Trading volume climbed 113 percent on Tuesday over Monday’s level at the close of the US dollar market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange, resulting in five securities changing hands, compared to six on Monday with prices of two rising, none declining and three remaining unchanged.
The JSE USD Equity Index gained 1.96 points to end at 212.81. The average PE Ratio ends at 13.2 based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2021-22 earnings.
Overall, 1,338,589 shares changed hands, for US$44,466 compared to 628,310 units at US$42,801 on Monday.
Trading for the day averaged 267,718 units at US$8,893, in contrast to 104,718 shares at US$7,134 on Monday. Trading averaged 117,985 units for the month to date at US$14,108 in contrast to 105,910 units at US$14,529 on the prior trading day. April ended with an average of 80,293 units for US$6,320.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with lower offers.
At the close, First Rock Capital ended at 9.5 US cents with 3,629 shares changing hands, Margaritaville finished at 9 US cents with 60,000 stocks clearing the market, Proven Investments advanced 0.45 of a cent in closing at 26.45 US cents and trading 77,422 stocks. Sygnus Credit Investments rose 0.43 of a cent to 15.08 US cents while trading 50,786 units and Transjamaican Highway closed at 0.85 of a US cent after 1,146,752 shares passed through the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading picks up on JSE USD Market
83% of traded stocks fell
Trading ended on Monday with stocks mostly falling on the US dollar market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Index declining after an exchange of 80 percent fewer shares than on Friday, with 93 percent less value after 83 percent of stocks trading declined.
Six securities traded, similar to Friday, with five stocks, declining and one remaining unchanged.
The JSE USD Equity Index lost 2.22 points to end at 210.85 and the average PE Ratio ended at 13.1 based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2021-22 earnings.
Overall, 628,310 shares traded, for US$42,801 down sharply from 3,100,463 units at US$616,848 on Friday.
Trading averaged 104,718 units at US$7,134, in contrast to 516,744 shares at US$102,808 on Friday. Month to date, trading averaged 105,910 units at US$14,529 in contrast to 106,038 units at US$15,321 on Friday. April ended with an average of 80,293 units for US$6,320.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows no stock ended with the bid higher than the last selling price and none with lower offers.
At the close, First Rock Capital declined by 2.3 cents to 9.5 US cents in an exchange of 12,074 shares, 
Proven Investments lost 0.85 of a cent to close at 26 US cents after the trading of 113,096 stocks, Sygnus Credit Investments fell 0.05 of a cent to settle at 14.65 US cents with 10,293 units changing hands and Transjamaican Highway slipped 0.05 of a cent to 0.85 US cents with 490,000 shares crossing the exchange.
In the preference segment, Equityline Mortgage Investment remained at US$2, after trading 147 stock units and JMMB Group 5.75% lost 3 cents to close at US$2.02 with 2,700 units changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Profit gains push Berger & SOS out of ICTOP10
Stationery & Office Supplies – Montego Bay office.
Investors got a serious dose of a new set of company results and they liked a number of them, driving up prices of some up, following results that surprised positively. Many of the surprising ones matched the ICInsider.com forecast. Stationery & Office Supplies that was in the ICTOP10 up to last week reported earnings in line with ICInsider.com projections of $1 and investors pushed the price to a 52 weeks’ high of $9.50, with a gain of 109 percent for the year so far, with more gains ahead.
tTech is another company reporting earnings in line with the ICInsider.com forecast, with the stock jumping to $5.91 to be up 41 percent for the year. Berger Paints another TOP 10 stock up to last week, seems well on the way to earn $1.50, ICInsider.com forecasted, the price closed the week at $15, pushing it out of the TOP10. There are only 4,852 units on offer up to $17 thereafter, just over 154,000 between $18.99 and $19.86, Grace Kennedy reported a 26 percent rise in profit for the quarter, a continuation of good growth it enjoyed in 2020, but the market is yet to reward it with a price rise.
Access Financial and Key Insurance have moved into the TOP10 to fill the space left by the two stocks that fell out at the end of the week.
When ICInsider.com embarked on the 2021 profit forecast, it was a most difficult time due to the turbulence in the economy and businesses of many listed companies. Nevertheless, we boldly made our forecast and the first fruits are now showing and investors like them in driving up nine of 15 Junior Market stocks selected in January, bettering the gains for the year of 26 percent. Two stocks more than doubled and one is up 96 percent after more than doubling in trading for the year to date, earlier this week, before some profit taking set in. One stock rose 64 percent, one gained 43 percent, two 35 percent and two with 29 percent gain. Added to this is Future Energy Sources that was a part of the TOP10 listing starting at the end of February and has since gained 35 percent.
The ICTOP15 stocks in continuing an outstanding performance saw, Stationery & Office Supplies jumping 109 percent for the year to date, Lumber Depot 104 percent, Jamaican Teas 96 percent, Main Event 64 percent, Lasco Financial rose 43 percent, Caribbean Cream and Caribbean Producers up 35 percent, Lasco Distributors and MailPac a rise of 29 percent each.
The JSE Main Market is only up 4 percent year to date, but ICTOP15 stock selection saw Carreras and Grace Kennedy rising 37 percent, QWI Investments and Caribbean Cement up 29 percent, Seprod up 20 percent, Jamaica Producers 19 percent and Jamaica Broilers up 15 percent.
The bullish tone of both markets continues, but the Junior Market had hit the top line of an upward sloping channel that could act as resistance and is worth watching. The Main Market is a few thousand points away from its channel top, but those resistance points should be only temporary barriers if they, in fact become that.
The top three stocks in the Junior Market are headed by Elite Diagnostic followed by Medical Disposables and Jetcon Corporation, with the potential to gain between 245 to 283 percent. The top three Main Market stocks are Radio Jamaica in the number one spot, followed by Jamaica Broilers and PanJam Investment, with expected gains of 165 to 385 percent.
The targeted PE ratio for the market averages 20 based on profits of companies reporting full year’s results, up to the second quarter of 2022. Fiscal 2020-21 ended March 2021 with the average PE at 17 for Junior Stocks and 19 times for the Main Market. With interest rates on government paper below 5 percent and likely to remain there for a few years, the likelihood is for the average PE ratios to climb higher during the next twelve months.
The Junior Market, with an average PE 12.3 based on ICInsider.com’s 2021-22 earnings, is currently trading well below the target, as well as the recent historical average of 17. This represents another 39 percent rise in the market that would equate to a rise of 60 percent to March 2022. The Junior Market Top 10 stocks average a mere 6.4 at just 52 percent of the market average, indicating substantial gains ahead. The JSE Main Market ended the week with an overall PE of 16.5, some distance from the 19 the market ended March, suggesting a 15 percent rise from now to March 2022. The Main Market TOP 10 trades at a PE of 7.8 or 47 percent of the PE of that market and well off the potential of 20.
The average projected gain for the Junior Market IC TOP 10 stocks is 220 percent and 168 percent for the JSE Main Market, based on 2021-22 earnings. IC TOP10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns up to March 2022 and ranked in order of potential gains, based on likely increase for each company, taking into account the earnings and PE ratios for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate and result in movements in and out of the lists weekly. 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.
Trading volume jumps
Trading volume jumped 421 percent on Friday, with the value rising 592 above Thursday outcome, on the US dollar market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange, resulting in six securities changing hands, similar to Thursday with two rising, three declining and one remaining unchanged.
The JSE USD Equity Index added 1.46 points to end at 213.07. The average PE Ratio ends at 13.8 based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2021-22 earnings.
Trading resulted in an exchange of 3,100,463 shares for US$616,848 compared to 594,805 units at US$89,149 on Thursday.
Trading ended with an average of 516,744 units at US$102,808, in contrast to 99,134 shares at US$14,858 on Thursday. Trading averaged 106,038 units for the month to date at US$15,321 in contrast to 56,753 units at US$4,823 on Thursday. April averaged 80,293 units at US$6,320.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ending with the bid higher than the last selling price and one with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Capital gained 1.8 cents to end at 11.8 US cents after trading 3,593 shares, Margaritaville remained at 9 US cents with 125,697 shares changing hands, Proven Investments increased 1.45 cents to 26.85 US cents in exchanging 2,178,514 shares. Sterling Investments dropped 0.11 cents to 2.29 US cents, after trading 570,768 stocks, Sygnus Credit Investments lost 0.3 of a cent in closing at 14.7 US cents, with 100,000 stocks crossing the market and Transjamaican Highway shed 0.04 of a cent to end at 0.9 US cents, after exchanging 121,891 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading volume jumps on JSE US market
Trading rose sharply on Thursday after an exchange of 423 percent more shares carrying value that was 870 percent greater than on Wednesday at the close of the US dollar market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
Trading ended with six securities changing hands, the same number as on Wednesday, with the prices of four stocks rising, none declining and two remaining unchanged.
The JSE USD Equity Index gained 2.49 points to settle at 211.61. The average PE Ratio ended at 13.5 based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2021-22 earnings.
Overall, 594,805 shares traded for US$89,149 up from 113,748 units at US$9,188 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 99,134 units at US$14,858, versus 18,958 shares at US$1,531 on Wednesday. The month to date trades, average 56,753 units at US$4,823 up from 50,974 units at US$3,455 on Wednesday. April ended with an average of 80,293 units for US$6,320.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Capital inched 0.01 of a cent higher to 10 US cents with 63,039 shares traded, Margaritaville ended at 9 US cents with an exchange of 99,400 units, Proven Investments rose 0.39 of a cent to 25.4 US cents with an exchange of 263,547 stocks. Sterling Investments gained 0.1 of a cent to close at 2.4 US cents with 5,000 stock units changing hands, Sygnus Credit Investments advanced 0.4 of a cent to finish at 15 US cents with a transfer of 33,319 units and Transjamaican Highway ended at 0.94 US cents with 130,500 shares crossing the exchange.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Sluggish trading day for US Market
The US dollar market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange closed on Wednesday, with the market slipping moderately after trading with 65 percent fewer shares than on Tuesday, with 33 percent less funds changing hands.
Trading ended with six securities changing hands, the same as Tuesday, with one stock rising, one declining and four remaining unchanged.
The JSE USD Equity Index lost 1.91 points to end at 209.12. The average PE Ratio ended at 13.4 based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2021-22 earnings.
Overall, 113,748 shares traded for US$9,188 compared to 328,568 units at US$13,722 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 18,958 units at US$1,531, in contrast to 54,761 shares at US$2,287 on Tuesday. Trading month to date averaged 50,974 units at US$3,455 compared to 56,029 units at US$3,758 on Tuesday. April ended with an average of 80,293 units for US$6,320.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ended with the bid higher than the last selling prices and none with lower offers.
At the close, First Rock Capital remained at 9.99 US cents with 31,101 shares traded, Margaritaville held firm at 9 US cents with investors switching ownership of 7,663 stocks, Proven Investments rose 0.01 of a cent to finish at 25.01 US cents with 1,000 units changing hands. Sygnus Credit Investments lost 0.47 of a cent to end at 14.6 US cents with a transfer of 32,123 shares and Transjamaican Highway closed at 0.94 US cents with 41,836 stock units crossing the exchange.
In the preference segment, Equityline Mortgage Investment closed at US$2 with 25 shares changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Moderate gains for JSE US market
Trading on the US dollar market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange ended on Tuesday, with the market rising moderately after investors transferred 15 percent fewer shares than on Monday at 75 percent less the value.
Trading ended with six securities changing hands, compared to five on Monday, with the prices of two stocks rising, two declining and two remaining unchanged.
The JSE USD Equity Index gained 2.55 points to close at 211.03. The average PE Ratio ended at 13.2 based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2021-22 earnings.
Overall, 328,568 shares traded for US$13,722 down from 386,627 units at US$55,541 on Monday.
Trading averaged 54,761 units at US$2,287 compared to 77,325 shares at US$11,108 on Monday. The month to date averaged 56,029 units traded at US$3,758 in contrast to 56,266 units at US$4,034 on Monday. April ended with an average of 80,293 units for US$6,320.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ending with bids higher than the last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close of the market, First Rock Capital advanced 0.99 of a cent to end at 9.99 US cents with 56,942 shares traded, Margaritaville remained at 9 US cents with investors switching ownership of 2,160 units, Proven Investments held firm at 25 US cents with an exchange of 22,990 stocks. Sterling Investments advanced 0.26 of a cent to finish at 2.3 US cents with a transfer of 10,095 units, Sygnus Credit Investments lost 0.9 of a cent to end at 15.07 US cents with 100 stocks traded and Transjamaican Highway slipped 0.01 of a cent to 0.94 US cents with 236,281 shares crossing the exchange.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Major shakeup in Junior Market ICTOP10
The Junior Market had some major shakeup in some of the listings this past week as investors keep their eyes solidly on opportunities in this market, having slowly eating away at the above-average gains available in the market and driving prices of many stocks up and pushing the market back to early January 2020 level.
During the past week, Main Event surged nearly 33 percent from $3.50 to $4.65, pushing it from second spot last week to 10th this week. 
Medical Disposables dropped from the third position with a gain of 19 percent to $5.28, Stationery & Office rose from $5.71 to $6.45 and taking it from 5th to 7th position, while Lasco Financial moved up to 6th position from 9th last week, with no price change, Caribbean Producers moved up from 8th last week to 3rd this week and Caribbean Cream shifted from 7th to 2nd this week.
Stationery & Office, General Accident, Medical Disposables and Main Event that are at the edge on the Junior Market TOP10 could well drop out at any time as they are all bunched together with potential gains of 188 to 210 percent. In the Main Market, VM Investments, with potential gains of 128 percent and Berger Paints with 122 percent, could drop out soon. Results of companies to come shortly could result in changes in the list, depending on how investors respond to each.
The bullish tone of the two markets continues, with technical indicators and fundamentals of many companies keep on powering prices higher with many investors looking to the future with the recovery of the economy in mind and the impact that it will have on stocks.
Investors should expect a host of company results to hit the market next week as the mid-month date approaches. Watch these stocks over the next few weeks, Grace Kennedy, Jamaica Producers, PanJam Investment, Sagior Group, MailPac, Access Financial, Lasco Financial, Lasco Distributors, Caribbean Cream, ISP Financial.
The top three stocks in the Junior Market are headed by Elite Diagnostic, followed by Caribbean Cream and Caribbean Producers, with the potential to gain between 242 to 282 percent. The top three Main Market stocks are Radio Jamaica in the number one spot, followed by PanJam Investment and Jamaica Broilers, with expected gains of 166 to 413 percent.
The targeted PE ratio for the market averages 20 based on profits of companies reporting full year’s results, up to the second quarter of 2022. Fiscal 2020-21 ended March 2021 with the average PE at 17 for Junior Stocks and 19 times for the Main Market. With interest rates on government paper below 5 percent and likely to remain there for a few years, the likelihood is for the average PE ratios to climb higher during the next twelve months.
The Junior Market, with an average PE 12.2 based on ICInsider.com’s 2021-22 earnings, is currently trading well below the target, as well as the recent historical average of 17. This represents another 40 percent rise in the market that would equate to a rise of 60 percent to March 2022. The Junior Market Top 10 stocks average a mere 6.1 at just 50 percent of the market average, indicating substantial gains ahead. 
The JSE Main Market ended the week with an overall PE of 16.5, some distance from the 19 the market ended March, suggesting a 15 percent rise from now to March 2022. The Main Market TOP 10 trades at a PE of 7.7 or 47 percent of the PE of that market and well off the potential of 20.
The average projected gain for the Junior Market IC TOP 10 stocks is 229 percent and 173 percent for the JSE Main Market, based on 2021-22 earnings. IC TOP10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns up to March 2022 and ranked in order of potential gains, based on likely increase for each company, taking into account the earnings and PE ratios for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate and result in movements in and out of the lists weekly. 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.
Volume rose on JSE USD Market – Friday
Trading on Friday ended with just over 23 percent more shares changing hands on Thursday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market, resulting in advancing stocks just edging out declining ones.
Trading ended with five securities changing hands, compared to six on Thursday, with prices of two stocks rising, one declining and two closing unchanged.
The JSE USD Equity Index fell 0.45 points to end at 211.74.
A total of 360,862 shares traded, accounting for US$13,128 versus 292,359 units at US$25,831 on Thursday. The average PE Ratio based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2021-22 earnings ended at 13.2.
Trading averaged 72,172 units at US$2,626, versus 48,727 shares at US$4,305 on Thursday. Trading for the month to date averaged 52,366 units at US$2,724 in contrast to 47,865 units at US$2,746 on the prior trading day. April ended with an average of 80,293 units for US$6,320.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with lower offers.
At the close, First Rock Capital stayed at 9 US cents, with 555 shares crossing the market, Margaritaville ended at 9 US cents trading 5,298 shares, Proven Investments fell 0.6 of a cent to 26.2 US cents after trading 15,941 units. Sygnus Credit Investments climbed 0.52 of a cent to 15.97 US cents, with 37,001 units changing hands and Transjamaican Highway rose 0.01 of a cent in closing at 0.95 US cents after 302,067 shares crossed the exchange.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Stocks inch higher on JSE USD Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market closed on Thursday with the market advancing after investors exchanged 150 percent more shares than on Wednesday, resulting in an even number of stocks rising and falling.
Trading ended with six securities changing hands, compared to five on Wednesday with the prices of one stock rising, one declining and four remaining unchanged.
The JSE USD Equity Index gained 0.24 points to end at 212.19 points. The average PE Ratio ended at 13.2 based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2021-22 earnings.
Overall, 292,359 shares traded for US$25,831 compared to 116,945 units at US$19,257 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 48,727 units at US$4,305, in contrast to 23,389 shares at US$3,851 on Wednesday. For the month to date, trading averaged 47,865 units at US$2,746 in contrast to 47,542 units at US$2,162 on Wednesday. April ended with an average of 80,293 units for US$6,320.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ended with the bid higher than its last selling price and one with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Capital ended at 9 US cents with an exchange of 8,479 shares, Margaritaville settled at 9 US cents with 5,453 stocks changing hands, Proven Investments lost 0.15 of a cent to end at 26.8 US cents with 9,480 units traded. Sygnus Credit Investments gained 0.95 cents to close at 15.45 US cents with a transfer of 129,901 stock units and Transjamaican Highway remained at 0.94 of a US cent with 137,865 shares crossing the exchange.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 6% held firm at US$1.10 with 1,181 units changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.