All markets of the Jamaica Stock Exchange dropped on Wednesday at the start of a new month as is now the monthly norm, following slippage in trading in the overall market.
Trading ended with an exchange of 19,398,419 shares down from 34,401,378 units on Tuesday, valued at $95.1 million down from $183.6 million on the previous day. Trading on the JSE USD market resulted in investors trading US$19,364 down from US$37,070 on Tuesday.
At the close, the Combined Market Index dropped 2,950.37 points to 351,788.74, the All Jamaican Composite Index dived 3,399.97 points to close at 381,932.19, the JSE Main Market Index shed 2,544.43 points to 337,782.90, the Junior Market dropped 62.44 points to 3,995.80 and the JSE US dollar market slipped 1.96 points to close at 223.47.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 22.9 based on 2021-22 earnings and 13.9 times those for 2022-23 at the close of trading.
Investors need pertinent information to successfully navigate many investment options 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.
All JSE Markets fall on Wednesday
Big gain for JSEUSD Market
Stocks mostly rose in trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market on Tuesday and resulting in trading in eight securities, compared to 10 on Monday with four rising, two declining and two ending unchanged, following a 96 percent increase in the volume of stocks changing hands but with an 86 percent lower value than on Monday.
Overall, 1,121,685 shares were traded for US$37,070 compared with 571,649 units at US$267,767 on Monday.
Trading averaged 140,211 units at US$4,634 versus 57,165 shares at US$26,777 on Monday, with month to date average of 48,604 shares at US$4,865 compared with 44,293 units at US$4,876 on the previous day. December ended with an average of 39,679 units for US$1,494.
The JSE USD Equities Index gained 6.36 points to end at 225.43.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 10.1. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ended with bids higher than the last selling prices and one stock with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share declined 0.69 of a cent in closing at 7 US cents with a transfer of 21,828 shares, Productive Business Solutions increased 5 cents to US$1.70 after an exchange of 12,460 stock units, 
Proven Investments popped 0.01 of a cent to 20 US cents with the swapping of 8,932 stocks. Sterling Investments lost 0.07 of a cent to end at 1.8 US cents with an exchange of 36,993 units, Sygnus Credit Investments USD share rallied 0.01 of a cent to end at 9.51 US cents with an exchange of 20,712 stocks and Transjamaican Highway rose 0.02 of a cent to close at 0.99 of one US cent and closed with an exchange of 1,020,720 shares.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 9.25% preference share remained at US$11.11 in trading 27 stock units and JMMB Group 6% ended at US$1, with 13 units changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Rising Main Market stocks beat decliners 2 to 1
Trading activity ended with prices of 30 rising, 14 declining and 11 ending unchanged on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Tuesday from trading in 55 securities compared to 59 on Monday with a 12 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded, with the value 69 percent lower than on Monday and sending the Main Market Index into decline for the day and month, with a 4.4 percent slippage, with a month gone in the new year.
A total of 16,071,684 shares were exchanged for $99,612,685 versus 18,191,600 units at $322,436,055 on Monday.
Trading averaged 292,212 units at $1,811,140 versus 308,332 shares at $5,465,018 on Monday and month to date, an average of 205,062 units at $1,804,332 compared with 200,806 shares at $1,803,685 on the previous day. Trading in December averaged 604,110 units at $4,072,598.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 9.23 million shares for 57.5 percent of total volume followed by Stanley Motta with 2.46 million units for 15.3 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway with 1.11 million units for 6.9 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index declined 405.49 points to 385,332.16, the JSE Main 
Market Index fell 335.82 points to 340,327.33 and the JSE Financial Index shed 0.47 points to close at 81.11.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.9 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 16 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints gained 41 cents in ending at $10 with an exchange of 562 shares, Caribbean Cement rallied $3.27 in closing at $59.98 after trading 2,408 stocks, Caribbean Producers gained 75 cents to close at $12.25 with investors transferring 129,374 units. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund climbed $4.50 to $48.50 in switching ownership of 20,385 stock units, Jamaica Producers popped $1.99 to close at $22 after a transfer of 44,352 units, Jamaica Stock Exchange rose 51 cents to finish at $15.11 with 105,663 stocks clearing the market. 
JMMB Group advanced $1.64 to end at $35.94 in an exchange of 115,123 stock units, Mayberry Jamaican Equities dipped 50 cents to close at $12 with 123,909 shares changing hands, Palace Amusement dropped $312 to $2,480 with the swapping of 758 units. Portland JSX rose $1.72 to $11.50 after an exchange of 20,370 stocks, Proven Investments advanced $1.76 to $31.77 in trading 8,713 shares, Sagicor Group climbed $4.77 to t $53.99 in transferring 65,670 stock units. Stanley Motta popped 44 cents in closing at $5.69, with 2,455,575 stock units crossing the market and Sygnus Credit Investments gained 50 cents ending at $13 in trading 30,351 units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 10.50% preference share rallied $88 to $1,100 after exchanging 21 shares. Eppley 7.75% preference share shed $2 in closing at $18 with 310 stocks changing hands, 
Jamaica Public Service 7% gained $1.09 to end at 52 weeks’ high of $4.46 in switching ownership of 606 shares, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% rallied $37 in ending at $2,992 with six stock units crossing the market. JMMB Group 7.15% – 2028 fell 41 cents to close at $2.62 with the swapping of 50,000 stocks and 138 Student Living preference share rose 96 cents to $69.95 with an exchange of 9,975 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market highest close since November 10
The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange jumped a solid 91.02 points to close at 4,058.24 on Tuesday, following two previous days of healthy gains as the market closed at the highest point since November 10 last year with 1.8 percent rise for 2023 to date. Trading resulted in an 18 percent rise in the volume of stocks changing hands with the value surging 143 percent higher than on Monday after trading took place in 45 securities, similar to Monday, and ended with 25 rising, 13 declining and 7 closing unchanged.
A total of 17,230,599 shares were traded for $84,183,965, compared with 14,577,720 units at $34,703,364 on Monday.
Trading averaged 382,902 shares at $1,870,755 compared with 323,949 units at $771,186 on Monday with the month to date averaging 239,755 units at $646,375 compared to 232,638 stock units at $585,494 on Monday, the previous day. December closed with an average of 333,420 units at $925,533.
Spur Tree Spices led trading with 3.79 million shares for 22 percent of total volume followed by Regency Petroleum with 2.58 million units for 15 percent of the day’s trade, Knutsford Express with 2.02 million units for 11.7 percent market share, Future Energy Source with 1.34 million units for 7.8 percent, Fosrich with 1.24 million units for 7.2 percent and Stationery and Office Supplies with 1.02 million units for 5.9 percent market share.
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 the financial year ending that fall between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cream rose 50 cents to end at $4 in exchanging just two shares, Dolphin Cove gained 34 cents in closing at $15.34 after a transfer of 6,499 stock units, Future Energy Source popped 21 cents after ending at $4.86 in trading 1,336,935 units. Honey Bun rose 34 cents to $7.44 in switching ownership of 16,639 stocks, Indies Pharma popped 15 cents to $3.28 with 991,855 units changing hands, KLE Group lost 19 cents to settle at $1.71 in trading 6,468 stock units. 
Knutsford Express fell $1.47 to close at $11 with an exchange of 2,016,500 stocks, Lasco Manufacturing gained 35 cents to finish at $4.60 after 14,215 shares cleared the market, Limners and Bards rallied 33 cents to end at $2.80 in an exchange of 640,442 shares. Mailpac Group gained 17 cents in ending at $2.15 after investors transferred 801,490 stock units, Medical Disposables rose 40 cents to $5 in trading 112 units, Paramount Trading rallied 18 cents to $2.19 trading 500 stocks. Regency Petroleum popped 17 cents to end at $1.92 after 2,583,810 stock units passed through the market, Spur Tree Spices gained 34 cents in closing at $3.35 with the swapping of 3,785,671 stocks and 
Stationery and Office Supplies advanced $2.95 to close at $15.85 with the swapping of 1,023,291 units.
In the preference segment, CAC 2000 9.5% preference share shed 15 cents to settle at $1.02 with investors transferring 7,788 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Big bounce for Junior Market on Tuesday
The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange surged sharply to close out the first month of 2023 positively and the JSE USD index climbed on top of Monday’s strong gains but the Main Market fell back to remain negative for the year to date.
Trading ended with an exchange of 34,401,378 shares up from 33,340,369 units on Monday, valued at $183.6 million versus $357.1 million on the previous day. Trading on the JSE USD market resulted in investors trading US$37,070 versus US$267,767 on Monday.
At the close, the Combined Market Index rose 532.70 points to close at 354,739.11, while the All Jamaican Composite Index dipped 405.49 points to 385,332.16, the JSE Main Market Index fell 335.82 points to 340,327.33, the Junior Market jumped 91.02 points to 4,058.24 and the JSE US dollar market climbed 6.36 points to close at 225.43.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 23 based on 2021-22 earnings and 14 times those for 2022-23 at the close of trading.
Investors need pertinent information to successfully navigate many investment options 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.
Huge jump for JSE USD Market
The JSE USD Equities market had a solid bounce in trading on Monday, with the market index jumping 11 percent with a 20.91 points surge to end at 219.07 following a sharp 3,350 percent surge in monies entering the market on Monday and ended with a 158 percent jump the volume of stocks trading over Friday.
Trading ended with ten securities changing hands, up from six on Friday, with four rising, two declining and four ending unchanged.
Investors traded 571,649 shares for US$267,767 compared with 221,731 units at US$7,760 on Friday.
Trading averaged 57,165 units at US$26,777, up from 36,955 shares at US$1,293 on Friday, with a month to date average of 44,293 shares at US$4,876 compared with 43,489 units at US$3,507 on the previous trading day. December ended with an average of 39,679 units for US$1,494.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 10.2. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ended with bids higher than the last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share dropped 0.06 of a cent in closing at 7.69 US cents with an exchange of 2,825 shares, 
Margaritaville rallied 1.85 cents to close at 14.17 US cents, trading 129 units, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy advanced 4 cents to 59 US cents after trading of 3,009 stocks. Productive Business Solutions popped 37.5 cents to end at US$1.65 in trading 110,849 stock units, Proven Investments dipped 0.01 of a cent to 19.99 US cents and closed with an exchange of 450,043 shares and Transjamaican Highway remained at 0.97 of one US cent as investors traded 1,159 units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 9.25% preference share ended at US$11.11 as four stock units passed through the market, Eppley 6% preference share increased 10.5 cents in closing at US$1.15 after a transfer of 3 stocks, Equityline Mortgage Investment preference share ended at US$1.67 with one stock crossing the exchange and JMMB Group 6% remained at US$1 with a transfer of 3,627 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main Market rally
Activity picked up sharply on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Monday after a 68 percent jump in the volume of stocks traded, with the value surging 83 percent more than on Friday, with trading taking place in 59 securities compared to 52 on Friday and resulting in prices of 18 stocks rising, 28 declining and 13 ending unchanged.
A total of 18,191,600 shares were exchanged for $322,436,055, up sharply from 10,834,252 units at $176,431,924 on Friday.
Trading averaged 308,332 units at $5,465,018, up from 208,351 shares at $3,392,922 on Friday and month to date, an average of 200,984 units for $1,803,685 verusu 194,860 units at $1,601,231 on the previous day. December closed with an average of 604,110 units at $4,072,598
Kingston Wharves led trading with 7.50 million shares for 41.3 percent of total volume, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 5.0 million units for 27.5 percent of the day’s trade, Transjamaican Highway with 1.89 million units for 10.4 percent of market share and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.87 million units for 10.3 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index popped 1,098.53 points to close at 385,737.65, the JSE Main Market Index advanced 345.65 points to 340,663.15 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.37 points to end at 81.58.
The PE Ratio, a formula to ascertain appropriate stock values, averages 14.6 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios incorporate earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
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 shed 50 cents in, ending at $85 with 27,575 shares changing hands, Berger Paints dipped $1.01 to close at $9.59 with a transfer of 3,816 stock units, Caribbean Cement declined $2.02 to $56.71 with 12,260 stocks crossing the market. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund dropped $5.49 in closing at $44 with an exchange of 450 units, First Rock Real Estate fell $1.70 to close at $12.30 with the swapping of 1,235 stocks, Jamaica Producers shed 98 cents to end at $20.01 after an exchange of 19,433 stock units. Jamaica Stock Exchange rallied 60 cents to finish at $14.60 in trading 125,705 shares, 
JMMB Group dipped 70 cents to close at $34.30 with a transfer of 160,234 units, Kingston Wharves shed 96 cents to $34.74 in switching ownership of 7,504,922 stock units. Mayberry Jamaican Equities lost 60 cents to settle at $12.50 with 1,650 units changing hands, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy jumped $14 to $84 after a transfer of 3,009 stocks, Palace Amusement surged $189 to close at $2,792 after an exchange of 265 shares. Portland JSX dropped $1.82 to $9.78 with 216 stock units crossing the market, Proven Investments fell $1.79 to $30.01 after 42,601 units passed through the market, Sagicor Group declined $2.78 to close at $49.22 in the trading of 32,689 stocks. Scotia Group lost 60 cents to finish at $34.30 with the swapping of 79,073 shares, Seprod popped $2.99 in closing at $69 in an exchange of 13,750 stock units, Sterling Investments lost 44 cents to close at $2.62 with investors transferring a mere 156 units. 
Sygnus Credit Investments shed 50 cents in ending at $12.50 after switching ownership of 55,319 shares and Sygnus Real Estate Finance rose 49 cents to $9.50 in an exchange of 3,093 stocks.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share rose 98 cents to $8.10 after 1,216 shares cleared the market, Eppley 7.75% preference share advanced $3.64 to $20 as investors exchanged 60 units, Jamaica Public Service 9.5 dropped $45 in closing at $2,955 after the trading of 9,685 stocks and JMMB Group 7.15% – 2028 rallied 52 cents to $3.03 with 35,228 stock units clearing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market climbs for a second day
Trading jumped on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday with the Market Index rising 29.17 points to 3,967.22, following a 54 points rally on Friday and a 33 percent rise in the volume of stocks traded and the value 28 percent above Friday’s trades from 45 securities trading compared with 44 on Friday, ending with 19 rising, 21 declining and five closing unchanged.
A total of 14,577,720 shares were traded for $34,703,364, up from 10,955,295 units at $27,089,084 on Friday.
Trading averaged 323,949 shares at $771,186 compared with 248,984 units at $615,661 on Friday, with the month to date averaging 232,638 units at $585,494, up from 227,860 stock units at $575,778 on the previous trading day. December closed with an average of 333,420 units at $925,533.
Image Plus Consultants led trading with 3.14 million shares for 21.5 percent of total volume followed by ONE on ONE Educational with 2.48 million units for 17 percent of the day’s trade, MFS Capital Partners with 1.82 million units for 12.5 percent and Fosrich with 1.81 million units for 12.4 percent market share.
The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values, averages 12.6. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks incorporate ICInsider.com projected earnings for the financial year ending that fall between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling price and three with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial rose 45 cents in closing at $25.99 after trading 8,427 shares, Caribbean Assurance Brokers popped 17 cents to settle at $2.17 in a transfer of 1,000 stocks, Caribbean Cream dipped 25 cents to $3.50 after investors exchanged 12,936 units. Consolidated Bakeries advanced 26 cents to $2.11 after 3,272 stock units cleared the market, EduFocal lost 11 cents to end at $2.19 with 46,458 shares changing hands, Everything Fresh gained 7 cents in ending at $1.47 after 59,072 stock units passed through the market. Express Catering rallied 28 cents to $5 after an exchange of 51,999 units, Fosrich popped 45 cents to close at $3.80 with 1,807,371 stocks changing hands, General Accident fell 53 cents to $4.46 in switching ownership of 3,724 shares. GWest Corporation gained 16 cents in closing at $1.13 after a transfer of 3,010 units, Honey Bun shed 59 cents to end at $7.10 with investors transferring 8,380 stocks, iCreate rallied 11 cents to $1.79 after 279,256 stock units crossed the market. Image Plus Consultants popped 11 cents to finish at $2.04 with the swapping of 3,140,961 units, Indies Pharma advanced 83 cents to $3.13 in switching ownership of 380,654 stock units, ISP Finance declined $1 to close at $26 as investors exchanged 900 stocks. KLE Group gained 19 cents to end at $1.90 in trading 40 shares, Lasco Manufacturing shed 54 cents ending at $4.25 with a transfer of just 511 stocks, Limners and Bards popped 21 cents in closing at $2.47 in an exchange of 374,170 stock units. Main Event advanced $1.15 to $10.27 with 300 shares changing hands, Medical Disposables declined 40 cents to $4.60 with the swapping of 173 units, Paramount Trading lost 9 cents to close at $2.01 in transferring 313,900 shares. 
Regency Petroleum rose 15 cents to $1.75 trading 903,498 units, Spur Tree Spices gained 19 cents to end at $3.01 in exchanging 747,070 stocks, Stationery and Office Supplies dropped $1.60 in closing at $12.90 in switching ownership of 7,846 stock units and Tropical Battery lost 7 cents in ending at $2.32 after 27,229 units were traded.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Bounce for all of JSE markets on Monday
The JSE USD index surged on Monday while the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange put in another solid run as the Main Market also bounced moderately over Friday’s close to start off the week on a positive note with the volume and value of stocks traded jumped well over Friday’s trade.
Trading accounted for 33,340,369 shares up from 21,991,278 units on Friday, valued at $357.1 million up from $203.3 million on the previous day. Trading on the JSE USD market resulted in investors trading US$267,767 versus US$7,760 on Friday.
At the close, the Combined Market Index rose 592.92 points to close at 354,206.41, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 1,098.53 points to 385,737.65, the JSE Main Index advanced 345.65 points to end at 340,663.15, the Junior Market gained 29.17 points, on top of the 53.99 points rise on Friday, in finishing at 3,967.22 and the JSE US dollar market surged 11 percent with the addition of 20.91 points to close at 219.07.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 22.9 based on 2021-22 earnings and 13.8 times those for 2022-23 at the close of trading.
Investors need pertinent information to successfully navigate many investment options 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.
Why accountants cant compute earnings per share?
The latest company to get the computation of earnings per share wrong is the last to list on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, but it is not the only one that has accountants and auditors that cannot compute earnings per share properly. The other most recent listing got it terribly wrong, not only did this happen for the interim accounts, most likely produced internally but the audited report had the wrong computation as well.
Dr. Karlene McDonnough – Chairman of Image Consultants Ltd.
The correct computation of earnings per share is so critical, with investors using it to value shares of companies. A wrong calculation can result in distorted valuation by investors placed on a stock and it only needs to be in the marketplace for a few days for enormous potential damage to be done.
The Jamaica Stock Exchange in publishing reports with woefully inaccurate earnings per share figures should place a bold note with the release of the results that there is an error in the EPS so that all investors can be aware of it upfront. This approach is recommended rather than waiting for the company to re-compute it as the release of profits is also of much import to the market. this will require a different approach by the JSE than the current practice.
Image Plus Consultants which was listed just over a week ago reported a strong increase in revenues and profits but spoilt it by reporting excessively overstated earnings per share as they used the incorrect number of shares in the computation. Rather than 29 cents per share for the quarter and $1.84, it reported the computation is 2.3 cents and 15 cents for the nine months. One on One Education did the same thing for both their audited accounts and the first quarter results, both of which were corrected this past week after it was in the public domain for several days before the revision. This publication has been critical of the boards of both companies. The latest error shows the lack of experience on behalf of the board members as well as their accountant and the stock exchange must share the blame as well.
Ricardo Allen CEO of One to One
It is one thing for a company to get the computation wrong, it is an entirely different issue for auditors to do the same. The problem is that on too many occasions this error is cropping up and the situation seems to get worse as the Junior Market listings grow.
Stock splits or stock bonuses do not result in averaging shares issued. All that is needed in such cases is to use the new number of shares in computing EPS and all past periods are to be adjusted likewise. Only when new shares are issued for a consideration of value that the time weighted average number of shares would be used.
We have written on more than one occasion that investors in Jamaica are not properly protected, the above errors are just some of the matters that need to be addressed, but like the Stocks and Securities issue and others similar, those in authority fail to move with alacrity in correcting the fault.
