Trading ended on Wednesday, with the volume of shares changing hands declining sharply by 98 percent after 89 percent fewer funds passed through the market than on Tuesday, at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market, resulting in an even number of stocks rising, falling and ending unchanged.
A total of nine securities traded, compared to seven on Tuesday with a three way sharing of stocks rising, declining and remaining firm ending with three each.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index lost 2.81 points to end at 204.90. The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 14.5. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years, up to August 2022.
Overall, 55,392 shares traded, for US$8,332 compared to 2,950,219 units at US$79,057 on Tuesday. Trading averaged 6,155 units at US$926, compared to 421,460 shares at US$11,294 on Tuesday and the month to date averaged 114,377 stock units at US$4,403 versus 128,701 units at US$4,864 on the previous day. January ended with an average of 91,572 units for US$7,142.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ended with bids higher than the last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share rose 0.01 of a cent to 8.95 US cents trading 1,527 shares, Margaritaville declined 0.4 of one cent to 17.6 US cents as 1,829 units were exchanged, Proven Investments lost 2.28 cents to end at 22.22 US cents with the swapping of 9,431 stocks. Sygnus Credit Investments USD share climbed 0.01 of a cent in closing at 12.89 US cents, with 27,747 stock units clearing the market, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share finished at 13 US cents while exchanging 656 stocks, Transjamaican Highway increased 0.04 of a cent to 0.89 US cents, trading 12,350 stock units.
In the preference segment, Equityline Mortgage Investment preference share remained at US$1.999 after exchanging 21 units, JMMB Group 5.75% ended unchanged at US$2.09 in an exchange of 42 shares and JMMB Group 6% dropped 1 cent in closing at US$1.01 with 1,789 units changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
3 way tie for JSE US stocks
9 stocks rose on Trinidad Stock Exchange
Market activity ended on Wednesday and resulted in nine rising, one declining while seven traded unchanged more stocks rising than falling at the close of trading after trading 63 percent fewer shares traded, with the value holding close to Tuesday’s levels at the close of the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange.
The number of securities traded fell to 17 down from 20 on Tuesday. The Composite Index gained 1.81 points to end at 1,519.30, the All T&T Index declined 1.28 points to close at 2,125.23 and the Cross-Listed Index rallied 0.72 points to 122.06.
A total of 353,904 shares traded for $9,762,568 versus 967,995 units at $9,823,504 on Tuesday. An average of 20,818 units were exchanged for $574,269 compared to 48,400 shares at $491,175 on Tuesday, with trading month to date averaging 49,717 units at $587,452 versus 52,102 units at $588,540 previously. The average trade for January amounts to 39,943 units at $369,498.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Agostini’s ended unchanged at $46 after trading 4,767 shares, Angostura Holdings rose 1 cent to $19.75 with an exchange of 1,493 units, Clico Investment Fund rallied $1.49 in closing at $31.49 with 63,408 stock units changing hands. First Citizens Group popped 1 cent to $64.46 in an exchange of 950 stocks, GraceKennedy popped 2 cents to $6.01 trading 601 stock units, Guardian Holdings remained at $30 with the swapping of 14,195 stocks. 
Guardian Media finished at $3.15 while exchanging 9,000 shares, JMMB Group remained at $2.40 in trading 69,000 units, Massy Holdings rose 1 cent to $106 after 39,690 stocks crossed the market. National Enterprises finished at $3.25 after an exchange of 40,057 units, National Flour Mills gained 9 cents after ending at $2 and exchanging one stock unit, One Caribbean Media ended unchanged at $4.20 after trading 6,250 shares. Republic Financial Holdings increased 8 cents to close at $142, with 2,626 stocks clearing the market, Scotiabank advanced 48 cents to end at $72.98 with an exchange of 178 units, Trinidad & Tobago NGL climbed $1.95 in closing at $22 after an exchange of 90,045 shares. Unilever Caribbean ended unchanged at $16 in exchanging 11,568 stock units and West Indian Tobacco fell 4 cents to end at $25.95 in switching ownership of 75 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Falling stocks crushed winners on JSE Main Market
Declining stock dominated Main Market activity on Tuesday with 47 percent of stock losing value at the close compared to 28 percent rising as the volume of shares traded rising 61 percent and the value increasing 66 percent higher than on Monday at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 1,076.57 points to end at 452,663.17, the JSE Main Index rose 313.73 points to 401,355.48 and the JSE Financial Index rallied 0.36 points to end at 97.16.
Overall, 57 securities traded against 58 on Monday, with 16 rising, 27 declining and 14 ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a formula used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 17. The PE ratio for the JSE Main and USD Market closing quotes are based on ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending up to August 2022.
Overall, 25,075,120 shares were exchanged for $212,434,651 up from 15,556,075 units at $127,688,648 on Monday. Wigton Windfarm led trading with 50.4 percent of total volume for 12.64 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 10.8 percent for 2.72 million units, QWI Investments controlled 6 percent, with 1.49 million units, JMMB Group accounted for 5 percent with 1.26 million units and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 4.7 percent and 1.17 million units changing hands.
Trading averages 439,914 units at $3,726,924 compared to 268,208 shares $2,201,528 on Monday and month to date, an average of 291,484 units at $2,965,891, compared to 276,821 units at $2,890,711 on the previous day. January closed with an average of 235,328 units at $2,397,571.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows nine stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments lost 34 cents to end at $91.16 with the swapping of 6,218 stocks, Berger Paints shed 50 cents after ending at $12.50 with an exchange of 5,080 units, Caribbean Cement declined $2.20 to $83 after trading 19,752 stock units. Caribbean Producers fell $1.69 to $16.50 in an exchange of 369,759 shares, Eppley rose $1 to $35 after 4,013 stocks changed hands, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund declined $2.50 to $38.50 in trading 723 stock units. Guardian Holdings dropped $18 in closing at $561 after ownership of 563 shares were switched, Jamaica Producers fell $1.25 to $22.25 in exchanging 51,253 stock units, JMMB Group dropped $1.39 to close at $43.11 with the swapping of 1,263,399 shares. Key Insurance advanced $1.11 to $5.21 after trading 759,230 units, Massy Holdings climbed $90 in closing at $2,200 after exchanging 8,223 stocks, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy rallied $4 to end at $119 in transferring 6 stocks. 
138 Student Living rose 90 cents to close at $8.20 with 14,854 shares crossing the market, Palace Amusement popped $50 to close at $950 in switching ownership of 80 units, PanJam Investment shed 80 cents to $65.20 with 250,409 stock units clearing the market. Radio Jamaica lost 44 cents to end at $3.26 in trading 286,351 shares, Sagicor Group declined $4.09 to $53.54 with 37,381 units crossing the market, Scotia Group shed 75 cents to close at $36 with 9,498 shares changing hands. Seprod gained 49 cents in closing at $61.50 after switching ownership of 4,485 stocks, Stanley Motta lost 52 cents to settle at $5.46 after exchanging 1,310 stock units and Sygnus Real Estate Finance fell 97 cents to $17 in trading 5,836 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading surged on the JSE USD market
Trading surged sharply on Tuesday, with the volume of shares changing hands rising jumping 622 percent and the value surging 1045 percent higher than on Monday, at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market, resulting in the JSE US Denominated Equities Index rising 6.34 points to 207.71 as more stocks gained than lost.
A total of seven securities traded, compared to five on Monday with three rising, two declining and two ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 13.6. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years, up to August 2022.
Overall, 2,950,219 shares traded for US$79,057 up from 408,637 units at US$6,903 on Monday. Trading averaged 421,460 units at US$11,294, compared to 81,727 shares at US$1,381 on Monday and month to date averages 128,701 shares at US$4,864 versus 95,106 units at US$4,126 on the previous day. January ended with an average of 91,572 units for US$7,142.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ended with a bid higher than the last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share climbed 1.94 cents ending at 8.94 US cents, with 43 shares crossing the market, 
Proven Investments rallied 1.55 cents in closing at 24.5 US cents after an exchange of 182,629 stocks, Sterling Investments dropped 0.28 cents to close at 2.02 US cents with 33,137 stock units crossing the exchange. Sygnus Credit Investments USD share gained 0.99 of a cent to 12.88 US cents, with 4,287 units changing hands, Transjamaican Highway lost 0.04 of a cent to end at 0.85 US cents trading 2,724,937 stock units.
In the preference segment, Equityline Mortgage Investment preference share remained at US$1.999 with an exchange of 525 shares and JMMB Group 5.75% ended unchanged at US$2.09 trading 4,661 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trinidad stocks pick up gains
Volume and value of stocks trading Tuesday on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange dipped below that on Monday after 23 percent fewer shares were traded, with 23 percent less value.
The securities traded remained at 20 similar that on Monday and resulted in five rising, seven declining and eight remaining unchanged. The Composite Index popped 6.75 points to close at 1,517.49 the All T&T Index rallied 10.65 points to 2,126.51 and the Cross-Listed Index increased 0.36 points to settle at 121.34.
A total of 967,995 shares traded for $9,823,504 compared to 1,261,114 units at $12,778,705 on Monday. An average of 48,400 units traded at $491,175 compared to 63,056 shares at $638,933 on Monday, with trading month to date averaging 52,102 units at $588,540 versus 52,500 units at $599,010 on the previous day. The average trade for January amounts to 39,943 units at $369,498.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Agostini’s finished at $46, with 22,381 shares crossing the market, Angostura Holdings dipped 1 cent in ending at $19.74 finishing at 764 units, Ansa McAl advanced $1 in closing at $58, with 46 stocks changing hands. Clico Investment Fund fell $1.50 to $30 in an exchange of 786 stock units, First Citizens Group shed 4 cents to $64.45, with 735 stock units crossing the exchange, FirstCaribbean International Bank remained at $6.12 after 2,000 units cleared the market. 
GraceKennedy rallied 13 cents in closing at $5.99 after trading 10,755 stocks, Guardian Holdings ended at $30 with an exchange of 16,057 shares, Guardian Media exchanged 976 shares at $3.15. JMMB Group rallied 10 cents to $2.40 after trading 14,000 stocks, L.J. Williams B share finished at $1.95 after 2,729 stock units passed through the market, Massy Holdings declined 1 cent to $105.99 in trading 23,153 units. National Enterprises ended at $3.25 in switching ownership of 274,500 shares, National Flour Mills fell 2 cents to $1.91 with the swapping of 441 stock units, NCB Financial Group ended at $8 after exchanging 564,828 stocks. One Caribbean Media remained at $4.20 while 30,000 units changed hands, Republic Financial Holdings popped $1.92 in closing at $141.92 in exchanging 295 stock units, Scotiabank dropped 48 cents to $72.50 with the swapping of 5 stocks. Trinidad & Tobago NGL fell $1.70 to end at $20.05, with 3,200 shares crossing the market and West Indian Tobacco rose 97 cents to close at $25.99 after an exchange of 344 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading slips on the JSE USD Market
Trading ended on Monday with the volume of shares changing hands falling 66 percent with 75 percent less value than on Friday, at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market, resulting in more stocks rising than falling.
Similar to trading on Friday five securities traded, with two rising, one declining and two ending unchanged.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index slipped 2.62 points to 201.37.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 13.3. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial year end, up to August 2022.
Overall, 408,637 shares traded, for US$6,903 down from 1,211,422 units at US$27,433 on Friday. Trading averaged 81,727 units at US$1,381, compared to 242,284 shares at US$5,487 on prior trading day and month to date averaged 95,106 shares at US$4,126 versus 96,300 units at US$4,371 on Friday. January ended with an average of 91,572 units for US$7,142.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ended with a bid higher than the last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share ended at 7 US cents after trading 2,829 shares, Margaritaville shed 6 cents in ending at 18 US cents with 5,000 stocks clearing the market, Proven Investments remained at 22.95 US cents with an exchange of 10,870 units. Sterling Investments increased 0.05 of a cent to close at 2.3 US cents, with 12,991 stock units crossing the market and Transjamaican Highway rose 0.09 of a cent to 0.89 US cents with 376,947 stocks changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Gains for JSE Main Market on Monday
Market activity ended on Monday with the volume of shares trading being 17 percent more with a 44 percent lower value than on Friday as declining exceeded rising to close out trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market.
The All Jamaican Composite Index popped 534.66 points to settle at 453,739.74, the JSE Main Index advanced 886.78 points to 401,041.75 and the JSE Financial Index gained 0.52 points to end at 96.80.
A total of 58 securities traded compared to 60 on Friday, with 22 rising, 26 declining and 10 ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a formula for computing appropriate stock values, averages 17.2. The PE ratio for the JSE Main and USD Market closing quotes are based on ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending up to August 2022.
Overall, 15,556,075 shares traded for $127,688,648 versus 13,336,530 units at $229,123,211 on Friday. Wigton Windfarm led trading with 28 percent of total volume for an exchange of 4.35 million shares followed by Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund with 15.7 percent for 2.44 million units, Transjamaican Highway, 9.6 percent with 1.50 million units, QWI Investments, 8.6 percent after trading 1.33 million units and JMMB Group with 6.9 percent market share for 1.08 million units.
Trading averaged 268,208 units at $2,201,528 ompared to 222,276 shares at $3,818,720 on Friday and month to date, an average of 276,821 units at $2,890,711, versus 277,783 units at $2,967,730 on Friday. January closed with an average of 235,328 units at $2,397,571.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints gained 56 cents to finish at $13 in an exchange of 78,492 shares, Caribbean Cement advanced $1.20 to close at $85.20 with 31,440 units clearing the market, Caribbean Producers fell 79 cents to $18.19 after trading 240,546 stocks. Eppley rose 90 cents to end at $34 with 262 stock units changing hands, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund shed $1.35 in closing at $41 with 10 stocks crossing the market, GraceKennedy declined $2.01 in closing at $103 with an exchange of 190,769 units. Jamaica Broilers lost 60 cents ending at $29.90 in switching ownership of 6,719 shares, JMMB Group rallied $2.50 to close at $44.50 after 1,080,129 stock units passed through the exchange, Kingston Properties shed 74 cents to end at $9 with the swapping of 3,538 units. 
Kingston Wharves fell $1.70 to $40.30 in trading 16,224 stocks, Margaritaville advanced $1.70 to $26.20 with 424 shares crossing the market, Massy Holdings gained $110 to $2,110 in transferring 3,365 stock units. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy popped $4 to close at $115 after an exchange of 56 shares, NCB Financial rallied 50 cents in closing at $129 with 59,377 stock units crossing the market, Palace Amusement declined $5 to $900 in trading 32 units. Portland JSX gained 45 cents to close at $9.15 with a transfer of 124 stocks, Proven Investments picked up 30 cents in ending at $33.80 with an exchange of 83,407 shares, Radio Jamaica fell 55 cents in closing at $3.70 in switching ownership of 616,794 units. Scotia Group declined $2.24 to $36.75 after trading 172,114 shares, Seprod lost 39 cents to settle at $61.01 with 26,004 units crossing the market and Sygnus Credit Investments rose 30 cents to end at $15.80 with an exchange of 114,556 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Drop in Trinidad Stock Exchange share value
Market activity ended on Monday and resulted in 148 percent more shares, trading with a 40 percent lower value than Friday, at the close of the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange and declines in the Market indices.
Total of 20 security traded compared to 18 on Friday, with five stocks rising, six declining and nine remaining unchanged.
The Composite Index declined 6.99 points to 1,510.74, the All T&T Index dropped 14.01 points to 2,115.86 and the Cross-Listed Index increased 0.07 points to settle at 120.98.
A total of 1,261,114 shares traded for $12,778,705 compared to 509,189 units at $21,201,944 on Friday. An average of 63,056 units traded at $638,935 compared to 28,288 shares at $1,177,886 on the previous day, with trading month to date averaging 52,500 units at $599,010 versus 51,229 units at $594,199. The average trade for January amounts to 39,943 units at $369,498.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two stocks with lower offers.
At the close, Agostini’s finished at $46 in an exchange of 3,791 shares, Angostura Holdings gained $1.25 in closing at $19.75 after trading 4,541 stocks, Ansa McAl shed $1.99 in ending at $57 trading 18,844 units. Ansa Merchant Bank dropped $4.59 to $40.41 with 12,374 stock units changing hands, CinemaOne ended unchanged at $3.95 trading 12 shares, Clico Investment Fund remained at $31.50 with 33,739 units crossing the market. FirstCaribbean International Bank fell 2 cents to end at $6.12 exchanging 1,000 stock units, GraceKennedy inched 1 cent higher to $5.86 after 458 stocks crossed the market, Guardian Holdings remained at $30 with the swapping of 1,000 stocks.
JMMB Group declined 1 cent to close at $2.30, with 225,217 stock units crossing the exchange, Massy Holdings ended at $106 after 25,983 shares passed through the market, National Enterprises finished at $3.25 in exchanging 1,000 units. National Flour Mills rallied 2 cents to $1.93 after 3,000 shares changed hands, NCB Financial Group closed at $8 with an exchange of 233,921 stock units, Point Lisas ended unchanged at $3.27 while exchanging 663,032 stocks. Prestige Holdings rose 5 cents to $7.05 in trading 8,529 units, Republic Financial Holdings closed at $140 after an exchange of 14,300 stocks, Scotiabank climbed 97 cents ending at $72.98 trading 4,012 shares. Trinidad & Tobago NGL lost 25 cents to close at $21.75, with 5,311 stock units changing hands and West Indian Tobacco shed 98 cents to end at a 52 weeks’ low of $25.02 with the swapping of 1,050 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Several changes for ICTOP10 listings
Increased buying interest coupled with the release of new results created many changes for the ICTOP10 listings this week. Tropical Battery came from nowhere, with stunning first quarter results to December, with profits surging from just $19 million in 2020 to $56.7 million as revenues surged 46.8 percent to $662 million and investors reacted to it right out of the block driving the price up 18 percent for the day.
Even with an 18 percent rise in the stock price, Tropical moved right to the top of the Junior Market TOP10 stocks with the potential to double in price. Medical Disposables price slipped with the stock now back in the TOP 10 and so did Access Financial while Cargo Handlers joins the TOP10 in fifth position.
Moving out of the TOP10 are Lasco Financial that was boosted by rising profits and enjoyed a 19 percent bounce in the price for the week and Jetcon Corporation. Lasco Manufacturing (Lasm) price rose 2 percent but the company posted good results that suggest a much higher stock price ahead and Stationery & Office Supplies (SOS) had a 24 percent rise to $7.31 as increased buying interest came in for the stock. Both stocks remain in the 2022 ICTOP15 list, with SOS in at the 6th spot and LASM at 11.
The Junior Market index upward move slowed this past week with year to date gains moving from 16.3 percent last week to 17.1 percent to Friday, this week. The Main Market seems to be bubbling with the market index up more than 7,700 points for February and is worth watching.
Recently listed Spur Tree Spices continues to consolidate around the $3 price level while, Future Energy, surged this past week to an all-time high of $5.20, on profit results that rose strongly in the December quarter at PE of 50, the price seems well ahead of the market.
Other decent moves in the Junior Market this past week are Caribbean Assurance Brokers that closed at $3.28 for a rise of 6 percent, General Accident moved up 4 percent to $6.76, AMG Packaging lost 6 percent to end at $3.48 and Honey Bun slipped 4 percent to $9.70.
In the Main Market, Jamaica Broilers rose 13 percent to $30.50, while Proven Investments and VM Investments both rose 8 percent for the week. Radio Jamaica released results for the nine months to December, with a slight reduction of 2.5 percent in revenues or $35 million leading to a fall in profit from $194 million in the December quarter to $108 million and Jamaica Broilers were replaced in the TOP10 by Berger Paints and Carreras.
The sharp price movements in the Junior Market over recent weeks reduced the potential gains markedly, with the average increase projected for the TOP 10 Junior Market stocks now at 105 percent and is now lower than the Main Market at 122 percent. The top three stocks in the Junior Market are Tropical Battery followed by Caribbean Assurance Brokers and Lasco Distributors to gain between 111 and 124 percent, compared to 114 and 126 percent, previously.
The potential gains for Main Market stocks moved from 123 percent to this weeks’ 122 percent, with the top three being JMMB Group followed by Guardian Holdings and Sygnus Credit Investments all projected to gain between 161 and 186 percent versus 165 and 186 percent last week.
After trading at a big discount to the Main Market for two years, the average PE for Junior Market has moved to 17.8 based on ICInsider.com’s 2021-22 earnings and is ahead of the JSE Main Market at 16.4. In the process, the Junior Market has surpassed the average of 17 that was achieved at the end of March last year. The TOP 10 stocks trade at a PE of a mere 9.8, with a 45 percent discount to that market’s average. That means there is a lot of room for the TOP10 stocks to run between now and the end of March.
All the stocks in the Junior Market can gain 12 percent to March this year, based on an average PE of 20 that would take the index to 4,700 points. About a third of Junior Market stocks with positive earnings are trading at or above this level, averaging around 23.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market is 17.4 just 9 percent less than the PE of 19 at the end of March and 15 percent below the target of 20 to March this year. The Main Market TOP 10 average PE is 9.2 representing a 47 percent discount to the market and well below the potential of 20. Around 15 stocks or 30 percent of the market trade at or above a PE of 19, with most over 20, for an average roundabout 25, suggesting that the accepted multiple is between 20 and 25 times the current year’s earnings.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners, accordingly, the list may or may not include the best companies in the market.
ICInsider.com ranks stocks based on projected earnings to highlight winners from the rest, allowing investors to focus on potential winning stocks and helping to remove emotional attachments to stocks that often result in costly mistakes.
IC TOP10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns up to March 2022 and ranked in order of potential gains, based on the possible increase for each company, considering the earnings and PE ratios for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate and result in weekly movements in and out of the lists. Revisions to earnings per share 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 on Friday
More funds supported market activity on Friday but the volume of shares trading declined by 48 percent while the value climbed 23 percent higher than on Thursday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market as rising stocks exceeded those declining.
The All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 2,416.48 points to 453,205.08, the JSE Main Index soared 4,816.43 points in ending at 400,154.97 and the JSE Financial Index advanced 1.12 points to close at 96.28.
Trading ended with 60 securities up from 57 on Thursday, with 27 rising, 21 declining and 12 ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a formula for computing appropriate stock values, averages 17. The PE ratio for the JSE Main and USD Market closing quotes are based on ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending up to August 2022.
Overall, 13,336,530 shares were exchanged for $229,123,211 versus 25,871,558 units at $185,994,733 on Thursday. Sagicor Select Financial Fund led trading with 24.5 percent of total volume in transferring 3.27 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 20.2 percent for 2.69 million units, QWI Investments accounted for 11.7 percent for 1.56 million units and JMMB Group with 8.1 percent for 1.08 million units changing hands.
Trading averages 222,275 units at $3,818,720, versus 453,887 shares at $3,263,065 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 277,783 units at $2,967,730, compared to 285,039 units at $2,856,489 on Thursday. January closed with an average of 235,328 units at $2,397,571.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ended with the bid higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints dropped 56 cents ending at $12.44 in exchanging 139 units, Caribbean Cement fell 99 cents to close at $84 with a transfer of 71,819 stocks. Caribbean Producers shed 78 cents in closing at $18.98 after trading 558,563 stock units, Eppley declined $2.90 to end at $33.10 with 2,091 units clearing the market, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund advanced $4.25 to end at $42.35 in switching ownership of 19 stocks. First Rock Capital rose $1.05 to close at $12.10 with 2,137 shares changing hands, GraceKennedy rallied $2.01 to end at $105.01 in switching ownership of 62,574 units, Guardian Holdings climbed $8.99 to $578.99 after 507 shares crossed the market. Jamaica Broilers advanced $3.45 to $30.50 with the swapping of 58,755 stock units, Jamaica Stock Exchange lost 69 cents to end at $17.25 in trading 16,499 units, Key Insurance popped 43 cents to settle at $4.39 with an exchange of 28,000 stocks. Margaritaville fell 50 cents to $24.50 with 5,489 stock units changing hands, Massy Holdings climbed $53 to close at $2,000 in trading 11,152 shares, Mayberry Investments rallied 44 cents to finish at $7 in an exchange of 29,439 units. NCB Financial lost 50 cents to close at $128.50 with the swapping of 795,819 stock units, 138 Student Living advanced $1.69 to $7.35 after 6,027 shares crossed the exchange, PanJam Investment fell $1.79 to end at $66.25 in transferring 12,602 stock units, Portland JSX gained 80 cents to close at $8.70 with 301 shares crossing the market. 
Proven Investments lost 30 cents to end at $33.50 in trading 29,164 units, Sagicor Group fell $2.04 in closing at $53.11 in trading 40,318 stocks, Salada Foods slipped 30 cents to $7.30, with an exchange of 52,146 units. Scotia Group rose $2.99 to end at $38.99 with 97,722 units changing hands, Seprod gained 40 cents to close at $61.40 with a transfer of 4,664 shares, Stanley Motta rose 63 cents to $5.98 in switching ownership of 5,167 stock units and Wisynco Group popped $1.33 in closing at $19.83 with the swapping of 274,079 stocks.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference shares gained 80 cents to end at $7.75 with an exchange of 533 stock units, Eppley 7.25% preference share lost 38 cents ending at $20 in exchange of 389 units and Jamaica Public Service 9.5% rallied $655.36 to close at a record high of $3,128.43 trading one share.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
