Trading jumped on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Monday, with a 359 percent surge in the volume of stocks exchanged, with a 552 percent jump in value compared to Friday’s activity, resulting in the trading of 11 securities, up from seven on Friday with prices of two rising, five declining and four ending unchanged.
The market closed with an exchange of 492,062 shares for US$57,344 compared to 107,250 units at US$8,800 on Friday.
Trading averaged 44,733 units at US$5,213 versus 15,321 shares at US$1,257 on Friday, with a month to date average of 28,230 shares at US$3,914 up from 18,676 units at US$3,162 on the previous trading day and April with an average of 35,401 units for US$2,453.
The US Denominated Equities Index popped 0.01 points to end trading at 236.41.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.3. The PE ratio is computed using 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 one stock ended with a bid higher than the last selling price and none with a lower offer.
At the close, AS Bryden ended at 22.49 US cents after investors ended trading 82,768 shares, First Rock Real Estate USD share climbed 0.01 of a cent to 4.94 US cents in switching ownership of 570 units, Margaritaville remained at 10.03 US cents, with 37 shares crossing the exchange. Proven Investments sank 0.48 of one cent and ended at 13.09 US cents after a transfer of 41,578 stock units, Sterling Investments dipped 0.09 of a cent to finish at 1.51 US cents as investors exchanged 6,400 shares, Sygnus Credit Investments remained at 7.6 US cents, with 237 units crossing the market. 
Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share ended at 9 US cents with investors swapping 281 stocks and Transjamaican Highway shed 0.08 of a cent to finish at 2.03 US cents with an exchange of 340,039 stock units.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group US8.5% preference share lost 7 cents and ended at US$1.20 after an exchange of 20,000 stock units. Productive Business Solutions 9.25% preference share popped 59.56 cents in closing at US$11.6456 with traders dealing in 125 units and Sygnus Credit Investments E8.5% skidded 25 cents to close at US$10.15 in an exchange of 27 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading jumps on JSE USD Market
Falling JSE Main Market stocks outdid risers
Trading activity rose on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Monday, with the volume of stocks traded jumping 137 percent with a 34 percent higher value than on Friday, with trading in 61 securities compared with 60 on Friday, with rising stocks being dwarfed by declining ones on a one to three ratio following the prices of 21 stocks rising, 32 declining and eight ending unchanged.
Trading closed with 11,028,594 shares for $88,599,929 versus just 4,656,593 units at $66,077,872 on Friday.
Trading averaged 180,797 shares at $1,452,458 compared to 77,610 units at $1,101,298 on Friday and month to date, an average of 185,174 units at $1,138,305 compared with 186,674 units at $1,030,646 on the previous trading day and April with an average of 680,802 units at $3,619,595.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 3.41 million shares for 30.9 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 2.64 million units for 24 percent of the day’s trade, QWI Investments came in with 1.21 million stocks for 11 percent market share and General Accident with 1.03 million shares for 9.3 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rose 486.01 points to finish at 358,584.22, the JSE Main Index declined 131.88 points to finish at 320,662.11 and the JSE Financial Index fell 0.50 points to lock up trading at 67.99.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 12.9. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2025.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 15 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments slipped 48 cents to $72, with 8,576 shares changing hands, Caribbean Cement sank $2.30 to $67.60 with investors trading 10,178 stocks, Caribbean Producers declined $1 to finish at $8 after 41,355 shares crossed the market. Eppley climbed $3 and ended at $40 as investors exchanged 4,951 stock units, First Rock Real Estate shed 78 cents to end at $10 in trading 12,385 shares, General Accident increased 40 cents to close at $6.90, with 1,026,275 stock units crossing the market. Guardian Holdings dropped $9.90 to $360.10 in swapping 2,329 units, Jamaica Producers lost 65 cents to finish at $22.55 with 304 stocks crossing the exchange, Jamaica Stock Exchange skidded 60 cents and ended at $10.90 with a transfer of 51,733 units. JMMB Group popped 80 cents to close at $24.40 after an exchange of 28,918 stocks, Margaritaville gained $1.45 to end at $15.71 after a mere two shares passed through the market, Massy Holdings fell $1.40 to close at $88.60 in an exchange of 8,426 stock units. 
Mayberry Jamaican Equities dipped $1.26 to $9.60 with investors trading 35,500 shares, NCB Financial lost 75 cents and ended at $61 after an exchange of 639,915 units, Pan Jamaica skidded $3.56 to finish at $47.50 closed after 13,285 stocks changed hands. Portland JSX fell 75 cents to $9.50 after a transfer of 1,301 stock units, Sagicor Group dipped 60 cents in closing at $41 with traders dealing in 18,598 shares, Scotia Group rose $1 to close at $42 with 7,758 stocks clearing the market. Seprod sank $6.50 to $77 trading 8,520 units, Sygnus Real Estate Finance advanced 34 cents to end at $11.89 with an exchange of 79 stock units and Wisynco Group shed 94 cents in closing at $20.51 with investors trading 37,588 shares.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share dropped $1.50 to finish at $18.50 in an exchange of 3 units, Eppley 7.50% preference share rallied 55 cents and ended at $6.10 with investors dealing in 2 stocks, Jamaica Public Service 7% increased $6.42 to close at $48.93 with 226 stock units changing hands. 
JMMB Group 7% preference share declined 50 cents to $2.85 with an exchange of 1,000 shares and 138 Student Living preference share slipped $18 to finish at $200 after 100 stock units changed hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Trading rises on the Jamaica Stock Exchange
Trading activity picked up moderately on the Jamaica Stock Exchange but resulted in modest declines the markets with trading ending with the number of stocks changing hands rising, after the value of stocks traded jumped over the previous trading day, with NCB Financial contributing with the highest value with the market closing with prices of 33 shares rising and 42 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index shed 262.85 points to end at 333,763.14, the All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 486.01 points to 358,584.22, the JSE Main Index lost 131.88 points to wrap up trading at 320,662.11. The Junior Market Index fell 19.58 to 3,873.73 and the JSE USD Market Index inched 0.07 points lower to 236.37.
At the close of trading, 14,070,427 shares were exchanged in all three markets, up from 7,495,887 units on Friday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $94.57 million, well over the $73.15, million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 492,062 shares for US$57,344 compared to 107,250 units at US$8,800 on Friday.
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led trading with 3.41 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 2.64 million stock units, QWI Investments chipped in with 1.21 million units and General Accident with 1.03 million stock units.
In Junior Market trading, Tropical Battery led trading with 682,451 shares followed by Lumber Depot with 368,183 stocks and Caribbean Assurance Brokers with 227,450 units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share dropped $1.50 to finish at $18.50, Jamaica Public Service 7% increased $6.42 to close at $48.93 and 138 Student Living preference share slipped $18 to finish at $200.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 22 on 2023-24 earnings and 13.5. times those for 2024-25 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons within a sector and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector, not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. 
Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide for investors to quickly assess the value of stocks based on this measure. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Stocks to watch with explosive potentials
Better than expected reported profits compared with the prior period has been the driver of local stock prices since last year into the current year. Late last year, Transjamaican Highway and Scotia Group reported a surge in profits over the previous year and investors rewarded them with a jump in their price and they did that for Caribbean Cement that released results early last week.
Last week, investors drove up General Accident shares to a new 52 weeks’ high and so too Caribbean Cement. The above are clear messages that profit growth outweighs interest rates as the driver of stock prices.
Three companies reported above average profits that should help lift prices over the coming days or weeks and are worth watching.
Caribbean Cement rose from $58 last week to trade as high as a new 52 weeks’ high of $69.90 in response to profits in the first quarter to March this year, from an increase of nearly 12 percent in revenues to $7.6 billion from $6.8 billion in 2023 with profits jumping 546 percent to $1.9 billion compared to a mere $289 million in last year first quarter.
Based on closing quotes buying interest is at the $60 level with a few shares at $61 but offers are at $69 to $70 levels and above. The gap could result in a standoff for a few days, with the stock popped strongly already.
General Accident reported earnings of $0.39 per share in its interim financial report for 2023 but released audited accounts with $0.52 per share earnings instead. The audited accounts show profit revised to $0.71 from $0.53 previously reported in 2022, based on the new accounting standard – IAS17 which requires insurance companies to report income and expenses dramatically differently from the previously used format.
ICInsider.com forecast earnings of $1.10 for the 2024 fiscal year. In the past two months, there was heavy buying in the stock, with 223,053 traded on Friday with the price closing at $6.50. A total of 1,026,154 units were traded during the week. In April, trading amounted to 19.77 million units and 23.8 million shares in March. These numbers suggest that Mayberry Investment disposed of the majority of shares they previously owned. At the close on Friday, there were only 8 offers on the board, amounting to less than 20,000 shares, up to a price of $9.57. There are 300,000 units on the bid over $5.95.
Caribbean Assurance Brokers selling at a PE of just 3 based on current year’s earnings.
Caribbean Assurance Brokers reported solid gains in profit for 2023 compared to 2022. The latest audited results show the company earning $0.47 per share, in line with ICInsdier.com’s projection before the release of the third quarter results that showed a fall in revenues and profit. The company reported earnings of $0.30 per share in the previous year. ICInsdier.com projects earnings of $0.65, for 2024.
Buying is strong at the $2-2.20 level but with the results, many of these bids will move up to meet supply, mostly at $2.55 and above. With the latest results, released after trading on Friday, there should be major adjustments to bid and offer prices at the start of trading on Monday.
Dolphin Cove closed at a 52 weeks’ high of $20.03 and seems to be grudgingly moving higher, with bids mostly under $20 for small amounts. Offers are drying up with just 14 on the board, between $21 and $25, amounting to 144,000 shares. The trendline indicates the price slowly moving towards $23 in the weeks ahead. With the first quarter results due in days, the trajectory could accelerate with tourist traffic and the recently increased dividend payment suggests that profit should be seeing a bounce.
Also to be watched is Caribbean Producers with just 4 bids at the close on Friday, but sellers are overwhelming buyers at the close. The price looks set to fall below $8, before too long.
JMMB Group is another stock under pressure with more sellers than buyers. NCB Financial releases results on Thursday and is expected to declare an interim dividend.
Gains for JSE USD Market
The Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market closed on Friday, with a 9 percent rise in the volume of stocks that changed hands with 57 percent less value than on Thursday, resulting in trading in seven securities, compared to seven on Thursday with prices of two rising, two declining and three ending unchanged.
The market closed with trading of 107,250 shares for US$8,800 versus 98,700 stock units at US$20,672 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 15,321 shares at US$1,257 compared to 14,100 units at US$2,953 on Thursday, with the month to date averaging 18,676 shares at US$3,162 compared to 20,633 units at US$4,273 on the previous day and April with an average of 35,401 units for US$2,453.
The US Denominated Equities Index declined 1.43 points to lock up trading at 236.44.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.4. 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 2025.
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, AS Bryden ended at 22.49 US cents with 23,723 shares clearing the market, First Rock Real Estate USD share ended at 4.93 US cents with investors transferring just 1 stock unit, 
Margaritaville rallied 0.03 of a cent and ended at 10.03 US cents with 659 stocks crossing the market. Proven Investments slipped 0.43 of one cent to finish at 13.57 US cents with investors dealing in 11,324 stock units, Sygnus Credit Investments ended at 7.6 US cents with a transfer of 3,555 shares and Transjamaican Highway slipped 0.05 of a cent to end at 2.11 US cents with 67,875 units crossing the market.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group US8.5% preference share popped 7 cents to end at US$1.27 in trading 113 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
A Cemented Jump on the JSE Main Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Friday, with Caribbean cement closing at a 52 weeks’ high after the price jumped $8.92 as the volume of stocks traded in the overall market declined by 58 percent with a 21 percent increase in value than on Thursday, with trading in 60 securities compared with 59 on Thursday and ending with prices of 20 stocks rising, 17 declining and 23 ending unchanged.
The market closed with 4,656,593 shares being traded for $66,077,872 compared with 11,013,773 units at $54,506,302 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 77,610 shares at $1,101,298 compared to 186,674 units at $923,836 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 186,674 units at $1,030,646, in contrast with 242,131 units at $994,721 on the previous day and April that closed with an average of 680,802 units at $3,619,595.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 837,274 shares for 18 percent of total volume followed by Carreras with 662,564 units for 14.2 percent of the day’s trade and Wigton Windfarm with 642,927 stock units for 13.8 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 2,933.34 points to 358,098.21, the JSE Main Index declined 2,094.43 points to lock up trading at 320,793.99 and the JSE Financial Index dipped 0.50 points to settle at 68.49.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.2. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2025.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows nine stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and six with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement rallied $8.92 to finish at a 52 weeks’ high of $69.90 with an exchange of 64,019 units, as investors tried to get on board following the excellent first quarter results, First Rock Real Estate increased 76 cents to $10.78 after 69,273 stocks passed through the market, General Accident dropped 63 cents to end at $6.50 after investors ending in exchanging 223,053 shares. Kingston Properties fell 20 cents in closing at $8.25 with 10,045 stock units clearing the market, Lasco Manufacturing declined 24 cents and ended at $5.05 with a transfer of 5,977 shares, Margaritaville lost $2.52 to close at $14.26 as investors exchanged 1,129 units. 
NCB Financial dipped 25 cents to $61.75 in switching ownership of 152,589 stocks, Sagicor Group popped $1.59 to finish at $41.60 with investors trading 2,445 stocks, Salada Foods advanced 25 cents and ended at $3.95 in an exchange of 4,638 shares. Scotia Group sank $2.70 to close at $41, with 21,477 units changing hands, Stanley Motta rose 30 cents in closing at $7.50 after an exchange of 72,781 stocks, Supreme Ventures gained 25 cents to end at $25 and closed with an exchange of 182,302 stock units. Sygnus Real Estate Finance climbed $1.05 in closing at $11.55 in an exchange of just one share and Wisynco Group popped 95 cents to $21.45 with 51,527 stock units crossing the market before the company released their third quarte results with flat earnings in the third quarter after tax .
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share shed $1.50 to finish at $113.50 with investors swapping 152 stocks.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Caribbean Cement at 1 year high
Caribbean Cement buoyed by solid first quarter results jumped $8.92 to a 52 weeks’ high of $69.90 as investors placed buying pressure on the stock that is currently in low supply. The Jamaica Stock Exchange ended trading on Friday as the Junior Market rose moderately, as the Main and the JSE USD markets fell, with trading ended with the number of stocks changing hands falling, while the value greater than the previous day, resulting in prices of 32 shares rising and 38 declining.
At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index dropped 1,966.60 points to 334,026, the All Jamaican Composite Index dived 2,933.34 points to 358,098.21. The JSE Main Index declined 2,094.43 points to 320,793.99. The Junior Market Index advanced 5.91 points to finish at 3,803.31 and the JSE USD Market Index shed 1.43 points to close at 236.44.
At the close of trading, 7,495,887 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 16,848,224 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $73.15 million, just over the $68.79 million on the previous day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 107,250 shares for US$8,800 compared to 98,700 units at US$20,672 on Thursday.
In Main Market activity, Transjamaican Highway led trading with 837,274 shares followed by Carreras with 662,564 stocks and Wigton Windfarm with 642,927 units.
In Junior Market trading, Dolla Financial led trading with 686,474 shares followed by Everything Fresh with 522,652 units and Express Catering with 211,271 stocks.
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions 9.75% preference share shed $1.50 to close at $113.50.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 19.9 on 2023-24 earnings and 13.6 times those for 2024-25 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons within a sector and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector, not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. 
Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide for investors to quickly assess the value of stocks based on this measure. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.
Rising JSE Main Market stocks top losers
Rising stocks edged out those declining on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market on Thursday, following a 37 percent dive in the volume of stocks traded with a value 13 percent lower than on Wednesday, after the market closed with trading in 59 securities as it was on Wednesday and ended with prices of 23 stocks rising, 19 declining and 17 ending unchanged.
Trading ended on the Main Market with 11,013,773 shares with value of $54,506,302 from 17,557,651 units at $62,870,817 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 186,674 shares at $923,836 compared to 297,587 units at $1,065,607 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 242,131 units at $994,721 compared with April that ended with an average of 680,802 units at $3,619,595.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 6.75 million shares for 61.3 percent of total volume followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 960,224 units for 8.7 percent of the day’s trade and Carreras with 902,879 stocks for 8.2 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index slipped 335.71 points to 361,031.55, the JSE Main Index gained 439.55 points to end the day at 322,888.42 and the JSE Financial Index fell 0.19 points to close at 68.99.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.2. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with the financial year ending around August 2025.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows nine stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Caribbean Cement shed $2.02 to finish at $60.98, after trading at an intraday 52 weeks’ high of 65.90 and ending with 24,310 stock units crossing the market, with supply being meagre at the close and suggesting the price is set to jump sharply the days ahead, following blow out first quarter results. Eppley sank $1.62 to $37 with an exchange of 658 shares, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund popped $2.79 to end at $39.99 and closed with an exchange of 298 stocks. First Rock Real Estate skidded 58 cents in closing at $10.02 with investors trading 2,219 units, General Accident increased 98 cents and ended at 52 weeks’ high $7.13 after hitting an intraday high of $8.01 with a transfer of 8,471 shares, leaving just five offers on the board at the close with prices between $7.13 and $9. Guardian Holdings climbed $9.79 to close at $369.99 after investors ended trading a mere four stock units. Jamaica Stock Exchange rose 95 cents to $11.47 with investors dealing in 1,059 stocks, JMMB Group lost 36 cents to end at 52 weeks’ low of $23.64 in an exchange of 37,485 units, Massy Holdings rallied $1.39 in closing at $90 with traders dealing in 64,327 shares. 
Mayberry Group dropped 89 cents to finish at $8 in an exchange of 624 units, Mayberry Jamaican Equities gained 30 cents and ended at $10.80, with 300 stocks clearing the market, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy fell $14 to close at $81 with a transfer of 102 stock units. NCB Financial slipped 50 cents to $62 after an exchange of 112,237 shares, Pan Jamaica advanced $1.07 to finish at $51.06 in trading 17 stocks, Sagicor Group dipped $1.96 and ended at $40.01 after 52,159 units crossed the market. Scotia Group rose 70 cents in closing at $43.70 in switching ownership of 77,686 stock units, Seprod rallied $1.40 to close at $83.50 as investors exchanged 6,274 shares, Sygnus Credit Investments declined 30 cents to end at $10.50 after 84,675 stock units passed through the market. Sygnus Real Estate Finance shed $1.39 to $10.50, with 6,000 units crossing the exchange and Wisynco Group fell $1.30 to end at $20.50 with investors swapping 105,554 stocks.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share popped $1.10 in closing at $20 after an exchange of just one share. Eppley 7.50% preference share dipped 63 cents and ended at $5.50, with 201 stocks changing hands and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% gained $1.50 to close at $110 with investors transferring 7,737 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE USD trading drops
The Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended with a 34 percent fall in the volume of stocks traded with a 32 percent lower value than on Wednesday, resulting in trading in seven securities, compared to five on Wednesday with prices of two rising, one declining and four ending unchanged.
The market closed with an exchange of 98,700 shares for US$20,672 down from 148,890 units at US$30,599 on Wednesday.
Trading on Thursday averaged 14,100 shares at US$2,953 versus 29,778 stocks at US$6,120 on Wednesday, with a month to date average of 20,633 shares at US$4,273 compared with April ending with an average of 35,401 units for US$2,453.
The US Denominated Equities Index popped 3.15 points to end the day at 237.87.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.4. 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, AS Bryden ended at 22.49 US cents trading 59,354 stocks, First Rock Real Estate USD share declined 0.02 of a cent to 4.93 US cents in an exchange of 500 units, 
Proven Investments remained at 14 US cents after 12,071 shares crossed the market. Sygnus Credit Investments ended at 7.6 US cents as investors exchanged 886 stock units, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share popped 0.2 of a cent to finish at 9 US cents with 300 shares clearing the market and Transjamaican Highway increased 0.06 of a cent and ended at 2.16 US cents with investors dealing in 23,080 stock units.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group 5.75% ended at US$2, with 2,509 units crossing the exchange.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Moderate trading for Jamaica Stock Exchange
The Main and the USD markets of the Jamaica Stock Exchange rose moderately at the end of trading on Thursday but the Junior Market closed moderately lower as trading ended with fewer shares changing hands at a lower value than the previous day, resulting in prices of 35 shares rising and 38 declining.
At the close of the market, the JSE Combined Market Index rose 324.91 points to 335,992.60, the All Jamaican Composite Index declined by 335.71 points to end trading at 361,031.55, the JSE Main Index climbed 439.55 points to end trading at 322,888.42. The Junior Market Index fell 13.84 points to close at 3,797.40 and the JSE USD Market Index rallied 3.15 points to conclude trading at 237.87.
At the close of trading, 16,848,224 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 21,758,231 units on Wednesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $68.79 million, compared with $71.03 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 98,700 shares for US$20,672 compared to 148,890 units at US$30,599 on Wednesday.
In Main Market activity, Wigton Windfarm led trading with 6.75 million shares followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 960,224 stocks and Carreras with 902,879 units.
In Junior Market trading, Dolla Financial led trading with 1.65 million shares followed by Fosrich with 1.08 million stocks and Spur Tree Spices with 810,468 units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.25% preference share popped $1.10 to $20, Eppley 7.50% preference share dipped 63 cents to end at $5.50 and Sygnus Credit Investments C10.5% gained $1.50 to close at $110.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 19.9 on 2023-24 earnings and 13.6 times those for 2024-25 at the close of trading. ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The PE ratio chart covers all ordinary shares on the Jamaica Stock Exchange, grouped by industry, allowing for easy comparisons within a sector and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Pertinent information is required to navigate numerous investment options successfully in the stock market. The ICInsider.com PE ratio chart and the more detailed daily report charts provide investors with regularly updated information to help decision-making.
The chart should be used in making rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector, not going too far from it unless there are compelling reasons to do so. This approach helps to remove emotions from investment decisions and place them on fundamentals while at the same time not being too far from the majority of investors. 
Investors who buy when the price of a stock is close to the average will find that they are not inclined to overpay for a stock.
The net asset value of each company is reported as a guide for investors to quickly assess the value of stocks based on this measure. The chart also shows daily changes in stock prices and the percentage year to date price movement based on the last traded prices.
Dividends paid or payable and yields for each company are shown in the Main and Junior Markets’ daily report charts, along with the closing volume of the highest bid and the lowest offer for each company.