The JSE USD Equities market had a solid bounce in trading on Monday, with the market index jumping 11 percent with a 20.91 points surge to end at 219.07 following a sharp 3,350 percent surge in monies entering the market on Monday and ended with a 158 percent jump the volume of stocks trading over Friday.
Trading ended with ten securities changing hands, up from six on Friday, with four rising, two declining and four ending unchanged.
Investors traded 571,649 shares for US$267,767 compared with 221,731 units at US$7,760 on Friday.
Trading averaged 57,165 units at US$26,777, up from 36,955 shares at US$1,293 on Friday, with a month to date average of 44,293 shares at US$4,876 compared with 43,489 units at US$3,507 on the previous trading day. December ended with an average of 39,679 units for US$1,494.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 10.2. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows two stocks ended with bids higher than the last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share dropped 0.06 of a cent in closing at 7.69 US cents with an exchange of 2,825 shares, 
Margaritaville rallied 1.85 cents to close at 14.17 US cents, trading 129 units, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy advanced 4 cents to 59 US cents after trading of 3,009 stocks. Productive Business Solutions popped 37.5 cents to end at US$1.65 in trading 110,849 stock units, Proven Investments dipped 0.01 of a cent to 19.99 US cents and closed with an exchange of 450,043 shares and Transjamaican Highway remained at 0.97 of one US cent as investors traded 1,159 units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 9.25% preference share ended at US$11.11 as four stock units passed through the market, Eppley 6% preference share increased 10.5 cents in closing at US$1.15 after a transfer of 3 stocks, Equityline Mortgage Investment preference share ended at US$1.67 with one stock crossing the exchange and JMMB Group 6% remained at US$1 with a transfer of 3,627 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Huge jump for JSE USD Market
A Lasco company exists ICTOP10
The Jamaica stock market continues to consolidate, awaiting a dynamic development to push it decisively in one direction or another as the Bank of Jamaica quietly tightened the money supply further in January, drying up buying power in the short run. The first big likely move is unlikely to be a reduction of interest rates which is seemingly set to occur in the second quarter, but the reporting of substantially increased profits to flow from some companies.
Tropical Battery returns to the ICTOP10 list for this week with projected earnings of 30 cents for the current year, up from 15 cents last fiscal year and replaces Lasco Manufacturing which dropped out with a rise in price during the week as the supply of the stock has drooped sharply recently, with just 11 offers to sell now in the system.
Image Plus Consultants reported nine months results with revenues rising 27 percent in the November quarter to $248 million and 43 percent in the nine months to $803 million, while profit rose moderately to $24 million from $22 million in 2021 and for the nine months profits nearly tripled that of 2021 to reach $148 million. The company reported incorrect earnings per share for the periods, using the incorrect number of shares. As a result, rather than 29 cents per share for the quarter and $1.84, it is 2.3 cents and 15 cents for the nine months. Regardless, the stock is cheap based on these earnings and those to come.
Honey Bun rose 10 percent to $7.69, with the December quarter results due any time now, Lasco Financial gained 9 percent to $2.84 and Lasco Manufacturing gained 5 percent to $4.79. General Accident rallied 6 percent to $4.99. Image Plus Consultants entered the ICTOP10 after just one day of trading and fell to a low of $1.86 during the past week before rebounding to close this past week with a fall of 12 percent to $1.93, Caribbean Assurance Brokers lost 6 percent of its value to close at $2 and Paramount Trading fell 5 percent to $2.10.
All other movements in the Junior Market TOP10 were 3 percent or less. The Main Market Berger Paints popped 12 percent to $10.60, followed by a 9 percent rise for Jamaica Broilers to close at $31.50 and Guardian Holdings with a gain of 4 percent to $535. There were no notable losses.
At the end of the week, the average PE for the JSE Main Market TOP10 is 5.6, well below the market average of 15, while the Junior Market Top 10 PE sits at 6.5 versus the market at 12.6, critical indicators of the level of the undervaluation of the ICTOP10 stocks currently. The Junior Market is projected to rise by 211 percent and the Main Market TOP10 by an average of 274 percent to May this year. The primary concern for the Main Market achieving such gains by May is that the list is dominated by financial companies that are out of favour and may need to see the summer months before the full interest of investor start to show.
The Junior Market has 15 stocks representing 31 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 29, averaging 21 compared with the above average of the market. The top half of the market has an average PE of 18, with prices of Fosrich and Future Energy adjusting downwards closer to the average of the TOP15. The above average shows the extent of potential gains for the TOP 10 stocks. The situation in the Main Market is similar, with the 18 highest valued stocks priced at a PE of 15 to 116, with an average of 27 and 20 excluding the highest valued stocks and 27 for the top half excluding the highest valued stock.
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.
More decline for the JSE USD Market
Trading fell on Friday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market, with the volume of stocks changing hands declining by 47 percent and the value falling by 79 percent compared to Thursday, resulting in six securities traded, compared to nine on Thursday with two rising, one declining and three ending unchanged.
Overall, 221,731 shares were traded for US$7,760 compared with 417,724 units at US$36,261 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 36,955 shares at US$1,293 down from 46,414 units at US$4,029 on Thursday, with month to date average of 43,489 shares at US$3,507 compared with 43,744 units at US$3,593 on the previous day. December ended with an average of 39,679 units for US$1,494.
The JSE USD Equities Index lost 1.30 points to end at 198.16.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.8. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending between November and August 2023.
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 Real Estate USD share dipped 0.04 of a cent to end at 7.75 US cents in switching ownership of 65 shares, 
Proven Investments ended at 20 US cents after 1,539 units were traded, Sygnus Credit Investments USD share remained at 9.5 US cents in swapping of 2,125 stocks and Transjamaican Highway advanced 0.06 of a cent to 0.97 of one US cent after a transfer of 212,897 stock units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 9.25% preference share gained 11 cents in closing at US$11.11, with 19 stocks clearing the market and JMMB Group 6% ended at US$1 in trading 5,086 shares.
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 ended on Thursday, with the volume of stocks changing hands rising 266 percent valued 819 percent more than on Wednesday, after nine securities were traded, compared to eight on Wednesday with three rising, two declining and four ending unchanged.
Overall, 417,724 shares were traded for US$36,261 compared with 114,022 units at US$3,947 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 46,414 shares at US$4,029 compared with 14,253 units at US$493 on Wednesday, with a month to date average of 43,744 shares for US$3,593 being fairly steady with 43,578 units at US$3,566 on the previous day. December ended with an average of 39,679 units for US$1,494.
The JSE USD Equities Index added 0.37 points to end at 199.46.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.7. The PE ratio incorporates ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending between November and August 2023.
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 Real Estate USD share popped 0.79 of a cent to 7.79 US cents crossing after investors exchanged 400,159 shares, Productive Business Solutions remained at US$1.275 after a transfer of 585 stock units, Proven Investments climbed 0.89 of a cent in closing at 20 US cents after trading 16,499 stocks. 
Sygnus Credit Investments J$ share ended at 12 US cents, with 180 units crossing the market, Sygnus Credit Investments USD share ended at 9.5 US cents after trading 59 shares and Transjamaican Highway fell 0.04 of a cent to end at 0.91 of one US cents as 76 units changed hands.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 9.25% preference share remained at US$11 after 150 stock units changed hands, Eppley 6% preference share dropped 2.5 cents to US$1.045 with investors transferring 15 stocks and Equityline Mortgage Investment preference share rallied 3 cents to close at US$1.67 after an exchange of one unit.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Volume surges prices drop on JSE USD Market
Trading jumped on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market on Tuesday, with 905 percent more stocks changing hands, with the value rising 226 percent over Monday, resulting in the trading of 12 securities, compared to eight on Monday with no rising, eight declining and four ending unchanged.
Trading ended with an exchange of 1,638,947 shares for US$60,212 from 163,158 units at US$18,456 on Monday.
Trading averaged 136,579 units at US$5,018 versus 20,395 shares at US$2,307 on Monday, with a month to date average of 45,290 shares at US$3,746 compared with 36,527 units at US$3,624 on the previous day. December ended with an average of 39,679 units for US$1,494.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index lost 3.71 points to end at 213.33.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.9. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows no stock ending with a bid higher than the last selling price and one with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share fell 0.49 of a cent in ending at 7 US cents after an exchange of 34 shares, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy shed 5 cents in closing at 55 US cents, with 13 units crossing the market, Productive Business Solutions lost 5 cents to close at US$1.50 in an exchange of 3 stocks. Proven Investments dropped 0.94 of a cent to end at 20 US cents in trading 121,911 stock units, Sterling Investments declined 0.13 of a cent to 1.86 US cents with an exchange of 583 stock units, Sygnus Credit Investments J$ share dipped 1.28 cents to end at 12 US cents after a transfer of 822 shares.
Sygnus Credit Investments USD share remained at 9.5 US cents with the swapping of 284 units, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share ended at 9.5 US cents in switching ownership of 14,023 stocks and Transjamaican Highway lost 0.06 of a cent to end at 0.91 of one US cents after finishing trading of 1,481,029 shares.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 9.25% preference share remained at US$11 with investors transferring 86 stocks, Equityline Mortgage Investment preference share shed 3 cents to close at a 52 weeks’ low of US$1.64, with nine units crossing the market and JMMB Group 6% ended at US$1 in exchanging 20,150 stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
ICTOP10 buy rated Knutsford gains 44%
Shares of Image Plus Consultants were listed on the Junior Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Friday to become the 48 listed company on the exchange and the 52nd company to be listed since the market commenced operations in 2010.
Knutsford Express
The stock failed to sparkle on listing, rising just 10 percent at the close and could come under selling pressure as investors exit for what they see as greener pastures. Regardless, the stock climbed into the ICTOP10 list for this week and replaces Caribbean Cream got an earnings downgrade.
Knutsford Express dropped out of the ICTOP10 at the end of the prior week and closed this past week at $12.49 to be up a solid 44 percent since it entered the TOP10 on the end of December. It still has much more room to rise with a current PE of just 12.5 and less, based on next fiscal years’ earnings. The move shows, the power that increased earnings have on price movement, with the company posting a profit of $143 million for the six months to November up from $13 million in 2021.
The Junior Market rose this past week t into poo record a rise for the first time this year, the move resulted in three solid gains and three sizable losses for the ICTOP10. 
Iron Rock Insurance jumped 19 percent to $2.40, Lasco Manufacturing gained 13 percent to $4.55 and Paramount Trading climbed 11 percent to $2.20, after release of strong second quarter results that showed continued improvement in profit, jumping 212 percent for the half year to $149 million. Caribbean Cream reported improving results but the overall profit was light and the stock fell 20 percent to $3.20, Lasco Financial shed 8 percent to $2.60 and General Accident slipped 7 percent to $4.71. All other movements in the Junior Market TOP10 were 3 percent or less. The Main Market only major mover was Berger Paints with an 11 percent loss to $9.50.
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 15.9, while the Junior Market Top 10 PE sits at 6.5 versus the market at 13, important indicators of the level of the undervaluation of the ICTOP10 stocks currently. The Junior Market is projected to rise by 212 percent and the Main Market TOP10 an average now of 285 percent, to May this year.
The Junior Market has 17 stocks representing 35 percent of the market, with PEs from 15 to 30, averaging 20.7 compared with the above average of the market. The top half of the market has an average PE of 19 and shows the extent of potential gains for the TOP 10 stocks. 
The situation in the Main Market is similar, with the 18 highest valued stocks priced at a PE of 15 to 104, with an average of 32 and 23 excluding the highest valued stocks and 27 for the top half excluding the highest valued stock.
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 are likely to 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 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 stocks dip on increased volume
Trading activity jumped on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market on Friday, with the volume of stocks changing hands rising 54 percent valued 241 percent more than on Thursday, resulting in the trading of seven securities, compared to eight on Thursday with three rising, four declining and no ending unchanged.
Overall, 590,378 shares were traded for US$81,708 compared with 384,296 units at US$23,978 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 84,340 units at US$11,673 versus 48,037 shares at US$2,997 on Thursday, with a month to date average of 37,630 shares at US$3,714 up from 34,657 units at US$3,207 on the previous day. December ended with an average of 39,679 units for US$1,494.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index dipped 0.89 points to end at 218.24.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in the computation of appropriate stock values, averages 10.1. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with the financial year between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows no stock ended with a bid higher than the last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share inched 0.01 of a cent higher to 7.01 US cents 20,150 shares crossing the exchange, Proven Investments shed 1 cent to close at 19 US cents in an exchange of 385,657 stock units, Sterling Investments rose 0.04 of a cent to 1.99 US cents after trading 500 units. 
Sygnus Credit Investments USD share dropped 0.2 of a cent to 9.5 US cents with the swapping of 45,995 stocks, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share dipped 0.02 of a cent in closing at 10.98 US cents in an exchange of 73 shares and Transjamaican Highway fell 0.04 of a cent to 0.91 of one US cent in switching ownership of 138,000 stock units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business 9.25% preference share gained 45 cents in ending at US$11 with a transfer of just three stock units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Big drop for JSE USD market
Prices fell on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Thursday and pulled the market index down sharply following a 12 percent decline in the volume of stocks changing hands as the value dropped 53 percent compared with Wednesday, resulting in eight securities trading, compared to five on Wednesday with one rising, four declining and three ending unchanged.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index dropped 10.15 points to end at 219.13.
Overall, 384,296 shares were traded for US$23,978 down from 437,499 units at US$50,829 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 48,037 shares at US$2,997 compared to 87,500 shares at US$10,166 on Wednesday, with a month to date average of 34,657 shares at US$3,207 compared with 33,608 units at US$3,224 on the previous day. December ended with an average of 39,679 units for US$1,494.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 10.2. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending between November and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows none ended with a bid higher than the last selling prices and one stock with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share shed 0.2 of a cent to close at 7 US cents while exchanging 283,417 shares, Productive Business Solutions dipped 14 cents to end at US$1.55 with a transfer of 229 stock units, 
Proven Investments popped 0.95 of one cent in closing at 20 US cents after a transfer of 11,632 stocks. Sterling Investments ended at 1.95 US cents with 13,576 units crossing the exchange, Sygnus Credit Investments USD share slipped 0.3 of a cent to 9.7 US cents after a transfer of 3,026 stocks, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share ended at 11 US cents after exchanging 1,353 units and Transjamaican Highway declined 0.01 of a cent in closing at 0.95 of one US cent in an exchange of 71,000 stock units.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 6% remained at US$1 with the swapping of 63 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading volume of stocks jumps higher
Trading picked up sharply on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market on Wednesday, with a 797 percent rise in the volume of stocks changing hands, valued 463 percent more than on Tuesday and resulting in the trading of five securities, compared to nine on Tuesday with none rising, two declining and three ending unchanged.
A total of 437,499 shares were traded for US$50,829, up sharply from 48,759 units at US$9,034 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 87,500 units at US$10,166 compared with 5,418 shares at US$1,004 on Tuesday, with a month to date average of 33,608 shares at US$3,224 compared with 30,830 units at US$2,866 on the previous day. December ended with an average of 39,679 units for US$1,494.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index gained 2.87 points to end at 229.28.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 10.3. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending between November and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows none ended with a bid higher than the last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, Proven Investments declined 0.85 of a cent to close at 19.05 US cents with 49,271 shares clearing the market, 
Sygnus Credit Investments USD share remained at 10 US cents exchanging 360,215 units and Transjamaican Highway lost 0.01 of a cent in closing at 0.96 of one US cent after trading 23,300 stock units.
In the preference segment, Equityline Mortgage Investment preference share ended at US$1.67 with 58 stocks changing hands and JMMB Group 6% ended at US$1 in switching ownership of 4,655 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading levels plunge of JSE USD market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market declined sharply on Tuesday, with the volume of stocks changing hands falling 70 percent and the value 70 percent lower than on Monday, resulting from trading in nine securities, compared with five on Monday with one rising, four declining and four ending unchanged.
Just 48,759 shares were traded for US$9,034 down from 162,532 units at US$29,630 on Monday.
Trading averaged 5,418 units at US$1,004 versus 32,506 shares at US$5,926 on Monday, with a month to date average of 30,830 shares at US$2,866 compared to 33,429 units at US$3,056 on the previous day. December ended with an average of 39,679 units for US$1,494.
The JSE US Denominated Equities Index rose 0.19 points to end at 227.41.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.4. The PE ratio uses ICInsider.com earnings forecasts for companies with financial years ending between November 2022 and August 2023.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows one stock ended with a bid higher than the last selling prices and one stock with a lower offer.
At the close, First Rock Real Estate USD share fell 0.59 of a cent to close at 7.2 US cents in trading 38,000 shares, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy ended at 60 US cents with a transfer of 175 stock units, Productive Business Solutions remained at US$1.69 and finishing with eight units changing hands. 
Sygnus Credit Investments J$ share ended at 13.28 US cents as 223 stocks passed through the market, Sygnus Credit Investments USD share ended at 10 US cents with 6,103 shares clearing the exchange, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share declined 1.4 cents to end at 11 US cents in trading 832 stocks and Transjamaican Highway gained 0.02 of a cent in closing at 0.97 US cents after trading 205 stock units.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 5.75% shed 30 cents to close at US$2, with 2,225 units changing hands and JMMB Group 6% lost 9.01 cents in ending at US$1 after 988 stock units crossed the exchange.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.