All of the Jamaica Stock Exchange markets rose moderately on Thursday and 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 30 shares rising and 41 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 764.41 points to 332,741.85, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 231.05 points to wrap-up trading at 357,117.59, the JSE Main Index gained 655.93 points to conclude trading at 320,462.53. The Junior Market Index gained 19.46 points to 3,664.64 and the JSE USD Market Index popped 0.56 points to lock up trading at 236.99.
At the close of trading, 17,302,070 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 62,906,787 units on Wednesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $57.3 million, well below the $284.13 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 102,017 shares for US$10,991 compared to 379,029 units at US$8,339 on Wednesday.
In Main Market activity, Wigton Windfarm led trading with 2.66 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 1.44 million stocks and QWI Investments with 274,994 units,
In the Junior Market, ONE on ONE Educational led trading with 4.04 million shares followed by One Great Studio with 1.31 million stock units and Fosrich with just 1.15 million units well off from the big trade of nearly 47 million units on Wednesday.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share skidded $4.03 to close at $214, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share sank $8.50 to $105 and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% slipped $2 to finish at $108.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.2 on 2023-24 earnings and 12.8 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 rose on reduced trading
Stocks mostly rose at the close of trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Wednesday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 61 percent valued 33 percent lower than on Tuesday, with trading in 60 securities up from 59 on Tuesday, with prices of 31 stocks rising, 18 declining and 11 ending unchanged.
Trading closed with an exchange of 12,161,308 shares for $176,680,058 compared to 31,493,482 stock units at $262,090,658 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 202,688 shares at $2,944,668 compared to 533,788 units at $4,442,215 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 457,154 units at $2,403,909 compared with 482,643 units at $2,349,743 on the previous day and April that closed with an average of 680,802 units at $3,619,595.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 3.76 million shares for 30.9 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 2.67 million units for 22 percent of the day’s trade and NCB Financial with 1.62 million units for 13.4 percent of the day’s trade.
The All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 4,043.31 points to cease trading at 356,886.54, the JSE Main Index rallied 3,561.72 points to lock up trading at 319,806.60 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.49 points to finish at 67.65.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.5. 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 12 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden popped $4.35 to end at $38.35, with 26 stock units clearing the market, Barita Investments rallied $2.07 to $72.11 with traders dealing in 2,624 shares, Berger Paints increased $1.70 and ended at $8.70 and closed with an exchange of just 471 units. Caribbean Cement climbed 50 cents to close at $63.50 with investors dealing in 52,166 stocks, Eppley dipped $2.04 to finish at $37.46 in trading 61 shares, General Accident sank $1.02 in closing at $6.30 after exchanging 34,922 stocks. Guardian Holdings dropped $10 to $360 with investors transferring 396 units, Jamaica Broilers rose 60 cents to close at $31.10 in switching ownership of 46,394 stocks, Jamaica Producers gained 74 cents to end at $22.55 with investors swapping 70,001 shares. Jamaica Stock Exchange shed $2.22 in closing at $9.04 with an exchange of 214,189 stocks, JMMB Group advanced 90 cents and ended at $24.50 after 270,629 units passed through the market, Kingston Wharves rose 60 cents to $26 after an exchange of 501,011 stocks. 
Margaritaville climbed 92 cents and ended at $15 with investors trading just one share, Massy Holdings popped $1.89 to $89.89 in an exchange of a mere one stock unit, Mayberry Group lost 50 cents to close at $7.50, with 294 units crossing the market. NCB Financial gained $2.49 to finish at $63.99 in an exchange of 1,624,909 stock units, Pan Jamaica rallied $2.19 to $47.50, with 2,456 shares changing hands, Proven Investments advanced 43 cents in closing at $21.43 with 3,766 units crossing the exchange. Sagicor Group gained 55 cents to $40.55 in trading 9,907 stocks, Scotia Group slipped $1.20 to close at $42, with 161,192 stock units crossing the market, Seprod popped $1.01 in closing at $80 as investors exchanged 9,844 shares and Wisynco Group advanced $1 and ended at $21 after a transfer of 120,383 stocks.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% rose $5.40 to finish at $48 with a transfer of 2 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Another big trading day for Fosrich
Activity in Fosrich shares dominated trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Wednesday, with above average volume for the third time in four trading days. The markets closed with gains for the Main Market and a moderate rise for the JSE USD market. The Junior Market suffered another day of decline and could end lower on Thursday following release of some disappointing quarterly results.
Markets closed with the number and the value of stocks changing hands jumping over the previous day, resulting in prices of 38 shares rising and 39 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 3,216.36 points to 331,977.43, the All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 4,043.31 points to finish at 356,886.54, the JSE Main Index rallied 3,561.72 points to end at 319,806.60. The Junior Market Index declined 28.41 points to close at 3,645.18 and the JSE USD Market Index popped 2.27 points to 236.26.
At the close of trading, 62,906,787 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 36,121,615 units on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounting to $284.13 million, just above the $271.59, million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led trading with 3.76 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 2.67 million stock units and NCB Financial with 1.62 million units.
In the Junior Market, Fosrich led trading with 46.82 million shares followed by Everything Fresh with 826,380 stock units and EduFocal with 576,820 units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% rose $5.40 to $48.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.2 on 2023-24 earnings and 12.8 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.
Falling stocks crush risers
Stocks closed mostly lower on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Tuesday, with trading in 59 securities compared with 57 on Monday, resulting in prices of 16 stocks rising, 27 declining and 16 ending unchanged, following a sharp pullback in the volume of stocks traded, with a decline of 82 percent with the value 53 percent lower than on Monday.
The market closed with 31,493,482 shares being traded for $262,090,658 down sharply from 176,820,638 units at $563,186,691 on Monday.
Trading averaged 533,788 shares at $4,442,215 compared to 3,102,116 units at $9,880,468 on Monday and month to date, an average of 482,643 units at $2,349,743 compared to 477,055 units at $2,121,121 on the previous day and April that closed with an average of 680,802 units at $3,619,595.
JMMB Group 7.25% preference share due 2024 led trading with 17.0 million shares for 54 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 7.6 million units for 24.1 percent of the day’s trade, Massy Holdings with 1.40 million stocks for 4.4 percent market share and Transjamaican Highway with 1.17 million units for 3.7 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 3,652.53 points to end at 352,843.23, the JSE Main Index declined 3,035.29 points to 316,244.88 and the JSE Financial Index skidded 0.97 points to settle at 67.16.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.5. 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 10 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden sank $4.42 to finish at $34 in switching ownership of 60 shares, Barita Investments skidded 99 cents and ended at $70.04, with 35,146 stock units crossing the market, Berger Paints dropped $1.70 to $7 in trading 51,255 units. Caribbean Cement dropped $1.90 to close at $63 after an exchange of 12,887 stocks, First Rock Real Estate popped $1.50 in closing at $9.80 with investors swapping 2,056 shares, General Accident climbed 68 cents to end at $7.32, with 5,404 units crossing the market. GraceKennedy rose $2 to $76 as investors exchanged 231,553 stocks, Jamaica Broilers fell 55 cents to end at $30.50, with an exchange of 57,823 stock units, Jamaica Stock Exchange rallied 93 cents in closing at $11.26 with investors dealing in 167,533 shares. JMMB Group declined 65 cents and ended at $23.60 after 234,719 stocks crossed the exchange, Kingston Properties increased 67 cents to finish at $7.80 with traders dealing in 3,026 units, Kingston Wharves shed 50 cents to close at $25.40 with 3,933 stock units clearing the market.
Lasco Distributors gained 36 cents to end at $5.45 with a transfer of 15,214 shares, Margaritaville dipped 92 cents to end at $14.08 after 13,196 stock units passed through the market, NCB Financial slipped $3 in closing at $61.50, with 154,649 stocks changing hands. Pan Jamaica lost $1.69 and ended at $45.31 after a transfer of 1,000 units, Proven Investments advanced $1 to finish at $21 in trading 473 shares, Sagicor Group dipped 90 cents to close at $40 in an exchange of 78,504 stocks. Seprod rose $2.97 to $78.99 with investors trading 284,751 units, Stanley Motta gained 68 cents to finish at $7.26 after an exchange of one stock unit and Sygnus Credit Investments sank 30 cents and ended at $10.50 with investors transferring 117,075 shares.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% shed $5.40 to close at $42.60 in an exchange of 295 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Markets mostly fall on Tuesday
The JSE USD market closed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange with a moderate increase in the market index, the Main and Junior Markets declined in trading on Tuesday as the Junior Market closed moderately lower and the Main market with a larger decline as trading ended with the number and value of stocks changing hands falling, compared with the previous day, resulting in prices of 28 shares rising and 38 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index dropped 2,991.49 points to 328,761.07, the All Jamaican Composite Index sank 3,652.53 points to wrap up trading at 352,843.23, the JSE Main Index shed 3,035.29 points to close at 316,244.88. The Junior Market Index dipped 11.73 points to end at 3,673.59 and the JSE USD Market Index popped 0.23 points to 233.95.
At the close of trading, 36,121,615 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 295,800,813 units on Monday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $271.59 million, well below the $811.40 million on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 73,669 shares for US$5,026 compared to 193,327 units at US$18,349 on Monday.
In Main Market activity, JMMB Group 7.25% preference share due 2024 led trading with 17.0 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 7.60 million units, Massy Holdings with 1.40 million stock units and Transjamaican Highway with 1.17 million units.
In the Junior Market, Fosrich led trading with 1.16 million shares followed by Dolla Financial with 665,331 and JFP Ltd with 591,969 stocks.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% shed $5.40 to close at $42.60.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21 on 2023-24 earnings and 12.7 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.
Transjamaican big trade day
Transjamaican Highway ended the trading of 172 million shares to dominate market activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Monday, with the volume of stocks traded in the overall market surging 998 percent, valued 307 percent more than on Friday, with trading in 57 securities down from 62 on Friday and ending with prices of 18 stocks rising, 24 declining and 15 ending unchanged.
The market closed with 176,820,638 shares trading for $563,186,691 well up from a total of 16,107,185 units at $138,294,154 on Friday.
Trading averaged 3,102,116 shares at $9,880,468 compared to 259,793 units at $2,230,551 on Friday and month to date, an average of 477,055 units at $2,121,121 compared with 167,265 units at $1,205,421 on the previous day and April that closed with an average of 680,802 units at $3,619,595.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 172.15 million shares for 97.4 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.87 million units for 1.1 percent of the day’s trade and Carreras with 686,809 units for 0.4 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index increased 299.17 points to end the day at 356,495.76, the JSE Main Index climbed 718.15 points to 319,280.17 and the JSE Financial Index advanced 0.29 points to 68.13.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.4. 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 14 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments climbed 99 cents in closing at $71.03 after exchanging 10,688 shares, Berger Paints rose $1.46 to a 52 weeks’ high of $8.70 with investors swapping 1,003 stocks, following the release of solid first quarter results last week, Caribbean Producers advanced 80 cents to finish at $9 after 101,195 shares changed hands. Eppley popped $2.49 and ended at $39.50 as investors exchanged 10 stock units, General Accident sank 35 cents to close at $6.64 with 16,764 shares clearing the market, GraceKennedy dropped $2 to end at $74 with an exchange of 6,706 units. Kingston Properties lost $1.28 to $7.13, with 21,438 stocks crossing the market, Lasco Manufacturing fell 33 cents to finish at $5.14 with investors dealing in 31,861 stock units, NCB Financial gained 50 cents and ended at $64.50 with a transfer of 76,433 shares. 
Pan Jamaica rallied $1.80 to end at $47 after 2,944 stock units crossed the exchange, Portland JSX skidded $1.36 in closing at $7.69 in trading 8,987 stocks, Sagicor Group increased by 71 cents to close at $40.90 after 14,523 units passed through the market. Scotia Group climbed 65 cents to $43.15 in an exchange of 146,309 stocks, Seprod shed 98 cents to close at $76.02 with traders dealing in 9,579 units, Stanley Motta declined 90 cents and ended at $6.58 after an exchange of 1,023 shares. Sygnus Real Estate Finance dipped $1.36 to finish at $10.53 with investors trading 2,324 stock units and Wisynco Group slipped 50 cents to end at $20 after a transfer of 82,268 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Tansjamaican & Fosrich dominate JSE trading
Transjamaican Highway closed with 172 million shares being traded and Fosrich, with 111 million shares pushed market activity sharply higher on Monday compared with trading on Friday at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange. At the close of trading the Main Market squeezed out a modest gain, with the Junior Market suffering a second day of sizable loss and the JSE USD market closed moderately lower as trading ended with the number and value of stocks changing hands jumping sharply over the previous trading day, resulting in prices of 25 shares rising and 51 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index rose 387.57 points to end at 331,752.56, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 299.17 points to close at 356,495.76, the JSE Main Index advanced 718.15 points to finish trading at 319,280.17. The Junior Market Index skidded 43.17 points to wrap-up trading at 3,685.32 and the JSE USD Market Index dipped 2.81 points to end trading at 233.72.
At the close of trading, 295,800,813 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up sharply from 137,437,210 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $811.40 million, well above the $397.68, million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 193,327 shares for US$18,349 compared to 24,785 units at US$735 on Friday.
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led trading with 172.15 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.87 million units and Carreras with 686,809 stock units
In the Junior Market, Fosrich led trading with 111.13 million shares for 93.6 percent of total volume followed by ONE on ONE Educational with 3.52 million units for 3 percent of the day’s trade and Jamaican Teas with 1.76 million units
In the preference segment, no stock traded with a notable price change.
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 12.3 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.
60% explosion for ICTOP10 stock of the week
Caribbean Assurance Brokers (CAB) surged a solid 60 percent at the close of the week, confirming ICInsider.com projections that placed it at the top of the ICTOP10 Junior Market list for the week. The stock which traded as high as $3.80 in the week, closed at $3.52 and still has much more to do, with ICInsider.com projecting earnings at 65 cents per share for this year.
Based on closing bids and offers for CAB, the price could pull back, with most buyers still trying to get stocks below $3. The first quarter results expected this week could change that, also expected are results for the majority of companies.
There are no new listings for the ICTOP10 Junior Market for the week but in the Main Market, Berger Paints returns to the ICTOP10, for the first time since August, last year, now with projected earnings of $1.60 for the current year following solid profit in the first quarter. The newly reported figures suggest that last year’s bad results may be behind it for now.
The stock jumped 45 percent in the week and ended with 13,461 units on offer at $7.23 with the rest at $11.50 and above, but it had weak buying interest at the close. Berger replaces Lasco Manufacturing which drops out of the TOP10, with a rise in price.
General Accident and Lasco Manufacturing jumped 8 percent to close at $6.99 and $5.47 respectively, in the Main Market IC TOP10, while Margaritaville rose 5 percent to $1 and Palace Amusement dropped 6 percent to $1.02. 
Junior Market ICTOP10 witnessed a 9 percent fall in tTech to close at $2.01, with Access Financial ending with a loss of 6 percent in closing at $19.85.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market ICTOP 10 stands at 5.2, well below the market average of 12.6 and the Junior Market TOP10 sits at 6.5, just over half of the market, with an average of 12.3.
The Main Market ICTOP10 is projected to gain an average of 290 percent by May 2025, based on 2024 forecasted earnings and providing better values than the Junior Market with the potential to achieve 217 percent over the same period.
In the Main Market ICTOP 10, a total of 15 of the most highly valued stocks representing 29 percent of the Main Market are priced at a PE of 15 to 91, with an average of 25 and 20 excluding the highest PE ratios, and a PE of 20 for the top half and 16 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 43, averaging 20, well above the market’s average. 
The average PE in the top half of the market is 17, possibly the lowest fair value for stocks, currently.
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.
Profit surged 89% at NCB Group
Profit surged 89 percent at NCB Financial for the six months to March from a combination of higher revenues and reduced costs in some areas, driving profit 74 percent higher in the March quarter to $5.6 billion compared with the same period in 2023, with $3.2 billion and surged for the half year to March with $8.7 billion, from $4.6 billion in 2023.
Net interest income rose to $9.4 billion in the second quarter of this year, from $8.2 billion in the prior year’s second quarter and for the six months, jumped 15.6 percent to $18.85 billion from $16.3 in the 2023 half previous half year. Net fee and Commission income went from $5.3 billion in the $6 billion in March 2024 quarter and from $11 billion in the half year in 2023 to 12.5 billion in the current year.
Credit impairment losses jumped sharply to $1.9 billion in the March quarter from $1.2 billion last year to $2.77 billion in the half year, compared with $2.4 billion in 2023. Dividend income amounted to just $171 million in the March 2024 quarter, down from $488 million in the previous year. The half year is essentially flat, at $1.26 million. Insurance activities delivered profits of $11 billion for the latest quarter, up from $9.3 billion in the previous year. For the half year it surged to $25.2 billion from $16.7 billion in the comparative period in 2023.
Operating expenses slipped to $21.76 billion in the March 2023 quarter from $22.8 billion the previous year and for the half year rose to $47.9 billion from $45.8 billion in 2023. The major contributing factor to cost savings is staff costs, which fell from $14.3 billion in the 2023 March quarter to $13 billion this year and dropped to $26.6 billion for the six months, from $27.5 billion in 2023.
A loss of $3.4 billion is reflected in other comprehensive income in the March 2024 quarter compared with a surplus of $5.7 billion, with the six month period ending up with a loss of $1.2 billion compared to a surplus of $28.3 billion in 2023, effective reducing the quarterly overall profit to $1.4 billion compared to $5.2 billion in 2023 and for six months $7.7 billion versus $20.9 billion in the previous year that is attributable to the NCB Group shareholders.
While most eyes are on the profit statements, the results shown by the various segments are of critical import as they show details of revenues and profit for each segment, enabling investors to have greater insight into the overall results.
Results for the six months show the Consumer and Small Business Enterprise segment generating revenues from outsiders of $21.5 billion, up 17.5 percent from $18.3 billion in 2023 and net segment income of $7 billion in 2024, up 23 percent versus $5.7 billion in 2023. Payment Services delivered a solid 85 percent rise in revenues to $17.2 billion in 2024 with a net position of $4.5 billion in the 2024 half year up from $9.3 billion in revenues in 2023, with net results of $3.4 billion, before internally allocated costs.
Corporate and Commercial banking had a 7 percent growth in revenues to $8 billion and net segment results of $4 billion compared with revenues of $7.5 billion in 2023 as net results surged sharply over $1.18 billion in 2023. Treasury and Correspondent banking generated revenues of $11.77 billion up from $10.58 billion with a net position of $6.9 billion in 2024 compared with $5 billion. Wealth, Asset Management and Investment Banking generated a 38 percent growth in revenues of $14.85 billion and a net position of just $1.17 billion in 2024, with revenues of $10.7 billion in 2023 and net results of $3.5 billion. Life and Health Insurance and Pension Fund management produced a 32 percent increase in revenues to $58.58 billion in 2024 as net results surged to $15.5 billion compared with revenues of $44.4 billion in 2023 with net segment results of $5.76 billion while General Insurance accounted for revenues of $37.7 billion, up 27 percent over 2023 and net results of $3 billion compared with 2023, with revenues of $29.7 billion and profit of $4.3 billion.
NCB declared a dividend of 50 cents to be paid in June.
Loans grew moderately by 6 percent from $595 billion in March 2023 to $633 billion in 2024 while investment securities moved by 9 percent from $763 billion to $833 billion this year. Customer deposits grew 6 percent to $755 billion. Shareholders’ equity ended the period at 160 billion, up from $138 billion at the end of March 2023. Earnings per share for NCB Financial grew from $1.39 to $2.36 for the quarter and from $1.99 in the 2023 half year to $3.68. ICInsider.com projects earnings for the full year to September at $8.50 with a PE of 7.5 well below the market average of 12.6 at the last traded price of $64 on Friday. NCB is selling at a premium to Scotia Group with a lower PE of 6 times 2024 earnings and pays a dividend that provides a much better yield of 4 percent versus 3 percent for NCB. With NCB relative overvaluation compared with its nearest competitor, the current APO is going to provide added supply of shares on the market that is likely pressure the stock price for some time.
Shareholders on record on May 27 are set to receive a dividend of 50 cents per share payable on June 10.
Trading jumps on the JSE Main Market
Trading climbed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Friday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 156 percent, with the value 123 percent more than on Thursday, with trading in 62 securities compared with 60 on Thursday, resulting in prices of 22 stocks rising, 26 declining and 14 ending unchanged.
Trading of 16,107,185 shares ended with an exchange of $138,294,154 compared with 6,285,352 units at $62,015,913 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 259,793 shares at $2,230,551 compared to 104,756 units at $1,033,599 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 167,265 units at $1,205,421 compared with 153,638 units at $1,054,452 on the previous day and April that closed with an average of 680,802 units at $3,619,595.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 4.66 million shares for 28.9 percent of total volume followed by JMMB 9.5% preference share with 4.11 million units for 25.5 percent of the day’s trade, Transjamaican Highway closed with 2.24 million units for 13.9 percent market share and JMMB Group with 1.05 million units for 6.5 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index sank 624.47 points to close trading at 356,196.59, the JSE Main Index declined 1,389.45 points to 318,562.02 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.28 points to 67.84.
The Main Market closed with an average PE Ratio of 12.6. 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 14 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden gained 51 cents to land at $38.47 after 29 shares passed through the market, Barita Investments lost $2.43 and ended at $70.04 with investors swapping 11,169 shares, Caribbean Cement rose $3.47 in closing at $64.98, with 25,889 stocks crossing the market. Caribbean Producers shed 30 cents to close at $8.20 in an exchange of 19,126 units, Eppley declined $2.49 to finish at $37.01 and closed with an exchange of 972 stocks, First Rock Real Estate fell $1.50 to $8.40, with 45 units clearing the market. General Accident climbed 49 cents to $6.99 as investors exchanged 7 shares, GraceKennedy popped $2.50 to end at $76 after a transfer of 30,259 stock units, 
Guardian Holdings advanced $10 in closing at $370 in switching ownership of 8 shares. Jamaica Broilers skidded 40 cents to close at $31.10, with 73,385 units crossing the exchange, Lasco Manufacturing gained 32 cents to end at $5.47 with a transfer of 5,600 stocks, Margaritaville sank 73 cents to finish at $15 with investors exchanging 228 stock units. Massy Holdings slipped $2 to $88 with investors trading 1,987 shares, NCB Financial dipped 48 cents to finish at $64 after an exchange of 467,997 units, Pan Jamaica dipped 30 cents and ended at $45.20 with investors dealing in 732,442 stocks. Proven Investments shed $1.03 in closing at $20 after trading 8,527 stock units, Sagicor Group dropped $1.07 to close at $40.19 with investors transferring 8,461 shares, Scotia Group sank 65 cents to end at $42.50 in an exchange of 11,068 stocks. Seprod dipped $4.50 to $77, with 15,309 units changing hands and Supreme Ventures rallied 51 cents and ended at $25.07 in trading 271,964 stock units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share popped 48 cents in closing at $6.13, with 94 shares crossing the market and Jamaica Public Service 7% gained $5.40 to end at $48 with traders dealing in 124 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.