Jamaica stocks rose on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Thursday but overseas-based stocks pulled back, with the Main Market slipping as the Junior Market recovered some of the grounds lost on Wednesday but the JSE USD market closed lower following a drop in the volume and value of stocks trading falling.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index shed 206.43 points to end trading at 336,846.57, the All Jamaican Composite Index rose 1,082.80 to close at 363,466.02, the JSE Main Index fell 499.84 points to 323,758.65. The Junior Market Index climbed 29.96 points to 3,792.26 and the JSE USD Market Index fell 2.02 points to 237.31.
At the close of trading, 10,635,206 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 13,087,775 units on Wednesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounting to $38.4 million, down compared with $69.13 million on Tuesday and the JSE USD market closed after 250,247 shares were traded, for US$11,360 compared to 163,964 units at US$2,851 on Wednesday.
Main Market trading was dominated by Transjamaican Highway led trading with 1.41 million shares followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 1.29 million units and QWI Investments with 888,809 units.
In the Junior Market, iCreate led trading with 612,599 shares followed by Future Energy with 573,561 units and One Great Studio with 415,210 units.
Main Market stocks rallying were NCB Financial rose $1 to close at $67.50 and Seprod rallied $2.10 in closing at $85.
Declining Main Market stocks included, GraceKennedy lost $1.75 to close at $78, Supreme Ventures declined $1.35 to $24.60 and Jamaica Broilers sank $1 in closing at $33.50.
Rising Junior Market stocks include Dolphin Cove advancing 70 cents in closing at $20 and Fontana increasing 52 cents to $10.60. There were stocks with big losses in this market.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share dropped $10 to end at $120 and Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share advanced $15 in closing at $1,075
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.9 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.1 times those for 2023-24 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 between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information 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.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and 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 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Sharp fall for JSE Main Market
Stocks pulled back in trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Wednesday, with the volume of stocks traded declining 40 percent and the value 16 percent lower than on Tuesday, after trading occurred in 60 securities compared with 62 on Tuesday, with 23 rising, 20 declining and 17 ending unchanged and ending in a sharp decline in the market index at the close.
A total of 7,001,247 shares were traded for $56,070,502 down from 11,588,245 units at $66,472,610 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 116,687 shares at $934,508 compared with 186,907 units at $1,072,139 on Tuesday. Trading for the month to date averaged 152,373 stock units at $1,004,452 compared with December that closed with an average of 264,266 units at $3,755,946.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 1.78 million shares for 25.4 percent of total volume followed by Jamaica Stock Exchange with 1.43 million units for 20.4 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway with 637,525 units for 9.1 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dived 5,765.35 points to end the day at 362,383.22, the JSE Main Index sank 3,566.78 points to lock up trading at 324,258.49 and the JSE Financial Index fell 1.79 points to close at 70.51.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.6. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden climbed $3.01 to close at $33.11 with an exchange of 10 units, Barita Investments increased 89 cents to $73.89 with investors swapping 6,134 stocks, Berger Paints popped 95 cents to end at $1.82 and ended at $57.66, with 10,876 stock units crossing the exchange, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund skidded $3 to $37 in trading 29,286 shares, General Accident sank 42 cents to $4.43 with 112,787 stock units clearing the market. Kingston Wharves rallied 45 cents to end at $26.95 as investors exchanged 18,030 stocks, 
Mayberry Group dropped 70 cents in closing at $7.90 after 7,314 units passed through the market, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy rose 49 cents to close at $89.50 and closed after 5 shares were traded. NCB Financial shed $1.50 and ended at $66.50 with an exchange of 152,874 stocks, Pan Jamaica declined 70 cents to $50, with 2,028 units changing hands, Proven Investments fell 98 cents and ended at $22.50 in an exchange of 8,932 stock units. Scotia Group dipped $1 to end at $38.50 with investors trading 13,371 shares, Seprod advanced $2.91 in closing at $82.90 after switching ownership of 3,375 units, Stanley Motta fell 68 cents to close at $5.36 with investors trading 1,939 stocks. Supreme Ventures gained 95 cents to $25.95 in an exchange of 43,554 stock units and Wisynco Group rose $1.25 to a 52 weeks’ closing high of $22.30, with 71,584 shares crossing the market.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% preference share gained $3.99 and ended at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $22.99 with a transfer of 3 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Pull back for JSE Main & Junior Markets
The Main Market and Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange gave back some of the gains garnered over the past few trading sessions but the JSE USD market closed higher for the second day of trading as the overall trading levels in the markets pulled back from those of Friday and Tuesday, with the market weighed down by more big falling prices than those rising.
At the close of trading, 13,087,775 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 21,294,970 units on Tuesday,
with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $69.13 million, down compared with $81.4 million on Tuesday and the JSE USD market closed after 163,964 shares were traded, for US$2,851 compared to 51,389 units at US$5,071 on Tuesday.
Main Market trading was dominated by Wigton Windfarm led trading with 1.78 million shares for 25.4 percent of total volume followed by Jamaica Stock Exchange with 1.43 million units for 20.4 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway with 637,525 units.
In the Junior Market, Lasco Financial led trading with 2.96 million shares, followed by AMG Packaging with 557,050 units and One Great Studio with 492,557 units.
At the close of the market, Main Market stocks rallying were AS Bryden, with a gain of $3.01 to $33.11, Seprod climbing $2.91 to $82.90, Wisynco Group up $1.25 to close at $22.30.
Declining Main Market stocks included, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund skidded $3 to end at $37, Caribbean Cement lost $1.82 and ended at $57.66, NCB Financial down $1.50 and ended at $66.50 and Scotia Group up $1 to $38.50.
Rising Junior Market stocks include AMG Packaging advancing $1.50 to $3.90 and Main Event increasing $1.20 in closing at $14.34. Falling stocks include Access Financial down $2.29 to close at $25.20 and Cargo Handlers declining $1.84 to end at $13.08.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index dropped 4,040.80 points to 337,053.00, the All Jamaican Composite Index skidded 5,765.35 points to lock up trading at 362,383.22, the JSE Main Index lost 3,566.78 points to end at 324,258.49. The Junior Market Index dropped 79.45 points to conclude trading at 3,762.30 and the JSE USD Market Index gained 1.52 points to settle at 239.33.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% preference share popped $3.99 to $22.99.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.7 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.1 times those for 2023-24 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 between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information 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.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and 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 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Prices retreat to start 2024 for Main Market
The year-end push in prices gave back some of the gains at Friday’s close on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market as trading commenced for 2024 on Tuesday, resulting in a 76 percent drop in the volume of stocks traded as the value dived 92 percent lower than on Friday, ending with trading in 62 securities compared with 61 on Friday, with 13 rising, 31 declining and 18 ending unchanged.
A total of just 11,588,245 shares were traded for $66,472,610 compared to 49,282,609 units at $809,014,389 on Friday.
Trading ended with an average of 186,907 shares at $1,072,139 compared with 807,912 units at $13,262,531 on Friday compared to December with an average of 264,266 units at $3,755,946.
Sagicor Select Financial Fund led trading with 3.15 million shares for 27.1 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.45 million units for 21.1 percent of the day’s trade and Ciboney Group with 1.98 million units for 17.1 percent of the day’s trade.
The All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 1,130.72 points to settle at 368,148.57, the JSE Main Index rose 2,125.48 points to lock up trading at 327,825.27 and the JSE Financial Index added 1.65 points to finish at 72.30.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.6. 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 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows nine stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and eight with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden declined $3.01 and ended at $30.10 while exchanging 2,070 units, Barita Investments fell $3.98 to $73 with investors dealing in 2,272 stocks, Berger Paints dipped 94 cents to end at a 52 weeks’ low of $5.75 after an exchange of 61,379 shares. Caribbean Cement sank 52 cents in closing at $59.48 after investors ended trading 6,211 stock units, Eppley popped $2.04 to close at $38.04 in an exchange of 1,386 shares, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund dropped $2.10 to $40 with investors trading 3,293 stock units. First Rock Real Estate shed 85 cents to end at $6.75 after an exchange of 3,000 units, GraceKennedy lost 45 cents in closing at $79.50, with 8,851 stocks crossing the market, Guardian Holdings jumped $49.98 and ended at $399.98 in an exchange of 24 shares. Jamaica Producers rose 50 cents to close at $22.50 after 7,000 stocks passed through the market, JMMB Group skidded $1 to $25 in trading 48,891 units, Kingston Wharves sank 50 cents and ended at $26.50 after a transfer of 13,043 stock units. 
Massy Holdings rallied $1 to end at $91, with 3,152 shares crossing the market, Mayberry Group shed 90 cents in closing at $8.60 as investors exchanged 3,759 stocks, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy dropped 88 cents to close at $89.01 in switching ownership of 655 units. NCB Financial lost $1.99 to close at $68, with 40,596 stock units changing hands, 138 Student Living increased 32 cents to end at $4.21 with a transfer of 11,200 shares, Proven Investments climbed 98 cents to $23.48, with 6,233 units crossing the exchange. Pulse Investments dipped 25 cents to close at $1.84 with investors transferring 160,749 stocks, Radio Jamaica fell 48 cents and ended at $1.45 after closing with an exchange of 171,837 stock units, Sagicor Group skidded $2.50 to $47 with 700,814 shares changing hands. Scotia Group rallied $1.10 and ended at $39.50, with 69,913 stock units clearing the market, Seprod declined $2.51 to end at $79.99 with traders dealing in 11,464 units, 
Supreme Ventures shed $2 in closing at $25 with investors swapping 159,371 stocks and Wisynco Group dropped 95 cents to close at $21.05 in an exchange of 34,165 units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% preference share sank $3 to $19 with traders dealing in 926 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Stock prices fall but JSE rises to start 2024
The Main Market and USD Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange climbed to start the new year at the close on Tuesday but the Junior Market slipped modestly following b gains on Friday, with trading dropping sharply from the year close on Friday, notwithstanding the gains in the market, trading ended with declining dominating those rising on the first day of the year.
At the close of trading, 21,294,970 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 107,792,193 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $81.4 million, down from $952.3 million on Friday. The JSE USD market closed after 51,389 shares were traded for US$5,071 compared to 367,867 units at US$23,662 on Friday.
Sagicor Select Financial Fund was the dominant trade in the Main Market, with 3.15 million shares, followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.45 million units and Ciboney Group, 1.98 million units. In the Junior Market, EduFocal led trading with 2.46 million shares followed by One Great Studio with 1.59 million units and Future Energy, 665,397 stock units.
At the close of trading, Main Market stocks rallying were Guardian Holdings jumping $49.98 and ended at $399.98, Eppley popping $2.04 to close at $38.04, Scotia Group up $1.10 and ended at $39.50 and Massy Holdings advancing $1 to end at $91.
Declining Main Market stocks included AS Bryden, with a decline of $3.01 and ended at $30.10, Barita Investments falling $3.98 to $73, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund dropped $2.10 to $40, JMMB Group skidded $1 to $25, NCB Financial lost $1.99 to $68, followed by Sagicor Group skidding $2.50 to $47, Seprod declining $2.51 to end at $79.99 and Supreme Ventures shedding $2 in closing at $25.
Rising Junior Market stocks include ISP Finance and Access Financial up $2.49 each and Dolphin Cove up $1.27. Falling stocks include Main Event dropping 76 cents, AMG Packaging skidding 62 cents and Spur Tree Spices with a fall of 40 cents.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index jumped 1,935.67 points to close at 341,093.80, the All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 1,130.72 points to 368,148.57, the JSE Main Index increased 2,125.48 points to end at 327,825.27. The Junior Market Index lost 6.58 points to end at 3,841.75 and the JSE USD Market Index gained 6.62 points to culminate at 237.81.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% preference share dropped $3 to $19.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.2 times those for 2023-24 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 between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information 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.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and 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 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
ICTOP10 bounce as Main Market breaks higher
2023 was not a great year for the Jamaica Stock Market, with all three JSE markets declining moderately and sending powerful messages to investors, with several companies reporting increased profit, enjoying increased prices. Transjamaican Highway delivered an outstanding performance, ending the year up 93 percent and paid a 19 cents dividend for an overall return of 106 percent for the year.
Transjamaican Highway gained 93% for 2023.
Readers of this publication would have gotten a good lead ahead of the first set of results in the year with the stock listed as a Stock to Watch in April, with the price then at $1.77 and gained 53 percent since, plus the dividend.
Other notable gains were recorded by Ciboney at 107 percent, following a change in ownership of the company, Main Event rising 55 percent, Regency Petroleum rallied at 47 percent, Knutsford Express at 45 percent and Dolphin Cove at 39 percent plus paying dividends of $1.85 during the year thus raising the returns to 53 percent.
There were several disappointing performances but one message is the import of proper stock selections and the benefits of portfolio diversification.
The Main Market all Jamaica Composite Index rose 17,082 points or 5 percent and the Junior Market just 2 percent during December, with technical indicators showing the Main Market now in a bullish state, having broken out sharply from a wedge formation, but the Junior Market remains under pressure for the time being, except for a limited number of stocks.
At the close of the market, four Junior Market stocks gained between eight and 26 percent and 5 fell by 7 percent and less, while three Main Market stocks rose between one to 15 percent and two fell by 6 percent each.
The Main Market ICTOP10 ended with, Palace Amusement gaining 15 percent to $1.40, followed by JMMB Group up 4 percent to $26 and Margaritaville 3 percent to $17.58, while 138 Student Living and Key Insurance declined 6 percent each two $3.89 and $2.25 respectively.
The Junior Market ended the week, with Caribbean Cream jumping 26 percent to $4.59, Jamaican Teas popping 21 percent to $2.80, a 52 weeks’ high. AMG Packaging climbed 12 percent to $3.02 and Tropical Battery rose 8 percent to end the week at $1.90. Lasco Manufacturing fell 7 percent to $4.31, Lasco Distributors and Paramount Trading fell by 4 percent each to $3.75 and $1.60 respectively.
Tropical Battery dropped out of the IC Junior Market TOP10, and Access Financial replaced it.
Indications of where stock prices could be by May 2024 can be seen from stocks with the highest values in the Main and Junior Markets.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market ICTOP 10 stands at 5.3, well below the market average of 14 and the Junior Market TOP10 sits at 7.3, just over half of the market, with an average of 14.1.
The Main Market ICTOP10 is projected to gain an average of 286 percent by May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings, providing better values than the Junior Market with the potential to gain 184 percent over the same time frame.
In the Main Market ICTOP 10, a total of 15 of the most highly valued stocks representing 31 percent of the Main Market are priced at a PE of 15 to 108, with an average of 32 and 23 excluding the highest PE ratios, and a PE of 26 for the top half and 19 excluding the stocks with overweight values.
In the Junior Market, there are 16 stocks, or 33 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 55, averaging 22, well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 20, possibly the lowest fair value for stocks.
Of great import is that the averages of both markets are now converging around a PE of 20 for close to a third of the market, as the year is coming to a close and with more information available on the full year’s earnings.
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 2024 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 and result 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.
The JSE Main Market bounces to close out 2023
Trading activity remained buoyant on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market to close out the year on Friday, with 49,282,609 shares traded for $809,014,389 compared with 54,718,064 units at $832,512,122 on Thursday after trading resulted in 61 securities changing hands compared with 58 on Thursday, and ended with prices of 31 stocks rising, 10 declining and 20 ending unchanged.
Trading averaged 807,912 shares at $13,262,531 compared with 943,415 units at $14,353,657 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 264,266 units at $3,755,94 compared with 230,599 units at $3,167,213 on the previous day. November closed with an average of 275,587 units at $2,488,949.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 25.03 million shares for 50.8 percent of total volume followed by NCB Financial with 8.03 million units for 16.3 percent of the day’s trade, Radio Jamaica ended with 7.49 million shares for 15.2 percent of market share, Sagicor Group with 1.64 million units for 3.3 percent of trading. Barita Investments closed with 1.34 million shares for 2.7 percent of market activity and Transjamaican Highway, 1.30 million units for 2.6 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index surged 6,563.17 points to close at 367,017.85, the JSE Main Index popped 4,228.16 points to end the year at 325,699.79 as the market lost 9 percent for the year and the JSE Financial Index gained 1.26 points to end at 70.65.
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 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden increased $3.01 to end at a recording closing high of $33.11 as investors exchanged 100 stock units, Barita Investments popped $5.98 to end at $76.98 in trading 1,337,808 shares, Caribbean Cement rallied $3.04 to $60 and closed with an exchange of 107,713 units. Eppley lost $2.10 in closing at $36 while exchanging 770 stocks, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rose $3.10 and ended at $42.10 with traders dealing in 1,148 shares, Guardian Holdings declined $23 to $350 in an exchange of 3,024 stocks. Jamaica Broilers advanced 52 cents and ended at $34.70, with 134,386 units changing hands, JMMB Group climbed 60 cents in closing at $26 with a transfer of 189,168 stock units, Kingston Wharves gained $1 to close at $27 after an exchange of 104,286 shares. 
Margaritaville rose 58 cents to end at $17.58 with 592 stocks clearing the market, Mayberry Group climbed 62 cents in closing at $9.50 with an exchange of 20,568 units, NCB Financial increased $2.49 to $69.99, with 8,031,610 stock units crossing the market. 138 Student Living popped 38 cents to close at $3.89 in an exchange of 10,161 shares, Pan Jamaica sank 80 cents to end at $50.70 after trading 174,963 stock units, Sagicor Group gained $3.52 and ended at $49.50 after an exchange of 1,638,388 stocks. Salada Foods advanced 26 cents to $3.98 with investors transferring 124,752 units, Scotia Group rallied 40 cents to end at $38.40 in switching ownership of 65,342 stocks, Seprod popped $2.01 in closing at $82.50 after 59,998 units passed through the market. Sygnus Credit Investments climbed 50 cents and ended at $11.40 after a transfer of 102,722 shares and Wisynco Group increased 51 cents to close at $22, with 344,392 stock units crossing the market.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% preference share rose $3 to $22 with investors trading 100 shares and 138 Student Living preference share advanced $33.10 in closing at $130, with 115 stock units crossing the exchange.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Aggressive trading pushes Main Market to 5 months high
Aggressive trading on Thursday with prices of 27 stocks jumping, 15 declining and 16 ending unchanged following trading in 58 securities compared with 59 on Wednesday and closed after the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange recorded a 64 percent surge in the volume of stocks traded at a marginally higher value than on Wednesday as investors pushed the market to the highest level since the first week in August.
At the close of the market, 54,718,064 shares were traded for $832,512,122 up from 33,345,989 units at $814,176,218 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 943,415 shares at $14,353,657 up from 565,186 stocks at $13,799,597 on Wednesday, Trading for the month to date, averages of 230,599 units at $3,167,213 up from 186,000 units at $2,467,306 on the previous day. November closed with an average of 275,587 units at $2,488,949.
Carreras led trading with 24.28 million shares for 44.4 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 7.82 million units for 14.3 percent of the day’s trade, Wisynco Group ended with 4.36 million shares for 8 percent market share, Radio Jamaica closed with 3.71 million units for 6.8 percent of Main Market trading, NCB Financial contributed 3.06 million units for 5.6 percent of market activity and Scotia Group with 2.42 million units for 4.4 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index surged 6,057.90 points to end at 360,454.68, the JSE Main Index railed 3,911.29 points to end the day at 321,471.63 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.74 points to 69.39.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.6. 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 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments rose 65 cents to close at $71 in switching ownership of 23,528 shares, Caribbean Cement advanced $3.22 to end at $56.96, with 2,207,611 units clearing the market, Eppley popped $3.10 to close at $38.10 after a transfer of 100 shares. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund shed $1 and ended at $39 with investors swapping 25 stock units, First Rock Real Estate gained $1.48 to end at $7.50, with 29,496 shares changing hands, Guardian Holdings declined $29 in closing at $373 after 520 stocks passed through the market. 
Jamaica Broilers fell 52 cents to $34.18 after an exchange of only 4,286 units, JMMB Group gained 40 cents to close at $25.40 after a transfer of 59,164 stocks, Kingston Wharves skidded 65 cents and ended at $26 as investors exchanged 2,009,244 shares. Mayberry Group climbed 48 cents to $8.88 after investors ended trading 25,701 stock units, NCB Financial rallied $2.40 to $67.50 after an exchange of 3,062,584 stocks, 138 Student Living lost 62 cents to at a 52 weeks’ low of $3.51, with 23,000 units crossing the market. Pan Jamaica popped $1.05 to end at $51.50 with traders dealing in 52,176 shares, Radio Jamaica rallied 35 cents to close at $1.70 while exchanging 3,708,301 stock units, Sagicor Group rose $4.48 and ended at $45.98 with investors dealing in 207,662 units. Salada Foods gained 52 cents to close $3.72 in an exchange of 114,055 stocks, Scotia Group dipped 38 cents to close at $38 with investors trading 2,423,400 shares, Seprod increased $3 to end at $80.49 in an exchange of 95,081 stocks. 
Supreme Ventures climbed $1.05 in closing at $27, with 1,016,463 units crossing the market, Sygnus Real Estate Finance advanced $1.25 and ended at $10.25 in trading 10,104 stock units and Wisynco Group popped 49 cents to $21.49 after exchanging 4,360,933 shares.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share sank $17.10 in closing at $96.90 with investors transferring 50 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Stocks prices surged on the Jamaican Stock Exchange
All three markets of the Jamaica Stock Exchange rose on Thursday following the sharp jump on Wednesday as trading on the Main Market exceeded Wednesday levels as investors traded 54.7 million shares in that market for $833 million on Thursday. Trading fell off in the Junior Market but the index surged as did the all Jamaica Composite index as investors pushed the top 10 stocks up by more than $1 and as high as $4.48, while declining stock price changes were subdued.
A total of 65,137,916 shares, were traded in all three markets, from 132,966,020 units on Wednesday.
The value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets totalled $857.26 million, down from $1.06 billion on Wednesday. The JSE USD market closed after 31,154 shares were traded for US$662 compared to 127,343 units at US$6,740 on Wednesday.
Carreras was one of a number of stocks dominating trading Thursday, with an exchange of 24.28 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 7.82 million units, Wisynco Group ended with 4.36 million units, Radio Jamaica, chipped in with 3.71 million stock units, NCB Financial closed with an exchange of 3.06 million shares and Scotia Group with 2.42 million units and in the Junior Market, Spur Tree Spices ended with an exchange of 3.09 million shares.
At the close of trading on Thursday, the JSE Combined Market Index jumped 4,106.46 points to 334,623.18, the All Jamaican Composite Index surged 6,057.90 points to 360,454.68, the JSE Main Index rallied 3,911.29 points to end trading at 321,471.63. The Junior Market Index surged 50.05 points to end at 3,783.30 and the JSE USD Market Index rose 1.89 points to wrap-up trading at 224.35.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share sank $17.10 in closing at $96.90.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 21.3 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.6 times those for 2023-24 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 between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information 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.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and 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 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 pertaining to the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Trading jumps on JSE Main Market as prices rise
Trading activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Wednesday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 37 percent and the value surging 189 percent over trading on Friday, with 59 securities trading similar to trading on Friday and ended with prices of 24 stocks rising, 17 declining and 18 ending unchanged as JMMB Group traded at an intraday 52 weeks’ low of $24.80.
Trading ended with an exchange of 33,345,989 shares for $814,176,218 compared with 24,406,102 units at $281,890,487 on Friday.
Trading averaged 565,186 shares at $13,799,597 up sharply from 413,663 units at $4,777,805 on Friday and month to date, an average of 186,000 stock units at $2,467,306 compared to 160,226 units at $1,697,024 that were previously traded. November ended with an average of 275,587 units at $2,488,949.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 7.51 million shares for 22.5 percent of total volume followed by Sygnus Credit Investments with 5.88 million units for 17.6 percent of the day’s trade, Wisynco Group closed trading with 4.37 million units for 13.1 percent of the day’s volume, NCB Financial ended with 3.11 million units for 9.3 percent market share, Jamaica Producers closed with 2.84 million stock units for 8.5 percent trading and Caribbean Cement with 2.15 million units for 6.4 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 858.00 points to 354,396.78, the JSE Main Index increased 761.89 points to conclude trading at 317,560.34 and the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.13 points to settle at 68.65.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.3. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasted by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
At the close, Eppley increased 49 cents to $35 with investors trading 1,415 stocks, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund dipped $2.10 in closing at $40, with 820 units clearing the market, 
First Rock Real Estate fell $1.47 and ended at $6.02 with investors transferring 6,142 shares. Guardian Holdings popped $2.01 to close at $402, with 1,071 stock units crossing the market, Kingston Properties advanced 48 cents to $7.80 after investors traded 259,775 shares, Kingston Wharves skidded 35 cents to $26.65 after an exchange of 5,928 units. NCB Financial sank 90 cents to close at $65.10 with investors trading 3,108,015 stocks, Pan Jamaica rose $1.45 to end at $50.45 after 1,552,450 stock units passed through the market, Sagicor Group shed 30 cents in closing at $41.50 while exchanging 5,478 shares. Seprod climbed $2.49 and ended at $77.49, with investors trading 30,268 stock units, Sygnus Real Estate Finance declined 50 cents to $9 in an exchange of 10,000 units and Wisynco Group rallied 50 cents in closing at $21 with traders dealing in 4,366,417 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.