All three markets of the Jamaica Stock Exchange recorded gains in indices at the close of trading on Monday with the number of stocks changing hands and the value of stocks traded rising over the previous trading day resulting in prices of 35 shares rising and 3 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 3,886.27 points to close at 346,024.78, the All Jamaican Composite Index rose 2,499.80 points to lock up trading at 369,213.68, the JSE Main Index rallied 4,036.96 points to conclude trading at 333,377.53. The Junior Market Index rose 11.44 points to end at 3,810.21 and the JSE USD Market Index popped 1.01 points to conclude trading at 252.02.
At the close of trading, 16,865,715 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 17,913,688 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $79.13 million, up from $65.21 million Friday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 186,772 shares for US$6,867 down from 1,000,615 units at US$122,251 on Friday.
Main Market trading was dominated by Wigton Windfarm trading with 4.33 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.62 million units, QWI Investments ended with 1.40 million stock units and Carreras, 1.33 million stocks.
In the Junior Market, Spur Tree Spices led trading with 1.21 million shares followed by EduFocal with 566,845 stock units and Future Energy with 387,681 units.
At the close of the market, some Main Market stocks that rose were Jamaica Producers rallying $2.35 to close at $26.25, Massy Holdings rising $3.64 to $98.49, Proven Investments increasing 99 cents to $23 and Sygnus Real Estate Finance climbing $1.49 and ended at $11.49.
The major declining Main Market stocks include Caribbean Cement down $1.15 to $53.80, Eppley sinking $1 in closing at $33, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund shedding $1 to end at $39, Pan Jamaica dipping $1.50 to $50, Seprod declining $1.87 to end at $85.13, Sygnus Credit Investments dropping 89 cents in closing at $10.85 and Wisynco Group which skidded 97 cents to close at $22.
Stocks ending with major gains in the Junior Market are Cargo Handlers up $1.46 to $14.63, ISP Finance increasing 50 cents to $31.50, Knutsford Express advancing $1.30 to $12.40, with the major losing stock being Caribbean Assurance Brokers that sank 38 cents in closing at $2.09.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% rallied $4.19 and ended at $46.09.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.1 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 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
ICTOP10 Scotia Group jumps 20% in 2024
Scotia Group with the supply of the stock increasingly falling, with only 14 offers posted at the close on Friday the stock price jumped 14 percent this past week to a multi-year high of $46, for a gain of 20 percent since the start of the year and 25 percent since the publication on December 17 of “Why
Scotia Group Broke through the channel top on Friday following limited selling in the stock.
Scotia Group should be on your buy list”.
Despite the move, the stock remains in the ICTOP10 with much upside potential, but the price broke through the top of a channel, formed in late November. This coming week may determine whether the price will move decidedly higher to confirm if the break is sustainable.
Elsewhere, TransJamaican, a former 2024 TOP10 stock has gone on to record several record highs during the past week and traded at a record $3.30 and is up 86 percent plus a dividend that represented an 11 percent return since ICInsider.com placed it on the Watch list in April last year, when the price was S1.77.
During the past week, the Main and the Junior markets gained over one percent, led by Scotia Group as the leading market mover, with AMG Packaging following with a 13 percent rise. General Accident was the leading declining stock, down by 11 percent in a week when only four stocks declined in both markets.
The markets closed with no addition to the ICInsider.com TOP 10 stocks.
For the full list of weekly percentage changes for the ICTOP10 stocks, check the attached charts that now carry a column of 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 7.4, just over half of the market, with an average of 13.5
The Main Market ICTOP10 is projected to gain an average of 288 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 time frame.
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 110, 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 13 stocks, or 27 percent of the market, with PEs ranging from 15 to 47, averaging 22, well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 19, 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 rises as falling stocks dominate
All 47 securities that were available to trade were active in the Junior Market on friday, up from 40 on Thursday, with trading ending with prices of 15 rising, 21 declining and 11 closing unchanged with trading closing with a 60 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded, with 66 percent less value than on Thursday.
Trading ended on Friday with 5,395,966 shares for $11,327,944 compared with 13,639,370 stock units for $32,995,315 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 114,808 shares at $241,020, compared with 340,984 units at $824,883 on Thursday with trading for the month to date averaging 218,797 units at $509,463 compared to January with an average of 175,081 units at $401,738.
One Great Studio led trading with 1.36 million shares for 25.2 percent of total volume followed by Lasco Distributors with 930,104 units for 17.2 percent of the day’s trade and ONE on ONE Educational with 639,673 units for 11.9 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index popped 20.28 points to settle at 3,798.77.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.6, 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 two with lower offers.
At the close, Blue Power dipped 40 cents to close at $3, with 1,413 shares crossing the market, Cargo Handlers dropped $1.75 to $13.17 with an exchange of 957 stock units, Caribbean Assurance Brokers advanced 23 cents to $2.47 with an exchange of 22,951 shares. Consolidated Bakeries skidded 22 cents to close at $2 with investors swapping a mere 2,044 stock units, Derrimon Trading popped 22 cents to end at $2.08, with 15,750 shares crossing the exchange, Dolphin Cove climbed 80 cents to close at $19 with investors transferring 2,137 stocks. Elite Diagnostic rose 11 cents to close at $1.64 after 848 stocks crossed the market, Everything Fresh fell 12 cents in closing at $1.65 while exchanging 10,092 units, Fontana declined 10 cents to end at $10.40 with investors trading 7,265 stocks. Fosrich rallied 15 cents and ended at $2.25 with 276,639 units clearing the market, Future Energy increased 15 cents to $3.70 as investors exchanged 52,544 shares, ISP Finance gained $10.70 to close at $31 in switching ownership of 2,993 stock units. 
JFP Ltd shed 9 cents to end at $1.37 with traders dealing in 111,886 shares, Knutsford Express dropped $1.30 in closing at $11.10 in an exchange of just 1,192 stock units, Lasco Financial popped 17 cents and ended at $2.31 as 8,571 stock units passed through the market. Limners and Bards rallied 16 cents to $1.49 in an exchange of 23,903 units, Mailpac Group rose 11 cents and ended at $2.22, with 6,188 shares changing hands, Main Event sank 88 cents to close at $15.12 in trading a mere 80 stocks and Regency Petroleum climbed 13 cents in closing at $2.34 after an exchange of 42,530 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Big price changes for several JSE stocks
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange slipped in trading on Friday and the Junior Market gained as the JSE USD market closed unchanged following a sharp reduction in the volume and value of stocks changing hands falling from the previous day andresulting in prices of 39 shares rose and 35, declined, with Scotia Group hitting new 52 weeks’ high in closing at $46 the largest Main Market rising stock.
At the close of trading on Friday, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 418.12 points to close at 342,138.51, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 1,152.06 points to finish trading at 366,713.88, the JSE Main Index advanced 256.53 points to 329,340.57. The Junior Market Index rose 20.28 points to 3,798.77 and the JSE USD Market Index ended unchanged at 251.01.
At the close of trading, 17,913,688 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 24,848,411 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounts to $65.21 million, down from $94.99 million yesterday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 1,000,615 shares for US$122,251 up from 393,307 units at US$18,728 on Thursday.
Main Market trading was led by JMMB 9.5% preference share with 4.66 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.93 million units and Wigton Windfarm with 952,293 stock units.
In the Junior Market, One Great Studio led trading with 1.36 million shares followed by Lasco Distributors with 930,104 units and ONE on ONE Educational with 639,673 stock units.
At the close of the market, the major Main Market stocks that rose are Caribbean Cement popped 95 cents to $54.95, Guardian Holdings rose $2 to close at $369, Jamaica Producers rallied $2.29 in closing at $23.90, Massy Holdings climbed $1.80 to $94.85, Scotia Group popped $5 to $46 and Wisynco Group climbed $1.87 to $22.97.
The major declining Main Market stocks are Barita Investments dropped $1.10 in closing at $70.05, Eppley fell $4.10 to end at $34, Proven Investments dipped 99 cents to end at $22.01, Seprod sank $1.99 to end at $87 and Sygnus Real Estate Finance fell $1 to close at $10.
Stocks ending with major gains in the Junior Market are Dolphin Cove climbing 80 cents to $19 and ISP Finance gained $10.70 to close at $31, with the major losing stocks being Knutsford Express dropping $1.30 in closing at $11.10 and Main Event sinking 88 cents to close at $15.12.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% skidded $7.40 and ended at $41.90, 138 Student Living preference share increased $3.50 to close at $214.50 and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share rallied $15.60 to end at $119.60.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.3 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 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Junior Market drops at start of February
Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Thursday, with the volume of stocks traded declining marginally, as 12 percent dollars passed through the market on Wednesday with trading in 40 securities compared with 46 on Wednesday and ending with prices of 12 rising, 21 declining and seven closing unchanged.
The market closed on Thursday with 13,639,370 shares being traded for $32,995,315 versus 13,718,596 units that were exchanged for $29,550,137 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 340,984 shares at $824,883 compared to 298,230 units at $642,394 on Wednesday and January with an average of 175,081 units at $401,738.
Stationery and Office Supplies led trading with 2.92 million shares for 21.4 percent of total volume followed by EduFocal with 2.67 million units for 19.6 percent of the day’s trade, MFS Capital Partners chipped in with 2.55 million stock units for 18.7 percent market share and Lasco Manufacturing ended with 2.20 million shares for 16.1 percent of total volume.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index dipped 35.69 points to culminate at 3,778.49.
The Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.4, 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 six with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging popped 30 cents and ended at $2.92 with an exchange of 20,648 units, Cargo Handlers advanced $1.92 to $14.92 with 50 stocks clearing the market, Caribbean Flavours rose 10 cents to $1.66 after an exchange of 1,000 shares. Derrimon Trading lost 24 cents to end at $1.86, with 164,017 stock units crossing the exchange, Dolphin Cove dropped 80 cents to close at $18.20 after trading of 120 shares, Elite Diagnostic sank 11 cents to $1.53 after 84,370 stocks passed through the market. Fontana rallied 30 cents to end at $10.50 as investors exchanged 61,643 units, Fosrich dipped 37 cents in closing at $2.10 after a transfer of 651,488 stock units, Future Energy fell 15 cents to close at $3.55, with 209,533 shares crossing the market. Honey Bun increased 28 cents and ended at $6.40 in an exchange of 2,340 stock units, Indies Pharma declined 25 cents to $2.70 with investors swapping 118,087 units, Jamaican Teas shed 20 cents to close at $2.50 with a transfer of just 52 stocks. 
Lasco Distributors climbed 10 cents and ended at $4.10 after an exchange of 125,228 units, Lasco Manufacturing gained 17 cents and closed at $4.92 with investors trading 2,202,375 shares, Lumber Depot skidded 8 cents to end at $2.52, with 150,776 stock units changing hands. Mailpac Group fell 16 cents to $2.11 after investors ended trading of 255,522 stocks, Main Event rose 96 cents to end at $16 while exchanging 10 units, MFS Capital Partners skidded 38 cents in closing at $2.32 with traders dealing in 2,546,621 shares. ONE on ONE Educational lost 14 cents to close at 93 cents in switching ownership of 145,540 stocks, Regency Petroleum dropped 19 cents and ended at $2.21 after exchanging 253,645 stock units, Spur Tree Spices shed 38 cents to $2.50 with investors dealing in 66,592 shares and Stationery and Office Supplies declined 24 cents to end at $1.45, with 2,924,503 stock units crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
The JSE Market fell to start February’s trading
The Main Market index and the JSE USD market index of the Jamaica Stock Exchange eked out gains to start February but the Junior Market slipped at the close of trading on Thursday with market activity and ended with the number of shares and the value changing hands falling below the previous trading day’s levels and ended with 25 shares rising and 44 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index rose 258.54 points to close at 341,720.39, the All Jamaican Composite Index sank 266.16 points to 365,561.82, the JSE Main Index popped 608.95 points to conclude trading at 329,084.04. The Junior Market Index declined 35.69 points to 3,778.49 and the JSE USD Market Index popped 1.75 points to cease trading at 251.01.
At the close of trading, 24,848,411 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 35,568,273 units on Wednesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $94.99 million, down from $134.96 million yesterday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 393,307 shares for US$18,728 up from 15,298 units at US$860 on Wednesday.
Main Market trading was dominated by Wigton Windfarm led trading with 4.53 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.04 million units and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.17 million stocks.
In the Junior Market, Stationery and Office Supplies led trading with 2.92 million shares followed by EduFocal with 2.67 million units, MFS Capital Partners ended with 2.55 million stock units and Lasco Manufacturing with 2.20 million shares.
At the close of the market, the major Main Market stocks rising are Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rallied $2.01 to close at $40, Massy Holdings popped $3.05 and ended at $93.05.
The major declining Main Market stocks include Caribbean Cement that fell $3 and ended at $54, Guardian Holdings declining $3 to end at $367, Jamaica Producers shedding $2.39 in closing at $21.61, JMMB Group losing $2.03 to end at $23.97 and Sagicor Group dropping $1 to end at $43.98. Scotia Group skidded $1.59 in closing at $41 and Wisynco Group dipped $1.40 to end at $21.10 with traders dealing in 80,737 shares.
Stocks ending with major gains in the Junior Market are AMG Packaging that popped 30 cents and ended at $2.92, Cargo Handlers advancing $1.92 to $14.92 and Main Event which rose 96 cents to end at $16, with major losing stocks being Dolphin Cove down 80 cents to close at $18.20, Fosrich dipping 37 cents in closing at $2.10, MFS Capital Partners skidding 38 cents to $2.32 and Spur Tree Spices that shed 38 cents to $2.50.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% preference share skidded $3.45 in closing at $19.50, 138 Student Living preference share rose $18.72 and ended at $211 and Productive Business Solutions 10.5 % preference share shed $125 to close at $1,075.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.7 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 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Fosrich heading back to market
Junior Market listed FosRich is considering another Public Offer of shares to the market, a release from the company to the Jamaica Stock Exchange indicates and if approved would represent the second public offering of shares in less than a year.
The company offered 55,729,647 shares to the public in July 2023 at $2.50 each which was fully taken up.
According to the Stock Exchange release, the directors will meet on February 6 to consider a recommendation to shareholders at an extraordinary meeting, the issue of the additional ordinary shares, at a time to be determined.
The company’s nine-month results, show revenues of $2.86 billion, up 11 percent from $2.58 billion in 2022 resulting in a profit plunging to just $135 million from $388 million in the prior year with earnings per share of 3 cents compared to 8 cents in 2022 in the prior period. The company reported a loss of $27 million in the third quarter compared to a profit of $90 million in the similar 2022 quarter
Fisrich shares traded 3.2 million shares with a gain of 17 cents yesterday to close at $2.47.
Junior Market surges to end January trading
The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Wednesday, closed January with a bounce in the market index with a rise of 57.59 points to close at 3,814.18, down 0.9 percent for the month as market activity leading to a 131 percent rise in the volume of stocks traded, valued 117 percent more than Tuesday, following trading in 46 securities the same as on Tuesday and ending with prices of 28 rising, seven declining and 11 closing unchanged.
The market closed with trading of 13,718,596 shares for $29,550,137 up from 5,951,560 units at $13,607,459 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 298,230 shares at $642,394 compared with 129,382 units at $295,814 on Tuesday with the month to date, averaging 175,081 units at $401,738 compared to 168,716 stock units at $389,300 on the previous day and December with an average of 466,866 units at $1,111,272.
Fosrich led trading with 3.20 million shares for 23.3 percent of total volume followed by ONE on ONE Educational with 2.72 million units for 19.8 percent of the day’s trade, Stationery and Office Supplies ended with trading in 1.45 million stocks for 10.6 percent market share and Derrimon Trading ended with 1.08 million shares for 7.9 percent of total volume.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.8, 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 12 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial rallied 67 cents to end at $22.67 with an exchange of 14,402 shares, AMG Packaging dropped 31 cents to $2.62, with 2,450 stocks crossing the market, Cargo Handlers sank $1.92 and ended at $13 after a transfer of 128 shares. Consolidated Bakeries increased 24 cents to close at $2.22, with 11 stock units crossing the market, Derrimon Trading popped 14 cents in closing at $2.10 with traders dealing in 1,082,943 shares, Dolla Financial climbed 10 cents to $2.70 in an exchange of 69,928 units. Dolphin Cove rose 40 cents to close at $19 after 18,173 stocks passed through the market, Everything Fresh advanced 20 cents to end at $1.75 after an exchange of 647,102 stock units, Fontana dipped 30 cents in closing at $10.20 with investors transferring 38,233 shares. Fosrich gained 17 cents and ended at $2.47 in an exchange of 3,195,839 stock units, Future Energy rose 28 cents to $3.70 after trading of 582,452 stocks, Honey Bun fell 28 cents to close at $6.12 while exchanging 23,979 units. 
Jamaican Teas rallied 30 cents to $2.70 after investors swapped 547,820 stocks, JFP Ltd declined 9 cents to end at $1.41, with 132,472 units crossing the exchange, Knutsford Express increased 10 cents to $12.40 with investors dealing in 89,197 shares. Lasco Distributors climbed 15 cents in closing at $4 in switching ownership of 243,602 stock units, Lasco Financial popped 14 cents to $2.14 with investors trading 21,632 shares, Limners and Bards advanced 24 cents to end at $1.35 with 175,252 stock units clearing the market. Lumber Depot gained 9 cents to close at $2.60 after 344,827 stock units changed hands, ONE on ONE Educational popped 13 cents and ended at $1.07 in trading 2,718,438 units, Regency Petroleum rallied 14 cents to $2.40 after exchanging 122,133 shares. Spur Tree Spices rose 40 cents to end at $2.88 with a transfer of 597,416 units, Stationery and Office Supplies climbed 24 cents in closing at $1.69 as investors exchanged 1,451,254 stocks and Tropical Battery increased 20 cents and ended at $2.40, 621,608 stock units with changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Jamaica Stock Exchange closes higher
The Jamaica Stock Exchange jumped higher to close out the first month of 2024 positively with all three markets rising on Wednesday, as the Main Market and the JSE USD market closed the month higher than they closed at in 2024, the Junior Market ended the month with a minor slippage as trading ended with the number shares exchanged in the overall market climbed, at a reduced value compared with the previous day, after prices of 53 shares rose and only 18 declined.
At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index jumped by 4,021.70 points to 341,461.84 the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 4,164.96 points to 365,827.98, the JSE Main Index climbed 3,750.40 points to 328,475.09. The Junior Market Index popped 57.59 points to 3,814.18 and the JSE USD Market Index rose 2.46 points to conclude trading at 249.26.
At the close of trading, 35,568,273 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 23,163,225 units on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $134.96 million, down from $247.43 million yesterday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 15,298 shares for US$860 compared to 286,861 units at US$30,962 on Tuesday.
Main Market trading was dominated by Wigton Windfarm led trading with 10.87 million shares followed by JMMB 9.5% preference share with 3.85 million units, Transjamaican Highway ended with 1.74 million units and Carreras with 1.53 million units.
In the Junior Market, Fosrich led trading with 3.20 million shares followed by ONE on ONE Educational with 2.72 million units, Stationery and Office Supplies ended with 1.45 million stock units and Derrimon Trading with 1.08 million stocks.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are Caribbean Cement popping $2.30 in closing at $57, Jamaica Broilers climbing $1 to close at $34 and Jamaica Producers rose 80 cents and ended at $24. JMMB Group rallied $2.29 to end at $26, NCB Financial advanced $1 and closed at $67.50, Pan Jamaica rose $1.51 to close at $51.51, Scotia Group popped $2.59 to $42.59, Seprod increased $4.50 and ended at $89 and Sygnus Real Estate Finance advanced $1.25 to end at $11.50.
There were no major declining Main Market stocks on Wednesday.
Stocks with major gains in the Junior Market are Access Financial, which rallied 67 cents to end at $22.67 while Spur Tree Spices rose 40 cents to end at $2.88, with the major losing stock being Cargo Handlers sinking $1.92 and ended at $13.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% preference share rose $4.95 to $22.95 and 138 Student Living preference share fell $25.72 to close at $192.28.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.2 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 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Junior Market falls again on Monday
Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Monday, with a 68 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded, following a 71 percent drop in value, with trading in 46 securities compared with 45 on Friday and ending with prices of 16 rising, 16 declining and 14 closing unchanged.
The main market closed with trading of 4,269,036 shares for $8,694,142 down from 13,178,824 units at $30,106,364 on Friday.
Trading averaged 92,805 shares at $189,003 compared to 292,863 units at $669,030 on Friday with a month to date average of 170,860 stock units at $394,395 compared to 175,359 stocks at $406,235 previously and December with an average of 466,866 units at $1,111,272.
One Great Studio led trading with 1.06 million shares for 24.8 percent of total volume followed by Dolla Financial with 548,477 units for 12.8 percent of the day’s trade and Jetcon Corporation with 301,021 units for 7.1 percent market share.
At the close of trading, the Junior Market Index dipped 24.13 points to wrap-up trading at 3,735.24.
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 five stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial fell $3.60 and ended at $20.36 after an exchange of 5,776 stock units, Blue Power climbed 25 cents to $3.45 and closed with an exchange of 2,509 shares, Cargo Handlers skidded $2.87 to close at $12.03 after a transfer of 3,187 units. Caribbean Cream popped 10 cents in closing at $3.89, with 20 stocks crossing the exchange, Fontana sank 24 cents to end at $10.20 in switching ownership of 90,478 units, Future Energy dropped 8 cents in closing at $3.36, with 162,670 stocks clearing the market. Indies Pharma shed 21 cents to close at $2.69 in an exchange of 6,769 shares, Iron Rock Insurance rallied 9 cents to close at $2.51, with 30 stock units crossing the market, 
ISP Finance lost $1.99 and ended at $20.30 while exchanging 5,033 shares. KLE Group increased 21 cents to end at $2.46 in trading 21 stocks, Lasco Distributors declined 19 cents in closing at $3.80 after 29,816 units passed through the market, Limners and Bards rose 9 cents to $1.29, after trading at an intraday 52 weeks’ low of $1.13 with 115,607 stock units changing hands. Mailpac Group advanced 10 cents and ended at $2.38 as investors exchanged 219,323 shares, Main Event dipped $2 to end at $15 with a transfer of 16,479 stocks, Regency Petroleum gained 22 cents to close at $2.37 after exchanging 39,571 units and tTech popped 22 cents to $2.50 with investors dealing in 25,000 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.