Trading picked up on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks changing hands climbing, with the value of stocks traded jumping sharply over the previous day and resulting in prices of just 18 shares rising and 44 declining, with the Main Market closing higher and the Junior and JSE USD markets closing lower.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 108.87 points to 326,312.91, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 1,008.75 points to 354,761.14, the JSE Main Index popped 338.01 points to close at 313,928.05. The Junior Market Index sank 30.30 points to close trading at 3,640.76 and the JSE USD Market Index slipped 0.44 points to 226.35.
At the close of trading, 22,053,861 shares were exchanged in all three markets, similar to 22,027,669 units on Monday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $86.67 million, well over the $34.8 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 484,869 shares for US$42,958 compared to 36,773 units at US$4,077 on Monday.
In Main Market activity, 138 Student Living led trading with 4.95 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 2.52 million stock units and Transjamaican Highway with 850,644 units.
In Junior Market trading, JFP Ltd led trading with 2.40 million shares followed by EduFocal with 2.26 million stock units, Fontana ended with 1.72 million units and Dolla Financial with 1.03 million shares.
In the preference segment, Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% sank $16.04 and ended at $90.96.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 19.9 on 2023-24 earnings and 13.5 times those for 2024-25 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons within a sector and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector, 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 incorporated into the chart. Investors can use this measure in assessing stock values. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends that are paid or are due to be paid and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Trading dived on the Junior Market
Trading dropped sharply on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday, following the big trade in Dolla Financial on Friday with the volume of stocks traded declining 96 percent with a 98 percent lower value, with trading in 43 securities compared with 40 on Friday and ending with prices of 21 rising, 14 declining and eight closing unchanged.
The market closed on Monday with the trading of 4,251,907 shares for $5,779,055 down from 106,310,225 units at $249,915,230 on Friday.
Trading averaged 98,882 shares at $134,397 compared with 2,657,756 units at $6,247,881 on Friday with the month to date, averaging 421,225 stock units at $858,650 compared to 446,472 stock units at $915,377 on the previous day and June with an average of 318,732 units at $696,979.
EduFocal led trading with 2.03 million shares for 47.8 percent of total volume followed by Dolla Financial with 957,337 units for 22.5 percent of the day’s trade and JFP Ltd with 256,593 units for 6 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index gained 30.31 points to end at 3,671.06.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.6, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for the financial years ending around August 2025.
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, Blue Power fell 27 cents and ended at $4.11 after the trading of 2,288 shares, Cargo Handlers rallied 55 cents to close at $12.40 after an exchange of 2,600 stock units, Caribbean Cream increased 9 to end at $3.44 with investors dealing in 312 stocks, Dolla Financial climbed 8 cents in closing at $2.88 with a transfer of 957,337 units, Dolphin Cove declined 18 cents to finish at $23 as investors exchanged 4,741 shares, Elite Diagnostic rose 6 cents to close at $1.54 after a transfer of 2,782 units. Express Catering advanced 19 cents to $3.89, with just 2 stock units changing hands, Fontana sank 43 cents and ended at $8.05 in trading 12,095 stock units, Future Energy popped 8 cents in closing at $3.29 with 150,050 shares clearing the market. Honey Bun slipped 5 cents to finish at $8.55 with an exchange of 1,486 units, iCreate sank 5 cents to end at 50 cents, with 54,113 stocks crossing the market, Indies Pharma gained 14 cents to close at $2.60 with investors trading 1,771 stock units. Jamaican Teas shed 18 cents to end at $2.12 in an exchange of 11,081 shares,
JFP Ltd popped 13 cents to end at $1.14 with traders dealing in 256,593 stock units, KLE Group climbed 21 cents in closing at $2.23 with an exchange of 4,149 units. Knutsford Express increased 15 cents to finish at $10.90 with investors swapping 616 stocks, Mailpac Group rallied 8 cents and ended at $2.16 in switching ownership of 4,342 shares, Main Event rose 70 cents to close at $12.70, with an exchange of 37 stock units. Omni Industries lost 6 cents to close at $1.04 with investors trading 25,956 stocks, Regency Petroleum gained 8 cents and ended at $2.40 after 40,602 units passed through the market, Spur Tree Spices advanced 23 cents to end at $2.15 after an exchange of 23,366 shares and tTech popped 24 cents in closing at $2.94, with just 2 stock units crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Stocks bounce on Jamaica Stock Exchange
Stocks delivered gains in all three markets of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday, with the Main Market and the Junior Market bouncing while the JSE USD market closed moderately higher as trading ended with the number and the value of stocks changing hands falling, from the previous trading day and resulting in prices of 45 shares rising and 27 declining.
At the close of trading on Monday, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 2,198.61 points to end at 326,204.04, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 1,831.79 points to 353,752.39, the JSE Main Index climbed 2,072.37 points to close at 313,590.04. The Junior Market Index bounced 30.31 points to end trading at 3,671.06 and the JSE USD Market Index rose 0.37 points to close at 226.79.
At the close of trading, 22,027,669 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 113,926,431 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $34.8 million, well below the $287.27 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 36,773 shares for US$4,077 compared to 54,388 units at US$1,299 on Friday.
In Main Market activity, Palace Amusement led trading with 11.51 million shares followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 2.05 million stocks and Transjamaican Highway with 1.43 million units.
In Junior Market trading, EduFocal led trading with 2.03 million shares followed by Dolla Financial with 957,337 stock units and JFP Ltd with 256,593 shares.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% increased 92 cents to $47.34.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 20 on 2023-24 earnings and 13.7 times those for 2024-25 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons within a sector and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector, 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 incorporated into the chart. Investors can use this measure in assessing stock values. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends that are paid or are due to be paid and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
ICTOP10 reshuffle with one new stock
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange slipped 2.3 percent in value in the past week while the Junior Market lost 2.2 percent, primarily due to declines in prices of Cargo Handlers, Caribbean Cream, Express Catering and Indies Pharma. The Main Market was hit with a 13 percent drop in the value of NCB Financial Group shares.
With the decline in the price of NCB Financial, the stock is so close to the TOP10 and is now peeping in but could be a struggle before moving sustainably upwards. The demand for the stock is weak currently and the price could be trading in the $40 region. Technical reading suggests a $45 price is not far-fetched before in finding a bottom.
At the end of the week, Dolla Financial rose 12 percent to $2.80 followed by Access Financial closing at $21.96 after gaining 10 percent and tTech up 8 percent to $2.70.
Caribbean Cream and Consolidated Bakeries lost 11 percent each to close at $3.35 and $2.00 respectively and AMG Packaging declined by 5 percent to $3.02. In the Main Market, Berger Paints rose 7 percent to $8.40 to be the leading mover followed by 138 Student Living up 6 percent to $4.09. There are no major declining stocks in the ICTOP10.
Guardian Holdings moved up on the JSE TOP10 listing, with earnings per share revised from $71 to $92 helped by a fall in the price at the close of the week. Price gain for Access Financial resulted in it moving from the 5th spot last week out of the list this week and Caribbean Assurance Brokers moved into the listing, following price slippage during the week.
Lasco Financial Services returns to the Junior Market TOP10, replacing Dolla Financial rising appreciably during the week. The Main Market had no changes.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market ICTOP 10 stands at 4.9, well below the market average of 13.9 and the Junior Market TOP10 sits at 6.9, just over half of the market, with an average of 12.5.
The Main Market ICTOP10 is projected to gain an average of 319 percent by May 2025, based on 2024 forecasted earnings and providing better values than the Junior Market with the potential to achieve 211 percent over the same period.
In the Main Market ICTOP 10, a total of 17 of the most highly valued stocks representing 33 percent of the Main Market are priced at a PE of 15 to 92, with an average of 29 and 19 excluding the highest PE ratios, and a PE of 23 for the top half and 16 excluding the stocks with overweight values.
In the Junior Market IC TOP10 are 10 stocks, or 21 percent of the market, with PEs ranging from 15 to 20, averaging 18, well above the market’s average. The average PE for the top half of the market is 17, possibly the lowest fair value measure for stocks currently.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners, accordingly, the list includes some of the best companies in the market, but this is not always so. 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 on or around May 2025 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 surged on 103m Dolla Financial shares
A block of 100 million shares of Dolla Financial was put through the market at 13 minutes after noon on Friday at $2.37 each, with a value of $237 million pushing the stock to the leading trade in the market before the company released first quarter results with increased revenues and profit, after the close of the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange. The trade pushed the volume of stock traded to 106,310,225 shares for $249,915,230, up sharply from 2,685,073 units at $6,623,219 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 2,657,756 shares at $6,247,881 compared to 63,930 units at $157,696 on Thursday. Trading for the month to date, averages 446,472 stock units at $915,377 compared with 272,698 stock units at $496,319 on the previous day and June with an average of 318,732 units at $696,979.
Trading ended with an exchange of 40 securities compared with 42 on Thursday and ending with prices of 13 rising, 17 declining and 10 closing unchanged.
Dolla Financial led trading with 102.78 million shares for 96.7 percent of total volume followed by Omni Industries with 1.05 million units for 1 percent of the day’s trade and Jamaican Teas with 890,611 units for 0.8 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index sank 42.17 points to conclude trading at 3,640.75.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.5, based on last traded prices with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for financial years ending around August 2025.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close of the market, AMG Packaging lost 17 cents to close trading at $3.02 with an exchange of 1,000 shares, Cargo Handlers sank $1.09 to $11.85 after an exchange of 1,500 shares, Caribbean Assurance Brokers rallied 14 cents to end at $3.64 in trading 262 units. Caribbean Cream fell 10 cents in closing at $3.35 after an exchange of 13,719 stocks, Consolidated Bakeries dropped 24 cents to end at $2 with a transfer of 8,354 units, Dolla Financial popped 31 cents and ended at $2.80, with 102,780,357 shares crossing the exchange. EduFocal advanced 5 cents to 48 cents with traders dealing in 206,402 stock units, Elite Diagnostic sank 7 cents in closing at $1.48 in an exchange of 25,853 stocks, Express Catering skidded 20 cents to close at $3.70 after 30,048 shares passed through the market. Fontana rose 35 cents to finish at $8.48 as investors exchanged 5,556 units, Indies Pharma declined 13 cents and ended at $2.46, with 10,067 stocks changing hands, Jamaican Teas climbed 5 cents to end at $2.30 and closed with an exchange of 890,611 stock units. 
JFP Ltd shed 16 cents in closing at $1.01 in trading 226,072 shares, Lasco Financial increased 10 cents to $1.80 after a transfer of 7,435 units, Limners and Bards dipped 24 cents and ended at $1.56, with 88,000 stocks crossing the market. Main Event slipped $1 to close at $12 with investors trading 100 stock units, MFS Capital Partners sank 5 cents to end at 83 cents with 2,660 shares clearing the market, Omni Industries gained 6 cents to finish at $1.10 with investors swapping 1,051,161 stock units. One Great Studio skidded 5 cents to 77 cents in switching ownership of 56,670 stocks and tTech rose 5 cents to close at $2.70, with 1,001 units crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Dolla dominates all JSE markets
Dolla Financial dominated trading on Friday with an exchange of 103 million shares before the release of positive six months results, with profit rising by 25 percent for the period and nearly 37 percent for the June quarter. All three Jamaica Stock Exchange markets lost ground at the end of trading, resulting in the number and value of stocks changing hands rising over the previous with prices of 29 shares rising and 29 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index dropped 1,481.77 points to 324,005.43, the All Jamaican Composite Index fell 943.02 points to 351,920.60. The JSE Main Market Index declined by 1,235.60 points to end at 311,517.67. The Junior Market Index dropped 42.17 points to 3,640.75 and the JSE USD Market Index slipped 0.63 to close at 226.42.
At the close of trading, 113,926,431 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 10,033,070 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $287.27 million, versus $281.88 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 54,388 shares for US$1,299 compared to 243,125 units at US$8,678 on Thursday.
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led trading with 3.24 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.70 million stocks and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.0 million units.
In Junior Market trading, Dolla Financial led trading with 102.78 million shares followed by Omni Industries with 1.05 million stocks and Jamaican Teas with 890,611 units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% rose $4.42 to end at $46.42, 138 Student Living preference share advanced 74 cents to $128.10 and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% increased $5 and ended at $107.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 19.7 on 2023-24 earnings and 13.6 times those for 2024-25 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons within a sector and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector, 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 incorporated in the chart. Investors can use this measure as a guide to easily assess the value of stocks. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends that are paid or are due to be paid and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Big plunge for Junior Market
The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange dropped sharply on Thursday, following a 55 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded, with a 28 percent lower value than Wednesday with trading in 42 securities up from 40 on Wednesday and ending with prices of 13 rising, 19 declining and 10 finishing unchanged.
The market closed with trading of 2,685,073 shares for $6,623,219 down from 5,990,982 units at $9,247,492 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 63,930 shares at $157,696 compared with 149,775 units at $231,187 on Wednesday with the month to date, averaging 272,698 units at $496,319 compared with 291,473 stock units at $526,774 on the previous day and June with an average of 318,732 units at $696,979.
Stationery and Office Supplies led trading with 824,225 shares for 30.7 percent of total volume followed by Fosrich with 328,942 stock units for 12.3 percent of the day’s trade and Dolla Financial with 316,992 units for 11.8 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index dived 68.15 points to close at 3,682.92.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.6, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for the financial years ending around August 2025.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows just one stock ending with a bid higher than the last selling price and three with lower offers, indicating a slight negative bias in trading on Friday.
At the close, AMG Packaging declined 11 cents to $3.19 in switching ownership of 24,500 stocks, Cargo Handlers popped $1.24 to close at $12.94 after 450 shares passed through the market, Caribbean Assurance Brokers fell 24 cents to finish at $3.50 trading 7,728 stocks. Caribbean Cream lost 30 cents and ended at $3.45 after an exchange of 28,357 stock units, Caribbean Flavours dipped 6 cents in closing at $1.54 with 5,300 stocks, Derrimon Trading slipped 5 cents to end at $2 after investors exchanged 501 shares. Dolla Financial dipped 11 cents to $2.49 with a transfer of 316,992 stock units, Dolphin Cove gained 18 cents and ended at $23.18, with 2,933 units crossing the exchange, EduFocal sank 5 cents to finish at a 52 weeks’ low of 43 cents with investors swapping 4,265 shares. Express Catering shed 13 cents to end at $3.90 and closed after an exchange of 8,352 units, Fontana dropped 35 cents in closing at $8.13 with investors dealing in 8,570 stocks, Honey Bun skidded 15 cents to close at $8.60 after an exchange of 33,962 stock units. Indies Pharma rose 9 cents to $2.59 in trading 840 shares, 
Jamaican Teas lost 7 cents to finish at $2.25, with 4,256 stock units crossing the market, Knutsford Express slipped 15 cents and ended at $10.75 with traders dealing in 1,685 stocks. Lasco Financial sank 14 cents to end at $1.70 after a transfer of 6,200 stock units, Limners and Bards skidded 9 cents in closing at $1.80 with investors trading 1,462 shares, Lumber Depot rallied 5 cents to close at $2.80 after an exchange of 500 units. Main Event increased 50 cents to $13 with investors trading 7,700 stocks, One Great Studio climbed 5 cents to close at 82 cents in an exchange of 67,623 stock units, Regency Petroleum fell 9 cents to finish at $2.32 with 12,005 shares changing hands and Spur Tree Spices advanced 5 cents and ended at $1.95 with an exchange of 283,557 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
GraceKennedy dominates trading on JSE markets
GraceKennedy lead trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange jumped sharply on Thursday, accounting for just over $249 million of the total value of stocks traded, resulting in fewer shares being traded in all markets. The market closed with more stock prices declining than rising, resulting in a sharp decline in the Junior Market index and a drop in the Main Market major indices. The JSE USD market closed marginally lower as trading ended with the number of stocks changing hands falling, with the value of stocks traded jumping sharply over the previous day, resulting in prices of 26 shares rising and 40 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index fell 1,306.76 points to close at 325,487.20, the All Jamaican Composite Index skidded 1,215.46 points to finish at 352,863.62. The JSE Main Index sank by 860.58 points to close at 312,753.36. The Junior Market Index dropped 68.15 points to close at 3,682.92 and the JSE USD Market Index slipped 0.03 points to conclude trading at 227.05.
At the close of trading, with just 10,033,070 shares being exchanged in all three markets, down from 33,083,446 units on Wednesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $281.88 million, well over the $178.27 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 243,125 shares for US$8,678 down from 514,418 units at US$11,601 on Wednesday.
In Main Market activity, GraceKennedy led trading with 3.45 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.10 million units for 15.5 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway with 990,119 units.
In Junior Market trading, Stationery and Office Supplies led trading with 824,225 shares followed by Fosrich with 328,942 stocks and Dolla Financial with 316,992 units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share gained $2.79 and ended at $19.80, Jamaica Public Service 7% sank $5.34 in closing at $42 and 138 Student Living preference share lost $12.64 to end at $127.36.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 20.1 on 2023-24 earnings and 13.7 times those for 2024-25 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons within a sector and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector, 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. Investors can use this measure as a guide to easily assess the value of stocks. 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 of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Junior market rises with negative sentiments
The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange rallied on Wednesday, with trading in 40 securities, up marginally from 39 on Tuesday and ended with prices of 13 rising, 21 declining and six closing unchanged, with the market closing with negative market sentiment that is reflected in the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator on a day when trading volume and value were marginally different compared with Tuesday.
The market closed with an exchange of 5,990,982 shares for $9,247,492 compared with 5,601,327 stock units at $9,640,939 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 149,775 shares at $231,187 versus 143,624 units at $247,204 on Tuesday with the month to date, averaging 291,473 units at $526,774 compared to 304,747 stock units at $554,463 on the previous day and June with an average of 318,732 units at $696,979.
EduFocal led trading with 1.75 million shares for 29.2 percent of total volume, with the stock trading at an intraday 52 weeks’ low of 40 cents followed by Stationery and Office Supplies with 1.07 million units for 17.9 percent of the day’s trade and Dolla Financial with 731,534 units for 12.2 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index rallied 28.88 points to close at 3,751.07.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.6, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for the financial years ending around August 2025.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and eight with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial climbed $3.45 to finish at $21.96 in an exchange of 4,754 stocks, Blue Power popped 8 cents to $4.38 after the trading of 2,000 units, Cargo Handlers sank $2.30 to close at $11.70 after a transfer of a mere 110 shares. Caribbean Assurance Brokers rallied 19 cents and ended at $3.74 with investors dealing in 1,220 stock units, Caribbean Cream increased 25 cents in closing at $3.75 with 2,440 shares clearing the market, Derrimon Trading advanced 25 cents to end at $2.05 in switching ownership of 700 stocks. Dolla Financial rose 9 cents in closing at $2.60 after 731,534 units passed through the market, Elite Diagnostic slipped 5 cents to $1.55 in trading 600 stock units, iCreate fell 6 cents to close at 50 cents after 267,786 shares crossed the market. Indies Pharma dipped 12 cents to finish at $2.50 with traders dealing in 23,487 stock units, ISP Finance sank $2.29 and ended at $25 after an exchange of 10 units, Jamaican Teas gained 12 cents to end at $2.32 with investors trading 6,594 stocks. JFP Ltd rose 13 cents in closing at $1.18 with an exchange of 69,078 shares, 
Knutsford Express skidded 10 cents to $10.90 and closed after an exchange of 3,647 stocks, Lumber Depot lost 5 cents to finish at $2.75, with 15,051 stock units crossing the exchange. Main Event rallied 50 cents and ended at $12.50 with investors swapping 2,296 stock units, Medical Disposables declined 61 cents to end at $1.90 with a transfer of 32 shares, Regency Petroleum shed 18 cents to close at $2.41, with 4,932 stock units crossing the market. Spur Tree Spices shed 7 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ low of $1.90 with investors trading 494,277 stock units, Stationery and Office Supplies lost 5 cents in closing at $1.65, with 1,072,600 units changing hands and tTech skidded 58 cents to close at $2.62 after an exchange of 1,017 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Rising stocks push Jamaica Stock Exchange higher
Rising stocks sent the Jamaica Stock Exchange higher in trading on Wednesday, with the Main and Junior markets rising. The JSE USD market closed moderately lower as trading ended with the number and value of stocks changing hands jumping, sharply over the previous trading day, resulting in prices of just 23 shares rising and 48 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index rose 680.60 points to 326,793.96, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 1,371.83 points to 354,079.08, the JSE Main Index popped 497.17 points to settle at 313,613.94. The Junior Market Index rallied 28.88 points to 3,751.07 and the JSE USD Market Index slipped 0.14 points to cease trading at 227.08.
At the close of trading, 33,083,446 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 11,572,254 units on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $178.27 million, well above the $35.47 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 514,418 shares for US$11,601 compared to 123,275 units at US$3,408 on Tuesday.
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led trading with 18.71 million shares followed by Lasco Distributors with 2.72 million stock units, Jamaica Broilers was next with 1.48 million shares and Wigton Windfarm with 1.17 million units.
In Junior Market trading, EduFocal led trading with 1.75 million shares followed by Stationery and Office Supplies with 1.07 million stock units and Dolla Financial with 731,534 shares.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share nosedived by $54.50 to finish at $140.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 20.2 on 2023-24 earnings and 13.7 times those for 2024-25 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons within a sector and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector, 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 for investors to quickly assess the value of stocks based on this measure. 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 of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.