The Junior Market climbed 47 percent in just over a year since the market collapsed by just over 39 percent in March last year from the close of 2019 when the market hit a multi-year low of 2,031.79 on March 18 last year.
At the same time, the JSE Main Market, while trading above the March 2001 low, is nowhere near the 2020 high and closed out the first quarter marginally down on the 2020 closing.
The Junior Market is up 13 percent for 2021 to the end of March, clawing back most of 21 percent of the fall in 2020 and is now just 11 percent from the close of 3,348.97 at the end of December 2019.
In 2020, the Junior and Main Markets declined, with the Junior Market just edging out the Main Market index with a lower decline of 21 percent versus 22.6 percent for the year.
One year ago, to the end of March, the Junior Market Index dropped 29 percent to 2304.14 but was down a much steeper 47 percent to March 18, at 2031.79 points on the market index. The March 2020 low was the lowest point for the Junior Market since it closed at 2,032.77 points on July 1, 2016.
The market made some recovery last year from the year’s low when it moved higher on April 14, to 2,686.90 points but drifted down after some attempts to break over 2,600 points on a sustained level and closed out 2020 at 2,643.38.
In the meantime, the JSE Main Market failed to move higher in 2021, ending the first quarter 0.20 percent lower than the December close. It is still a bit lower than the 442,905.76 reached on the All Jamaica Composite Index after the early rebound from the 2020 low of 375,091.09 reached on March 25 last year, or the 438,045.18 reached subsequently on November 30.
The gains of eighteen stocks in the first quarter, this year, exceed that of the average of the market and just three performed worse, including CAC 2000 with a fall of 24 percent 19 percent decline for Dolphin Cove and 16 percent in the case of Knutsford Express. Five stocks contributing to the 2021 rebound for the Junior Market are Jamaican Teas up 60 percent, Indies Pharma 48 percent, Lumber Depot 47 percent, Blue Power 35 percent, Caribbean Flavours 35 percent and Fosrich 28 percent.
The Main Market recorded gains in 16 stocks that beat the market’s average move in 2021, with 26 falling below. Main market stocks with healthy gains are Ciboney with a stunning 142 percent rise, followed by Salada Foods with 125 percent gain aided by a 10 to one stock split, Grace Kennedy 37 percent, First Rock 31 percent and proven Investments 27 percent. Palace Amusement Company that the Covid-19 dislocation has badly hurt is the worst-performing stock with a 51 percent decline, followed by Portland JSX with a loss of 25 percent and Radio Jamaica with 22 percent. Wisynco lost 14 percent and Wigton Windfarm 13 percent.
Main Market climbs Thursday
The stocks market major indices rose at the close on Thursday, adding to Wednesday’s gains, but the day ended with more stocks falling than rising, after an exchange of 46 percent fewer shares valued 77 percent less than on Wednesday at the close of trading on the Stock Exchange Main Market.
At the close, the All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 3,214.49 points to 436,073.64, the JSE Main Index climbed 2,694.71 points to 397,354.26 and the JSE Financial Index gained 0.47 points to settle at 100.10.
Trading ended with 41 securities, down from 47 on Wednesday and closed with prices of 14 stocks rising, 18 declining and nine remaining unchanged. The PE Ratio averages 19 based on ICInsider.com forecast of 2020-21 earnings.
The market closed with 9,152,981 shares trading for $30,114,273 compared to 16,826,539 units at $130,489,494 on Wednesday. Transjamaican Highway led trading with 50.9 percent of total volume in exchanging 4.66 million shares, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 29.9 percent for 2.74 million units and Salada Foods with 5.4 percent market share for 490,267 units.
Trading averaged 223,243 units at $734,494, compared to 358,011 shares at $2,776,372 on Wednesday. March closed with an average of 354,304 units at $2,543,232.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading has nine stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Barita Investments climbed $2.90 to $88 in an exchange of a mere 28 shares, Caribbean Cement advanced $2.18 to $70.18 trading 36,149 stocks, Eppley shed 67 cents to settle at $34.10 in a transfer of 410 units. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund dropped $6.50 to $40, with 1,100 shares crossing the market, Grace Kennedy lost 50 cents to finish at $88 with 23,493 units changing hands, Jamaica Broilers gained 20 cents in ending at $29.50 after ownership of 9,156 shares were switched. Jamaica Producers rose $1.98 to $22.50 in exchanging 1,005 units, Jamaica Stock Exchange closed $1.49 lower at $17.50 with the swapping of 109,253 stock units, Key Insurance gained 20 cents to end at $5.90 after trading 147,037 stocks, Kingston Wharves fell 40 cents to $43.60 in switching ownership of 2,226 units. 
NCB Financial declined $1.50 to $137.50 with the swapping of 8,595 stock units, Palace Amusement jumped $84.65 to $724.65 after exchanging 61 shares, PanJam Investment fell $3 to $62.50 with the transfer of 21,432 stocks. Proven Investments shed $1.30 to close at $33.70 after 1,955 stock units crossed the exchange, Sagicor Group fell 88 cents to $51 in exchanging 59,338 stocks. Salada Foods ended 95 cents lower at $5.80 with 490,267 shares changing hands, Scotia Group slid 92 cents to $40.60 trading 11,420 stock units, Seprod climbed $5.30 to settle at $75 in exchanging 28,048 units and Supreme Ventures shed 51 cents to $14.89 in the swapping of 13,785 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Salada jumps 23% to record high
On a day of declines, Salada Foods jumped 24 percent to a new record close of $5.45 after the original stock was split into 10 units, effective for trading on Tuesday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market.
Salada Foods traded at a all-time high of $5.45 on Tuesday.
Trading ended with advancing stocks edging out those falling, with an exchange of 116 percent more shares 131 percent higher in value than on Monday on a day, but the market indices slipped at the close.
At the close, the All Jamaican Composite Index declined 1,087.36 points to 430,534.24, the JSE Main Index shed 967.71 points to 392,604.22 and the JSE Financial Index gained 0.35 points to settle at 99.23.
Trading ended with 40 securities down from 49 on Monday and closed with prices of 17 stocks rising, 15 declining and eight remaining unchanged. The PE Ratio averages 19.3 based on ICInsider.com forecast of 2020-21 earnings.
The market closed with 29,598,642 shares trading for $238,503,294 up sharply from 13,714,211 units at $103,241,108 on Monday. Mayberry Jamaican Equities led trading with 65.5 percent of total volume for 19.38 million shares, followed by Transjamaican Highway with 10.4 percent for 3.09 million units, Supreme Ventures with 10.4 percent for 3.07 million units and Wigton Windfarm with 6.2 percent market share for 1.83 million units changing hands.
Trading averaged 739,966 units at $5,962,582, up from an average of 279,882 shares at $2,106,961 on Monday. Trading month to date averages 354,133 units at $2,532,457, up from 338,336 units at $2,392,022 on Monday. February closed with an average of 419,015 units at $2,509,660.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading has nine stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints shed 20 cents to close at $13, with 3,685 shares crossing the exchange, Caribbean Cement shed $1 to end at $67 in transferring 10,056 stocks. Eppley climbed $2.67 to close at $34.77 with the swapping of 1,417 shares. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rose 41 cents to end at $46.90 after 38,402 units crossed the exchange, First Rock Capital advanced 80 cents to $16.80, with 15,817 stocks clearing the market, Grace Kennedy fell 50 cents to $88 with an exchange of 18,536 units. Jamaica Broilers fell $1.85 to $27.45 in trading 66,847 stocks, Jamaica Producers shed 85 cents to settle at $22.15 with the swapping of 15,257 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange declined 99 cents to $17.96 in exchanging 800 stocks. JMMB Group rose 29 cents to $32.89 in trading 403,731 shares, Key Insurance advanced 96 cents to $6.01 with 273,287 stocks changing hands, Mayberry Investments declined 64 cents to $5.10 after 78,980 units crossed the market. 
NCB Financial rose $1.50 to $140 in exchanging 8,370 shares, Proven Investments gained $1.90 to $35.90 trading 53,710 stock units. Sagicor Group advanced 49 cents to $49.99 with the swapping of 7,945 units. Sagicor Real Estate Fund rose $1.11 to $8.31 after a transfer of 300 stocks, Salada Foods jumped $1.05 to a record close of $5.45, trading 41,837 stock units. Seprod shed $1.50 to close at $69.60 in an exchange of 7,052 stock units, Sygnus Credit Investments gained 37 cents in ending at $14.97 trading 90,548 units and Wisynco Group fell 25 cents to $15.45 after a transfer of 20,763 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Another down day for JSE majors
Investors hit the bulk of prices of stocks trading and leading the market into decline, with advancing stocks vastly outnumbered by those declining on Monday after an exchange of 77 percent more shares valued 126 percent more than on Friday at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market.
The All Jamaican Composite Index declined 1,805.24 points to 431,621.60, the JSE Main Index retreated 1,581.94 points to 393,571.93 and the JSE Financial Index lost 0.58 points to close at 98.88.
Trading ended with 49 securities compared to 45 on Friday and closed with prices of 12 stocks rising, 27 declining and 10 remaining unchanged. The PE Ratio averages 19.8 based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2020-21 earnings.
The market closed with 13,714,211 shares trading for $103,241,108 up from 7,739,040 units at $45,618,469 on Friday. Wigton Windfarm led trading with 24.8 percent of total volume for 3.4 million shares followed by Jamaica Stock Exchange, 22.1 percent with 3.03 million, Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund ended with 16.9 percent for 2.32 million units and Transjamaican Highway with 10.9 percent after 1.50 million units changed hands.
Trading for the day averaged 279,882 units at $2,106,961, down from an average of 171,979 shares at $1,013,744 on Friday. 
Trading month to date averaged 338,137 units at $2,423,642, in contrast to 341,423 units at $2,407,074 on Friday. February closed with an average of 419,015 units at $2,509,660.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading has seven stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints lost 30 cents to close at $13.20, with 569 stocks changing hands, Caribbean Cement climbed $3.05 to $68 in trading 2,151 shares, Eppley fell 90 cents to $32.10 in crossing the exchange with 3,457 stock units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rose 82 cents to $46.49 after transferring 8,634 units. First Rock Capital shed 72 cents to close at $16 after 69,545 shares crossed the market, Jamaica Producers shed 22 cents to $23 trading 14,217 stock units, JMMB Group advanced $1.10 to $32.60 in an exchange of 46,776 stocks. Key Insurance lost 23 cents at $5.05 trading 25 units, Mayberry Investments gained 24 cents to settle at $5.74 with the swapping of 17,516 stocks. NCB Financial declined $1.50 to $138.50 in an exchange of 26,177 shares, Palace Amusement climbed $20 to $700 trading 156 stock units, Pan Jam Investment fell $1 to $65 after clearing the market of 188,074 shares. Proven Investments shed 90 cents to settle at $34 in switching ownership of 64,707 stocks, Sagicor Group fell 48 cents to $49.50 with an exchange of 16,194 stocks, Sagicor Real Estate Fund declined $1.10 to end at $7.20 with the swapping of 5,522 shares. 
Salada Foods lost 50 to finish at $44 with 63,894 stock units crossing the market, Seprod advanced $2.10 to $71.10 with 6,110 units changing hands. Supreme Ventures lost 30 cents to end at $15 with the swapping of 47,761 shares and Wisynco Group rose 40 cents to $15.70 with an exchange of 19,151 stock units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 8.75% preference share fell 41 cents to $7.11 in exchanging 100 stocks and JMMB Group 7.25% gained 20 cents in ending at $1.45 with 15 stock units switching owners.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Falling stocks dominate JSE main market
The market lost more grounds at the close of trading for a second consecutive day on Tuesday, ending with more stocks declining than advancing, with the value of traded stocks climbing 114 percent after 29 percent more shares traded than on Monday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market.
At the close, the All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 2,156.19 points to 429,732.69, the JSE Main Index declined 1,972.46 points to 391,704.70 and the JSE Financial Index lost 0.57 points to 98.35.
A total 50 securities traded up from 48 on Monday and closed with 12 stocks rising, 22 declining and 16 remaining unchanged. The PE Ratio averages 19.5 based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2020-21 earnings.
Traders exchanged 10,353,699 shares for $101,569,397, up from 8,031,792 units at $47,508,810 on Monday. Wigton Windfarm led trading with 19.9 percent of total volume for 2.06 million shares, followed by Transjamaican Highway 18.3 percent, with 1.89 million units, Ciboney with 17.4 percent for 1.80 million units and QWI Investments with 13.6 percent for 1.41 million units changing hands.
Trading for the day averaged 207,074 units at $2,031,388, compared to 167,329 shares at $989,767 on Monday. Trading month to date averaged 241,646 units at $2,141,408, in contrast to 244,001 units at $ 2,148,902 on Monday. February closed with an average of 419,015 units at $2,509,660.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading has eight stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement dropped $5.50 to close at $64.50 with 531,292 shares changing hands, Eppley gained $2.60 to $32.73 trading 4,342 stocks, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund fell $1.49 to end at $40.50 after exchanging 9,365 units. First Rock Capital lost 30 cents to settle at $16.70, with 13,941 stock units clearing the market, Grace Kennedy rose $1.52 in closing at $88.50 in transferring 232,611 shares, Jamaica Broilers shed 50 cents to finish at $29.30 with the swapping of 99,686 units. Jamaica Producers gained 20 cents to close at $22 after exchanging 286 stock units, JMMB Group gained 28 cents to end at $32.88 with 62,422 shares changing hands. 
Mayberry Investments closed 46 cents higher at $5.63 in switching ownership of 2,770 stocks, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy rose $1 to close at $140 after clearing the market with 500 stock units. NCB Financial lost $2 in closing at $140 with the trading of 43,359 units, Palace Amusement climbed $29 to $699 after exchanging 52 shares, PanJam Investment shed 30 cents to settle at $63.70 with 1,670 units changing hands and Seprod fell $1.05 to $70 in an exchange of 32,241 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Fall in JSE major indices
Stocks lost ground in trading on Monday ended with the market indices slipping even as almost half the number of stocks traded gained with the volume was similar to that of Friday with a 62 percent fall in the values at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market.
The All Jamaican Composite Index shed 888.44 points to 431,888.88, the JSE Main Index fell 893.61 points to 393,677.16 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.38 points to 98.92.
Trading ended with 48 securities compared to 50 on Friday and closed with prices of 22 stocks rising, 15 declining and 11 remaining unchanged. The PE Ratio averages 19.6 based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2020-21 earnings.
Traders exchanged 8,031,792 shares for $47,508,810 compared to 8,079,230 units at $124,140,641 on Friday. Transjamaican Highway led trading with 30.3 percent of the volume traded for 2.44 million shares, followed by Ciboney Group 25.6 percent, with 2.06 million units and Wigton Windfarm with 19.3 percent market share for 1.55 million units.
Trading averaged 167,329 units at $989,767, compared to 161,585 shares at $2,482,813 on Friday. Trading month to date averaged 244,001 units at $2,148,902, versus 249,365 units at $2,230,008 on Friday. February closed with an average of 419,015 units at $2,509,660.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading has nine stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints rose 25 cents to $13.50, after 9,336 units crossed the market, Caribbean Cement climbed 60 cents to $70 after exchanging 17,986 stock units. Carreras ended 33 cents higher at $9 in switching ownership of 135,470 shares, Ciboney Group lost 23 cents to finish at 68 cents in trading 2,059,981 stocks, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund climbed $1.49 to $41.99 in the swapping of 3,383 units. First Rock Capital fell $1 to $17 in an exchange of 55,747 stocks, Jamaica Producers lost 20 cents to close at $21.80 trading 14,263 units, Jamaica Stock Exchange rose 77 cents to $18.91 in transferring 45,899 stocks. Key Insurance ended 31 cents lower at $5.15 after clearing the market with 23,717 units, Margaritaville dropped $6.42 to end at $37, with 131 stocks crossing the exchange. NCB Financial declined $2 to $142 after trading 28,442 shares, Palace Amusement climbed $30 to $670, finishing with a transfer of 396 units, Proven Investments shed 50 cents to $34 with the swapping of 34,378 stocks. Sagicor Group advanced $1.50 to $50 in exchanging 217,335 stock units, Salada Foods rose 30 cents to $44.50, with 4,603 units changing hands. 
Scotia Group shed 75 cents to $41.25 trading 21,626 stock units, Seprod slid 95 cents to $71.05 after exchanging 15,843 shares, Sterling Investments gained 31 cents to close at $2.91 after 2,950 stock units crossed the market and Wisynco Group gained 49 cents to close at $15.99 with a transfer of 29,860 units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 8.25% rose 50 cents to $7 in an exchange of 3,076 stocks and JMMB Group 7.25% gained 24 cents to close at $1.44 after exchanging 7,124 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Majors lose ground for a second day
Trading activity on Monday ended with more stocks declining than rising, with the market indices falling for a second consecutive day, with an exchange of slightly fewer shares than on Friday at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 1,195.51 points to 434,283.12, the Main Index declined 1,077.34 points to 395,960.93 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.03 points to 99.23.
Trading ended with 48 securities, up from 46 on Friday and closed with prices of 14 stocks rising, 22 declining and 12 remaining unchanged. The PE Ratio averages 19.4 based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2020-21 earnings.
Investors traded 10,151,888 shares for $94,956,792 compared to 10,947,226 units at $107,461,042 on Friday. Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund led trading with 17.1 percent of total volume, in exchanging 1.74 million shares, followed by Transjamaican Highway with 16.8 percent for 1.71 million units and Wisynco Group with 10.6 percent after 1.07 million units changed hands.
Trading for the day averaged 211,498 units at $1,978,267, compared to an average of 237,983 shares at $2,336,110 on Friday. Month to date trading averaged 273,377 units at $2,408,769, in contrast to 280,192 units at $2,458,483 on Friday. February closed with an average of 419,015 units at $2,509,660.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading has eight stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments shed 45 cents to close at $80.05, trading 3,386 shares. Berger Paints slipped 34 cents to end at $13.20 after an exchange of 2,430 stock units, Caribbean Cement finished 47 cents lower at $68.43 trading 7,500 units, Carreras fell 93 cents to $9.07 with 771,565 shares changing hands. Eppley rose 40 cents to $29.90, with switching ownership of 657 stocks, First Rock Capital shed 79 cents to $15.21, with 5,500 shares crossing the market. Grace Kennedy dropped $5.69 to $86.26 with the swapping of 89,880 stock units, Jamaica Broilers lost 20 cents in closing at $30 after 148,307 shares crossed the exchange, Jamaica Producers declined $1.10 to $21.75 trading 11,390 stocks. Jamaica Stock Exchange slipped 49 cents to $18.36 after a transfer of 7,606 units, JMMB Group fell $1.05 to $31.85 in an exchange of 607,113 shares, Kingston Wharves shed 99 cents to close at $44 in trading 7,807 shares, Mayberry Jamaican Equities rose 50 cents to $8.10 with 421 stock units changing hands. PanJam Investment climbed $6 to $68, with 542 stock units crossing the exchange, Sagicor Group declined $1.40 to $48.49, with 269,556 shares changing hands.
Salada Foods lost 25 cents to close at $42.50 in a transfer of 7,326 units, Seprod fell 30 cents to $70.70 with 12,198 stock units crossing the exchange. Supreme Ventures shed 54 cents to end at $15.41 in swapping 8,467 shares and Wisynco Group closed 25 cents lower at $15.60, trading 1,072,382 shares.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 7% rose 28 cents to $2.12 with an exchange of 32,878 stock units and JMMB Group 7.25% gained 14 cents to close at $1.86 trading 23,850 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Solid rise for JSE majors
Stocks trading on Thursday ended with the market enjoying a solid rise after more stocks declined than gained, with volume traded 36 percent higher and values climbing 133 percent than on Wednesday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market.
The All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 4,287.22 points to 436,237.85, the Main Index advanced by 3,845.10 points to 397,725.35 and the JSE Financial Index gained 0.85 points to close at 99.80.
Trading ended with 42 active securities, down from 44 on Wednesday and closed with prices of 16 stocks rising, 19 declining and seven remaining unchanged. The PE Ratio averages 19.6 based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2020-21 earnings.
Investors traded 13,431,167 shares trading for $176,099,298 compared to 9,893,680 units at $75,718,501 on Wednesday. Transjamaican Highway led trading with 32.8 percent of total volume, after exchanging 4.39 million shares, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 30.8 percent for 4.14 million units and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 10.5 percent market share for 1.41 million units.
Trading averaged 319,790 units at $4,192,840, compared to 224,856 shares at $1,720,875 on Wednesday. Month to date trading averaged 284,896 units at $2,472,382, versus 280,960 units at $2,273,025 on Wednesday. February closed with an average of 419,015 units at $2,509,660.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading has ten stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and nine with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments gained 20 cents to close at $81.50 trading 677,409 shares, Carreras rose 75 cents to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $9 while exchanging 320,238 stocks. Ciboney Group declined 21 cents to 26 cents in trading 391,850 units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund shed $1 to close at $41 with an exchange of 500 shares, First Rock Capital lost 39 cents to close at $15.86, with 20,093 stock units changing hands. Jamaica Broilers rose 90 cents to close at $30.40 with the swapping of 134,912 shares, Jamaica Producers ended 50 cents higher at $22 in transferring 20,716 stock units, Jamaica Stock Exchange gained 69 cents ending at $18.85, with 8,729 units changing hands. Key Insurance finished 22 cents higher at $4.73 in trading 111,997 stock units, Kingston Wharves advanced 98 cents to $44.99 with an exchange of 4,888 units. Mayberry Investments fell 24 cents to $5.50 in switching ownership of 46,931 shares, Mayberry Jamaican Equities shed 40 cents in closing at $7.70, crossing the market with 7,332 stocks, Palace Amusement dropped $245 to close at a 52 weeks’ low of $600 trading 265 stock units. PanJam Investment slipped 50 cents to $64.50 in exchanging 10,017 units, Proven Investments shed 85 cents ending at $33.71 in transferring 6,926 stocks. 
Sagicor Group fell 99 cents to $49, with 2,825 shares crossing the market, Salada Foods climbed $3.50 to $44.50 with the swapping of 2,533 stock units, Scotia Group advanced $1.49 to $44.49, with 60,614 shares clearing the market. Seprod climbed $4.80 to close at $75.80 trading 20,614 stocks, Sterling Investments lost 32 cents in settle at $2.65 in switching ownership of 13,369 units, Supreme Ventures shed 45 cents to end at $15.50 trading 16,743 stock units and Sygnus Credit Investments advanced 54 cents to $14.99, with 33,181 shares crossing the market.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 7.25% shed 22 cents to close at $1.45 with 790 units changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main market stocks fall
Stock market trading on Tuesday ended with the market losing ground after more stocks declined than advanced, with values jumping 106 percent after an exchange of 42 percent fewer shares than on Monday on the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
The All Jamaican Composite Index shed 1,460.68 points to close at 432,606.20, the Main Index fell 1,381.93 points to 394,456.15 and the JSE Financial Index shed 0.63 points to end at 99.14.
Trading ended with 46 securities changing hands, up from 45 on Monday and closed with prices of 16 stocks rising, 21 declining and nine remaining unchanged.
The PE Ratio averages 19.4 based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2020-21 earnings.
Investors traded 8,355,063 shares for $166,391,033 compared to 14,493,061 units at $80,703,499 on Monday. Wigton Windfarm led trading with 16.8 percent of total volume, after an exchange of 1.41 million shares followed by QWI Investments with 12.9 percent and 1.07 million units and PanJam Investment with 12.4 percent for 1.04 million units,
Trading for the day averaged 181,632 units at $3,617,196, versus 322,068 shares at $1,793,411 on Monday. Month to date trading averaged 288,698 units at $2,349,520, in contrast to 306,738 units at $2,135,919 on Monday. February closed with an average of 419,015 units at $2,509,660.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading has 11 stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints lost 25 cents to end at $13.25 trading 14,681 shares. Caribbean Cement climbed $3 to $69 after an exchange of 180,280 stock units, Carreras gained 27 cents to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $8.35 in trading 696,549 shares, Eppley lost 25 cents to close at $28 in an exchange of 85,062 stocks. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rose 47 cents to $41.50, with 1,200 units changing hands, Grace Kennedy advanced $1 to $90 in transferring 322,130 stocks, Jamaica Producers climbed $1.28 to $21.58, with 407,827 shares crossing the market. Jamaica Stock Exchange finished 85 cents higher at $18.85 after trading 6,281 units, JMMB Group slipped 21 cents to $32.74 after investors swapped 48,216 stocks, Kingston Wharves rose 49 cents to $44.99 in switching ownership of 110 units, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy declined $14 to $140 trading 20 stock units. Palace Amusement dropped $180 to a 52 weeks’ low of $700 after 721 units crossed the exchange, Pan Jam Investment climbed $2.60 to $65.60 with 1,037,785 shares clearing the market. Proven Investments fell $1.31 to $33.25 in exchanging 14,647 stock units, Sagicor Real Estate Fund shed 35 cents in closing at $8 after an exchange of 48,427 stock units. 
Salada Foods fell 60 cents to $43.90 trading 11,179 units, Scotia Group ended $3.99 lower at $40 with the swapping of 65,792 stock units, Supreme Ventures gained 21 cents to close at $15.65 in switching ownership of 20,943 shares. Sygnus Credit Investments fell 39 cents to $14.71 after exchanging 43,500 stock units and Wisynco Group gained 28 to end at $16.19, with 40,072 stock units changing hands.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference shares fell 44 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ low of $3.76 with 2,000 shares crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Stocks fall but hang on to 2021 gains
Stocks ended on Friday after almost half declined in trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market, with a 20 percent fall in the volume of shares exchanged but with a much higher value of 83 percent than on Thursday.
The market indices just held above the negative zone for the year at the close, with the All Jamaican Composite Index declining 1,211.78 points to 433,954.68. The JSE Main Index fell 1,096.63 to 395,736.54 and the JSE Financial Index lost 0.38 points to settle at 99.52.
Investors traded 45 securities, down from 47 on Thursday with 15 rising, 21 declining and nine remaining unchanged. The PE Ratio averages 19.2 based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2020-21 earnings.
Traders exchanged 9,088,136 shares for $177,253,367 from 11,391,248 units at $97,106,816 on Thursday. Transjamaican Highway led trading with 23.1 percent of total volume, after an exchange of 2.10 million shares followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 13.6 percent for 1.24 million units and Grace Kennedy with 11.8 percent after 1.07 million units changed hands.
Trading for the day averaged 201,959 units at $3,938,964 for each security, compared to 242,367 shares at $2,066,102 on Thursday. Month to date trading averaged 303,713 units at $2,203,520, in contrast to 328,734 units at $1,776,771 on Thursday. February closed with an average of 419,015 units at $2,509,660.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows nine stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints fell $1.10 to end at $13, with 13,205 shares changing hands, Caribbean Cement shed 67 cents to $66.33 after exchanging 24,863 shares. Eppley rose $1.50 to $28, with 84,840 stock units crossing the market, Grace Kennedy declined $1.50 to $88.50 trading 1,068,419 shares, Jamaica Broilers advanced $2.60 to $31 with 383,672 stock units clearing the market, Jamaica Producers rose 30 cents to $20 in trading 25,553 units. Jamaica Stock Exchange rose 86 cents to $18.86 in the transferring of 12,754 stocks, JMMB Group lost 20 cents to finish at $32.80 after an exchange of 110,555 shares, Kingston Properties lost 50 cents in closing at $6.75 trading 4,959 units. Mayberry Investments gained 29 cents to $5.80 after 2,100 stocks crossed the exchange, Mayberry Jamaican Equities climbed 99 cents to $8 in switching ownership of 22,821 stock units, NCB Financial declined $3.21 to $141 after trading 55,701 units.
138 Student Living lost 40 cents to close at $5.60 in an exchange of 100 units, Palace Amusement dropped $83.28 to close at $801.72, after exchanging 73 units, PanJam Investment rose $2 to $68 with the swapping of 19,468 stock units, Proven Investments climbed 71 cents to $33.91 trading 84,673 units. Sagicor Group shed 60 cents to $50.50 in switching ownership of 131,285 stock units. Salada Foods fell 50 cents to $44 with an exchange of 1,700 stocks, Scotia Group climbed $2.99 to $43 trading 565,293 shares, Supreme Ventures lost 64 cents to close at $15.31 in exchanging 11,850 units and Wisynco Group fell 33 cents to $15.90 and finishing trading of 133,175 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
