Trading commenced in First Rock Capital on Friday on both the Main and US dollar markets of Jamaica Stock Exchange. The market closed with rising stocks outperforming decliners and pushed the gains for the week to just under 5,000 points.
At the close, the JSE All Jamaican Composite Index advanced 3,121.11 points to close at 538,262.01, the JSE Market Index rose 2,814.17 points to 490,002.61 and the JSE Financial Index gained 0.67 points to 132.78.
The market closed with 43 securities changing hands in the Main and US dollar markets with the prices of 20 advancing, 12 declining and 11 trading firm. The JSE Main Market activity ended with 38 securities accounting for 15,728,098 units for $58,677,916 in contrast to 16,632,332 units valued at $128,247,176 from 41 securities on Thursday.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 7.3 million shares for 46.5 percent of total volume. Sagicor Select Financial Fund followed with 5.4 million units for 34.3 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Manufacturing and Distribution Fund ended with 1.2 million stock units for 7.4 percent market share.
The Market closed with an average of 413,099 units valued at an average of $1,544,156 for each security traded, in contrast to 405,667 units valued at an average of $3,127,980 on Thursday. The average volume and value for the month to date amount to 605,686 units valued at $2,739,272 for each security changing hands compared to 617,823 units valued at $2,820,081 for each security traded. Trading in January resulted in an average of 626,134 units valued at $3,511,981 for each security.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows ten stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and six closing with lower offers. The PE ratio of the market ended at 19, while the Main Market ended at 18.1 times the 2019 earnings.
In the prime market, Barita Investments shed $1.01 to settle at $67, in trading 8,010 shares, Berger Paints lost 41 cents swapping 1,600 units in closing at $16.59, Caribbean Cement ended 50 cents lower to $70, with an exchange of 27,626 shares, Eppley traded 695 units at $16, after falling by 30 cents. Grace Kennedy advanced by $3.80 to $71, after transferring 69,870 stock units, Jamaica Broilers closed 65 cents higher to $35.80, with 63,490 shares changing hands, Jamaica Stock Exchange rose $1.50 to $31 in trading 23,798 units. Mayberry Jamaican Equities gained $1.19 to settle at $11, in swapping 81,038 shares, NCB Financial Group advanced to $187.01, with gains of $3.01 after exchanging 21,791 units. 138 Student Living ended 49 cents higher to reach 52 weeks’ high of $8.50, in transferring 75,621 stock units, PanJam Investment declined by $1.44 to close at $99.51 after trading 35,581 shares.
Sagicor Group advanced $1.40 to $70.50 exchanging 36,185 units, Scotia Group gained 65 cents and ended at $54, in transferring 54,800 stock units. Seprod closed at $53, after climbing $3 with 40,018 shares changing hands, Supreme Ventures lost 99 cents to settle at $22.01, in swapping 92,596 stock units and Sygnus Credit Investments advanced by 95 cents to $26.95, with an exchange of 101,488 shares.
Trading in the US dollar market ended with 114,825 units at US$57,386. The market declined by 2.41 points to close at 229.80. JMMB Group 5.75% preference share traded 16,500 units at US$2, Margaritaville Turks rose 2.3 cents in exchanging 10 units at 35 US cents. Proven Investments transferred 64,865 units at 31 US cents, Sterling Investments swapped 16,500 shares at 2.7 US cents and Sygnus Credit Investments lost 1 cent to settle at 17 US cents, with 16,950 units changing hands.
Prices of securities trading for the day are those at which the last trade took place.
Junior Market week ends with a fall
The Junior Market ended the week in much the same fashion as it started with the index down 49.96 points to close at 2,947.43 as heavily weighted Lasco Manufacturing lost 39 cents and was the stock that had the most impact of the fall of the index.
Lasco Manufacturing lost 39 cents to help drive the Junior market index down sharply
The market activity ended with 33 securities changing hands, resulting in the prices of 14 securities advanced, 13 declined and 6 remained unchanged and exchange of 1,456,692 units valued at $4,641,336 compared to 5,022,418 units for $14,719,026 from 34 stocks on Thursday. The average PE ratio of the market closed at 13.8 times 2019 earnings.
Trading closed with an average of 44,142 units for $140,647 for each security traded in contrast to 147,718 units for an average of $432,913 on Thursday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 152,223 units valued at $403,151 and previously 142,718 valued at $423,343. In contrast, January closed with an average of 137,619 units valued at $521,935 for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with lower offers.
At the close of the market, AMG Packaging ended 9 cents higher at $1.99 with 33,687 stock units trading, CAC 2000 closed trading of 10,000 units and gained 50 cents to end at $13,
Cargo Handlers exchanged 20,403 shares and declined by 35 cents to settle at a 52 weeks’ low of $7.50. Caribbean Cream traded 24,000 shares and gained 30 cents to end at $3.65. Caribbean Producers climbed 19 cents and exchanged 12,052 shares at $5, Consolidated Bakeries traded 1,175 units and gained 14 cents to end at $1.79, Derrimon Trading dipped 3 cents in swapping 19,259 units at $1.97. Elite Diagnostic climbed 30 cents after exchanging 5,309 shares at $4.80, Everything Fresh closed trading of 41,300 units and gained 6 cents to end at $1, Express Catering swapped 14,894 units and gained 5 cents to end at $5.85. Fontana dipped 22 cents trading 131,290 units at $6.70, Fosrich lost 9 cents to settle at $3.86 with 1,014 units changing hands, General Accident fell 5 cents in trading of 8,097 units at $6.20. Honey Bun climbed 75 cents and exchanged 97,687 shares at $7.25, Iron Rock Insurance closed trading of 100 units and gained 66 cents to end at $3.95, ISP Finance fell $2.10 in trading of 3,340 units at $20. Jetcon Corporation declined by 2 cents to settle at $1.56 with 3000 stock units crossing the market, Key Insurance dropped 15 cents to close at $2.90 with an exchange of 6,145 shares,
Knutsford Express lost 40 cents in trading of 1,900 units at $9.50. Lasco Financial climbed 10 cents and exchanged 45,147 shares at $3.40, Lasco Manufacturing declined by 39 cents to settle at $4.01 with 40,121 units changing hands, Limners and Bards dipped 15 cents to $2.74 with 123,008 units traded. Lumber Depot ended with a transfer of 174,180 units and gained 2 cents to end at $1.51, Mailpac Group exchanged 499,877 shares to close at $1.95 after falling 2 cents, Main Event ended at $5.37 after losing 3 cents and swapping 1,630 shares. Medical Disposables closed trading of 14,430 units and gained 22 cents to end at $5.50 and Stationery and Office Supplies gained $1.14 to end at $9.30 with 7,500 shares crossing the exchange.
Prices of securities trading for the day are those at which the last trade took place.
More slippage for JSE Main Market
The Jamaica Stock Exchange at the close on Thursday and shed some of the recent gains up to Tuesday, but with the value of securities trading, falling from Wednesday’s levels with higher volume.
All Jamaican Composite Index declined by 1,407.36 points to close at 535,140.90 at the close, the JSE Market Index dropped 1,263.11 points to 487,188.44 and the JSE Financial Index lost 0.45 points to 132.11.
Trading closed, with 45 securities changing hands in the Main and US dollar markets with the prices of 21 advancing, 13 declining and 11 trading firm. The JSE Main Market activity ended with 41 securities accounting for 16,632,332 units valued $128,247,176 in contrast to 13,058,687 units for $207,850,962 from 42 securities on Wednesday.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 6.7 million shares accounting for 40 percent of total volume. Sagicor Select Financial Fund followed with 3.4 million units for 20 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund, with 3.3 million shares, accounted for 14 percent of market share.
The Market closed with an average of 405,667 units valued at $3,127,980 for each security traded, in contrast to 424,688 units valued at $5,069,536 on Wednesday. The average volume and value for the month to date amount to 617,823 units for $2,820,081 for each security changing hands compared to 633,300 units for $2,795,851 for each security traded.
Trading in January resulted in an average of 626,134 units valued at $3,511,981 for each security.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows eleven stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three closing with lower offers. The PE ratio of the market ended at 19, while the Main Market ended at 18.1 times 2019 earnings.
In the prime market, Barita Investments lost 98 cents to close at $68.01 after transferring 26,332 shares Grace Kennedy dropped $1.80 to $67.20, with 28,164 shares changing hands, Jamaica Stock Exchange lost $1.90 to close at $29.50 with 532,239 units crossing the market. JMMB Group closed 40 cents lower to $45, after transferring 80,251 shares, Kingston Wharves jumped $3.99 to close at $59, in swapping 6,790 units. 138 Student Living climbed $1.35 to close at 52 weeks’ high of $8.01, with an exchange of 183,238 shares. Proven Investments gained $1 to end at $48.50, in transferring 2,975 units, Pulse Investments closed $1.40 higher to a 52 weeks’ closing high of $12.40, after swapping 101,690 shares. 
Sagicor Group gained $1.20 trading 99,963 shares to close at $69.10, Salada Foods declined $1.53 to $26 after trading 12,646 units, Supreme Ventures rose $1 to end at $23, after transferring 11,976 shares. Sygnus Credit Investments gained $1.30 to settle at $26, in swapping 27,517 shares and in the preference segment, 138 Student Living rose $1 exchanging 1,364 shares at $6.
Trading in the US dollar market ended with 243,645 units valued at over US$61,593. The market index gained 1.56 points to close at 232.21. JMMB Group 6% preference share traded 1,748 units to end at 99 US cents, Proven Investments transferred 171,650 units at 31 US cents, Sterling Investments traded 38,293 shares at 2.7 US cents and Sygnus Credit Investments gained 2 cents in exchanging 31,954 units at 18 US cents.
Junior Market gains more
Trading on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange saw the market making more recovery on Thursday with the market Index rising 19.74 points to close at 2,996.89 for three days in a row.
The market settled with 34 securities changing hands, resulting in an exchange of 5,022,418 units valued at $14,719,027 compared to 10,921,039 units valued at $36,285,573 from 33 on Wednesday. At the close of market activities, the prices of 15 securities advanced, 9 declined and 10 remained unchanged and resulted in the PE ratio of the market closing at 13.8 times 2019 earnings.
Trading ended with an average of 147,718 units for an average of $432,913 in contrast to 330,941 units for an average of $1,099,563 on Wednesday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to units 142,718 valued at $423,343 and previously 142,287 units valued at $422,520. In contrast, January closed with an average of 568,732 units valued at $3,447,957 for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close of the market, Access Financial climbed $1.30 to settle at $28.50, with 938 shares changing hands, Blue Power gained 10 cents after exchanging 990 shares at $4.50, Caribbean Producers closed 1 cent higher at $4.81, with 4,100 stock units trading, Dolphin Cove shed 5 cents in trading of 189 units at $9.45. Elite Diagnostic closed trading of 53,536 units and gained 47 cents to end at $4.50, Express Catering rose 45 cents to end at $5.80 and finished with an exchange of 15,200 shares, Fontana closed trading with 66,918 stock units, after gaining 12 cents to end at $6.92. General Accident declined 25 cents in transferring 6,639 units at $6.25, GWest Corporation gained 5 cents to $1.05 exchanging 11,019 shares, Honey Bun declined by 68 cents to settle at $6.50, in trading 283,346 shares, Indies Pharma closed 20 cents higher to $2.70 and exchanged 59,370 shares. Jamaican Teas gained 35 cents to settle at $6.70, with 75,665 shares changing hands, Jetcon Corporation traded 4,017 shares, after rising 33 cents to close at $1.58, KLE Group closed with 48,634 units changing hands and gained 16 cents to end at $2.20, 
Knutsford Express swapped 6,179 shares at $9.90, after losing 10 cents. Lasco Distributors declined 10 cents in trading 2,485,710 units at $3.05, Lasco Financial closed 22 cents higher at $3.30, with 122,462 stock units trading, Limners and Bards closed 24 cents higher at $2.89, with 16,628 stock units trading. Lumber Depot ended with a loss of 1 cent at $1.49, with 58,017 stock units changing hands, MailPac declined 2 cents in trading of 709,347 units at $1.97. Main Event lost 10 cents exchanging 13,593 shares to close at $5.40, Medical Disposables closed trading of 18,200 units and gained 9 cents to end at $5.28. SSL Venture Capital gained 8 cents to settle at $1.20, with an exchange of 1,900 shares and Stationery and Office Supplies closed 94 cents lower to $8.16, in transferring 20,000 units.
Prices of securities trading for the day are those at which the last trade took place.
More gains for Junior Market – Wednesday
The Junior Market Index advanced by 38.12 points to close at 2,977.15 on Wednesday. Trading ended with 33 securities changing hands, with the prices of 13 securities advancing, 11 declining and 5 remaining unchanged.
The market closed with an exchange of 10,921,039 units valued at $36,285,573 compared to 5,262,765 units valued at $15,028,751 from 34 securities on Tuesday.
Trading ended with an average of 330,941 units at $1,099,563 for each security traded in contrast to 154,787 units for an average of $442,022 on Tuesday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to units 142,287 valued at $422,520 and previously 125,090 units valued at $360,800. In contrast, January closed with an average of 137,619 units valued at $521,935 for each security traded. The average PE ratio for the Junior Market ended at 13.5 based on 2019 earnings.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with lower offers.
At the close of the market, AMG Packaging jumped 39 cents to $1.90 with just 100 shares traded, Consolidated Bakeries landed at $1.65 after falling 12 cents in trading of 201,000 units, Derrimon Trading closed 3 cents higher at $2, with 39,335 stock units crossing the exchange. Everything Fresh ended with a loss of 1 cent at 94 cents with 45,302 stock units changing hands, Express Catering shed 35 cents in trading of 47,944 units at $5.35, Fontana closed 10 cents higher at $6.80, with 1,065,837 stock units trading. General Accident dropped 20 cents in the swapping 194,089 units at $6.50, Honey Bun exchanged 29,177 units at $7.18, after declining 12 cents, iCreate lost 3 cents in trading 35,292 shares to close at 70 cents. Iron Rock Insurance fell 6 cents to $3.29 with 300 units crossing the exchange, Jamaican Teas ended trading with 46,888 shares, after rising 35 cents to end at $6.35, Knutsford Express settled at $10 after jumping70 cents with an exchange of 5,356 shares. Lasco Distributors closed trading of 2,731,290 units and gained 10 cents to end at $3.15, Lasco Financial climbed 8 cents and exchanged 113,033 shares at $3.08, Lasco Manufacturing ended trading with 778,250 units and gained 50 cents to close at $4.40.
Limners and Bards ended 5 cents higher at $2.65, with 75,541 stock units trading, Lumber Depot finished with a loss of 1 cent at $1.50 with 160,568 stock units changing hands, MailPac slipped 1 cent and traded 451,095 stock units to close at $1.99. Main Event exchange 24,407 shares to finish at $5.50 after falling 47 cents, Medical Disposables closed 9 cents higher at $5.19, with 42,589 stock units trading, Paramount Trading closed with 34,800 units crossing the exchange and gained 20 cents to end at $1.90. SSL Venture exchanged 1,885 units and gained 2 cents to end at $1.12 and Stationery and Office Supplies gained 30 cents to end at $9.10 with 14,454 units crossing the market. CAC 2000 9.5% preference share ended with 1,129 shares to close at a 52 weeks’ low of 85 cents after falling 5 cents.
Prices of securities trading for the day are those at which the last trade took place.
JSE Main Market pulls back
The Jamaica Stock Exchange shed some of the gains accumulated over the past four days as the value of stocks trading rose well over Tuesday’s levels, but with lower volume.
All Jamaican Composite Index declined by 1,388.73 points to close at 536,548.26, at the close on Wednesday, the JSE Market Index dropped 1,256.86 points to 488,451.55 and the JSE Financial Index lost 0.29 points to 132.56.
The market closed with 45 securities changing hands in the Main and US dollar markets with the prices of 12 advancing, 18 declining and 15 trading firm. The JSE Main Market activity ended with 42 securities accounting for 13,058,687 units valued at $207,850,962 in contrast to 17,938,463 units valued at $135,316,853 from 42 securities on Tuesday.
Sagicor Select Financial Fund led trading with 4.1 million shares, and accounting for 31.5 percent of total volume, Wigton Windfarm followed with 2.45 million units for 18.8 percent of the day’s trade and QWI Investments with 1.8 million shares accounted for 14 percent of market share.
The Market closed with an average of 424,688 units valued at $5,069,536 for each security traded, in contrast to 427,106 units valued at an average of $3,221,830 on Tuesday. The average volume and value for the month to date amount to 633,300 units for $2,795,851 for each security changing hands compared to 649,717 units at $2,601,640 for each security traded. 
Trading in January resulted in an average of 626,134 units valued at $3,511,981 for each security.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows ten stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and one closing with a lower offer. The PE ratio of the market ended at 20.5, while the Main Market ended at 19.8 times 2019 earnings.
In the prime market, Eppley added $1.30 to settle at $16.30 in trading 1,304 units, Grace Kennedy rose $1.38 to $69, with 3,825 shares changing hands, JMMB Group closed 79 cents lower to $45.40, after transferring 119,466 shares, Kingston Wharves dropped $4.99 to close at $55.01, in swapping 15,569 units. 138 Student Living added $1.28 to close at 52 weeks’ high of $6.66, with an exchange of 52,425 shares. PanJam Investment closed at $100.94, with gains of $1.74 trading 559,598 shares, Proven Investments lost 58 cents to end at $47.50, in transferring 4,456 units, Pulse Investments closed $1.15 higher to a 52 weeks’ closing high of $11, after swapping 134,751 shares.
Salada Foods declined by $4.47 to $27.53 trading only 700 units, Scotia Group ended at $53.11, with a loss of 89 cents after transferring 771,557 shares. Seprod lost $1 and closed at $50, with 543,758 shares changing hands, Sygnus Credit Investments shed $1.21 to settle at $24.70, in swapping 34,376 shares and Wisynco Group lost 30 cents exchanging 123,760 shares at $22.50.
Trading in the US dollar market ended with 231,872 units valued at over US$205,111. The market index gained 0.14 points to close at 230.65. JMMB Group 5.75% preference share lost 10 cents trading 89,732 to end at US$2, Proven Investments transferred 27,032 units at 31 US cents, Sterling Investments traded 8,517 shares at 2.7 US cents and Sygnus Credit Investments exchanged 106,591 units at 16 US cents.
Prices of securities trading for the day are those at which the last trade took place.
Main Market up 11,000 points in 4 days
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed higher on Tuesday for the fourth consecutive day, in the process clawed back 11,331 points of the 22,907.85 points lost from the start of February up to last Wednesday.
At the close, the JSE All Jamaican Composite Index advanced 1,598.69 points to close at 537,936.99, the JSE Market Index added 1,450.74 points to 489,708.41 and the JSE Financial Index gained 0.69 points to 132.85.
The market closed with 46 securities changing hands in the Main and US dollar markets with the prices of 20 advancing, 12 declining and 14 trading firm. The JSE Main Market activity ended with 42 securities accounting for 17,938,463 units valued at $135,316,853 in contrast to 19,925,654 units valued at $93,234,047 from 40 securities on Monday.
Sagicor Select Financial Fund was the leading trade with 6.5 million shares for 36 percent of total volume. Wigton Windfarm followed with 5.6 million units for 31 percent of the day’s business and Sagicor Select Manufacturing and Distribution Fund ended with 1.7 million shares for 9 percent market share.
The Market closed with an average of 427,106 units valued at an average of $3,221,830 for each security traded, in contrast to 498,141 units valued at an average of $2,330,851 on Monday. The average volume and value for the month to date amount to 649,717 units valued at $2,601,640 for each security changing hands compared to 669,236 units valued at $2,542,170 for each security traded. Trading in January resulted in an average of 626,134 units valued at $3,511,981 for each security.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows eight stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and four closing with lower offers. The PE ratio of the market ended at 20.1, while the Main Market ended at 19.4 times the 2019 earnings.
In the Main Market, Caribbean Cement gained 35 cents to settle at $70.35 trading 137,026 shares, Eppley climbed $1.50 to $15 after exchanging 30,750 units, Grace Kennedy shed $2.88 to end at $67.62, in transferring 132,940 shares. Jamaica Broilers rose to $35, with gains of $1.18 and swapping 83,011 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange ended at $31.50, after losing 50 cents trading 21,277 shares, JMMB Group added 64 cents to close at $46.19, with 90,789 units changing hands. Kingston Wharves slid $1.60 to $60, with 4,200 units crossing the exchange, Mayberry Investments lost 40 cents to end at $7.30, in an exchange of 37,730 units, NCB Financial dropped $2.90 to settle at $184.10, in swapping 285,534 shares, 138 Student Living gained $1.03 to close at $5.38, with 177,412 shares traded. Pulse Investments closed $1.65 lower to $9.85, with 189,925 shares changing hands. Sagicor Group added 81 cents, in rising to $70.50 trading 116,624 shares, 
Salada Foods declined $3 to $32, in after swapping a mere 180 units, Seprod settled at $51, after gaining $5 trading 31,388 shares. Supreme Ventures dipped $1.07 to $22.10, in exchanging 130,454 shares, Sygnus Credit Investments closed $1.21 higher to $25.91, after trading 74,479 shares and Wisynco Group gained 30 cents to close at $22.80, with an exchange of 92,295 shares.
Trading in the US dollar market ended with 54,580 units valued US$31,202. The market index dipped 0.12 points to close at 230.51. JMMB Group 5.75% preference share gained 10 cents trading 10,268 to end at US$2.10, Proven Investments exchanged 19,996 units at 31 US cents, Sterling Investments transferred 3,138 shares at 2.7 US cents and Sygnus Credit Investments exchanged 21,178 units at 16 US cents.
Junior Market ekes out gains – Tuesday
Trading on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange finished on Tuesday with 34 securities changing hands, resulting in the prices of 11 securities advancing, 16 declining and 7 unchanged and resulted in the Market Index advancing 11.51 points to close at 2,939.03.
The market closed with an exchange of 5,262,765 units valued at $15,028,752 compared to 1,852,603 units for $6,069,167 from 33 securities on Monday.
Trading ended with an average of 154,787 units for an average of $442,022 in contrast to 56,139 units for an average of $183,914 on Monday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to units 125,090 units valued at $360,800 and previously 122,011 units valued at $352,381. In contrast, January closed with an average of 137,619 units valued at $521,935 for each security traded. The average PE ratio for the Junior Market ended at 13.4 based on 2019 earnings.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close of the market, Access Financial closed with a loss of 80 cents at $27.20, in swapping of 7,872 shares, AMG Packaging declined by 48 cents to settle at $1.51, with an exchange of 120,145 shares, Caribbean Cream lost 1 cent to close at $3.35, with 20,893 stock units changing hands. 
Caribbean Producers shed 20 cents in trading of 176,647 units at $4.80, Consolidated Bakeries closed 2 cents lower at $1.77, with 500 units crossing the exchange, Derrimon Trading transferred 3,000 units, in rising 17 cents to end at $1.97, Dolphin Cove declined 50 cents in swapping of 14,861 units at $9.50. Elite Diagnostic closed trading with 116,204 shares, after rising 1 cent to $4.03, Everything Fresh ended trading with 62,260 shares, after rising 5 cents to settle at 95 cents, Express Catering lost 9 cents to close at $5.70, with 22,148 changing hands. Fontana shed 25 cents in trading of 366,519 units to close at $6.70, Fosrich swapped 7,380 units and gained 45 cents to end at $3.95, General Accident lost 1 cent with 19,500 stock units changing hands and closed at $6.70, Honey Bun slid 69 cents in trading 19,300 units to end at $7.30. iCreate shed 1 cent and closed at 73 cents with 58,925 stock units crossing the market. Jamaican Teas lost 1 cent trading 62,733 stock units to close at $6, Jetcon Corporation lost 15 cents to end at $1.25, in exchanging 68,569 units, 
Key Insurance ended trading with 12,800 shares, after rising 15 cents to settle at $3.05, Lasco Distributors declined by 5 cents in exchanging of 193,654 units to end at $3.05. Lasco Manufacturing fell 30 cents to close at $3.90, in swapping 240,400 units, Limners and Bards climbed 2 cents and exchanged 136,851 shares at $2.60, Lumber Depot declined 2 cents to close at $1.51, after transferring 58,429 units, MailPac ended trading with 3,021,977 shares, after rising 1 cent to end at $2. Main Event closed 2 cents higher at $5.97, in trading 43,655 stock units, Paramount Trading closed trading of 2,000 units and gained 23 cents to end at $1.70, Stationery and Office Supplies gained 80 cents, climbing to $8.80 with 2,055 units changing hands and tTech traded 2,000 shares at $4.70, after rising 10 cents.
Prices of securities trading for the day are those at which the last trade took place.
4 Junior Market stocks at one year low
The Junior Market Index declined 34.68 points to close at 2,927.52, on Monday closing just above last Wednesday’s 20-month low as both value and volume of stocks trading fell below Friday’s levels as four stocks closed at 52 weeks’ lows.
At the close of market activities, the prices of 14 securities advanced, 15 declined and 4 remained unchanged.
At the close, 33 securities changed hands, resulting in an exchange of 1,852,603 units valued at $6,069,167 compared to 3,086,816 units valued at $7,108,119 from 36 securities on Friday.
Trading ended with an average of 56,139 units for an average of $183,914 in contrast to 85,745 units at 197,448 for each security traded on Friday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 122,011 units valued at $352,381 and previously 129,380 units valued at $371,226. In contrast, January closed with an average of 137,619 units valued at $521,935 for each security traded. The average PE ratio for the Junior Market ended at 13.4 based on 2019 earnings.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows eight stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with lower offers.
At the close of the market, Access Financial lost 97 cents to settle at $28 with 172 shares changing hands, AMG Packaging finished 9 cents higher at $1.99 with 29,814 stock units trading, Blue Power ended the day at $4.40 after gaining 40 cents and exchanging 19,310 stock units. Cargo Handlers dipped 10 cents in trading of 100,000 units at a 52 weeks’ high of $7.85, Caribbean Cream ended trading with 2,100 shares after rising 1 cent to $3.36, Caribbean Flavours dropped $1.51 and closed market activity at $14.41 after an exchange of 1,000 shares. Caribbean Producers ended trading of 10,700 units and gained 20 cents to finish at $5, Consolidated Bakeries climbed 4 cents and exchanged 6,435 shares at $1.79, Derrimon Trading declined by 25 cents to settle at $1.80 with 20,500 units crossing the exchange. Elite Diagnostic closed trading of 4,210 units and gained 2 cents to end at $4.02, Everything Fresh finished with a loss of 1 cent at a new low of 90 cents with 230,000 stock units changing hands, Express Catering ended with 28,155 shares traded, after rising 29 cents to settle at $5.79. Fontana closed 41 cents higher at $6.95, with 95,356 stock units trading, after the company posted strong second-quarter results with the new store contributing to the growth in profit. Fosrich declined 34 cents to settle at $3.50, after an exchange of 16,820 shares, General Accident closed trading of 89,036 units with a rise of 51 cents to end at $6.71 following the release of full-year profit that was up 48 percent. Honey Bun ended the day with 15,300 shares exchanged, after rising 84 cents to end at $7.99, after the company reported a 41 percent rise in pretax profit for the December quarter. iCreate gained 1 cent to end at 74 cents, trading 16,731 shares, Indies Pharma lost 20 cents in exchanging 35,000 shares to close at a 52 weeks’ low of $2.50. 
Jamaican Teas ended market activity with 10,391 shares crossing the exchange to close at $6.01 after falling 9 cents, Jetcon Corporation finished trading 32,298 shares after rising 1 cent to end at $1.40, Key Insurance closed with a loss of 30 cents at $2.90, with 1,971 shares changing hands. Knutsford Express ended market activity exchanging 500 shares to close at $9.30 after falling 15 cents, Lasco Financial dropped 75 cents to a 52 weeks’ low of $3 with 153,057 changing hands, Lasco Manufacturing lost 8 cents in trading 36,667 shares to close at $4.20. Limners and Bards dipped 9 cents in trading of 124,928 units at $2.58, Lumber Depot climbed 3 cents and exchanged 137,253 shares at $1.53, MailPac fell 11 cents trading of 512,419 units at $1.99. Medical Disposables rose 10 cents and exchanged 41,813 shares at $5.10 and tTech declined by 40 cents to settle at a 52 weeks’ low of $4.60 while trading a mere 300 stock units.
Prices of securities trading for the day are those at which the last trade took place.
JSE Major moved higher
Trading on the Main Market of Jamaica Stock exchange closed with a rise in the market indices as the volume and value of stock trading declined below Friday’s levels.
At the close, the JSE All Jamaican Composite Index advanced 2,805.56 points to close at 536,338.30, the JSE Market Index gained 2,384.71 points to 488,257.67, but the JSE Financial Index lost 0.01 point to 132.16.
The market closed, with 42 securities changing hands in the Main and US dollar markets with the prices of 18 advancing, 15 declining and 9 trading firm. The JSE Main Market activity ended with 40 securities accounting for 19,925,654 units valued at $93,234,047 in contrast to 25,935,878 units valued at $106,383,024 from 41 securities on Friday.
Sagicor Select Financial Fund led trading with 7.4 million shares for 37.3 percent of total volume. Wigton Windfarm followed with 4.95 million units for 25 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Manufacturing and Distribution Fund closed with 2.2 million shares changing hands with 11.2 percent of the market’s volume. Other stocks trading more than one million units are Wisynco Group with 1.3 million units and JMMB 7.5% preference share close with 1 million trading at a 52 weeks’ low of 65 cents.
The Market closed with an average of 498,141 units valued at $2,330,851 for each security traded, in contrast to 632,582 units valued at an average of $2,594,708 on Friday. The average volume and value for the month to date amount to 669,236 units valued at $2,542,170 for each security changing hands, compared to 684,825 units valued at $2,563,408 for each security traded. Trading in January resulted in an average of 626,134 units valued at $3,511,981 for each security.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows twelve stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and two closing with lower offers. The PE ratio of the market ended at 19.8, while the Main Market ended at 19.1 times the 2019 earnings.
In the prime market, Berger Paints closed at $17, with gains of 49 cents after exchanging 11,000 shares, Caribbean Cement lost 75 cents to end at $70, in transferring 57,763 shares, Grace Kennedy gained $2.50 to settle at $70.50, with 11,298 shares changing hands. Jamaica Producers closed $1.50 lower to $24.50 in swapping 13,023 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange rose $1.97 to $32, trading 21,606 shares, JMMB Group ended at $45.55, after gaining $1.85 exchanging 249,600 shares. Kingston Wharves climbed $4.60 to $61.60, in transferring 10,534 units, Mayberry Jamaican Equities gained 70 cents trading 23,070 shares and closed at $9.70, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy nosedived to $150, after falling $30 with an exchange of 1,325 units. NCB Financial added $2 to settle at $187, in swapping 25,640 shares, 
PanJam Investment closed 34 cents higher at $99.37, with 21,924 shares changing hands, Proven Investments ended at $48, with gains of 75 cents trading 10,828 shares. Pulse Investments lost 60 cents to end at $11.50, in transferring 273,348 shares, Sagicor Group closed $2.17 higher to $69.69 while exchanging 16,358 shares, Seprod settled at $46, after a loss of 50 cents in transferring 27,670 shares, Stanley Motta lost 74 cents to close at $5.01 trading 18,913 units. Supreme Ventures advanced by $1.47 to $23.17, with 11,455 shares changing hands and Victoria Mutual Investments lost 40 cents to close at $10, with an exchange of 275,878 shares. In the preference segment, Productivity Business Solution lost $5 to close at $100, with 1,001,825 shares crossing the exchange.
Trading in the US dollar market ended with 1,597 units valued at over US$330. The market index rose 1.73 points to close at 230.63. Proven Investments gained half of 1 cent to close at 31 US cents after transferring 500 units and Sygnus Credit Investments exchanged 1,097 units at 16 US cents.
Prices of securities trading are those at which the last trade took place.
