stocks crossed the exchange. Fontana rallied 29 cents to $10.18 in trading 2,008,507 stock units, Fosrich rose 58 cents to $37.04 in switching ownership of 191,321 shares, Honey Bun declined 11 cents to close at $8.39 in trading 37,020 units. iCreate popped 16 cents in closing at $4.16 after exchanging 453,952 shares, Indies Pharma gained 10 cents in closing at $3.20 after 2,517 stock units crossed the market, Iron Rock Insurance lost 30 cents to end at $2.96 with 15,671 stocks clearing the market. ISP Finance shed $2.15, ending at $22.50, trading seven shares, KLE Group dropped 10 cents to close at $1.86 with 450 stock units changing hands, Knutsford Express declined 50 cents to close at $6.95 with an exchange of 350 stocks. 
Limners and Bards rose 15 cents to $3.05 with the swapping of 11,310 units, Stationery and Office Supplies gained $1.20, in ending at a 52 weeks’ high of $15 with 303,359 stock units crossing the market, Tropical Battery fell 12 cents to end at $2.80 in exchanging 385,212 units and tTech rose 73 cents to $3.74 with an exchange of one stock unit.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Mixed trading for JSE markets
Stocks lost steam at the close of the trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Tuesday with main market indices falling and the Junior and JSE USD markets rising, with modest changes as the market closed with the JSE Combined Index falling 967.97 points to 394,516.85 on a day when trading rose firmly over Monday’s levels.
Trading ended, with 27,304,700 shares changing hands in the overall market, carrying a value of $167.4 million, while the JSE USD market ended with the value of stocks traded at US$8,686.
At the close, the All Jamaican Composite Index dipped 1,135.65 points to 435,490.04 the JSE Main Index shed 1,091.49 points to close at 380,636.02, the Junior Market rose just 5.84 points to 4,294.56 and the JSE USD market Index popped 5.75 points to 212.22.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 23.4 based on 2021-22 earnings and 12.8 times those for 2022-23 at the close of trading.
Investors need pertinent information to successfully navigate many investment choices, in the local stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational investment decisions by investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and put in on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The ICInsider.com PE Ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange. It shows companies grouped on an industry basis, allowing easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices. Dividends payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts that show the closing volume for the bids and offers.
The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2021 and 2022 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items. The PE Ratio is the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks.
SOS dividend consideration sends stock price flying
Stationery & Office Supplies announced that the board of directors will consider the payment of a dividend at a meeting to be held on August 9, 2022 and with the stock price closing at a 52 weeks’ high of $15 and seems to be heading higher.
The company last paid a dividend of 16 cents per share on December 7 last year. The early announcement caught the market by surprise as investors bought 303,359 shares up to a 52 weeks’ high of $15, with the stock closing with the bid at $15.84 and the offer at $17.90 and gaining 135 percent for the year to date.
The likely early payment is signalling that the company could be switching to twice a year payout as well as the fact that the good results evident in the first quarter is continuing into the rest of the year.
Some observers are of the view that the dividend announcement by itself was unlikely to move the stock price by the amount in today’s trading and think investors are sensing a stock split.
SOS to make early dividend payout
With the stock price having risen and seems set to go higher the price is clearly entering into a split territory, considering that there are just 250 million shares issued with the top 10 holdings accounting for 90 percent and leaving only about 25 million units that are likely to trade short term. The possibility of a stock split coming up for discussion at the meeting considering a dividend seems probable but such an action if it were to occur would have to be communicated to the Jamaica Stock Exchange ahead of any meeting at which it was to be approved.
The March quarter profit rose 90 percent to $105 million over that for 2021 and ICinsider.com forecast earnings of $1.70 for the current year.
Gains for JSE Main Market
Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market activity ended on Monday, with the volume of stocks traded slipping slightly, with a 65 percent higher value than on Friday as trading ended with 59 securities compared to 55 on Friday, with 17 rising, 23 declining and 19 ending unchanged.
The All Jamaican Composite Index added 982.40 points to 436,625.69, the JSE Main Index rose 1,063.47 to 381,727.51 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.08 points to 90.74.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.1 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are computed based on ICInsider.com’s forecasted earnings for companies with financial years ending up to the close of August 2023.
A total of 6,753,577 shares were exchanged for $83,525,119 versus 6,917,755 units at $50,532,632 on Friday. Trading averages 114,467 units at $1,415,680 compared to 125,777 shares at $918,775 on Friday and month to date, an average of 174,862 units at $1,638,019, compared to 180,801 units at $1,659,883 on the previous trading day. June closed with an average of 281,913 units at $5,309,050.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 2.76 million shares for 40.9 percent of total volume, followed by Radio Jamaica with 695,939 units for 10.3 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway with 589,239 units for 8.7 percent market share.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and five stocks with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement advanced 75 cents in ending at $63, trading 4,552 shares, Eppley rose $1 in closing at $42 after an exchange of 331 stock units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund dropped $3 to $40, with 200 stocks changing hands. First Rock Capital fell 50 cents to $12 after finishing trading of 9,276 units,Guardian Holdings rallied $13.94 to close at $518.95, with eight stocks crossing the market, Jamaica Broilers dropped 85 cents to $28.09 in an exchange of 105,030 units. Jamaica Producers climbed 64 cents after ending at $21.99, with 3,735 stock units clearing the market, Massy Holdings fell $1 in closing at $91 while exchanging 531,093 shares, Mayberry Investments shed 80 cents to end at $10 after 34,787 stock units crossed the exchange. Mayberry Jamaican Equities declined 44 cents to close at $14.55 after exchanging 8,681 units. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy increased by $12.58 to close at $97.58 with the swapping of 29 stocks, 
NCB Financial shed 99 cents to end at $98 with an exchange of 24,990 shares. Seprod gained $1 in closing at $71 as 6,157 stocks changed hands, Supreme Ventures popped 82 cents to $32.03 after exchanging 98,208 shares and Sygnus Real Estate Finance lost 45 cents in ending at $12.55, with 3,000 units crossing the market.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share dropped 96 cents in closing at $6 after trading 147 stock units and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share fell $2.55 in ending at $106.95 in switching ownership of a mere two shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Stocks mostly fall on the JSE USD market
Trading on Monday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 81 percent and the value diving 91 percent lower than on Friday, at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market, resulting in five securities traded, compared to eight on Friday with one rising, two declining and two ending unchanged.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index dipped 3.19 points to end at 206.47.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 8.7. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending up to August 2023.
Overall, 88,015 shares traded for US$8,502 compared to 457,523 units at US$96,524 on Friday. Trading averaged 17,603 units at US$1,700, compared to 57,192 shares at US$12,065 on Friday, with a month to date average of 38,169 shares at US$3,827 versus 39,617 units at US$3,977 on the previous day. June ended with an average of 71,901 units for US$8,793.
The investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ended with bids higher than the last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share ended unchanged at 6 US cents after trading at an intraday 52 weeks’ low of 5.51 US cents, with 23,666 shares clearing the market, Proven Investments rallied 1 cent in ending at 23 US cents after trading 28,076 stock units, Sterling Investments fell 0.04 of a cent to end at 2.11 US cents with 100 stocks changing hands. Sygnus Credit Investments USD share shed 1.58 cents to 11.4 US cents in exchanging 5,807 units and Transjamaican Highway finished at 0.95 US cents in an exchange of 30,366 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market dips
Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 9 percent with the value falling 12 percent lower than on Friday, after 45 securities were traded versus 42 on Friday and ended with 14 rising, 22 declining and nine closing unchanged.
At the close, the Junior Market Index fell 25.99 points to 4,288.72.
The PE Ratio, a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.1. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks incorporate ICInsider.com projected earnings for companies with the end financial years that fall between November this year and August 2023.
A total of 7,776,997 shares traded for $28,142,208 down from 8,580,219 units at $31,966,895 on Friday. Trading averaged 172,822 shares at $625,382 versus 204,291 shares at $761,117 on Friday, with month to date, averaging 681,774 units at $3,612,428 compared to 730,817 units at $3,900,259 on the previous trading day. June closed with an average of 429,016 units at $1,630,104.
Dolla Financial led trading with 3.01 million shares for 38.7 percent of total volume, followed by Spur Tree Spices, with 812,385 units for 10.4 percent of the day’s trade and Mailpac Group with 789,573 units for 10.2 percent market share.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging declined 90 cents to $4 after exchanging 2,905 shares, Blue Power fell 15 cents to end at $3.50 after 155 units crossed the exchange, CAC 2000 gained 50 cents to close at $9 in trading 11 stocks. Caribbean Cream dropped 45 cents to $4.25 after trading 26,704 stock units, Dolphin Cove popped 31 cents to $15.91, with 17,685 stocks changing hands, EduFocal shed 11 cents in ending at $2.39 with 291,434 stock units clearing the market. Elite Diagnostic lost 17 cents to end at $3.43 with the swapping of 31,177 shares, Everything Fresh declined 13 cents to $1.23 while exchanging 18,262 units, Express Catering climbed 10 cents to close at $5.93 in switching ownership of 32,413 stocks. Fontana fell 10 cents to $9.89 in an exchange of 80,403 stock units, Honey Bun dropped 10 cents to $8.50 in exchanging 79,163 shares, Indies Pharma shed 15 cents to end at $3.10 with an exchange of 5,890 units. Iron Rock Insurance rose 30 cents to $3.26 in trading 31 stocks, ISP Finance lost $4.85 in ending at $24.65 after an exchange of 5 shares, Knutsford Express rallied 10 cents in closing at $7.45 after trading 2,675 units. Lasco Distributors dropped 31 cents to $3.09 with 18,084 stock units changing hands, Lasco Financial increased 11 cents in closing at $3.06, with 42,895 stocks crossing the market, Lasco Manufacturing lost 19 cents in ending at $4.51 after 5,443 units changed hands. 
Main Event shed 23 cents to end at $7.17 in an exchange of 806 stock units, Medical Disposables fell 40 cents to close at $6.75 after 6,000 shares crossed the exchange, Paramount Trading advanced 25 cents in closing at $1.90 after exchanging 56,947 stocks. SSL Venture declined 27 cents to end at $3.03 with an exchange of 38,142 shares, Stationery and Office Supplies dropped 10 cents to close at $13.80after trading 1,435 units and Tropical Battery advanced 12 cents to $2.92 with 384,170 stock units clearing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
