Trading ended Monday with the volume of shares changing hands declining 39 percent, with 12 percent lower value than on Friday, at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market, resulting in slightly more stocks rising than falling.
A total of 11 securities traded, up from nine on Friday with four rising, three declining and four ending unchanged.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index gained 1.10 points to end at 205.67.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 14.7 for the market. The PE ratio is computed using ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years, up to August 2022.
Overall, 279,179 shares traded for US$46,660 down from 460,642 units at US$53,004 on Friday. Trading averaged 25,380 units at US$4,242, compared to 51,182 shares at US$5,889 on Friday and month to date an average of 92,110 shares at US$4,465 versus 100,002 units at US$4,492 on the previous trading day. January ended with an average of 91,572 units for US$7,142.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows no stock ending with a bid higher than the last selling price and two with lower offers.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share advanced 0.5 of a cent in ending at 7.5 US cents in an exchange of 1,993 shares, Margaritaville declined 4 cents to end at 20 US cents after exchanging 150 stocks, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy gained 6 cents to end at US$1.26 trading 23 stock units. Proven Investments lost 0.01 of a cent in closing at 22.99 US cents after 21,104 units changed hands, 
Sterling Investments ended at 2.38 US cents while exchanging 10,626 units, Sygnus Credit Investments USD share shed 0.01 of one cent to 12.83 US cents in trading 5,252 stocks. Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share ended unchanged at 13 US cents in switching ownership of 176,401 stock units and Transjamaican Highway finished at 0.89 US cents, with 55,005 shares crossing the exchange,
In the preference segment, Eppley 6% preference share climbed 14.7 cents in closing at US$1.127, with 35 shares crossing the market, JMMB Group 5.75% finished at US$2.09 after exchanging 8,000 stock units and JMMB Group 6% rallied 10 cents to US$1.10 after 590 stocks changed hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading picks up for JSE USD Market
Six new additions to ICTOP10
Following the release of fourth quarter results and faced with a new IPO, investors took profit this past week, resulting in six changes to the ICTOP10 listings as the Junior Market hit a record high during the week at 4,076 points before pulling back 226 points and making some recovery on Friday. That market is caught between two resistance points that seem set to constrain movement beyond peak and the low reached last week.
Focus this coming week will be the response of the market to the latest IPO to hit the market as FJP Limited opens on Monday at $1 per share. The stock is not ICInsider.com BUY RATED, but it should deliver gains to investors, with the possibility of earnings estimated around 7 cents per share.
Entering the Junior Market TOP10 this week are Lasco Manufacturing, Iron Rock, iCreate and Lasco Financial slipped out last week, while 138 Student Living and Sygnus Credit Investments US dollar denominated stock join the Main Market list.
Out goes General Accident, Honey Bun, Medical Disposables and Tropical Battery from the Junior Market list, while VM Investments and Sterling Investments hit a record high on Friday of $3.65 from the Main Market listing.
During the week, the Junior Market TOP10 listed Tropical Battery rose 18 percent to close at $1.79, followed by Lasco Distributors with a gain of 5 percent to $4, while Cargo Handlers fell 11 percent to $7 and General Accident moved down 7 percent to $6.26, following the release of full year’s results, with a small loss reported in the December quarter.
In the Main Market, Sterling Investments rose 13 percent to a record close of $3.50 while JMMB Group added 5 percent to end at $44.30, with technical indicators pointing to a much higher price ahead as the stock is steered higher by a rising trend line.
The Junior Market potential gains for the TOP 10 Junior Market stocks are now at 104 percent and are now much lower than the Main Market at 126 percent. The top three stocks in the Junior Market are Cargo Handlers followed by Caribbean Assurance Brokers and AMG Packaging to gain between 109 and 129 percent, compared to 111 and 124 percent, previously.
The potential gains for Main Market stocks moved from 122 percent last week to this weeks’ 126 percent, with the top three being Guardian Holdings followed by JMMB Group and Sygnus Credit Investments all projected to gain between 165 and 185 percent versus 161 and 186 percent last week.
The average PE for Junior Market has moved to 17.7 based on ICInsider.com’s 2021-22 earnings and is ahead of the JSE Main Market at 16.9. In the process, the Junior Market has surpassed the average of 17 that was achieved at the end of March last year. The TOP 10 stocks trade at a PE of a mere 9.8, with a 45 percent discount to that market’s average. That means there is a lot of room for the TOP10 stocks to run between now and the end of March.
All the stocks in the Junior Market can gain 13 percent to March this year, based on an average PE of 20 that would take the index to 4,700 points. About a third of Junior Market stocks with positive earnings are trading at or above this level, averaging around 23.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market is 16.9 just 12 percent less than the PE of 19 at the end of March and 18 percent below the target of 20 to March this year. The Main Market TOP 10 average PE is 9 representing a 47 percent discount to the market and well below the potential of 20. Around 18 stocks or 35 percent of the market trade at or above a PE of 19, with most over 20, for an average roundabout 25, suggesting that the accepted multiple is between 20 and 25 times the current year’s earnings.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners, accordingly, the list may or may not include the best companies in the market. 
ICInsider.com ranks stocks based on projected earnings to highlight winners from the rest, allowing investors to focus on potential winning stocks and helping to remove emotional attachments to stocks that often result in costly mistakes.
IC TOP10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns up to March 2022 and ranked in order of potential gains, based on the possible increase for each company, considering the earnings and PE ratios for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate and result in weekly movements in and out of the lists. Revisions to earnings per share are ongoing, based on receipt of new information.
Persons who compiled this report may have an interest in securities commented on in this report.
JSE USD market slips in moderate trading
Trading ended on Friday, with 1,317 percent more shares changing hands with 106 percent higher value than on Thursday, at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market, resulting in slightly stocks rising than falling.
A total of nine securities traded, compared to seven on Thursday with two rising, one declining and six ending unchanged. The JSE US Denominated Equities Index lost 2.35 points to end at 205.56.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 14.9. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years, up to August 2022.
Overall, 460,642 shares traded, for US$53,004 up from 32,516 units at US$25,678 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 51,182 units at US$5,889, compared to 4,645 shares at US$3,668 on Thursday and month to date averages 100,002 shares at US$4,492 versus 105,233 units at US$4,342 on the previous day. January ended with an average of 91,572 units for US$7,142.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows no stock ended with the bid higher than the last selling price and none with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share ended unchanged at 7 US cents while exchanging 2,088 shares, Margaritaville gained 5 cents ending at 24 US cents in trading 680 stocks, Proven Investments remained at 23 US cents after 190,092 units crossed the exchange.
Sterling Investments climbed 0.03 of a cent cents in closing at 2.38 US cents, with 1,211 stock units changing hands, Sygnus Credit Investments USD share fell 0.01 of a cent to close at 12.84 US cents after trading 7,002 units, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share finished at 13 US cents with 18,620 shares changing hands. Transjamaican Highway finished at 0.89 US cents, with 236,201 stock units clearing the market.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 5.75% preference share remained at US$2.09 after exchanging 250 stocks and JMMB Group 6% preference share ended unchanged at US$1, with 4,498 shares crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Mixed trading for JSE USD market
Trading on Thursday ended with the volume of shares changing hands declining 41 percent with 208 percent higher value than on Wednesday, at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market, resulting in an even number of stocks rising than falling.
Seven securities traded, compared to nine on Wednesday with three rising, three declining and one ending unchanged.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index lost 1.15 points to end at 95.59.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 14.4. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years, up to August 2022.
Overall, 32,516 shares traded, for US$25,678 compared to 55,392 units at US$8,332 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 4,645 units at US$3,668, compared to 6,155 shares at US$926 on Wednesday and month to date an average of 105,233 shares at US$4,342 versus 114,377 units at US$4,403 on the previous day. January ended with an average of 91,572 units for US$7,142.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ending with the bid higher than the last selling price and none with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share dropped 1.95 cents to 7 US cents with the swapping of 711 shares, 
Margaritaville advanced 1.4 cents to close at 19 US cents in switching ownership of one stock, Proven Investments popped 0.78 of a cent to 23 US cents in exchanging 40 units. Sterling Investments increased 0.33 of a cent to end at 2.35 US cents, with 262 stock units crossing the exchange, Sygnus Credit Investments USD share fell 0.04 of a cent in closing at 12.85 US cents with 400 stocks crossing the market and Transjamaican Highway ended unchanged at 0.89 US cents, with 5,600 shares changing hands.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 6% shed 1 cent to close at US$1 in trading 25,502 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
3 way tie for JSE US stocks
Trading ended on Wednesday, with the volume of shares changing hands declining sharply by 98 percent after 89 percent fewer funds passed through the market than on Tuesday, at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market, resulting in an even number of stocks rising, falling and ending unchanged.
A total of nine securities traded, compared to seven on Tuesday with a three way sharing of stocks rising, declining and remaining firm ending with three each.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index lost 2.81 points to end at 204.90. The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 14.5. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years, up to August 2022.
Overall, 55,392 shares traded, for US$8,332 compared to 2,950,219 units at US$79,057 on Tuesday. Trading averaged 6,155 units at US$926, compared to 421,460 shares at US$11,294 on Tuesday and the month to date averaged 114,377 stock units at US$4,403 versus 128,701 units at US$4,864 on the previous day. January ended with an average of 91,572 units for US$7,142.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ended with bids higher than the last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share rose 0.01 of a cent to 8.95 US cents trading 1,527 shares, Margaritaville declined 0.4 of one cent to 17.6 US cents as 1,829 units were exchanged, Proven Investments lost 2.28 cents to end at 22.22 US cents with the swapping of 9,431 stocks. Sygnus Credit Investments USD share climbed 0.01 of a cent in closing at 12.89 US cents, with 27,747 stock units clearing the market, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share finished at 13 US cents while exchanging 656 stocks, Transjamaican Highway increased 0.04 of a cent to 0.89 US cents, trading 12,350 stock units.
In the preference segment, Equityline Mortgage Investment preference share remained at US$1.999 after exchanging 21 units, JMMB Group 5.75% ended unchanged at US$2.09 in an exchange of 42 shares and JMMB Group 6% dropped 1 cent in closing at US$1.01 with 1,789 units changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading surged on the JSE USD market
Trading surged sharply on Tuesday, with the volume of shares changing hands rising jumping 622 percent and the value surging 1045 percent higher than on Monday, at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market, resulting in the JSE US Denominated Equities Index rising 6.34 points to 207.71 as more stocks gained than lost.
A total of seven securities traded, compared to five on Monday with three rising, two declining and two ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 13.6. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years, up to August 2022.
Overall, 2,950,219 shares traded for US$79,057 up from 408,637 units at US$6,903 on Monday. Trading averaged 421,460 units at US$11,294, compared to 81,727 shares at US$1,381 on Monday and month to date averages 128,701 shares at US$4,864 versus 95,106 units at US$4,126 on the previous day. January ended with an average of 91,572 units for US$7,142.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ended with a bid higher than the last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share climbed 1.94 cents ending at 8.94 US cents, with 43 shares crossing the market, 
Proven Investments rallied 1.55 cents in closing at 24.5 US cents after an exchange of 182,629 stocks, Sterling Investments dropped 0.28 cents to close at 2.02 US cents with 33,137 stock units crossing the exchange. Sygnus Credit Investments USD share gained 0.99 of a cent to 12.88 US cents, with 4,287 units changing hands, Transjamaican Highway lost 0.04 of a cent to end at 0.85 US cents trading 2,724,937 stock units.
In the preference segment, Equityline Mortgage Investment preference share remained at US$1.999 with an exchange of 525 shares and JMMB Group 5.75% ended unchanged at US$2.09 trading 4,661 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading slips on the JSE USD Market
Trading ended on Monday with the volume of shares changing hands falling 66 percent with 75 percent less value than on Friday, at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market, resulting in more stocks rising than falling.
Similar to trading on Friday five securities traded, with two rising, one declining and two ending unchanged.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index slipped 2.62 points to 201.37.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 13.3. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial year end, up to August 2022.
Overall, 408,637 shares traded, for US$6,903 down from 1,211,422 units at US$27,433 on Friday. Trading averaged 81,727 units at US$1,381, compared to 242,284 shares at US$5,487 on prior trading day and month to date averaged 95,106 shares at US$4,126 versus 96,300 units at US$4,371 on Friday. January ended with an average of 91,572 units for US$7,142.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ended with a bid higher than the last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share ended at 7 US cents after trading 2,829 shares, Margaritaville shed 6 cents in ending at 18 US cents with 5,000 stocks clearing the market, Proven Investments remained at 22.95 US cents with an exchange of 10,870 units. Sterling Investments increased 0.05 of a cent to close at 2.3 US cents, with 12,991 stock units crossing the market and Transjamaican Highway rose 0.09 of a cent to 0.89 US cents with 376,947 stocks changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Several changes for ICTOP10 listings
Increased buying interest coupled with the release of new results created many changes for the ICTOP10 listings this week. Tropical Battery came from nowhere, with stunning first quarter results to December, with profits surging from just $19 million in 2020 to $56.7 million as revenues surged 46.8 percent to $662 million and investors reacted to it right out of the block driving the price up 18 percent for the day.
Even with an 18 percent rise in the stock price, Tropical moved right to the top of the Junior Market TOP10 stocks with the potential to double in price. Medical Disposables price slipped with the stock now back in the TOP 10 and so did Access Financial while Cargo Handlers joins the TOP10 in fifth position.
Moving out of the TOP10 are Lasco Financial that was boosted by rising profits and enjoyed a 19 percent bounce in the price for the week and Jetcon Corporation. Lasco Manufacturing (Lasm) price rose 2 percent but the company posted good results that suggest a much higher stock price ahead and Stationery & Office Supplies (SOS) had a 24 percent rise to $7.31 as increased buying interest came in for the stock. Both stocks remain in the 2022 ICTOP15 list, with SOS in at the 6th spot and LASM at 11.
The Junior Market index upward move slowed this past week with year to date gains moving from 16.3 percent last week to 17.1 percent to Friday, this week. The Main Market seems to be bubbling with the market index up more than 7,700 points for February and is worth watching.
Recently listed Spur Tree Spices continues to consolidate around the $3 price level while, Future Energy, surged this past week to an all-time high of $5.20, on profit results that rose strongly in the December quarter at PE of 50, the price seems well ahead of the market.
Other decent moves in the Junior Market this past week are Caribbean Assurance Brokers that closed at $3.28 for a rise of 6 percent, General Accident moved up 4 percent to $6.76, AMG Packaging lost 6 percent to end at $3.48 and Honey Bun slipped 4 percent to $9.70.
In the Main Market, Jamaica Broilers rose 13 percent to $30.50, while Proven Investments and VM Investments both rose 8 percent for the week. Radio Jamaica released results for the nine months to December, with a slight reduction of 2.5 percent in revenues or $35 million leading to a fall in profit from $194 million in the December quarter to $108 million and Jamaica Broilers were replaced in the TOP10 by Berger Paints and Carreras.
The sharp price movements in the Junior Market over recent weeks reduced the potential gains markedly, with the average increase projected for the TOP 10 Junior Market stocks now at 105 percent and is now lower than the Main Market at 122 percent. The top three stocks in the Junior Market are Tropical Battery followed by Caribbean Assurance Brokers and Lasco Distributors to gain between 111 and 124 percent, compared to 114 and 126 percent, previously.
The potential gains for Main Market stocks moved from 123 percent to this weeks’ 122 percent, with the top three being JMMB Group followed by Guardian Holdings and Sygnus Credit Investments all projected to gain between 161 and 186 percent versus 165 and 186 percent last week.
After trading at a big discount to the Main Market for two years, the average PE for Junior Market has moved to 17.8 based on ICInsider.com’s 2021-22 earnings and is ahead of the JSE Main Market at 16.4. In the process, the Junior Market has surpassed the average of 17 that was achieved at the end of March last year. The TOP 10 stocks trade at a PE of a mere 9.8, with a 45 percent discount to that market’s average. That means there is a lot of room for the TOP10 stocks to run between now and the end of March.
All the stocks in the Junior Market can gain 12 percent to March this year, based on an average PE of 20 that would take the index to 4,700 points. About a third of Junior Market stocks with positive earnings are trading at or above this level, averaging around 23.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market is 17.4 just 9 percent less than the PE of 19 at the end of March and 15 percent below the target of 20 to March this year. The Main Market TOP 10 average PE is 9.2 representing a 47 percent discount to the market and well below the potential of 20. Around 15 stocks or 30 percent of the market trade at or above a PE of 19, with most over 20, for an average roundabout 25, suggesting that the accepted multiple is between 20 and 25 times the current year’s earnings.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners, accordingly, the list may or may not include the best companies in the market.
ICInsider.com ranks stocks based on projected earnings to highlight winners from the rest, allowing investors to focus on potential winning stocks and helping to remove emotional attachments to stocks that often result in costly mistakes.
IC TOP10 stocks are likely to deliver the best returns up to March 2022 and ranked in order of potential gains, based on the possible increase for each company, considering the earnings and PE ratios for the current fiscal year. Expected values will change as stock prices fluctuate and result in weekly movements in and out of the lists. 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 up on JSE USD market
Trading on Friday, ended with the volume of shares changing hands rising 88 percent but with a 49 percent fall in value compared to Thursday, at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market.
A total of five securities traded down from seven on Thursday with one rising, two declining and two ending unchanged.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index dipped 0.81 points to end at 203.99.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 13.6. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years, up to August 2022.
Overall, 1,211,422 shares traded for US$27,433 compared to 643,585 units at US$54,243 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 242,284 units at US$5,487 compared to 91,941 shares at US$7,749 on Thursday and month to date an average of 96,300 shares at US$4,371 versus 81,988 units at US$4,261 on the previous day. January ended with an average of 91,572 units for US$7,142.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows no stock closed trading with a bid higher than the last selling price and none with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share climbed 0.1 of a cent in ending at 7 US cents after an exchange of 263,740 shares, Proven Investments ended at 22.95 US cents trading 4,554 stocks, Sygnus Credit Investments USD share slipped 1.04 cents to 11.89 US cents after 1,000 units changed hands and Transjamaican Highway dropped half of a cent to 0.8 of a US cent while exchanging 942,124 stock units.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 5.75% ended unchanged at US$2.09 with four shares crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Gains for JSE USD Market
Trading on Thursday ended with the volume of shares changing hands rising 29 percent more with 58 percent higher value than on Wednesday, at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market and resulting in the majority of stocks rising.
Trading ended with seven securities changing hands, up from four on Wednesday with prices of five rising and two declining.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index climbed 6.32 points to 204.80. The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 13.8. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with the financial year up to August 2022.
Overall, 643,585 shares traded, for US$54,243 compared to 498,081 units at US$34,261 on Wednesday. Trading averaged 91,941 units at US$7,749, compared to 124,520 shares at US$8,565 on Wednesday and month to date averages 81,988 shares at US$4,261 versus 80,405 units at US$3,706 on the previous day. January ended with an average of 91,572 units for US$7,142.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows no stock ended with a bid higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Capital USD share fell 0.09 of a cent to end at 6.9 US cents, with 16,345 shares clearing the market, Margaritaville popped 2 cents in closing at 24 US cents after switching ownership of one stock unit, 
Proven Investments advanced 0.02 of a cent in ending at 22.95 US cents exchanging 108,180 stock units. Sterling Investments shed 0.06 of a cent to close at 2.25 US cents with the swapping of 7,824 units, Sygnus Credit Investments USD share gained 0.93 of one cent to 12.93 US cents, with 15,250 units changing hands and Transjamaican Highway rose 0.05 of a cent in closing at 0.85 of one US cent after 485,400 stocks crossed the market.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 5.75% rallied 7 cents to US$2.09 in exchanging 10,585 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
