Trading closed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market Monday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 46 percent with a moderately higher value than on Friday and ended with the Junior Market Index shedding 32.55 points to close at 4,411.70.
Market activity led to 45 securities trading compared to 44 on Friday and ended with 15 rising, 17 declining and 13 closing unchanged.
The PE Ratio a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.6. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks incorporate ICInsider.com projected earnings for companies with financial years closing up to the end of August 2023.
Overall, 21,953,604 shares traded for $74,776,818 compared to 14,998,955 units at $69,879,663 on the Friday. Trading averaged 487,858 shares at $1,661,707 in contrast to 340,885 shares at $1,588,174 on Friday with month to date, averaging 484,277 units at $2,147,816 compared to 483,905 units at $2,198,219 on the previous trading day. April closed with an average of 449,923 units at $1,781,786.
JFP Limited led trading with 6.68 million shares for 30.4 percent of total volume, followed by Tropical Battery with 2.74 million units for 12.5 percent of the day’s trade, Elite Diagnostic with 2.22 million units for 10.1 percent market share, followed by Future Energy Source ended with 1.39 million units for 6.3 percent market share, Spur Tree Spices closed with 1.32 million units for 6 percent market share and Lumber Depot, 1.02 million units for 4.6 percent of the day’s trade.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging gained 20 cents to close at $3.70 trading of 82,039 shares, Cargo Handlers popped $1.50 to $11.75 with an exchange of 5,770 stock units, Consolidated Bakeries popped 13 cents to $1.39, with 439,482 stocks crossing the exchange. Derrimon Trading 26 cents to end at $2.94, with 837,205 units passing through the market, Dolphin Cove climbed $1.81 to $19.81, with 71,493 units clearing the market, EduFocal lost 10 cents to close at $3.12, trading 971,822 shares. Elite Diagnostic declined 25 cents to end at $3.75 while exchanging 2,215,388 stock units, Fosrich dropped 20 cents in closing at $30.78 in switching ownership of 135,750 stocks, and Future Energy Source fell 19 cents to $6.31 in an exchange of 1,390,058 units. iCreate declined 26 cents to close at $3.75 after exchanging 74,053 stocks, ISP Finance jumped $5.77 to $28.07, with 35 shares crossing the market, Jamaican Teas dropped 11 cents in closing at $3.37 after 531,901 stock units changed hands. KLE Group gained 25 cents in ending at $2.40 and exchanging 6,000 stock units, Limners and Bards fell 14 cents to close at $3.15 with the swapping of 51,280 units, Main Event rallied 50 cents to end at $9, with 78,728 stocks changing hands. 
Medical Disposables climbed 29 cents to $7.55 in trading 205,196 shares, SSL Venture gained 10 cents in closing at $1.75 after exchanging 518,833 units, Stationery and Office Supplies climbed $2 to a 52 weeks’ closing high of $13 after 219,069 stock units crossed the market and Tropical Battery shed 15 cents to close at $2.75 while exchanging 2,742,878 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
No gains for JSE USD market on Monday
There were no stock recording gains at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market on Monday after the volume of stocks traded fell 19 percent, with a marginally lower value than on Friday.
A total of nine securities were traded, down from 11 on Friday. No stock recorded gains, five declined and four ended unchanged.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index fell 3.29 points to end at 224.30. The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.4. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending between August this year to August 2023.
Overall, 246,032 shares traded, for US$54,963 compared to 302,622 units at US$59,279 on Friday.
Trading averaged 27,337 units at US$6,107, compared to 27,511 shares at US$5,389 on Friday, with month to date average of 46,342 shares at US$2,813 versus 48,162 units at US$2,498 on the previous day. April ended with an average of 95,379 units for US$3,929.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows no stock ended with a bid higher than the last selling price and none with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share finished at 7.9 US cents after trading 1,763 shares, Margaritaville ended at 15 US cents, with ten stock units clearing the market and Productive Business Solutions remained at US$1.18 with an exchange of 57 stocks.
Proven Investments fell 0.35 of a cent to close at 26.45 US cents after 159,603 units crossed the market, Sterling Investments shed 0.24 of one cent to end at 2 US cents in exchanging 37,600 units, Sygnus Credit Investments USD share declined 0.3 of a cent to 12.65 US cents with 33,609 stock units changing hands and Transjamaican Highway lost 0.04 of one cent in closing at 1.02 US cents after trading 5,400 shares.
In the preference segment, Equityline Mortgage Investment preference share dropped 27 cents after ending at US$1.70 after trading 116 stock units and JMMB Group 6% remained at US$1.02 after exchanging 7,874 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE stocks retreat on Monday
Stocks ended trading on Monday, with prices softening as the volume exchanged climbed 45 percent and the value rose 150 percent over Friday’s trade on the Jamaica Stock Exchange main market as the market indices plunged at the close after Mayberry Investment traded at a record high of $14.15 and Proven Investment posted at 52 weeks’ high of $39.
The All Jamaican Composite Index lost 5,145.63 points to close at 456,537.42, the JSE Main Index and the JSE Financial Index dipped 0.68 points to settle at 94.72.
A total of 56 securities traded up from 54 on Friday, with 23 rising, 29 declining and four ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a formula for computing appropriate stock values, averages 15. 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.
Overall, 13,950,999 shares were exchanged for $225,110,985 versus 9,627,205 units at $89,895,589 on Friday. Trading averages 249,125 units at $4,019,839, compared to 178,282 shares at $1,664,733 on Friday and month to date, an average of 237,807 units at $4,278,04, compared to 236,679 units at $4,303,740 on the previous trading day. April closed with an average of 532,209 units at $5,709,319.
JMMB Group led trading with 1.82 million shares for 13 percent of total volume, followed by Transjamaican Highway with 1.60 million units for 11.5 percent of the day’s trade, Sagicor Select Financial Fund ended with 1.29 million units for 9.3 percent of market share, after the price hit a 52 weeks’ intraday low of 40 cents. Wigton Windfarm traded 1.16 million units for 8.3 percent market share and Sterling Investments, 1.06 million units for 7.6 percent market share.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows12 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments shed 86 cents to close at $89.04 in trading 26,551 shares, Caribbean Cement rose $6 to $67 after exchanging 222,528 stock units, Caribbean Producers lost 73 cents in closing at $16.97 after exchanging 191,544 units. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund dropped $6.98 to $40.52, with 650 stocks clearing the market, First Rock Capital fell 90 cents to $12.30, with 13,407 stock units crossing the market, GraceKennedy gained $1 to end at $108.50 with the swapping of 88,096 stocks. Guardian Holdings dropped $17.50 to $512.50, with400 units crossing the market, Jamaica Broilers lost 90 cents to close at $27.80 after trading 16,947 shares, Jamaica Producers declined 50 cents in closing at $22.60, with 13,939 stocks changing hands. Jamaica Stock Exchange dropped $1.98 in ending at $22 in an exchange of 21,406 units, JMMB Group advanced $1 to close at $48 with 1,815,612 shares changing hands, Margaritaville fell $2.50 to $21 while exchanging 1,000 stock units. Massy Holdings climbed 50 cents in closing at $96.50 in swapping ownership of 49,892 units, Mayberry Investments popped $1.78 to end at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $12.80 in switching ownership of 806,030 stock units, Mayberry Jamaican Equities gained 52 cents in ending at $15.51 after trading 34,368 shares. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy shed $12.25 to end at $95.01 after two shares crossed the exchange, NCB Financial declined $3.74 to $111.26 in trading 18,616 shares, PanJam Investment rallied 49 cents to end at $66.50 after exchanging 10,934 units. 
Portland JSX gained $2.05 to $10.70, with 44 stocks crossing the market, Sagicor Group shed $2.29 to close at $55.70 while exchanging 345,058 stock units, Salada Foods dipped 34 cents in closing at $5.65, with 36,336 units clearing the market. Seprod lost 36 cents to end at $71.49 with an exchange of 284,297 stocks, Supreme Ventures fell $2.65 in ending at $29.30 after exchanging 731,793 stock units, Victoria Mutual Investments fell 34 cents to close at $5.75, trading 486,693 shares and Wisynco Group advanced 82 cents to $22.95 with an exchange of 188,824 shares.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share shed $2.49 in ending at $20.01 after exchanging 200 units, Eppley 7.50% preference share dropped $1.22 to end at $6.20, with 4,102 stock units changing hands and Eppley 7.75% preference share lost 39 cents in closing at $20 trading 5,619 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
All JSE markets fell
On Monday, all three Jamaica Stock Exchange markets closed lower, with the JSE Combined Index falling 4,753.52 points to close at 411,621.92.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 5,145.63 points to 456,537.42, the JSE Main Index shed 4,768.63 points to 397,820.70, the Junior Market slipped for a third day with a fall of 32.55 points to 4,411.70 and the JSE USD market index dipped 3.29 points to 224.30.
Trading ended with an exchange of 36,150,635 shares in all markets. The value of stocks traded in the Main and Junior markets amounts to $299.9 million and the JSE USD market, US$54,963. The market’s PE ratio ended at 25.8 based on 2021-22 earnings and 13.7 times those for 2022-23 at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
Investors need a series of measures and pertinent information to successfully navigate the 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 with decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational investment decisions by investing in stocks that are 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 take emotions out of the investment decision 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 listed 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.
JSE Main Market rises
Market activity ended on Friday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 53 percent and the value dropping 82 percent lower than on Thursday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market as rising stocks exceeded those falling.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 2,855.20 points to close at 461,683.05, the JSE Main Index rose 2,101.59 points to 402,589.33 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.90 points to settle at 95.40.
Trading ended with 54 securities down from 57 on Thursday, with 24 rising, 21 declining and nine ending unchanged. Caribbean Cement closed trading at a 52 weeks’ low of $60 and Key Insurance traded at an intraday 52 weeks’ low of $3.81, while Mayberry Investments closed at a 52 weeks’ high of $11.02.
The PE Ratio, a formula for computing appropriate stock values, averages 15.4. 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.
Overall, 9,627,205 shares were exchanged for $89,895,589 down from 20,316,947 units at $488,632,009 on Thursday. Trading averages 178,282 units at $1,664,733, compared to 356,438 shares at $8,572,491 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 228,535 units at $4,080,209, compared to 242,886 units at $4,584,264 on the previous trading day. April closed with an average of 532,209 units at $5,709,319.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 3.52 million shares for 36.5 percent of total volume, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.37 million units for 14.3 percent of the day’s trade and Mayberry Investments with 679,319 units for 7.1 percent market share.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments popped 55 cents to close at $89.90 with an exchange of 4,192 shares, Berger Paints advanced $1.09, in closing at $12.29 in an exchange of 6,706 stocks, Caribbean Cement lost $2.99 to end at $61, with 153,079 units crossing the exchange. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund gained $5.20 in ending at $47.50, with 15 stock units changing hands, First Rock Capital rose 80 cents to $13.20 after trading 21,749 stocks, GraceKennedy dropped $3 to $107.50 with 182,889 stock units changing hands. Guardian Holdings climbed $15 in ending at $530, with 1,095 shares crossing the market, JMMB Group rose $1 to close at $47 after 139,940 units changed hands, Massy Holdings fell $1 in closing at $96 while exchanging 17,368 shares. Mayberry Investments rallied $2.22 to end at $11.02 in trading 679,319 stocks, Mayberry Jamaican Equities shed 53 cents to end at $14.99, with 10,394 units clearing the market, 138 Student Living popped 60 cents to $5 after exchanging one stock unit. Palace Amusement advanced $169.02 to $1119.02 in trading five stocks, PanJam Investment declined 99 cents to $66.01 in trading 7,276 shares, Proven Investments increased $1.28 to close at $37.78 with the swapping of 22,311 stock units.
Sagicor Group gained $2.99 to end at $57.99 in switching ownership of 118,389 units, Salada Foods climbed 33 cents in ending at $5.99 after exchanging 3,457 shares, Scotia Group declined $1.73 to close at $35.11 after 54,533 stocks changed hands. Seprod lost 64 cents to close at $71.85, trading 2,767 units, Stanley Motta rose 37 cents to $5.40, with 2,000 stock units changing hands, Supreme Ventures rallied 95 cents to $31.95 in trading 64,951 stocks and Wisynco Group fell $1.27 to close at $22.13, with 374,662 units crossing the market.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share climbed 80 cents to $7.42 in an exchange of 450 stock units and JMMB Group 7.25% preference share dropped 60 cents to $2.85 while exchanging 7,071 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market loses more grounds
Trading closed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market Friday, with the volume of stocks traded declining by 36 percent with the value 24 percent lower than on Thursday and resulting in falling stock prices overwhelming those rising, with earnings season virtually at an end.
Market activity led to 44 securities trading the same as Thursday and ended with only 10 rising, 23 declining and 11 unchanged. At the close, the Junior Market Index fell 20.57 points to 4,444.25.
The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values averages 13.6. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks incorporate ICInsider.com projected earnings for companies with financial years closing up to the end of August 2023.
Overall, 14,998,955 shares traded for $69,879,663 versus 23,316,932 units at $92,287,477 on the Thursday. Trading averaged 340,885 shares at $1,588,174 down from 529,930 shares at $2,097,443 on Thursday with month to date, averaging 483,905 units at $2,198,219 compared to 500,041 units at $2,267,045 on the previous trading day. April closed with an average of 449,923 units at $1,781,786.
Spur Tree Spices led trading with 1.91 million shares for 12.7 percent of total volume, followed by Derrimon Trading with 1.59 million units for 10.6 percent of the day’s trade, Honey Bun chipped in with 1.21 million units for 8 percent market share, JFP Limited traded 1.16 million units for 7.7 percent market share, Elite Diagnostic, 1.13 million units for 7.5 percent of the volume and Future Energy Source with 1.02 million units for 6.8 percent market share.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
At the close, Access Financial rose 59 cents to $21.50 after exchanging 149 shares, Cargo Handlers lost $2.75 to $10.25 in an exchange of 23,829 units, Caribbean Assurance Brokers popped 15 cents in closing at $2.59 while trading 45,112 stocks. Dolphin Cove declined $3.20 in ending at $18 in exchanging 105,134 stock units, EduFocal fell 13 cents to close at $3, with 642,761 stocks crossing the market, Fontana advanced 89 cents to $10.99 in an exchange of 85,158 stock units. Fosrich lost $1 in ending at $30.98 with 122,203 units changing hands, Future Energy Source shed 38 cents to close at $6.50 in switching ownership of 1,017,033 shares, General Accident lost 15 cents to close at $5.95, with 13,000 units clearing the market. Honey Bun dropped 15 cents to $9.20 after finishing trading of 1,206,963 stocks, Iron Rock Insurance shed 25 cents to close at $3.20 in an exchange of 26,771 stock units, Jetcon Corporation fell 26 cents to end at $1.35, trading 102,085 shares. Lasco Distributors climbed 10 cents to $3.50, with 828,816 shares crossing the market, Lasco Financial gained 19 cents to $3.59 in trading 539,344 units, Main Event declined 49 cents in closing at $8.50 with the swapping of 325,825 stocks. 
Stationery and Office Supplies rallied $3.40 to a 52 weeks’ high of $11 after 429,937 stock units changed hands and tTech fell 25 cents to end at $3.50, with 26,531 stocks crossing the exchange.
In the preference segment, CAC 2000 9.5% preference share declined 11 cents in, ending at $1.05, with 4,867 stock units clearing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main Markets rise Juniors fall
Jamaica Stock Exchange markets closed mixed on Friday, with the Main and the US denominated market rising and the Junior Market slipping for a second day, but was only down 20.57 points to 4444.25, compared to a fall of 99.65 points on Thursday. At the close, the JSE Combined Index rose 1,784.92 2,632.85 points to close at 416,375.44.
The All Jamaican Composite Index popped 2,855.20 points to 461,683.05, the JSE Main Index shed 2,101.59 points to 402,589.33 and the JSE USD market index gained 3.62 points to end at 227.59.
Trading ended with an exchange of 24,928,782 shares in all markets. The value of stocks traded in the Main and Junior Markets amounts to $159.8 million and the JSE USD market, US$59,279. The market’s PE ratio ended at 25.7 based on 2021-22 earnings and 13.5 times those for 2022-23 at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
Investors need a series of measures and pertinent information to successfully navigate the 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 with decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational investment decisions by investing in stocks that are 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 take emotions out of the investment decision 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 listed 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.
Equal rising and declining stocks
Trading ended on Thursday, with the volume of stocks jumping 1,156 percent and the value 82 percent more than on Wednesday, at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market, resulting in nine securities trading, compared to 10 on Wednesday with two rising, two declining and five unchanged.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index fell 1.00 points to 223.97.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.5. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending up to August 2023.
Overall, 566,691 shares traded for US$14,366, up from 45,127 units at US$7,903 on Wednesday. Trading averaged 62,966 units at US$1,596, compared to 4,513 shares at US$790 on Wednesday, with month to date average of 50,899 shares at US$2,115 versus 49,431 units at US$2,178 on the previous day. April ended with an average of 95,379 units for US$3,929.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows none ended with a bid higher than the last selling prices and one stock with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share lost 0.029 of a cent ending at 7.86 US cents after trading 89 shares, Margaritaville finished at 15 US cents, with 16 stock units crossing the market and Productive Business Solutions remained at US$1.18 in switching ownership of 1,132 stocks. 
Proven Investments ended at 25.99 US cents with 5,106 units changing hands, Sterling Investments rallied 0.15 cents to end at 2.25 US cents in trading 61,784 shares, Sygnus Credit Investments USD share finished at 12.85 US cents with the swapping of 15,679 stocks. Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share advanced 1.8 cents to 13.8 US cents, with 300 stock units crossing the exchange and Transjamaican Highway ended at 1.06 US cents in exchanging 479,246 units.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 6% fell 8 cents to US$1.02 in trading 3,339 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main Market drops
Market activity ended on Thursday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 54 percent and the value 455 percent more than on Wednesday at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market as rising stocks were edged out by those declining.
The All Jamaican Composite Index lost 2,109.81 points to settle at 458,827.85, the JSE Main Index declined 1,867.86 points to close at 400,487.74 and the JSE Financial Index remained unchanged at 94.50.
Trading ended with 57 securities compared to 55 on Wednesday, with 21 rising, 24 declining and 12 ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a formula for computing appropriate stock values, averages 14.5. 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.
Overall, 20,316,947 shares were exchanged for $488,632,009 versus 13,212,264 units at $88,081,914 on Wednesday. Transjamaican Highway led trading with 5.40 million shares for 26.6 percent of total volume, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 2.90 million units for 14.3 percent of the day’s trade, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share chipped in with 2.88 million units for 14.2 percent market share, Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.84 million units for 9.1 percent market share and QWI Investments with 1.38 million units for 6.8 percent market share.
Trading averages 356,438 units at $8,572,491, compared to 240,223 shares at $1,601,489 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 242,886 units at $4,584,264, compared to 228,534 units at $4,080,209 on the previous trading day. April closed with an average of 532,209 units at $5,709,319.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows nine stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments shed 55 cents to end at $89.35 in exchanging 5,007 shares, Berger Paints lost $1.05 in closing at $11.20, with 2,789 stocks crossing the exchange, Caribbean Cement declined $1.01 to $63.99, with 10,812 units clearing the market. Caribbean Producers fell 67 cents to end at $17.83 with an exchange of 913,139 stock units, Eppley advanced $1 to $46 while exchanging 454 units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund increased 30 cents to end at $42.30 in switching ownership of 1,789 stock units. GraceKennedy lost $1.99 to $110.50 in trading 126,197 shares, Jamaica Broilers climbed $1.48 to close at $28.50, with 58,631 stocks changing hands, JMMB Group dropped 50 cents in closing at $46 after exchanging 214,420 units. Key Insurance fell 65 cents to $4.05 and closed with an exchange of 460,091 shares, Massy Holdings slipped 50 cents to $97, with 28,231 stock units crossing the market, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy rallied $15.26 in ending at $107.26 after trading 46 stocks. NCB Financial popped $3 in closing at $115 in an exchange of 129,265 units, 138 Student Living shed 85 cents to end at $4.40, with 898,887 stocks crossing the market, Palace Amusement declined $169.02 to close at $950 in exchanging 11 shares. PanJam Investment gained $1 to $67 with the swapping of 831,574 stock units, Sagicor Group declined $1.50 to end at $55 after trading 22,168 stocks, Salada Foods shed 38 cents in ending at $5.66 while exchanging 5,525 shares. 
Scotia Group rose 75 cents to $36.84 after exchanging 146,609 units, Supreme Ventures advanced 99 cents to close at $31 with an exchange of 290,748 stock units, Sygnus Credit Investments fell 50 cents to $16.50, with 123,725 shares crossing the market and Sygnus Real Estate Finance popped $1.64 to $16.80 after exchanging 5,200 units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share rallied $1.25 to $108.25, closing after 2,877,023 stocks changed hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market plunges
The Junior Market Index plunged 99.56 points to close at 4,464.82 and ended with prices of 13 stocks rising, 23 declining and eight unchanged after 44 securities traded similar to Wednesday, at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market on Thursday, with the volume and value of stocks traded rose by 10 and 9 percent respectively, above Wednesday trades.
The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values, averages 13.5. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks incorporate ICInsider.com projected earnings for companies with fiscal years closing up to the end of August 2023.
Overall, 23,316,932 shares were traded for $92,287,477 compared to 21,140,775 units at $84,601,284 on the Wednesday. JFP Limited led trading with 5.08 million shares for 21.8 percent of total volume, followed by Future Energy Source with 3.91 million units for 16.8 percent of the day’s trade, Tropical Battery chipped in with 3.36 million units for 14.4 percent market share, Jamaican Teas ended with 2.59 million units for 11.1 percent market share, Lumber Depot, 1.36 million units for 5.8 percent of the volume traded and Derrimon Trading, 1.15 million units for 5 percent market share.
Trading averaged 529,930 shares at $2,097,443 in contrast to 480,472 shares at $1,922,756 on Wednesday with month to date, averaging 500,041 units at $2,267,045 compared to 496,240 units at $2,288,613 on the previous day. strong>April closed with an average of 449,923 units at $1,781,786.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial fell $2.49 in closing at $20.91 in switching ownership of 7,917 shares, AMG Packaging shed 15 cents to $3.50, with 318,240 stocks crossing the market, Blue Power declined 55 cents to $4 while exchanging 39,488 units. Caribbean Assurance Brokers lost 10 cents to close at $2.44 after 151,267 stock units crossed the market, Caribbean Cream dropped 15 cents to end at $5.20, trading 11,731 shares, Derrimon Trading shed 17 cents in closing at $3.29 after an exchange of 1,154,330 units. Dolphin Cove advanced 64 cents in ending at $21.20 with the swapping of 31,141 stock units, Elite Diagnostic lost 33 cents to close at $3.97 in exchanging 90,256 stocks, Express Catering fell 17 cents to end at $6, with 24,650 shares crossing the exchange. Fontana declined $1 to $10.10 after an exchange of 168,277 stock units, Fosrich dropped $1.91 to $31.98 after exchanging 251,557 units, General Accident climbed 13 cents ending at $6.10 in an exchange of 5,082 stocks. Honey Bun gained 14 cents to end at $9.35 after trading 5,151 units, Iron Rock Insurance rose 25 cents to close at $3.45 after trading 1,010 stock units, ISP Finance dropped $7.20 in closing at $22.30, with 98,368 shares clearing the market. KLE Group lost 22 cents to end at $2.17 in trading 156,299 stocks, Knutsford Express shed 20 cents in closing at $7.79 with an exchange of 23,210 stocks, Lasco Distributors rallied 10 cents to $3.40 after trading 201,935 shares. 
Mailpac Group fell 31 cents to close at a 52 week’s low of $2.74 in trading 878,720 units after the price dipped to a low of $2.27 during the morning session as investors reacted negatively to the fall in profits for the March quarter. Medical Disposables popped 26 cents ending at $7.26 while exchanging 40,793 stock units, Spur Tree Spices declined 10 cents to $4 with the swapping of 1,137,489 units, Stationery and Office Supplies fell $1.60 to close at $7.60, with 20,000 stocks clearing the market, before the release of the March first quarter results, showing record profits and revenues were reported. The stock is set to open much higher on Friday, with several bids posted to buy at $10 and over after trading closed. Tropical Battery declined 16 cents to end at $2.92, with 3,358,233 stock units changing hands and tTech increased 25 cents in closing at $3.75 after 1,904 shares crossed the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
