Juniors index jumps sharply on Friday

Lasco Financial Services stock closed at a new high of $35 on Friday.

The junior market bounced back in trading on Friday, to close at 3,096.46 points after climbing 68.71 points as 19 securities changed hands, compared to 21 on Thursday with less stocks rising than falling.
In spite of the sharp gain in the index only 5 stocks rising while 9 declined with Access Financial jumping $3.75. Trading ended with 5,212,444 units valued at over $33,772,710 passing through the market, compared to 5,009,146 units, valued at $26,375,749, on Thursday. At the close 5 stocks had bids higher than their last sale prices and 5 with a lower offer, than the last sale, while 2 stocks closed at new 52 weeks’ high.
An average of 274,339 units with an average value of $1,777,511 traded, compared to of 238,531 units with an average value of $1,255,988 on the previous trading day. The average volume and value for the month to date ended at 285,096 units and $1,769,823 compared to 285,992 units and $1,769,183 to the previous day. The average volume and value for January, ended at 165,547 units and $884,749.
At the close of trading, Access Financial Services surged $3.75 to a 52 weeks’ high of $35 in trading 3,500 units, AMG Packaging jumped $3.50 and closed at $28 with 242 units changing hands, at the close the stock was offered at $25 to sell 150 units, Cargo Handlers traded 8,054 units, to close at $24.50. Caribbean Cream closed trading with 104,586 units at $7.25, after falling by 75 cents, Caribbean Producers closed trading with 16,011 units being exchanged at $4.65, Consolidated Bakeries traded 526,000 shares, to close at $4. General Accident closed trading with 162,398 shares while falling 15 cents to end at $4, Honey Bun closed with 422,790 shares changing hands to end with a loss of 50 cents at $7, Jamaican Teas traded 4,358 shares to close at $7.82 after declining by $1.18. Jetcon Corporation closed trading with 244,231 shares, to end with a loss of $1 at $10. Key Insurance traded 56,000 units, to close with a loss of 10 cents, at $2.90, KLE Group lost 20 cents and ended with 42,816 units changing hands at $2.50, Lasco Distributors ended trading with 2,841,405 units changing hands to close at $7. Lasco Financial rose 20 cents with 149,488 shares changing hands, to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $4.70, Lasco Manufacturing with 62,296 units changing hands, closed with a gain of 19 cents at $4.70, Main Event gained 19 cents in trading 420,952 shares to close at $4.80. Medical Disposables lost 10 cents and closed at $7.40 with 34,000 shares changing hands, Paramount Trading closed at $3.80 with 77,959 shares changing hands and tTech lost $1 and closed trading with 35,358 units changing hands at $8, at the close investors offered 806,448 units for sale at $7.90.

Jamaica stock market index up but

Stocks indices gained at the close of trading on the Jamaican Stock Exchange on Friday, but with declining stocks overpowering advancing ones 2 to 1 in the overall market based on last traded prices. The market closed with trading in 45 securities and ended with 11 stocks rising and 24 falling.
At the close 5 stocks gained and 9 declined from the junior market as 6 securities ending at new 52 weeks’ closing highs and one trading at an intraday high. The Jamaican Stock Exchange uses the average price as the closing market price as well as in computing the movement in the market indices, accordingly, the JSE reported that 21 stocks advanced and 16 declined.
The All Jamaica Composite Index rose 741.30 points to close at 253,344.50, the JSE Market Index gained 662.86 points to finish at 230,909.54 and the JSE combined index jumped 1,322.69 points, to close at 245,952.78.
Trading was quite steady compared with the previous day with 8,815,422 units valued at $83,003,765, having changed hands, compared to 8,545,755 units valued at $87,407,183 changing hands on Thursday. The junior market accounted for 5,212,444 units valued at over $33,772,710 of those trading.
The average trade for the day in the main market ended at 122,952 shares compared to an average of 95,844 units on Thursday. For the month to date, an average of 138,735 shares compared to an average of 154,517 units up to the prior trading day. January ended with an average of 592,602 units.
The junior market ended trading with an average of 274,339 units with an average value of $1,777,511 traded, compared to of 238,531 units with an average value of $1,255,988 on the previous trading day. The average volume and value for the month to date ended at 285,096 units and $1,769,823 compared to 285,992 units and $1,769,183 to the previous day. The average volume and value for January, ended at 165,547 units and $884,749.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 8 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 6 with lower offers.

Jamaican stocks enjoy gains on Thursday

Stocks mostly gained at the close of trading on the Jamaican Stock Exchange on Thursday as 51 securities changed hands in the overall market, ending with 21 stocks rising and 17 falling. At the close 7 stocks gained and 6 declined from the junior market as 3 securities ending at new 52 weeks’ closing highs.
The All Jamaica Composite Index rose 358.25 points to close at 252,603.20, the JSE Market Index gained 320.34 points to finish at 230,246.68 and the JSE combined index lost 207.72 points, to close at 244,630.09.
At the close, 8,545,755 units valued at $87,407,183 changed hands, compared to 14,119,849 units valued at $235,690,329 changing hands on Wednesday. The junior market accounted for 5,009,146 units valued at over $29,141,927 of those trading.
The average trade for the day in the main market ended at 95,844 shares compared to an average of 237,979 units on Wednesday. For the month to date, an average of 154,517, shares compared to an average of 213,191 units up to the prior trading day. January ended with an average of 592,602 units.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 7 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 5 with a lower offers.
In market activity, Barita Investments lost 38 cents to close at $7.52 trading 2,755 units, Berger Paints closed at $11.50, for a loss of 50 cents with 18,356 shares changing hands, Cable and Wireless gained 2 cents to close at $1.30 with an exchange of 809,255 units, Caribbean Cement closed at $33 trading 10,032 shares. Carreras closed at $69 with trades of 1,135 units, 1834 Investments lost 10 cents, closing at $2 with 168,582 shares changing hands, and Grace Kennedy closed at $41, gaining $1 with an exchange of 87,622 units. Jamaica Broilers closed $2 higher to $16 trading 20,237 shares, Jamaica Producers lost 55 cents and closed at $17.45 with 97,629 units changing hands, Jamaica Stock Exchange added 1 cent to close at $10 with 444,930 shares traded, JMMB Group advanced 50 cents, in closing at $20 with an exchange of 444,930 units. Kingston Wharves rose to $31 with a gain of $2.99 trading 30,200 units, Margaritaville Turks lost 4 cents and closed at 35 US cents trading 4,500 shares, Mayberry Investments lost 33 cents to close at $5.40 with 9,000 shares changing hands and National Commercial Bank closed at $63, losing $1, after exchanging 95,008 shares. 138 Student Living closed at $4.50 with 500,000 units traded, Pan Jamaican ended trading at $40.75 with a loss of 25 cents and an exchange of 67,789 shares, Portland JSX gained 2 cents to close at $10.53 with an exchange of 4,000 shares. Pulse Investments closed at $6.90 with gains of 40 cents and 12,000 shares changing hands, Radio Jamaica lost 2 cents and closed at $1.90, trading 58,396 units, Sagicor Group climbed to a 52 weeks’ high of $35.57, gaining 57 cents with trades of 34,750 units, Sagicor Real Estate fund closed at $11.50 with an exchange of 45,615 units. Salada closed at $9.24 trading 2,990 shares, Scotia Group slid to $39.50 with a loss of $1.50 having traded 45,086 shares, Scotia Investments added 99 cents to close at $40.99 trading 11,500 shares. Supreme Ventures closed at $5.70, with trades of 92,605 units, Proven Investments closed at 32 US cents trading 355,925 ordinary shares and JMMB Group 7.5% preference share, lost 1 cent with trades of 178,840 units to close at $1.09.

Juniors retreat sharply on Thursday

Medical Disposables added 60 cents and closed at $7.50′

The junior market retreated sharply in trading on Thursday, to close at 3,027.75 points after falling 48.96 as 21 securities changed hands, compared to 25 on Wednesday with the prices of 7 stocks rising and 6 declined.
The market closed ending with 5,009,146 units valued at over $29,141,927 passing through the market, compared to 6,418,006 units, valued at $39,202,136, on Wednesday. At the close, 5 stocks had bids higher than their last sale prices and 1 with a lower offer, than the last sale while 1 stock closed at new 52 weeks’ high.
An average of 238,531 units with an average value of $1,255,988 traded, compared to of 377,530 units with an average value of $754,627 on the previous trading day. The average volume and value for the month to date ended at 285,992 units and $1,758,206 compared to 290,307 units and $1,803,862 to the previous day. The average volume and value for January, ended at 165,547 units and $884,749.
At the close of trading, AMG Packaging closed at $24.50 with 7,859 units changing hands, Blue Power closed with 3,000 shares changing hands at $50.01, Cargo Handlers rose 10 cents while trading 7,456 units, to close at $24.50. Caribbean Cream closed trading with 7,153 units at $8, Caribbean Producers fell 18 cents in trading 17,802 units at $4.65, Consolidated Bakeries traded 681,057 shares with a rise of 20 cents, to close at $4. Derrimon Trading ended at $7.20 with 10,000 shares changing hands, General Accident closed trading with 24,861 shares at while falling 5 cents to end at $4.15, Honey Bun closed with 384,852 shares changing hands to end with a loss of 50 cents at $7.50, Jamaican Teas traded 62,765 shares to close at $9 after declining by 33 cents. Jetcon Corporation closed trading with 460,473 shares, to end at a closing high of $11. Key Insurance traded 1,077 units to close with a gain of 2 cents at $3, KLE Group lost 30 cents and ended with 1,500 units changing hands at $2.70, Knutsford Express traded just 4,000 shares and gained $1.49 in closing at $26. Lasco Distributors ended trading with 469,944 units changing hands to close at $7, Lasco Financial rose 27 cents with 819,651 shares changing hands to end at $4.50, Lasco Manufacturing with 1,086,082 units changing hands, closed with a loss of 44 cents at $4.51. Main Event traded 592,737 shares to close at $4.51, after trading at $4.80, Medical Disposables added 60 cents and closed at 52 weeks’ high of $7.50 with 334,877 shares changing hands. Paramount Trading rose 20 cents and closed at $3.80 with 25,500 shares changing hands, Sweet River ended with 10,000 units changing hands at $3.50 and tTech closed trading with 500 units changing hands to end at $8.

More retreat for Jamaican stocks – Wednesday

Carreras climbed to a 52 weeks’ high of $69.

At the close of trading on the Jamaican Stock Exchange, the bias was in favour of falling prices on Wednesday as 53 securities changed hands in the overall market, ending with 18 stocks rising and 22 falling.
The market closed Wednesday, with 11 stocks gaining and 7 declining coming from the junior market as 5 securities ending at new 52 weeks’ closing highs.
The All Jamaica Composite Index dropped 1,229.08 points to close at 252,244.95, the JSE Market Index fell 1,099.01 points to finish at 229,926.34 and the JSE combined index lost 1,039.04 points, to close at 244,837.81.
At the close, 14,119,849 units valued at $235,690,329 changed hands, compared to 9,830,806 units valued at $174,930,678 changing hands on Tuesday. Of the stocks traded, the junior market accounted for 6,418,006 units valued at over $39,202,136.
The average trade for the day in the main market ended at 237,979 shares compared to an average of 210,760 units on Tuesday. For the month to date, an average of 213,191 shares compared to an average of 188,403 units up to the prior trading day. January ended with an average of 592,602 units.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 13 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 with a lower offers.
In market activity, Barita Investments lost 10 cents to close at $7.90 trading 2,835 units, Berger Paints closed at $12 with 7,273 shares changing hands, Cable and Wireless closed 1 cent lower to $1.28 with an exchange of 776,377 units, Caribbean Cement climbed to $33, gaining $2.70 trading 19,900 shares. Carreras closed higher by $1 to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $69, with 1,000 units traded, 1834 Investments lost 10 cents to close at $2.10 with trades of 27,610 shares, Grace Kennedy closed at $40, losing 50 cents with 203,000 units changing hands. Jamaica Broilers slid $2.15, closing at $14 trading 104,910 shares, Jamaica Producers closed at $18, losing $2.75 with 90,696 units changing hands, Jamaica Stock Exchange gained 49 cents to close at $9.99 with 178,875 shares traded, JMMB Group lost 5 cents to close at $19.50 with an exchange of 431,825 units. Kingston Wharves closed lower to $28.01 with a loss of $2.99 trading 1,397 units, Mayberry Investments closed at $5.73 with 8,343 shares changing hands and

PanJam Investment climbed $1 in trading on Wednesday.

National Commercial Bank closed at $64, losing 89 cents, after swapping 28,465 shares. 138 Student Living gained 10 cents to close at $4.60 with 21,958 units traded, Pan Jamaican ended trading at $41 with gains of $1 and an exchange of 160,281 shares, Portland JSX lost 4 cents to close at $10.51 with an exchange of 2,537 shares, Pulse Investments closed at $6.50 with 410,470 shares changing hands. Radio Jamaica gained 7 cents and closed at $1.92 trading 197,732 units, Sagicor Group jumped $2.01 to $35, with trades of 3,572,539 units, Sagicor Real Estate fund closed at $11.50 after gaining 45 cents in exchange for 26,081 units, Scotia Group closed at $41, trading 26,977 shares. Scotia Investments dropped $2.50 to close at $40 trading 3,379 shares, Supreme Ventures closed at $5.70, gaining 2 cents with 123,500 shares traded, Proven Investments gained 2 US cents trading 810,942 ordinary shares to close at 32 US cents, JMMBGL7.25 closed at $1.50 trading 254 shares and JMMBGL 7.5% preference share gained 1 cent with trades of 461,687 units to close at $1.10.

Jamaican stocks down again on Tuesday

Jamaica Broilers traded at a new high on Tuesday

Prices mostly pulled back for Jamaican stocks on Tuesday, with big fall in market indices as more stocks fell than advanced at the close of trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange with 55 securities changing hands in the overall market ending with 16 stocks rising and 22 falling.
The market closed Tuesday, with 11 stocks gaining and 7 declining coming from the junior market as 6 securities ending at new 52 weeks’ closing highs.
The All Jamaica Composite Index dropped 750.62 points to close at 254,224.65, the JSE Market Index fell 671.19 points to finish at 231,025.35 and the JSE combined index lost 849.58 points, to close at 245,876.85.
At the close, 9,830,806 units valued at $174,930,678 changed hands, compared to 17,383,764 units valued at $129,272,080 changing hands on Monday. Of the stocks traded, the junior market accounted for 3,740,128 units valued at over $70,476,295.
The average trade for the day in the main market ended at 210,760 shares compared to an average of 179,527 units on Monday. For the month to date, an average of 188,403 shares compared to an average of 166,045 units up to the prior trading day. January ended with an average of 592,602 units.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 9 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 1 with a lower offer.
In market activity, Barita Investments gained 30 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $8, while trading 96,986 units, Berger Paints exchanged 59,653 shares at $12, Cable and Wireless closed 4 cents higher to $1.29 with 462,009 units changing hands, Caribbean Cement lost 30 cents to close at $30.30 with trades of 85,064 shares. Carreras closed at a 52 weeks’ high of $68, gaining $1 with 16,633 units traded, 1834 Investments added 5 cents to close at $2.20 with trades of 88,628 shares, Grace Kennedy closed at $40.50, losing 15 cents with 2,650,225 units changing hands. Jamaica Broilers lost 10 cents, closing at a 52 weeks’ high of $16.15 trading 18,902 shares, Jamaica Producers declined by 97 cents to close at $20.75 with 168,975 units changing hands, Jamaica Stock Exchange closed at $9.50, losing $1 with 281,670 shares traded and JMMB Group lost 5 cents to close at $19.55 with an exchange of 68,103 units. Kingston Properties ended at $10 trading 23,048 shares, Kingston Wharves declined 50 cents, closing at $31 with trades of 115,240 units, Margaritaville Turks gained 4 cents to close at 39 US cents, trading 4,000 shares,

Barita closed at a new high on Tuesday.

Mayberry Investments lost 2 cents to end at $5.73 with 37,903 shares changing hands. National Commercial Bank closed at $64.89 with a loss of 11 cents, after swapping 70,085 shares, 138 Student Living traded 580,941 units at $4.50, Pan Jamaican ended trading at $40, dropping $4 with an exchange of 223,325 shares, Portland JSX gained 5 cents to close at $10.55 with an exchange of 5,000 shares. Pulse Investments slid 49 cents to close at $6.50 with 30,900 shares changing hands, Radio Jamaica gained 15 cents and closed at $1.85, trading 402,611 units, Sagicor Group slid $2.49, closing at $33.01 with trades of 25,617 units, Sagicor Real Estate fund closed at $11.05, losing 45 cents with an exchange of 30,954 units, Salada traded 100 units at $9.24. Scotia Group declined by $2.10 to close at $41, having traded 60,327 shares. Scotia Investments climbed higher by $4.50 to $42.50, trading 24,747 shares, Supreme Ventures closed lower at $5.68 with a loss of 2 cents and 67,700 shares traded, Proven Investments lost 2 US cents trading 126,922 ordinary shares, to close at 30 US cents and JMMBGL 7.5% preference share, lost 1 cent, with trades of 263,465 units, to close at $1.09.

Jamaican stocks down sharply on Monday

Jamaica Stock Exchange dropped to $10.60

Prices mostly pulled back for Jamaican stocks on Monday, with big fall in market indices as more stocks fell than advanced at the close of trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange with 46 securities changing hands in the overall market ending with 16 stocks rising and 17 falling.
The market closed Monday, with 6 stocks gaining and 15 declining coming from the junior market as 6 securities ending at new 52 weeks’ closing highs.
The All Jamaica Composite Index dropped 3,171.06 points to close at 254,224.65, the JSE Market Index dived 2,835.48 points to finish at 231,696.54 and the JSE combined index plunged 3,008.67 points, to close at 246,726.43.
At the close, 17,383,764 units valued at $129,272,080 changed hands, compared to 23,308,737 units valued at $169,240,005 changing hands on Friday. Of the stocks traded, the junior market accounted for 13,224,639 units valued at over $70,476,295.
The average trade for the day in the main market ended at 179,527 shares compared to an average of 116,707 units on Friday. For the month to date, an average of 166,045 shares compared to an average of 152,563 units up to the prior trading day. January ended with an average of 592,602 units.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 20 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 with lower offers.
In market activity, Berger Paints traded 145,500 shares at $12, Cable and Wireless closed at $1.25 trading 758,788 units, Caribbean Cement closed at $30.60, losing $2.40 with an exchange of 18,000 shares. Carreras traded 20,128 units and closed at $67, trading in 1834 Investments ended with an increase of 3 cents to close at $2.15 with 254,139 shares changing hands, Grace Kennedy closed at $40.65 with 70,634 units changing hands. Jamaica Broilers closed at $16.25 with an exchange of 18,057 shares, Jamaica Producers advanced $1.72 to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $21.72 with 59,292 units changing hands, Jamaica Stock Exchange dropped $3 and closed at $10.50 with 163,955 shares traded, JMMB Group gained 10 cents to close at $19.60 with 336,314 units traded. Kingston Wharves dropped $2 to close at $31.50 with trades of 7,065 units, Mayberry Investments gained 25 cents, closing at $5.75 with 54,645 shares changing hands, National Commercial Bank added 10 cents to close at $65, after swapping 26,583 shares. 138 Student Living traded 438,159 units at $4.50, Pan Jamaican ended trading at a 52 weeks’ high of $44, gaining $4 with an exchange of 35,183 shares. Radio Jamaica gained 2 cents and closed at $1.70 trading 345,833 units, Sagicor Group closed at $35.50 with trades of 34,157 units, Sagicor Real Estate fund closed at $11.50, gaining $1.50 with an exchange of 3,550 units, Scotia Group closed at $43.10, having traded 276,859 shares. Supreme Ventures closed at $5.70 with 625,973 shares traded and Proven Investments gained 2 US cents trading 389,057 ordinary shares to close at 32 US cents.

Scary data pushing some stocks

Overvalued Cargo Handlers, rated a buy by Barita.

Investors have been acting strangely of late, buying a few stocks at inflated valuation that are well ahead of anything in the market. There are just no logical explanations for it. It is downright dangerous for some investors, who seem set to get badly burnt.
IC Insider.com attempted to get an understanding of this unusual development of scary PE ratios. One possible clue came from two seasoned investors. One bought shares in Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) on the assumption that the PE was only 4, he was unaware that the earnings per share, last reported by the company, was not adjusted for the 5 to 1 stock split. The other investors pointed out that Cargo Handlers was selected by Barita Investments as the top junior market stock for 2017. That is a strange selection as research going back to the early years of the JSE, shows that only around 20 percent of top 10 stocks ends in the top 10 in the subsequent year, in very bullish periods, even less do so. A look at Barita’s stock market update chart, shows the Cargo Handlers having a PE of just 11.47 with earnings of $2.18, but the earnings is well ahead of the 43 cents the company reported for 2016. The PE for the stock, based on 2016 earnings is near 60 and 46

Jamaica Producers is one of the company’s that investors seem to be pushing the price, based on pre-bonus earnings.

times, IC Insider’s 2017 projection, making it the richest priced stock on the market.
Cargo Handlers may not be the sole stock that investors seem to be ignoring the effect of stock split on values. Barita shows JSE with a PE of 12.5 with earnings of $1.02, thankfully there is no recommendation for this one. Jamaica Producers is shown with a PE of 6.52 from earnings of $3.02, with a buy recommendation. Producers earnings are at best inflated with one off items, with them earning at the above level highly unlikely, as such the stock boast a PE of 40 times 2017 earnings. Pan Jam Investment is shown with earnings per share of $3.97 and a PE of 10.08. The only problem is that Pan Jam earnings for the nine months from continuing operations for 2016, is in the order of $1.92 making reaching the Barita’s earnings forecast challenging.
When the quarterly reports start coming in with adjusted earnings, it could be a huge disappointment and wake up call for some investors. It just does not seem smart for investors to be buying stocks that are valued well ahead of the market and expect to beat the market, unless there are huge increased profits down the road.

Jamaican stocks hit new highs – Friday

Bulls pushed stocks higher on Friday, with the all market indices moving to new record highs on the Jamaica Stock Exchange with 56 securities changing hands in the overall market ending with 25 stocks rising and 13 falling.
The market closed Friday, with 10 stocks gaining and 4 declining coming from the junior market as 6 securities ending at new 52 weeks’ closing highs.
The All Jamaica Composite Index rose 646.51 points to close at record 257,395.71, the JSE Market Index gained 578.09 points to finish at record close of 234,532.02 and the JSE combined index climbed 740.72 points, to close at new closing high of 249,735.10. The movement of the main market, for the year to date, resulted to gains of 22.5 percent, for the all Jamaica Composite Index, with the JSE Market Index up 22 percent. The moves in the indices are subject to change as the stock exchange daily postings indicate that there are errors in the reports since the new trading system was activated on Monday.
At the close, 23,308,737 units valued at $169,240,005 changed hands, compared to 13,502,301 units valued at $146,199,269 changing hands on Thursday. Of the stocks traded, the junior market accounted for 18,452,895 units valued at over $81,504,636.
The average trade for the day in the main market ended at 116,707 shares compared to an average of 200,657 units on Thursday. For the month to date, an average of 152,563 shares compared to an average of 188,419 units up to the prior trading day. January ended with an average of 592,602 units.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 12 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with lower offers.
In market activity, Berger Paints traded 9,118 shares at $12, Cable and Wireless gained 11 cents to close at $1.25 trading 594,541 units, Caribbean Cement closed at $33, gaining $1 with an exchange of 34,000 shares. Carreras traded 21,609 units, gaining 1 cent and closed at $67, investors pushed 1834 Investments higher by 26 cents to $2.12 with 44,419 shares trading, Grace Kennedy closed at $40.65, gaining 65 cents with trades of 83,470 units. Jamaica Broilers closed at $16.25 with an exchange of 76,657 shares, Jamaica Producers declined by $1 to close at $20 with 168,659 units changing hands, Jamaica Stock Exchange climbed to a 52 weeks’ closing high of $13.50, gaining $2.90 with 132,518 shares traded,

Jamaica Stock Exchange climbed to a 52 weeks’ closing high of $13.50.

JMMB Group lost 49 cents to close at $19.50 with 87,786 units traded. Kingston Properties closed at $10 trading 24,500 units, Kingston Wharves advanced $3.50 to close at $33.50 with trades of 103,691 units, Margaritaville Turks traded 1,000 units at 35 US cents, Mayberry Investments lost 30 cents, closing at $5.50 with 75,272 shares changing hands, National Commercial Bank gained 90 cents to close at $64.90, after swapping 102,748 shares. 138 Student Living traded 240,303 units at $4.50, Pan Jamaican traded higher by $4.98 to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $40 with an exchange of 6,655 shares, Portland JSX gained 50 cents and closed at $10.50 trading 69,400 units, Pulse Investments lost 2 cents to close at $6.99 with 543,712 units changing hands. Radio Jamaica gained 28 cents and closed at $1.68, trading 171,867 units, Sagicor Group gained 50 cents, closing at a 52 weeks’ high of $35.50 with trades of 27,472 units, Sagicor Real Estate closed at $10.50 with an exchange of 455,338 units, Salada lost 1 cent trading 1,802 shares and closed at $9.24. Scotia Group ended trading with a loss of $4.41 to close at $43.10, having traded 91,059 shares, Scotia Investments closed at $38, dropping $3.41 after trading 88,988 units, Seprod closed at $31.01, adding 1 cent with trades of 5,622 units, Supreme Ventures added 16 cents to close at $5.70 with 192,200 shares traded. Proven Investments lost 5 US cents trading 1,230,011 ordinary shares to close at 30 US cents, JMMB Group 7.25% preference share closed at $1.50 with 1,000 units traded and JMMB Group 7.5% preference share closed at $1.10, with 169,925 units exchanged.

17 new highs for JSE stocks on Thursday

Scotia Group was one of 17 stocks to close at a 52 weeks’ high on Thursday.

Bulls pushed the stock market hard on Thursday, with the all market indices surging to new record highs on the Jamaica Stock Exchange with 17 securities ending at new 52 weeks’ closing highs.
The market closed Thursday, as 48 securities changed hands in the overall market, ending with 26 stocks rising and 12 falling, including 16 stocks gaining and 3 declining, in the junior market.
The All Jamaica Composite Index surged 7,266.97 points to close at record 256,749.20, the JSE Market Index jumped 6,497.96 points to finish at record close of 227,455.97 and the JSE combined index climbed sharply by 6,919.27 points, to close at new closing high of 248,994.38. The movement of the main market, for the year to date, resulted to gains of 22.2 percent, for the all Jamaica Composite Index, with the JSE Market Index up 18.7 percent. The moves in the indices are subject to change as the stock exchange daily postings indicate that there are errors in the reports since the new trading system was activated on Monday.
At the close, 13,502,301 units valued at $265,917,085 changed hands, compared to $146,199,269 units valued at $265,917,085 changing hands on Wednesday. Of the stocks traded, the junior market accounted for 7,916,160 units valued at over $42,290,565.
The average trade for the day in the main market ended at 200,657 shares compared to an average of 355,210 units on Wednesday. For the month to date, an average of 188,419 shares traded compared to an average of 176,182 units up to the prior trading day. January ended with an average of 592,602 units.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading in the main and junior markets, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 11 stocks with bids higher than their last selling prices and 6 with lower offers.
In market activity, Berger Paints advanced $1.75 to a new 52 weeks’ high of $12, while trading 6,101 shares, Cable and Wireless lost 3 cents to close at $1.14 with trades of 273,176 units, Caribbean Cement closed at $32 with an exchange of 124,119 shares. Carreras traded 18,307 units, gaining 24 cents and closed at $66.99, Investors pushed 1834 Investments up by 16 cents to close at $1.86 in trading 28,194 shares, Grace Kennedy closed at $40, in losing 65 cents with trades of 33,486 units. Jamaica Broilers gained 25 cents with an exchange of 21,495 shares to close at 52 weeks’ high of $16.25, Jamaica Producers advanced $1.50 to close at 52 weeks’ high of $21 with 37,466 units changing hands, Jamaica Stock Exchange gained 60 cents to close at 52 weeks’ high of $10.60 with 21,813 shares traded. JMMB Group lost 1 cent to close at $19.99 with 61,718 units traded, Kingston Wharves closed at $30 with trades of 8,200 units, Mayberry Investments lost 10 cents to close at $5.80 with 251,786 shares changing hands,

Proven Investments traded at a new high on Thursday.

National Commercial Bank fell by $1, closing at $64 after swapping 425,055 shares. 138 Student Living traded 6,277 units at $4.50, Pan Jamaican advanced $1.02 trading 22,345 shares and closed at 52 weeks’ high of $35.02, Pulse Investments added 1 cent to close at $7.01 with 38,925 units changing hands. Radio Jamaica lost 10 cents and closed at $1.40 trading 806,081 units, after trading as high as $1.70, Sagicor Group gained $2, closing at a 52 weeks’ high of $35, with trades of 13,935 units, Sagicor Real Estate climbed to $10.50, by gaining 30 cents with an exchange of 2,438,682 units. Scotia Group ended trading with gains of $3.51 closed at a 52 weeks’ high of $47.51 having traded 206,153 shares, Scotia Investments closed at a 52 weeks’ high of $41.41 with gains of $5.41, after trading 60,100 units, Seprod closed at a 52 weeks’ high of $31 with trades of just 130 units. Supreme Ventures added 4 cents to close at $5.54 with 105,474 shares traded, Proven Investments traded 569,727 ordinary shares to close with a gain of 4 cents at a 52 weeks’ high of 35 US cents and JMMB Group 7.5 preference share closed at $2.06, a gain of 2 cents with 3,296 units exchanged.