The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange rose on Monday, following a 42 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded at a 54 percent lower value than on Friday, with trading in 40 securities trading up from 38 on Friday and ended, with prices of 17 rising, 14 declining and nine closing unchanged.
Investors traded 3,939,621 shares for $8,927,792 compared with 6,762,889 units at $19,614,027 on Friday.
Trading averaged 98,491 shares at $223,195 compared with 177,971 units at $516,159 on Friday with the month to date, averaging 137,212 units at $365,921 compared to August with an average of 183,001 units at $460,354.
Regency Petroleum led trading with 835,784 shares for 21.2 percent of the total volume followed by JFP Ltd with 663,629 units for 16.8 percent of the day’s trade and Tropical Battery, 356,970 units for 9.1 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index rallied 17.54 points to close at 3,872.50.
The PE Ratio, a tool for computing appropriate stock values, averages 10.8 for Junior Market stocks and is computed using the last traded price in conjunction with ICInsider.com’s projected earnings for the financial years ending between November 2023 and August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and seven with lower offers.
At the close, Blue Power declined 42 cents to $2.08 in switching ownership of 98,985 shares, Caribbean Assurance Brokers rose 18 cents to end at $2.86 as investors traded a mere 1,233 stocks, Dolla Financial shed 32 cents to end at $2.25, with 352,754 stock units changing hands, Dolphin Cove popped 38 cents to $16.98 with an exchange of 5,750 units. Everything Fresh rallied 17 cents in closing at $1.54 after 21 stocks were traded, Express Catering climbed 70 cents and ended at $4.90 and closed after an exchange of 9,874 stocks, Fontana dipped 12 cents to end at $11.25 in an exchange of 20,997 shares, Fosrich skidded 7 cents to $2 in trading 167,355 units. Future Energy Source lost 16 cents to close at $3.47 after 318,899 units passed through the market, Image Plus Consultants advanced 12 cents to $2.17 with stakeholders exchanging 14,816 shares, 
Iron Rock Insurance fell 16 cents in closing at $2.14 after transfers of 4,999 stocks, Jamaican Teas fell 7 cents to close at $2.02 while 17,532 stock units passed through the market. Knutsford Express shed 45 cents and ended at $11.25 with an exchange of 8,170 shares, Lasco Distributors skidded 19 cents to $4.20 with investors swapping 78,917 stocks, Lasco Manufacturing rose 15 cents to $5.35 with investors transferring 7,527 units, Lumber Depot dropped 38 cents in closing at $1.91 in trading 11,274 stocks. Main Event gained $1.15 to end at $17.25 with traders dealing in 6,016 shares, Spur Tree Spices rose 8 cents to $2.20 after an exchange of 144,796 stock units, 
Stationery and Office Supplies advanced 12 cents and ended at $1.97 with investors dealing in 72,458 units and Tropical Battery rallied 8 cents to close at $2.02 after exchanging 356,970 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Stocks head higher on the JSE USD Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Monday, with the volume of stocks changing hands rising 106 percent valued 201 percent more than on Friday, resulting in trading in six securities, compared to seven on Friday, with two rising, two declining and two ending unchanged.
A total of 193,702 shares were exchanged for US$30,250 up from 94,250 units at US$10,054 on Friday.
Trading averaged 32,284 shares for US$5,042 compared with 13,464 units at US$1,436 on Friday, with a month to date average of 22,150 shares at US$3,100 compared with August with an average of 57,291 units for US$4,251.
The US Denominated Equities Index rose 0.32 points to 245.46.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 8.7. The PE ratio is computed based on the last traded price divided by projected earnings done by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending between November 2023 and August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Margaritaville declined 0.5 of one cent to close at 11 US cents, after 604 shares were traded, Proven Investments skidded 0.45 of one cent and ended at 14.5 US cents, with 15,500 units changing hands, Sygnus Credit Investments ended trading in 21,084 stocks at 9.2 US cents, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share remained at 10 US cents after 2,520 stocks crossed the market and Transjamaican Highway popped 0.01 of a cent to 1.74 US cents as investors exchanged 142,117 stock units.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 5.75% popped 5 cents to US$1.95 with a transfer of 11,877 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Juniors rise Main Market drops to open the week
Trading ended subdued activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Monday and led to losses in the Main and modest gains in the Junior and JSE USD Markets continued quite a bit as trading ended with the value and volume of stocks traded falling from that on Friday.
At the close, the JSE Combined Market Index fell 715.28 points to 337,481.66, the All Jamaican Composite Index shed 2,686.65 points to 355,637.89, the JSE Main Indexdeclined 938.68 points to 323,698.87, the Junior Market Index rallied 17.54 points to 3,872.50 and the JSE USD Market Index rose 0.32 points to 245.46.
Trading of Preference shares ended, with Jamaica Public Service 9.5% preference share jumped $189.99 to $2,990.
At the close, investors traded 9,618,088 shares in all three markets, down from 16,116,237 stocks on Friday. The value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets ended at $53.06 million, down from $70.28 million on Friday. Trading on the JSE USD market ended with investors exchanging 193,702 shares for US$30,250 up from 94,250 units at US$10,054 on Friday.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks ended at 17.1 on 2022-23 earnings and 11.5 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange. It shows companies grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to successfully navigate numerous 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 decisions when 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 place them 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 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 paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Key Insurance leads movers in ICTOP10
The impact on the market with the presence of an Initial Public Offer opening was not very pronounced this time around, with the One Great Studio opening and closing this past week with the issue being oversubscribed, but the Junior Market did experience a sharp fall early in the week that could well be related to investors seeking funds to invest in the IPO.
In the Main Market, Key Insurance climbed 14 percent to $2.88 to be the sole winner of note, while 138 Student Living crashed 6 percent to $4.11, just a fraction above the APO price for shareholders of $4.05, that is projected to raise just over $2 billion. JMMB Group shed 5 percent to close the week at $27.40, making for a compelling long term investment and Sygnus Credit Investments fell 4 percent to $11.47.
The Junior Market ICTOP10 closed the week with Caribbean Cream dropping 16 percent to $3.50, this comes against the background of sharply falling cost for milk solids, one of the significant input cost in the production of ice cream. Caribbean Assurance Brokers slipped 7 percent to $2.68 and Everything Fresh dropped 14 percent to $1.37 and Image Plus slipped percent to $2.05. Iron Rock Insurance was the gainer of note, rising 10 percent to $2.30.
The pending additional issue of 138 Student Living shares kept the price depressed and with the offer coming public with 513 million shares with an option to upsize by 318.5 million units, it will satisfy a great deal of demand and, therefore, put a short term lid on price appreciation. The situation will be worse as the company lacks the ability to inform investors about its operations in a manner that is befitting of a company its size.
Note that Margaritaville is listed on both the Main Market and the USD Market, with similar values.
At the end of the week, the average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP 10 is 5.1, well below the market average of 12.7. The Main Market TOP10 is projected to have an average of 322 percent to May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings.
The most highly valued Main Market stocks, representing 32 percent of the Main Market, are priced at a PE of 15 to 80, with an average of 29 and 20 excluding the highest PE ratios, with a PE of 22 for the top half and 17 excluding the stocks with the highest PEs.
The Junior Market Top 10 PE sits at 5.3 compared with the market at 10.8. There are 10 stocks representing 21 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 40, averaging 21, that is well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 15, possibly the lowest fair value for Junior Market stocks currently, and projected to rise by 271 percent to May 2024.
The divergence between the average PE ratio of the Main and Junior Markets and the overall market valuation are important indicators of the likely gains for ICTOP10 stocks.
The markets are not in a bullish state, but there continue to be cases of slow upward movements in some prices as investors respond to some recent attractive results, leading them to quietly nibble away at a number of stocks, gradually reducing the supply of a number of them that are attractively priced. The list includes stocks such as Access Financial, AMG Packaging, Everything Fresh, Dolphin Cove, Caribbean Cream, Caribbean Assurance Brokers, Lasco Distributors and Lasco Manufacturing, Main Event and Transjamaican Highway.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners, accordingly, the list includes some of the best companies in the market, but not always. ICInsider.com ranks stocks based on projected earnings, allowing investors to focus on the most undervalued stocks and helping to remove emotions in selecting stocks for investments that often result in costly mistakes.
IC TOP10 stocks will likely deliver the best returns up to the end of May 2024 and are ranked in order of potential gains, computed using projected earnings for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate, resulting in weekly movements in and out of the lists. Revisions to earnings are ongoing, based on receipt of new information.
Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.
JSE Main Market jumps for a 4th day
The Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market climbed for a fourth consecutive day on Friday, with the market putting in another day of solid gains on Friday accompanied by a 50 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded following an 84 percent drop in value compared with Thursday, with trading in 58 securities up from 53 on Thursday and leading to prices of 15 rising, 24 falling and 19 ending unchanged.
A total of 9,259,098 shares were traded for $50,664,788 versus 18,676,905 units at $323,528,081 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 159,640 shares at $873,531 compared with 352,394 units at $6,104,303 on Thursday compared to an average of 316,608 units at $1,867,646 for August.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 5.86 million shares for 63.3 percent of the total volume, Transjamaican Highway was next with 1.30 million units for 14 percent of the day’s trade and JMMB Group 7.5% with 336,417 units for 3.6 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index popped 3,500.76 points to finish at 358,324.54, the JSE Main Index popped 2,905.75 points to close at 324,637.55 and the JSE Financial Index rose 0.68 points to end at 72.73.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 12.7 for the Main Market. 
The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are computed based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and nine with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement dropped $1 in closing at $51 with a transfer of 30,539 shares, GraceKennedy fell 85 cents to end at $73.05 in trading 89,392 stock units, Guardian Holdings climbed $19.20 to $439.70 with investors clearing the market of 80 stocks. Jamaica Producers declined $1.78 to $18.03, with 1,818 stock units crossing the market, Jamaica Stock Exchange shed 55 cents to close at $10.13 after an exchange of 186,022 units, 
JMMB Group fell 44 cents to $27.40 with 6,068 shares changing hands. Margaritaville dipped $2.30 to end at $14.05 in an exchange of 49 stocks, Massy Holdings advanced 90 cents to $101 with stakeholders exchanging 99 shares, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy skidded $12.30 to close at $69.70 with investors transferring 18 stocks. NCB Financial shed 44 cents and ended at $72.96, with 7,926 shares crossing the market, Portland JSX fell $1 to close at a 52 weeks’ low of $8, with shareholders swapping 244 stock units, Sagicor Group dropped 51 cents and ended at $49.49 with investors dealing in 165,076 units. Sagicor Real Estate Fund gained 35 cents to end at $8.50 in switching ownership of 20 units and Seprod declined $1.62 in closing at $73.37 after exchanging 5,882 shares.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50%preference share rose 48 cents to $6 with an exchange of 116 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Big fall for Junior Market
The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange dropped sharply on Friday to erase most of the 74 points rally on Thursday with the volume of stocks traded being flat with an 18 percent higher value than Thursday, following trading in only 38 securities down from 42 on Thursday resulting in prices of 12 rising, 18 declining and eight closing unchanged.
Investors traded 6,762,889 shares for $19,614,027 compared with 6,771,997 units at $16,602,569 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 177,971 shares for $516,159 compared with 161,238 units at $395,299 on Thursday versus an average of 183,001 units at $460,354 in August.
Lasco Manufacturing led trading with 1.18 million shares for 17.5 percent of total volume, followed by Stationery and Office Supplies with 1.11 million units for 16.4 percent of the day’s trade and Regency Petroleum with 1.02 million units for 15.1 percent of trading.
The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values, aveAt the close, the Junior Market Index dipped 64.77 points to conclude trading at 3,854.96.
The 10.8. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks are computed using the last traded price in conjunction with ICInsider.com’s projected earnings for the financial years ending between November 2023 and August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Cargo Handlers popped 41 cents to $16.41 and closed with an exchange of 280 shares, Caribbean Assurance Brokers dipped 18 cents to close at $2.68 after 800 units crossed the exchange, Consolidated Bakeries gained 30 cents and ended at $2.60 in an exchange of 21,000 stock units, Derrimon Trading rose 23 cents to end at $1.88 with traders dealing in 500 stocks. Dolphin Cove climbed 59 cents in closing at $16.60 after an exchange of 10 stock units, Elite Diagnostic rallied 23 cents to $1.82 with shareholders swapping 10,097 stocks, Express Catering shed 80 cents and ended at $4.20 as investors exchanged 16,661 shares, Fontana advanced 87 cents to close at $11.37 after 58,802 units passed through the market. Future Energy Source fell 29 cents to end at $3.63, with 100,722 shares clearing the exchange, General Accident lost 45 cents in closing at $4.49 with a transfer of 28,915 stocks, Honey Bun increased 29 cents to close at $6.49 while exchanging 1,248 stock units, Image Plus Consultants dropped 19 cents and ended at $2.05, with 9,488 units crossing the market. 
Indies Pharma declined 19 cents to $3 in switching ownership of 480,213 stocks, ISP Finance skidded $4.17 in closing at $32 after an exchange of 5 stocks, JFP Ltd lost 12 cents to close at $1.52 with investors dealing in 434,417 units, Knutsford Express rallied 45 cents and ended at $11.70, with 1,595 shares changing hands. Lasco Distributors dipped 11 cents to $4.39 in an exchange of 350,497 stock units, Lasco Manufacturing fell 11 cents in closing at $5.20 with investors trading 1,184,638 units, Limners and Bards popped 17 cents to close at $1.98 after 1,531 stocks were traded, Main Event skidded $1.40 to end at $16.10 with an exchange of 4,331 shares. MFS Capital Partners gained 15 cents to close at $2.49, with 92,838 stock units crossing the market, ONE on ONE Educational shed 13 cents to end at $1.02 in trading 66,796 units, Regency Petroleum declined 35 cents to close at $2.19 after a transfer of 1,018,410 stocks, Spur Tree Spices dropped 27 cents and ended at $2.12 with stakeholders exchanging 599,864 shares.
Stationery and Office Supplies dipped 18 cents in closing at $1.85 in switching ownership of 1,106,312 stock units and Tropical Battery declined 10 cents and ended at $1.94 in an exchange of 121,811 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market plunges Main Market jumps
The Junior Market gave back a good portion of Thursday’s gains to start off the new month but Main and JSE USD Markets continued quite a bit as trading ended with the value and volume of stocks traded falling from that on Thursday.
At the close, the JSE Combined Market Index rallied 2,118.43 points to 338,196.94, the All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 3,500.76 points to 358,324.54, the JSE Main Index climbed 2,905.75 points to 324,637.55, the Junior Market Index dropped 64.77 points to 3,854.96 while the JSE USD Market Index rose 5.31 points to end at 245.14.
Trading of Preference shares ended, with Eppley 7.50% preference share rising 48 cents to $6 with an exchange of 116 stocks.
At the close, investors traded 16,116,237 shares in all three markets, down from 25,949,771 stocks on Thursday. The value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets ended at $70.28 million, down from $340 million on Thursday. Trading on the JSE USD market ended with investors exchanging 94,250 shares for US$10,054 down from 500,869 units at US$62,995 on Thursday.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks ended at 16.9 on 2022-23 earnings and 11.6 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange. It shows companies grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to successfully navigate numerous 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 decisions when 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 place them 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 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 paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts along with the closing volume pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Falling stocks hard to find on JSE Main Market
Prices jumped broadly on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Thursday, following a 109 percent jump in the volume of stocks traded as the value surged 401 percent higher than on Wednesday, after investors ended trading in 53 securities down from 59 on Wednesday, with 27 rising, eight declining and 18 ending unchanged.
A total of 18,676,905 shares were traded at $323,528,081 compared to 8,932,182 units at $64,616,360 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 352,394 shares at $6,104,303 up sharply from 151,393 units at $1,095,193 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 316,608 stocks at $1,867,646, just slightly more than the 314,910 units at $1,666,623 on the previous day. Trading in July closed with an average of 283,368 shares at $2,135,482.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 4.31 million shares for 23.1 percent of total volume, followed by Sagicor Group with 3.28 million units for 17.5 percent of the day’s trade, Stanley Motta with 2.10 million units for 11.2 percent market share, Wisynco Group and Transjamaican Highway chipped in with 1.52 million units for 8.1 percent market share respectively and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.24 million units for 6.6 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index gained 3,802.79 points to finish at 354,823.78, the JSE Main Index popped 2,577.57 points to 321,731.80 and the JSE Financial Index rallied 1.08 points to end at 72.05.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 12.9 for the Main Market. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are calculated based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending up to August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 10 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments climbed 47 cents to end at $76.37, with 413,555 shares crossing the market, Eppley rallied 97 cents to $36.50 in switching ownership of just 2 units, Jamaica Producers gained $1.80 and ended at $19.81 while exchanging 31,851 stocks, Jamaica Stock Exchange popped 98 cents in closing at $10.68, with 215,983 stock units clearing the market, JMMB Group increased 69 cents to $27.84 in an exchange of 140,735 units, Kingston Wharves rose $3 to $30 after exchanging 109,829 shares, Massy Holdings lost 90 cents to close at $100.10 with traders dealing in 1,580 stocks, 
MPC Caribbean Clean Energy advanced $9.50 and ended at $82 as investors exchanged 6 stock units, NCB Financial gained 40 cents to end at $73.40 with investors swapping 116,996 shares, Pan Jamaica rose $2.02 to close at $49.01 after 27,867 stocks were traded, Portland JSX declined $1 and ended at $9 trading 1,756 stock units, Proven Investments advanced 35 cents to close at $22.45 in trading 1,598 units, Sagicor Group increased $5.92 in closing at $50 after investors swapped 3,275,234 stock units, Sagicor Real Estate Fund dropped 35 cents to $8.15 after 10,408 shares passed through the market, Scotia Group climbed 83 cents to end at $33.84 with investors dealing in 704,129 units, Seprod rallied $4.99 in closing at $74.99 with investors transferring 435,817 stocks, Supreme Ventures skidded 49 cents to end at $27.50, with 361,791 units changing hands.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share fell 48 cents to close at $5.52 after an exchange of 13,126 stock units and Jamaica Public Service 7% popped $6.02 and ended at $52.82 in an exchange of 93 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading surges on JSE USD Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Thursday and the month, with a 267 percent surge in the volume of stocks changing hands following a 165 percent rise in the value over trading on Wednesday, resulting in the trading of eight securities up from seven on Wednesday, with five rising, one declining and two ending unchanged.
A total of 500,869 shares were traded for US$62,995 compared to 136,351 units at US$23,735 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 62,609 shares for US$7,874 compared with 19,479 units at US$3,391 on Wednesday, with a month to date average of 57,291 stocks at US$4,251 compared with 56,990 units at US$4,045 on the previous day. Trading in July ended with an average of 95,306 units for US$2,965.
The US Denominated Equities Index rose 1.37 points to 239.83.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.1. The PE ratio is computed based on the last traded price divided by projected earnings done by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending between November 2023 and August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share ended at 4 US cents with a transfer of 76,276 shares, Margaritaville rose 0.01 of a cent to 11.5 US cents after closing with 4,671 units changing hands, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy climbed 11.74 cents to 64.75 US cents after swapping 200 stocks. 
Sterling Investments dipped 0.04 of a cent to 1.94 US cents in trading 241,000 stocks, Sygnus Credit Investments ended at 10.23 US cents with investors dealing in 192 shares and Transjamaican Highway popped 0.04 of a cent in closing at 1.74 US cents after an exchange of 151,153 stock units.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 5.75% gained 10 cents to close at US$1.90, with investors transferring 27,360 units and JMMB Group 6% popped 8 cents and ended at US$1.08 as investors exchanged 17 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Sharp jump for Junior Market
The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange jumped sharply on Thursday to close out August on a positive note after jumping 122 points in two days and ending with the volume of stocks traded declining 3 percent, with a value that is 20 percent lower than Wednesday, with 42 securities trading compared with 47 on Wednesday and ended with 22 rising, 14 falling and six closing unchanged.
Investors traded 6,771,997 shares for $16,602,569 versus 6,996,281 units at $20,642,380 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 161,238 shares at $395,299 compared to 148,857 shares at $439,200 on Wednesday with the month to date, averaging 183,001 s at $460,354 compared to 184,062 stocks at $463,527 on the previous day. July closed with an average of 326,541 units at $843,878.
Regency Petroleum led trading with 1.30 million shares for 19.2 percent of total volume, followed by ONE on ONE Educational with 755,234 units for 11.2 percent of the day’s trade and Stationery and Office Supplies with 691,043 units for 10.2 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index surged 78.13 points to close trading at 3,919.73.
The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values, averages 11.1. The PE ratios of Junior Market stocks are computed using the last traded price in conjunction with ICInsider.com’s projected earnings for the financial years ending between November 2023 and August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows nine stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Access Financial rallied 78 cents to close at $25.98 in trading 30,675 shares, AMG Packaging advanced 25 cents to $2.52 with 600 units clearing the market, Blue Power popped 40 cents to end at $2.50 in switching ownership of 517 stock units, Cargo Handlers gained 89 cents in closing at $16 in an exchange of just 2 stocks, Derrimon Trading fell 10 cents to $1.65 after trading 43,718 units. Dolphin Cove declined 59 cents in closing at $16.01 with a transfer of 4,163 shares, EduFocal rose 11 cents to close at $1.45 after 34,902 stock units passed through the market, Elite Diagnostic lost 24 cents to end at $1.59 with stakeholders exchanging 5,510 stocks, Fontana dipped $1.07 and ended at $10.50, with 64,572 units crossing the market. Fosrich increased 17 cents to $2.07 after an exchange of 589,685 stock units, Future Energy Source climbed 43 cents to $3.92 while exchanging 412,955 stocks, 
GWest Corporation rallied 10 cents to end at 98 cents, with 1,141 shares crossing the market, Image Plus Consultants gained 22 cents to close at $2.24 with an exchange of 353,408 units. Indies Pharma popped 7 cents and ended at $3.19 with traders dealing in 69,698 stocks, JFP Ltd climbed 9 cents to $1.64 after 15,586 shares changed hands, Lasco Distributors rose 30 cents and ended at $4.50 with shareholders swapping 61,494 stock units, Lasco Manufacturing increased 11 cents to $5.31 with investors dealing in 3,256 stock units, Limners and Bards skidded 19 cents in closing at $1.81 as investors exchanged 10,926 units. Lumber Depot rallied 23 cents to close at $2.30 in an exchange of 279,065 shares, MFS Capital Partners shed 15 cents to end at $2.34 after a transfer of 157,154 stocks, ONE on ONE Educational popped 14 cents to end at $1.15 after exchanging 755,234 shares, Paramount Trading gained 25 cents to close at $1.95 with investors transferring 4,183 units. Regency Petroleum increased 14 cents to close at $2.54 with an exchange of 1,301,575 stock units, 
Spur Tree Spices rose 14 cents and ended at $2.39, with 348,421 stocks changing hands, Stationery and Office Supplies advanced 23 cents in closing at $2.03 as investors exchanged 691,043 stock units and Tropical Battery climbed 8 cents to close at $2.04, with 88,445 stocks crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
