Stocks surged on Wednesday to erase most of Tuesday’s sharp fall on the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange as advancing stocks just outnumbering declining ones.
At the close, JSE All Jamaican Composite Index advanced 6,965.33 points to close at 552,785.17, the JSE Market Index gained 6,206.67 points to 503,311.77 and the JSE Financial Index rose 1.34 points to close at 136.27.
The market closed with 40 securities changing hands in the main and US dollar markets with 15 advancing, 14 declining and the prices of 12 closed unchanged. Main market activity ended with 37 securities accounting for 26,501,648 units for $237,434,671, in contrast to 9,259,581 units valued at $69,761,481 on Tuesday from 38 securities.
138 Student Living dominated trading with 13 million shares for 49 percent of the day’s trade followed by Sagicor Select Funds with 4.5 million shares and 17 percent of volumes traded and Wigton Windfarm with 3.9 million shares for 14.7 percent market share.
The market closed with an average of 716,261 units at $6,417,153 for each security traded, in contrast to 255,401 units valued at an average of $1,835,828 on Tuesday. 
The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 359,075 units valued at $5,438,139 units for $5,438,139 and previously, an average of 383,292 units valued at $5,297,192 for each security changing hands. The market closed out November with an average of 653,621 units valued at $8,699,916 for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 12 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and 2 with lower offers. The PE ratio of the market ended at 19.1, with the JSE Main Market ending at 18.8 times the current year’s earnings.
In the prime market, Barita Investments lost 50 cents to settle at $70, with an exchange of 7,942 shares, Berger Paints gained $1.90 to close at $18.40 trading 4,810 shares, Caribbean Cement lost 50 cents to end at $76, with 855 units changing hands, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund slid $1.30 to $38.20, after transferring 1,200 shares. Eppley closed 95 cents lower to $14, in switching ownership of 15,290 shares, Jamaica Broilers added $1.73 to end at $38.10, with 30,558 shares crossing the exchange, Kingston Wharves gained $1.50 to settle at $61, in trading 5,888 units, 
Mayberry Investments lost 60 cents to end at $9, with 3,060 units changing hands. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy dived $30 to $200, after exchanging a mere 150 units, NCB Financial Group gained $2 to close at $199, in swapping 93,674 shares. 138 Student Living dropped $1.22 to close at $3.80, with 13,020,000 shares crossing the exchange, Proven Investments lost $3.05 to settle at $44.45, in trading 19,416 units, Pulse Investments closed with a gain of 30 cents at $4.85, with 69,492 units changing hands and Scotia Group gained 50 cents to settle at $57.50, in transferring 19,585 shares.
Trading in the US dollar market closed with 358,568 units valued at US$108,806, with the market index climbing 1.67 points to 212.77. Margaritaville traded at a 52 weeks’ high of 30 cents after rising 3 cents with 100 units changing hands, Proven Investments exchanged 234,488 to close with a loss of 2 cents at 30 US cents, Sygnus Credit Investments exchanged 103,080 shares at 14 US cents and JMMB Group 6% preference share closed at US$1.01, with 21,000 units changing hands.
2020 another big year for JSE
It has been boom times at the Jamaica Stock Exchange these days with rising prices and increasing listings. That is in stark contrast only a few years ago when the Jamaica Stock Exchange suffered a contraction in listings when some companies that were acquired or merged.
The market lost companies such as Cable and Wireless, Lascelles de Mercado, Courts, Capital and Credit Merchant Bank, Scotia Investments, Desnoes and Geddes, First Life and Pan Caribbean Bank. In addition to these local companies, a few Trinidad and Barbados companies delisted. The advent of the Junior Market saved the day for the exchange in bringing new listings but, more importantly, telegraphed that listing on the market could raise good money for the companies and was not harmful to management as many thought to be the case in the past. In short, there has been a considerable revolution in the concept of going to market, especially with the younger cadre’ of management now running businesses.
The change in the thinking of the business sector is leading to two significant years for listings with the JSE expecting 18 new listings of ordinary shares in 2020. Managing Director of the JSE, Marlene Street-Forrest confirmed the projections with the IC Insider.com. “The 2020 listings are compiled from feedback the exchange obtained from brokers. The list is split equally between Main Market and Junior Market stocks,” Street Forrest confirmed to this publication.
At the start of this year, the JSE projected to have 20 new listings, so far they have listed 12, but Street-Forrest expects new listings to hit 19 or 20 by the end of the year including a listing of a Canadian company that will come to the market by way of an introduction. By contrast, the exchange is said to have had just eight (8) new listings in 2018. The new listings for 2019 include MailPac Group that the exchange said is set to list on Wednesday. Lumber Depot could start trading before the end of the week word reaching IC Insider.com suggests. In addition to the above two, Sagicor Select Fund is expected to list before the end of the year. For 2019 to date, there are eight (8) new Main Market and four (4) new Junior Market listings, including one preference share and Margaritaville share that was listed in the regular market, in addition to being previously quoted in the US dollar market. The recent IPOS will lift the total to 15 for the year. Some of the 2020 listings should include First Rock Capital Holdings with its prospectus said to be at the Financial Services Commission, TransJamaica Highway, Jamaica Mortgage Bank and Jamaica Public Service Company.
While the new listings will provide more choices for investors, it is also expected to add to the Stock Exchange revenues and profit in 2020 and beyond.
Trading up for JSE main market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange main market returned to more normal levels on Tuesday, than the heavy trading that took place on Monday.
The market ended with 7,661,551 units valued $296,721,375, up sharply from 1,643,736 units valued $44,890,131 units changing hands, on Monday.
At the close, the JSE All Jamaican Composite Index declined 3,438.93 points to 451,745.98 and the JSE Index dropped 3,125.06 points to 411,507.15.
Sagicor Group led trading with 5.18 million shares accounting for 68 percent of total main market volume, followed by Victoria Mutual Investments with 758,101 units and 10 percent of the day’s trades and Wisynco Group with 355,985 units for 5 percent of volume traded.
Trading ended with an average of 239,423 units valued $9,272,543, in contrast to 53,024 shares valued at $1,448,069 on Monday. 
The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 265,920 units valued $11,582,843 and previously, 267,779 units valued $11,609,967. Trading for April resulted in an average of 157,923 shares at $3,718,919, for each security traded.
At the close market activity, the main and US markets traded 33 securities, compared to 34 on Monday leading to 9 advancing, 15 declining and 9 closing unchanged.
IC bid-offer Indicator|The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator ended with 7 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 closing with lower offers.
In main market activity, Barita Investments lost 60 cents and closed at $43.50, trading 142,650 shares, Berger Paints rose $2 and ended at $19, with 12,000 stock units traded, Caribbean Cement climbed $1.50 to close at $70.50, trading 4,932 shares, Eppley lost 50 cents and ended 100 shares trading at $12, Jamaica Stock Exchange rose 77 cents to end at $19.76, with 23,349 shares changing hands. JMMB Group gained 65 cents to end at $38.75 while trading 99,273 shares, Kingston Wharves jumped $2 trading 792 shares in closing at $70, Mayberry Investments lost 45 cents and ended trading 15,784 shares at $8.55, 
NCB Financial Group lost $2 trading 121,000 shares at $148. PanJam Investment added 50 cents with 16,955 shares changing hands, to close at $97.50, Proven Investments rose $1.50 to close trading of 1,445 units at $33.50, Sagicor Group jumped $1.51 to end at $48.50 in trading 5,179,012 stock units, Scotia Group declined $1 to $49, with 194,251 shares trading. Seprod gained $2 trading 43,939 shares to close at $46 and Wisynco Group rose 56 cents to close at a record high of $15.50, with 355,985 shares trading.
Trading in the US dollar market ended with 4,000 units valued at US$1,000 as Margaritaville ended trading at 25 US cents with 4,000 shares. The JSE USD Equities Index closed unchanged at 182.71.
Record JSE run ends – Thursday
After 8 consecutive days of record close, the Jamaica Stock Exchange main market ended down on Thursday, along with a sharp decline in volume traded, compared to Wednesday’s level.
At the close market activity, the main and US markets had 38 securities traded, compared to 32 on Wednesday leading to 10 advancing, 14 declining and 14 closing unchanged. The JSE All Jamaican Composite Index lost 1,047.74 points to close 453,898.97 and the JSE Index declined by 952.11 points to end at 413,463.63.
Trading closed with 1,977,854 units for $90,864,188 changing hands, compared to the big trade on Wednesday of 15,196,273 units at $1,961,044,771, boosted by a 12.6 million NCB Financial shares.
Trading ended with an average of 59,935 units valued $2,753,460, in contrast to 506,542 shares valued at $65,368,159 on Wednesday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 137,805 units valued at $13,039,425 and previously, 150,653 units valued at $15,024,436. Trading for April resulted in an average of 157,923 shares at $3,718,919, for each security traded.
Wisynco Group led trading with 421,521 shares accounting for 21 percent of total main market volume, followed by NCB Financial Group with 382,188 shares, and 19 percent of the day’s trades and Carreras closed with 291,685 shares for 15 percent of volume traded. IC bid-offer Indicator|The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator ended with the reading showing 7 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 closing with lower offers.
In main market activity, Barita Investments lost $1.45 and closed at $43, trading 8,756 shares, Caribbean Cement rose 49 cents to finish at $80.50, with 46,077 shares changing hands, Grace Kennedy lost 70 cents and ended trading of 55,186 shares at $60.80, Jamaica Broilers traded 28,735 shares after falling $2.28 to close at $31.71. Jamaica Producers gained $1.29 in trading 24,716 shares to close at $23.50, Kingston Wharves lost $1 trading 1,979 shares in closing at $70, Mayberry Investments dropped $1.01 to end trading of 3,022 shares, at $8.49, Mayberry Jamaican Equities shed 49 cents trading 29,389 shares at $10.01, NCB Financial Group lost $2.96 trading 382,188 shares to close at $147.05. PanJam Investment concluded trading of 2,800 shares and gained $1 to end at a record closing high of $91, Pulse Investments concluded trading at 
$2.50, with 281,094 shares, Sagicor Group declined $1 to end at $47 trading 44,572 stock units, Salada Foods lost 99 cents to end at $31.01 after trading 2,060 shares. Scotia Group traded 9,476 units and lost 70 cents in closing at $50.30, Seprod declined 46 cents trading 122,514 shares to close at $44.05, Supreme Ventures finished with a rise of $1 to close at a 52 weeks’ high of at $31, with 158,160 shares. Sygnus Credit Investments lost 58 cents to close at $12.40 with an exchange of 7,200 shares and Wisynco Group ended trading with 421,521 shares with a rise of 30 cents to end at $14.55.
Trading in the US dollar market ended with 36,316 units valued at over US$22,506 with JMMB Group 6% preference share concluded trading 19,000 units at $1.05, Margaritaville completed trading of 343 shares at 25 US cents. Productivity Business rose 1 cent to close at 60 us cents with 863 stock units trading and Proven Investments closed trading with 2,510 units in closing at 24 US cents. The JSE USD Equities Index fell 0.76 points to close at 181.56.
New record high for JSE main market – Tuesday
The Jamaica Stock Exchange main market closed at a new record high on Tuesday for the second consecutive day and the second time for 2019 and in the process posted gains of 5.8 percent for the year.
At the end of trading when NCB Financial ended at a record close of $165 and Wisynco Group that traded at an all-time high of $13 ended at a new record close of $12.60. The All Jamaican Composite Index surged 5,918.33 points to a record close of 441,176.13 and the JSE Index climbed 5,378.16 points to record close of 401,902.02. Earlier in the day, at 10.21 am, the All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 8,683.84 points to 443,941.64 and the JSE Index surged 7,891.26 points to 404,415.12.
After five months of consolidation, with a slight upward bias, the market finally broke the record high reached on November 29 last year of 433,307.22 on the All Jamaica index and 394,791.89 on the JSE Index on Monday and has gone on the new heights on Tuesday.
The main and US markets had 31 securities traded, compared to 33 on Monday leading to 17 advancing, 3 declining and 11 closing unchanged.
Market activity on the main market ended with 4,368,956 units valued at $113,544,169 changing hands, compared to 4,679,663 units valued $362,626,260 trading on Monday.
Mayberry Jamaica Equities, accounting for 1.1 million shares or 25.4 percent of total main market volume, followed by Mayberry Investments with 882,928 shares, and 20 percent of the day’s trades, Barita Investments closed with 843,926 shares for 19 percent of volume traded and Grace Kennedy with 545,299 stock units and 12.5 percent of main market trades.
NCB Financial traded at a record high of $165.
Market activity ended with an average of 156,034 units valued at over $4,055,149, in contrast to 146,239 shares valued at $11,332,071 on Monday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 157,923 shares at $3,718,919 for each security, compared to 158,599 shares at $3,037,176 previously. Trading for March resulted in an average of 438,501 shares at $9,851,307, for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator|The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator ended with the reading showing 17 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and just 2 closing with lower offers.
In main market activity, Barita Investments lost $3 to close at $39.50, with an exchange of 843,926 shares, Grace Kennedy gained $1 to end at $61 with 545,299 shares changing hands, Jamaica Broilers climbed 50 cents in exchanging 74,384 units to end at $34.50, Jamaica Producers gained $1.50 to close at $23, after trading 343,580 stock units. Kingston Properties jumped $1.95 and finished at $8.45, with an exchange of 58,406 stock units, 
Mayberry Investments rose by $1 and ended trading at $9.50, with 882,928 shares changing hands. Mayberry Equities rose by $1 and ended trading at $11, with 1,109,121 shares trading, NCB Financial Group jumped $21.50 in trading 67,382 shares to close at an all-time record high of $165. Portland JSX gained 60 cents trading 9,087 shares at $8.10, Sagicor Group fell 51 cents to end at $46.99 in an exchange of 33,999 shares and Scotia Group rose $1.49 in trading 23,218 shares to close $51.99.
Trading in the US dollar market ended with 48,320 units valued at $10,612. Margaritaville traded 189 to close at 25 US cents, Proven Investments traded 46,131 shares at 23 US cents and Sygnus Credit Investments traded 2,000 shares at 10 US cents. The JSE USD Equities Index declined by 0.43 points to close at 177.21
Cement drops $8.90 on JSE – Tuesday
Carib Cement dropped sharply from record close on Monday.
Caribbean Cement dropped $8.90 to lead four stocks declining $2.50 or more, on the Jamaica Stock Exchange ended on Tuesday and helped to send the market index into a fall.
Investors pushed Cement to $67 in early trading but some selling came in to move the price lower to $56, but the stock closed with the bid at $60. Supreme Ventures that closed at a record high of $29.50 fell by $2.50 at the close. JMMB Group lost $3.49 and Kingston Wharves was down $4 at the close.
At the end of trading the Jamaica Stock Exchange main market retreated a bit from its upward climb to the record high of November last year and is now within 8,000 points away.
The JSE All Jamaican Composite Index lost 1,034.03 points to end at 425,445.48 and the JSE Index declined by 939.63 points to 387,608.90.
At the close of the main and US markets, 31 securities traded, compared to 35 on Monday and leading to 11 advancing, 11 declining and 9 closing unchanged.
Trading ended with 1,404,921 units at just $34,225,857 crossing the exchange, compared to 4,774,806 units valued at $58,420,189 changing hands on Monday.
On a day of low volumes, Victoria Mutual Investments led trading with 597,440 shares, and no other stock came close.
Market activity ended with an average of 50,176 units valued at an average of $1,222,352 for each security traded. In contrast to 170,529 units for an average of $2,086,435 on Monday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 110,352 units valued at $1,654,394. Trading for March resulted in an average of 438,501 shares at $9,851,307, for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator|The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator ended with the reading showing 6 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 closing with lower offers.
In main market activity, Barita Investments fell 37 cents to $44.40, with an exchange of 1,025 shares, Caribbean Cement dropped $8.90 to close at $56, with 152,518 shares changing hands, Jamaica Broilers rose $1.49 in trading 4,202 units to close at $31.50, Jamaica Producers gained 50 cents to close at $22.50, with 20,445 shares changing hands. JMMB Group dropped $3.49 and concluded trading of 49,159 shares at $30.01, Kingston Wharves sank $4 to settle at $68, trading 5,332 units, 
Mayberry Investments lost 92 cents trading 17,500 shares to close at $8.28, Salada Foods rose 95 cents in closing at $30, with 200 shares changing hands. Scotia Group dropped 49 cents trading 30,677 shares at $51.01, Seprod rose $1.29 to close at $43.44 in trading 2,351 shares, Supreme Ventures dropped $2.50 to finish at a record high of $27, with an exchange of 111,448 units.
Trading in the US dollar market resulted in 160,444 units valued at over $20,989 changing hands. Margaritaville closed 25 US cents while trading with 233 shares, Proven Investments gained 1 cents trading 37,769 at 23 US cents and Sygnus Credit Investments exchanged 122,442 shares at 10 US cents. The JSE USD Equities Index gained 2.99 points to close at 179.23.
JSE majors gunning for new record
The main market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange in another drive to take out the record high of November last year closed March within 7,000 points of the record high.
The JSE All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 2,627.41 points to 426,180.60 and the JSE Index advanced by 2,387.55 points to 388,276.91.
At the close of the main and US markets, 35 securities traded, compared to 34 on Thussday and leading to 21 advancing, 8 declining and 6 closing unchanged.
Trading ended with 5,517,346 units valued at over $192,929,461 compared to 2,434,513 units at $93,372,469, changing hands on Thursday.
Barita Investments led trading with 2 million shares, accounting for 36 percent of the day’s volume in the main market, followed by JMMB Group with 790,749 units or 14 percent of the volume traded and 
Mayberry Jamaican Equities with 701,614 shares amounting to 13 percent of the overall volume.
Market activity ended with an average of 183,912 units at $6,430,982 for each security traded. In contrast to 81,150 units for an average of $3,112,416 on Thursday. The average volume and value for the month to date, amounts to 438,501 shares at $9,851,307 for each security traded, in contrast to 468,945 shares at $10,386,003 on the prior trading day. Trading for February resulted in an average of 281,016 shares with a value of $11,715,160, for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator|The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator ended with the reading showing 12 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 closing with lower offers.
In main market activity, Barita Investments jumped $4.02 to $43.92, with an exchange of 2,006,616 shares, Caribbean Cement jumped $1.50 to close of $58, with 25,100 shares changing hands, Jamaica Broilers added $2.49 in trading 5,499 units at $32.50, Jamaica Producers rose by $1 to close at $23, with 39,564 shares changing hands. JMMB Group concluded trading of 790,749 shares after rising $1.01 to end at $33, Kingston Properties rose by $1 to finish at $7, with 200 stock units changing hands, Kingston Wharves gained $1, finishing at $72 with an exchange of 9,928 stock units. Mayberry Investments lost 39 cents trading 59,687 shares to close at $8.50, Mayberry Jamaican Equities traded 701,614 shares after rising 30 cents to end at $10, NCB Financial Group rose 80 cents trading 35,190 shares at $145.05, Sagicor Group gained 48 cents to settle at 
$38.50, with 57,957 shares changing hands. Scotia Group climbed $1.80 trading 87,138 shares at $52.80, Seprod rose $1.29 to close at $43 in trading 49,920 shares, Sterling Investments lost 47 cents and concluded trading at $3.50, with 41,000 stock units. Supreme Ventures rose 49 cents to finish at $27.49, with an exchange of 173,445 units, Sygnus Credit Investments rose 80 cents with 24,000 units trading, to end at $12.30 and Wisynco Group gained 45 cents and ended trading of 58,584 shares to close at $11.95.
Trading in the US dollar market resulted in 544,623 units for US$125,266 changing hands with Margaritaville trading 3,875 shares and increased 3 cents to close at 25 US cents, Productivity Business traded 2,051 stock units and rose a fraction of a cent to 59 US cents. Sterling Investments finished trading at 4 US cents with 3,292 units, Proven Investments lost 0.99 US cents in trading 100,129 units to close at 22 US cents and Sygnus Credit Investments lost 1 cent with 12,213 units trading, to end at 10 US cents. The JSE USD Equities Index fell 4.07 points to close at 175.79.
NCB trades 19m shares on JSE – Wednesday
NCB Financial traded 19.3m shares on the JSE on Wednesday.
At the close of market, the main and US markets traded 36 securities, compared to 33 trading on Tuesday. There was a total of 15 stocks advancing, 12 declining and 9 closing without price changes.
Trading resulted in, JSE All Jamaican Composite Index falling by 1,108.89 points to 422,094.00 while the JSE Index dropped 1,007.65 points to 384,561.51.
JMMB Group was the second largest trade with 1.13 million shares for just 5 percent of the day’s volume, followed by Supreme Ventures with 1.08 million units, for 5 percent of the total main market volume changing hands.
Market activity ended with an average of 758,786 units valued at $93,718,646, for each security traded, in contrast to 343,758 shares valued at $6,122,426 on Tuesday. The average volume and value for the month to date, amounts to 414,746 shares at $12,506,920 for each security traded, in
contrast to 389,292 shares at $5,984,735 on the prior trading day. Trading for February resulted in an average of 281,016 shares with a value of $11,715,160, for each security traded.IC bid-offer Indicator|The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator ended with the reading showing 9 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and 4 closing with lower offers.
In main market activity, Barita Investments dropped $3 to close at $41.50, with an exchange of 204,220 shares, Caribbean Cement added 90 cents to finish at $52.40, with 10,460 shares changing hands. Jamaica Broilers fell 65 cents to close at $32, with 29,385 shares changing hands. Jamaica Stock Exchange traded 72,799 shares after rising $1 to $17, Mayberry Investments lost 90 cents to end trading 2,000 shares at $9.50, NCB Financial Group jumped $1.90 trading 19,287,018 shares
to close at $144.90. PanJam Investment gained 80 cents to $81, trading 5,113 units, Portland JSX gained 99 cents in trading 11,119 stock units to close at $8.49, Pulse Investments gained 49 cents to $2.99, with an exchange of 11,555 stock units, Sagicor Group lost 48 cents in trading 196,108 shares, to close at $39.52.Trading in the US dollar market resulted in 107,911 units valued at $74,474 changing hands. JMMB Group 5.75% preference share shed 4 cents and ended at $2, trading 26,500 shares, JMMB Group 6% rose 2 cents and closed at $1.04 with 7,970 shares changing hands, Margaritaville lost 1 cent and ended at 22 US cents in trading 9,800 shares. Proven Investments rose 1 cent trading 38,141 units at 23 US cents and Sygnus Credit Investments Jamaican dollar ordinary share, traded 25,500 to close at 10 US cents after rising by a cent The JSE USD Equities Index gained 1.31 points to close at 178.06.
Gains for JSE main market – Friday
The market indices of the main market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange rose at the end of trading on Friday, with JSE All Jamaican Composite Index increased by 805.06 points to 423,994.88 and the JSE Index advanced 731.56 points to 386,288.84.
At the close of market, the main and US markets traded 34 securities, compared to 31 trading on Thursday as 11 advanced, 18 declined and 5 traded without prices changing.
Main market activity ended with 12,313,288 units valued $192,392,395 trading, compared to 4,358,596 units valued $135,130,896 changing hands, on Thursday.
Wisynco Group led trading with 6.38 million shares for 51.8 percent of the day’s volume, followed by Ciboney ending with 1.67 million units, for 13.6 percent of the total main market volume changing hands and Jamaica Broilers ended with 1.63 million units, for 12.5 percent of the day’s volume.
Market activity ended with an average of 373,130 units valued $5,830,073 for each security trading, in contrast to 155,664 shares valued at $4,826,103 on Thursday. The average volume and value for the month to date, amounts to 405,757 shares at $6,032,403 for each security traded, in contrast to 409,081 shares at $6,055,347 on the prior trading day. Trading for February resulted in an average of 281,016 shares with a value of $11,715,160, for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator|The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator ended with the reading showing 7 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and 3 closing with lower offers.
In main market activity, Berger Paints gained 50 cents and ended at $20, trading 7,650 stock units, Caribbean Cement fell 50 cents to finish at $51.50, with 81,125 shares changing hands, Eppley dropped 35 cents to close at $10, trading 913 stock units, Jamaica Broilers lost $1.12 in trading 1,532,550 units at $31.88. Jamaica Producers rose 55 cents to close at $22.55, with 51,269 shares changing hands, Mayberry Jamaican Equities added 41 cents to settle at $10, with an exchange of 38,103 units, NCB Financial Group lost 50 cents trading 67,660 shares to close at $144.50. PanJam Investment lost $1.70 to end at $80, in trading 3,810 units, Sagicor Group gained 45 cents in 
trading 18,701 shares, to close at $39. Salada Foods lost 95 cents trading 1,808 units to close at $29.05, Scotia Group fell 39 cents to end trading at $51.01, with 150,247 units, Seprod lost 50 cents to close at $44, with 31,309 shares changing hands, Supreme Ventures concluded trading at $24.40, with 237,378 stock units, Sygnus Credit Investments added 35 cents to close at $13.65 trading 17,212 shares and Wisynco Group fell 50 cents settled at $11.50, with an exchange of 6,381,077 shares.
Trading in the US dollar market resulted in 67,189 units valued at $18,750 changing hands. JMMB Group 6% preference share concluded trading of 147 units with a rise of 4 cents to end at US$1.04, JMMB Group 5.75% closed at $2 with 5,500 shares changing hands, Margaritaville ended trading of 2,828 share at 23 US cents after falling 1 cent. Proven Investments traded 8,214 units at 24 US cents after rising by 1 cent and Sygnus Credit Investments Jamaican dollar ordinary share traded 50,500 to close at 10 US cents The JSE USD Equities Index rose 0.11 points to close at 178.87.
JSE index main market drops – Thursday
Jamaica Stock Exchange.
The market indices of the main market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange lost value at the end of trading on Thursday with JSE All Jamaican Composite Index falling 2,235.38 points to 423,189.82 and the JSE Index declining 2,031.30 points to 385,557.28.
At the close of market, the main and US markets traded 31 securities, compared to 37 trading on Wednesday as 12 advanced, 12 declined and 7 traded without prices changing.
Main market activity ended with 4,358,596 units valued $135,130,896 trading, compared to 14,753,152 units valued $304,256,799 changing hands, on Wednesday.
Jamaica Producers led trading with just less than 1.22 million shares for 28 percent of the day’s volume, Supreme Ventures ended with 1.04 million units, for 24 percent of the total main market 
volume changing hands and PanJam Investment ended with 854,177 units, for 20 percent of the day’s volume.
Market activity ended with an average of 155,664 units valued at over $4,826,103, in contrast to 433,916 shares valued at $8,948,729 on Wednesday. The average volume and value for the month to date, amounts to 409,081 shares at $6,055,347 for each security traded, in contrast to 433,052 shares at $6,186,217 on the prior trading day. Trading for February resulted in an average of 281,016 shares with a value of $11,715,160, for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator|The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator ended with the reading showing 6 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and 6 closing with lower offers.
In main market activity, Barita Investments dropped $1.35 to closed at $47.20, trading 19,000 stock units, Caribbean Cement gained 92 cents to finish at $52, with 2,525 shares changing hands, Jamaica Broilers rose $1.50 in trading 10,527 units at $33. Jamaica Producers lost $1.25 to close at $22, with 1,219,097 shares changing hands, Jamaica Stock Exchange ended at $16, with a rise of $2 in trading 72,142 shares, NCB Financial Group rose 50 cents trading 28,550 shares to close 
at $145, 138 Student Living lost $1.40 to close at $4 in trading just 2,000 units. PanJam Investment lost 30 cents to end at $81.70, in trading 854,177 units, Sagicor Group gained 45 cents in trading 47,705 shares, to close at $38.55. Salada Foods lost 95 cents trading 1,808 units to close at $29.05, Seprod jumped $1.90 to close at $44.50, with 9,463 shares changing hands and Sygnus Credit Investments lost 40 cents to close at $13.30 trading 40,954 shares.
Trading in the US dollar market resulted in 140,420 units valued $31,726 changing hands. Margaritaville ended trading of 9,804 share at 24 US cents after gaining 3 cents, Proven Investments traded 125,800 units at 23 US cents after rising by 1 cent and Sygnus Credit Investments Jamaican dollar ordinary share traded 4,816 but lost 0.1 cent to close at 10 US cents. The JSE USD Equities Index rose 2.99 points to close at 178.76.