Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Friday, with the volume of stocks changing hands rising 454 percent valued 128 percent more than on Thursday, resulting in six securities being traded, compared to seven on Thursday with three rising, two declining and one ending unchanged.
Overall, 120,088 shares were traded for US$5,287 compared to 21,693 units at US$2,318 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 20,015 units at US$881 versus 3,099 shares at US$331 on Thursday, with a month to date average of 34,382 shares at US$1,245 compared with 35,668 units at US$1,277 on the previous day. April ended with an average of 394,241 units for US$22,357.
The US Denominated Equities Index dipped 0.22 points to 239.48.
The PE Ratio, a measure used to compute appropriate stock values, averages 9.8. The PE ratio is computed based on the last traded price of each stock 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 one with a lower offer.
At the close, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy gained 1 cent to end at 60 US cents while exchanging 11 shares, Proven Investments shed 0.01 of a cent to close at 17.59 US cents in switching ownership of 2,997 stock units, 
Sterling Investments lost 0.27 of a cent in closing at 1.63 US cents in an exchange of 114,476 units and Transjamaican Highway remained at 1.26 US cents with investors transferring 1,770 stocks.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 9.25% share gained 31 cents to end at US$13.15 in closing at 110 shares and JMMB Group 5.75% rallied 30 cents in closing at US$2 in trading 724 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading rises on the JSE USD Market Friday
Rally for the JSE USD market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Thursday, with a 46 percent decline in the volume of stocks changing hands, with a 5 percent greater value than on Wednesday, resulting from trading seven securities, similar to Wednesday with two rising, three declining and two ending unchanged.
Overall, 21,693 shares were traded for US$2,318 compared with 39,854 units at US$2,210 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 3,099 shares at US$331 versus 5,693 shares at US$316 on Wednesday, with a month to date average of 35,668 shares at US$1,277 compared with 39,468 units at US$1,388 on the previous day. April ended with an average of 394,241 units for US$22,357.
The US Denominated Equities Index rallied 5.36 points to 239.70.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.9. The PE ratio is computed based on the last traded price of each stock divided by projected earnings forecasts 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 one with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share fell 0.01 of a cent to 6.19 US cents after an exchange of 906 shares, 
Proven Investments ended at 17.6 US cents in trading 2,558 stocks, Sterling Investments rose 0.05 of a cent to end at 1.9 US cents with an exchange of 498 units, Sygnus Credit Investments remained at 10 US cents with 17,600 stock units changing hands, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share dipped 0.1 of a cent in closing at 11.9 US cents with shareholders swapping 82 shares and Transjamaican Highway rallied 0.12 of a cent to 1.26 US cents after 30 units changed hands.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 5.75% lost 30 cents to close at US$1.70, with 19 stocks crossing the exchange.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE USD Market climbs higher
Trading plunged on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market on Wednesday, with a 66 percent fall in the volume of stocks changing hands as the value dropped 89 percent lower than on Tuesday, resulting in the trading of seven securities, compared to five on Tuesday with one rising, three declining and three ending unchanged.
Overall, 39,854 shares were exchanged for US$2,210 compared with 117,602 units at US$19,660 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 5,693 shares at US$316 compared with 23,520 units at US$3,932 on Tuesday, with a month to date average of 39,468 shares at US$1,388 compared to 43,929 units at US$1,529 on the prior day. April ended with an average of 394,241 units for US$22,357.
The US Denominated Equities Index gained 1.02 points to close at 234.34.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.7. The PE ratio is computed based on the last traded price of each stock divided by projected earnings forecasts 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 one with a lower offer.
At the close, Margaritaville ended at 10 US cents with 11,802 shares being traded, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy ended at 59 US cents in swapping 25 stocks, Sterling Investments lost 0.05 of a cent to close at 1.85 US cents, with 15,015 units changing hands, Sygnus Credit Investments rose 0.56 of a cent to 10 US cents after an exchange of 3,248 stock units, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share dipped 0.39 of a cent and ended at 12 US cents as 2,763 stocks passed through the market and Transjamaican Highway fell 0.06 of a cent to 1.14 US cents in trading 7,000 units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 6% preference share remained at US$1.40 with an exchange of one stock unit.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE USD market chalks up gains
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks changing hands declining 84 percent, with a 73 percent greater value than on Monday, resulting in the trading of five securities, down from seven on Monday with two rising, two declining and one ending unchanged.
A total of 117,602 shares were exchanged for US$19,660 versus 721,255 units at US$11,383 on Monday.
Trading averaged 23,520 shares at US$3,932 versus 103,036 shares at US$1,626 on Monday, with a month to date average of 43,929 shares at US$1,529 compared with 46,055 units at US$1,279 on the previous day. April ended with an average of 394,241 units for US$22,357.
The US Denominated Equities Index gained 1.10 points to close at 233.29.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.8. The PE ratio is computed based on the last traded price of each stock divided by projected earnings forecasts 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 two with lower offers.
At the close, Margaritaville dipped 1 cent and ended at 10 US cents with shareholders swapping 2,000 shares, Proven Investments rallied 0.6 of a cent in closing at 17.6 US cents as 103,859 stock units passed through the market and Sygnus Credit Investments advanced 0.04 of a cent to end at 9.44 US cents and closed with 11,499 stocks being traded.
In the preference segment, Equityline Mortgage Investment preference share remained at US$1.64 with investors transferring one unit and JMMB Group 6% dipped 2 cents to close at US$1.21, with 243 stocks crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE USD Market falls
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Monday, with the volume of stocks changing hands rising 718 percent with little change in value compared to Friday, resulting from trading in seven securities, as was the case on Friday. No stock enjoyed a price hike, as four declined and three ended unchanged.
A total of 721,255 shares were exchanged for US$11,383 versus 88,165 units at US$11,398 on Friday.
Trading averaged 103,036 shares at US$1,626 versus 12,595 shares at US$1,628 on Friday. Trading for the month to date averaged 46,055 units at US$1,279 compared with 36,326 units at US$1,220 on the previous day. April ended with an average of 394,241 units for US$22,357.
The US Denominated Equities Index dipped 5.57 points to close at 232.19.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.8. The PE ratio is calculated based on the last traded price of each stock divided by projected earnings forecasts 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 two with lower offers.
At the close, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy ended at 59 US cents after 75 shares passed through the market, Productive Business Solutions lost 0.01 of a cent in ending at US$1.8999, with investors trading two stocks, Proven Investments ended at 17 US cents with a transfer of 4,829 units. Sygnus Credit Investments declined 0.02 of a cent to end at 9.4 US cents with an exchange of 6,747 stock units and Transjamaican Highway dipped 0.01 of a cent to 1.2 US cents after a transfer of 709,451 stocks.
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions 9.25% preference share shed 31 cents to close at US$12.84 in switching ownership of 150 units and Eppley 6% preference share ended at US$1.40 after one stock unit crossed the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
ICTOP10 Image Plus price jump 9%
With interest rates softening, some life has entered the Jamaica stock market, with the Junior Market posting gains for a second consecutive week, but the Main Market suffered a mild retreat following notable increases in the last week of April as several ICTOP10 stocks posted solid gains, including Image Plus that posted impressive full year results at the end of the previous week.
Dr. Karlene McDonnough – Chairman of Image Consultants Ltd.
The week ended with several sizable winners in the ICTOP10 and one big loser. Lasco Distributors rose 13 percent to lead the winning stocks, followed by Everything Fresh with a strong 11 percent climb to $1.66, Consolidated Bakeries rose 10 percent to $2.39, Image Plus rallied 9 percent and iCreate rose by 5 percent to $1.47 and fell out of the ICTOP10 and is replaced by Jamaican Teas. Iron Rock Insurance fell 18 percent to close at $1.88 and General Accident slipped 6 percent to $5.08, being the only two losers of significance.
The price of Main Market listed Berger Paints rose 10 percent to $8.30, Caribbean Producers gained 8 percent in closing at $10.56, with the stocks seemingly poised to get back to the $12 region sooner than later as the supply of stocks being sold below $13 has virtually dried up. 138 Student Living popped 6 percent to $5.35, JMMB Group fell 6 percent to $29.60, and Jamaica Broilers slipped 4 percent to $35.70.
Stocks are being prepped to rally, with signals that interest rates will be declining across the board sooner. This stems from the continued slide of BOJ CDs rates since March, which saw the rate falling by 25 percent to 8 percent this past week. Lower interest rates are around the corner, which will be positive for stocks and the signs are already showing.
At the previous week’s close, Image Plus released solid full year results showing profit after tax that jumped 125.6 percent to $213 million or 21 cents per share. Based on those numbers, ICInsider.com revised earnings for the current fiscal year to 35 cents from 30 cents previously. On Monday, the company reported revised results, with the profit being even higher at $252 million, with a reduction in the amount previously booked as professional fees. Based on the revision, projected earnings were raised by the publication to 40 cents per share for the current fiscal year. The stock sits at the number three spot in the ICTOP10. The revision raises some serious questions about how such matters escaped the directors, auditors and the financial controller before the audited financial statements were released.
Dolla Financial fell out of the TOP10 at the end of the previous week and this past week released impressive first quarter results that excited investors who responded well to them by driving the price to close the week at $2.89, with the price hitting a high of $2.99 on Friday. The company seems poised to deliver ICInsider.com forecasted earnings of 40 cents, provided they obtain loans on a timely basis to on lend.
The Junior Market’s long history of rising around a month before the release of quarterly results and declining shortly after results are released seems to be starting with a rise of 108 points in the market index in the previous week with more this past week, with the supply of some stocks continuing to fall sharply.
At the end of the week, the average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP 10 is 5.5, well below the market average of 13.5. The Main Market TOP10 is projected to have an average of 273 percent, to May 2024, based on 2023 forecasted earnings.
The 16 highest valued Main Market stocks are priced at a PE of 15 to 110, with an average of 28 and 19 excluding the highest PE stocks and 20 for the top half excluding the stocks with the highest valuation.
The Junior Market Top 10 PE sits at 5.7 compared with the market at 11.5. There are 12 stocks, or 25 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 26, averaging 20, well above the market’s average. The top half of the market has an average PE of 16, suggesting that this may currently be the lowest fair value for Junior Market stocks. Junior Market is projected to rise by 258 percent to May 2024.
The differences 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 2023 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.
Big gain for JSE USD Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Friday, with the volume of stocks changing hands declining 28 percent valued 39 percent lower than on Thursday, resulting in seven securities traded, similar to trading on Thursday with four rising, one declining and two ending unchanged.
A total of 88,165 shares were traded for US$11,398 compared with 122,385 units at US$18,559 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 12,595 shares at US$1,628 down from 17,484 stock units at US$2,651 on Thursday, with a month to date average of 36,326 shares at US$1,220 compared to 41,212 units at US$1,135 on the previous day. April ended with an average of 394,241 units for US$22,357.
The US Denominated Equities Index rose 12.91 points to 237.76, with the market rising 1.6 percent for for the year to date.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.9. The PE ratio is computed based on the last traded price of each stock divided by projected earnings forecasts 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 one with a lower offer.
At the close, Margaritaville dipped 0.47 of a cent to 11 US cents with shareholders trading 26 shares, Productive Business Solutions rallied 10 cents to close at US$1.90 as 2 shares changed hands, Proven Investments ended at 17 US cents after shareholders traded 67,557 units, Sterling Investments ended at 1.9 US cents as investors swapped 205 stocks. Sygnus Credit Investments rose 0.38 of one cent and ended at 9.42 US cents as 30 through the market, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share gained 2.05 cents to end at 12.39 US cents with an exchange of 23 stocks and Transjamaican Highway rose 0.11 of a cent to close at 1.21 US cents in switching ownership of 20,322 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Down volume for JSE USD Market
Trading slipped on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Thursday, with the volume of stocks changing hands declining 88 percent with a 27 percent more value than on Wednesday, resulting in seven securities trading, compared to nine on Wednesday, with three rising, two declining and two ending unchanged.
Overall, 122,385 shares were traded for US$18,559 compared with 1,042,369 units at US$14,647 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 17,484 units at US$2,651 versus 115,819 shares at US$1,627 on Wednesday, with a month to date average of 41,212 shares at US$1,135 compared to 47,363 units at US$742 on the previous day. April ended with an average of 394,241 units for US$22,357.
The US Denominated Equities Index fell 0.47 points to 224.87.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.7. The PE ratio is computed based on the last traded price of each stock divided by projected earnings forecasts 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, Margaritaville rose 0.07 of a cent to 11.47 US cents, with 725 shares crossing the market, Productive Business Solutions popped 5 cents to end at US$1.80 after exchanging 306 units, 
Proven Investments remained at 17 US cents after transferring 2,340 stock units. Sterling Investments ended at 1.9 US cents after exchanging 31,455 stocks, Sygnus Credit Investments dipped 0.38 of a cent to 9.04 US cents after an exchange of 8,600 shares and Transjamaican Highway dipped 0.11 of a cent to close at 1.1 US cents 66,413 stocks changing hands.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 6% rose 16 cents to US$1.23 after trading 12,546 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading surged on JSE USD Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Wednesday, with the volume of stocks changing hands surging 2,391 percent with the value jumping 677 percent more than on Tuesday, resulting from trading activity in nine securities as was the case on Tuesday as traded ended with prices of six stocks rising, no declining and three ending unchanged.
A total of 1,042,369 shares were exchanged for US$14,647 compared to 41,840 units at US$1,885 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 115,819 shares at US$1,627 compared with 4,649 shares at US$209 on Tuesday, with a month to date average of 47,363 shares at US$742, with 13,136 units at US$300 on the previous day. April ended with an average of 394,241 shares for US$22,357.
The US Denominated Equities Index popped 0.01 points and concluded trading at 225.31.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.8. The PE ratio is computed using the last traded price of each stock divided by projected earnings computed by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
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 ended trading at 6.2 US cents after 11 shares changed hands, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy advanced 1 cent to 59 US cents, with 2 stocks crossing the exchange. Proven Investments climbed 0.56 of one cent in closing at 17 US cents after investors traded 1,646 stock units, Sterling Investments increased 0.29 of a cent and ended at 1.9 US cents with a transfer of 38,413 units. 
Sygnus Credit Investments rose 0.36 of one cent to end at 9.42 US cents and closed trading with 157 stock units changing hands and Transjamaican Highway gained 0.09 of a cent to end at 1.21 US cents after a transfer of 1,000,871 stocks.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 9.25% preference share popped 40 cents to end at US$13.15 after an exchange of 2 units, JMMB Group 5.75% remained at US$2 in switching ownership of 1,242 shares and JMMB Group 6% after ending at US$1.07 and closed with 25 units crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Decline for JSE USD Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks changing hands declining 79 percent valued 46 percent lower than on Monday, resulting from trading activity in nine securities, the same as on Monday with prices of three rising, five declining and one ending unchanged.
A total of 41,840 shares were traded for US$1,885 compared with 194,605 units at US$3,511 on Monday.
Trading averaged 4,649 units at US$209, versus 21,623 shares at US$390 on Monday, with a month to date average of 13,136 shares at US$300 compared with trading in April with an average of 394,241 units for US$22,357.
The US Denominated Equities Index fell 11.00 points to finish at 225.30.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.5. The PE ratio is computed based on the last traded stock price divided by earnings per share projected by ICInsider.com for companies with their financial year ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
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, First Rock Real Estate USD share advanced 1.04 cents and ended at 6.2 US cents, with 387 shares crossing the exchange, Margaritaville dipped 0.08 of a cent in closing at 11.4 US cents with 400 units clearing the market, 
Productive Business Solutions dropped 14.99 cents to close at US$1.75, with one stock trading. Proven Investments fell 0.96 cents to 16.44 US cents in an exchange of 5,606 stock units, Sterling Investments fell 0.28 of a cent to end at 1.61 US cents in swapping 25,175 stocks, Sygnus Credit Investments increased by 0.01 of a cent in closing at 9.06 US cents after investors ended trading 1,123 stock units. Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share lost 1.82 cents to close at 10.34 US cents after a transfer of 518 units and Transjamaican Highway gained 0.01 of a cent in ending at 1.12 US cents with investors transferring 8,531 shares.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 5.75% remained at US$2 after trading 99 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.