Market activity ended on Thursday, with the volume of shares trading rising after trading 140 percent more and the value 123 percent higher than on Wednesday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market as rising stocks exceeded were less than those declining.
The All Jamaican Composite Index gained 3,189.37 points to settle at 442,658.22, the JSE Main Index climbed 2,207.57 points to end at 391,231.96 and the JSE Financial Index increased 0.39 points to settle at 94.45.
Trading ended with 53 securities compared to 52 on Wednesday, with 26 rising, 13 declining and 14 ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a formula for computing appropriate stock values, averages 17. The PE ratio for the JSE Main and USD Market closing quotes is based on ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending to the end of August 2022.
Overall, 44,141,890 shares were exchanged for $386,345,334 up from 18,362,000 units at $173,000,474 on Wednesday. Transjamaican Highway led trading with 14.58 million shares for 33 percent of total volume, followed by Radio Jamaica with 10.79 million units for 24.5 percent of the day’s trade, Pulse Investments with 5.81 million units for 13.2 percent market share, Wigton Windfarm ended with 4.97 million units for 11.3 percent market share and NCB Financial 1.05 million units for 2.4 percent market share.
Trading averages 832,866 units at $7,289,535, compared to 353,115 shares at $3,326,932 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 610,787 units at $6,967,031, compared to 600,727 units at $6,952,422 on the previous trading day. February closed with an average of 392,520 units at $3,199,976.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 18 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments advanced 50 cents to end at $93.50, with 256,239 shares changing hands, Caribbean Cement rose 85 cents to $74.85 with 225,823 stock units clearing the market, Caribbean Producers climbed 40 cents in ending at $14.90 with the swapping of 65,196 units. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rose $1.59 to close at $46.57 in exchanging 35,207 stocks, Guardian Holdings gained $5 in closing at $550 with 241 units crossing the market, Jamaica Broilers fell 43 cents to close at $29 crossing the exchange 130,463 stock units. Jamaica Producers shed $2.50 to $21.50 in an exchange of 41,816 stocks, Jamaica Stock Exchange popped 30 cents to $18.80, with an exchange of 49,241 shares, JMMB Group rallied $1 to end at $45 in switching ownership of 344,483 stocks. Massy Holdings climbed $1 in closing at $102 with 40,312 units changing hands, Mayberry Jamaican Equities increased 50 cents in closing at $8 after exchanging 49,600 shares, NCB Financial rose $4.50 to close at $119 with 1,048,784 stock units changing hands. 
PanJam Investment dropped $1.04 in ending at $65 after 205,860 stock units crossed the market, Proven Investments popped 68 cents to $36.30 trading 12,399 stocks, Salada Foods gained 35 cents to end at $6.45 in trading 17,255 shares. Scotia Group advanced $1.10 to $36.20 after trading 200,801 units and Seprod rallied 60 cents to end at $59.10 while exchanging 1,153 stocks units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 5% preference share declined 50 cents to $18.50 after an exchange of 200 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Gains for all JSE USD traded stocks
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended Thursday, with the volume of shares changing hands rising 31 percent more than on Wednesday, with 45 percent less value, with just three securities traded in contrast to 10 on Wednesday with all three recording gains.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index fell 1.68 points to end at 206.85.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 14.3. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years up to August 2022.
Overall, 1,651,866 shares traded, for US$148,611 compared to 1,260,940 units at US$271,991 on Wednesday. Trading averaged 550,622 units at US$49,537 compared to 126,094 shares at US$27,199 on Wednesday, with a month to date average of 59,258 shares at US$6,669 versus 49,161 units at US$5,788 on the previous day. February ended with an average of 87,719 units for US$9,318.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ended with a bid higher than the last selling prices and two stocks with lower offers.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share increased 0.02 of a cent to 7.95 US cents with an exchange of 146,000 shares, Proven Investments popped 0.7 of a cent to 25.5 US cents, with 552,549 units clearing the market and Transjamaican Highway rose 0.04 of a cent in ending at 0.94 of one US cents, with 953,317 stocks changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market Jumps 23%
Trading fell back from Wednesday’s surge at the close of the Junior Market on Thursday, with the volume of stocks traded dropping 69 percent as the value fell 70 percent from Wednesday’s levels, but the market ended with advancing stocks nearly doubling those declining and sent the market index 34.01 points higher to 4,223.33, with 23 percent gains for the year to date.
Market activity led to 42 securities trading up from 40 on Wednesday with 21 rising, 12 declining and nine closing unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 22.8. The PE ratio of each stock in the chart below is based on ICInsider.com earnings forecast for companies with financial years up to August 2022.
A total of 23,142,159 shares traded for $83,667,452 compared to 73,733,908 units at $274,328,558 on Wednesday, Spur Tree Spices led trading with 5.98 million shares for 25.9 percent of total volume, followed by Mailpac Group with 3.56 million units for 15.4 percent of the day’s trade and Future Energy Source with 2.63 million units for 11.4 percent market share, JFP Limited with 2.53 million units for 10.9 percent market share, Jetcon Corporation traded 2.18 million units for 9.4 percent market share and EduFocal ended with 1.63 million units for 7 percent market share.
Thursday’s trading averaged 551,004 shares at $1,992,082 down from 1,843,348 shares at $6,858,214 on Wednesday with month to date, averaging 719,276 units at $2,636,802 compared to 727,308 units at $2,667,573 on the previous trading day. February closed with an average of 370,064 units at $1,402,517.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial advanced 49 cents in closing at $20.50 after trading 319 shares, CAC 2000 fell 45 cents to close at $7.05 in exchanging 2,756 units, Derrimon Trading rallied 13 cents to $2.68 with 194,275 stock units changing hands. Dolphin Cove popped 69 cents to $26.69, with 190,176 stocks clearing the market, Fosrich rose $2.23 to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $18.63 with 100,544 shares changing hands, Future Energy Source declined 33 cents to end at $6.35 after 2,630,785 stock units were traded. Honey Bun gained 29 cents ending at $10.28, with 19,243 stocks crossing the exchange, Indies Pharma increased 9 cents to close at $3.09, trading 236,024 units, Jetcon Corporation shed 15 cents in closing at $1.05 while exchanging 2,182,003 stocks.
Knutsford Express lost 55 cents to $7.45 with the swapping of 35,973 units, Lasco Manufacturing climbed 30 cents to end at $5.55 in an exchange of 83,221 stock units, Lumber Depot dropped 11 cents to $3.51 with an exchange of 653,429 shares. Mailpac Group climbed 34 cents to close at $3.57 after exchanging 3,562,628 stocks, Main Event fell 80 cents in ending at $7.20 after 132,274 shares changed hands, Spur Tree Spices dropped 9 cents to $3.70 in switching ownership of 5,983,396 stock units and Stationery and Office Supplies gained 57 cents in closing at $7.60 in exchanging 5,874 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE finishes off March with sharp rally
The Jamaica Stock Exchange ended trading on Thursday with all three Main Market indices rising to close out March. The Combined Index climbed 2,368.79 points to 403.780.72, the All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 3,189.37 points to 442,658.22 and the JSE Main Index climbed 2,207.57 points to end at 391,231.96 while the Junior Market jumped 34.01 points to 4,223.33.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 22.1 based on 2021-22 earnings and 12.8 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 make use of 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 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 USD trading surge ahead of month end
Trading surged on Wednesday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market, with the volume of shares changing hands jumping 441 percent with the value 4,555 percent higher than on Tuesday, resulting in a bounce in the market index as rising stocks beat out those falling.
A total of 10 securities traded, compared to five on Tuesday, with five rising, three declining and two ending unchanged, leading the JSE US Denominated Equities Index to climb 4.66 points and land at 208.53.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 14.2. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years to the end of August 2022.
Overall, 1,260,940 shares traded, for US$271,991, up from 233,145 units at US$5,842 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 126,094 units at US$27,199, compared to 46,629 shares at US$1,168 on Tuesday, with the month to date averaging 49,161 shares at US$5,788 versus 43,504 units at US$4,214 on the previous day. February ended with an average of 87,719 units for US$9,318.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ended with a bid higher than the last selling price and one with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share gained 0.7 of a cent in closing at 7.93 US cents, with 142,294 shares crossing the market, Margaritaville ended unchanged at 16 US cents trading 11 units, Productive Business Solutions advanced 1.69 cents to US$1.055, with 172 stocks changing hands. 
Proven Investments rose 1.48 cents to close at 24.8 US cents as investors grabbed 1,042,844 stock units, Sterling Investments lost 0.17 of a cent to 2 US cents in an exchange of 2,500 shares, Sygnus Credit Investments USD share climbed 0.59 of a cent to 12.7 US cents in switching ownership of 5,388 stocks. Transjamaican Highway rallied 0.02 cents to end at 0.9 US cents in trading 67,530 units,
In the preference segment, Eppley 6% preference share declined 16.7 cents to close at 96 US cents after 97 stock units crossed the market, Equityline Mortgage Investment preference share fell 3 cents in closing at US$1.97 trading 99 stock units and JMMB Group 5.75% finished at US$2.03 with an exchange of 5 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main Market recovery
Market activity ended on Wednesday, with the volume and value of shares falling below that on Tuesday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market as rising stocks exceeded those declining nearly two to one.
The All Jamaican Composite Index popped 4,746.65 points to 439,468.85, the JSE Main Index climbed 3,384.50 points to end at 389,024.39 and the JSE Financial Index rallied 1.23 points to 94.06.
Trading ended with 52 securities compared to 60 on Tuesday, with 24 rising, 14 declining and 14 ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a formula for computing appropriate stock values, averages 16.9, The PE ratio for the JSE Main and USD Market closing quotes are based on ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending at the end of August 2022.
Overall, 18,362,000 shares were exchanged for $173,000,474 versus20,758,716 units at $260,240,162 on Tuesday. Wigton Windfarm led trading with 8.39 million shares for 45.7 percent of total volume, followed by Transjamaican Highway with 3.43 million units for 18.7 percent of the day’s trade after trading at a 52 weeks’ high. 
Pulse Investments with 2.21 million units for 12 percent market share and Sagicor Select Financial Fund ended with 1.41 million units changing hands for 7.7 percent market share.
Trading on Wednesday averaged 353,115 units at $3,326,932 compared to 345,979 shares at $4,337,336 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 600,727 units at $6,952,422 compared to 612,243 units at $7,121,049 on the previous trading day. February closed with an average of 392,520 units at $3,199,976.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows twelve stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement gained $4 in closing at $74 after exchanging 173,433 shares, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rose $3.48 in ending at $44.98 and closed with an exchange of 18,864 stocks, Guardian Holdings rallied $5 to end at $545, with 1,063 stock units changing hands. Jamaica Producers increased $1.45 to close at $24 after trading 121,971 units, Jamaica Stock Exchange climbed $1 to $18.50 in exchanging 23,882 units, JMMB Group advanced 70 cents to $44, with 183,286 stock units crossing the market. Key Insurance shed 32 cents to end at $4.32, trading 10,384 shares, Kingston Properties popped 50 cents in closing at $9.50 with an exchange of 6,913 stocks, Massy Holdings lost $1 to close at $101 in switching ownership of 22,285 stock units. 
NCB Financial advanced $2 to $114.50 with the swapping of 150,925 shares, Palace Amusement declined $65 to $980 in an exchange of 10 units, PanJam Investment gained $1.54 in closing at $66.04 after trading 88,443 stocks. Proven Investments popped $2.62 to end at $35.62, with 197,532 stock units crossing the market, Pulse Investments rose 32 cents to end at $4.42, with 2,205,543 shares clearing the market, Scotia Group increased $1.07 to close at $35.10 in exchanging 81,314 stocks. Seprod rallied 50 cents to close at $58.50 while exchanging 3,345 units and Victoria Mutual Investments dropped 39 cents to $6.20, with 26,654 stock units crossing the exchange.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living Preference share climbed $3.34, ending at a 52 weeks’ high of $13.50, trading 234 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Surge in Junior Market trading but index plunges
Junior Market trading jumped on Wednesday, with the volume of stocks traded surging 339 percent above that Tuesday as the value also jumped 362 percent, but the increased activity failed to prevent the market index from diving 65.96 points to 4,189.32.
Traded resulted in 73,733,908 shares changing hands at $274,328,558 up from 16,783,104 units at $59,357,222 on Tuesday. Spur Tree Spices led trading with 57.44 million shares for 77.9 percent of total volume, followed by EduFocal, 4.25 million units with 5.8 percent of the day’s trade, JFP Limited accounted for 3.05 million units for 4.1 percent market share, Mailpac Group ended with 1.49 million units for 2 percent market share, Lasco Financial hopped in with 1.45 million units for 2 percent market share and Tropical Battery ended with 1.2 million units for 1.6 percent market share.
Trading averaged 1,843,348 shares at $6,858,214 in contrast to 399,598 shares at $1,413,267 on Tuesday, with month to date, averaging 727,308 units at $2,667,573 ompared to 674,163 units at $2,468,019 on the previous trading day. February closed with an average of 370,064 units at $1,402,517.
Market activity led to 40 securities trading compared to 42 on Tuesday and ended with 18 rising, 14 declining and eight closing unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 22.8. The PE ratio of each stock in the chart below is based on ICInsider.com earnings forecast for companies with financial years up to August 2022.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Assurance Brokers shed 13 cents to end at $2.35 after trading 64,857 shares, Dolphin Cove lost 60 cents in closing at $26, with 149,124 stock units changing hands, EduFocal rose 47 cents to $3.68 in an exchange of 4,247,474 stocks. Elite Diagnostic rallied 8 cents to close at $3 after exchanging 9,883 units, General Accident increased 11 cents in ending at $6 with an exchange of 8,445 units, Honey Bun climbed 19 cents to end at $9.99, with 8,046 shares changing hands. Iron Rock Insurance dropped 25 cents to close at $3.15, with 7,000 stock units crossing the exchange, Jetcon Corporation gained 12 cents to close at $1.20 in trading 347,325 stocks, JFP Limited advanced 11 cents in closing at $1.26 after trading 3,051,640 stocks. Lasco Financial popped 30 cents to $3.50 in exchanging 1,451,000 units, Lasco Manufacturing fell 35 cents to $5.25 while exchanging 90,711 shares, Lumber Depot gained 13 cents to close at $3.62 after exchanging 532,147 stock units. 
Main Event declined 90 cents to end at $8 with the swapping of 85,126 stocks, Paramount Trading lost 22 cents to end at $1.52, with 24,000 shares clearing the market and Spur Tree Spices popped 9 cents in closing at $3.79 with 57,437,035 units crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market drops & recovery for Main Market
The Jamaica Stock Exchange ended trading on Wednesday with all three Main market gaining indices rising at the close, with the Combined Index climbing 2,582.90 points to close at 401,411.93, the All Jamaican Composite Index Jumped 4,746.65 points to close at 439,468.85 and the JSE Main Index 3,384.50 points to end at 389,024.39 while the Junior Market dived 65.96 points to 4,189.32.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 22.1 based on 2021-22 earnings and 12.7 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 make use of 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 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.
No stock gained on JSE USD market
The Jamaica Stock Exchange, US dollar market, closed on Tuesday, with the volume of shares trading climbing 26 percent but with a 49 percent fall in value compared to Monday as five securities traded, compared to seven on Monday with none rising, three declining and two ending unchanged.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index gained 0.33 points to end at 203.87.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 14. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years up to August 2022.
Overall, 233,145 shares traded for US$5,842 compared to 185,493 units at US$11,351 on Monday. Trading averaged 46,629 units at US$1,168 versus 26,499 shares at US$1,622 on Monday, with the month to date averaging 43,504 shares at US$4,214 versus 43,385 units at US$4,330 on the previous day. February ended with an average of 87,719 units for US$9,318.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ended with a bid higher than the last selling prices and two stocks with lower offers.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share lost 0.7 of a cent to end at 7.23 US cents after trading 9,537 shares, Proven Investments ended at 23.32 US cents in exchanging 8,547 units, Sterling Investments fell 0.12 of a cent in closing at 2.17 US cents, with 4,270 stocks crossing the exchange. Sygnus Credit Investments USD share shed 0.78 of one cent to 12.11 US cents, trading 10,818 shares and Transjamaican Highway remained at 0.88 of a US cent in switching ownership of 199,973 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Decline for JSE Main Market
Market activity ended on Tuesday, with the volume of shares trading climbing 48 percent and the value of stocks traded marginally higher than on Monday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market as rising stocks just edged out those declining.
The All Jamaican Composite Index shed 3,613.87 points to settle at 434,722.20, the JSE Main Index declined 1,925.82 points to end at 385,639.89 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.83 points to 92.83.
Trading ended with 60 securities compared to 55 on Monday, with 22 rising, 21 declining and 17 ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a formula for computing appropriate stock values, averages 16.8. The PE ratio for the JSE Main and USD Market closing quotes is based on ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending in August 2022.
Overall, 20,758,716 shares were exchanged for $260,240,162, up from 14,043,689 units at $254,824,567 on Monday. Transjamaican Highway led trading with 6.65 million shares for 32 percent of total volume, followed by JMMB Group 7.35% – 2028, with 2.83 million units for 13.6 percent of the day’s trade. Wigton Windfarm traded 2.04 million units for 9.8 percent market share, Pulse Investments ended with 1.85 million units for 8.9 percent market share and JMMB Group closed with 1.31 million units for 6.3 percent market share.
Trading on Tuesday averages 345,979 units at $4,337,336, versus 255,340 shares at $4,633,174 on Monday and month to date an average of 612,243 units at $7,121,049, compared to 627,343 units at $7,278,916 on the previous trading day. February closed with an average of 392,520 units at $3,199,976.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 14 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments rose 50 cents in closing at $93 while exchanging 213,440 shares, Berger Paints advanced 40 cents to close at $12 after 5,948 units crossed the exchange, Eppley climbed 70 cents to end at $42 in switching ownership of 326 stock units. First Rock Capital rallied 75 cents in ending at $12.25 after exchanging 11,005 stocks, Jamaica Producers fell $1.45 to $22.55 trading 16,428 stock units, Jamaica Stock Exchange shed $1.45 to close at $17.50 after trading 142,389 units. JMMB Group gained 30 cents to close at $43.30 with 1,307,470 stocks crossing the market, Kingston Properties dropped 50 cents in ending at $9, with 969 shares changing hands, Kingston Wharves popped $1 in closing at $40 in trading 2,121 units. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy increased $1.73 to end at $100 after exchanging six stocks, Palace Amusement climbed $45 to $1045 with just one share clearing the market, PanJam Investment lost $1.55 to end at $64.50 with the swapping of 969,825 stock units. 
Portland JSX rallied $2.40 to close at $11.50, trading 5,000 shares, Proven Investments declined $2.50 and ended at $33 in an exchange of 16,907 stocks and Sagicor Group shed 70 cents to $57.30 in exchanging 203,858 stock units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 5% preference share lost $3 in closing at $19 with an exchange of 500 units, Eppley 7.75% preference share dropped 30 cents to $20.10, with 2,762 stocks crossing the market and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% Preference share declined $7 to close at $100 after exchanging 10,000 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
