JSE Main Market inches higher

Trading ended with 43 securities changing hands Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market, down slightly from 45 on Friday, with trading levels remaining extremely low, with an exchange of 14,627,962 shares for $56,812,175 compared to 7,203,254 units at $47,857,862 on Friday.
At the close, the prices of 16 stocks rising, the 17 stocks declining and ten remaining unchanged, with the average PE Ratio of the market, ending at 15.3 based on IC Insider.com’s forecast of 2020-21 earnings. In the end, the All Jamaican Composite Index just carved out a gain of 234.59 points to 406,241.88, the Main Index squeezed out a rise of 434.91 points to at 370,741.73, while the JSE Financial Index slipped 0.20 points to 95.91.
The market closed, with Transjamaican Highway leading trading with 9.83 million shares for 67 percent of total volume, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 2.45 million units for 16.8 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 565,157 units for 4 percent market share.
An average of 340,185 units traded on Monday at $1,321,213 for each security, in comparison to an average of 160,072 at $1,063,508 on Friday. An average of 379,528 units traded for the month to date at $2,567,817 for each security that traded, in contrast to 381,808 units at $2,640,059. In contrast, June ended with an average of 818,748 units at $7,498,308.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading for the market shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close of the market, Barita Investments climbed $4 to end at $57 after exchanging 1,588 shares, Berger Paints fell $1 to $12 in trading 17,604 units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund jumped $7 in closing at $46.10 and exchanged 867 shares. First Rock Capital dropped by 40 cents in closing at $13 with 6,716 shares crossing the market, Jamaica Broilers Group lost 50 cents to close at $25, with 4,316 shares changing hands, Jamaica Producers Group gained 73 cents to end at $23.40 with investors switching ownership of 250 stock units. Jamaica Stock Exchange advanced by 45 cents to $21.95, with 11,122 stock units crossing the market, JMMB Group declined by 50 cents to end at $31 after exchanging 74,555 stock units, Key Insurance climbed $1 in closing at $6 and clearing the market with 49,631 shares. Mayberry Investments increased $1.20 t $6.50 with investors switching ownership of 10,421 shares, Palace Amusement jumped $232.50 to close at $1782.50 with investors trading just stock unit, PanJam Investment fell 96 cents after closing at $66.05 and exchanging 3,087 shares. Portland JSX declined by $1.10 to close at $7.25 trading 80,000 units, Proven Investments  gained 50 cents to end at $33.50 with 18,517 stock units changing hands, Sagicor Real Estate Fund carved out a gain of $1.17 in ending at $8.92 with an exchange of 1,217 units. Scotia Group lost 30 cents closing at $44.20 with investors swapping 155,653 stock units and Seprod gained $1 to close at $57, with 24,527 shares changing hands.

Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

General Accident in IC Top 10 Mailpac out

The price of General Accident dipped to $6.65 at the close of the week, from $7, last week and now returns to the IC Insider.com Junior Market TOP 10, replacing Mailpac Group, with the price moving from $2.01 at the end of the previous week to close this week at $2.14.
There was no change in the Main Market TOP 10 list for the week that saw the Main Market stocks lopping 6,300 points off the market index while the Junior Market rose 26 points.
The top three stocks in each market saw little change in the rankings, leaving the top three Junior Market stocks, with the potential to gain between 239 to 682 percent by March 2021. The first is Caribbean Producers, followed by Lasco Financial and Stationery and Office Supplies, a new entry in the third position.
The top three stocks in the Main Market, with expected gains of 186 to 208 percent are, Radio Jamaica followed by Berger Paints and JMMB Group.
This week’s focus: Seprod posted a 136 percent rise in profit to $568 million, for earnings per share of 77 cents, for the second quarter to June and 117 percent for the six months to $1.2 billion. Profit from continuing operations grew at a slower pace at 38 percent for the second quarter and 41 percent for the half-year. Revenues increased 18 percent to $9.5 billion for the June quarter and 12 percent to $18.6 billion for the six months. The company shuttered its loss-making sugar operations last year and that is helping with the improvement in results.
The stock is well outside the TOP 10, but the company is one of the top performers on the market before the move into sugar production. With its focus on exports and new ventures, the future looks bright for it. The stock is an excellent long-term investment and is likely to record some gains during the rest of 2020. IC Insider.com is projecting $4 per share earnings for the current year and it now trades at a PE ratio of 14, with limited upside potential in the short term.
The targeted average PE ratio of the market is 20 based on the profits of companies reporting full year’s results from now to the second quarter in 2021. Both the Junior and Main markets are currently trading well below this level. The JSE Main Market ended the week, with an overall PE of 14.8 and the Junior Market at just 11.3, based on IC Insider.com’s projected 2020-21 earnings. The average PE ratio of the Junior Market has been slowly rising and narrowing the gap, with the Main Market as investors seem to see better profit opportunities in this sector. The PE ratio for the Junior Market Top 10 stocks averages a mere 6 at just 53 percent to the average of the overall Junior Market. The Main Market TOP 10 stocks trade at a PE of 8.4 or 57 percent of the PE of the overall market.
The average projected gain for the IC TOP 10 stocks is 269 percent, for the Junior Market and 146 percent for the JSE Main Market, based on 2020-21 earnings, an indication that there is the potential to make greater gains in the Junior Market than in the Main Market.
IC TOP 10 stocks are likely to deliver some of the best returns, up to March 2021. The projected gain for each stock takes into account the earnings and PE ratios for the current fiscal year. The ranking of stocks is in order of likely increases, with the highest-ranked, being the most attractive. The ranking of stocks is in order of likely increases, with the highest-ranked, being the most attractive. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate and will result in movements of the selection in and out of the lists for most weeks. Revisions to earnings per share are ongoing, based on receipt of new information.

Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.

JSE Main Market suffers weekly loss

The slide continued on the Jamaica Stock Exchange for a fourth consecutive day on Friday and in the process wiping 6,905 points off the All Jamaica Composite Index since the close on Monday and down 5,574 points for the week as trading levels remained modest.
At the close, the All Jamaican Composite Index declined by 727.14 points to 406,007.29, the Main Index carved out a loss 658.24 points to 370,306.82, the JSE Financial Index fell 0.37 points to 96.11.
Trading ended with 45 securities changing hands, up from just 38 on Thursday and the market closed on Friday, with the prices of 13 stocks rising, the prices of 18 declining and 14 remaining unchanged and the average PE Ratio of the market ended at 14.9 based on IC Insider.com’s forecast of 2020-21 earnings.
The market closed with an exchange of 7,203,254 shares for $47,857,862 compared to 4,909,660 units at $39,906,681 on Thursday.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 2.92 million shares for 40.6 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.37 million units for 19 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 660,723 units for 9.2 percent market share.
An average of 160,072 units traded for the day at $1,063,508 for each security in comparison to an average of 129,202 at $1,050,176 on Thursday. An average of 381,808 units traded for the month to date at $2,640,059 for each security that traded, in contrast to 396,128 units at $2,741,845. In contrast, June ended with an average of 818,748 units at $7,498,308.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading for the market shows seven stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with lower offers.
At the close of the market, Barita Investments fell $2 to close at $53, with 2,904 shares crossing the exchange, Caribbean Cement climbed 50 cents in closing at $46, with 22,713 stock units changing hands. Jamaica Broilers Group lost $1 to settle at $25.50 after 73,432 shares cleared the market, Mayberry Investments fell 70 cents to settle at $5.30 in trading 7,578 units, Mayberry Jamaican Equities increased 35 cents to close at $9.70 after exchanging 6,763 stock units. Palace Amusement dived $175 to $1,550 after exchanging one stock unit, PanJam Investment shed $2.99 in closing at $67.01 with investors swapping 1,112 shares, Proven Investments dropped $1 to settle at $33 in an exchange of 7,955 stock units. Sagicor Group carved out a gain of 75 cents to close at $43.75, with 3,908 units crossing the exchange, Salada Foods climbed 40 cents to settle at $28 trading 660 units, Scotia Group fell $1.75 to $44.50 and finishing trading with 32,231 shares. Seprod jumped $4 in ending at $56 with 137,391 units passing through the market after the company reported a strong increase in half-year profit. Sterling Investments climbed by 60 cents to settle at $3.15 after 100,977 shares crossed the market and Supreme Ventures lost 69 cents in closing at $14.86 with an exchange of 151,113 units.
In the Preference share segment, 138 Student Living climbed 40 cents and ended at $5.60 after clearing the market with 333 shares.

Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

JSE Main Market drops again

The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange gave back more of the gains enjoyed last week as investors cut, the All Jamaican Composite Index down by 2,574.66 points to 406,734.43 and slashed 2,330.72 points off the Main Index to close at 370,965.06.
The JSE Financial Index declined 0.87 points to end at 96.48 and reflects stability in this sector as trading ended with 38 securities changing hands with the prices of 13 stocks rising, the prices of 13 declining and 12 remaining unchanged.
The average PE Ratio of the Main market ended at 14.9 based on IC Insider.com’s forecast of 2020-21 earnings.
The market closed with an exchange of 4,909,660 shares for $39,906,681 compared to 5,825,935 units at $58,494,661 on Wednesday. Transjamaican Highway led trading with 1.52 million shares for 30.9 percent of total volume, followed by Carreras with 810,362 units for 16.5 percent of the day’s trade and Mayberry Investments with 707,749 units for 14.4 percent market share.
An average of 129,202 units traded for the day at $1,050,176, in comparison to an average of 153,314 at $1,539,333 on Wednesday. An average of 396,123 units traded for the month to date at $2,741,845 for each security that traded, in contrast to 411,515 units at $2,83,3929. In contrast, June ended with an average of 818,748 units at $7,498,308units.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading for the Main market shows six stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close of the market, Barita Investments carved out a loss $1 to end at $55 in trading 1,018 shares, Caribbean Cement gained 50 cents to settle at $45.50 to finish with 13,650 stock units changing hands, Eppley dropped 39 cents to close at $17 trading 50,142 units. Jamaica Broilers Group fell $1 to settle at $26.50 in exchanging 2,082 shares, Kingston Wharves gained $1.50 to settle at $51.50 with 1,290 stock units passing through the market, Proven Investments lost 50 cents to settle at $34, with 990 shares crossing the exchange. Sagicor Group fell $3 to settle at $43 while exchanging 61,960 units and Scotia Group carved out a gain of $1.25 and ending at $46.25, with 3,859 shares crossing the exchange.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

JSE Main Market falls

The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock exchange slipped again on Wednesday following Tuesday’s fall after a paltry five 5.8 million units passed through the market.
At the close, the All Jamaican Composite Index lost 1,098.40 points to 409,309.09, the Main Index carved out a loss 911.96 points to 373,295.78 and the JSE Financial Index increased 0.35 points to close at 97.35.
Similar to Tuesday, trading ended with 38 securities changing hands, with the prices of 15 stocks rising, 16 declining and seven remaining unchanged. The average PE Ratio of the Main market ended at 14.8 based on IC Insider.com’s forecast of 2020-21 earnings.
The market closed with an exchange of 5,825,935 shares for $58,494,661 compared to 26,180,702 units at $83,869,954 on Tuesday. Pulse Investments led trading with 1.17 million shares for 20.1 percent of total volume followed by Supreme Ventures with 1.07 million units for 18.3 percent of the day’s trade and Wigton Windfarm with 843,748 units for 14.5 percent market share.
An average of 153,314 units traded for the day at $1,539,333, for each security, in comparison to an average of 688,966 at $2,207,104 on Tuesday. An average of 411,515 units traded for the month to date at $2,839,392 for each security that traded, in contrast to 427,314 units at $2,918,945. In contrast, June ended with an average of 818,748 units at $7,498,308.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading for the Main market shows seven stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close of the market, Barita Investments carved out a loss of $3.50 to settle at $56 with investors switching ownership of 4,972 stock units, Caribbean Cement dropped $4.40 to close at $45 while exchanging 25,035 stock units, Gracekennedy advanced by $1 to $57 with an exchange of 14,296 units. Jamaica Broilers Group increased $2 to close at $27.50, with 409,695 stock units crossing the exchange, Kingston Wharves carved out a loss $3.90 to close at $50 after 1,077 units crossed the market, Mayberry Investments rose 68 cents to $5.98, with 5,015 stock units crossing the market. NCB Financial Group jumped 99 cents to end at $139.99 with investors swapping 15,784 stock units, Palace Amusement shed $25 to end at $1725 with investors switching ownership of 14 shares, PanJam Investment gained $5 to end at $70 in trading 59,013 units. Proven Investments jumped $1.50 to end at $34.50 in an exchange of 38,173 stock units, Sagicor Real Estate Fund dropped by 74 cents to $7.75 in an exchange of 43,000 stock units. Salada Foods fell $3.38 to close at $27.60, with 31,970 shares changing hands and Supreme Ventures advanced 48 cents to close at $15.70 in trading 1,067,865 units.

Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

The JSE Main Market drop some gains

The Jamaica Stock Exchange closed trading on Tuesday with the declining stocks overwhelming advancing ones, resulting in the market indices giving back a good portion of the gains enjoyed since last week into Monday.
At the close, the All Jamaican Composite Index lost 3,232.1 points to end at 410,407.49, the Main Index declined by 2,923.73 points to 374,207.74 and the JSE Financial Index lost 1.07 points to 97.00.
Trading ended with 38 securities changing hands, down from 40 on Monday and ended with the prices of 8 stocks rising, 19 stocks declining and 11 remaining unchanged. The average PE Ratio of the Main market ended at 15 based on IC Insider.com’s forecast of 2020-21 earnings.
The market closed with an exchange of 26,180,702 shares for $83,869,954 compared to 26,760,431 units at $93,968,080 on Monday.
Sagicor Select Financial Fund led trading with 18.08 million shares for 69 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 3.24 million units for 12.4 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway with 2.38 million units for 9 percent market share.
An average at 688,966 units traded for the day at $2,207,104 for each security in compared to an average of 669,011 at $2,349,202 on Monday. An average of 427,315 units traded for the month to date at $2,918,945 for each security that traded, in contrast to 410,605 units at $2,968,326. In contrast, June ended with an average of 818,748 units at $7,498,308.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading for the Main market shows 11 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close of the market, Berger Paints lost 48 cents to settle at $13 while exchanging 685 units, Gracekennedy dropped by 95 cents to close at $56 in trading 193,860 shares, Jamaica Producers Group carved out a loss $1 in ending at $22.5, with 33,095 units clearing the market. Kingston Wharves climbed 40 cents to close at $53.90 and clearing the market with 180 shares, Mayberry Jamaican Equities lost 63 cents to end at $9.3 with 189,374 stock units changing hands, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy jumped $14.99 to $169.99 and trading 626 units. NCB Financial Group declined by 48 cents to settle at $139 with 176,376 stock units changing hands, PanJam Investment lost $6.01 to close at $65 with investors switching ownership of 27,021 shares, Portland JSX carved out a gain of $1.03 to close at $8.35 while exchanging 6,029 shares. Proven Investments fell 41 cents to $33, with 14,000 stock units changing hands, Sagicor Group lost 55 cents in closing at $45.95, with 206,704 stock units passing through the market. Scotia Group climbed 84 cents to finish at $44.84 while exchanging 55,245 units and Wisynco Group fell 44 cents to close at $17.56 after 241,029 shares passed through the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

JSE Main Market adding on points

The All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 1,330.49 points to 413,639.59 on Monday and is now up 6,544 points since the close of the market on Tuesday last as the market continues to recover from a sell-off in the earlier part of the month.
At the end of trading on Monday, the Main Index added 1,176.24 points to end at 377,131.47 while the JSE Financial Index, gained just 0.48 points to close at 98.07.
Trading ended with 40 securities changing hands with the prices of 16 stocks rising, 16 declining and eight remained unchanged. The average PE Ratio of the Main market ended at 14.9 based on IC Insider.com’s forecast of 2020-21 earnings.
The market closed with an exchange of 26,760,431 shares for $93,968,080 compared to 11,975,814 units at $126,008,778 on Friday.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 10.79 million shares for 40.3 percent of total volume followed by JMMB Group 7.50% with 7.9 million units for 29.5 percent of the day’s trade, Pulse Investments with 2.73 million units for 10.2 percent market share. Jamaica Broilers Group chipped in with 1.85 million units and Wigton Windfarm with 1.8 million units with each accounting for 7 percent of total market share.
An average of 669,011 units traded for the day at $2,349,202 for each security, in comparison to an average of 292,093 at $3,073,385 on Friday. An average of 410,260 units traded for the month to date at $2,965,343, for each security that traded, in contrast to 391,200 units at $3,014,746. For comparative purposes, June ended with an average of 818,748 units at $7,498,308.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading for the Main market shows seven stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with lower offers.
At the close of the market, Barita Investments declined by 39 cents in ending at $59.60 with investors switching ownership of 514 stock units, Jamaica Broilers Group fell 48 cents to $25.50 with 1,848,058 units passing through the market, Jamaica Producers Group gained 98 cents in ending at $23.50 with 1,299 shares changing hands. Kingston Wharves shed 50 cents in closing at $53.50 and clearing the market with 580 shares, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy fell $5 to end at $155 after exchanging 5 shares, PanJam Investment dropped $2.99 to settle at $71.01 with an exchange of 1,687 stock units. Portland JSX declined by 68 cents to close at $7.32 with investors switching ownership of 3,415 units, Proven Investments climbed $1.71 to close at $33.41, with 15,980 units crossing the exchange, Sagicor Group carved out a gain of 50 cents to settle at $46.50, with 29,145 shares changing hands. Scotia Group, after rising 49 cents and ended at $44 in exchanging 10,050 stock units and Wisynco Group climbed 50 cents to close at $18, with investors switching ownership of 16,104 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Another IC Top 10 stock with big jump

A few weeks ago General Accident jumped the IC Insider.com Junior Market TOP 10, gaining 75 percent since late May. This past week, yet another IC top 10 listed stock made big gains, after the company posted a strong increase in its first-quarter profit.

Caribbean Cream posts big gains in profit in Q1.

Elsewhere, poor full-year profit results of $58 million versus $113 million in 2019, from Medical Disposables, hit with a big inventory write-off, resulted in a revised downward projection for the 2021 fiscal year results. Lumber Depot earnings for fiscal 2021, was revised to 12 cents per share, following released audited accounts, showing a profit of just 3 cents per share or $22 million for the nine months to April.  
This week’s focus: Caribbean Cream posted a 31 percent rise in profit to $27 million, for earnings per share of 7 cents, saw investors responding strongly to them in driving the stock 28.5 percent higher at its recent peak on Friday, closed the week at $3.25, for an increase of 16 percent. The stock traded down to $2.47 at the beginning of July, those who bought at that price are laughing all the way to the bank with a nice 31 percent gain so far and the month is yet to end.
The company reported a 4 percent rise in sales, with cost kept to 2019 levels, even with a big hike in depreciation charges, while sales and market expenses declined. IC Insider.com is projecting 60 cents per share earnings for the current year as the company enjoys increase sales and lower raw material input cost with the price of milk solids falling on the world market, recently. There are just about six offers on the stock exchange board at the close on Friday with the lowest offer at $4.30 and the only large visible offer for 500,000 shares at $6.
The top three stocks in each market saw little change in the rankings, leaving the top three Junior Market stocks, with the potential to gain between 268 to 679 percent by March 2021 are Caribbean Producers, followed by Lasco Financial and Caribbean Cream in the third position. Lasco Financial came out with lousy audited profit to March but the results included a big $650 million loss provision for impaired loans. Excluding this provision, the profit would have spiked nicely for the year. Investors should watch the current year for early signs of profit recovery. Caribbean Cream’s latest results demonstrate how powerful recovery situations can be for investors.
The top three stocks in the Main Market, with expected gains of 189 to 210 percent are Radio Jamaica followed by Berger Paints and JMMB Group that reported decent full-year March results.
During the early summer months, the local market tends to move sideways as trading recedes from more robust levels. Investors should keep their eyes on the market less they miss good opportunities, as is the case in the near 75 percent rise in the price of General Accident since May 7 and Caribbean Cream. No doubt, there will be others before summer ends.
The targeted average PE ratio of the market is 20 based on the profits of companies reporting full year’s results from now to the second quarter in 2021. Both the Junior and Main markets are currently trading well below this level. The JSE Main Market ended the week, with an overall PE of 15 and the Junior Market at just 11, based on IC Insider.com’s projected 2020-21 earnings. The average PE ratio of the Junior Market has been slowly rising and narrowing the gap on the Main Market as investors seem to see better profit opportunities in this sector. The PE ratio for the Junior Market Top 10 stocks averages a mere 5.9 at just 54 percent to the average of the overall Junior Market. The Main Market TOP 10 stocks trade at 8.5 or 56 percent of the PE of the overall market.
The average projected gain for the IC TOP 10 stocks is 272 percent, for the Junior Market and 144 percent for the JSE Main Market, based on 2020-21 earnings, an indication that there is the potential to make greater gains in the Junior Market than in the Main Market.
IC TOP 10 stocks are likely to deliver some of the best returns up to March 2021. The projected gain for each company’s stock is computed, by using the earnings and PE ratios for the current fiscal year. The ranking of stocks is in order of likely increases, with the highest-ranked, being the most attractive. The ranking of stocks is in order of likely increases, with the highest-ranked, being the most attractive. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate and will result in movements of the selection in and out of the lists for most weeks. Revisions to earnings per share are ongoing, based on receipt of new information.

Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.

JSE Main Market jumps 10,000 points

The JSE All Jamaican Composite Index jumped nearly 10,000 points for the week after the index gained 2,255.06 points Friday to close at 412,309.10 to be up 9,656 points for the week, but is still well off from the nearly 420,735 points close for June.
The Main Index gained 1,812.5 points to 375,955.23 while the JSE Financial Index rose 0.63 points to 97.59.
Trading ended with 41 securities changing hands with the prices of 12 stocks rising, 16 declining and 13 remaining unchanged. The average PE Ratio of the market ended at 14.9 based on IC Insider.com’s forecast of 2020-21 earnings.
The market closed with an exchange of 11,975,814 shares for $126,008,778 compared to 14,547,430 units at $117,545,736 on Thursday. Transjamaican Highway led trading with 5.08 million shares for 42.4 percent of total volume, followed by Wisynco Group with 2.83 million units for 24 percent of the day’s trade and Wigton Windfarm with 1.36 million units for 11 percent market share.
An average of 292,093 units traded at $3,073,385 for each security on Friday, compared to an average of 354,815 at $2,866,969 on Thursday. An average of 391,200 units changed hands for the month to date at $3,010,746 for each security, versus 399,294 units at $3,005,630 on Thursday. The market closed in June with an average of 818,748 units at $7,498,308.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading for the Main market shows eight stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close of the market, Barita Investments jumped $4.98 to close at $59.99 with investors swapping 10,388 shares, Berger Paints rose $1.58 to $13.48 with 80 shares clearing the market, Caribbean Cement climbed $2.35 to end at $49.50 while exchanging 1,433 stock units. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund dropped $7.40 to close at $39.10 with an exchange of 1,200 units, Jamaica Broilers Group gained 88 cents to end at $25.98 in exchanging 2,466 units. Jamaica Producers Group shed 98 cents to settle at $22.52 trading 20,657 shares, JMMB Group fell 30 cents after closing at $31.15 in trading 559,448 units, Kingston Wharves carved out a gain of $1.50 to settle at $54 with an exchange of 58,527 units. Mayberry Investments dropped 62 cents in ending at $5.37 after 6,535 stock units changed hands, Mayberry Jamaican Equities gained 55 cents to close at $9.69 with 10,925 stock units clearing the market, NCB Financial declined by 50 cents to settle at $139.50 with investors swapping 239,825 stock units. 138 Student Living fell 50 cents to end at $6 after exchanging 9,111 stock units, PanJam Investment jumped $4 to $74 with 2,830 units crossing the market, Proven Investments declined $1.30 to close at $31.70 trading 400 shares, Scotia Group lost 98 cents to settle at $43.51 in the trading of 44,367 shares. Seprod fell $1 in ending at $52 while exchanging 61,292 stock units, Victoria Mutual Investments dropped by 30 cents to settle at $7.20 in trading 51 stock units and Wisynco Group declined by 70 cents to $17.50 with investors switching ownership of 2,832,882 stock units.

Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

NCB Financial spikes main market

Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market closed higher for the third time this week to end up 7,400 points higher than at the close of last week on the back of moderate trading levels after NCB Financial bounced from declines to a recent 52 weeks’ low of $130 on July 7, to close at $140.

NCB Financial Montego Bay branch

At the close, the All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 1,431.82 points to 410,054.04, and the Main Index rose 1,234.14 points to 374,142.73, while the JSE Financial Index inched up by 0.33 points to 96.96.
Trading ended with 41 securities changing hands, down from 42 on Wednesday and closes with the prices of 20 stocks rising, the prices of 18 declining and three remaining unchanged.
The average PE Ratio of the Main Market ended at 15 based on IC Insider.com’s forecasted 2020-21 earnings. The market closed with an exchange of 14,547,430 shares for $117,545,736 compared to 8,833,133 units at $194,889,167 on Wednesday.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 8.5 million shares for 58.5 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.4 million units for 16.5 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 549,697 units for 4 percent market share.
The average trade for the day ended at 354,815 units at $2,866,969 in contrast to an average of 210,408 at $4,640,489 on Wednesday. An average of 399,294 units traded for the month to date at $3,005,630 for each security, in contrast to 403,250 units at $3,017,962. In contrast, June ended with an average of 818,748 units at $7,498,308.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading for the Main market shows seven stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close of the market, Barita Investments declined by $1.59 in closing at $55.01, with 583 units changing hands, Berger Paints lost 92 cents to end at $11.90 in an exchange of 29,478 units. First Rock Capital dropped 75 cents to close at $13.25, in trading 1,000 units, Jamaica Producers Group rose 99 cents to end at $23.50, with 1,189 units clearing the market, Jamaica Stock Exchange lost 39 cents to finished at $21.50 in an exchange of 42,315 stock units. JMMB Group rose 35 cents after closing at $31.45, with 311,065 shares changing hands, Key Insurance gained 40 cents to $5.50 in clearing the market with 21,043 stock units, Kingston Properties dropped by $1.69 to $6.11 after 2,383 shares crossed the exchange. Kingston Wharves rose $2.50 in ending at $52.50 and trading 14,251 stock units, Mayberry Investments climbed 67 cents to $5.99 in trading of 100 stock units, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy declined by $11 to close at $160 in an exchange of 100 stock units. NCB Financial Group rose $1 to $140 after trading 231,287 stock units, 138 Student Living added 50 cents to end at $6.50 with investors switching ownership of 500 shares, Proven Investments increased $1 to $33 with 7,091 stock units changing hands. Sagicor Real Estate Fund rose 74 cents to settle at $8.49 after 338 shares changed hands, Salada Foods ended rising $2.98 to settle at $30.98 with investors swapping 25 shares, Seprod rose $1 in closing at $53, with 51,568 units clearing the market. Sterling Investments shed 35 cents to settle at $2.50 in trading 39,166 shares. Sygnus Credit Investments increased 48 cents to close at $16.35, with 12,806 stock units changing hands and Victoria Mutual Investments rose 30 cents to end at $7.50 with an exchange of 106,100 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.