All JSE markets fall on Wednesday


Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange ended Wednesday with a rise in the volume of stocks exchanged with a value above Tuesday’s levels, resulting in the indices of all markets index closing lower as prices of 38 shares rose, 41 declined and 35 remained firm.

At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index declined 115.79 points to 335,712.94, the All Jamaican Composite Index fell 154.90 points to end at 371,601.54, the JSE Main Index shed 111.91 points to 323,575.90, the Junior Market Index lost 1.22 points to end the day at 3,665.54, and the JSE USD Market Index declined 4.21 points to end at 223.16.
At the close of trading, 34,151,151 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 18,391,923 units on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $91.11 million, just above the $81.64 million on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of a hefty 19,338,949 shares for US$528,367 up from 6,731,611 units at US$194,285 on Tuesday.
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led trading with 6.01 million stocks followed by Wigton Energy with 1.63 million shares and Wisynco Group with 942,658 units.
In Junior Market, RA Williams led trading with 558,065 stocks followed by MFS Capital Partners with 531,006 shares and Derrimon Trading with 514,187 units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% lost $65 to end at $2,690 and 138 Student Living preference share fell $26.70 to $300.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 13.9 based on 2024-25 earnings and 20.5 based on 2023-24 historical earnings. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the other more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help in making decisions. The PE ratio chart covers ordinary shares that are listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange and grouped by industry, allowing for an easy comparison within a sector and the overall market. The earnings per share (EPS) and PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one time income or expenses
Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the sector average, 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 incorporated into the chart. Investors can use this measure to assess stock values. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices. Dividends that are paid or are due to be paid 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.

Scotia a Xmas of goodies in 2025 & beyond

Scotia Group delivered a respectable 17 percent jump in profit to shareholders in the just concluded fiscal year to October. Investors drove the price up a solid 34 percent for the year to date, in addition to dividends amounting to $1.70 as revenues climbed 15.8 percent to $69 billion from $59.6 billion in the October quarter, with profit after tax rising to $20.15 billion from $17.2 billion in 2023. For the October quarter, profit rose a solid 32 percent to $6.16 billion from $4.67 billion in 2023.


The group paid dividends amounting to $5.1 billion during the fiscal year versus $4.2 billion in 2023 a payout ratio of roughly 25 percent of the annual profit. A dividend of 45 cents per share has been declared for payment in January 2025.
Total revenues rose 16.2 percent for the October quarter to $18.4 billion from $15.84 billion in 2023.
B growth in loans the main propeller of increasing profits, climbed 16 percent for the year to $312.76 billion but rose at an annual rate of 22 percent in the second half and 29 percent in the final quarter. With lower interest rates expected in 2025, the demand for loans could grow even faster than in the final quarter, subject to demand and management’s decision to take on increased risk.
Interest Income rose 14.5 percent in the last quarter to $12.64 billion from $11 billion in 2023 and for the year it moved up 18.4 percent to $59.7 billion from $48.34 billion in 2023.
Net interest income rose 15.4 percent to $12 billion in the last quarter of this year, from $10.57 billion in the prior year and for the full year, it jumped 17.4 percent to $46.3 billion from $39.46 billion in the previous year. Net fee and Commission income went from $1.8 billion in the $2.1 billion in October 2024 quarter and increased 17.2 percent from $6.74 billion in the half year in 2023 to $7.23 billion in the current year.
Other income amounted to just $158.6 million in the October 2024 quarter, up from $67 million in the previous year and for the fiscal year, rose 25.5 percent to $661 million from $527 million. Insurance premium income jumped 51 percent to $1 billion for the latest quarter, up from $673 billion in the prior year and for the year to October grew 26 percent from $2.79 billion in 2023 to $3.5 billion.
Net foreign currency activities generated revenues of $2.48 billion up 9.5 percent from $2.27 billion in the comparative period in 2023 and for the year, revenues rose 6.4 percent of $9.3 Billion versus $8.75 billion in 2023.
Credit impairment losses jumped sharply by 71 percent to $1.26 billion in the October quarter from $740 million last year and for the fiscal year, it climbed 73.5 percent to $4.16 billion from $2.4 billion in 2023.
Segment results show third party revenues for Corporate and Commercial banking increasing 11.3 percent to $15.8 billion, with revenues of $14.2 billion in 2023. Net segment results surged 24 percent to $13.7 billion over $11.1 billion in 2023. Treasury segment generated revenues of $15.75 billion up 24 percent from $12.68 billion in 2023 with a profit of $4.86 billion in 2024 up 36 percent compared with $3.57 billion in the previous year. Investment Management Services generated a 1.7 percent growth in revenues of $3.14 billion and net results that rose just 2 percent to $1.77 billion in 2024, with revenues of $3.1 billion in 2023 and net results of $1.73 billion. Insurance Services accounted for revenues of $4.76 billion, up 13 percent over $4.2 billion in 2023 and net results of $4.8 billion up by 24 percent compared with 2023, with revenues of $4.2 billion and profit of $3.9 billion.

Staff cost fell 10 percent in the last quarter to $2.92 billion from $3.24 billion in 2023 and rose 6.3 percent to $11.8 billion in the current year from $11.1 billion last year. Other operating expenses rose 4.2 percent to $3.1 billion in the quarter from $2.99 billion in 2023 and increased 4.6 percent in the year to $13.24 billion from $12.66 billion in the prior year. Tax on assets rose 13 percent to $1.55 from $1.376 billion in 2023. Taxation rose 16 percent to $9.55 billion, for the year from $8.2 billion in 2023.
Customer deposits grew by 7 percent to $479 billion. Shareholders’ equity ended the period at $138.5 billion, up from $126.5 billion at the end of October 2023.
Earnings per share for the quarter amounts to $1.98 and $6.48 for the year. IC Insider.com projects earnings of $9 per share for the 2025 fiscal year, with a PE of 5.8 times the current year’s earnings based on the price of $52 the stock traded at on the Jamaica Stock Exchange. Net asset value ended the period at $44.50 with the stock selling at a low 1.15 times book value.
Scotia Group has the ICInsider.com Buy Rated seal of approval.

Gains for JSE Main Market


The Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended trading with rising stocks exceeding those declining by a good margin and delivering a notable bounce for the market at the close on Tuesday, following trading in 63 securities for a second consecutive day and ended with prices of 26 rising, 16 declining and 21 ending firm. The volume of stocks traded fell by 77 percent and the value was 90 percent lower than on Monday, with no stock repeating the $473 million worth of GraceKennedy shares traded on Monday.
The market closed with 5,128,169 shares trading valued at $66,428,387 compared with 22,311,420 stock units at $692,219,403 on Monday. Trading averaged 81,400 shares at $1,054,419 compared with 354,150 stocks for $10,987,610 on Monday.  Trading month to date, an average of 768,832 stock units at $7,146,078 compared with 834,952 shares at $7,731,993 on the previous day and an average of 286,669 stocks at $2,555,172 in November. On a day of relatively light trades, Transjamaican Highway was the leading volume trade with 2.60 million shares for 50.7 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Energy with 767,667 units for 15 percent of the day’s trade and Victoria Mutual Investments with 349,493 stock units for 6.8 percent market share. The All Jamaican Composite Index advanced 2,726.93 points to finish at 371,756.44, the JSE Main Index rose 2,406.09 points to settle at 323,687.81 and the JSE Financial Index dipped 0.04 points to end at 66.01. The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers. The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 14.1. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2025. At the close of trading, AS Bryden gained $1.50 in ending at $32 with an exchange of 3,063 stock units, Barita Investments dropped $1.20 to close at $73.50 with 16,179 shares clearing the market, Berger Paints popped 69 cents to end at $7.70 with an exchange of 499 stocks. JMMB Group sank 91 cents in closing at $21.50 after 14,581 units changed hands, Margaritaville rallied $3.04 to finish at $12.56 in an exchange of 16 shares, Proven Investments rose $1.13 to close at $18.48 with 2,804 stock units crossing the market. Scotia Group climbed 50 cents to $51.50 with a transfer of 47,554 stocks, Supreme Ventures increased $1.93 and ended at $22.23 as investors exchanged 25,309 units and Sygnus Real Estate Finance slipped $1.74 to close at $9 in switching ownership of 567 shares. In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share advanced $29.70 to end at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $326.70 with investors trading 21 units, Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share popped $78 in closing at $1,072 after an exchange of 90 stocks and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% rallied $4.50 to finish at $105 with just 5 stock units changing hands. Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Trading falls back as prices rise on Jamaica Stock Exchange


Trading ended on Tuesday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange with a fall in the volume and the value of stocks that were exchanged and prices mostly rising compared to Monday, resulting in the Main Market major indices gaining, the Junior Market index and the JSE USD Market index closing higher with trading ending with prices of 52 shares rising, 34 declining and 34 remaining firm.

At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index advanced 2,414.24 points to 335,828.73, the All Jamaican Composite Index gained 2,726.93 points to end at 371,756.44, as the JSE Main Index rallied 2,406.09 points to close at 323,687.81, with the Junior Market Index rising 15.80 points to settle at 3,666.76 and the JSE USD Market Index gained 0.13 points to finish at 227.37.
At the close of trading, 18,391,923 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 32,527,574 units on Monday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $81.64 million, well below the $702.26 million on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 6,731,611 shares for US$194,285 up from just 114,780 units at US$59,785 on Monday.
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led trading with 2.60 million stocks followed by Wigton Energy with 767,667 shares and Victoria Mutual Investments with 349,493 units.
In Junior Market, Lumber Depot led trading with 4.11 million stocks followed by ONE on ONE Educational with 466,086 shares and RA Williams with 417,898 units.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share rallied $29.70 to close at $326.70, Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share increased $78 to $1,072 and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% climbed $4.50 and ended at $105.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 13.8 on projected 2024-25 earnings and 20.4 based on 2023-24 historical earnings. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the other more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information that will help in 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 earnings per share (EPS) and PE ratios are based on 2024 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one time income or expense. Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the sector average, 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 incorporated into the chart. Investors can use this measure in assessing stock values. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices. Dividends that are paid or are due to be paid 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.

GraceKennedy is Main Market’s top trade


GraceKennedy was the most valuable traded stock on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Monday, with 6.56 million shares changing hands with a value of $473 million or 68 percent of the total value of shares traded in the Main market and pushed the value of stocks traded up 72 percent more than on Friday even as the volume of stocks traded declined by 27 percent following trading in 63 securities up from 58 on Friday, with prices of 26 rising, 24 declining and 13 ending unchanged.

The market closed with 22,311,420 shares trading valued $692,219,403 compared to 30,419,280 stock units at $401,684,771 on Friday. Trading ended with an average of 354,150 shares at $10,987,610 compared to 524,470 stocks at $6,925,599 on Friday and for the month to date, an average of 834,952 stock units at $7,731,993 compared with 886,118 shares at $7,385,534 on the prior trading day and well above the  average of 286,669 stock units at $2,555,172 in November.
Supreme Ventures led trading with 7.08 million shares for 31.7 percent of total volume followed by GraceKennedy with 6.56 million stock units for 29.4 percent of the day’s trade, Transjamaican Highway finished with 2.57 million stock units for 11.5 percent market share and Wigton Energy with 1.43 million units for 6.4 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 1,371.52 points to 369,029.51, the JSE Main Index lost 730.18 points to finish at 321,281.72 and the JSE Financial Index rallied 0.34 points to end at 66.05. The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 15 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and just one with a lower offer.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 14.2. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2025.
At the close, AS Bryden skidded $3.84 to $30.50 in an exchange of 299 shares, Barita Investments rose $1.20 to $74.70 with 3,348 stocks crossing the market, Berger Paints fell 79 cents to $7.01 with an exchange of 671 shares. Caribbean Cement rallied $1.43 to close at $78 with 19,987 stock units changing hands, Caribbean Producers shed 45 cents and ended at $8 with investors exchanging 49,988 shares, Jamaica Producers gained $2.48 to finish at $24.48 after an exchange of a mere 6 stock units. Jamaica Stock Exchange climbed 43 cents and ended at $13.43 after trading 4,086 units, Margaritaville lost $2.45 to close at $9.52 as investors exchanged a mere 25 stocks, Massy Holdings popped $1 to close at $82 in trading 300,319 shares. Mayberry Group gained 48 cents in closing at $7.99 with just 10 units crossing the market, Pan Jamaica advanced $1.98 to finish at $50 in switching ownership of 4,538 stocks, Proven Investments dropped $2.11 to end at $17.35 and closed after 2,936 stock units changed hands.  dropped $1 and closed at $51 after investors traded 32,015 shares, Supreme Ventures dipped $2.20 to $20.30 with traders dealing in 7,080,763 stocks and Sygnus Real Estate Finance rose $1.74 to end at $10.74 after an exchange of 275 units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 7% climbed 95 cents to close at $43.95 with investors swapping 994 stock units, 138 Student Living preference share popped $42 and ended at $297 in an exchange of just 2 shares, Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share sank $78 to finish at $994 with investors dealing in 190 stocks and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% declined $4.50 and ended at $100.50 after 4,870 units passed through the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

GraceKennedy overshadows JSE trading


GraceKennedy with an exchange of 6.56 million shares with a value of $473 million was the dominant trade on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Monday, with the overall market ending with the volume of stocks traded falling moderately below that on Friday with the value climbing solidly higher as the market closed with declines in all the major indices. At the close of trading the prices of 43 shares rose, 50 declined and 25 remained firm.

At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index declined 990.86 points to settle at 333,414.49, the All Jamaican Composite Index shed 1,371.52 points to conclude trading at 369,029.51, the JSE Main Index lost 730.18 points to end at 321,281.72, the Junior Market Index lost 40.81 points to close trading at 3,650.96 and the JSE USD Market Index lipped 1.20 points to 227.24.
Trading resulted in an exchange of 32,527,574 shares in all three markets, down from 35,576,411 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets jumping to $702.26 million, well above the $412.87 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 114,780 shares for US$59,785 compared to 99,769 units at just US$4,828 on Friday.
In Main Market activity, Supreme Ventures led trading with 7.08 million stocks followed by GraceKennedy with 6.56 million shares and Transjamaican Highway with 2.57 million units.
In Junior Market trading, One Great Studio led with 4.89 million stocks followed by RA Williams with 1.07 million shares and EduFocal with 716,012 units.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share gained $42 in closing at $297, Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share dropped $78 to $994, Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% fell $4.50 to finish at $100.50.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 13.7 based on 2024-25 earnings and 20 based on 2023-24 historical earnings. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the other more detailed daily charts provide investors regularly with 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 earnings per share (EPS) and PE ratios are based on 2024 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one time income or expense.
Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the sector average, 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 incorporated into the chart. Investors can use this measure in assessing stock values. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices. Dividends that are paid or are due to be paid 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.

Wigton & Sagicor Select push Main Market trading


Wigton Energy and Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund captured more than half of stock traded on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Friday resulting in a 280 percent jump in the volume of stocks changing hands with a value 980 percent more than on Thursday and ending with an exchange of 58 securities, the same as Thursday, with prices of 19 rising, 25 declining and 14 ending unchanged.

The market closed with 30,419,280 shares trading for $401,684,771 up from just 7,996,027 stock units at $37,197,500 on Thursday. Trading ended with an average of 524,470 shares at $6,925,599 compared to 137,863 stock units at $641,336 on Thursday and for the month to date, an average of 886,118 units at $7,385,534 down from 925,398 shares at $7,435,489 on the prior day and November that ended with an average of 286,669 stock units at $2,555,172.
Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund the lead trade, accounted for 8.53 million shares, 28 percent of total volume and just below, Wigton Energy with 8.27 million stock units for 27.2 percent of the day’s trade, Transjamaican Highway was next with 4.65 million units for 15.3 percent market share, GraceKennedy with 3.05 million shares for 10 percent of trading, Lasco Manufacturing chipped in with 1.13 million stocks for 3.7 percent market share and Jamaica Broilers with 1.11 million units for 3.6 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 1,830.32 points to end at 370,401.03, the JSE Main Index shed 996.12 points to close at 322,011.90 and the JSE Financial Index dipped 0.84 points to cease trading at 65.71. The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 13 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 14.2. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2025.
At the close of trading, AS Bryden climbed $3.39 to close at $34.34 after an exchange of 42,294 stock units, Caribbean Cement lost $1.40 to settle at $76.57 with 202,662 shares exchanging hands, Caribbean Producers increased 45 cents to $8.45 as investors exchanged 153,531 units. Carreras dipped 52 cents to end at $12.45 with 50,379 stocks crossing the market, Eppley popped $2.34 and ended at $32.84 after an exchange of 3,411 units, Margaritaville rallied $1.47 to finish at $11.97 with investors swapping 850 stocks. Massy Holdings rose 99 cents to end at $81 with an exchange of 2,554 shares, Mayberry Group sank 49 cents to close at $7.51 with 21,024 stock units crossing the market, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy shed $4.38 to finish at $70 in an exchange of 10 shares. Pan Jamaica declined $2.98 and ended at $48.02 with traders dealing in 1,910 stocks, Proven Investments advanced $2.36 to end at $19.46 with 7,379 units switching owners, Scotia Group fell $1.13 to close at $52 with investors dealing in 910,024 stock units ahead of the group releasing full year’s results with EPS of $6.48, up a respectable 17 percent from $5.54 in 2023 and in line with ICInsider.com forecast of $6.50 and Supreme Ventures gained 45 cents to $22.50 clearing the market with 86,394 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Juniors up Main Market down


Trading climbed sharply Friday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange with a rise in the value and volume of stocks exchanged over Thursday, resulting in the Main Market major indices declining, the Junior Market index rising and the JSE USD Market slipping modestly. At the close of the market, the prices of 43 shares rose, 44 declined and 20 remained firm.

At the end of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index sank 913.83 points to 334,405.35, the All Jamaican Composite Index skidded 1,830.32 points to end at 370,401.03, the JSE Main Index fell 996.12 points to close at 322,011.90, the Junior Market Index gained just 5.41 points to end the day at 3,691.77 and the JSE USD Market Index dipped 0.09 points to finish at 228.44.
At the close, 35,576,411 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 13,725,384 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $412.87 million, up from $43.03 million on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 99,769 shares for US$4,828 down from 786,467 units at US$21,436 on Thursday.
In Main Market activity, Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund led trading with 8.53 million stocks followed by Wigton Energy with 8.27 million shares and Transjamaican Highway with 4.65 million units.
In Junior Market trading, Derrimon Trading led with 826,221 stocks followed by Kintyre Holdings with 634,117 shares and Fosrich with 630,700 units.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 13.8 based on 2024-25 projected earnings and 20.5 based on 2023-24 historical earnings. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and other 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 earnings per share (EPS) and PE ratios are based on 2023 and the 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding  major one time income or expense.

Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the sector average, 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 incorporated into the chart. Investors can use this measure in assessing stock values. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices. Dividends that are paid or are due to be paid 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 to post gains in 2024


Stocks put in a B showing with the main indices surging sharply higher on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Thursday, with recent movements putting it on track to end the year with gains. The move higher follows an 18 percent drop in the volume of stocks changing hands and a 35 percent lower value than on Wednesday, resulting from trading in 58 securities, a fall from 60 on Wednesday, with prices of 19 rising, 23 declining and 16 ending unchanged.

Carreras traded at a 52 weeks’ high of $12.97, Scotia Group ended at a 52 weeks’ closing high of $53.13, Margaritaville traded at an intraday 52 weeks’ low of $8.98 but ended at a 52 weeks’ closing low of $10.50 and NCB Financial hit an intraday 52 weeks’ low of $48.58, with the price bouncing to close at $50.35.
The market closed with 7,996,027 shares trading for $37,197,500 from 9,736,528 units at $57,271,565 on Wednesday. Trading ended with an average of 137,863 shares valued  $641,336 compared to 162,275 stocks at $954,526 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 925,398 units at $7,435,489 compared with 1,021,359 shares at $8,263,348 on the previous day and November with an average of 286,669 stock units at $2,555,172.
Trading was led by JMMB 9.5% preference share with 3.07 million shares for 38.4 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.20 million stock units for 27.5 percent of the day’s trade and Wigton Energy with 1.31 million units for 16.3 percent of the day’s trade.
The All Jamaican Composite Index surged 4,323.53 points to settle at 372,231.35, up 1.4 percent for the year to date. The JSE Main Index jumped 2,486.67 points to 323,008.02, down 0.8 percent year to date and the JSE Financial Index rose 1.51 points to settle at 66.55. The Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator ended with a positive read, showing 14 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and just three with lower offers.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 14.2. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2025.
At the close of the market, Berger Paints popped 70 cents to close at $7.70 and closed after 72 stocks changed hands, Caribbean Producers increased 40 cents to $8 after an exchange of 8,185 units, Carreras climbed 96 cents to finish at a 52 weeks’ high of $12.97 in trading 263,211 shares. Eppley rose 50 cents and ended at $30.50 after 5,050 stock passed through the market, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund gained $4 to end at $37 in an exchange of 7 shares, First Rock Real Estate fell 47 cents in closing at $8.20 with investors trading 22,500 stocks. Jamaica Producers dropped $2.50 to $22 in an exchange of 606 units, Margaritaville shed $2.72 in closing at 52 weeks’ low of $10.50 with investors dealing in 1,118 stock units, with the price falling to an intraday 52 weeks’ low of $8.98, before rebounding, Massy Holdings sank $7.69 to end at $80.01 after an exchange of 99,003 shares. Mayberry Group advanced 40 cents to finish at $8 with investors swapping 11 units, Pan Jamaica dipped 45 cents and ended at $51 with 1,197 stocks crossing the exchange, Proven Investments sank $1.60 to close at $17.10 after a transfer of 1,036 stock units. Seprod rallied 50 cents to $85 as investors exchanged 15,598 shares and Sygnus Real Estate Finance skidded $1.96 and ended at $9.04 in switching ownership of 15,372 units.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share dropped $65.31 to finish at $255 with 5 stocks changing hands.

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

Main & Junior Markets climb higher


The Main and Junior Markets of the Jamaica Stock Exchange climbed higher at the end of trading Thursday as the JSE USD Market slipped, with a fall in the volume and value of stocks that were exchanged compared with Wednesday, resulting in the prices of 39 shares rising, 38 declining and 26 remaining firm.

At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 2,501.20 points to 335,319.18, the All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 4,323.53 points to end at  372,231.35, the JSE Main Index rallied 2,486.67 points to wrap up trading at 323,008.02, the Junior Market Index rose 17.18 points to close at 3,686.36 and the JSE USD Market Index dipped 1.05 points to end the day at 228.53.
At the close, 13,725,384 shares were traded in all three markets, down from 13,963,010 units on Wednesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounting to just $43.03 million, down from $62.94 million on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 786,467 shares for US$21,436 well above the 116,069 units at US$3,778 on Wednesday.
In Main Market activity, JMMB 9.5% preference share led trading with 3.07 million stock units followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.20 million shares and Wigton Energy with 1.31 million units.
In Junior Market, EduFocal led trading with 1.94 million stocks followed by One Great Studio with 698,920 shares and Derrimon Trading with 575,013 units.
In the preference segment, 138 Student Living preference share plunged $65.31 to close at $255.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to value stocks, ended at 13.8 based on 2024-25 projected earnings and 20.3 based on 2023-24 historical earnings. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the other more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making. The PE ratio chart includes all the ordinary shares listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons within a sector and the overall market. The earnings per share (EPS) and PE ratios are based on 2024 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one time income or expense.
Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the sector average, 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 incorporated into the chart. Investors can use this measure to assess stock values. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices. Dividends that are paid or are due to be paid 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.