Trading remains buoyant on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market for a second day running on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks changing hands rising 63 percent valued 101 percent more than on Monday, and resulted from trading in seven securities, compared to four on Monday with three rising, one declining and three ending unchanged.
A total of 830,053 shares were traded, for US$28,943 up from 509,457 units at US$14,389 on Monday.
Trading on Tuesday averaged 118,579 shares for US$4,135 versus 127,364 shares at US$3,597 on Monday, with a month to date average of 78,103 shares at US$5,044 compared to 74,955 units at US$5,114 on the previous day and above October that ended with an average of 47,977 units for US$4,392.
The US Denominated Equities Index advanced 0.38 points to 227.85.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 8.7. 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 and or around August 2024.
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, Margaritaville climbed 1.26 cents and ended at 12.3 US cents, with 2,500 stocks crossing the market, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy ended at 57 US cents with investors trading a mere one unit, Productive Business Solutions remained at US$1.55 with investors swapping 5 shares. Proven Investments fell 0.01 of a cent in closing at 15 US cents in an exchange of 109,252 stock units, Sterling Investments remained at 1.7 US cents passed through the market 4,075 shares, Sygnus Credit Investments popped 0.01 cent to 8.71 US cents while exchanging 4,135 units and Transjamaican Highway increased by 0.14 of a cent in closing at 1.73 US cents in switching ownership of 710,085 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Buoyant JSE USD Market trading
Jump in volume traded on JSE USD Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Monday, with the volume of stocks changing hands rising 66 percent valued 7 percent lower than on Friday, resulting in four securities traded, compared to eight on Friday with one rising, two declining and one ending unchanged.
Overall, 509,457 shares were traded for US$14,389 compared to 306,262 units at US$15,475 on Friday.
Trading averaged 127,364 units at US$3,597 compared to 38,283 shares at US$1,934 on Friday, with a month to date average of 74,955 shares at US$5,114 compared with 72,517 units at US$5,185 on the previous trading day, up from October that ended with an average of 47,977 units for US$4,392.
The US Denominated Equities Index shed 1.20 points to finish at 227.47.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 8.5. 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 and or around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
At the close, Proven Investments increased 0.01 of a cent to end at 15.01 US cents, with 37,511 stocks changing hands, Sygnus Credit Investments lost 0.3 of a cent in closing at 8.7 US cents with an exchange of 11,000 stock units and Transjamaican Highway skidded 0.08 of a cent to 1.59 US cents, with 460,934 shares crossing the market.
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions 9.25% preference share remained at US$11.50, with investors transferring 12 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Shakeup in ICTOP10
A load of third quarter results hit the market during the past week, while some were good a large number were disappointing, collectively they offered no help to a market that continues to struggle with the Main Market being steady at the end of the week but the Junior Market declined compared with the previous week, for a second week of decline, having undergone wild daily swings during the week.
Price movements in the market and reduced profits in some cases resulted in three new ICTOP10 listings for the Junior Market and none for the Main Market.
Action in the Junior Market, resulted in Iron Rock Insurance gaining 10 percent to $2.19, followed by a 9 percent rise in Dolphin Cove to $18 after an announcement of an 80 cents dividend to be paid in December and the release of third quarter results and Jamaican Teas added 14 cents for a 7 percent rally. Everything Fresh shed 7 percent to $1.45, followed by Caribbean Cream down 6 percent to $3.38 and Lasco Manufacturing dropping 5 percent to $4.50.
The Main Market closed the week with few notable price changes and ended with Palace Amusement Company gaining 7 percent to $1.30, while 138 Student Living declined by 5 percent to $4.
There were no new additions to the Main Market IC TOP 10, however, the Junior Market, had 3 new additions with Express Catering coming in as well as Caribbean Flavours and Lasco Distributors, replacing Dolphin Cove enjoyed b appreciation during the week, Everything Fresh that also dropped out following downward adjustment to earnings, after the company released third quarter results with weak profit performance although revenues in the quarter rose nicely over the similar period in 2022 and Caribbean Assurance with management advising of a surprising 40 percent cut in “the International Comprehensive Health Insurance Programme’s renewal commission rate, with a corresponding 40 percent increase in its new business rate, with the expressed intention of incentivising the production and consistent growth of new business.” Unfortunately, Management gave no timeline when revenues will return to traditional levels.
An indication of where stock prices could be by May 2024 can be seen from stocks with the highest values in the Main and Junior Markets.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market ICTOP 10 stands at 5, well below the market average of 13.1. The Main Market ICTOP10 is projected to gain an average of 320 percent by May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings.
In the Main Market ICTOP 10, a total of 14 of the most highly valued stocks representing 29 percent of the Main Market are priced at a PE of 15 to 108, with an average of 30 and 20 excluding the highest PE ratios, and a PE of 23 for the top half and 16 excluding the stocks with overweight values.
The PE of the Junior Market TOP10 sits at 6.9, just over half of the market, with an average of 13.1. There are 14 stocks, or 29 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 46, averaging 21 that are well above the market’s average of 13. The top half of the market has an average PE of 18, possibly the lowest fair value for Junior Market stocks currently, with the market projected to rise by 260 percent on or around May 2024.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners, accordingly, the list includes some of the best companies in the market, but this is not always so. 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.
ICTOP10 stocks will likely deliver the best returns on or around 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.
Trading falls back for JSE USD Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Friday, with the volume of stocks changing hands declining 92 percent valued 94 percent lower than on Thursday, resulting in trading in eight securities, compared to nine on Thursday and ended with prices of three rising, two declining and three ending unchanged.
Overall, 306,262 shares were traded, for US$15,475 compared with 3,636,438 units at US$276,260 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 38,283 units at US$1,934, up from 404,049 shares at US$30,696 on Thursday, with a month to date average of 72,517 shares at US$5,185 compared with 76,029 units at US$5,518 on the previous day. October ended with an average of 47,977 units for US$4,392.
The US Denominated Equities Index popped 1.05 points to close trading at 228.67.
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 and or around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows four stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
At the close, Margaritaville ended at 11.04 US cents and closed with an exchange of 5,101 units, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy fell 1.99 cents to 57 US cents after an exchange of just one stock, Proven Investments lost 0.99 of one cent to close at 15 US cents with investors transferring 57,463 shares. 
Sterling Investments rallied 0.02 of a cent in closing at 1.7 US cents after investors exchanged 863 stock units, Sygnus Credit Investments ended at 9 US cents with stakeholders exchanging 3,000 shares, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share popped 1.4 cents in closing at 10.4 US cents 3,000 stocks crossing the market and Transjamaican Highway gained 0.07 cents to 1.67 US cents while exchanging 236,685 units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions 9.25% preference share ended at US$11.50 with investors dealing in 149 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Big jump in JSE USD Market trading
Trading picked up robustly on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market on Thursday, with the volume of stocks changing hands surging 1,874 percent valued 1,544 percent more than on Wednesday, resulting in nine securities traded, compared to six on Wednesday with three rising, two declining and four ending unchanged.
Overall, 3,636,438 shares were traded, for US$276,260 compared to 184,226 units at US$16,805 on Wednesday.
Trading closed with an average of 404,049 units at US$30,696, up from 30,704 shares at US$2,801 on Wednesday, with a month to date average of 76,029 shares at US$5,518 compared with 33,243 units at US$2,234 on the previous day. October ended with an average of 47,977 units for US$4,392.
The US Denominated Equities Index declined 0.60 points to end at 227.62.
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 and or around August 2024.
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 Real Estate USD share ended at 4.24 US cents with traders dealing in 9,500 stock units, 
Proven Investments popped 0.49 of a cent to 15.99 US cents after 3,012 shares passed through the market, Sterling Investments dipped 0.05 of a cent to 1.68 US cents with shareholders swapping 737 stocks. Sygnus Credit Investments climbed 0.1 of a cent to end at 9 US cents in switching ownership of 12,106 units, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share rose 0.38 of one cent in closing at 9 US cents after an exchange of 2,704,500 stocks and Transjamaican Highway remained at 1.6 US cents with 893,092 units clearing the market.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 5.75% shed 5 cents to end at US$1.90 in an exchange of 226 shares, JMMB Group 6% ended at US$1, with 12,986 stock units crossing the market and Productive Business Solutions 9.25% preference share remained at US$11.50 after investors exchanged 279 shares.
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 ended on Wednesday, with the volume of stocks changing hands surging 1,143 percent valued 1,050 percent more than on Tuesday and resulting in trading of six securities, compared to five on Tuesday with three rising, two declining and one ending unchanged.
Overall, 184,226 shares were traded, for US$16,805 up from 14,818 units at US$1,462 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 30,704 units at US$2,801 versus 2,964 shares at US$292 on Tuesday, with a month to date average of 33,243 shares at US$2,234 compared with 33,485 units at US$2,181 on the previous day. October ended with an average of 47,977 units for US$4,392.
The US Denominated Equities Index climbed 2.54 points to 228.22.
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 and or around August 2024.
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 end of trading, Productive Business Solutions rallied 5 cents to US$1.55 after a transfer of 160 stocks, Proven Investments rose 0.4 of a cent to close at 15.5 US cents with stakeholders exchanging 4,465 shares, Sterling Investments advanced 0.04 of a cent and ended at 1.73 US cents, with 884 stocks changing hands. Sygnus Credit Investments remained at 8.9 US cents in trading 2,500 stock units and Transjamaican Highway dipped 0.1 of a cent to end at 1.6 US cents with shareholders swapping 163,337 shares.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 6% fell 1 cent to US$1 as investors exchanged 12,880 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading plunges on JSE USD Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks changing hands dived 98 percent valued 96 percent less than on Monday, resulting from trading in five securities, compared to seven on Monday with three rising, two declining and no ending unchanged.
Overall, 14,818 shares were traded, for US$1,462 compared to 647,665 units at US$35,342 on Monday.
Trading averaged 2,964 units at US$292, versus 92,524 shares at US$5,049 on Monday, with a month to date average of 33,485 shares at US$2,181 compared with 36,116 units at US$2,343, previously. October ended with an average of 47,977 units for US$4,392.
The US Denominated Equities Index increased 2.31 points to finish at 225.68.
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 and or around August 2024.
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, Proven Investments gained 0.1 of a cent to close at 15.1 US cents with 3,800 stocks clearing the market,
Sygnus Credit Investments popped 0.22 of a cent to 8.9 US cents in trading 711 units, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share rallied 1.39 cents to end at 8.62 US cents. with 1,104 shares crossing the market and Transjamaican Highway declined 0.03 of a cent to end at 1.7 US cents with traders dealing in 9,153 stock units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions 9.25% preference share shed 90 cents in closing at US$11.50 as investors exchanged 50 shares.
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 ended on Monday, with the volume of stocks changing hands jumping 412 percent, with a value 963 percent more than on Friday, resulting from trading in seven securities similar to Friday and ended, with one rising, five declining and one ending unchanged.
A total of 647,665 shares were traded, for US$35,342 compared with 126,524 units at US$3,325 on Friday.
Trading on Monday averaged 92,524 units at US$5,049 compared with 18,075 shares at US$475 on Friday. Trading for the month to date averages 36,116 shares at US$2,343 compared with 28,374 units at US$1,972 on the previous trading day. October ended with an average of 47,977 units for US$4,392.
The US Denominated Equities Index declined 0.10 points to conclude trading at 223.37.
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 and or around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Productive Business Solutions ended at US$1.50 with a transfer of 712 shares,
Proven Investments slipped 0.01 of a cent to 15 US cents with stakeholders trading 154,948 shares, Sterling Investments fell 0.09 of a cent in closing at 1.69 US cents after a transfer of 59,523 units. Sygnus Credit Investments dipped 0.32 of one cent to close at 8.68 US cents with traders dealing in 3,001 stocks and Transjamaican Highway rose 0.11 of a cent and ended at 1.73 US cents in an exchange of 428,095 shares.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 5.75% lost 5 cents to end at US$1.95 with investors transferring 1,358 stock units and JMMB Group 6% shed 1 cent and ended at US$1.01, with 28 units crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
New additions to ICTOP10
A series of third quarter company results were released during the past week, and most reported good numbers that augur well for the stock prices in the months ahead. Some of the results are companies in the ICTOP10. During the week the JSE Main Market rose but the Junior Market lost ground moderately for a second week.
Price movements in the market resulted in two new ICTOP10 listings for the Junior Market and one for the Main Market. In the Junior Market, Dolphin Cove rose 6 percent to $16.50 and AMG Packaging rose 4 percent to $2.44 after trading at a 52 weeks’ low of $1.95 during the week. Paramount Trading dropped 12 percent to $1.48, followed by Everything Fresh shedding 11 percent to $1.56, Iron Rock Insurance fell 9 percent to $2 and Caribbean Assurance Brokers declined 8 percent to end at $2.85.
The Main Market closed the week with Sygnus Credit Investments climbing 7 percent to $11.90, Margaritaville and Jamaica Broilers rising 6 percent to $17.58 and $34.97 respectively. General Insurance dropped 9 percent to end at $5.04.
Lasco Financial and Lasco Distributors released half year results but dropped out of the Junior Market ICTOP10 and Lasco Manufacturing also reported six months results but remained in the ICTOP 10. Following the release of the results, Lasco Distributors earnings were reduced from $1.65 to $1.60 for the full year and sits at number 12 in ICInsider.com rankings. 
Importantly selling in the stock has been drastically reduced with just 19 offers up to $15.90 amounting to less than 200,000 shares and 19 bids above $4, with the highest bid amounting to more than the total stocks being offered. Earnings per share for Lasco Financial were reduced to 15 cents for the year and holds the 31st spot on the list.
Jamaica Teas also released results for the year to September, showing an improvement over 2022 and disclosed expected improvements from major changes already undertaken, which should improve 2024 results added to that, stocks should do better in the coming year, resulting in exposure of projections for 2024 as such it along with Caribbean Cream are now in the ICTOP10.
Returning to the Main Market TOP 10 is Palace Amusement Company replacing Caribbean Cement.
The average PE for the JSE Main Market ICTOP 10 stands at 5, well below the market average of 12.2. The Main Market ICTOP10 is projected to gain an average of 319 percent by May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings.
An indication of where stock prices could be by May 2024 can be seen from stocks with the highest values in the Main and Junior Markets.
In the Main Market ICTOP 10, a total of 14 of the most highly valued stocks representing 29 percent of the Main Market are priced at a PE of 15 to 108, with an average of 30 and 20 excluding the highest PE ratios, and a PE of 23 for the top half and 16 excluding the stocks with overweight values.
The PE of the Junior Market TOP10 sits at 5.7, just over half of the market, with an average of 11.9. There are 11 stocks, or 23 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 48, averaging 21 that are 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, with the market projected to rise by 260 percent on or around May 2024.
ICTOP10 focuses on likely yearly winners, accordingly, the list includes some of the best companies in the market, but this is not always so. 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 on or around 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 and result 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.
JSE USD Market declines into the Weekend
Trading fell back on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market on Friday, compared with Thursday, with the volume of stocks changing hands declining by 59 percent and the value 37 percent lower, resulting in the trading of five securities, compared to four on Thursday with one rising, two declining and two ending unchanged.
Overall, 126,524 shares were traded for US$3,325 compared to 308,440 units at US$5,303 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 18,075 units at US$475, versus 77,110 shares at US$1,326 on Thursday, with a month to date average of 28,374 shares at US$1,972 compared with 30,013 units at US$2,210 on the previous day. October ended with an average of 47,977 units for US$4,392.
The US Denominated Equities Index fell 4.00 points to end at 224.49.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 8.7. 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 and or around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows three stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with lower offers.
At the close of trading, Productive Business Solutions ended at US1.50 with 48 stocks crossing the market, Sterling Investments popped 0.3 of a cent to close at 1.78 US cents while exchanging 358 units, Sygnus Credit Investments inched 0.28 of a cent higher in closing at 7.23 US cents after 3,000 shares passed through the market and Transjamaican Highway dipped 0.01 of a cent to end at 1.62 US cents after trading 1112,820 stock units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions ended at US12.40, with 11 shares passing through the market
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.