The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange dropped again on Tuesday, with the Junior Market Index shedding 14.18 points to finish at 3,722.82, after the market moved higher in the morning trading session, with trading activities resulting in a 145 percent rise in the volume of stocks traded valued 186 percent more than in Monday activity, with trading in 42 securities compared with 43 on Monday and ending with rising stocks outpacing those falling as prices of 18 rose, 16 declined and eight ended unchanged.
The market closed with Future Energy dominating trading with more than 80 percent of the 19,652,963 shares that changed hands at $62,031,231, up from 8,027,745 stock units at $21,682,237 on Monday.
Trading averaged 467,928 shares at $1,476,934, compared to 186,692 units at $504,238 on Monday with the month to date, averaging 182,105 stock units at $417,660 compared to 163,019 stock units at $346,929 on the previous day and December with an average of 466,866 units at $1,111,272.
Future Energy led trading with 15.91 million shares for 80.9 percent of total volume followed by JFP Ltd with 711,974 units for 3.6 percent of the day’s trade and Regency Petroleum with 603,202 units for 3.1 percent market share.
At the close, 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 six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging dropped 60 cents to close at $2.56 after investors ended trading 51,490 stock units, Blue Power gained 30 cents to close at $3.45 with an exchange of 10,700 shares, Caribbean Assurance Brokers shed 20 cents in closing at $2.05 with traders dealing in 7,592 stocks. Caribbean Flavours declined 20 cents to end at $1.50 in an exchange of 100,190 units, Derrimon Trading climbed 8 cents and ended at $1.98 with investors transferring 9,187 stocks, Dolla Financial rose 10 cents to $2.70 in switching ownership of 22,308 shares. Everything Fresh rallied 8 cents and ended at $1.58, with 4,793 units crossing the market, Express Catering lost 27 cents to end at $3.70 after an exchange of 151,272 stock units, Fontana popped 18 cents to $10.48 after 258,198 shares passed through the market. 
Future Energy skidded 20 cents to close at $3.50 after an exchange of 15,908,926 stocks, Honey Bun sank 30 cents to $6 in trading 15,368 units, Iron Rock Insurance dipped 41 cents to close at $2.10 with 58,832 stock units clearing the market. ISP Finance advanced $7.36 and ended at $30 while exchanging 100 shares, Knutsford Express fell $2.89 in to $9.50 with investors swapping 17,473 stocks, Lasco Manufacturing gained 18 cents to end at $4.69 after 30,540 units were traded. Limners and Bards sank 9 cents to a 52 weeks’ low of $1.20 with investors dealing in 75,247 stock units and Main Event rose 12 cents to close at $16.12 after an exchange of 103,941 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Falling stocks pulled down all JSE markets
The Jamaica Stock Exchange closed trading on Tuesday with losses in all three markets after the Junior Market pushed higher in the morning session but fell in the latter part of trading as the market ended with the number of stocks that were exchanged fell, with the value jumping sharply over that on Tuesday as rising and declining stocks were even at 35 each.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index fell 731.57 points to 332,396.75, the All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 1,452.88 points to 355,718.64, the JSE Main Index shed 647.61 points to end at 319,662.38. The Junior Market Index dropped 14.18 points to settle at 3,722.82 and the JSE USD Market Index skidded 1.07 points to end at 239.66.
At the close of trading, 29,690,680 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 36,430,685 units on Monday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $120.94 million, up from $67.96 million on Monday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 147,004 shares for US$5,094 compared to 317,598 units at US$259,958 on Monday.
Main Market trading was dominated by JMMB 9.5% preference share led trading with 2.84 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 1.62 million stock units and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.17 million units.
In the Junior Market, Future Energy led trading with 15.91 million shares followed by JFP Ltd with 711,974 units and Regency Petroleum with 603,202 units.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are NCB Financial advanced $2.79 in closing at $68 and Seprod popped $2.30 to $84.30.
The major declining Main Market stocks include Eppley Caribbean Property Fund shed $1.01 and ended at $37.54, Guardian Holdings climbed $3, Jamaica Producers dropped $2.05 to $21.65, Mayberry Group sank $1.12 and ended at $7.08, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy dipped $1 and ended at $90 and Scotia Group declined $1.49 to close at $39.51.
Only one Junior Market stocks closed with solid gains on Tuesday as ISP Finance jumped $7.36 and ended at $30. The major losing Junior Market stocks include AMG Packaging dropping 60 cents to close at $2.56, Iron Rock Insurance dipping 41 cents to close at $2.10 and Knutsford Express falling $2.89 in closing at $9.50.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share skidded $2.64 in closing at $16.26 and Jamaica Public Service 7% rallied $7.99 to $49.99.
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 13.9 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.
Winning Junior Market stocks top losers
Rising stocks were in the ascendency at the close of trading on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Monday, with trading in 43 securities up from 39 on Friday, ending with prices of 16 rising, 12 declining and 15 closing unchanged, with the activity moving the market index marginally higher at the close following a 90 percent rise in the volume of stocks traded, valued 167 percent more than Friday.
Trading ended with 8,027,745 shares traded for $21,682,237 compared with 4,230,099 stock units at $8,122,644 on Friday.
Trading averaged 186,692 shares at $504,238 compared to 108,464 units at $208,273 on Friday and trading for the month to date, averages 163,019 stock units at $346,929 compared to 161,282 stocks at $335,386 on the previous trading day and December that ended with an average of 466,866 units at $1,111,272.
Express Catering led trading with 3.37 million shares for 42 percent of total volume followed by JFP Ltd with 1.43 million stocks for 17.8 percent of the day’s trade and Dolla Financial with 1.05 million units for 13.1 percent of the day’s trade.
At the close, the Junior Market Index gained 7.42 points to end at 3,737.00, down 2.9 percent for the year so far.
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 three with lower offers.
At the close, Blue Power rose 20 cents to end at $3.15 in an exchange of 100 units, Caribbean Flavours added 10 cents in closing at $1.70 with investors transferring 80,000 stocks, Dolla Financial dropped 11 cents to $2.60 with 1,053,076 shares clearing the market. Dolphin Cove fell 50 cents and ended at $19 after a transfer of 37 stock units, EduFocal popped 12 cents to close at $1.49 with investors trading 132,596 shares, Express Catering increased 36 cents to $3.97 with an exchange of 3,374,968 stock units after the price hit a 52 weeks’ intraday low of $3.51. Fontana declined 19 cents in closing at $10.30 with 8,847 units crossing the market,
Jetcon Corporation gained 8 cents and ended at 91 cents while exchanging 464 stocks, KLE Group rallied 45 cents to end at $2.30 with traders dealing in 118,337 units. Knutsford Express advanced 39 cents to close at $12.39 in an exchange of 2,730 stocks, Lasco Distributors rose 15 cents to $4 with investors swapping just 475 shares, Limners and Bards traded at 52 weeks low of $1.29 after the price slipped 2 cents with 191,035 shares changing hands and Spur Tree Spices advanced 7 cents and ended at $2.41 after 4,150 stock units passed through the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading volume surges on the JSE markets
The market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed mixed in trading on Monday as the Junior Market JSE USD market edged moderately higher and the Main Market major indices recorded declines and gains after trading ended with the volume of stocks exchanged surging, with the value traded falling from that on Friday and resulting in 38 shares rising and 32 declining.
At the close of trading on Monday, the JSE Combined Market Index shed 934.48 points to end at 333,128.32, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 577.72 points to 357,171.52, the JSE Main Index shed 1,065.68 points to close at 320,309.99. The Junior Market Index popped 7.42 points to 3,737.00 and the JSE USD Market Index rose 3.41 points to end the day at 240.73.
At the close of trading, 36,430,685 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 12,488,845 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $67.96 million, down from $97.58 million on Friday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 317,598 shares for US$259,958 compared to 649,338 units at US$15,760 on Friday.
Main Market trading was dominated by JMMB 9.5% preference share led trading with 18.65 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 4.92 million units, Sagicor Select Financial Fund was next with 1.16 million stock units and Transjamaican Highway with 1.12 million shares.
In the Junior Market, Express Catering led trading with 3.37 million shares followed by JFP Ltd with 1.43 million units and Dolla Financial with 1.05 million stock units.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are Caribbean Cement rose $1.68 to close at $53, Jamaica Producers climbed $1.70 to close at $23.70, Margaritaville increased $1.55 in closing at $17.05and Scotia Group gained $2 in closing at $41.
The major declining Main Market stocks include AS Bryden fell $1 to $40, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund skidded $1.45 and ended at $38.55, Guardian Holdings sank $17 in closing at $372, NCB Financial declined $2.78 to $65.21.
On a day of limited price movement in the Junior Market, the major stocks with gains are Express Catering increased 36 cents to $3.97 KLE Group rallied 45 cents to end at $2.30.and Knutsford Express advanced 39 cents to close at $12.39, with the major losing stock being Dolphin Cove fell 50 cents and ended at $19.
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share lost $30 in closing at $90.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.8 on 2022-23 earnings and 13.9 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 trading drops, with most prices up
Trading dropped on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Friday, with a 43 percent drop in the volume of stocks traded at a 63 percent lower value than Thursday, 
with trading in 39 securities compared with 41 on Thursday and ending with prices of 15 rising, 12 declining and 12 closing unchanged on a day mostly small price changes and a few of note.
The market closed on Friday with 4,230,099 shares trading at $8,122,644 from 7,401,497 units at $21,829,864 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 108,464 shares at $208,273, compared with 180,524 units for $532,436 on Thursday. Trading for the month to date, averaged 161,282 stocks at $335,386 down from 165,048 shares at $344,449 on the previous day compared with December with an average of 466,866 units at $1,111,272.
ONE on ONE Educational led trading with 1.19 million shares for 28.1 percent of total volume followed by EduFocal with 910,630 units for 21.5 percent of the day’s trade and Stationery and Office Supplies with 437,366 units for 10.3 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index dipped 2.31 points to end the day at 3,729.58.
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 four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close of the market, Consolidated Bakeries dropped 20 cents to end at $1.90 with investors transferring 1,274 stock units, Dolphin Cove gained $1.49 to close at $19.50 in an exchange of 4,349 shares, Elite Diagnostic popped 8 cents to $1.68 with investors dealing in 2,379 units. Express Catering shed 14 cents in closing at a 52 weeks’ low of $3.61, with 53,300 stocks crossing the exchange, 
Honey Bun rallied 13 cents and ended at $6.30 in trading 1,871 shares, Indies Pharma increased 26 cents to $2.94 after a transfer of 62,259 stocks. KLE Group climbed 51 cents to end at $1.85 in trading 217,136 units, Knutsford Express rose $1 $12, with 1,112 stock units crossing the market, Lasco Distributors lost 15 cents to close at $3.85 after an exchange of 42,502 shares. Lasco Manufacturing declined 9 cents and ended at $4.52 after an exchange of 11,540 stocks, Main Event advanced $1 to close trading at $16 with traders dealing in 60,755 units and Stationery and Office Supplies popped 8 cents to end at $1.59 after 437,366 stock units passed through the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE markets fall to close out the week
All three markets of the Jamaica Stock Exchange slipped at the close of trading on Friday as trading ended with a reduced volume of shares being exchanged, with a lower value than on Thursday, with a few stocks trading with sizable price movements on a day when prices of 27 stocks rose and 31 declined.
At the close of the market on Friday, the Composite Index shed 465.78 points to end at 356,593.80. The JSE Main Index lost 723.40 points to conclude trading at 321,375.67. The Junior Market Index slipped 2.31 points to 3,729.58 and the JSE USD Market Index sank 3.74 points to lock up trading at 237.32.
At the close of trading, 12,488,845 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 17,340,719 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $97.58 million, down from $109.09 million on Thursday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 649,338 shares for US$15,760 compared to 156,654 units at US$16,462 on Thursday.
Main Market trading was dominated by Transjamaican Highway which led trading with 2.47 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.29 million units and Jamaica Producers with 955,735 units.
In the Junior Market, ONE on ONE Educational led trading with 1.19 million shares followed by EduFocal with 910,630 units and Stationery and Office Supplies with 437,366 units.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are NCB Financial rose $1.89 to $67.99, Pan Jamaica gained $4.45 in closing at $50.
The major declining Main Market stocks include AS Bryden sank $2 in closing at $41, Caribbean Cement lost $3.68 to close at $51.32, Jamaica Producers dropped $5 to $22 and Seprod skidded $3.70 to $82.
On a day of limited price movement in the Junior Market, the major stocks with gains are Dolphin Cove gained $1.49 to $19.50, KLE Group climbed 51 cents to end at $1.85, Knutsford Express rose $1 in closing at $12 and Main Event advanced $1 to $16. No stocks ended with a major loss on Friday.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share climbed $24.28 to $192.28.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 2… on 2022-23 earnings and 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.
Jump in money entering Junior Market on Thursday
Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Thursday, with the market slipping as declining stocks overpowered those rising following moderate price changes following a 15 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded with a value that was 11 percent more than on Wednesday after trading in 41 securities compared with 42 on Wednesday and ending with prices of eight rising, 18 declining and 15 closing unchanged.
The market ended with an exchange of 7,401,497 stock units at $21,829,864 versus 8,696,982 units for $19,603,907 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 180,524 shares at $532,436, compared with 207,071 units at $466,760, Wednesday. Trading for the month to date, averaged 165,048 stock units at $344,449 compared with 163,794 shares at $329,217 on the previous day and December with an average of 466,866 units at $1,111,272.
Future Energy led trading with 2.23 million shares for 30.1 percent of total volume followed by Derrimon Trading with 888,112 units for 12 percent of the day’s trade and Jamaican Teas with 641,782 units for 8.7 percent market share.
At the close of the market, the Junior Market Index slipped 9.51 points to wrap-up trading at 3,731.89.
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 seven stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cream dipped 31 cents and ended at $3.41, with a mere 2,000 stock units crossing the exchange, Consolidated Bakeries fell 8 cents to end at $2.10, with 688 shares changing hands, Dolphin Cove shed 19 cents to end at $18.01 after 3,030 units passed through the market. Elite Diagnostic rallied 9 cents in closing at $1.60 after an exchange of just 785 stocks, Fontana declined 9 cents to close at $10.50 with 171,795 units clearing the market,
Honey Bun lost 8 cents to end at $6.17 with 1,000 stock units being traded. Lasco Distributors sank 10 cents to end at $4, with 55,480 shares crossing the market, MFS Capital Partners increased 7 cents in closing at $2.48 in switching ownership of 351,808 stock units, Paramount Trading popped 14 cents to close at $1.55 with investors trading 44,442 shares. Spur Tree Spices dropped 12 cents and ended at $2.34 in an exchange of 86,314 stock units and Tropical Battery skidded 17 cents to $2.13 with traders dealing in 64,785 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Markets slipped on Thursday
All three markets of the Jamaica Stock Exchange declined moderately at the close of trading on Thursday following a fall in the number and value of traded shares dropped compared to Wednesday’s trading.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index dropped 994.07 points to 334,761.41, the All Jamaican Composite Index shed 1,879.32 points to 357,059.58. The JSE Main Index shed 971.08 points to end at 322,099.07, the Junior Market Index declined 9.51 points to 3,731.89 and the JSE USD Market Index slipped 1.27 points to end at 241.06.
At the close of trading, 17,340,719 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 26,660,691 units on Wednesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $109.09 million, down from $154.59 million on Wednesday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 156,654 shares for US$16,462 compared to 664,963 units at US$18,341 on Wednesday.
Main Market trading was dominated by Wigton Windfarm led trading with 3.55 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.04 million units and GraceKennedy with 687,786 units
In the Junior Market, Future Energy led trading with 2.23 million shares, followed by Derrimon Trading with 888,112 units and Jamaican Teas with 641,782 units.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are AS Bryden climbed $1 to end at $43, Caribbean Cement popped $3.74 to $55, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rallied $2.49 and ended at $40, Guardian Holdings advanced $20 and ended at $389, Jamaica Producers gained $1 to end at $27 and Seprod increased $2.70 to close at $85.70.
The major declining Main Market stocks include Pan Jamaica skidded $3.95 to $45.55, Sagicor Group fell 99 cents to end at $42 and Scotia Group dropped $2.34 in closing at $39.06.
Trading ended in the Junior Market, with only moderate price changes.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% declined $50 to close at $2,850.
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 13.9 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 rose on reduced trading
Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Wednesday, with a 26 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded, with a 10 percent lower value than Tuesday following trading in 42 securities compared with 39 on Tuesday and ending with prices of 17 rising, 17 declining and eight closing unchanged.
The market ended with 8,696,982 shares being traded for $19,603,907 compared with 11,812,842 units at $21,832,768 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 207,071 shares at $466,760, compared with 302,893 units at $559,815 on Tuesday with the month to date, averaging 163,794 units at $329,217 compared to 159,877 stock units at $316,767 on the previous day and December with an average of 466,866 units at $1,111,272.
Express Catering led trading with 2.12 million shares for 24.4 percent of total volume followed by EduFocal with 2.04 million units for 23.5 percent of the day’s trade and iCreate with 971,348 units for 11.2 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index rose 17.68 points to finish trading at 3,741.40.
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 12 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging popped 76 cents and ended at $3.18 after investors ended trading 27,607 units, Caribbean Cream dipped 33 cents to $3.72, with 2,635 stocks crossing the market, Caribbean Flavours lost 19 cents to end at $1.60 with investors dealing in 442 shares. Dolphin Cove skidded 30 cents in closing at $18.20 with 1,195 stock units clearing the market, Elite Diagnostic sank 18 cents to close at $1.51 with an exchange of 9,870 shares, Express Catering dropped 20 cents to $3.80 with 2,117,976 units changing hands. 
Fosrich fell 16 cents in closing at $2.22 with investors swapping 100,442 stocks, Iron Rock Insurance gained 44 cents to close at $2.51 in switching ownership of just one stock unit, ISP Finance rose $1.19 and ended at $22.64 while exchanging 1,435 shares. Knutsford Express declined $1.38 to end at $11 with traders dealing in 1,825 units, Lasco Distributors climbed 25 cents in closing at $4.10 in an exchange of 27,528 stocks, Lasco Manufacturing increased 9 cents to $4.61, with 32,190 stock units crossing the market. Main Event advanced 20 cents to end at $15 in an exchange of 30,918 shares, Spur Tree Spices rallied 10 cents to close at $2.46 and ended with an exchange of 82,607 stock units and Tropical Battery popped 17 cents and ended at $2.30 as investors exchanged 28,150 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading rose on the Jamaica Stock Exchange
Trading picked up sharply on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Wednesday as the volume and value of stocks traded in the Main Market jumped well over that on Tuesday as the Junior Market trading levels held close to Tuesday outturn as the JSE USD market trading levels rose as the market ended with mixed changes in the indices.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 377.37 points to end at 335,755.48, the All Jamaican Composite Index shed 446.67 points to close at 358,938.90, the JSE Main Index advanced 237.24 points to end at 323,070.15. The Junior Market Index rose 17.68 points to 3,741.40 and the JSE USD Market Index slipped 1.17 points to end the day at 242.33.
At the close of trading, 26,660,691 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 19,941,630 units on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $194.59 million, up from $83.9 million on Tuesday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 664,963 shares for US$18,341 compared to 508,298 units at US$11,596 on Tuesday.
Main Market trading was dominated by Jamaica Producers led trading with 3.96 million shares followed by Jamaica Stock Exchange with 3.72 million units, Transjamaican Highway with 2.66 million stock units, JMMB 9.5% preference share with 1.59 million shares, Wigton Windfarm with 1.38 million units and Carreras with 1.18 million stocks.
In the Junior Market, Express Catering led trading with 2.12 million shares followed by EduFocal with 2.04 million units and iCreate with 971,348 units.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are Guardian Holdings climbed $18.49 and ended at $369, Jamaica Broilers popped $1 to end at $33.50, Jamaica Producers rallied $3.50 to close at $26 and Sagicor Group gained 99 cents to end at $42.99.
The major declining Main Market stocks include AS Bryden shed $3 to end at $42, Caribbean Cement skidded $4.74 to close at $51.26, NCB Financial declined $1 to end at $66 and Seprod which fell $3.17 in closing at $83.
Major price movement in the Junior Market, with gains are AMG Packaging popped 76 cents and ended at $3.18, Iron Rock Insurance gained 44 cents to close at $2.51, ISP Finance rose $1.19 and ended at $22.64 with the major losing stock being Knutsford Express declining $1.38 to end at $11.
In the preference segment, no stock traded with a notable price change.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.3 on 2022-23 earnings and 13.6 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.