The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange slipped moderately on Friday, with nearly 3 stocks declining for each stock rising, following a 69 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded, with 68 percent lower value than Thursday, with trading in just 40 securities down from 45 on Thursday and ending with prices of eight rising, 22 declining and 10 closing unchanged and resulted in the market closing almost in the black on Friday.
The market closed on the day of March with an exchange of 7,362,444 shares for $19,399,707 compared with 23,801,250 units at $60,698,281 on Thursday, with an average of 184,061 shares at $484,993, compared with 528,917 stock units at $1,348,851 on Thursday and February with an average of 253,246 units at $637,481.
ONE on ONE Educational led trading with 1.26 million shares for 17.1 percent of total volume followed by Future Energy with 1.18 million units for 16 percent of the day’s trade and EduFocal with 1.12 million units for 15.2 percent of the day’s trade.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index dipped 26.91 points to close at 3,847.80.
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 three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and seven with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging dipped 29 cents and ended at $2.89 with a transfer of 10,000 stocks, Blue Power climbed 15 cents to $3.15 after closing with an exchange of 29,932 units, Caribbean Cream slipped 5 cents in closing at $3.85, with 31,958 shares clearing the market after the company release the long outstanding third quarter results which continue to show improvement in sales and profit despite a bug hike in interest cost. Dolphin Cove skidded 44 cents to close at $19.20 with investors trading 255,970 stock units, following an announcement of a 50 percent hike in dividend payment in March to 60 cents per share, Fontana lost 5 cents to end at $9.40 in switching ownership of 111,995 shares, Fosrich dropped 13 cents to $2.22 while exchanging 20,451 stocks. 
Honey Bun rose 33 cents in closing at $6.98 with investors swapping 19,253 units, Indies Pharma rallied 10 cents and ended at $2.70 in an exchange of 31,085 stock units, Jamaican Teas shed 30 cents to end at $2.40, with 50,010 shares passing through the market. JFP Ltd declined 9 cents to close at $1.50 in an exchange of one stock unit, Knutsford Express fell $1.09 to $10.51, with 10 stocks MFS Capital Partners lost 18 cents to end at $2.09 trading 187,196 stock units. Regency Petroleum declined 7 cents in closing at $2.37 after 136,834 shares crossed the market and Spur Tree Spices shed 45 cents to close at $2.40 after a transfer of 136,338 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Mixed trading for JSE Markets to start March
The Markets closed mixed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Friday as the Junior Market JSE USD market closed moderately lower as the Main Market inched trading ended with the number of stocks changing hands falling, with the value of stocks traded jumping sharply over the previous trading day, resulting in prices of 30 shares rising and 42 declining.
Trading ended for the week, with the JSE Combined Market Index rising 198.41 points to 349,346.11, the All Jamaican Composite Index skidded 245.25 points to end at 376,387.70, the JSE Main Index rallied 462.86 points to 336,567.99. The Junior Market Index fell 26.91 points to close at 3,847.80 and the JSE USD Market Index skidded 5.22 points to conclude trading at 258.25.
At the close of trading, 28,196,991 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 49,347,388 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $114 million, from $161.13, million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 30,628 shares for US$3,928 compared to 21,861 units at US$7,612 on Thursday.
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by Wigton Windfarm led trading with 13.01 million shares followed by Wisynco Group with 2.56 million units, Transjamaican Highway with 2.17 million stock units and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.38 million units.
In the Junior Market, ONE on ONE Educational led trading with 1.26 million shares followed by Future Energy with 1.18 million units and EduFocal with 1.12 million stocks.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% gained $50 to close at $2,900, 138 Student Living preference share advanced $12.08 to end at $217 and Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share lost $1.69 in closing at $1273.30.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.3 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.4 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
The JSE Markets mostly rallied to close Month
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange and the Junior Market closed out February positively, with the market indices rising moderately in trading on Thursday as the JSE USD market closed moderately lower as trading ended with the number and value of stocks changing hands falling, and resulting in prices of 46 shares rising and 34 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 341.07 points to close at 349,147.70, the All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 1,486.05 points to end at 376,632.95, the JSE Main Index increased 228.87 points to settle at 336,105.13. The Junior Market Index popped 14.44 points to wrap up trading at 3,874.71 and the JSE USD Market Index skidded 2.46 points to settle at 263.47.
At the close of trading, 49,347,388 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 61,823,227 units on Wednesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $161.13 million, from $286.20 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 21,861 shares for US$7,612 compared to 125,830 units at US$25,026 on Wednesday.
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by Wigton Windfarm led trading with 10.37 million shares for 40.6 percent of total volume followed by Palace Amusement with 5.01 million units for 19.6 percent of the day’s trade, Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 2.65 million units for 10.4 percent market share, JMMB Group 7.35% – 2028 with 2.27 million units for 8.9 percent market share and Transjamaican Highway with 1.01 million units.
In the Junior Market, Spur Tree Spices led trading with 4.80 million shares followed by JFP Ltd with 4.25 million units, Regency Petroleum ended with 3.34 million stock units, Fosrich closed trading with 2.11 million units, Lasco Distributors closed with 1.95 million stocks and ONE on ONE Educational exchanged 1.02 million units.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share fell $12.08 to close at $204.92 after a transfer of 7 units. Productive Business Solutions 10.5 % preference share dropped $9 to end at $1274.99.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.5 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.4 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each.
Junior Market shoots higher on Tuesday
Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Tuesday, with the volume of stocks traded, with an 81 percent decline and ended with a 71 percent decline in the value compared with that on Monday with trading in 42 securities compared with 40 on Monday and ending with prices of 15 rising, 21 declining and six closing unchanged.
The market closed with 4,278,021 shares being traded for $9,351,166 compared with 14,902,945 units at $48,199,902 on Monday.
Trading averaged 101,858 shares at $222,647, compared to 372,574 units at $1,204,998 on Monday with the month to date, averaging 223,206 units at $555,847 compared to 230,159 stock units at $574,939 on the previous day and January with an average of 175,081 units at $401,738.
EduFocal led trading with 1.04 million shares for 24.4 percent of the total volume followed by Stationery and Office Supplies with 698,934 units for 16.3 percent of the day’s trade and Tropical Battery with 482,246 units for 11.3 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index popped 38.08 points to finish at 3,827.68 after trading in the region of 3,890 points in the morning session.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.1, 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 three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, AMG Packaging dipped 61 cents to end at $3 in an exchange of 12,614 units, Blue Power lost 17 cents to close atone$3.13 with a mere 1 stock clearing the market, Caribbean Flavours climbed 9 cents and ended at $1.69 as investors exchanged 1,557 shares. Consolidated Bakeries skidded 18 cents in closing at $2.01 after 401 stock units crossed the market, Elite Diagnostic increased 9 cents to close at $1.68 after a transfer of 1,611 shares, Express Catering sank 12 cents to $3.83, with 8,382 units crossing the market. 
Future Energy popped 29 cents to end at $3.50 after an exchange of 197,647 stocks, Knutsford Express rallied 60 cents in closing at $12 with a transfer of 60 stock units, Lasco Distributors rose 24 cents to close at $4.35 while exchanging 50,879 shares. Lasco Financial dipped 12 cents to $1.81 in trading 51,043 units, Lasco Manufacturing shed 69 cents to close at $5.09 after 281,163 stocks crossed the exchange, Main Event declined 71 cents to end at $14 with investors transferring 8,491 stock units. Medical Disposables fell 16 cents in closing at $2.52 after an exchange of 65,001 shares, MFS Capital Partners lost 8 cents and ended at $2.20 after trading 125,362 stock units and Paramount Trading gained 15 cents to close at $1.49 with an exchange of just one stock.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading drops on the Jamaica Stock Exchange
Trading retreated on the Jamaica Stock Exchange in trading on Tuesday with the number of stocks changing hands falling, with the total value pulled back decidedly compared with the previous trading, resulting in prices of 26 shares rising and 47 declining on a day when the Junior Market popped but the Main Market and the JSE USD market closed lower.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index fell 2135.47 points to 346,386.21, the All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 4,582.25 points to finish at 372,562.75, the JSE Main Index shed 2,632.54 points to lock up trading at 333,599.81. The Junior Market Index jumped 38.08 points to finish at 3,827.68 and the JSE USD Market Index dipped 1.13 points to conclude trading at 256.18.
At the close of trading, 22,497,668 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 57,917,643 units on Monday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $97.9 million, down from $2.024 billion on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 6,443 shares for US$7,499 compared to 83,412 units at US$10,690 on Monday.
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by Wigton Windfarm led trading with 10.32 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 1.62 million units, Sagicor Select Financial Fund closed with 1.22 million units, JMMB Group 7.25% preference share due 2024 ended with 1.17 million units and General Accident with 1.0 million shares.
In the Junior Market, EduFocal led trading with 1.04 million shares followed by Stationery and Office Supplies with 698,934 units and Tropical Battery with 482,246 stock units.
At the close of trading the Main Market listed Eppley rose $3 in closing at $39.50 with investors dealing in 1,560 stocks, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund gained $1.74 to close at $40, Jamaica Broilers popped 95 cents to $33.99, Seprod climbed $1.70 to $80,
The major declining Main Market stocks include Guardian Holdings fell $19 in closing at $350, Mayberry Group lost $1.32 to end at $6.48, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy declined by $36 to $85, Pan Jamaica sank $3.50 in closing at $48.01, Scotia Group lost $1 to close at $44.50 and Supreme Ventures declined $1.92 and ended at $25.08.
At the end of trading, the Junior Market listed AMG Packaging dipped 61 cents to end at $3, Future Energy popped 29 cents to end at $3.50, Knutsford Express rallied 60 cents in closing at $12 with a transfer of 60 stock units, Lasco Distributors rose 24 cents to close at $4.35, while Consolidated Bakeries skidded 18 cents in closing at $2.01, Lasco Manufacturing shed 69 cents to $5.09, Main Event declined 71 cents to end at $14.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% preference share rallied $2.98 in closing at $22.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.4 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.5 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Trading climbs on the Junior Market
Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Monday, with a 57 percent rise in the volume of stocks traded, with a 35 percent more value than Friday following trading in 40 securities compared with 45 on Friday and ending with prices of 16 rising, 13 declining and 11 closing unchanged.
The market closed on Monday with trading of 14,902,945 shares for $48,199,902 compared to 9,473,714 units at $35,695,598 on Friday.
Trading averaged 372,574 shares at $1,204,998, compared with 210,527 units at $793,236 on Friday with the month to date, averaging 230,159 units at $574,939 compared to 221,939 stock units at $538,572 on the previous day and January with an average of 175,081 units at $401,738.
Future Energy led trading with 10.98 million shares for 73.7 percent of the volume followed by Lasco Manufacturing with 1.19 million units for 8 percent of the day’s trade and ONE on ONE Educational with 724,352 units for 4.9 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index lost 5.60 points to lock up trading at 3,789.60.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.2, 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 seven stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and eight with lower offers.
At the close, Dolphin Cove increased 20 cents to end at $19, with 91,260 units crossing the market, Future Energy dropped 30 cents in closing at $3.21 after a transfer of 10,977,580 stocks, Jamaican Teas climbed 13 cents to $2.54 while exchanging 32,221 shares. 
Lasco Distributors sank 24 cents and ended at $4.11 in trading 18,921 stock units, Lasco Manufacturing rose 69 cents to close at $5.78 after exchanging 1,193,867 shares, Limners and Bards advanced 25 cents to $1.85, with 52,670 units crossing the market. Main Event popped $1.14 to end at $14.71 in an exchange of 4,350 stocks, MFS Capital Partners rallied 9 cents in closing at $2.28 with investors transferring 546,160 stock units, Spur Tree Spices gained 12 cents and ended at $2.41, with 109,290 shares crossing the exchange and tTech popped 28 cents to close at $2.50 with traders dealing in 53,905 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Big surge in JSE trading on Monday
Trading surged on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday as the Junior Market JSE USD market closed moderately higher as trading ended with the number of stocks changing hands climbing, with the value of stocks traded jumping sharply over the previous trading day, resulting in prices of 33 shares rising and 29 declining.
At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 3,284.31 points to 348,521.68, the All Jamaican Composite Index rose 4,481.53 points to 377,145.00, the JSE Main Index climbed 3,554.31 points to 336,232.35. The Junior Market Index dropped 5.60 points to settle at 3,789.60 and the JSE USD Market Index slipped 2.68 points to end the day at 257.31.
At the close of trading, 57,917,643 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 21,088,796 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $2.024 billion, up from $117.77 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 83,412 shares for US$10,690 compared to 361,086 units at US$18,726 on Friday.
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by NCB Financial led trading with 25.23 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 5.03 million units, Proven Investments ended with 3.60 million units, Sagicor Group had an exchange of 2.11 million units, Transjamaican Highway chipped in with 1.61 million shares and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.35 million units.
In the Junior Market, Future Energy led trading with 10.98 million shares followed by Lasco Manufacturing with 1.19 million units and ONE on ONE Educational ended trading with 724,352 stock units.
At the close of trading the Main Market listed Caribbean Cement rallied $1.62 in closing at $61.50, Caribbean Producers popped 69 cents to $10.47, Jamaica Producers climbed $2 to $24, Kingston Wharves increased 97 cents in closing at $33, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy rose $25.25 to end at $121cents in closing at $22.02 and Supreme Ventures gained 97 cents in closing at $27.
At the same time, Eppley declined $1.50 and ended at $36.50, Jamaica Broilers dipped 95 cents to end at $33.04, Sagicor Group shed $1.80 to close at $42, Seprod fell $2.40 to end at $78.30, Proven Investments sank 99 cents in closing at $22.02, Sagicor Group shed $1.80 to close at $42, Seprod fell $2.40 to end at $78.30 and Proven Investments sank 99.
At the end of trading, the Junior Market listed Lasco Manufacturing rose 69 cents to close at $5.78, Limners and Bards advanced 25 cents to $1.85, Main Event popped $1.14 to end at $14.71 and tTech popped 28 cents to close at $2.50 with the major losing stocks being Future Energy that dropped 30 cents in closing at $3.21 and Lasco Distributors sinking 24 cents and ended at $4.11.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share rose $27 and ended at $217, Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share sank $209 to $1,075 and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% gained $1 to end at $107.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.3 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.5 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
ISP Finance & AMG tops ICTOP10
The Junior Market slipped by a few points at the end of the week but the Main Market declined around one percent, with Carreras and Wigton Windfarm hitting new 52 weeks’ highs.
AMG Packaging in ICTOP10
The Junior Market closed the week with ISP Finance jumping 26 percent to close at $31.50, a pretty high price based on the earnings of 57 cents per share in 2023, with 25 cents in the final quarter, with income jumping a solid 39.6 percent, that augurs very well for revenues and earnings for 2024. A close examination of the 2023 fiscal results reveals significant potential for revenues and profit ahead that should start in 2024. Watch for the first quarter numbers for this one.
There was an 18 percent jump in the price of AMG Packaging to close at $3.55, following the holding at the company’s AGM, Lasco Distributors rose 9 percent to $4.55. Lasco Manufacturing closed 4 percent higher at $5.09 after the price reached $6.14 on Friday, with the supply of the stock being sold drying up. Iron Rock Insurance dropped back 16 percent to $2.11 and in the Main Market TOP10, Palace Amusement shed 14 percent to close at $1.07.
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 5.3, well below the market average of 13.7 and the Junior Market TOP10 sits at 7.5 just over half of the market, with an average of 13.4.
The Main Market ICTOP10 is projected to gain an average of 281 percent by May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings, providing better values than the Junior Market with the potential to gain 170 percent over the same period.
In the Main Market ICTOP 10, a total of 14 of the most highly valued stocks representing 29 percent of the Main Market are priced at a PE of 15 to 108, with an average of 31 and 21 excluding the highest PE ratios, and a PE of 25 for the top half and 18 excluding the stocks with overweight values.
In the Junior Market IC TOP10 are 12 stocks, or 25 percent of the market, with PEs ranging from 15 to 45, 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 backs off 3,795 points peak
The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange traded over 3,875 points in the early morning session on Friday, with Lasco Manufacturing hitting $6.14 when trading was halted but later pulled back after a big trade passed through the market on a day when the volume of stocks traded, declined 71 percent, with a 45 percent lower value than on Thursday, resulting in 45 securities changing hands compared with 43 on Thursday and ending with prices of 19 rising, 20 declining and six closing unchanged.
The market closed on Friday after 9,473,714 shares were exchange for $35,695,598 versus 32,133,533 units at $65,285,279 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 210,527 shares at $793,236, compared to 747,291 units at $1,518,262 on Thursday, with a month to date average of 221,939 units at $538,572 compared with 222,732 stocks at $520,887 on the previous day and better than January with an average of 175,081 units at $401,738.
Lasco Manufacturing led trading with 4.48 million shares for 47.2 percent of the total volume that traded, followed by Stationery and Office Supplies with 990,778 units for 10.5 percent of the day’s trade and Future Energy with 579,426 units for 6.1 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index rallied 13.60 points to finish at 3,795.20 after hitting over 3,875 points in early trading, before the fall in the intraday price of Lasco Manufacturing from $6.14.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.9, 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 one with a lower offer.
At the close, AMG Packaging fell 15 cents to close at $3.55 with an exchange of 11,657 stock units, CAC 2000 rallied 17 cents to $4, after 4 shares passed through the market, Cargo Handlers increased 51 cents to end at $14.51 in switching ownership of 1,744 stocks. Caribbean Cream dropped 9 cents in closing at $3.80 after an exchange of 107 units, Caribbean Flavours sank 8 cents and ended at $1.60 in trading 15,173 shares, Consolidated Bakeries popped 19 cents to $2.20, with 8,155 units changing hands. Derrimon Trading dipped 12 cents to close at $1.87 in an exchange of 11,021 stocks, Everything Fresh advanced by 9 cents to end at $1.68, with investors trading 103,479 stock units, Express Catering rose 18 cents to $3.98 while investors exchanged 72,863 shares. Future Energy lost 9 cents and ended at $3.51, with 579,426 units crossing the market, Honey Bun gained 20 cents to end at $6.85 with investors swapping 28,900 stocks, Jamaican Teas shed 13 cents and ended at $2.41 with a transfer of 1,525 stock units. 
Knutsford Express declined 60 cents in closing at $11.40 with investors dealing in 10,000 shares, Lasco Distributors climbed 35 cents to $4.35 in an exchange of 402,870 stock, Lasco Manufacturing skidded 36 cents to end at $5.09 after hitting a high of $6.14 during the morning session, with investors trading 4,476,083 units. Paramount Trading fell 25 cents to $1.30, after 10,851 stocks crossed the exchange, Regency Petroleum popped 10 cents to end at $2.20 with traders dealing in 164,976 shares, Spur Tree Spices shed 11 cents in closing at $2.29 as investors exchanged 357,294 units and tTech advanced 20 cents and ended at $2.22 with 10 stocks changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main Market falls Juniors & USD markets rise
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange declined in trading on Friday as the Junior Market JSE USD market closed moderately higher as trading ended with the number of stocks changing hands falling, with the value of stocks traded jumping sharply over the previous trading day, resulting in prices of 38 shares rising and 37 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 2,597.12 points to 345,237.37, the All Jamaican Composite Index shed 593.72 points to close at 372,663.47, the JSE Main Index lost 2,896.26 points to 332,678.04. The Junior Market Index popped 3.60 points to 3,795.20, after hitting 3,875 points in the first thirty minutes of trading and the JSE USD Market Index rose 4.79 points to lock up trading at 259.99.
At the close of trading, 21,088,796 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 57,568,397 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $117.77 million, up from $110.86, million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 361,086 shares for US$18,726 compared to 310,053 units at US$11,086 on Thursday.
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by Wigton Windfarm led trading with 5.96 million shares, followed by Transjamaican Highway with 1.70 million units and Palace Amusement with 588,579 shares.
In the Junior Market, Lasco Manufacturing led trading with 4.48 million shares, followed by Stationery and Office Supplies with 990,778 units and Future Energy 579,426 stock units.
At the close of trading, the Main Market listed Guardian Holdings increased $5.80 in closing at $369, Jamaica Broilers popped 96 cents to close at $33.99, Mayberry Jamaican Equities gained 89 cents to end at $10.89, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy popped $4.75 in closing at $95.75 and NCB Financial gained $2 to close at $69.50.
The Main Market Jamaica Producers, fell $1 to $22, Massy Holdings sank $2.80 to close at $94, Proven Investments lost $1.74 and ended at $23.01 and Seprod dropped $2.25 to close at $80.70.
At the end of trading, the Junior Market listed Cargo Handlers gained 51 cents to end at $14.51, CAC 2000 rallied 17 cents to $4, Consolidated Bakeries popped 19 cents to $2.20, Express Catering rose 18 cents in closing at $3.98, Honey Bun gained 20 cents to end at $6.85, Lasco Distributors climbed 35 cents to close at $4.35 and tTech advanced 20 cents and ended at $2.22. At the same time, Knutsford Express declined 60 cents in closing at $11.40, Lasco Manufacturing skidded 36 cents to end at $5.09 and Paramount Trading fell 25 cents to $1.30.
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share dipped $3.45 and ended at $115.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.3 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.4 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.