Fall for all JSE markets

All three markets of the Jamaica Stock Exchange declined in trading on Wednesday and ended with a sharp rise in trading on the USD market, with trading in the rest of the market enjoying a modest increase in the volume of stocks changing hands but with a fall in the value traded compared with the previous day and resulting in prices of 32 shares rising and 33 declining.
At the close of trading on Wednesday, the JSE Combined Market Index shed 1,130.34 points to end trading at 335,763.89, while the All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 1,794.74 points to close at 360,220.92, while the JSE Main Index lost 1,004.10 points to close at 322,943.86. The Junior Market Index fell 24.08 points to lock up trading at 3,756.95 and the JSE USD Market Index declined 3.55 points to end at 239.06.
At the close of trading, 11,705,524 shares were exchanged in all three markets compared to 11,538,316 units on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amount to $43.87 million, well below the $162.75 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 1,005,394 shares for US$50,711 compared to 86,667 units at US$14,748 on Tuesday.
In Main Market activity, Wigton Windfarm led trading with 1.49 million shares followed by General Accident with 1.35 million units and Lasco Distributors with 1.17 million stock units.
In Junior Market trading, EduFocal led trading with 866,123 shares followed by ONE on ONE Educational with 661,048 stock units and Dolla Financial with 459,774 units.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share skidded $5 in closing at $210 and Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share rose $50 to end at $1,200.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 19.9 on 2023-24 earnings and 13.6 times those for 2024-25 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the 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 the more detailed daily report 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.

Trading slips on the Junior Market

Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Tuesday, with a 35 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded with 44 percent lower value than on Monday and ended with trading in 42 securities down from 45 on Monday and closing with prices of 16 rising, 16 declining and 10 closing unchanged.
The market closed with trading in 3,102,805 shares for $5,901,970 down from 4,798,812 units at $10,594,590 on Monday.
Trading averaged 73,876 shares at $140,523 compared to 106,640 units at $235,435 on Monday with a month to date, average of 248,202 units at $566,245 compared to 264,995 stock units at $607,255 on the previous day and March with an average of 221,659 units at $464,382.
One Great Studio led trading with 1.06 million shares for 34 percent of total volume followed by Spur Tree Spices with 1.05 million units for 33.8 percent of the day’s trade and ONE on ONE Educational with 199,059 units for 6.4 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index slipped 2.92 points to finish at 3,781.03.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.7, 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 three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging advanced 7 cents to $3.44 in switching ownership of 106,018 shares, Caribbean Assurance Brokers popped 8 cents to finish at $2.28 with investors swapping just one share, Consolidated Bakeries increased 19 cents and ended at $2.19, with 2,273 shares crossing the market. EduFocal declined 5 cents to close at 95 cents with traders dealing in 22,734 stock units, Everything Fresh shed 6 cents to end at $1.68 with 3,905 shares clearing the market, Honey Bun fell 7 cents in closing at $8.33 with a transfer of 15,162 stock units. JFP Ltd popped 5 cents to $1.27 with investors dealing in 3,587 units, Lumber Depot rose 6 cents to end at $2.56 in an exchange of 5,000 stocks, Mailpac Group rallied 11 cents in closing at $2.01 as 14,091 units passed through the market. Main Event gained 39 cents and ended at $13.99 with an exchange of 49 shares, MFS Capital Partners slipped 30 cents to finish at $1.50, with 41,551 stocks crossing the market, Spur Tree Spices lost 5 cents to close at $2.45 after a transfer of 1,049,690 stock units. Stationery and Office Supplies skidded 13 cents to $1.56 as investors exchanged 18,169 shares, Tropical Battery sank 5 cents in closing at $2.06, with 17,019 stocks changing hands and tTech dipped 23 cents to finish at $2.04 in an exchange of 5 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Fall for Main & Junior Markets but USD rises

The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange declined in trading on Tuesday as the Junior Market JSE USD market closed moderately higher as trading ended with the number of stocks changing hands rising moderately over that on Monday, with a much higher the value, resulting in prices of 31 shares rising and 32 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index fell 2,956.19 points to close at 336,894.23, the All Jamaican Composite Index declined 4,420.59 points to 362,015.66, the JSE Main Index dropped 3,062.56 points to end the day at 323,947.96. The Junior Market Index dipped 2.92 points to end at 3,781.03 and the JSE USD Market Index popped 1.19 points to settle at 242.61.
At the close of trading, 11,538,316 shares were exchanged in all three markets, marginally up from 11,094,504 units on Monday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $162.75 million, well over the $40.23 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 86,667 shares for US$14,748 compared to 152,339 units at US$5,545 on Monday.
In Main Market activity, Sagicor Group led trading with 3.04 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.63 million stock units, Transjamaican Highway with 1.13 million stocks and General Accident with 1.08 million shares.
In Junior Market trading, One Great Studio led trading with 1.06 million shares followed by Spur Tree Spices with 1.05 million units and ONE on ONE Educational with 199,059 units for 6.4 percent market share.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% advanced $3.01 to end at $50, 138 Student Living preference share climbed $5 in closing at $215, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share skidded $3.45 and ended at $115 and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% popped $5.49 to finish at $109.49.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20 on 2023-24 earnings and 13.4. times those for 2024-25 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the 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 the more detailed daily report 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.

More decline for Junior Market

Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Monday, with a 52 percent rise in the volume of stocks traded, with 82 percent more value than Friday, with trading in 45 securities compared with 44 on Friday and ending with prices of 14 rising, 20 declining and 11 closing unchanged as Honey Bun closed at a new 52 weeks’ high and EduFocal traded at an intraday 52 weeks’ low of 90 cents.
The market closed trading of 4,798,812 shares for $10,594,590 compared with 3,153,277 units at $5,829,829 on Friday.
Trading averaged 106,640 shares at $235,435, compared with 71,665 units at $132,496 on Friday with the month to date, averaging 264,995 units at $607,255 compared to 283,220 stock units at $650,048 on the previous day and March with an average of 221,659 units at $464,382.
Spur Tree Spices led trading with 1.47 million shares for 30.6 percent of total volume followed by EduFocal with 536,957 units for 11.2 percent of the day’s trade and Stationery and Office Supplies with 517,761 units for 10.8 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index declined 20.07 points to lock up trading at 3,783.95, with indications that it could fall further on Tuesday.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.8, 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 three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and seven with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial increased $1.12 and ended at $21.13 with investors trading just one share, AMG Packaging climbed 17 cents to $3.37, with 126,389 units crossing the exchange, following the release of b six months results with profit up 79 percent, Caribbean Assurance Brokers dipped 12 cents to end at $2.20, in switching ownership of 9,954 shares. Caribbean Flavours popped 12 cents in closing at $1.70 with an exchange of 7 stock units, EduFocal rallied 7 cents to finish at $1 with traders dealing in 536,957 shares, but only after hitting an intraday 52 weeks’ low of 90 cents, Express Catering fell 55 cents to close at $3.90 after a transfer of 29,969 units, following release of increased earnings for the nine months. But with a slightly lower profit in the third quarter, Fontana shed 10 cents to $8.90 as investors exchanged 18,527 stocks, Honey Bun rose 48 cents to finish at a new 52 weeks’ high of $8.40 after 65,847 stock units passed through the market, Iron Rock Insurance gained 22 cents and ended at $2.42, with 3 shares changing hands. ISP Finance dropped 49 cents to close at $30.51 with investors swapping 4 stocks, Jamaican Teas advanced 24 cents to end at $2.67 with a transfer of 16,616 units, Jetcon Corporation lost 7 cents in closing at 88 cents, with 54 stock units crossing the market. KLE Group skidded 50 cents to $1.90 with investors transferring 10 shares, Limners and Bards sank 26 cents to close at $1.45 with 44,863 units clearing the market, Mailpac Group declined 19 cents in closing at $1.90 after trading 327,193 stocks. Main Event slipped 40 cents and ended at $13.60, with 8,274 stock units crossing the market, MFS Capital Partners sank 7 cents to finish at $1.80 with an exchange of 38,315 shares and tTech rose 7 cents to end at $2.27 in trading 2 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Subdued Jamaica stock market trading

Investors shunned trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday resulting in just $40 million being exchanged in the Main and Junior Markets as trading in the JSE USD market climbed sharply above Friday’s extremely low level and helped push prices of 28 stocks higher and 43 lower, at the close of trading.
At the end of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index gained 104.84 points to close at 339,850.42, the All Jamaican Composite Index skidded 64.70 points to 366,436.25, but the JSE Main Index gained 255.28 points to end at 327,010.52. The Junior Market Index skidded 20.07 points to conclude trading at 3,783.95 and the JSE USD Market Index sank 0.73 points to 241.42.
At the close of trading, 11,094,504 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 14,089,380 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to a mere $40.23 million, well below the $166.13 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 152,339 shares for US$5,545 compared to 9,705 units at US$1,717 on Friday.
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led trading with 2.33 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.53 million stocks and Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund with 541,191 units
At the close of the Junior Market, Spur Tree Spices led trading with 1.47 million shares followed by EduFocal with 536,957 units and Stationery and Office Supplies with 517,761 units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% slipped $1.01 and ended at $46.99, 138 Student Living preference share lost $3 to end at $210, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share popped $23.37 in closing at $118.45 and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% dipped $6 to close at $104.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20 on 2023-24 earnings and 13.4. times those for 2024-25 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the 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 the more detailed daily report 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.

Scotia & Express Catering depart ICTOP10

In a week of the market ups and downs with Scotia Group and Express Catering dropping out of the ICTOP10 listing. Price movements in the TOP10 have been notable, with Express Catering at long last making a move higher in adding 10 percent, to close at $4.45, but the potential of the stock is held back by the company’s poor corporate governance practices highlighted by the fact that loan funding is used to on-lend to related group companies, with no benefit to the company’s to the company, with the company giving up more than US$1 million per year.
In a review of the ICTOP10, the earnings for the current year were confirmed at 45 cents for AMG Packaging, following the release of six months’ results on Friday, showing profit up 78 percent for the latest quarter and the half year while tTech earnings were projected for the current year at 30 cents per share pushing the stock in the TOP10.
In market activity during the week, Caribbean Cream climbed 9 percent to $3.90, but Iron Rock Insurance fell 12 percent to $2.20 followed by Edufocal, down 10 percent to an all time low of 93 cents while Consolidated Bakeries slipped 8 percent to $2.01. In the Main Market, Key Insurance rose 12 percent to $2.48 and 138 Student Living rose 6 percent to $4.18 while Margaritaville dropped 12 percent to $14.10.
tTech is a new addition to the Junior Market ICTOP10 with the increase in projected earnings for 2024, replacing Express Catering and in Main Market TOP10, Jamaica Broilers returns, edging out the undervalued Scotia Group. Jamaica Broilers another severely undervalued stock with good long term growth prospects returns to the TOP10.
It is worth noting that Honey Bun that was last in the TOP10 in the week ending March 8 and hit a 52 weeks’ high of $7.92 this week to be up 18 percent since it was added to the listing in mid-February at $6.69. The price should continue to increase throughout 2024.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market ICTOP 10 stands at 5.5, well below the market average of 13.2 and the Junior Market TOP10 sits at 7.4 over half of the market, with an average of 12.6.
The Main Market ICTOP10 is projected to gain an average of 273 percent by May 2025, based on 2024 forecasted earnings, providing better values than the Junior Market with the potential to gain 191 percent over the same period.
In the Main Market ICTOP 10, a total of 16 of the most highly valued stocks representing 31 percent of the Main Market are priced at a PE of 15 to 107, with an average of 32 and 23 excluding the highest PE ratios, and a PE of 25 for the top half and 19 excluding the stocks with overweight values.
In the Junior Market IC TOP10 are 9 stocks, or 20 percent of the market, with PEs ranging from 15 to 44, averaging 22, well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 17, possibly the lowest fair value for stocks, currently.
Of great import is that the averages of both markets are now converging around a PE of 20 for close to a third of the market, as the year is coming to a close and with more information available on the full year’s earnings.
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.
ICTOP10 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 and result 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.

Volume plunges on JSE combined market

The Junior Market cleared the 3,800 barrier at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Friday but the Main Market JSE USD market closed with losses as trading ended with the number of stocks changing hands falling and the value jumping sharply over the previous trading day, as the Junior and Main markets switched roles for the level of stocks traded compared with Thursday, with the value of stocks traded in the Main Market jumping 390 percent even as the volume dropped by 32 percent, with the Junior Market trading dropping over 95 percent compared with Thursday as trading resulted in prices of 33 shares rising and 32 declining in the markets.
At the close of trading on Friday, the JSE Combined Market Index shed 1,284.91 points to end at 339,745.60, the All Jamaican Composite Index skidded 1,102.99 points to close at 366,500.95, the JSE Main Index fell 1,547.35 points to 326,755.24. The Junior Market Index popped 28.47 points to end trading at 3,804.02 and the JSE USD Market Index slipped 0.26 points to settle at 242.15.
At the close of trading, 14,089,380 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down on the 83,531,081 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $166.13 million, moderately below the $188.25 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 9,705 shares for US$1,717 compared to 326,941 units at US$17,135 on Thursday.
In Main Market activity, Sagicor Group led trading with 3.08 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.93 million units and Wigton Windfarm with 2.60 million stocks, while in the Junior Market trading, Caribbean Assurance Brokers led trading with 864,573 shares followed by EduFocal with 851,715 units and MFS Capital Partners with 497,347 stock units.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share fell $3 to end at $213 and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% gained $4 in closing at $110.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.37 on 2023-24 earnings and 13.7 times those for 2024-25 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the 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 between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the 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.
The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide for investors 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 of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.

Junior Market bounce

Stocks posted gains as trading closed sharply lower on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Friday, following heavy trading in Spur Tree spices on Thursday and ended on Friday with a 95 percent drop in the volume of stocks traded, worth 96 percent less than Thursday’s trades, with trading in 44 securities compared with 45 on Thursday and ending with prices of 17 rising, 14 falling and 13 closing firm.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index climbed 28.47 points to wrap-up trading at 3,804.02.
The market closed with trading of only 3,153,277 shares for just  $5,829,829 well down from 67,112,668 units at $155,529,698 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 71,665 shares at $132,496, compared with 1,491,393 units at $3,456,216 on Thursday with a month to date average 283,220 units at $650,048 compared to 310,046 stock units at $715,674 on the previous day and March with an average of 221,659 units at $464,382.
Caribbean Assurance Brokers led trading with 864,573 shares for 27.4 percent of total volume followed by EduFocal with 851,715 units for 27 percent of the day’s trade and MFS Capital Partners with 497,347 units for 15.8 percent market share.
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 no stock ending with a bid higher than the last selling price and two with lower offers.
At the close of the market, Access Financial declined $1.18 in closing at $20.01 in switching ownership of 1,009 stock units, AMG Packaging slipped 10 cents to $3.20 as investors exchanged 33,381 shares, Cargo Handlers popped $1.08 to end at $13.88, with 152 stocks being traded. Caribbean Assurance Brokers rallied 11 cents and ended at $2.32 with traders dealing in 864,573 units, Caribbean Flavours dipped 12 cents to close at $1.58 in an exchange of 1,002 shares, Consolidated Bakeries fell 18 cents to finish at $2.01 after trading 1,221 stock units. EduFocal slipped 9 cents and ended at a 52 weeks’ low of 93 cents with 851,715 units clearing the market, Everything Fresh increased 17 cents to $1.74 with investors transferring 26,955 stocks, Future Energy climbed 7 cents in closing at $3.49 after exchanging 42,409 shares. Honey Bun rose 5 cents and ended at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $7.92 after 21,824 shares were traded, Iron Rock Insurance lost 32 cents to finish at $2.20, with 1,770 units crossing the market, ISP Finance rose $4.65 to end at $31 after a transfer of a mere 3 stock units, Jetcon Corporation advanced 7 cents to close at 95 cents, with 6,731 stock units changing hands. Knutsford Express gained 30 cents to $11.50 in an exchange of 38 shares, Lumber Depot shed 12 cents to end at $2.55, after 14,656 stocks passed through the market and MFS Capital Partners popped 11 cents in closing at $1.87 after an exchange of 497,347 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Big Junior Market trade led to sold gains

Trading surged on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Thursday, after investors traded 60 million shares in Spur Trees Spices with a value of $135 million and driving the volume of stocks traded up a solid 3,095 percent, following a 2,785 percent jump in value over Wednesday after trading in 45 securities similar to Wednesday and ending with prices of 21 rising, 14 declining and 10 closing unchanged.
The market closed with trading of 67,112,668 shares for $155,529,698 compared with 2,100,844 units at $5,391,292 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 1,491,393 shares at $3,456,216, compared with 46,685 units at $119,806 on Wednesday with the month to date, averaging 310,046 units at $715,674 compared to 134,017 stock units at $307,315 on the previous day and March with an average of 221,659 units at $464,382.
Spur Tree Spices led trading with 60.03 million shares for 89.4 percent of total volume followed by Future Energy with 4.04 million units for 6 percent of the day’s trade and One Great Studio with 832,703 units for 1.2 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index climbed 41.06 points to end trading at 3,775.55.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.5, 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 two stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
At the close, Access Financial rose $1.34 to close at $21.19 after an exchange of just one share, AMG Packaging declined 10 cents to $3.30 after exchanging 111 units, Cargo Handlers shed $1.10 and ended at $12.80 in switching ownership of 152 shares. Caribbean Flavours rallied 12 cents to end at $1.70 with 85,913 stock units crossing the market, Dolla Financial popped 10 cents in closing at $2.79 with an exchange of 508,972 shares, Express Catering gained 53 cents to finish at $4.47 after investors ended trading 111,110 stock units. Fontana increased 31 cents and ended at $9 with the transferring of 125,869 stocks, GWest Corporation sank 9 cents to 90 cents in an exchange of 71,581 units, Honey Bun climbed 58 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $7.87 with investors dealing in 41,013 stocks. ISP Finance slipped 36 cents to finish at $26.35, with 16 units crossing the exchange, Limners and Bards advanced 21 cents in closing at $1.71 in trading a mere 4 shares, Mailpac Group rose 10 cents to end at $2.10, with 16,443 stock units changing hands. MFS Capital Partners gained 21 cents to close at $1.76 with investors trading 717,173 shares and Paramount Trading popped 20 cents to finish at $1.46 in an exchange of 75,645 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Juniors jump Main & USD markets steady

Trading activity surged on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Thursday following a 60 million trade in Spur Tree ASpices with a value of $135 million with the Junior Market index being pushed solidly higher at the close the Main Market closed mixed and the JSE USD market closed moderately higher as trading ended with the number of and value of stocks changing hands jumped, over the previous trading day, resulting in prices of 37 shares rising and 33 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index rose 442.69 points to close at 341,030.51, the All Jamaican Composite Index slipped 45.90 points to 367,603.94, the JSE Main Index rallied just 163.28 points to close at 328,302.59. The Junior Market Index rallied 41.06 points to end the day at 3,775.55 and the JSE USD Market Index popped 0.06 points to end the day at 242.41.
At the close of trading, 83,531,081 shares were exchanged in all three markets, well up on the 11,106,203 units on Wednesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets jumping to $188.25 million, well over the $33.36 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 326,941 shares for US$17,135 compared to 233,494 units at US$6,425 on Wednesday.
In Main Market activity, Sagicor Select Financial Fund led trading with 6.73 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 5.18 million stock units and Transjamaican Highway with 3.09 million stocks.
In the Junior Market, Spur Tree Spices led trading with 60.03 million shares followed by Future Energy with 4.04 million units and One Great Studio with 832,703 stock units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions 10.5 % preference share gained $50 to end at $1,150.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of 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 the 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 between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide for investors 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 of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.