Market activity pulled back on Wednesday, with the volume of shares trading declining 56 percent and the value down 61 percent from trading on Tuesday at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market, leaving rising stocks falling well short of those declining.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dipped 382.47 points to 426,641.23, the Main Index shed 676.11 points to end at 385,698.46 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.24 points to settle at 94.66.
Trading ended with 51 securities compared to 52 on Tuesday, with 16 rising, 22 declining, with 13 unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a formula for computing appropriate stock values, averages 15.9. The PE ratio for the JSE Main and USD Market closing quotes are based on earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with financial years ending between the current year and August 2022.
A total of 3,490,636 shares traded for $80,777,884 versus 7,936,245 units at $204,991,450 on Tuesday. Transjamaican Highway led trading with 626,462 shares for 17.9 percent of total volume, followed by Caribbean Producers with 390,383 units for 11.2 percent of the day’s trade and Carreras with 360,644 units for 10.3 percent.
Trading averages 68,444 units at $1,583,880, compared to 152,620 shares at $3,942,143 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 449,742 units at $4,806,835, against 475,915 units at $5,028,061 on Tuesday. November closed with an average of 233,949 units at $2,695,416.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement rose $1.50 to close at $72 closed trading 22,014 stock units, Eppley advanced 50 cents to $36 after 220 units crossed the exchange. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rallied 50 cents in closing at $42 after exchanging 2,929 stocks, Guardian Holdings declined $9.88 to a 52 weeks’ low of $505.12 with the swapping of 11,763 shares, Jamaica Producers fell 84 cents to $22.51 in switching ownership of 17,474 units. Mayberry Jamaican Equities increased 33 cents to close at $9.45 crossing the market 58,420 stock units, NCB Financial lost 70 cents to end at $119.80 with an exchange of 244,696 stocks, 138 Student Living popped 47 cents to end at $4.25 after exchanging 1,258 shares, PanJam Investment shed $1.48 to end at $63.50 in exchanging 4,125 units.
Proven Investments dropped 5 cents in closing at $32.95 in an exchange of 4,650 stocks, Radio Jamaica declined 46 cents to end at $3.04, with 130,480 stock units changing hands, Sagicor Real Estate Fund fell $1.49 to $6.01 in trading 20,619 shares. Scotia Group gained 50 cents to $37 trading 138,755 shares, Seprod dropped $2 to close at $62, with 7,547 stock units crossing the market and Wisynco Group lost 91 cents in closing at $16.04 trading 37,664 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
ICTOP10 winner up 369% to date
Caribbean Producers (CPJ) stock jumped 17 percent to close the week at a record high of $12.15 and now sits at fourth position in the Main Market TOP 10 with a lot more ground to cover before peaking.

Caribbean Producers traded 52 weeks’ high during the week following a near US$2 quarterly profit.
CPJ started the year in the Junior Market TOP 15 at $2.89 in the number three spot, with a price target of $13, is now up by 369 percent since the start of the year based on projected earnings of 65 cents, since then ICInsider.com upgraded earnings to $1.65 for the current year with a new price target between March and July next year of $33.
Barring some unusual events, CPJ now the leading stock on the overall Jamaica Stock Exchange will most likely end the year way out front and well above Future Energy, another ICTOP10 winner with gains of 254 percent to date.
Lumber Depot dropped out of the Junior Market top 10 and Jetcon Corporation returned to the TOP10. There were no additions to the Main market TOP10 for the week.
Other notable TOP10 movers this week are; Lasco Distributors that rose 9 percent in closing at $3.28 and Honey Bun up 5 percent to $9.50, but Caribbean Assurance Brokers slipped 8 percent to $2.40 from $2.60 at the close of the previous week.
In the Main Market, other than Caribbean Producers, Sygnus and Pan Jam Investment fell 4 percent.
For the week ahead investors should watch for a possible move higher, CPJ that could hit $15 with dwindling supply now on offer below $14.50 when the market closed on Friday. RJR is another worth watching with a limited supply under $3.50 during Friday there is relatively only moderate selling overall, but buying remains tepid.
The top three Main Market stocks, this week with CPJ dropping to number four are Guardian Holdings still in the lead followed by Radio Jamaica that returned in second spot and JMMB Group in the third spot with all projected to gain between 178 and 257 percent from 213 to 253 percent last week.
The Junior Market top three stocks changed a bit during the week, with AMG Packaging leading, followed by Caribbean Assurance Brokers, with Access Financial Services moving from the second spot to the third position. All three can gain between 167 and 240 versus 167 and 238 percent, previously.
This week’s focus: Why Lumber Depot is a stock to watch for the future? After posting outlandish first quarter results that were boosted by inventory profit, the company reported what appear to be normal profit in the second quarter of 5 cents per share and raised the half years earnings to 15 cents. While first quarter revenues grew 16 percent, the second quarter was flat, suggesting that full year results should end up around 25 cents or a little above that. On this basis, the stock may be considered a bit undervalued. With Paul Scott’s Stony Hill Capital Limited taking a controlling interest in it, what could be in it for them. There is good scope for expansion and growth, first within Kingston, Portmore, Spanish Town and nationally. Other factors include the fact that the Musson Group has large holdings of real estate owned directly by the group or indirectly in the investment companies that can purchase materials for repairs or expansion through them.
The average gains projected for the TOP 10 Junior Market stocks slipped from 150 percent last week to 149 percent and Main Market stocks moved from 159 percent to this weeks’ 155 percent.
The Junior Market closed the week, with an average PE of 14.3 based on ICInsider.com’s 2021-22 earnings and is currently well below the target of 20 and the average of 17 at the end of March this year based on 2020 earnings. The TOP 10 stocks trade at a PE of a mere 8.1, with a 42 percent discount to that market’s average.
The Junior Market can gain 40 percent to March next year, based on an average PE of 20 and 19 percent based on an average PE of 17. Seven stocks representing 17 percent of all Junior Market stocks with positive earnings are trading at or above this level, similar to last week, indicating that many others will rise towards the 17 mark in the months ahead.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market is 16.2, some 17 percent less than the PE of 19 at the end of March and 23 percent below the target of 20 to March 2022. The Main Market TOP 10 average PE is 8, representing a 50 percent discount to the market and well below the potential of 20. A total of 14 stocks or 30 percent of the market trade at or above a PE of 19, with most over 20, for an average roundabout 25, suggesting that the accepted multiple is between 20 and 25 times the current year’s earnings.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners, accordingly, the list may or may not include the best companies in the market. ICInsider.com ranks stocks based on projected earnings to highlight winners from the rest, allowing investors to focus on potential winning stocks and helping to remove emotional attachments to stocks that often result in costly mistakes.
IC TOP10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns up to March 2022 and ranked in order of potential gains, based on the possible increase for each company, considering the earnings and PE ratios for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate and result in weekly movements in and out of the lists. Revisions to earnings per share are ongoing, based on receipt of new information.
Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.
Honey Bun in General Accident exits ICTOP10
General Accident rose 7 percent to close at $6.40 and slipped out of the TOP 10 while Honey Bun jumped into the Junior Market top 10, while Main Market stocks were pretty steady with movements not exceeding 2 percent for the week in a week when Main Market indices closed the week higher than it started with the Junior Market slipping from the start of the week.
Notable TOP10 movers this week are; AMG Packaging rose 9 percent in closing at $2.07 from $1.90 at the previous week’s close and Lumber Depot rose 18 percent to $3.25. Medical Disposables lost 5 percent of its value to close the week at $6 and Caribbean Assurance Brokers dived 13 percent to $2.60.
The top three Main Market stocks remained unchanged at the close of the week, with Guardian Holdings still in the lead, followed by Caribbean Producers and JMMB Group, projected to gain between 213 to 253 percent, as was the case last week.
The Junior Market top three stocks changed a bit during the week, with AMG Packaging leading, followed by Caribbean Assurance Brokers, with Access Financial Services moving from second spot to third position. All three can gain between 167 and 238 versus 162 percent and 268 percent previously.
The average gains projected for the TOP 10 Junior Market stocks moved from 142 percent last week to 150 percent and Main Market stocks moved from 157 percent to this weeks’ 159 percent.
The Junior Market closed the week with an average PE of 14.1 based on ICInsider.com’s 2021-22 earnings and currently well below the target of 20 and the average of 17 at the end of March this year based on 2020 earnings. The TOP 10 stocks trade at a PE of a mere 8.1, with a 42 percent discount to that market’s average PE.
The Junior Market can gain 42 percent to March next year, based on an average PE of 20 and 21 percent based on an average PE of 17. Ten stocks representing 25 percent of all Junior Market stocks with positive earnings are trading at or above this level, down from seven last week, indicating that many others will rise towards the 17 mark in the weeks ahead.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market is 15.8, which is 20 percent less than the PE of 19 at the end of March and 27 percent below the target of 20 to March 2022. The Main Market TOP 10 average PE is 8, representing a 51 percent discount to the market and well below the potential of 20. A total of 17 stocks or 36 percent of the market trade at or above a PE of 19, with most over 20, for an average roundabout 25, suggesting that the accepted multiple is between 20 and 25 times the current year’s earnings.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners, accordingly, the list may or may not include the best companies in the market.
ICInsider.com ranks stocks based on projected earnings to highlight winners from the rest, allowing investors to focus on potential winning stocks and helping to remove emotional attachments to stocks that often result in costly mistakes.
IC TOP10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns up to March 2022 and ranked in order of potential gains, based on the possible increase for each company, considering the earnings and PE ratios for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate and result in weekly movements in and out of the lists. Revisions to earnings per share are ongoing, based on receipt of new information.
Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.
At the close, Caribbean Cement dropped $2.61 to $70.50, with 56,843 stocks changing hands, Eppley popped $1.30 to $35.50 in switching ownership of 151 units. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund jumped $3.97 to $41.50, with 40 stock units crossing the market, Jamaica Broilers rallied $1.09 to $29.99 with an exchange of 3,243 units, Jamaica Stock Exchange gained 59 cents in closing at $17.30 with the swapping of 7,086 stocks. 138 Student Living fell 56 cents to $3.78 while exchanging 5,350 shares, Proven Investments rose 50 cents to $33.50 after 1,982 stock units changed hands, Pulse Investments declined 20 cents to $3.80 trading 330,178 shares, Sagicor Group spurted 96 cents to end at $51.97 in exchanging 5,065 stocks. Scotia Group shed $1.40 to $36.50 in trading 49,697 stock units, Seprod advanced $2 to close at $64, with 18,075 units crossing the market, Stanley Motta popped 73 cents to $5.58 in an exchange of 25,766 shares.
Supreme Ventures dropped 30 cents in closing at $18.70 after exchanging 12,957 stocks, Sygnus Credit Investments advanced 29 cents to $14.99 after trading 8,659 units and Wisynco Group rose 20 cents to $16.95 after 469,285 stock units changed owners.
The All Jamaican Composite Index popped 156.89 points to 428,492.25 the Main Index rose 423.17 points to 387,470.95 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.01 points to close at 94.98.
Trading averages 245,913 units at $3,121,335, compared to 197,979 shares at $2,729,592 on Friday and month to date, an average of 500,244 units at $5,109,780 compared to 520,082 units at $5,264,885 on Friday. November ended with an average of 233,949 units at $2,695,416.
Portland JSX shed $1.05 to close at $6.92 with the swapping of 30 units, Proven Investments dropped 60 cents to $33 with 45,104 stock units crossing the market, Radio Jamaica rallied 26 cents in closing at $3.50 after exchanging 243,808 shares. Sagicor Group declined 97 cents to $51.01 after 65,722 stocks crossed the exchange, Sagicor Real Estate Fund fell 49 cents to $7.50 in exchanging 541 stock units, Salada Foods lost 27 cents in closing at $6.13 in exchanging 46,546 shares. Scotia Group increased 91 cents to end at $37.90 after exchanging 2,563 units and Supreme Ventures advanced 90 cents to close at $19 with the swapping of 17,367 stocks,
The All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 1,557.35 points to 428,335.36, the JSE Main Index advanced 718.53 points to finish at 387,047.78 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.33 points to close at 94.99.
Trading averages 197,979 units at $2,729,592, compared to 409,089 shares at $6,932,278 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 520,895 units at $5,273,111, down from 547,333 units at $5,488,663 on Thursday. November closed with an average of 233,949 units at $2,695,416.
PanJam Investment advanced $1.48 to end at $64.98 after 659 stock units cleared the market, Sagicor Group rose 84 cents in closing at $51.98 in switching ownership of 23,709 stocks, Scotia Group gained 49 cents to end at $36.99 in trading 44,370 stock units. Stanley Motta fell 40 cents to $4.90 in switching ownership of 5,152 shares, Sygnus Real Estate Finance declined $2.51 to close at $15.21 with the swapping of 28,206 units and Wisynco Group popped 46 cents in closing at $16.96 in an exchange of 358,723 stock units.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dipped 275.56 points to close at 426,778.01, the Main Index fell 179.99 points to 386,329.25 and the JSE Financial Index rose 0.60 points to end at 95.32.
Trading averages 409,089 units at $6,932,278 compared to 1,556,919 shares at $11,463,562 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 547,333 units at $5,479,377 versus 559,831 units at $5,348,026 on Wednesday. November closed with an average of 233,949 units at $2,695,416.
Mayberry Investments advanced $1 to close at $8 in transferring 15,178 units, NCB Financial popped $1.05 to close at $120.05 in an exchange of 15,930 shares, PanJam Investment gained 45 cents to finish at $63.50 with 15,670 stock units changing hands. Sagicor Group shed 46 cents to end at $51.14 with 34,253 stocks crossing the exchange, Scotia Group lost 35 cents in ending at $36.50 with the swapping of 1,161 units, Seprod declined $1 to $62 in trading 22,001 stocks. Stanley Motta gained 30 cents to close at $5.30 after exchanging 931 shares, Sygnus Credit Investments shed 37 cents in ending at $14.93, with 169,421 stocks changing hands, Sygnus Real Estate Finance advanced $1.71 to $17.72 with an exchange of 1,500 stock units and Wisynco Group gained 30 cents to end at $16.50 in trading 62,203 units.
Trading averages 1,556,919 units at $11,463,562 compared to 267,966 shares at $2,506,674 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 559,831 units at $5,348,026, compared to 462,948 units at $4,753,804 on Tuesday. November closed with an average of 233,949 units at $2,695,416.
Scotia Group spiked 85 cents to end at $36.85 with 36,121 stocks changing hands, Seprod rose $1 to close at $63 in trading 3,084 stock units, Stanley Motta gained 45 cents to finish at $5 in trading 7,401,000 shares. Supreme Ventures dipped 40 cents to $18.10 after an exchange of 25,713 stock units, Sygnus Credit Investments gained 44 cents after ending at $15.30 in switching ownership of 21,267 shares and Wisynco Group lost 30 cents to settle at $16.20 in exchanging 40,794 stocks.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eleven stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
Mayberry Investments lost 50 cents to end at $8.50 with an exchange of 2,290 shares, Palace Amusement advanced $30 to $1,030 in switching ownership of two stocks, PanJam Investment rose 73 cents to $67.63 in an exchange of 458 units. Proven Investments lost 35 cents to close at $33.55 in trading 3,376 stocks, Scotia Group shed $1 in ending at $36 with 530,665 shares changing hands, Seprod declined $1.06 to $62 in an exchange of 63,146 stock units and Stanley Motta lost 45 cents in closing at $4.55 with a transfer of 41,085 shares.
November closed with an average of 233,949 units at $2,695,416.
NCB Financial shed 90 cents to $119 with 14,714 stocks clearing the market, PanJam Investment declined $1.10 to $66.90 after an exchange of 31,304 units, Proven Investments gained 40 cents in ending at $33.90 in 16,308 shares switching owners. Sagicor Group spiked 40 cents to $52.40 in exchanging 7,501 stock units, Scotia Group shed $1.48 to close at $37 with the swapping of 135,945 stocks, Seprod popped 55 cents to end at $63.06 in transferring 19,824 shares. Stanley Motta fell 50 cents to $5 in trading 897 stock units and Sygnus Credit Investments lost 50 cents ending at $15 with 13,167 units changing hands.