Stocks jumped sharply in trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market on Monday, with a 139 percent rise in the volume of stocks changing hands valued 364 percent more than on Friday, resulting from trading in seven securities traded, compared to five on Friday with no price gains, five declining and two ending unchanged.
Overall, 2,048,216 shares were traded for US$53,374 compared to 857,775 units at US$11,508 on Friday.
Trading averaged 292,602 units at US$7,625 versus 171,555 shares at US$2,302 on Friday, with a month to date average of 75,210 shares at US$2,128 compared with 45,372 units at US$1,374 on the previous trading day. May ended with an average of 43,350 units for US$2,759.
The US Denominated Equities Index fell 4.97 points to finish at 233.94.
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 two stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Margaritaville declined 1.47 cents to 10 US cents while exchanging 2,164 shares, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy remained at 55 US cents with a transfer of 1,500 stocks, Proven Investments lost 0.9 of a cent to end at 16 US cents with an exchange of 30,056 stock units, Sterling Investments dipped 0.08 cents to close at 1.6 US cents with an exchange of 2,750 units, Transjamaican Highway shed 0.14 cents in closing at 1.26 US cents in trading 1,999,979 shares.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 5.75% ended at US$1.90 trading 11,456 units and JMMB Group 6% fell 1 cent and ended at US$1.18, with 311 stocks changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Volume jumps on JSE USD Market
Stock prices tumble on JSE Main Market
Trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Monday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 69 percent and the value 96 percent lower than on Friday, with 62 securities trading compared with 51 on Friday, with 15 rising, 34 declining and 13 ending unchanged.
A total of 11,158,702 shares were traded for $70,313,195 compared with 35,821,582 units at $1,604,168,706 on Friday.
Trading averaged 179,979 shares at $1,134,084 compared with 702,384 shares at $31,454,288 on Friday and month to date, an average of 250,636 units at $4,571,744 compared to 261,783 units at $5,114,072 on the previous trading day. May closed with an average of 226,361 units at $1,362,447.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 4.71 million shares for 42.2 percent of total volume with the price rising 9 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $2.20, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 2.24 million units for 20 percent of the day’s trade, with the stock closing at a 52 weeks’ high of 85 cents and Scotia Group with 1.05 million units for 9.4 percent of the day’s trade.
The All Jamaican Composite Index lost 325.98 points to close at 361,277.13, the JSE Main Index popped 1,197.20 points to finish at 328,531.40 and the JSE Financial Index climbed 0.54 points to close at 73.75.
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 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 12 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints rose 80 cents to close at $7.67 after an exchange of 11,064 shares, Caribbean Cement advanced $3.15 to $54.15, with 9,685 units clearing the market, Eppley fell $4.89 to end at $32.11 after 1,005 stocks passed through the exchange, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund dropped $1.99 in closing at $41 after investors traded 1,139 stock units. First Rock Real Estate declined 76 cents to $10.01, with 3,238 shares changing hands, GraceKennedy lost 40 cents to end at $78.50 while shareholders exchanged 22,045 stock units, Jamaica Broilers dipped $1.50 in closing at $33.50 as investors traded 8,847 units, Jamaica Stock Exchange shed 50 cents to close at a 52 week’s closing low of $11.50 after an exchange of 88,083 stocks. Kingston Wharves dipped 50 cents and ended at $29.50 in trading 977 units, 
Margaritaville lost $3.02 to close at $14.97, with 10 stocks crossing the market, Mayberry Investments popped 54 cents to close at $8.54 in an exchange of 28 units, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy rallied 50 cents to $71 with 1,503 shares changing hands. NCB Financial dipped 50 cents to $67.50 and closed with 35,790 units being traded, 138 Student Living gained 36 cents in closing at $5.51 after investors ended trading 3,865 shares, Palace Amusement shed 35 cents ended at $2.63 after an exchange of 34,774 stocks, Pan Jamaica Group fell $3.39 to $48.11 in switching ownership of 3,287 stock units. Proven Investments declined 71 cents to close at $25.30 in an exchange of 13,918 stocks, Sagicor Group lost $2 in closing at $48.50 after a transfer of 4,824 units, Stanley Motta declined 32 cents and ended at $5.08 with 693 stock units changing hands, Supreme Ventures dipped $1.25 to end at $24.50 with investors transferring 30,683 shares and Sygnus Real Estate Finance climbed 99 cents to close at $12 with shareholders swapping 401 stock units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 10.50% preference share dropped $50 to end at $1200 with 50 stocks crossing the market, Eppley 7.50% preference share shed $1.28 to $6.20 with an exchange of 224 units, Jamaica Public Service 7% fell $10.48 in closing at $50 in trading 35 shares. 138 Student Living preference share declined $6.99 and ended at $81 while exchanging 104 stock units and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share slipped 94 cents to $106 as investors exchanged one unit.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
6 circuit breaker hits on Junior Market
The major feature of trading on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday was the halt in trading of six stocks in the morning session within 90 minutes of opening. The early circuit breakers are CAC 2000, Cargo Handlers and ISP Finance declined while Caribbean Cream and tTech rose but Stationery and Office Supplies joined the action late in the morning session to hit the circuit breaker at 52 weeks’ high of $21 just before midday, with just two units being exchanged.
Trading closed with the volume and value of stocks traded declining 40 percent and 37 percent respectively, compared to Friday, following trading in 47 securities compared with 41 on Friday and ended with 13 rising, 27 declining and seven unchanged.
Investors traded 9,341,590 shares for $20,596,072 compared to 15,463,887 units at $32,509,692 on Friday.
Trading averaged 198,757 shares at $438,214, compared to 377,168 shares at $792,919 on Friday, with the month to date averaging 199,484 units at $545,636 compared to 199,598 stock units at $562,522 on the previous trading day. May closed with an average of 239,954 units at $648,811.
Tropical Battery led trading with 5.19 million shares for 55.5 percent of total volume followed by Derrimon Trading with 1.13 million units for 12.1 percent of the day’s trade and Dolla Financial with 565,488 units for 6.1 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index dipped 3.64 points to close at 3,802.40.
The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values, averages 10.4. 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 three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial increased $2.68 to $25 after an exchange of 35 shares, AMG Packaging fell 9 cents in closing at $2.58 after 1,806 stocks were traded, CAC2000 shed $1.09 to close at $6, with 36 units crossing the market, Cargo Handlers declined $3.59 to end at $15.61 as investors exchanged 65 stock units. Caribbean Cream rallied 74 cents to $3.94 after a transfer of 9,525 stocks, Caribbean Flavours gained 12 cents in ending at $1.36 after an exchange of 1,408 shares, Consolidated Bakeries fell 17 cents to $2.23 in switching ownership of 807 stock units, Dolla Financial fell 10 cents to $2.54 with a transfer of 565,488 units. Dolphin Cove dropped 69 cents in closing at $15.25 after an exchange of 4,653 stocks, Elite Diagnostic advanced 19 cents to close at $2.39 after 156 shares passed through the market, Everything Fresh fell 18 cents to close at $1.51 after 45,914 units crossed the market, Express Catering rose 8 cents to $4.98, with 17,892 stock units changing hands. 
Fontana dipped 17 cents in closing at $9.53 in an exchange of 145,680 stock units, Future Energy Source lost 11 cents to end at $4.01, with 203,561 stocks crossing the exchange, General Accident shed 53 cents and ended at $4.75 in trading 10 shares, iCreate climbed 31 cents to $1.26 in an exchange of 133,986 units. Jamaican Teas declined 14 cents to $2.08 while exchanging 25,550 shares, JFP Ltd dipped 10 cents to end at $1.65 with 519 units clearing the market, KLE Group lost 19 cents and ended at $1.61 with investors trading 50 stocks, Lasco Distributors dropped 16 cents to close at $3.15 after an exchange of 30,878 stock units. Lasco Manufacturing shed 20 cents and ended at $4.28 with shareholders swapping 479 shares, Limners and Bards declined 14 cents in closing at $2.21 with shareholders swapping 6,324 stocks, 
Main Event dipped 15 cents to close at $14.65, with 12,853 stock units crossing the exchange after hitting a 52 weeks’ intraday high of $14.89. Medical Disposables fell 30 cents to end at $4.20 after 3,389 units changed hands, Stationery and Office Supplies popped $5.01 to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $21 with 2,252 stocks clearing the market and tTech climbed 67 cents to end at $2.90, with 89,040 shares crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main Market rises Juniors & JSE USD fall
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange broke its losing streak after closing moderately higher than Friday and Transjamaican Highway continues to hit record closing highs and closed at $2.20, but the Junior and the JSE USD Markets slipped below Friday’s close after six Junior Market stocks triggered the exchange circuit breaker at varying times during the trading session.
At the close, the JSE Combined Market Index rose 1,083.75 points to end at 341.349.19, the All Jamaican Composite Index lost 325.98 points to close at 361,277.13, the JSE Main Index popped 1,197.20 points to 328,531.40, the Junior Market Index dipped 3.64 points to 3,802.40 and the JSE USD Market Index dipped 4.97 points to 233.94.
Preference shares with notable price movements but are not in the Main Market TOP10 graphs are Eppley 7.50% preference share shed $1.28 to close at $6.20, Jamaica Public Service 7% fell $10.48 in closing at $50. 138 Student Living preference share declined $6.99 and ended at $81, Productive Business 10.50% preference share dropped $50 to $1200 and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share lost 94 cents to close at $106.
At the close, investors exchanged 22,548,034 shares in all three markets on Monday compared to 52,143,554 shares on Friday. The value of stocks trading in the Junior and main markets was $90.9 million, down from $1.637 billion on Friday. Trading on the JSE USD market resulted in an exchange of 2,048,216 shares for US$53,374 compared to 857,775 units at US$11,684 on Friday.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 18.1 on 2022-23 earnings and 11.3 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading.
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 put in on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange and shows companies grouped on an industry basis, allowing easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends 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.
The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2021 and 2022 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items. The PE Ratio is the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks.
Kremi heads ICTOP10 as Lasd gains 19%
There was much activity in the Junior Market this past week, with the market index bouncing over the 3,800 mark for the first time since the middle of March, resulting in Caribbean Cream moving to $4.45 during the week but closed at $3.20 after traders pushed the stock down sharply on Friday, but Lasco Distributors shot to $3.31 and Lasco Manufacturing to $4.48 at the close with both moving out of the Junior Market ICTOP10.
Lasco Distributors and Lasco Manufacturing are still priced at less than 10 times 2023 fiscal year earnings when many others are priced over 15 times. Additionally, the company’s directors meet this week to consider dividends. Distributors is seemingly set to pay around 12 cents per share and Manufacturing 13 cents. With the dividend likely to be paid in July, the annual yield will equate to 42 percent and 35 percent, respectively, if the shares were acquired now. Replacing the two Lasco Companies are iCreate following a drop in the price to 95 cents and Edufocal closing at $1.78.
The Main Market TOP10 stocks remained the same as the week before, with the market struggling throughout the week, with four days of significant declines in the market index as selling pressure pushed prices down, resulting in just one stock, Transjamaican moving up in ICTOP10 with the largest gain of just 4 percent, with the stock hitting a record closing high of $2.11 on Friday. The chart shows it has the potential to gain another 200 percent. Berger Paints fell 9 percent to a 52 weeks’ low of $6.87, followed by JMMB Group with a loss of 4 percent to close at one year low of $28.75, Jamaica Broilers is down 3 percent to $35 and Scotia Group dipped 3 percent to $33.60 despite reporting increased profit for the first half of the 2023 fiscal year, with the second quarter almost doubling the similar quarter in 2022.
Lasco Distributors climbed 19 percent following an 11 percent rise last week to close at $3.31 and is up 59 percent from the 2023 low of $2.08 in April. Five stocks rose 6 percent: Caribbean Assurance Brokers, Dolphin Cove, General Accident, Consolidated Bakeries and Lasco Manufacturing, while One on One slipped 3 percent at the end of the week to be the biggest loser.
At the end of the week, the average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP 10 is 5.7, well below the market average of 13.2. The Main Market TOP10 is projected to have an average of 265 percent, to May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings.
The 15 most highly valued Main Market stocks are priced at a PE of 15 to 98, with an average of 30 and 20 excluding the highest PE stocks and 18 for the top half excluding the stocks with the highest valuation.
The Junior Market Top 10 PE sits at 5.3 compared with the market at 10.4. There are 10 stocks representing 21 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 25, averaging 19 are 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. Junior Market is projected to rise by 283 percent to May 2024.
The differences 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.
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 2023 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.
Trading slips on JSE USD Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Friday, with the volume of stocks changing hands rising 219 percent with a marginally lower value than on Thursday, resulting in the trading of just five securities, compared to 10 on Thursday and ending with prices of one rising, two declining and two ending unchanged.
Overall, 857,775 shares were traded for US$11,508 compared to 269,277 units at US$11,912 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 171,555 units at US$2,302 versus 26,928 shares at US$1,191 on Thursday, with a month to date average of 45,372 shares at US$1,374 compared to 31,656 units at US$1,273o n the previous day. May ended with an average of 43,350 units for US$2,759.
The US Denominated Equities Index gained 0.12 points to 239.50.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages nine. 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 one stock ended with a bid higher than the last selling price and two with lower offers.
At the close, Proven Investments fell 0.1 of a cent to 16.9 US cents in an exchange of 227 shares, Sterling Investments ended at 1.68 US cents, with 2,321 stocks clearing the market, Sygnus Credit Investments ended at 11 US cents with investors transferring 350 units. Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share dipped 0.12 of a cent to close at 11 US cents with a transfer of one stock unit and Transjamaican Highway increased 0.06 of a cent in closing at 1.4 US cents with 854,876 shares changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
NCB dominates trading on Friday
Share of NCB Financial commanded the largest portion of the volume and value of stocks trading on Friday, with 22.75 million shares valued at $1.55 billion as trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Friday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 174 percent and the value surging 1,006 percent over Thursday, after trading in 51 securities compared with 61 on Thursday, with 20 rising, 20 declining and 11 ending unchanged.
A total of 35,821,582 shares were traded for $1,604,168,706 compared to 13,055,782 units at $145,021,241 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 702,384 shares at $31,454,288 versus 214,029 shares at $2,377,397 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 261,783 units at $5,114,072 versus 196,079 units at $1,186,146 on the previous day. May closed with an average of 226,361 units at $1,362,447.
NCB Financial led trading with 22.75 million shares for 63.5 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 4.92 million units for 13.7 percent of the day’s trade and ended with the price ending at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $2.11, Wigton Windfarm ended with 2.54 million units for 7.1 percent market share and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 2.19 million units for 6.1 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dived 2,291.49 points to 361,603.11, the JSE Main Index declined by 2,486.07 points to close at 327,334.20 and the JSE Financial Index fell by 1.12 points to end at 73.21.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.2 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 nine stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments lost 90 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ low of $74.10, with 2,201 shares changing hands, Berger Paints declined $1.21 to close at a 52 weeks’ low of $6.87 as investors exchanged 78,000 stocks, Eppley increased $1.08 to end at $37 after trading 3 units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund climbed 30 cents and ended at $42.99 in an exchange of 271 stock units. First Rock Real Estate gained 62 cents in closing at $10.77 in switching ownership of 24,747 shares, 
GraceKennedy rose 90 cents to end at $78.90 in an exchange of 43,296 stocks. Guardian Holdings rallied $35 and ended at $485 with shareholders swapping 5,377 shares, Jamaica Broilers rose $1.99 to $35 in trading 218,282 units Jamaica Stock Exchange shed $1 to end at a 52 weeks’ closing low of $12 with investors trading 131,493 units, Kingston Properties fell 37 cents to close at $7.10 with an exchange of 5,000 units. Mayberry Investments dipped 50 cents to $8, with 227,543 stocks crossing the exchange, NCB Financial dropped $1 to close at $68, with 22,747,667 shares clearing the market, Palace Amusement popped 30 cents in closing at $2.98 with a transfer of 2,810 stock units. Pan Jamaica Group lost 50 cents and ended at $51.50 with an exchange of 5,684 shares, Proven Investments gained 70 cents to end at $26.01, with 2,012 units crossing the market, Sagicor Group rallied $1.50 to end at $50.50 after exchanging 27,716 stocks. Scotia Group dropped 58 cents and ended at $33.60 after a transfer of 277,369 units following the release of half year results that showed increased profit and 
Seprod rose $3.87 in closing at $72.50 while exchanging 7,135 stock units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share climbed $1.28 to $7.48 after an exchange of 90 shares, Jamaica Public Service 7% declined $3.35 to close at $60.48 after 16 stocks crossed the market and 138 Student Living preference share advanced $13.99 to end at $87.99 as 10 stock units passed through the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market holds on to 3,800 handle
The volume of stocks traded jumped 141 percent on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Friday, with a 98 percent increase in the value compared to Thursday, following trading in 41 securities similar to trading on Thursday with the market ending with prices of 19 rising, 15 declining and seven closing unchanged.
Trading closed with an exchange of 15,463,887 shares for $32,509,692 compared with 6,422,074 units at $16,407,108 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 377,168 shares at $792,919 compared to 156,636 shares at $400,173 on Thursday, with a month to date, average of 199,598 units at $562,522 compared to 171,380 stock units at $525,908 on the previous day. May closed with an average of 239,954 units at $648,811.
EduFocal led trading with 10.04 million shares for 64.9 percent of total volume followed by JFP Ltd with 1.59 million units for 10.3 percent of the day’s trade and Fosrich with 905,139 units for 5.9 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index dipped 0.84 points to settle at 3,806.04, with the market closing above 3,800 points for a third day after trading opened at 3,854.64.
The PE Ratio, a measure of computing appropriate stock values, averages 10.4. 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 four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial dipped $2.83 to close at $22.32, with 2,575 shares crossing the exchange, AMG Packaging rallied 17 cents in closing at $2.67, with 2,691 stock units changing hands, Caribbean Cream shed $1.20 to end at $3.20 after opening at $4.40 and ended with 213,135 stocks crossing the market, Consolidated Bakeries climbed 10 cents to $2.40 after an exchange of 1,000 units. Derrimon Trading increased 8 cents to $1.98 with shareholders swapping 77,796 shares, Express Catering dipped 9 cents to $4.90 as 34,562 units passed through the market, Fontana lost 10 cents in closing at $9.70 after 96,764 stock units crossed the market, Fosrich fell 8 cents to end at $2.15 in switching ownership of 905,139 stocks. 
Future Energy Source rose 8 cents to close at $4.12 with an exchange of 218,150 stocks, General Accident rallied 77 cents to $5.28 following an exchange of 179,497 shares, GWest Corporation popped 15 cents to close at $1.04 after investors exchanged 100,000 stock units, iCreate declined 27 cents and ended at a 52 weeks’ low of 95 cents trading 201,813 units. Iron Rock Insurance dropped 20 cents to $2.15 as investors traded 1,500 shares, ISP Finance advanced $5.49 to end at $26.49 in trading 1,122 stock units, JFP Ltd climbed 13 cents to $1.75 while exchanging 1,593,585 units, Lasco Distributors rose 29 cents to $3.31 in an exchange of 21,706 stocks. Lasco Manufacturing rallied 23 cents in closing at $4.48 with a transfer of just 1,532 stocks, Limners and Bards advanced 15 cents to close at $2.35 with investors transferring 10,118 stock units, Lumber Depot popped 9 cents and ended at $2.29 after closing with 9,045 shares changing hands, Main Event increased 30 cents to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $14.80 after a transfer of 109,876 units. 
MFS Capital Partners dipped 9 cents to close at $3.10, with 288,337 stocks clearing the market, Regency Petroleum gained 11 cents to end at $2.99 with a transfer of 215,726 stock units and tTech fell 26 cents to $2.23 in trading 1,296 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Markets ends week negatively
Trading surged sharply on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Friday but the Main Market suffered more declines at the close, even as Transjamaica Highway continues to hit record closing highs as the indices suffered another four digit fall, following the previous two trading days while the Junior Market just slipped below Thursday’s close, after opening at 3,854.64 points, but market index stayed above the 3,800 mark for a third day while JSE USD Market eked out a modest rise at the close.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index dropped 2,327.36 points to 340,265.44, the All Jamaican Composite Index shed 2,291.49 points to close at 361,603.11, the JSE Main Index dived 2,486.07 points to 327,334.20, the Junior Market Index dipped 0.84 points to settle at 3,806.04 and the JSE USD Market Index rose 0.05 points to close at 238.91.
Preference shares with notable movement but are not in the Main Market TOP10 graphs are Eppley 7.50% preference share with a rise of $1.28 to $7.48, Jamaica Public Service 7% down $3.35 to $60.48 and 138 Student Living preference share up $13.99 to $87.99.
At the close, investors exchanged 52,143,554 shares in all three markets, with NCB Financial accounting for 22,747,667 shares valued at $1.55 billion. Trading on Thursday amounted to 19,714,383 shares in all three markets, with the value of stocks trading amounting to $1.637 billion, down from $161.15 million. Trading on the JSE USD market resulted in investors exchanging 857,775 shares for US$11,684 compared to 269,277 units at US$11,912 on Thursday.
The market’s PE ratio ended at 18.1 on 2022-23 earnings and 11.4 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading.
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 put in on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange and shows companies grouped on an industry basis, allowing easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends 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.
The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2021 and 2022 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items. The PE Ratio is the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks.
Brutal day for the JSE Main Market
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange dropped for a second day and the fourth time in five on Thursday, with the volume of stocks, traded rising 195 percent and the value 206 percent more than on Wednesday, with 61 securities trading compared with 54 on Wednesday, with 13 rising, 35 declining and 13 ending unchanged.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 4,628.88 points to 363,894.60, the JSE Main Index shed 3,811.14 points to end at 329,820.27 and the JSE Financial Index dipped 0.31 points to 74.33.
A total of 13,055,782 shares were traded for $145,021,241, up sharply from 4,421,900 units at $47,368,868 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 214,029 shares at $2,377,397 versus 81,887 shares at $877,201 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 196,079 units at $1,186,146 compared to 192,182 units at $927,546 on the previous day. May closed with an average of 226,361 units at $1,362,447.
Supreme Ventures led trading with 3.98 million shares for 30.5 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 3.55 million units for 27.2 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway with 2.72 million units for 20.8 percent of the day’s trade with the price hitting a record closing high of $2.09, with the stock rising more than 47 percent for the year to date, and have more room to rise.
The PE Ratio, a formula used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 13.2 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 11 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments fell 95 cents to $75 with 31,858 shares clearing the market, Eppley dropped 98 cents in closing at $35.92 while 54 stocks were traded , Eppley Caribbean Property Fund increased $4.17 to $42.69 after 122 stock units crossed the market. First Rock Real Estate lost 62 cents to close at $10.15 as investors exchanged 19,090 units, Guardian Holdings shed $21 and ended at 52 weeks’ low of $450 in switching ownership of 6,612 shares, Jamaica Broilers dipped $1.99 to close at $33.01 with investors transferring 144,377 stock units. Jamaica Producers declined 60 cents in closing at $19.30, with 4,826 units changing hands, Jamaica Stock Exchange fell 39 cents and ended at $13 with shareholders exchanging 12,555 stocks, JMMB Group declined 90 cents to $29 after 55,520 shares crossed the market.
Kingston Wharves rose 88 cents to end at $30 as 1,595 units passed through the exchange, Margaritaville shed 32 cents to end at $17.99 and closed with an exchange of 248 stock units, Massy Holdings lost $2 in closing at $100 after an exchange of 5,940 stocks. Mayberry Investments dipped 50 cents in closing at $8.50 after 55,529 stock units were traded, Mayberry Jamaican Equities dipped 36 cents and ended at $10.50, with 12,090 stocks changing hands, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy advanced 50 cents to close at $70.50 with shareholders swapping 60 shares. NCB Financial fell 50 cents to end at $69 with an exchange of 206,811 units, 138 Student Living shed 34 cents in ending at $5.16 after a transfer of 556 units, Pan Jamaica gained $1.94 in closing at $52 in an exchange of 1,070 stocks. Proven Investments dipped 69 cents to $25.31 in trading 1,644 stock units, Sagicor Group popped 49 cents to close at $49 in an exchange of 15,228 shares, Scotia Group declined 32 cents in closing at $34.18 with a transfer of 41,311 stocks. Seprod dropped $1.37 to end at $68.63, with 16,107 stock units crossing the market, Supreme Ventures lost 70 cents to close at $25.99 after it traded at a 52 weeks’ intraday low of $20 and exchanged 3,984,502 units, Sygnus Real Estate Finance shed $2 ended at $11, with 40 shares changing hands.
In the preference segment, Eppley 5% preference share fell $3 to close at a 52 weeks’ low of $17 with a transfer of 58 shares, Eppley 7.50% preference share declined $1.28 to close at $6.20 after a transfer of 315 stocks. Jamaica Public Service 7% dipped $14.77 in closing at $63.83 in an exchange of 1,535 units and 138 Student Living preference share dropped $13.99 and ended at $74 after 41 stock units crossed the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
