Main Event & Sygnus lead IC TOP 10

Main Event revenues are growing strongly.

Entertainment event planners, Main Event and Sygnus Credit Investments US dollar-based stock surged to number one spot on the Junior and Main markets of the Jamaican Stock Exchange in a week with just one change to the TOP 10 lists.
Dolphin Cove’s price moved to $11.90 and the stock moved out of the Junior Market TOP 10 and is replaced by General Accident with the stock price falling to $6.45.
The Jamaica Stock Exchange got some price changing news during the past week. Jamaican Teas announced that the directors would be meeting to consider increasing the share capital and a sub-division of the companies issued shares. That news created added interest in the stock, driving the price from $6.58 to close the week at $7.40. Pulse Investments announced expansion into residential real estate development for sales and the retention of some units. The stock was added to the Main Market TOP 10 in 2019 and is on the verge of moving out, with increased buying interest. KLE Group announced the buy-out of the Tacks and Records restaurant in Montego Bay that will add significantly to revenues and boost profitability. KLE is one to watch. Proven Investments announced another stock offering, this time to the wider public. The move with help to boost broader interest in the stock as it pulls in new shareholders.
The JSE Main Market ended the week, with an overall PE of 21.2 and the Junior Market 14.4, based on current 2019 earnings. The PE ratio for Junior Market Top 10 stocks averages 8.9 with the Main Market at 10.9.
The targeted average PE ratio is 25, with several stocks trading at that level or just under, in 22 times region, currently. The TOP 10 companies now trade at a discount of 38 percent of the average for Junior Market and Main Market stocks trade at a discount of 49 percent to the overall market.
The average projected gain for the IC TOP 10 stocks is 187 percent for the Junior Market and 135 percent for JSE Main Market, based mostly on 2019 earnings.
The top three Junior Market stocks currently are by Main Event with projected gains of 305 percent, followed by Medical Disposables with 257 percent and CAC 2000, with 188 percent likely capital growth.
Sygnus US dollar-denominated stock, holds on to the lead of Main Market stocks with projected gains with 186 percent, followed by Carreras in the number two spot, with 171 percent and Berger Paints with 165 percent.
IC TOP 10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns to March this year. Forecasted earnings and PE ratio for the current fiscal year are in determining potential gains. Possible gains for each stock are ranked, with 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. Earnings per share are revised on an ongoing basis as new information is received that can result in changes in and out of the list.

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

Scotia & Sagicor big drop hits JSE hard

Scotia Group dived $7.64, Caribbean Cement shed $5 and Sagicor Group dropped $2.90 to inflict significant damage to the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange as the leading indices nosedived on Friday.
At the close of trading, the JSE All Jamaican Composite Index tumbled 7,438.02 points to close at 552,660.28, the JSE Market Index declined 6,748.39 points to 503,336.51 and the JSE Financial Index dropped 1.70 points to 136.03.
The market closed with 41 securities changing hands in the Main and US dollar markets with the prices of 11 stocks advancing, 18 declining and 15 trading firm. The JSE Main Market activity ended with 38 securities accounting for 28,514,298 units valued at $143,131,830 in contrast to 23,950,566 units valued at $50,135,329 from 42 securities on Thursday.
Wigton Windfarm dominated trading with 17.8 million shares for 62 percent of total volume, followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 4.6 million units for 16 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution with 1.5 million shares for 5 percent of the market’s volume. Other stocks trading more than one million units were Wisynco Group with 1.14 million and Scotia Group with 1.03 million.
The market closed with an average of 750,376 units valued at an average of $3,766,627 for each security traded, in contrast to 570,252 units valued at an average of $1,193,698 on Thursday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 457,502 units valued at $2,149,464 for each security changing hands, compared to 417,032 units valued at $1,887,966 for each security traded. Trading in December resulted in an average of 595,143 units valued at $9,344,514 for each security.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows ten stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and two ending with lower offers. The PE ratio of the market ended at 19.7, while the Main Market ended at 19 times the 2019 earnings.
In the prime market, Barita Investments gained $1.49 to close at $73.85, exchanging 21,976 units, Berger Paints lost 90 cents to settle at $17 after trading 4,600 shares, Caribbean Cement closed $5 lower to $75, after swapping 17,799 shares. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund dropped 55 cents, ending at $40.50 with 4,190 shares changing hands, Jamaica Broilers settled at $39, after losing $1 and trading 54,968 shares. Jamaica Producers Group added $1.46, rising to $27.46 with an exchange of 25,359 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange lost 43 cents transferring 78,794 units to end at $27.95, Mayberry Investments gained 55 cents after swapping 1,216 units to end at $9. NCB Financial Group closed at $198.50, after declining 99 cents exchanging 9,368 shares. PanJam Investments fell by $1 in settling at $100 and trading 126,030 shares, Pulse Investments closed 80 cents lower at $6.45, with 179,044 units changing hands. Sagicor Group dropped $2.90 to end at $70 in swapping 63,645 shares, Salada Foods dropped to $30, with a loss of $5 in exchanging a mere 365 shares, Scotia Group dived $7.64 to $51.06 with 1,033,100 shares changing hands, Seprod gained 40 cents to close the day’s trade at $50.90, with 7,100 units changing hands. Sygnus Credit Investments ended 60 cents higher to settle at $27 after transferring 740 shares and Wisynco Group lost 75 cents to close at $22, with an exchange of 1,144,580 shares.
Trading in the US dollar market ended with 109,671 units valued at over US$31,294. The market index declined 6.12 points to close at 229.84. Margaritaville remained unchanged at 35 US cents, with 46 units changing hands, Proven Investments traded 87,660 units and lost 2 US cents to close at 35 US cents and Sygnus Credit Investments exchanged 21,965 shares at 14 US cents.

Rebound for JSE Main Market

The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange ended trading on Thursday with the major indices rebounding from the previous day’s losses with two stocks closing at 52 weeks’ highs.
Productive Business Solution and Proven Investments also closed at new highs, trading in the US dollar market.
At the close, the JSE All Jamaican Composite Index advanced 3,126.84 points to close at 560,098.30, the JSE Market Index gained 2,810.80 points to 510,084.90 and the JSE Financial Index climbed 0.46 points to 137.73.
The market closed with 47 securities changing hands in the Main and US dollar markets with the prices of 24 securities advancing, 10 declining and 13 securities trading firm. The JSE Main Market activity ended with 42 securities accounting for 23,950,566 units valued at $50,135,329 in contrast to 14,950,690 units valued at $64,523,919 from 39 securities on Wednesday.
Wigton Windfarm dominated trading with 13.7 million shares for 57 percent of total Main Market volume. Sagicor Select Financial Fund followed with 6.4 million units for 27 percent of the day’s trade, and Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund with 2.1 million stock units for 9 percent of the market’s volume.
The Market closed with an average of 570,252 units valued at an average of $1,193,698 for each security traded, in contrast to 383,351 units valued at an average of $2,142,837 on Wednesday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 417,032 units valued at $1,887,966 for each security changing hands, compared to 470,120 units valued at $2,039,050 for each security traded. Trading in December resulted in an average of 595,143 units valued at $9,344,514 for each security.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows six stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and three stocks closing with lower offers. The PE ratio of the market ended at 19.8, while the Main Market ended at 19.2 times 2019 earnings.
In the prime market, Barita Investments closed $1.64 lower to settle at $72.36 with 18,108 shares traded, Caribbean Cement gained 99 cents to end at $80 with 6,050 units changing hands, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund dropped 95 cents and ended at $41.05 in trading 1,229 stock units. Grace Kennedy advanced $1 to a 52 weeks’ high of $76 after 2,255 units crossed the exchange, Jamaica Broilers closed $1 higher to settle at $40 trading 12,432 shares, Jamaica Producers Group climbed by $2, settling at $26 with 6,023 shares changing hands. Jamaica Stock Exchange gained 40 cents swapping 28,813 units to end at $28.38, JMMB Group closed 42 cents higher at $48.40 after transferring 71,326 units, Kingston Properties gained 98 cents to end at $7.99, with 24,622 shares changing hands. Kingston Wharves gained $2.89 to end at $60.90 with 2,466 crossing the exchange, Mayberry Investments dropped $1.15 after trading 17,583 units to end at $8.45, Mayberry Jamaican Equities closed at $11.94, after gaining 28 cents in exchanging 27,800 shares. PanJam Investments lost $1, ending at $101 after trading 19,804 units, Proven Investments climbed $3 to $50, with 9,931 units changing hands, Sagicor Group gained $2.40 to settle at $72.90 in trading 23,684 shares. Salada Foods closed $1.20 lower at $35, after swapping 3,252 shares, Scotia Group gained $3.70 to end at $58.70 with 22,814 shares changing hands, Sygnus Credit Investments rose 40 cents to settle at $26.40 in trading 92,554 shares and Victoria Mutual Investments gained 95 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $10, with an exchange of 161,614 shares. Trading in the US dollar market ended with 255,781 units valued at over US$45,167. The market index advanced 7.59 points to close at 235.96.
Margaritaville Turks picked up 1 US cent trading 304 units, to end at 35 US cents, Productive Business Solution climbed to a 52 weeks’ high of 70 US cents, after gaining 5 US cents trading 900 shares. Proven Investments exchanged 67,105 units with gains of 4 US cents to close at a 52 weeks’ high of 37 US cents, Sterling Investments rose the fraction of a cent to close at 3 US cents from 2.9 US cents previously in transferring 40,496 shares and Sygnus Credit Investments traded 146,976 shares at 14 US cents.

JSE Main Market dives

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The main market of the Jamaican Stock Exchange pulled back at the end of trading on Wednesday with large declines in the major indices as declining stocks bettered advancers.
At the close, JSE All Jamaican Composite Index dived 4,053.80 points to 556,971.46. The JSE Market Index dropped 3,730.51 to close at 507,274.10 while the JSE Financial Index declined by 0.90 points to close at 137.27.
The market closed with 41 securities changing hands in the Main and US dollar markets, with the prices of 13 advancing, 18 declining and 10 stocks remaining unchanged. The JSE Main Market activity ended, with 39 securities accounting for 14,950,690 units, valued $64,523,919 in contrast to 16,653,296 units valued $85,713,471 from 40 securities on Tuesday.
Sagicor Select – Financial Fund dominated trading, with 6.4 million shares and 43 percent of shares traded followed by Wigton Windfarm with 3.9 million units for 26 percent of the day’s trade and QWI Investments with 1.3 million shares for 9 percent of the market share.
The Market closed with an average of 383,351 units valued at an average of $1,654,459 for each security traded. In contrast to 416,332 units for an average of $2,142,837 on Tuesday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 470,120 units valued at $2,039,050 for each security changing hands, compared to 492,094 units valued at $2,136,446 for each security crossing the exchange. Trading in December resulted in an average of 595,143 units for $9,344,514 for each security.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows eleven stocks ending, with bids higher than their last selling prices and two closing, with lower offers. The PE ratio of the market ended at 19.5, with the Main Market ending at 18.9 times the current year’s earnings.
In the prime market, Caribbean Cement dropped 99 cents to end at $79.01 with the trading of 1,725 units, Eppley gained $1 to close at $15 after exchanging 5,631 shares, while Eppley Caribbean slipped $2 to settle at $42 with 6,150 stock units changing hands. Grace Kennedy climbed by $2 to end at $75 with 31,941 units crossing the exchange, Jamaica Broilers fell 50 cents to $39 with 6,535 units changing hands, Jamaica Producers lost $3 to end at $24, with 9,544 stock units traded. Kingston Wharves shed 49 cents to end at $58.01 with 8,707 units crossing the exchange. Mayberry Investments climbed $1.35 in trading 110,497 shares to end at $9.60, while Mayberry Equities declined by 34 cents to finish at $11.66 with 25616 units changing hands, NCB Financial lost 50 cents trading 30,048 shares to close at $199.50. Proven Investments advanced by $1 to settle at $47 with a swap of 21,765 shares, Pulse Investments rose by 80 cents to end at weeks’ high of $7.30 with 188,204 units changing hands, Sagicor Group lost $2.50, trading 64,171 shares to end at $70.50. Sagicor Property Fund picked up 59 cents to close at $9.99 with an exchange of 15,176 stock units, Scotia Group lost $2 to close at $55 with 218,266 units crossing the exchange and Seprod declined by 50 cents to end at $50.50 with 46,978 shares transferred.
Trading in the US dollar market closed with 218,858 valued at over US$36,018. The market index gained 2.41 points to close at 228.37. Proven Investments picked up 1 cent to close at 33 US cents with 28,500 stock units changing hands while Sygnus Credit Investments closed at 14 cents in trading 190,358 shares.

Gains for JSE Main Market

Trading remains buoyant on the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Tuesday, with market activities accounting for 40 securities changing hands, compared to 39 listings trading on Monday.
A total of 42 securities traded in the Main and US dollar market, with prices of 18 advancing, 12 declining and 13 stocks holding firm.
The JSE Main Market activity ended, with 16,653,296 shares, valued $85,713,471 in contrast to 9,751,709 units for $42,684,443 on Monday.
At the close, JSE All Jamaican Composite Index gained 1,282.80 points to 561,025.26. The JSE Market Index gained 1,172.75 points to close at 511,004.61 and the JSE Financial Index advanced by 0.24 points to close at 138.17.
Sagicor Select – Financial Fund dominated trading, with 8.95 million shares for 54 percent of stock traded. Wigton Windfarm ended with 2.67 million units for 16 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select – Manufacturing & Distribution Fund ended with 1.67 million shares for 10 percent of market share.
The Market closed with an average of 416,332 units valued at an average of $2,142,837 for each security traded. In contrast to 250,044 units for an average of $1,094,473 on Monday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 492,094 units valued at $2,136,446 for each security changing hands, compared to 518,678 shares at $2,134,204 for each security crossing the exchange. Trading in December resulted in an average of 595,143 units for $9,344,514 for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows twelve stocks ending, with bids higher than their last selling prices with three closing, with lower offers. The PE ratio of the market ended at 19.5, with the Main Market ending at 18.9 times the current year’s earnings.
In the prime market, Caribbean Cement dropped $4.50 to end at $80 in exchanging 44,797 stock units, Eppley lost $1 to close at $14, after trading 1,000 shares, Grace Kennedy fell $2 to end at $73 with 40,362 units crossing the exchange. Jamaica Broilers lost $1 to settle at $39.50, with 2,827 units changing hands, Jamaica Producers surged $3 to end at $27, with just one stock unit traded, Kingston Wharves shed $2.50 to end at $58.50 with 2,086 units changing hands. Mayberry Jamaican Equities lost $1 to end at $12 in trading 4,210 units, NCB Financial fell 50 cents in exchanging 38,025 to close at $200. Palace Amusement dropped by $110 to close at $2,790 after trading 75 units. Pan Jam Investment lost $1 with a transfer of 2,580 shares to end at $102. Proven Investments dropped 50 cents in exchanging 109,704 units to close at $46. Sagicor Group gained $3, trading 52,770 shares to end at $73, while Sagicor Property Fund lost 84 cents to end the day at $9.40 with 4,329 stock units changing hands. Salada Foods declined by $1.30 to close at $36.20 with 752 units crossing the exchange, and Seprod lost $1 to end at $51 with the transfer of 18,616 shares.
Trading in the US dollar market closed with 2,419,101 valued at US$758,577. The market index declined by 0.48 points to close at 225.96. Proven Investments held firm at 32 US cents with 2,178,000 stock units trading while Sygnus Credit Investments fell by 1.1 cents to trade 91,101 units at 14 US cents.

Trading drops for JSE Main Market

Declines in primary indices of the JSE Main Market continues at the close on Monday, with a greater fall than that suffered on Friday as trading volume and value fell sharply.
The market closed with 43 securities changing hands in the Main and US dollar markets, with the prices of 18 advancing, 12 declining and 13 stocks unchanged. The JSE Main Market activity ended, with 39 securities trading and accounting for 9,751,709 shares, valued $42,684,443 in contrast to 10,152,496 units for $85,998,804, from 41 securities on Friday.
At the close, JSE All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 2,825.82 points to close at 559,742.46. The JSE Market Index declined by 2,563.54 points to 509,831.86 and the JSE Financial Index lost 0.45 points to end at 137.93.
Sagicor Select – Financial Funds dominated trading, with 3.5 million shares and 35.5 percent of shares traded, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 2.54 million units for 26 percent of the day’s trade and QWI Investments rounded out the top three, with 993,376 shares for 10 percent of market share.
The market closed, with an average of 250,044 units valued at $1,094,473 for each security traded, in contrast to 247,622 units valued at an average of $2,097,532 on Friday. The average volume and value for the month, amounts to 518,678 shares at $2,134,204 for each security crossing the exchange, compared to 658,367 units for $2,674,864 trading to date for each stock changing hands. Trading in December, resulted in an average of 595,143 units for $9,344,514 for each security changing hands.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows twelve stocks ending, with bids higher than their last selling prices, with three closing, with a lower offer. The PE ratio of the market ended at 19.7, with the Main Market ending at 19.1 times the current year’s earnings.
At the close of trading in the prime market, Berger Paints dropped 60 cents in trading 506 units at $17.90, Caribbean Cement jumped $4.50 to end at $84.50 in exchanging 5,811 stock units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund climbed $4.20 to end at $$44.20 with 8,060 shares changing hands. Grace Kennedy jumped $3 to close at $75, after trading 19,945 units, JMMB Group climbed $1 in trading 65,704 units to settle at $48. NCB Financial lost 50 cents to end at $199.50, after trading 20,234 stock units, PanJam Investment added $3.49 to end at $103, with 500 units crossing the exchange, Portland JSX gained $1.80 in exchanging 9,000 shares to close at $9. Proven Investments rose by 50 cents in trading 3,227 units to close at $46.50, Sagicor Group added $1.30 to close at $70 with 8,597 units crossing the exchange, Scotia Group fell $2 to close at $57 with an exchange of 23,956 stock units, Supreme exchanged 43,790 shares and gained 40 cents to close at $25.40 and Wisynco Group fell 85 cents to $23.10, with 37,212 shares changing hands.
Trading in the US dollar market closed with 30,050 units valued at over $7,229. The market index dropped by 5.59 points to close at 226.44. Margaritaville lost 2 cents to close at 34 US cents in exchanging 375 units, Proven Investments gained a fraction of a cent to end at 32 US cents in trading 5,440 units, Sterling Investments held firm at 3 US cents with 235 shares changing hands and Sygnus Credit Investments closed at 15 US cents in trading 14,000 units.

tTech & Honey Bun leaves IC TOP 10

Lumber Depot is back in TOP 10 with the price at $1.50.

Jamaican stocks are off to a positive start for 2020, with the JSE all Jamaica Composite Index rising 2,715.02 points and Junior Market adding 29.23 points in two days.
This year’s movements are much stronger than for the same period in 2019 when the All Jamaica Index rose 796.77 points and the Junior Market gained 14.52 points.
Word reaching IC Insider.com is that the prospectus for the Initial Public Offer for Caribbean Assurance Brokers should be out in a matter of days, but it could be as early as Monday.
At the close of the market this past Friday, the Junior Market had two new listings while the Main Market listings remained unchanged. Lasco Distributors and Lumber Depot that fell to $1.50, reentered the TOP 10, replacing Honey Bun that closed the week at $8.49 and tTech that ended the week at $5.50.
The JSE Main Market ended the week, with an overall PE of 21.2 and the Junior Market 14.6, based on current 2019 earnings. The PE ratio for Junior Market Top 10 stocks averages 9.4 with the Main Market 10.2.
The targeted average PE ratio is 25, with several stocks trading at that level or just under, in 22 times region, currently. The TOP 10 stocks now trade at a discount of 37 percent of the average for Junior Market and Main Market stocks trade at a discount of 48 percent to the overall market.
The average projected gain for the IC TOP 10 stocks is 177 percent for the Junior Market and 132 percent for JSE Main Market based mostly on 2019 earnings.
The top three Junior Market stocks currently are Medical Disposables with projected gains of 257 percent, followed by Main Event with 246 percent and Jamaican Teas with 204 percent likely capital growth.
Radio Jamaica still holds on to the lead of Main Market stocks with projected gains with 178 percent, followed by Carreras in the number two spot, with 174 percent and Sygnus US dollar-denominated stock, with 167 percent.
IC TOP 10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns to March next year. Forecasted earnings and PE ratio for the current fiscal year are in determining potential gains. The projected increase for each stock is ranked, with 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. Earnings per share are revised on an ongoing basis as new information is received that can result in changes in and out of the list.

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

Drop for JSE Main Market

More stocks declined than rose at the end of trading on the JSE Main Market on Friday, leading to a modest fall in the primary indices of the market.
The market closed with 43 securities changing hands in the Main and US dollar markets, with the prices of 12 advancing, 16 declining and 15 stocks remaining unchanged. The JSE Main Market activity ended, with 41 securities accounting for 10,152,496 units, valued $85,998,804 in contrast to 39,225,030 units for $114,615,971, from 34 securities on Thursday.
At the close, JSE All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 653.75 points to 562,568.28. The JSE Market Index declined by 470.69 points to close at 512,395.40 and the JSE Financial Index gained 0.05 points to close at 138.38.
Sagicor Select – Financial Fund dominated trading, with 3.4 million shares for 33.4 percent of total shares traded, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 2.54 million units for 25 percent of the day’s trade and Sagicor Select – Manufacturing & Distribution Fund with 946,634 shares for 9 percent of market share.
The market closed, with an average of 247,622 units valued at $2,097,532 for each security traded, in contrast to 1,153,677 units valued at an average of $3,371,058 on Thursday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 658,367 units for $2,674,864 for each security changing hands. Trading in December resulted in an average of 595,143 units for $9,344,514 for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows nine stocks ending, with bids higher than their last selling prices with one closing, with a lower offer. The PE ratio of the market ended at 19.4, with the Main Market ending at 18.9 times the current year’s earnings.
In the prime market, Barita Investments gained 34 cents to close at $73.85, with 17,077 shares changing hands, Berger Paints added 49 cents in trading 6,934 units at $18.50, Caribbean Cement dropped $4 to end at $80 in exchanging 32,184 stock units. Grace Kennedy lost $1 to close at $72, after trading 1,507 shares, Jamaica Broilers lost 40 cents to settle at $40.50, with 16,149 units changing hands, Jamaica Producers declined $3 to end at $24, with 106,961 stock units crossing the exchange. Mayberry Investments lost 49 cents to end at $8.51, in trading 19,055 stock units, PanJam Investment shed $2.49 to end at $99.51, with 5,350 units crossing the exchange. Proven Investments dropped $3.89 in exchanging 28,052 units to close at $46, Pulse Investments declined $1.30 with 323,031 shares changing hands, to end at $6.20. Sagicor Group dived $9.25 trading 37,462 stock units at $68.70, Salada Foods jumped $2.50 to close at $37.50 with 3,260 changing hands, Scotia Group rose $3 to close at $59 with an exchange of 601,925 stock units. Seprod lost $1.50 to end at $50 with a transfer of 6,883 shares and Wisynco Group gained 45 cents to $23.95, with 133,187 shares changing hands.
Trading in the US dollar market closed with 84,128 units valued at over $28,707. The market index advanced 4.88 points to close at 232.03. Proven Investments fell 0.06 cents in exchanging 80,669 units to close at 31.30 US cents, Sterling Investments rose 0.04 cents in trading 1,600 units to close at 2.9 US cents and JMMB Group 6.0% preference share gained 4 cents in trading 929 units at US$1.05.

Big gains for JSE Main Market Index

Rising and falling JSE Main Market stocks were almost equal in number on the first trading day on the new-year when market activity closed on Thursday.
The market’s move resulted in a big bounce in the market index, bringing the gains in the last four days to 9,573.73 points. Trading closed with 38 securities changing hands in the Main and US dollar market, with 13 advancing, 12 declining and the prices of 13 stocks remaining unchanged. The JSE Main Market activity ended, with 34 securities accounting for 39,225,030 units valued  $114,615,971 in contrast to 29,187,937 units valued at $201,537,949, from 43 securities on Tuesday.
At the close, JSE All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 3,368.77 points to close at 563,222.03. The JSE Market Index climbed 2,949.65 points to 512,866.09 and the JSE Financial Index gained 0.78 points to close at 138.33.
Wigton Windfarm dominated trading, with 25.9 million shares and 66 percent of the units traded, followed by Sagicor Select – Financial Fund with 5.5 million units for 14 percent of the day’s trade and Carreras rounding out the top three with 3.34 million shares for 8.5 percent of market share.
The market closed, with an average of 1,153,677 units valued at an average of $3,371,058 for each security traded, in contrast to 788,863 units valued at an average of $5,446,972 on Tuesday. The market closed out December, with an average of 595,143 units for $9,344,514 for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows nine stocks ending, with bids higher than their last selling prices and two closing, with lower offers. The PE ratio of the market ended at 19.7, with the Main Market ending at 19.1 times the current year’s earnings.
In the prime market activity, Barita Investments dropped $1.48 to $73.51, with 38,799 shares changing hands, Caribbean Cement lost 50 cents to end at $84 in trading of 11,559 stock units. Eppley gained 90 cents to close at $15 while exchanging 1,153 stock units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund dipped $2 to close at $40 with an exchange of 7,939 units. Jamaica Producers declined by $1.50 to end at $27, with 31,783 stock units changing hands. JMMB Group fell 55 cents to end at $46.95, with an exchange of 35,221 units. Mayberry Investments lost 55 cents to end at $9, in trading 10,795 stock units Mayberry Jamaican Equities shed 86 cents to end at $13.15, trading 51,577 shares, PanJam Investment gained $1 to end at $102, with 239,379 units crossing the exchange. Proven Investments gained $1.89 in exchanging 4,211 units to close at $49.89, Pulse Investments climbed $2.25 with 65,000 shares changing hands, to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $7.50, after trading at an all-time high of $6.20. Sagicor Real Estate Fund lost 25 cents in trading 3,150 shares at $10.25 and Scotia Group rose 50 cents to close at $56 with an exchange of 185,416 stock units.
Trading in the US dollar market closed with 83,015 units valued at $26,886. The market index advanced 0.92 points to close at 227.15. Proven Investments fell 2.9 cents in exchanging 64,466 units to close at 31.9 US cents, Sterling Investments rose 0.04 cent in trading 1,600 units to close at 2.9 US cents. Sygnus Credit Investments rose 0.01 cent in exchanging 4,500 stock units to close at a 52 weeks’ high of 15.1 US cents and in the preference segment, JMMB Group 6.0% preference share traded 2,190 units at US$1.01.

More big gains for JSE Main Market

Prices of several stocks bounced sharply on the JSE Main Market as the year came to an end with 43 securities changing hands in the Main and US dollar markets, with 24 advancing, 11 declining and the prices of 8 stocks remaining unchanged after four stocks ended at 52 weeks’ highs.
At the close, JSE All Jamaican Composite Index jumped 2,992.76 points to end at 559,853.26, for a rise of 34.3 percent for the year, the JSE Market Index climbed 2,888.49 points to 509,916.44, up 34.3 percent for the year and the JSE Financial Index gained 0.51 points to close at 137.55, a gain of 37.6 percent for the year.
The JSE Main Market activity ended, with 37 securities accounting for 29,187,937 units valued at $201,537,949 in contrast to 15,775,842 units amounting to $99,372,463, on Monday, from 40 securities.
Sagicor Select – Manufacturing and Distribution Fund dominated market activity, with 10.3 million units and 35 percent of the volume changing hands, Sagicor Select – Financial Fund followed, with 5.2 million stock units for 18 percent of the market volume and Wigton Windfarm with 4.8 million shares for 16 percent market share.
The market closed, with an average of 788,863 units valued at an average of $5,446,972 for each security traded, in contrast to 394,396 units valued at $2,484,312 on Monday. The average volume and value for the month to date amounts to 595,143 units for $9,344,514 and previously, an average of 585,624 units for $9,023,435 for each security changing hands. The market closed out November, with an average of 653,621 units valued at $8,699,916 for each security traded.
IC bid-offer Indicator| At the end of trading, the Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator reading shows 17 stocks ending, with bids higher than their last selling prices with none closing, with a lower offer. The PE ratio of the market ended at 19.7, with the Main Market ending at 19.2 times the current year’s earnings.
In the prime market, Barita Investments jumped $3.99 to $74.99, with 194,683 shares changing hands, Caribbean Cement climbed $3.50 to end at $84.50 in trading of 59,762 stock units, Eppley traded 500 shares but lost 90 cents to end at $14.10, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund jumped $2.40 to close at $42  with an exchange of 15,320 units. Grace Kennedy jumped $4 to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $73, after exchanging 424,336 shares, Jamaica Producers rose $4.15 to end at $28.50, with 32,218 stock units changing hands. JMMB Group added $1 to finish at $47.50 with an exchange of 167,483 units. Mayberry Investments rose 55 cents to end at $9.55, in trading 141,785 stock units Mayberry Jamaican Equities climbed $1.96 to close at a 52 weeks’ high of $14.01, trading 34,484 shares, NCB Financial declined $1.50 to close at $200 in the transferring of 39,197 stock units. PanJam Investment gained $1 to end at $101, with 2,551 units crossing the exchange, Pulse Investments climbed 28 cents with 2,009,538 shares changing hands, to end at a 52 weeks’ high of $5.25, after trading at an all-time high of $6.20. Salada Foods jumped $4.05 to close at $35 with 10,295,911 changing hands. Scotia Group rose 49 cents to close at $55.50 with an exchange of 90,476 stock units, Seprod recovered $1.50 previously lost to end at $51.50 with a transfer of 12,116 shares and Supreme Ventures lost 50 cents to end at $25, after exchanging 2,916,863 shares.
Trading in the US dollar market closed with 88,733 units amounting to $28,589. The market index advanced 2.82 points to close at 226.23 and is up 41.7 percent in 2019. Margaritaville gained half a cent trading 1,200 shares to close at 52 weeks’ high of 36 US cents, Productive Business Solutions traded 10,000 shares to end at 65 US cents, an increase of one cent. Proven Investments gained 2.8 cents in exchanging 57,203 units to close at 34.8 US cents, Sterling Investments traded 9,338 units to close at 2.5 US cents, Sygnus Credit Investments transferred 9,332 stock to close at 15 US cents and in the preference segment, JMMB Group 6.0% preference share traded 10,000 units at US$1.01.