Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Wednesday, with a 38 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded, following a 43 percent decline in value compared with Tuesday with trading in 44 securities compared with 41 on Tuesday and ending with prices of 14 rising, 
17 declining and 13 closing unchanged following the migration from the Junior Market of Lasco Distributors and Lasco Manufacturing to the Main Market, resulting in 46 listings now on the Junior Market.
The market closed with trading of 7,170,788 shares for $14,644,800 compared with 11,49,682 units at $25,742,485 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 162,972 shares at $332,836, compared with 280,382 units at $627,865 on Tuesday with the month to date, averaging 190,689 units at $404,736 compared to 192,229 stock units at $408,731 on the previous day and February with an average of 243,917 units at $566,909.
Stationery and Office Supplies led trading with 1.51 million shares for 21 percent of total volume followed by Spur Tree Spices with 1.06 million units for 14.8 percent of the day’s trade and Fosrich with 995,605 stock units for 13.9 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index popped 13.03 points to end at 3,829.89.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.5, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for the financial years ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Assurance Brokers dipped 10 cents to end at $2.15 after exchanging just 3,502 stock units, Dolphin Cove rose 90 cents in closing at $19.40 in switching ownership of 3,252 shares, Express Catering popped 10 cents to $4, with 23,013 units crossing the market. Fosrich popped 9 cents and ended at $2.44 with a transfer of 995,605 stocks, 
Iron Rock Insurance sank 38 cents to close at $2.14 after 45 shares passed through the market, JFP Ltd increased 12 cents to $1.45 with investors transferring 399,930 stocks. KLE Group declined 36 cents to end at $2.03 after trading a mere one stock unit, Knutsford Express advanced $1.14 in closing at $11.94 with an exchange of 355 stock units, Paramount Trading shed 25 cents to close at $1.24 after an exchange of 3,283 shares. Spur Tree Spices fell 10 cents and ended at $2.54 in an exchange of 1,060,608 stocks and tTech dropped 29 cents to $2.01, with 250 units changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Main Market drops Junior & USD markets rise
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange declined in trading on Wednesday as the Junior and JSE USD markets closed moderately higher as trading ended with the number and value of stocks changing hands falling, compared with the previous trading day, resulting in prices of 29 shares rising and 38 declining, on a day when Lasco Distributors and Lasco Manufacturing switched over to the Main Market from the Junior Market., with the latter jumping 70 cents at the close of the day.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index dropped 1,382.30 points to close at 340,171.27, the All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 2,210.62 points to close at 366,309.30, the JSE Main Index sank 1,536.68 points to close at 327,011.25. The Junior Market Index rallied 13.03 points to culminate at 3,829.89 and the JSE USD Market Index gained 0.31 points to finish at 249.15.
At the close of trading, 15,566,466 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 25,574,514 units on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounting to $103.70 million, compared with $167.57, million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 303,812 shares for US$36,667 compared to 154,383 units at US$11,426 on Tuesday.
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by Transjamaican Highway with 3.84 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.03 million units and Carreras with 404,211 stocks.
In the Junior Market, Stationery and Office Supplies led trading with 1.51 million shares followed by Spur Tree Spices with 1.06 million stock units and Fosrich with 995,605 units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share dipped $1.21 to $5.08.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.5 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.2 times those for 2023-24 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.
The Junior Market bounce
The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed higher on Tuesday, following a big 94 percent rise in the volume of stocks traded after 127 percent more funds passed through the market compared with trading on Monday with trading in 41 securities compared with 46 on Monday and ending with prices of 17 rising, 12 declining and 12 closing unchanged.
The market closed with 11,495,682 shares trading for $25,742,485 up from 5,931,329 stock units at $11,322,870 on Monday.
Trading averaged 280,382 shares at $627,865, compared to 128,942 units at $246,149 on Monday with the month to date, averaging 192,229 units at $408,731 compared with 187,416 stock units at $396,767 on the previous day and February with an average of 253,246 units at $637,481.
Spur Tree Spices led trading with 6.79 million shares for 59.1 percent of total volume followed by ONE on ONE Educational with 818,975 units for 7.1 percent of the day’s trade and EduFocal with 665,885 stocks for 5.8 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index climbed 23.71 points to close at 3,816.86 after the market hit the 3,856 points mark in the early trading session.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.3, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for the financial years ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging climbed 40 cents to close at $3.51 after 262 stocks passed through the market, Cargo Handlers skidded 14 cents to $13.97 after an exchange of just 4 stock units, Dolphin Cove sank 81 cents and ended at $18.50, with 17,143 shares crossing the market. Fontana dropped 9 cents in closing at $8.91 in an exchange of 22,217 stock units, Honey Bun increased 54 cents to end at $7.04, with 2,770 shares changing hands, Knutsford Express lost 70 cents in closing at $10.80 with investors trading a mere 472 stocks. Lasco Distributors fell 29 cents to $4.28 in switching ownership of 24,635 units, Lasco Financial popped 27 cents to close at $1.89 as investors exchanged 4,253 stock units, 
Lasco Manufacturing dipped 16 cents to end at $5.40 after 268,980 shares passed through the market. Limners and Bards gained 33 cents and ended at $1.80 in trading a mere one stock unit, Main Event rose 87 cents to $14.45 in an exchange of 508 units, MFS Capital Partners advanced 10 cents in closing at $1.70 with investors dealing in 63,827 stock units. Paramount Trading rallied 29 cents to end at $1.49 and closed a 91 shares and Spur Tree Spices rose 19 cents to close at $2.64 with an exchange of 6,792,429 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Main & Junior Market rally as USD Market slips
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange and the Junior Market made spirited moves in trading on Tuesday while JSE USD market closed moderately lower as trading ended with the number of stocks and the value of changing hands falling, from the levels of the previous day, resulting in prices of 39 shares rising and 24 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index jumped by 5,250.77 points to 341,553.57, the All Jamaican Composite Index pushed 4,960.46 points higher to 368,519.92, the JSE Main Index surged 5,377.41 points to 328,547.93. The Junior Market Index gained 23.71 points to lock up trading at 3,816.86 and the JSE USD Market Index fell 1.73 points to end the day at 248.84.
At the close of trading, 25,574,514 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 31,872,543 units on Monday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets being $167.57 million, down from $217.58 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 154,383 shares for US$11,426 compared to 90,769 units at US$18,681 on Monday.
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by Transjamaican Highway with 2.61 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.93 million units, QWI Investments was next with 1.65 million stocks, Wisynco Group ended with 1.54 million units and Radio Jamaica with 1.17 million shares.
In the Junior Market, Spur Tree Spices led trading with 6.79 million shares followed by ONE on ONE Educational with 818,975 units and EduFocal with 665,885 stocks.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share climbed $1.27 to end at $6.29 and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% skidded $1 to close at $109.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.4 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.3 times those for 2023-24 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.
Junior Market ekes out gains on Monday
Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Monday, with a 78 percent fall in the volume of stocks traded, following a 64 percent drop in the value of stocks traded compared with Friday, following trading in 46 securities up from 44 on Friday and ending with prices of 15 rising, 21 declining and 10 closing unchanged.
The market ended trading of 5,931,329 shares for $11,322,870 compared with 26,794,881 units at $31,045,200 on Friday.
Trading averaged 128,942 shares at $246,149 compared to 608,975 units at $705,573 on Friday with a month to date, average of 187,416 units at $396,767 compared to 191,231 stock units at $406,595 on the previous day and February with an average of 253,246 units at $637,481.
Fosrich led trading with 999,041 shares for 16.8 percent of total volume followed by Derrimon Trading with 614,908 stocks for 10.4 percent of the day’s trade and Everything Fresh with 526,860 units for 8.9 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index increased 1.10 points to cease trading at 3,793.15.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for the financial years ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging declined 33 cents to end at $3.11 as investors exchanged 1,516 stocks, Cargo Handlers popped $1.28 in closing at $14.11 with just three units passing through the market, Caribbean Assurance Brokers lost 15 cents in closing at $2.20, after an exchange of 120,394 shares. Caribbean Cream fell 19 cents to close at $3.69 with 489 stock units clearing the market, Caribbean Flavours skidded 11 cents and ended at $1.59 with traders dealing in 50,101 shares, Derrimon Trading popped 10 cents to close at $2 in an exchange of 614,908 stock units. Dolla Financial sank 10 cents to end at $2.64 after investors traded 124,086 stocks, Dolphin Cove shed 39 cents in closing at $19.31 with 321 units crossing the exchange, Everything Fresh climbed 10 cents to close at $1.70 after a transfer of 526,860 stocks. Express Catering dropped 6 cents and ended at $3.94 with investors dealing in 783 shares, Fontana dipped 10 cents to $9 crossing the market 32,314 stock units, Fosrich rose 15 cents in closing at $2.30 while exchanging 999,041 units. Future Energy fell 12 cents to $3.48 with a transfer of 113,618 shares, Honey Bun dropped 56 cents to close at $6.50, with 10,501 stock units changing hands, JFP Ltd lost 6 cents and ended at $1.33 after an exchange of 13,070 stocks. 
KLE Group rallied 24 cents to $2.39 with investors trading 139 units, Knutsford Express declined 44 cents and ended at $11.50 after exchanging 10,251 shares, Lasco Financial shed 29 cents in closing at $1.62 in trading 77,041 stock units. Limners and Bards dropped 30 cents to end at $1.47, with 27,676 stocks crossing the market, Lumber Depot advanced 15 cents to close at $2.70 with investors swapping 143,201 units, Main Event sank 94 cents to $13.58 after 4,227 stock units changed hands. MFS Capital Partners skidded 10 cents to close at $1.60 with investors trading 109,702 units, ONE on ONE Educational gained 12 cents in closing at $1 in switching ownership of 458,111 shares, Paramount Trading lost 35 cents and ended at $1.20 but only after trading at an intraday 52 weeks’ low of $1.10 with an exchange of 250,023 stock units. Stationery and Office Supplies popped 10 cents to end at $1.60, with 424,355 shares crossing the market and tTech dropped 10 cents in closing at $2.30 after an exchange of 310 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main market suffers big loss as trading climbs
Stocks fell in Monday’s trading session and pushed down the market indices, with the Main Market index losing more than 6,000 points, with the Junior Market after losing around 33 points, deep into the trading session bounced back before the close to end the day with a minor of a few points while the JSE USD market closed moderately lower as trading ended with the number of stocks changing hands falling and the value jumping sharply over the previous trading day, resulting in prices of 29 shares rising and 43 declining.
At the close of trading on Monday, the JSE Combined Market Index dived 5.384.99 points to close at 336,302.80, the All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 4,751.24 points to finish at 363,559.46, while the JSE Main Index plunged 5,752.15 points to end trading at 323,170.52. The Junior Market Index rose 1.10 points to 3,793.15 and the JSE USD Market Index fell 0.14 points to wrap up trading at 250.57.
At the close of trading, 31,872,543 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 36,320,454 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $217.58 million, up from just $61.09, million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 90,769 shares for US$18,681 compared to 83,304 units at US$2,577 on Friday.
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by General Accident with 12.0 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 6.55 million units, Sagicor Group with 1.33 million stock units and Proven Investments with 1.0 million stocks.
In the Junior Market, Fosrich led trading with 999,041 shares followed by Derrimon Trading with 614,908 units and Everything Fresh with 526,860 stocks.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% increased $51 to $2,900 and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share dropped $10 in closing at $105.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.1 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.1 times those for 2023-24 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.
Edufocal now an ICTOP10 stock
Edufocal suffered a major drop in price in the past week to $1.05 from $1.13 at the start and landed in an ICTOP10 Junior Market, in position number 7, at the same time, AMG Packaging gained just 5 percent to close at $3.44 and dropped out of the top tier to sit at the twelfth position.
In a week of more moderate price movements, the Junior Market ICTOP10 ended, with a 6 percent jump in the price of Lasco Manufacturing to $5.53 with Access Financial falling 9 percent to $20 and ISP Finance slipping 8 percent to $28.10, while in the Main Market, Key Insurance surged 12 percent to $2.57 and JMMB Group fell 8 percent to $25.
Investors may question why Caribbean Cream is in the ICTOP10. A closer look at earnings for the nine months to November shows the full cost of interest being expensed, most if not all should be a part of the cost of building out the cold room and the cogeneration plant. If interest is capitalized, earnings for the full year would be in the 55 cents per share region rather than 25 cents, with the full interest cost being expensed. More importantly with the 2025 fiscal year having commenced, earnings for the new fiscal year should be around 95 cents, which is the real reason for owning the stock at this time.
There were no changes to the list of companies in the Main Market TOP10 this past week.
For the full list of weekly percentage changes for the ICTOP10 stocks, check the attached charts for the weekly percentage price movements.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market ICTOP 10 stands at 5.6, well below the market average of 13.9 and the Junior Market TOP10 sits at 7.4 over half of the market, with an average of 13.
The Main Market ICTOP10 is projected to gain an average of 270 percent by May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings, providing better values than the Junior Market with the potential to gain 175 percent over the same period.
In the Main Market ICTOP 10, a total of 15 of the most highly valued stocks representing 31 percent of the Main Market are priced at a PE of 15 to 115, with an average of 37 and 25 excluding the highest PE ratios, and a PE of 29 for the top half and 21 excluding the stocks with overweight values.
In the Junior Market IC TOP10 are 11 stocks, or 23 percent of the market, with PEs ranging from 15 to 44, averaging 21, 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.
IC TOP10 stocks will likely deliver the best returns on or around May 2024 and are ranked in order of potential gains, computed using projected earnings for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate 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.
Junior Market rebounds
Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Friday, with a 373 percent rise in the volume of stocks traded, with 108 percent more value than Thursday with trading in 44 securities compared with 45 on Thursday and ending with prices of 24 rising, eight declining and 12 closing unchanged and led to market into a rebound from the fall on Thursday.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index gained 34.14 points recovering 83 percent of Thursday’s loss, to close at 3,792.05.
The market closed trading on Friday with 26,794,881 shares at $31,045,200 up from 5,660,363 units at $14,953,776 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 608,975 shares at $705,573 compared to 125,786 units at $332,306 on Thursday with the month to date, averaging 191,231 units at $406,595 up from 163,424 stock units at $386,693 on the previous day and February with an average of 253,246 units at $637,481.
One Great Studio led trading with 23.11 million shares for 86.2 percent of total volume followed by EduFocal with 1.06 million stock units for 4 percent of the day’s trade and Fontana with 619,770 units for 2.3 percent market share.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13, based on last traded prices in conjunction with earnings projected by ICInsider.com for the financial years ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ended with a bid higher than the last selling price and two with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial dropped $2 in closing at $20 with traders dealing in 5,079 stock units, AMG Packaging advanced 33 cents to $3.44, with 21 shares changing hands, Caribbean Assurance Brokers rose 15 cents to end at $2.35 with an exchange of 752 stocks. Caribbean Flavours gained 10 cents to close at $1.70 after an exchange of 180 units, Derrimon Trading fell 8 cents and ended at $1.90 with investors dealing in 5,162 stocks, Dolla Financial rose 10 cents to $2.74 after a transfer of 534,217 units. Dolphin Cove rallied 20 cents and ended at $19.70 as investors exchanged 4,830 shares, Honey Bun increased 22 cents to close at $7.06 in switching ownership of 943 stock units,
Jetcon Corporation climbed 10 cents in closing at 95 cents after an exchange of 793 shares. Knutsford Express popped 72 cents to end at $11.94 with investors transferring 477 units, Lasco Distributors advanced 32 cents to $4.55 in an exchange of 46,778 stocks, Lasco Financial rose 11 cents to close at $1.91 after 3,302 stock units were traded. Lasco Manufacturing gained 38 cents to end at $5.53 with investors trading 2,174 shares, Limners and Bards rallied 23 cents in closing at $1.77, with 24,142 stocks crossing the market, Tropical Battery skidded 13 cents and ended at $2.10 with investors trading 279,984 units and tTech increased 10 cents to $2.40, with 51 stock units crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
All JSE markets rose on Friday
Stocks closed higher on all three markets of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Friday as the Junior Market recovered a major part of the value lost on Thursday to close at just under 3,800 points. The market closed with a rise in the number of stocks changing hands, but with a lower value compared with the previous trading day, as trading rose in the Junior Market and declined in the Main Market, resulting in prices of 50 shares rising and 21 declining.
At the close of trading on Friday, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 1,858.20 points to end at 341,687.79, the All Jamaican Composite Index rose by 1,960.48 points to finish at 368,310.70, the JSE Main Index rallied 1,662.57 points to 328,922.67. The Junior Market Index climbed 34.14 points to finish at 3,792.05 and the JSE USD Market Index increased 1.68 points to finish at 250.71.
At the close of trading, 36,320,454 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 31,075,461 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $61.09 million, down from $91.08, million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 83,304 shares for US$2,577 compared to 29,463 units at US$5,112 on Thursday.
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by Wigton Windfarm with 3.31 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 3.15 million stock units and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 897,196 units.
In the Junior Market, One Great Studio led trading with 23.11 million shares followed by EduFocal with 1.06 million stock units and Fontana with 619,770 units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% declined $51 in closing at $2,849.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21 on 2022-23 earnings and 14. times those for 2023-24 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.
Junior Market trading jumps, index plunges
Trading jumped on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Thursday and resulted in a big drop in the market index after a 56 percent rise in the volume of stocks traded, carrying 85 percent more value than Wednesday with trading in 45 securities compared with 44 on Wednesday and ended with prices of 14 rising, 17 declining and 14 closing unchanged, with the Junior Market Index plunging 41.11 points to end at 3,757.91.
Trading closed with 5,660,363 shares for $14,953,776 up from 3,622,295 units at $8,075,268 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 125,786 shares at $332,306, compared with 82,325 units at $183,529 on Wednesday with the month to date, averaging 163,424 units at $386,693 compared to 166,173 stock units at $390,666 on the previous day and February with an average of 253,246 units at $637,481.
EduFocal led trading with 1.58 million shares for 27.8 percent of total volume followed by Lumber Depot with 1.15 million units for 20.4 percent of the day’s trade and Future Energy with 807,980 units for 14.3 percent market share.
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 2024.
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, Caribbean Assurance Brokers declined 15 cents to $2.20 with investors swapping 1,555 shares, Derrimon Trading advanced 12 cents to end at $1.98 after a transfer of 2,923 units, Dolphin Cove shed 28 cents in closing at $19.50 with an exchange of 54,424 shares. Fosrich popped 6 cents to close at $2.13 with 30,223 stock units changing hands, GWest Corporation climbed 12 cents and ended at 97 cents after 1,179 shares crossed the exchange, Honey Bun lost 23 cents to $6.84 trading 5,220 units. Image Plus rose 5 cents to close at $1.94 with investors transferring 16,172 stocks, KLE Group gained 17 cents and ended at $2.15 in an exchange of 49,957 stock units, Knutsford Express skidded 72 cents to end at $11.22 with investors dealing in 275 shares. Lasco Distributors fell 19 cents in closing at $4.23 with a transfer of 309,110 stocks, 
Lasco Financial dropped 15 cents to $1.80 after 15,041 stock units passed through the market, Lasco Manufacturing sank 30 cents and ended at $5.15 in trading 312,815 stock units. Lumber Depot dipped 8 cents in closing at $2.51 after exchanging 1,154,211 shares, Main Event rallied 53 cents to $14.53, with 2,000 units crossing the market, Medical Disposables increased 20 cents to close at $2.50 while exchanging 44 stocks. One Great Studio lost 6 cents to 93 cents with 27,655 stock units clearing the market, Tropical Battery popped 13 cents to end at $2.23 in an exchange of 30,131 shares and tTech skidded 13 cents in closing at $2.30, with 539 stocks crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.