The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange rose at the close of trading on Wednesday, with the Junior Market declining by a few points and the JSE USD market suffered a big percentage fall as trading ended with the number of stocks changing hands falling, with the value of stocks traded jumping sharply over the previous trading day, resulting in prices of 27 shares rising and 42 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 1,324.21 points to 331,987.60, the All Jamaican Composite Index shed 1,046.83 points to 357,718.29, the JSE Main Index gained 1,447.87 points to close trading at 319,363.28. The Junior Market Index slipped 9.15 points to end the day at 3,707.61 and the JSE USD Market Index dropped 9.12 points or 4 percent to conclude trading at 221.76.
At the close of trading, 18,375,177 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 17,868,565 units on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $85.87 million, above the $69.07 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 552,161 shares for US$14,011 up from 1,188,623 units at US$36,705 on Tuesday.
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led trading with 3.43 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.68 million stocks and Scotia Group with 360,975 units, ahead of second quarter results due Thursday.
In the Junior Market, Limners and Bards led trading with 4.30 million shares followed by Future Energy with 1.92 million stocks and Dolla Financial with 1.54 million units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share advanced $90 in closing at $1,200.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.1 on 2023-24 earnings and 13.3 times those for 2024-25 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 within a sector and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Pertinent information is required 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.
The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector, 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 for investors to assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. 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 of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Main Market drops on lower volume
The Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market traded lower on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks traded declining by 51 percent after a 31 percent lower valuation than on Monday, with trading in 62 securities compared with 61 on Monday, with prices of 23 stocks rising, 23 declining and 16 ending unchanged.
The market closed with 6,312,177 shares being traded for $49,633,997 that is lower than the 12,947,498 units for $71,846,878 on Monday.
Trading averaged 101,809 shares at $800,548 down from 212,254 units at $1,177,818 on Monday and month to date, an average of 156,583 units at $987,649 and May with an average of 336,947 units at $2,177,110.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 1.74 million shares for 27.6 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 840,062 units for 13.3 percent of the day’s trade and JMMB Group 7.25% preference share due 2024 with 736,302 stock units for 11.7 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dipped 1,399.25 points to end the day at 358,765.12, the JSE Main Index dropped 3,498.91 points to conclude trading at 317,915.41 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.91 points to wrap up trading at 68.14.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.9. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2025.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement dropped 50 cents to close at $62.50 with traders dealing in 2,860 shares, Eppley fell $1 to $39 in clearing the market with 107 units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund dipped 65 cents and ended at $38.75 with investors trading 15,896 shares. Guardian Holdings lost $10 to finish at $360, with 1,014 stock units crossing the market, Jamaica Broilers rose $1.99 to end at $33.49 while 828 shares were traded, Jamaica Producers advanced $1.10 in closing at $23.10 with an exchange of just one stock unit. JMMB Group shed 40 cents to $24.60 as investors traded 60,448 stocks, Kingston Wharves popped 52 cents and ended at $27.45 with a transfer of 422 units, Margaritaville rallied $1.16 to finish at $16.15 with investors swapping 2,598 shares. 
Massy Holdings declined $9.89 to $80.01 after an exchange of 1,211 stock units, Pan Jamaica sank $1.60 in closing at $49.90 after 100 stocks passed through the market, Proven Investments skidded $1.28 to $20.01 with an exchange of 4,895 units. Sagicor Group slipped $2.10 to $39.90 with 49,442 shares crossing the market, Seprod sank 60 cents and ended at $79.40 in switching ownership of 2,870 stock units and Stanley Motta increased 33 cents in closing at $7.45 with investors transferring 1,000 units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share climbed $1.28 to finish at $7.48 after an exchange of 104 stocks, Eppley 7.75% preference share dipped 85 cents to end at $19.15 with investors dealing in 60,000 shares, Jamaica Public Service 7% gained 71 cents to close at $41.50 in an exchange of 125 stocks. 138 Student Living preference share lost $2.12 in closing at $187.88, with 1,345 units changing hands and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share popped $11.10 to end at $113.50 with one stock unit crossing the exchange.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Major Jamaica Stock Exchange markets drop
Trading pulled back from Monday’s level resulting in a decline in the Main Market and Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange. At the same time, the JSE USD market closed a fraction higher as trading ended with the number of stocks changing hands inching up, with a lower value than on the previous day, resulting in prices of 30 shares rising and 37 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index dropped 3,692.26 points to close at 330,663.38, the All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 1,399.25 points to end at 358,765.12, the JSE Main Index sank 3,498.91 points to close trading at 317,915.41. The Junior Market Index declined 48.52 points to lock up trading at 3,716.76 and the JSE USD Market Index popped 0.03 points to settle at 230.88.
At the close of trading, 17,868,565 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up marginally from 17,841,602 units on Monday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $69.07 million, well below the $83.02 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 1,188,623 shares for US$36,705 compared to 110,971 units at US$24,393 on Monday.
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led trading with 1.74 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 840,062 stocks units and JMMB Group 7.25% preference share due 2024 with 736,302 units.
In the Junior Market, Limners and Bards led trading with 2.40 million shares followed by Everything Fresh with 1.49 million units, Dolla Financial chipped in with 1.36 million shares and Paramount Trading with 1.15 million stock units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share climbed $1.28 to finish at $7.48, Eppley 7.75% preference share dipped 85 cents to end at $19.15, Jamaica Public Service 7% gained 71 cents to close at $41.50. 138 Student Living preference share lost $2.12 to close at $187.88 and Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share popped $11.10 to end at $113.50.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.1 on 2023-24 earnings and 1.3 times those for 2024-25 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 within a sector and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Pertinent information is required 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.
The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector, 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 for investors 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 of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
JSE Main Market gave up part of Friday’s gains
The Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Monday pulled back, some of the end of month gains on Friday but closed with the bulk of Friday’s gains in tack following a 47 percent drop in the volume of stocks traded at a 50 percent lower value than on Friday, with trading in 61 securities compared with 58 on Friday, with prices of 23 stocks rising, 21 declining and 17 ending unchanged.
The market closed after 12,947,498 shares were traded for $71,846,878 down from 24,210,650 stocks at $144,587,745 on Friday.
Trading averaged 212,254 shares at $1,177,818 compared with 417,425 stock units at $2,492,892 on Friday compared to May with an average of 336,947 units at $2,177,110.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 4.72 million shares for 36.5 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 2.36 million units for 18.3 percent of the day’s trade, Sagicor Real Estate Fund with 1.92 million units for 14.8 percent market share and JMMB 9.5% preference share with 1.18 million units for 9.1 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dipped 859.63 points to conclude trading at 360,164.37, the JSE Main Index slipped 983.38 points to end the day at 321,414.32 and the JSE Financial Index fell 0.05 points to end at 69.05.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 14.1. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2025.
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, AS Bryden gained $5.38 to close at $36.93 in an exchange of 54 shares, Barita Investments lost 50 cents to close at $71.49 after 6,395 stocks passed through the market, Eppley popped 50 cents to $40 in swapping 5,757 shares. GraceKennedy increased $1.50 and ended at $75 with traders dealing in 12,007 stock units, Jamaica Broilers skidded $2 to end at $31.50 after a transfer of 216,300 shares, Jamaica Producers fell $1 to finish at $22 with investors trading 2,764 units. Jamaica Stock Exchange dipped 45 cents to $10.20, with 10,718 stocks crossing the market, JMMB Group sank 50 cents to finish at $25 with investors transferring 21,087 stock units, Pan Jamaica climbed 81 cents and ended at $51.50 with 39,732 shares clearing the market. Portland JSX rose 65 cents to close at $10.25 with a transfer of 556 stocks,
Proven Investments rallied 79 cents in closing at $21.29 with 7,301 units crossing the market, Stanley Motta declined 37 cents to end at $7.12 in an exchange of 11,330 stock units and Sygnus Real Estate Finance advanced 50 cents in closing at $11 after investors ended the trading of 162 shares.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% preference share popped $1.50 to $20 with an exchange of 354 stocks, Jamaica Public Service 7% shed $7.20 to close at $40.79 and closed with an exchange of 1,461 units and 138 Student Living preference share climbed $5 and ended at $190 as investors exchanged 27 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
All JSE markets fall to start the month
All three markets pulled back at the start of June on a negative note following a big jump to close out May on the Jamaica Stock Exchange that declined at the close of trading on Monday and ended with the number of stocks and the value changing hands falling well below trading on the previous trading day, resulting in prices of 30 shares rising and 44 declining.
At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index declined 1,439.06 points to 334,355.64, the All Jamaican Composite Index shed 859.63 points to end at 360,164.37, the JSE Main Index lost 983.38 points to end at 321,414.32. The Junior Market Index dived 71.22 points to finish at 3,765.28 and the JSE USD Market Index declined 8.50 points to cease trading at 230.85.
At the close of trading, 17,841,602 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 39,310,528 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $83.02 million, well below the $175.75 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 110,971 shares for US$24,393 compared to 267,704 units at US$11,973 on Friday.
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led trading with 4.72 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 2.36 million stock units, Sagicor Real Estate Fund with 1.92 million units and JMMB 9.5% preference share with 1.18 million units.
In the Junior Market, Limners and Bards led trading with 1.06 million shares followed by Dolla Financial with 867,867 units and Caribbean Assurance Brokers with 494,204 stocks.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% preference share popped $1.50 to $20, Jamaica Public Service 7% shed $7.20 to close at $40.79 and 138 Student Living preference share climbed $5 and ended at $190.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.4 on 2023-24 earnings and 13.5 times those for 2024-25 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 within a sector and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Pertinent information is required 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.
The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector, 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 for investors 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 of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Carib Assurance jumps 32% in ICTOP10
Caribbean Assurance Brokers is this week’s star performer, jumping 32 percent to $3.83, following the announcement of a 428 percent hike in dividend to 14.11 cents from just 2.67 cents last year, with the company reporting earnings of 47 cents per share for 2023, including a $17 million charge for doubtful debt, amounting to 6.5 cents per share which was reversed in the first quarter to March this year, but that did not prevent the first quarter results from falling compared with 2023.
Other stocks with notable price movements are tTech with a 13 percent rise to $2.45 followed by AMG Packaging, which climbed 6 percent to $3.25, while Access Financial and Edufocal rose 5 percent to $21 and 84 cents respectively.
In the Main Market, Berger Paints popped 6 percent to close at $8.50, JMMB Group rose 4 percent to $25.50, Palace Amusement fell 7 percent to close at $1 and Key Insurance slipped 4 percent to $230.
Dropping from the ICTOP10 is AMG Packaging which Dolla Financial replaces in the Junior Market. There are no changes to the Main Market list.
The Junior Market ICTOP10, , followed by Access Financial, with an 11 percent rise to $20. Edufocal dropped 11 percent to 80 cents, while Caribbean Assurance Brokers is down 9 percent to close at $2.90 and Caribbean Cream fell 7 percent to $3.90.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market ICTOP 10 stands at 5.1, well below the market average of 14.2 and the Junior Market TOP10 sits at 6.8, just over half of the market, with an average of 13.
The Main Market ICTOP10 is projected to gain an average of 296 percent by May 2025, based on 2024 forecasted earnings and providing better values than the Junior Market with the potential to achieve 207 percent over the same period.
In the Main Market ICTOP 10, a total of 16 of the most highly valued stocks representing 31 percent of the Main Market are priced at a PE of 15 to 96, with an average of 30 and 20 excluding the highest PE ratios, and a PE of 23 for the top half and 17 excluding the stocks with overweight values.
In the Junior Market IC TOP10 are 12 stocks, or 26 percent of the market, with PEs ranging from 15 to 53, averaging 21, well above the market’s average. The average PE in the top half of the market is 18, possibly the lowest fair value measure for stocks.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners, accordingly, the list includes some of the best companies in the market, but this is not always so. 
ICInsider.com ranks stocks based on projected earnings, allowing investors to focus on the most undervalued stocks and helping to remove emotions in selecting stocks for investments that often result in costly mistakes.
IC TOP10 stocks will likely deliver the best returns on or around May 2025 and are ranked in order of potential gains, computed using projected earnings for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate, resulting in weekly movements in and out of the lists. Revisions to earnings are ongoing, based on receipt of new information.
Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.
Month end rally for Main Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Friday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 76 percent and the value 9 percent more than on Thursday, with trading in 58 securities compared with 61 on Thursday, with prices of winning and losing stocks sharing 18 units each with22 ending unchanged.
The market closed after 24,210,650 shares were traded for $144,587,745 compared with 13,748,626 units at $132,263,247 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 417,425 shares at $2,492,892 compared to 225,387 units at $2,168,250 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 336,947 units at $2,177,110 compared with 333,219 units at $2,162,481 on the previous day and well below April with an average of 680,802 units at $3,619,595.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 11.63 million shares for 48.1 percent of total volume followed by Sagicor Real Estate Fund with 2.88 million stocks for 11.9 percent of the day’s trade, Lasco Distributors ended with 1.82 million units for 7.5 percent of the trading, Carreras with 1.32 million units for 5.5 percent market share, Mayberry Group chipped in with 1.15 million shares for 4.7 percent of the market and General Accident with 1.06 million units for 4.4 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 4,067.85 points to close at 361,024.00, the JSE Main Index gained 2,430.29 points to wrap up trading at 322,397.70 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.98 points to culminate at 69.10.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 14.The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2025.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 13 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden fell $5.40 to close at $31.55, with an exchange of 7,064 stock units, Caribbean Producers sank 39 cents to $8.50 after investors ended trading 52,134 shares, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund increased 40 cents in closing at $39.40 with investors transferring 50 units. Jamaica Broilers climbed $2 to end at $33.50, with 252,605 stocks crossing the market, Jamaica Producers rose 45 cents and ended at $23 as investors exchanged 920 units, Kingston Wharves gained $1 to finish at $27 in trading 5,254 shares. Lasco Manufacturing popped 33 cents and ended at $5.49 after closing with an exchange of 60,166 stocks, Mayberry Group advanced 35 cents to $8.10 with 1,145,498 stock units changing hands, 
Portland JSX rallied $1.17 in closing at $9.60 after 6,415 shares passed through the market. Proven Investments skidded 80 cents to close at $20.50 with investors trading 7,891 units, Sagicor Group popped $1.48 to finish at $41.98 in switching ownership of 109,544 stocks, Sagicor Real Estate Fund rallied 35 cents to end at $8 with 2,878,446 stock units changing hands and Sygnus Real Estate Finance lost 50 cents in closing at $10.50 with investors dealing in 3,700 shares.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share shed $32 to close at $185 in an exchange of 27 units and Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share declined $90 and ended at $1110, with 100 stocks crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Big month end rally for Main & Junior market
With the closing of the month, stocks jumped on the Jamaica Stock Exchange as is the traditional practice at month end with trading ending on Friday, with the Main and Junior Market jumping sharply while the JSE USD market closed moderately lower as trading ended with the number of and value of stocks changing hands rising from the previous trading day, resulting in prices of 35 stocks rising and 24 declining.
The market indices were pushed much higher in the last two minutes of trading above attractive gains posted well ahead of the close with trading which ended with 23,455,159 shares valued at $85,644,579 in the last 13 minutes of market activity.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 2,866.78 points to 335,794.70, the All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 4,067.85 points to 361,024.00, the JSE Main Index popped 2,430.29 points to cease trading at 322,397.70. The Junior Market Index surged 77.06 points to conclude trading at 3,836.50 and the JSE USD Market Index slipped 2.18 points to end at 239.35.
At the close of trading, 39,310,528 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 26,873,386 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $175.75 million, well below the $160.33 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 267,704 shares for US$11,973 compared to 110,239 units at US$24,984 on Thursday.
In Main Market activity, Wigton Windfarm led trading with 11.63 million shares followed by Sagicor Real Estate Fund with 2.88 million stocks, Lasco Distributors ended with 1.82 million units, Carreras closed with 1.32 million stock units, Mayberry Group with 1.15 million shares and General Accident with 1.06 million units.
In the Junior Market, Regency Petroleum led trading with 3.44 million shares followed by Stationery and Office Supplies with 2.46 million stocks, ONE on ONE Educational with 2.19 million units and JFP Ltd with 1.68 million stock units.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share dropped $32 to close at $185 and Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share dived $90 to end at $1,110.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.5 on 2023-24 earnings and 13.6 times those for 2024-25 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 within a sector and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Pertinent information is required 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.
The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector, 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 for investors 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 of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
JSE Main Market trading jumps
Investors pumped more money into stocks on Thursday in trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market, resulting in the volume of stocks traded rising 79 percent and the value 146 percent more than on Wednesday, with trading in 61 securities compared with 63 on Wednesday, with prices of 23 stocks rising, 20 declining and 18 ending unchanged.
The market closed with 13,748,626 shares trading for $132,263,247 up from 7,679,552 units at $53,712,877 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 225,387 shares at $2,168,250 up from 121,898 units at $852,585 on Wednesday and for the month to date, an average of 333,219 units at $2,162,481 compared with 338,742 stock units at $2,162,186 on the previous day and April with an average of 680,802 units at $3,619,595.
Lasco Manufacturing was the leading trade with 2.35 million shares for 17.1 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 2.34 million stocks for 17.1 percent of the day’s trade, Transjamaican Highway ended with 1.82 million units for 13.3 percent of market share and Carreras with 1.15 million shares for 8.4 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 126.07 points to finish at 356,956.15, the JSE Main Index rose 207.13 points to conclude trading at 319,967.41 and the JSE Financial Index advanced 0.23 points to end at 68.12.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.5. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2025.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints gained 30 cents to end at $8.50 with traders dealing in 84,264 shares, Caribbean Cement sank $1.79 in closing at $63.01, with 71,798 units crossing the market, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund lost 40 cents to close at $39 in an exchange of 546 shares. General Accident declined 57 cents to finish at $6.50, with 34,132 stock units changing hands, GraceKennedy shed 75 cents and ended at $73.30 after a transfer of 64,791 shares, Jamaica Broilers dropped 50 cents to close at $31.50 in switching ownership of 639,566 stock units. 
Jamaica Producers rose 66 cents to $22.55 after an exchange of 507,395 units, JMMB Group climbed 76 cents to $25.50 with investors trading 513,686 stocks, Mayberry Group fell 33 cents to close at $7.75 with an exchange of 77,798 shares. Mayberry Jamaican Equities slipped 90 cents and ended at $9.52 after trading 23,606 stocks, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy increased $2.99 in closing at $94.99 after an exchange of 1,075 units, NCB Financial popped $1.11 to end at $63 after closing with an exchange of 204,702 stock units. Pan Jamaica rallied $4.43 in closing at $50.50, with 71,480 shares crossing the exchange, Sagicor Group advanced 50 cents to $40.50 with investors dealing in 3,438 stock units, Sagicor Real Estate Fund rose 59 cents to close at $7.65 in an exchange of 154,200 units. Scotia Group gained $2.17 to end at $43.93, with 159,305 stocks crossing the market, Supreme Ventures dipped $1.40 and ended at $23 as investors exchanged 85,912 shares and Wisynco Group popped $1.15 to finish at $21.46 in trading 42,355 units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 5% advanced 35 cents and ended at 82 cents as 25 stocks passed through the market, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share skidded $11.10 to $102.40 with investors trading 1,000 stock units and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% rallied 50 cents to end at $110 with 3,000 shares clearing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Jump in trading of Jamaican stocks
Stocks delivered more robust activity in trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Thursday as trading jumped sharply over the previous trading day and ended with the number of stocks changing hands, nearly doubling the volume yesterday valued twice that on Wednesday, resulting in the Main and the Junior markets rising and the JSE USD market closed marginally lower, resulting in prices of 39 shares rising and 31 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 277.35 points to 332,927.92, the All Jamaican Composite Index gained 126.07 points to wrap up trading at 356,956.15, the JSE Main Index rose 207.13 points to end at 319,967.41. The Junior Market Index rallied 11.30 points to end at 3,759.44 and the JSE USD Market Index dipped 0.57 points to conclude trading at 241.53.
At the close of trading, 26,873,386 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 13,732,924 units on Wednesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $160.33 million, well above the $64.77 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 110,239 shares for US$24,984 compared to 61,810 units at US$42,431 on Wednesday.
In Main Market activity, Lasco Manufacturing led trading with 2.35 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 2.34 million stock units, Transjamaican Highway with 1.82 million stocks and Carreras with 1.15 million shares.
In the Junior Market, Tropical Battery led trading with 3.48 million shares followed by ONE on ONE Educational with 2.21 million stocks and Derrimon Trading with 1.76 million units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share skidded $11.10 to $102.40.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.3 on 2023-24 earnings and 13.5 times those for 2024-25 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 within a sector and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Pertinent information is required 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.
The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector, 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 for investors 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 of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.