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.
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.
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.
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. Trading for the month to date, averages 170,860 units at $394,395 compared with 175,359 stocks at $406,235 on the previous trading day and December that ended 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 fell by 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 traded 219,323 shares, Main Event dipped $2 to $15 after a transfer of 16,479 stock units, 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.
Trading surges to $1 billion on the JSE on Monday
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange maintained its bullish stance in evidence since last October, with another solid gain in trading on Monday and the JSE USD market continues to post fresh 2024 highs, with more gains but the Junior Market slipped for a second day as trading in the overall market jumped sharply higher than Friday following big trades in shares of GraceKennedy that pushed the volume and value of trading sharply higher over Friday as trading ended after prices of 32 shares rose and 31 declined.
At the close of market activity, the Jamaica Stock Exchange Combined Market Index climbed 2,303.01 points to finish the day at 338,407.78, the All Jamaican Composite Index popped 2,972.11 points to close at 363,230.03, the JSE Main Index gained 2,680.97 points to finish at 325,955.81. The Junior Market Index dropped 24.13 points to 3,735.24 and the JSE USD Market Index climbed 3.24 points to 250.69.
At the close of trading, 34,389,476 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 23,219,570 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $1.01 billion, up from $125.91 million on Friday and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 519,135 shares for US$98,529 compared with 670,997 units at US$26,968 on Friday.
Main Market trading was dominated by GraceKennedy led trading with 11.67 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 4.65 million units, Transjamaican Highway with 4.23 million stock units, Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 2.17 million units and JMMB 9.5% preference share with 2.0 million units
In the Junior Market, One Great Studio led trading with 1.06 million shares followed by Dolla Financial with 548,477 units and Jetcon Corporation with 301,021 stock units.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are Jamaica Producers popped $1.54 to $23.20, Sagicor Group climbed $2.50 in closing at $45.50, Scotia Group rose 85 cents to $41.35 Supreme Ventures gained $1 to end at $25.50 and Wisynco Group rallied 95 cents and ended at $22.
The major declining Main Market stocks include Proven Investments lost $2.55 to end at $24.45 and Seprod dropped $1.55 in closing at $84.
On a day when there were no notable price gains on the Junior Market, the major losing stocks were Access Financial that fell $3.60 and ended at $20.36, Cargo Handlers skidding $2.87 to close at $12.03, ISP Finance losing $1.99 and ended at $20.30 and Main Event dipping $2 to end at $15.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% increased by $4.50 to close at $49.50, 138 Student Living preference share shed $1.12 to $220, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share climbed $14 and ended at $104.
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.
Pull back for Junior Market
Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Friday, with the Junior Market Index declining 42.00 points to finish at 3,759.37, after a 501 percent rise in the volume of stocks traded at 364 percent greater value than for the previous day with trading in 45 securities compared with 38 on Thursday and ending with prices of 19 rising, 17 declining and nine closing unchanged.
The market closed with trading of 13,178,824 shares for $30,106,364 up from 2,193,612 units at $6,494,237 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 292,863 shares at $669,030, compared with 57,727 stock units at $170,901 on Thursday with the month to date, averaging 175,359 units at $406,235 compared to 168,337 stock units at $390,530 on the previous day and December with an average of 466,866 units at $1,111,272.
Mailpac Group led trading with 4.76 million shares for 36.1 percent of total volume followed by Dolla Financial with 1.45 million units for 11 percent of the day’s trade, Stationery and Office Supplies with 1.36 million units for 10.3 percent market share, Regency Petroleum ended with 1.27 million units for 9.7 percent market share and One Great Studio closed the week with 1.14 million units for 8.7 percent of total volume.
At the close of trading, 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 two stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, AMG Packaging dipped 35 cents in closing at $2.60, with 126,303 stock units crossing the market, Blue Power fell 10 cents to $3.20 after trading of 62,490 shares, Caribbean Assurance Brokers advanced 19 cents to end at $2.24, with 524,434 units changing hands. Caribbean Cream rose 34 cents to close at $3.79 with investors swapping a mere 331 stocks, Consolidated Bakeries climbed 18 cents and ended at $2.18 in switching ownership of 50 units, Derrimon Trading popped 8 cents to $1.98 after an exchange of 48,820 stocks. Dolla Financial skidded 15 cents in closing at $2.50 with a transfer of 1,449,271 shares, Dolphin Cove lost 40 cents and ended at $18.60 with investors dealing in 785 stock units, EduFocal dropped 8 cents to end at $1.40 in an exchange of 578,590 shares. Express Catering gained 11 cents to close at $3.96, after 56,268 units crossed the market, Fontana sank 6 cents to $10.44 in an exchange of 164,684 stocks, Indies Pharma rallied 20 cents to close at $2.90 with traders dealing in 15,330 stock units. 
Iron Rock Insurance increased 32 cents and ended at $2.42 with 449 shares crossing the exchange, Jetcon Corporation popped 9 cents in closing at 91 cents with investors transferring 180 units, Lasco Financial shed 9 cents to end at $2, with 39,484 stocks clearing the market. Lasco Manufacturing declined 19 cents in closing at $4.75 while exchanging 10,206 stock units, Limners and Bards fell 10 cents to $1.20 and closed after an exchange of 22,140 shares, after hitting a 52 weeks’ low of $1.18, Mailpac Group advanced 25 cents to close at $2.28 with an exchange of 4,759,366 units. MFS Capital Partners rose 5 cents to end at $2.70 after 115,705 stocks passed through the market, Regency Petroleum dropped 23 cents and ended at $2.15 as investors exchanged 1,274,321 stock units, Spur Tree Spices rallied 13 cents to $2.58 in trading 111,801 shares and Stationery and Office Supplies increased 13 cents to close at $1.56 after a transfer of 1,359,144 stock units following a fall of the stock to a 52 weeks’ low of $1.41.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Junior Market clears 3,800 mark on Thursday
The Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange surged higher on Thursday, with the Junior Market Index climbing 75.77 points to close at 3,801.37, the second time for the month that it closed above 3,800 points for the year to date,
with the volume of stocks traded declining 8 percent, with an 11 percent lower value than on Wednesday, following trading in 38 securities compared with 44 on Wednesday with prices of 15 rising, 12 declining and 11 closing unchanged.
Trading ended with 2,193,612 shares for $6,494,237 down from 2,371,932 units at $7,325,090 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 57,727 shares at $170,901 compared to 53,908 units at $166,479 on Wednesday with a month to date average of 168,337 units at $390,530 compared to 174,216 stock units at $402,203 on the previous day and December with an average of 466,866 units at $1,111,272.
Future Energy led trading with 349,804 shares for 15.9 percent of total volume followed by Stationery and 
Office Supplies with 339,937 units for 15.5 percent of the day’s trade and Mailpac Group with 299,144 units for 13.6 percent market share.
At the close of trading, 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 three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Access Financial popped 76 cents to close at $23.96 after an exchange of 193 stock units, AMG Packaging dropped 17 cents to $2.95 with investors transferring 76 shares, Cargo Handlers advanced $1.82 to end at $14.90, with 165 units crossing the market. Dolla Financial rose 7 cents in closing at $2.65 in an exchange of 223,937 stocks, EduFocal climbed 7 cents and ended at $1.48, with 114,258 units changing hands, Express Catering increased 12 cents to $3.85 after a transfer of 54,730 stocks. 
Fosrich sank 6 cents to close at $2.29 in trading 24,461 shares, Honey Bun rallied 14 cents to end at $6.26 with 2,676 stock units clearing the market, ISP Finance gained 7 cents in closing at $22.29 with a transfer of 676 shares. KLE Group lost 22 cents and ended at $2.25 while exchanging 53,296 stock units, Lasco Manufacturing popped 33 cents to $4.94 in switching ownership of 4,914 units, Limners and Bards gained 10 cents in closing at $1.30 with investors swapping just one stock. Regency Petroleum rose 8 cents to end at $2.38 with an exchange of 31,412 shares and Stationery and Office Supplies fell 12 cents to close at $1.43 after an exchange of 339,937 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Rising Junior Market stocks pushed market up
Trading closed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Wednesday, with an 88 percent decline in the volume of stocks traded at a 88 percent lower value than on Tuesday with trading in 44 securities compared with 42 on Tuesday and ending with prices of 19 rising, 14 declining and 11 closing unchanged.
The market closed with an exchange of 2,371,932 shares for $7,325,090, down sharply from 19,652,963 units at $62,031,231 on Tuesday. Trading averaged 53,908 shares at $166,479, compared with 467,928 units at $1,476,934 on Tuesday, Trading for the month to date, averages 174,216 units at $402,203 from 182,105 stocks at $417,660 on the previous day and December with an average of 466,866 units at $1,111,272.
One Great Studio led trading with 617,000 shares for 26 percent of total volume followed by Express Catering with 217,455 units for 9.2 percent of the day’s trade and Fontana with 179,930 units for 7.6 percent market share.
At the close, the Junior Market Index advanced 2.78 points to end trading at 3,725.60.
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 three with lower offers.
At the close of the market, Access Financial increased 52 cents to end at $23.20 in switching ownership of 60 stock units, AMG Packaging popped 56 cents to $3.12 with an exchange of 113,077 shares, Blue Power shed 15 cents to end at $3.30, with 750 units passing through the market. Caribbean Flavours rallied 22 cents to close at $1.72 after an exchange of 5,790 stocks, Derrimon Trading lost 8 cents in closing at $1.90, with 147,826 shares changing hands, Dolla Financial sank 12 cents to $2.58 in an exchange of 88,102 stocks. EduFocal fell 9 cents to $1.41, with 73,176 units crossing the market, Everything Fresh rose 8 cents in closing at $1.66 in trading 75,565 stock units, Fosrich gained 12 cents to end at $2.35 after 21,698 shares passed through the exchange, Future Energy fell 7 cents to close at $3.43 trading 92,665 stocks, GWest Corporation climbed 8 cents to 95 cents in an exchange of 103 units,
Honey Bun advanced 12 cents and ended at $6.12 with investors trading 121 stock units. Indies Pharma dropped 23 cents to end at $2.68 after a transfer of 17,458 shares, ISP Finance skidded $7.78 to end at $22.22 with investors swapping 1,926 stocks, Jetcon Corporation dipped 9 cents to close at 82 cents and closed with an exchange of 10,000 units. JFP Ltd rose 7 cents to $1.45 after 1,834 stock units passed through the market, KLE Group gained 22 cents and ended at a 52 weeks’ high of $2.47 with an exchange of 18,216 shares, Knutsford Express popped $2.90 in closing at $12.40, with 7,132 stock units changing hands. Lasco Manufacturing sank 8 cents to close at $4.61 with traders dealing in 10,536 units, Main Event increased 88 cents to end at $17 as investors exchanged 65,265 stocks, Medical Disposables dropped 7 cents to $2.69 with a transfer of 4,049 shares and MFS Capital Partners climbed 16 cents to close at $2.65 with investors dealing in 113,685 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE markets recorded gains on Wednesday
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange put in some solid gains in trading on Wednesday as the Junior Market JSE USD market popped moderately higher as trading ended with the number of stocks exchanged falling, with the value traded jumping sharply over that on Wednesday, with prices of 41 shares rising and 23 declining.
The market closed trading with, the JSE Combined Market Index rising 909.96 points to close at 333,306.71, the All Jamaican Composite Index gained 1,716.13 points to 357,434.77, the JSE Main Index rallied 944.29 points to 320,606.67. The Junior Market Index popped 2.78 points to end at 3,725.60 and the JSE USD Market Index inched 1.51 points higher to end the day at 241.17.
At the close of trading, 31,607,536 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 29,690,680 units on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $90.38 million, down from $120.94 million on …day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 152,413 shares for US$68,498 compared to 147,004 units at US$5,094 on Tuesday.
Main Market trading was dominated by JMMB 9.5% preference share led trading with 16.97 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 7.14 million stock units and Wigton Windfarm with 2.23 million units.
In the Junior Market, One Great Studio led trading with 617,000 shares followed by Express Catering with 217,455 units and Fontana with 179,930 units.
At the close of the market, some of the major Main Market stocks that rose are Jamaica Producers with an increase of $1.93 in closing at $23.58, Sagicor Group rising $2.40 to end at $43.40 and Seprod climbing $2.50 to $86.80.
The major declining Main Market stocks include Caribbean Cement dropping $1.99 to $51.26 and Guardian Holdings, which lost $5 to close at $370.
The Junior Market ended with major price increases in Access Financial up 52 cents to end at $23.20, AMG Packaging popping 56 cents to $3.12, Knutsford Express popping $2.90 in closing at $12.40 and Main Event increasing 88 cents to end at $17, with the major losing stock being ISP Finance that skidded $7.78 in closing at $22.22. and
In the preference segment, no stock traded with a notable price on Wednesday.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.6 on 2022-23 earnings and 14 times those for 2023-24 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide 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.
Trading surges on Junior Market
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.
