2023 was not a great year for the Jamaica Stock Market, with all three JSE markets declining moderately and sending powerful messages to investors, with several companies reporting increased profit, enjoying increased prices. Transjamaican Highway delivered an outstanding performance, ending the year up 93 percent and paid a 19 cents dividend for an overall return of 106 percent for the year.
Transjamaican Highway gained 93% for 2023.
Readers of this publication would have gotten a good lead ahead of the first set of results in the year with the stock listed as a Stock to Watch in April, with the price then at $1.77 and gained 53 percent since, plus the dividend.
Other notable gains were recorded by Ciboney at 107 percent, following a change in ownership of the company, Main Event rising 55 percent, Regency Petroleum rallied at 47 percent, Knutsford Express at 45 percent and Dolphin Cove at 39 percent plus paying dividends of $1.85 during the year thus raising the returns to 53 percent.
There were several disappointing performances but one message is the import of proper stock selections and the benefits of portfolio diversification.
The Main Market all Jamaica Composite Index rose 17,082 points or 5 percent and the Junior Market just 2 percent during December, with technical indicators showing the Main Market now in a bullish state, having broken out sharply from a wedge formation, but the Junior Market remains under pressure for the time being, except for a limited number of stocks.
At the close of the market, four Junior Market stocks gained between eight and 26 percent and 5 fell by 7 percent and less, while three Main Market stocks rose between one to 15 percent and two fell by 6 percent each.
The Main Market ICTOP10 ended with, Palace Amusement gaining 15 percent to $1.40, followed by JMMB Group up 4 percent to $26 and Margaritaville 3 percent to $17.58, while 138 Student Living and Key Insurance declined 6 percent each two $3.89 and $2.25 respectively.
The Junior Market ended the week, with Caribbean Cream jumping 26 percent to $4.59, Jamaican Teas popping 21 percent to $2.80, a 52 weeks’ high. AMG Packaging climbed 12 percent to $3.02 and Tropical Battery rose 8 percent to end the week at $1.90. Lasco Manufacturing fell 7 percent to $4.31, Lasco Distributors and Paramount Trading fell by 4 percent each to $3.75 and $1.60 respectively.
Tropical Battery dropped out of the IC Junior Market TOP10, and Access Financial replaced it.
Indications of where stock prices could be by May 2024 can be seen from stocks with the highest values in the Main and Junior Markets.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market ICTOP 10 stands at 5.3, well below the market average of 14 and the Junior Market TOP10 sits at 7.3, just over half of the market, with an average of 14.1.
The Main Market ICTOP10 is projected to gain an average of 286 percent by May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings, providing better values than the Junior Market with the potential to gain 184 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 108, with an average of 32 and 23 excluding the highest PE ratios, and a PE of 26 for the top half and 19 excluding the stocks with overweight values.
In the Junior Market, there are 16 stocks, or 33 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 55, averaging 22, well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 20, possibly the lowest fair value for stocks.
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.
Trading averaged 807,912 shares at $13,262,531 compared with 943,415 units at $14,353,657 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 264,266 units at $3,755,94 compared with 230,599 units at $3,167,213 on the previous day. November closed with an average of 275,587 units at $2,488,949.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 14. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2024.
Margaritaville rose 58 cents to end at $17.58 with 592 stocks clearing the market, Mayberry Group climbed 62 cents in closing at $9.50 with an exchange of 20,568 units, NCB Financial increased $2.49 to $69.99, with 8,031,610 stock units crossing the market. 138 Student Living popped 38 cents to close at $3.89 in an exchange of 10,161 shares, Pan Jamaica sank 80 cents to end at $50.70 after trading 174,963 stock units, Sagicor Group gained $3.52 and ended at $49.50 after an exchange of 1,638,388 stocks. Salada Foods advanced 26 cents to $3.98 with investors transferring 124,752 units, Scotia Group rallied 40 cents to end at $38.40 in switching ownership of 65,342 stocks, Seprod popped $2.01 in closing at $82.50 after 59,998 units passed through the market. Sygnus Credit Investments climbed 50 cents and ended at $11.40 after a transfer of 102,722 shares and Wisynco Group increased 51 cents to close at $22, with 344,392 stock units crossing the market.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% preference share rose $3 to $22 with investors trading 100 shares and 138 Student Living preference share advanced $33.10 in closing at $130, with 115 stock units crossing the exchange.
At the close of the market, 54,718,064 shares were traded for $832,512,122 up from 33,345,989 units at $814,176,218 on Wednesday.
The All Jamaican Composite Index surged 6,057.90 points to end at 360,454.68, the JSE Main Index railed 3,911.29 points to end the day at 321,471.63 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.74 points to 69.39.
Jamaica Broilers fell 52 cents to $34.18 after an exchange of only 4,286 units, JMMB Group gained 40 cents to close at $25.40 after a transfer of 59,164 stocks, Kingston Wharves skidded 65 cents and ended at $26 as investors exchanged 2,009,244 shares. Mayberry Group climbed 48 cents to $8.88 after investors ended trading 25,701 stock units, NCB Financial rallied $2.40 to $67.50 after an exchange of 3,062,584 stocks, 138 Student Living lost 62 cents to at a 52 weeks’ low of $3.51, with 23,000 units crossing the market. Pan Jamaica popped $1.05 to end at $51.50 with traders dealing in 52,176 shares, Radio Jamaica rallied 35 cents to close at $1.70 while exchanging 3,708,301 stock units, Sagicor Group rose $4.48 and ended at $45.98 with investors dealing in 207,662 units. Salada Foods gained 52 cents to close $3.72 in an exchange of 114,055 stocks, Scotia Group dipped 38 cents to close at $38 with investors trading 2,423,400 shares, Seprod increased $3 to end at $80.49 in an exchange of 95,081 stocks. 
Supreme Ventures climbed $1.05 in closing at $27, with 1,016,463 units crossing the market, Sygnus Real Estate Finance advanced $1.25 and ended at $10.25 in trading 10,104 stock units and Wisynco Group popped 49 cents to $21.49 after exchanging 4,360,933 shares.
Trading ended with an exchange of 33,345,989 shares for $814,176,218 compared with 24,406,102 units at $281,890,487 on Friday.
The All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 858.00 points to 354,396.78, the JSE Main Index increased 761.89 points to conclude trading at 317,560.34 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.13 points to settle at 68.65.
First Rock Real Estate fell $1.47 and ended at $6.02 with investors transferring 6,142 shares. Guardian Holdings popped $2.01 to close at $402, with 1,071 stock units crossing the market, Kingston Properties advanced 48 cents to $7.80 after investors traded 259,775 shares, Kingston Wharves skidded 35 cents to $26.65 after an exchange of 5,928 units. NCB Financial sank 90 cents to close at $65.10 with investors trading 3,108,015 stocks, Pan Jamaica rose $1.45 to end at $50.45 after 1,552,450 stock units passed through the market, Sagicor Group shed 30 cents in closing at $41.50 while exchanging 5,478 shares. Seprod climbed $2.49 and ended at $77.49, with investors trading 30,268 stock units, Sygnus Real Estate Finance declined 50 cents to $9 in an exchange of 10,000 units and Wisynco Group rallied 50 cents in closing at $21 with traders dealing in 4,366,417 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
The Main Market ICTOP10 ended with, General Accident declined 11 percent to $4.50. Buying interest picked up during the week for Scotia Group pushing the stock to several 52 weeks’ highs and a rose of 7 percent for the week to a 52 weeks’ closing high of $38.40. This stock has much more juice left that should take it into the $40 range by early 2024. Caribbean Producers rallied 6 percent to $9, while Margaritaville also rose 6 percent and closed at $17 and Pulse Investments rose 5 percent to $2.09 and Key Insurance slipped 4 percent to $2.40.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market ICTOP 10 stands at 5.3, well below the market average of 13.1. The Main Market ICTOP10 is projected to gain an average of 288 percent by May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings and now provides better values than the Junior Market with the potential to gain 195 percent over the same time frame.
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.
Overall, 24,406,102 shares were traded for $281,890,487 up from 7,395,292 units at $44,075,720 on Thursday.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.1. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2024.
MPC Caribbean Clean Energy popped 88 cents and ended at $89.89 after an exchange of 6 stock units, NCB Financial gained 60 cents to close at $66 with investors trading 12,768 shares. Sagicor Group rose 30 cents to end at $41.80, with 1,104 units crossing the market, Scotia Group gained 90 cents to end at $38.40 with investors trading 37,378 stocks, Seprod popped $1 to close at $75, with 313,626 units crossing the market and Wisynco Group climbed 50 cents in closing at $20.50 after a transfer of 15,192 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
A total of 7,395,292 shares were traded for $44,075,720 compared to 3,998,798 units at $44,873,267 on Wednesday.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rose 571.53 points to close at 351,983.29, the JSE Main Index advanced 723.66 points to 315,985.82 and the JSE Financial Index rose 0.11 points to finish at 68.64.
Kingston Properties skidded 39 cents and ended at $6.93 with traders dealing in 2,012 shares, NCB Financial sank 40 cents to $65.40 with 30,214 units crossing the market. Pan Jamaica dipped 40 cents to close at $49.10 as investors exchanged 2,230 stocks, Sagicor Group advanced $1 in closing at $41.50 after an exchange of 87,851 stock units, Scotia Group popped 38 cents to end at $37.50 with investors dealing in 89,402 shares and Sygnus Credit Investments gained 29 cents and ended at $10.99 with a transfer of 4,558 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Overall, 3,998,798 shares were traded for $44,873,267 in comparison with 17,429,449 units at $353,349,332 on Tuesday.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows seven stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
NCB Financial rose 30 cents and ended at $65.80 in switching ownership of 106,244 stock units, Pan Jamaica rallied 50 cents to $49.50 with investors trading 738 stocks, Scotia Group increased 72 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $37.12 in an exchange of 96,527 units after the price hit a new intraday 52 weeks’ high of $41.50 that induced new selling to come into the market. At the close, there were only 5 offers to sell less than 30,000 units at $40 or below, but bids to buy are mostly below $37. Seprod shed 40 cents and ended at $74 after trading 1,848 shares, Stanley Motta popped 78 cents to end at $5.99 while exchanging 900 stock units and Sygnus Credit Investments declined 29 cents in closing at $10.70 with traders dealing in 6,058 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading ended with an exchange of 17,429,449 shares at $353,349,332 compared with 7,174,227 units at $110,200,209 on Monday.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
Stanley Motta dipped 84 cents to end at $5.21 with 720 shares being traded, Supreme Ventures climbed 30 cents in closing at $26 as investors exchanged 47,117 stock units, Sygnus Credit Investments rose 49 cents and ended at $10.99 after a transfer of 7,180 units. Sygnus Real Estate Finance lost 80 cents to $9.50 with investors swapping 114 stocks and Wisynco Group shed 49 cents in closing at $20.01, with 76,908 units changing hands,
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
A total of 7,174,227 shares were traded for $110,200,209 up from 5,322,135 units at $26,717,369 on Friday.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.9. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2024.
Mayberry Group gained 55 cents to end at $8.85 in an exchange of 5,723 units. NCB Financial lost 50 cents to close at $65 with investors exchanging 47,185 stocks, Pan Jamaica jumped $6.28 to $49, with 63,010 shares crossing the exchange, Scotia Group skidded 50 cents to close at $35.50 with traders dealing in 259,776 stock units, following the stocks trading at a one year high of $37. Seprod sank $3.40 to $71.50 in switching ownership of 3,006 shares, Sygnus Credit Investments declined 50 cents and ended at $10.50 with investors swapping 14,266 stock units and Sygnus Real Estate Finance popped $1.30 to close at $10.30 after 558 stocks were traded.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.