Market activity ended on Thursday, with the volume of shares trading rising 17 percent after 34 percent more funds entered the market than Wednesday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market as rising stocks exceeded those declining by a 3 to 2 margin.
The All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 2,108.36 points to 443,270.70, the JSE Main Index popped 1,860.79 points to close at 400,653.10 398,792.32 and the JSE Financial Index gained 0.58 points to end at 98.62. Similar to Wednesday’s trading, 54 securities traded, with 24 rising, 17 declining and 13 ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a formula for computing appropriate stock values, averages 16.4. The PE ratio for the JSE Main and USD Market closing quotes are based on ICInsider.com profit forecasts for companies with financial years ending up to August 2022.
A total of 6,387,429 shares traded $36,048,355 compared to 5,449,840 units at $26,843,381 on Wednesday. Sagicor Select Financial Fund led trading with 1.54 million shares for 24.2 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.32 million units for 20.6 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway with 1 million units for 15.8 percent market share.
Trading averages 118,286 units at $667,562, up from 100,923 shares at $497,100 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 135,419 units at $919,405, compared to 141,026 units at $1,001,827 on the prior day. December closed with an average of 479,143 units at $6,686,322.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows nine stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints popped 49 cents to $12.99 after 5,620 shares passed through the market, Caribbean Producers rose 48 cents to $13.47 in finishing trading with 263,622 stock units, First Rock Capital declined $1.25 to $10.15 after exchanging 11,276 stocks. Guardian Holdings spiked $50 in closing at $575 in an exchange of 530 units, Jamaica Broilers gained 59 cents to end at $29.59 while exchanging 17,877 shares, JMMB Group lost 95 cents in closing at $38.05 in exchanging 78,690 stock units. Kingston Wharves advanced 50 cents to $43.50 trading 5,620 units, Mayberry Jamaican Equities popped 37 cents to end at $9.37 with an exchange of 3,035 stocks, NCB Financial climbed $1.51 to close at $130 with an exchange of 24,693 shares. Proven Investments rallied $1 to $33.49, with 2,458 stock units changing hands, Sagicor Group fell 90 cents to $53.10 trading 12,403 stocks, Salada Foods rose 32 cents to $6.89 in switching ownership of 868 units.
Seprod advanced $3.69 in closing at $65.79 after 5,711 stock units crossed the exchange and Stanley Motta spiked 77 cents to end at $5.88, with 4,000 shares clearing the market.
In the preference segment, Eppley 5% gained $1.20 to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $21 after exchanging 2 stocks. JMMB Group 7.15% – 2028 shed 55 cents ending at $2.53 with 172,039 units changing hands and JMMB Group 7.25% increased $1.19 to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $3.81 with the swapping of 2,613 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading slips on JSE USD market
Trading on Thursday, ended with the volume of shares changing hands falling 23 percent less with the value slipping 10 percent lower than on Wednesday, at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market, resulting in three securities changing hands, versus six on Wednesday with none rising, two declining and one ending unchanged.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index rose 4.45 points to end at 207.63. The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 12.2. The PE ratio is computed using ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with the financial year up to August 2022.
Overall, 87,172 shares traded, for US$7,865 versus 113,123 units at US$8,786 on Wednesday. Trading averaged 29,057 units at US$2,622, compared to 18,854 shares at US$1,464 previously traded and month to date an average of 12,157 shares at US$1,195 versus 9,340 units at US$957 on Wednesday. 
December ended with an average of 439,975 units for US$68,382.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ending with the bid higher than their last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share fell 0.85 of a cent in closing at 6.1 US cents and trading 49,769 shares, Sygnus Credit Investments USD share declined 0.1 of a cent ending at 12.9 US cents after an exchange of 37,400 units and Transjamaican Highway ended unchanged at 0.84 of a US cent in exchanging 3 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market inches higher
The Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market rose moderately at the close of trading on Thursday with the volume of stocks traded rising 26 percent and the value up 69 percent from Wednesday levels as the number of securities changing hands rose.
Market activity led to 39 securities trading up from 36 on Wednesday and ended with 15 rising, nine declining and 15, closing unchanged.
At the close, the Junior Market Index rose 3.95 to end at 3,448.57. The PE Ratio, a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 14.5. The PE ratio of each stock shown in the chart below is based on ICInsider.com earnings forecast for companies with financial years up to August 2022.
Trading ended with 5,199,743 shares changing hands for $33,066,923 against 4,123,382 units at $19,617,436 on Wednesday. Honey Bun led trading with 3 million shares for 57.7 percent of total volume followed by Caribbean Flavours with 297,998 units for 5.7 percent of the day’s trade and Future Energy Source with 294,424 units for 5.7 percent market share.
Trading averaged 133,327 shares at $847,870 in contrast to 114,538 shares at $544,929 on Wednesday and month to date, averaging 117,381 units at $524,214, compared to 111,727 units at $409,463 on Wednesday. December closed with an average of 409,209 units at $1,318,877.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ending with the bid higher than the last selling price and three with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging rallied 13 cents to close at $2.35 after exchanging 15,409 shares, Blue Power lost 20 cents to end at $3.35 while 215 units changed hands, CAC 2000 spiked 70 cents to end at $7.90 trading 1,450 stock units. Caribbean Assurance Brokers increased 5 cents in closing at $2.75 with an exchange of 44,671 stocks, Caribbean Cream advanced 39 cents to $5.73, trading 1,028 units, Dolphin Cove climbed 50 cents in closing at $16 with the swapping of 29,920 shares. Express Catering shed 24 cents in ending at $5.35 after 12,991 stocks crossed the exchange, Fosrich popped 16 cents to close at $11.96 in trading 22,455 stock units, General Accident gained 60 cents to end at $6.60 and closed with an exchange of 8,240 units. 
GWest Corporation rose 9 cents to 99 cents, with 15,724 shares changing hands, Indies Pharma increased 16 cents in closing at $3.20 after exchanging 9,011 stock units and Lasco Manufacturing declined 25 cents to close at $4.60 with an exchange of 22,106 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main Market recovers some lost grounds
Traders held off trading on Wednesday, as prices of several stocks rose appreciably as they left the volume of shares trading to fall 35 percent less than on Tuesday, with the value dropping 40 percent at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market as rising stocks were edged out by those declining.
The All Jamaican Composite Index popped 2,785.64 points to 441,162.35, the JSE Main Index rallied 2,394.62 points to end at 398,792.32 and the JSE Financial Index increased 0.70 points to settle at 98.04.
A total of 54 securities traded versus 55 on Tuesday, with 16 rising, 18 declining and 20 ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a formula for computing appropriate stock values, averages 16.2. 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 up to August 2022.
Just 5,449,840 shares traded for $26,843,381, down from 8,445,006 units at $45,087,324 on Tuesday. Sagicor Select Financial Fund led trading with 2.26 million shares for 41.5 percent of total volume, followed by Transjamaican Highway with 903,992 units for 16.6 percent of the day’s trade and Ciboney Group with 438,378 units for 8 percent market share.
Trading averaged 100,923 units at $497,100, against 153,546 shares at $819,770 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 141,026 units at $1,001,827, compared to 160,536 units at $1,247,370 previously traded. December closed with an average of 479,143 units at $6,686,322.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows ten stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments spiked $3.87 to close at $96.87 in an exchange of 5,145 shares, Caribbean Cement popped 89 cents to $72.99 trading 52,388 units, Eppley climbed 50 cents to $36 after 970 stocks crossed the exchange. Guardian Holdings advanced $1.50 to end at $525 in exchanging 3,089 stock units, Jamaica Broilers declined 97 cents in closing at $29, with 3,174 shares clearing the market, Jamaica Producers dropped 50 cents in ending at $22.50 after trading 7,883 stocks. Jamaica Stock Exchange rose 50 cents to close at $17 with the swapping of 28,789 units, JMMB Group fell 38 cents to end at $39 with 20,280 stock units changing hands, Mayberry Jamaican Equities shed 35 cents to $9 trading 9,677 shares. NCB Financial rallied $3.49 in closing at $128.49 after exchanging 8,481 stock units, Palace Amusement gained $20 to end at $995 while 26 units changed hands, Sagicor Group climbed $1 to $54 in switching ownership of 9,100 stocks. 
Salada Foods lost 41 cents in closing at $6.57, with 12,580 units crossing the market, Scotia Group climbed 49 cents to close at $35.49 exchanging 16,850 shares, Seprod shed $3.30 to $62.10 12,582 after stock units crossed the market. Sygnus Real Estate Finance fell $2.48 to end at $15.52 after trading 500 stocks and Wisynco Group declined 45 cents to close at $17.35 with an exchange of 57,334 stock units.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 7.25% lost 69 cents in closing at $2.62 in an exchange of 500 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading picks up on JSE USD market
Trading on Wednesday ended with the volume of shares changing hands rising 261 percent and the value increasing 187 percent higher than Tuesday at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market, resulting in rising just being edged out by those falling.
Six securities traded down from eight on Tuesday with one rising, two declining and three ending unchanged.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index lost 1.05 points to end at 203.18. The PE Ratio a measure used in computing appropriate stock values averages 12.4. The computation of the PE ratios uses earnings forecast by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial years ending up to August 2022.
Overall, 113,123 shares traded, for US$8,786 up from 31,355 units at US$3,063 on Tuesday. Trading averaged 18,854 units at US$1,464, compared to 3,919 shares at US$383 on Tuesday and month to date averages 9,340 shares at US$957 versus 4,584 units at US$703 on Tuesday. The average trade for December was 439,975 units for US$68,382.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ending with a bid higher than their last selling prices and one stock with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share ended unchanged at 6.95 US cents after 1,176 sharescleared the market, Proven Investments remained at 22.5 US cents in exchanging 35,326 units, Sterling Investments shed 0.04 of a cent in closing at 2.06 US cents with the swapping of 1,135 stock units. Sygnus Credit Investments USD share gained 0.4 of a cent to 13 US cents with an exchange of 580 stocks, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share finished unchanged at 14 US cents with 90 shares crossing the market and Transjamaican Highway lost 0.06 of a cent to close at 0.84 of a US cent in exchanging 74,816 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Gains for Junior Market
Trading closed on Wednesday, with the money entering the market jumping 91 percent higher than on Tuesday as the volume of stocks trading rose just 10 percent more than previously traded and resulted in the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market rising at the close.
The Junior Market Index popped 24.26 points to settle at 3,444.62 as 36 securities traded, down from 39 on Tuesday and ended with 11 rising, 14 declining and 11, closing unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages14.4. 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 4,123,382 shares traded for $19,617,436 compared to 3,733,550 units at $10,264,636 on Tuesday. Cargo Handlers led trading with 963,019 shares for 23.4 percent of total volume followed by Lumber Depot with 446,212 units for 10.8 percent of the day’s trade and Jamaican Teas 443,682 units for 10.8 percent market share.
Trading averaged 114,538 shares at $544,929, up from 95,732 shares at $263,196 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 111,727 units at $409,463, compared to 110,359 units at $343,561 on Tuesday. December closed with an average of 409,209 units at $1,318,877.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close of trading, Caribbean Assurance Brokers increased 10 cents in closing at $2.70 after 429,197 shares crossed the exchange, Dolphin Cove shed 68 cents to end at $15.50 with the swapping of 188,804 stocks, Fosrich lost 70 cents to $11.80 with 22,668 units passing through the market. General Accident fell 88 cents to close at $6 in an exchange of 1,251 stock units, GWest Corporation popped 5 cents in ending at 90 cents with 2,188 units changing hands Honey Bun gained 9 cents in closing at $9.30 while exchanging 48,734 stock units. Indies Pharma lost 14 cents after ending at $3.04 in exchanging 137,581 stocks, KLE Group popped 67 cents to close at $2.97 with 1,000 shares clearing the market, Knutsford Express dropped 10 cents to $7.90 after exchanging 40 units. 
Lasco Distributors shed 6 cents to end at $3.31 in trading 51,791 shares, Lasco Manufacturing climbed 28 cents to $4.85 with 127,945 stock units crossing the market, Limners and Bards declined 7 cents in closing at $3.69 trading 73,328 stocks. Main Event fell 49 cents to close at $4.01 in trading 6,383 stocks, Paramount Trading rallied 5 cents to end at $1.20 in exchanging 5,850 stock units and Stationery and Office Supplies dropped 20 cents to $5.65 in switching ownership of 200,353 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
10 year tax holiday for T&TSE SMEs listing
Trinidadian companies are to benefit from a ten year tax concession to small enterprises that list on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange, similar to the concession granted to listings on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market that will result in tax free status for five years and half the tax for the second five years, effective 2022.
The information was contained in his 2022 national Budget presentation by the Minister of Finance, Colm Imbert, in which he announced the tax benefits for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are listed on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange (TTSE).
The incentives come into effect from January 2022 that will result in SMEs will be granted a full tax holiday for five years following a listing on The TTSE and a 50 percent tax holiday for the second five years following the listing, thereafter the standard rate will apply thereafter. These exemptions include Corporation Tax, Business Levy and Green Fund Levy.
Prior to the announcement, the tax concession, initially announced in 2011, that resulted in the tax rate being 10 percent and later increased to 15 percent in 2020, resulted in only two companies listing as a result, in contrast to Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market that has been a resounding success, with 46 companies attracted to it with more to come shortly.
It is worth noting that Jamaica in 2016 was planning to abolish the incentive, fortunately, that did not happen as such the Junior Market continues to grow and helps to strengthen the economic base of the country.
In commenting on the imminent SME tax holiday, CEO of the TTSE, Eva Mitchell, praised the opportunities this opens up for both the companies covered by the benefits and the public who are eager for new channels for investment. “The country continues to operate under the restrictions and sustained economic blows imposed by the Covid pandemic. The SME sector has been hit extremely hard, and these new tax incentives provide welcomed relief. The fact that they are accessible via listing on the Stock Exchange encourages interest and investment for further growth from our stakeholders. The Stock Exchange is a closely regulated environment which supports public confidence and sustained participation.”
Correction for JSE Main Market
Market activity on Tuesday, ended with the volume of shares trading declining as the value of stocks changing hands dropped 52 percent lower than Monday at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market and ended with declining stocks exceeding those that rose.
The All Jamaican Composite Index plunged 5,072.14 points to close at 438,376.71, the JSE Main Index dived 3,923.09 points to end at 396,397.70 and the JSE Financial Index declined 1.00 points to settle at 97.34.
Trading ended with 55 securities compared to 56 on Monday, with 18 rising, 21 declining and 16 ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a formula for computing appropriate stock values, averages 16.3. 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 up to August 2022.
A total of 8,445,006 shares changing hands for $45,087,324 versus 9,374,442 units at $93,370,734 on Monday. Wigton Windfarm led trading with 2.32 million shares for 27.5 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.05 million units for 24.3 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.56 million units for 18.5 percent market share.
Trading averages 153,546 shares at $819,770, down from 167,401 sunits at $1,667,335 on Monday and month to date, an average of 160,536 units at $1,247,370. Trading in December closed with an average of 479,143 units at $6,686,322.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows ten stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments fell $3.70 to $93 with the swapping of 65,587 shares, Berger Paints declined 90 cents to end at $12.50, with an exchange 0f 9,767 stocks, Caribbean Cement dropped 85 cents in closing at $72.10, after 10,567 stock units crossed the market. Guardian Holdings gained $4.80 in ending at $523.50 trading 343 units, Jamaica Producers rallied 88 cents to close at $23 in trading 83,629 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange shed 71 cents to $16.50 in exchanging 89,355 stocks. Kingston Properties increased 74 cents to $9.74 with 1,000 units changing hands, Kingston Wharves fell 45 cents to close at $43 after 609 stock units crossed the market, Mayberry Investments advanced 75 cents in ending at $7.95 after exchanging 500 shares. 
MPC Caribbean Clean Energy popped $15 in closing at $115 in an exchange of 1,347 stock units, Palace Amusement shed $75 in ending at $975 while exchanging 40 stocks, Portland JSX climbed 58 cents to end at $7.50, with 5,865 units changing hands. Scotia Group slipped 50 cents to $35 trading 44,961 units, Stanley Motta fell 84 cents in closing at $5.11 with an exchange of 1,000 shares, Sygnus Real Estate Finance rose $2.49 to $18 in switching ownership of 1,329 stock units and Wisynco Group rallied 30 cents to $17.80 after exchanging 252,736 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE USD market ekes out some gains
Trading ended on Tuesday, with the number of securities changing hands rising Monday’s levels and leading to more shares changing hands than at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market on Monday as eight securities changed hands, compared to four on Monday with prices of three rising, two declining and three ending unchanged.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index gained 3.56 points to end at 204.23.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 12.5. The PE ratio calculations use earnings forecasts ICInsider.com of companies with the financial years, ending up to August 2022.
A total of 31,355 shares traded for US$3,063 down from 23,647 units at US$5,377 on Monday. Trading averages 3,919 units at US$383 versus 5,912 shares at US$1,344 on Monday and month to date an average of 4,584 shares at US$703. December ended with an average of 439,975 units for US$68,382.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ending with the bid higher than the last selling price and one with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share gained 0.95 of a cent to end at 6.95 US cents in an exchange of 58 shares, Margaritaville ended unchanged at 9.5 US cents, trading 17,200 stocks, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy rallied 16.2 cents to close at US$1.242 in trading 673 units. 
Proven Investments fell 0.27 of a cent to 22.5 US cents with an exchange of 849 stock units, Sterling Investments remained at 2.1 US cents after exchanging 432 shares, Sygnus Credit Investments USD share shed 0.3 of a cent to land at 12.6 US cents with 82 stock units crossing the market. Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share increased 0.1 of a cent to 14 US cents with the swapping of 2,061 stocks and Transjamaican Highway finished unchanged at 0.9 US cents, with 10,000 units changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market suffers sharp pullback
Trading closed on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks traded declining after trading 16 percent less, valued 32 percent less than on Monday and resulted in a sharp pullback in the market index at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Junior Market.
Market activity led to 39 securities trading up from 35 on Monday and ended with 15 rising, 15 declining and nine closed unchanged after Fosrich traded at a record high of $12.50. The Junior Market Index dropped 33.47 points to settle at 3,420.36.
The PE Ratio, a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 14.7. The PE ratio of each stock shown in the chart below is based on ICInsider.com earnings forecast for companies with the financial years, ending up to August 2022.
Trading accounted for 3,733,550 shares for $10,264,636 down from 4,433,043 units at $15,158,849 on Monday. GWest Corporation led trading with 1.02 million shares for 27.4 percent of total volume followed by Future Energy Source with 262,958 units for 7 percent of the day’s trade and Tropical Battery with 218,718 units for 5.9 percent market share.
Trading averaged 95,732 shares at $263,196 against 126,658 shares at $433,110 on Monday and month to date, an average of 110,359 units at $343,561. December trading average of 409,209 units at $1,318,877.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Blue Power gained 38 cents in ending at $3.54 after trading 6,500 shares, Cargo Handlers popped 49 cents to $7.50 in exchanging 55,000 stocks, Caribbean Assurance Brokers rallied 10 cents to $2.60, with 210,601 units clearing the market. Dolphin Cove fell 82 cents to $16.18, trading 34,952 stock units, Elite Diagnostic dropped 5 cents to end at $2.95, with 1,682 units crossing the market, Everything Fresh popped 6 cents to end at $1 while exchanging 147,525 shares. Express Catering advanced 15 cents in ending at $5.60 with an exchange of 14,660 stocks, Fosrich popped $2.25 to $12.50, with 43,486 stock units changing hands, General Accident jumped 88 cents to $6.88 in switching ownership of 13,790 shares. Indies Pharma shed 21 cents to close at $3.18 trading 211,525 units, KLE Group spiked 30 cents in closing at $2.30 in trading 866 stocks, Lasco Financial rose 6 cents to end at $3.12 with the swapping of 8,307 stock units.
Lasco Manufacturing declined 20 cents to close at $4.57, with 716 stocks crossing the exchange, Main Event lost 5 cents at $4.50 after exchanging 8,275 shares, Medical Disposables advanced 31 cents to $6.36 with an exchange of 19,731 stock units. Paramount Trading fell 10 cents in closing at $1.15 and trading 12,630 units and Stationery and Office Supplies shed 54 cents to end at $5.85 with 151 units changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
