Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Monday, with five securities traded, compared to six on Friday with one rising, one declining and three ending unchanged following a mild increase in the volume of stocks changing hands after a 59 percent lower value than on Friday and resulted in the US Denominated Equities Index climbing 3.80 points to 247.63.
Overall, 628,194 shares were traded for US$15,066 compared to 684,072 units at US$37,141 on Friday.
Trading averaged 125,639 units at US$3,013 compared to 114,012 shares at US$6,190 on Friday, with a month to date average of 104,501 shares at US$3,280 compared with 100,856 units at US$3,326 on the previous day. June ended with an average of 60,969 units for US$3,967.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 8.9. The PE ratio is computed based on the last traded price divided by projected earnings done by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending between November 2023 and August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ending with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share slipped 0.2 of a cent to a 52 weeks’ low of 3.8 US cents with an exchange of 64,248 shares, Proven Investments advanced 1.6 cents to end at 14.6 US cents after switching ownership of just one share, Sterling Investments ended trading of 18,919 stocks to close at 1.6 US cents and Transjamaican Highway ended at 1.81 US cents after closing with an exchange of 543,766 stock units.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 5.75% ended at US$1.90 while investors were exchanging 1,260 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Steady trading for JSE USD Market
Gains continue for ICTOP10
The Junior Market wiped all 2023 losses this past week, with the market index reclaiming the 4,000 mark for the first time since January and wiping out all of the 2023 losses recorded up to Thursday. The Main Market continues to struggle and has remained down 8 percent for the year to date.
Jamaica Broilers is now in at 3 on ICTOP10.
The Junior Market is now up 11.6 percent since the low in March and is on what will be a big bull ride over the coming months that is signalled by two indicators. The Main Market is likely bottoming after a traditional sell off in May before settling off in the early summer ahead of a rebound later. The action is now with the Junior Market with more potential for growth.
The Junior Market had 5 stocks for the week, each rising and falling. The Main Market ended with 3 rising and three declining, with the most significant change being a loss of 9 percent for JMMB Group to $30 and Berger Paints with a five percent fall being the biggest losers as all other changes were just one percent.
In the Junior Market, iCreate rose 18 percent to $1.30, Dolla Financial rallied 8 percent to $2.43, Everything Fresh popped 5 percent to $1.60, and Edufocal and Image Plus rose 3 percent. OneonOne slipped 10 percent to $1.10, while Iron Rock Insurance and Caribbean Cream fell 4 percent.
During the week whole, year results came out for Jamaica Broilers, with earnings of $4.43 including the write off of the Haitian operations, with revenues rising 23 percent but excluding the Haitian operations, earnings were $5.40 per share, with just over $7 projected by ICInsider.com for the current year, making it a compelling buy at current prices. The stock now sits at the number 3 position on the ICTOP10.
Dollar Financial reported second quarter profit after trading ended on Friday, showing a profit of $105 million compared with $59 million in the 2022 June quarter and $227 million for the six months to June versus $119 million in 2022. Earnings per share ended at 4 cents in the latest quarter and 9 cents year to date. The period shows a small amount set aside for expected credit losses, but the cash flow shows that only 75 percent of interest earned was paid during the period, down from 77 percent for the 2022 first half and 80 percent for the 2022 full year.
At the end of the week, the average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP 10 is 6.1, well below the market average of 13.3. The Main Market TOP10 is projected to have an average of 252 percent, by May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings.
The 15 most highly valued Main Market stocks are priced at a PE of 15 to 110, with an average of 29 and 20 excluding the highest PE stocks, 23 for the top half and 18 excluding the stocks with the highest PEs.
The Junior Market Top 10 PE sits at 5.9 compared with the market at 11.4. There are 10 stocks representing 21 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 44, averaging 21, well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 16, possibly the lowest fair value for Junior Market stocks currently. Junior Market is projected to rise by 240 percent by May 2024.
The divergence between the average PE ratio of the Main and Junior Markets and the overall market valuation are important indicators of the likely gains for ICTOP10 stocks.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners. Accordingly, the list includes some of the best companies in the market but not always. ICInsider.com ranks stocks based on projected earnings, allowing investors to focus on the most undervalued stocks and helping to remove emotions in selecting stocks for investments that often result in costly mistakes.
IC TOP10 stocks will likely deliver the best returns up to the end of May 2024 and are ranked in order of potential gains, computed using projected earnings for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate, resulting in weekly movements in and out of the lists. Revisions to earnings are ongoing, based on receipt of new information.
Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.
Decline in JSE USD Market
A mere four securities were traded on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market on Thursday, but the volume of stocks changing hands climbed 16 percent but with a 43 percent lower value than on Wednesday, compared to five stocks trading on Wednesday, at the close the price of one stock rose, no declined and three ended unchanged.
Overall, 266,681 shares were exchanged for US$6,174 compared with 230,849 units at US$10,905 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 66,670 units at US$1,544 compared with 46,170 shares at US$2,181 on Wednesday, with a month to date average of 97,424 shares at US$2,578 compared to 103,899 units at US$2,796 on the previous day. June ended with an average of 60,969 units for US$3,967.
The US Denominated Equities Index dropped 3.45 points to 242.90.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 8.9. The PE ratio is computed using the last traded price divided by ICInsider.com’s projected earnings for companies with their financial year ending between November 2023 and August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share ended at 4 US cents while exchanging 26,726 shares, Proven Investments ended at 14.9 US cents in an exchange of 9,495 stock units, Sterling Investments ended at 1.6 US cents with investors trading 227,217 stocks and Transjamaican Highway popped 0.02 cents to end at 1.7 US cents after an exchange of 3,243 units, with the closing price being 10 percent higher than the price in the Jamaican dollar market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading drops on JSE USD Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks changing hands declining 66 percent valued 60 percent lower than on Monday, resulting in trading in seven securities, the same as Monday with one rising, four declining and two ending unchanged.
Overall, 447,072 shares were exchanged for US$12,058 compared with 1,296,152 units at US$30,168 on Monday.
Trading averaged 63,867 units at US$1,723 versus 185,165 shares at US$4,310 on Monday, with a month to date average of 124,516 shares at US$3,016 compared with June that ended with an average of 60,969 units for US$3,967.
The US Denominated Equities Index lost 6.53 points to close at 242.49.
The PE Ratio, the most common stock valuation measure, averages 8.9. The PE ratio is computed based on the last traded price divided by projected earnings done by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending between November 2023 and August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share dipped 0.1 of a cent to end at 4 US cents after an exchange of 18,106 shares, 
Proven Investments fell 1 cent to 15 US cents, with 20,798 units crossing the exchange, Sterling Investments remained at 1.6 US cents and closed with an exchange of 13,651 stock units. Sygnus Credit Investments rose 1 cent to 11 US cents in trading 1,820 stocks and Transjamaican Highway ended at 1.65 US cents with stakeholders exchanging 392,584 stock units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 9.25% preference share shed US$1 to end at US$11.50, with 100 shares changing hands and JMMB Group 6% dropped 0.4 of a cent and ended at US$1.18, with 13 stocks crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading picks up for JSE USD Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market dropped back on Monday with the market Index losing 7.40 points to finish at 249.02 at the start of a new month, after a 621 percent jump in the volume of stocks changing hands and a 184 percent rise in value over market activity on Friday and resulted in the trading of seven securities, compared to six on Friday and ended, with one rising, three declining and three ending unchanged.
Overall, 1,296,152 shares were traded for US$30,168 compared with 179,896 units at US$10,636 on Friday.
Trading averaged 185,165 units at US$4,310 versus 29,983 shares at US$1,773 on Friday, in comparison June ended with an average of 60,969 units for US$3,967.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 8.9. The PE ratio is computed based on the last traded price divided by projected earnings done by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending between November 2023 and August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share fell 1.4 cents to 4.1 US cents after an exchange of 123,596 shares, Productive Business Solutions rose 5 cents to close at US$1.80 as investors exchanged two stock units, Proven Investments remained at 16 US cents after a transfer of 8,186 stocks. 
Sterling Investments ended at 1.6 US cents with an exchange of 9,796 units, Sygnus Credit Investments shed 1.7 cents in closing at 10 US cents with a transfer of 10,261 shares and Transjamaican Highway lost 0.28 of a cent in ending at 1.65 US cents after 1,144,302 units passed through the market.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 6% ended at US$1.184 after an exchange of 9 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Big gains for ICTOP10 stocks
Movement in the Junior Market this past week just about wiped out all of 2023 losses and resulted in most ICITOP10 stocks rising, with four recording double digit gains as the Junior Market consolidates around the 3,900 points level before breaking into the 4,000 points level. The Main Market enjoyed five out of 6 days of gains since the previous Friday and delivered four stocks with double digit gains.
Gains for the Junior Market this week occurred even as the price of Stationery and Office Supplies dropped $4.52 from $28 to $23.48 on Friday and former Caribbean Assurance Brokers ICTOP10 stock that fell out of the top tier the prior week pulled back in price to close at $3.30 from $4 as sellers offered stocks for sale below $4, with still more selling at the close of the week. History points to many investors buying into stocks after the split takes effect, usually at far higher prices than if they bought before, as such, it would not be surprising that investors will push the stock to a record valuation post-split. Accordingly, the stock now selling at a PE of 12.4 times current year’s earnings is a compelling buy at Friday’s price of $23.48.
The Junior Market ended the week with eight stocks rising and one declining, with Iron Rock Insurance the top stock, with a gain of 30 percent, followed by iCreate, up 21 percent to $1.10, and Caribbean Cream, up 18% to $4.70, but the company will be benefitting from lower input cost of some raw material, especially the price of milk solids that have fallen sharply by about 33 percent from peak prices last year March, Consolidated Bakeries popped 15% to end the week at $2.51, with very few stock offered for sale in the market at the close. The gains in Consolidated Bakeries propelled it out of the TOP10 and replaced by Edufocal, while OneonOne seems to be coming into its own with a rise of 9 percent to $1.22. In comparison, Dolphin Cove rose 6 percent to $16.90 but seems to have a seller with an undisclosed amount at that price. Dolla Financial is the only loser, with a decline of 4 percent to $2.25.
The Main Market had Caribbean Producers (CPJ) rising 15 percent to $10.95, JMMB Group climbing 14 percent to $33, with Berger Paints and Transjamaican gaining 11 percent each to close at $8.11 and a record close of $2.48, respectively. Guardian Holdings was the only declining stock, falling 7 percent to $420.
It is worth noting that Transjamaican US dollar denominated stock traded at 1.93 cents or almost $3 per share on Friday, putting well ahead of the local based issue at $2.48. The gap will close sooner or later, the question will the Jamaican dollar based stock move up to the $3 level or the US based one fall back to match the Jamaican dollar one. There is minimal selling in the US dollar market and much more in the Jamaican market.
CPJ sits at the number 10 position in the Main Market TOP 10, but it has a June year end, with the changeover to earnings per share for the 2023/4 fiscal year of $2.50 by August that will change the outlook for the price markedly above the current level, with the PE ratio at just 4.4.
At the end of the week, the average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP 10 is 6.3, well below the market average of 13.7. The Main Market TOP10 is projected to have an average of 242 percent, to May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings.
The 15 most highly valued Main Market stocks are priced at a PE of 15 to 110, with an average of 29 and 20 excluding the highest PE stocks, 24 for the top half and 19 excluding the stocks with the highest PEs.
The Junior Market Top 10 PE sits at 5.8 compared with the market at 11.7. There are 11 stocks representing 23 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 44, averaging 21, well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 17, possibly the lowest fair value for Junior Market stocks currently. Junior Market is projected to rise by 245 percent to May 2024.
The divergence between the average PE ratio of the Main and Junior Markets and the overall market valuation are important indicators of the likely gains for ICTOP10 stocks.
In the market generally, Investors continue to nibble away at a number of stocks and, in the process, gradually reduce the supply of several stocks that are attractively priced as the market moves toward the summer months, the start of the stock market year.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners. Accordingly, the list includes some of the best companies in the market but not always. ICInsider.com ranks stocks based on projected earnings, allowing investors to focus on the most undervalued stocks and helping to remove emotions in selecting stocks for investments that often result in costly mistakes.
IC TOP10 stocks will likely deliver the best returns up to the end of May 2024 and are ranked in order of potential gains, computed using projected earnings for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate, resulting in weekly movements in and out of the lists. Revisions to earnings are ongoing, based on receipt of new information.
Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.
Slippage for JSE USD Market
The Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market slipped at the end of trading on Thursday, following a 34 percent drop in the volume of stocks changing hands and a 93 percent fall in value compared to trading on Wednesday, resulting from trading in eight securities, compared to nine on Wednesday with three rising, three declining and two ending unchanged.
Overall, 323,116 shares were traded for US$20,789 compared with 490,501 units at US$293,958 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 40,390 units at US$2,599 compared with 54,500 shares at US$32,662 on Wednesday, with a month to date average of 62,192 shares at US$4,054 compared to 63,403 units at US$4,135 on the previous day. Trading in May ended with an average of 43,350 units for US$2,759.
The US Denominated Equities Index dipped 1.51 points to finish at 246.91.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.2. The PE ratio is computed based on the last traded price divided by projected earnings done by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending between November 2023 and August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ending with a bid higher than the last selling price and none with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share advanced 0.01 of a cent to 5.5 US cents with shareholders exchanging 135 shares, Margaritaville popped 0.37 of one cent and ended at 11.48 US cents with a transfer of 4,000 stocks, Productive Business Solutions fell 19 cents in closing at US$1.70 after an exchange of 3,001 units.
Proven Investments popped 0.1 of a cent to 16 US cents as investors exchanged 41,690 stock units, Sterling Investments ended at 1.6 US cents with an exchange of 39,750 stocks, Sygnus Credit Investments ended at 11.7 US cents after an exchange of 38,501 units and Transjamaican Highway declined 0.03 of a cent to 1.6 US cents after hitting an intraday high of 1.93 US cents, with 196,036 shares clearing the market.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 6% shed 0.5 of a cent and ended at US$1.184 in an exchange of 3 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading Jumps on JSE USD Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market jumped sharply on Wednesday, with the volume of stocks changing hands rising 168 percent valued 1,536 percent more than on Tuesday and resulted in trading of nine securities, down from 13 on Tuesday with seven rising and two ending unchanged.
A total of 490,501 shares were exchanged for US$293,958 versus 183,070 units at US$17,969 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 54,500 units at US$32,662 versus 14,082 shares at US$1,382 on Tuesday, with a month to date average of 63,403 shares at US$4,135 compared with 63,997 units at US$2,233 on the previous day. May ended with an average of 43,350 units for US$2,759.
The US Denominated Equities Index rallied 7.05 points to 248.42.
The PE Ratio, a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 9.3 and is computed based on the last traded price divided by projected earnings done by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending between November 2023 and August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ended with a bid higher than the last selling price and one with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share rose 0.27 of a cent in closing at 5.49 US cents with shareholders swapping 2,667 shares, Margaritaville climbed 1.89 cents to close at 11.11 US cents in switching ownership of 14 stocks, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy remained at 60 US cents after an exchange of 1,536 units. Productive Business Solutions rose 5 cents to US$1.89 as investors exchanged 145,397 stock units, 
Proven Investments popped 0.2 of a cent to end at 15.9 US cents after trading in 37,125 stock units, Sterling Investments ended at 1.6 US cents and closed with an exchange of 2,512 shares. Sygnus Credit Investments rose 0.21 of a cent to 11.7 US cents with an exchange of 90 stocks and Transjamaican Highway gained 0.19 of one cent to end at a record high of 1.63 US cents with an exchange of 300,539 units.
The preference segment, Productive Business 9.25% preference share rallied US$1 and ended at US$12.50, with 621 stocks crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Several stocks rise on JSE USD Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks changing hands declining 30 percent valued 31 percent lower than on Monday, resulting in the trading of 13 securities, up from six on Monday with seven rising, two declining and four ending unchanged.
A total of 183,070 shares were traded for US$17,969 compared with 261,038 units at US$25,992 on Monday.
Trading averaged 14,082 shares at US$1,382 compared with 43,506 units at US$4,332 on Monday, with a month to date average of 63,997 shares at US$2,233 compared with 69,315 units at US$2,324 on the previous day. May ended with an average of 43,350 units for US$2,759.
The US Denominated EquitiesI index gained 18.64 points to end at 241.38.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 8.9. The PE ratio is computed based on the last traded price divided by projected earnings done by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending between November 2023 and August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ended with a bid higher than the last selling price and one with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share popped 0.81 cents to close at 5.22 US cents in switching ownership of 16,705 shares, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy ended at 60 US cents while exchanging 89 units, Productive Business Solutions advanced 27.94 cents to US$1.84 after one stock unit passed through the market. 
Proven Investments declined 0.3 of a cent to end at 15.7 US cents as investors traded 6,257 stocks, Sterling Investments remained at 1.6 US cents with an exchange of 92,300 stock units, Sygnus Credit Investments ended at 11.49 US cents with 55,584 units changing hands. Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share rose 0.02 of a cent to end at 11 US cents after a transfer of 4,369 shares and Transjamaican Highway popped 0.02 of a cent to 1.44 US cents with shareholders swapping 7,000 stocks.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 9.25% preference share fell US$1.50 and ended at US$11.50 in an exchange of 650 units, Eppley 6% preference share remained at US$1.40 after 3 stocks were traded, JMMB Group 5.5% gained 30 cents in ending at US$2.30 with an exchange of one share, JMMB Group 5.75% climbed 20 cents to end at US$2.10, with 22 stock units changing hands and JMMB Group 6% rallied 13.9 cents to close at US$1.189 and closed with trading of 89 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Gains for JSE USD Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Monday, with the volume of stocks changing hands rising 20 percent valued 81 percent more than on Friday and resulting in six securities traded, compared to nine on Friday with two rising and four ending unchanged.
Overall, 261,038 shares were traded for US$25,992 compared with 216,689 units at US$14,393 on Friday.
Trading averaged 43,506 units at US$4,332 versus 24,077 shares at US$1,599 on Friday, with a month to date average o 69,315 shares at US$2,324 compared with 70,650 units at US$2,220 on the previous day. May ended with an average of 43,350 units for US$2,759.
The US Denominated Equities Index rose 1.07 points to conclude trading at 222.74.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 8.6, The PE ratio is computed based on the last traded price divided by projected earnings done by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending between November 2023 and August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
At the close, Proven Investments climbed 0.3 of a cent to 16 US cents with investors trading 290 shares, Sterling Investments ended at 1.6 US cents with 149,900 units being traded, Sygnus Credit Investments rallied 0.59 of one cent to 11.49 US cents after 81,535 stocks changed hands and Transjamaican Highway ended at 1.42 US cents after a transfer of 21,955 stock units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 9.25% preference share remained at US$13, with 12 stock units crossing the market and JMMB Group 5.75% ended at US$1.90 after investors traded 7,346 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
