Falling stocks just edged out those rising in trading on the Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Wednesday, with trading in 60 securities compared with 62 on Tuesday, with prices of 20 stocks rising, 22 declining and 18 ending unchanged, with a surge of 127 percent in the volume of stocks traded and 102 percent greater value than on Tuesday.
The market closed with an exchange of 26,696,028 shares at $155,976,938 from 11,767,625 units at $77,270,952 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 444,934 shares at $2,599,616 compared to 189,800 units at $1,246,306 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 315,276 units at $1,911,868 compared with March that closed with an average of 828,473 units at $2,341,254.
General Accident led trading with 15.0 million shares for 56.2 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 5.39 million units for 20.2 percent of the day’s trade and Transjamaican Highway with 2.76 million stock units for 10.3 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index lost 1,899.54 points to end trading at 365,600.06, the JSE Main Index fell 1,250.30 points to 326,412.67 and the JSE Financial Index skidded 0.41 points to settle at 69.97.
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 financial year ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 10 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints declined 34 cents and ended at $5.50 with investors trading 682 shares, Caribbean Cement lost 35 cents to close at $58.45 in an exchange of 9,434 stocks, Eppley gained $4.83 in closing at $39.49 as investors traded 635 units. Eppley Caribbean Property Fund fell $3 to end at $37 after investors ended trading 3,031 stock units, General Accident popped 35 cents to $6, with 15,003,418 shares crossing the market, Guardian Holdings skidded $6 to $360 in an exchange of 535 stock units. Jamaica Broilers advanced 40 cents and ended at $33.50 with investors dealing in 873,488 stocks, Lasco Distributors rose 54 cents to $4.80 with a transfer of 89,960 units, 
Lasco Manufacturing rallied 53 cents to close at $5.78, with 38,241 shares crossing the exchange. Margaritaville gained $1.02 to end at $17 in trading 596 stock units, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy rose $2.24 to $82.24 after an exchange of 55 units, Pan Jamaica sank $1.50 and ended at $48.50 with investors trading 44,310 stocks. Proven Investments popped 45 cents in closing at $22.45 in switching ownership of 302 units, Scotia Group dropped $1.43 to $45.90 with traders dealing in 2,177 shares, Seprod shed $1.24 to close at $83.40 while exchanging 24,514 stock units and Supreme Ventures increased $1.49 to $24.49 after a transfer of 111,813 stocks.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% dropped $200 to close at 52 weeks’ low of $2700 with 196 shares clearing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
JSE Main Market & Juniors rise
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange and the JSE USD declined in trading on Wednesday but the Junior Market recovered a third of Tuesday’s big loss as the level of trading rose with the number of stocks changing hands rising sharply over that on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded jumping sharply over the previous trading day, resulting in prices of 36 shares rising and 32 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index fell 1,050.46 points to close at 339,633.63, the All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 1,899.54 points to finish trading at 365,600.06, the JSE Main Index shed 1,250.30 points to end at 326,412.67. The Junior Market Index climbed 21.25 points to finish at 3,835.08 and the JSE USD Market Index declined by 5.57 points to end the day at 240.85.
At the close of the market on Friday, 37,702,741 shares were exchanged in all three markets, well above the 19,286,548 units that were exchanged on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $178.27 million, up from $92.38, million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 560,085 shares for US$19,785 compared to 304,275 units at US$13,337 on Tuesday.
In the Main Market, General Accident led trading with 15.0 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 5.39 million units and Transjamaican Highway with 2.76 million stock units.
In the Junior Market, Spur Tree Spices led trading with 4.31 million shares followed by JFP Ltd with 990,360 units and MFS Capital Partners with 912,316 stock units.
In the preference segment, Jamaica Public Service 9.5% dropped $200 to close at $2,700.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.1 on 2022-23 earnings and 13.8 times those for 2023-24 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 between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information 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.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and 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 assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. 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.
Big jump in trading on the JSE USD market
Trading jumped sharply on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Tuesday, with a 260 percent rise in the volume of stocks exchanged following a 288 percent rise in value compared to Thursday and resulting in trading in seven securities, compared to six on Thursday with prices of three rising, four declining.
The market closed with an exchange of 304,275 shares for US$13,337 compared to 84,506 units at US$3,441 on Thursday.
Trading averaged 43,468 units at US$1,905 up from 14,084 shares at US$574 on Thursday, compared with March with an average of 49,394 units for US$3,593.
The US Denominated Equities Index skidded 1.39 points to end the day at 246.42.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 9.3. 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, First Rock Real Estate USD share shed 0.49 of one cent and ended at 4.5 US cents with traders dealing in 1,010 stock units, 
Proven Investments fell 0.08 of a cent to 14.8 US cents while investors exchanged 2,670 shares, Sterling Investments popped 0.01 of a cent to close at 1.7 US cents after 2,500 units were traded. Sygnus Credit Investments dropped 1.58 cents in closing at 7.02 US cents after exchanging 62,162 stocks, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share lost 2.03 cents to end at 8.97 US cents with a transfer of 40,852 units and Transjamaican Highway increased 0.03 of a cent in closing at 2.23 US cents after an exchange of 194,681 stocks.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group US8.5% preference share rose 1 cent to US$1.19 with investors transferring 400 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
All JSE markets down in starting April
Stocks declined on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Tuesday, resulting in all the major market Indices slipping with the Junior Market taking the biggest hit in giving up more than 60 points and ending with the number of stocks changing hands falling, following a drop in the value traded compared with the previous trading day, resulting in prices of 27 shares rising and 46 declining.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 563.57 points to 340,684.10, the All Jamaican Composite Index shed 1,084.66 points to 367,499.60, the JSE Main Index shed 135.73 points to lock up trading at 327,662.97. The Junior Market Index dropped 62.20 points to conclude trading at 3,813.83 and the JSE USD Market Index dipped 1.39 points to end trading at 246.42.
At the close of trading, 19,286,548 shares were exchanged in all three markets, well down from 53,140,220 units on Thursday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounted to $93.28 million, down from $266.30 million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 304,275 shares for US$13,337 compared to 84,506 units at US$3,441 on Thursday.
In the Main Market Wigton Windfarm led trading with 3.86 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 3.42 million stock units and General Accident with 1.0 million units.
In the Junior Market, Spur Tree Spices led trading with 1.58 million shares followed by JFP Ltd with 1.31 million stock units and Dolla Financial with 800,308 units.
In the preference segment, Productive Business Solutions 10.5% preference share dipped $50.99 to end at $1,099.01.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20 on 2022-23 earnings and 13.8 times those for 2023-24 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 between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information 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.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and 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 assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. 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.
Trading drops on JSE USD market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market ended on Thursday, with the volume of stocks exchanged declining 72 percent after 91 percent fall in value than on Wednesday, resulting in trading in six securities, compared to nine on Wednesday with price of no stock rising, two declining and four ending unchanged.
The market closed with an exchange of 84,506 shares for US$3,441 compared to 303,812 units at US$36,667 on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 14,084 units at US$574 versus 33,757 shares at US$4,074 on Wednesday, with a month to date average of 49,394 shares at US$3,593 compared with 50,886 units at US$3,720 on the previous day and February that ended with an average of 46,765 units for US$6,084.
The US Denominated Equities Index skidded 1.31 points to close at 247.81.
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 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 five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and none with a lower offer.
At the close, AS Bryden shed 0.39 of one cent to 22.01 US cents while exchanging one share, First Rock Real Estate USD share ended at 4.99 US cents with traders dealing in 50 stocks, Margaritaville remained at 10 US cents, with 25 shares crossing the market. Proven Investments dropped 0.11 of a cent and ended at 14.88 US cents after trading 3,233 stocks and Transjamaican Highway remained at 2.2 US cents with investors dealing in 80,197 shares.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group US8.5% preference share ended at US$1.18 with 1,000 units clearing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Main Market rallies into month end
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Thursday, with the volume of stocks traded rising 93 percent and the value 88 percent more than on Wednesday, with trading in 60 securities compared with 63 on Wednesday, with prices of 26 stocks rising, 16 declining and 18 ending unchanged.
The market closed after 15,645,101 shares were traded for $167,372,295 compared with 8,091,866 units at $89,053,515, on Wednesday.
Trading averaged 260,752 shares at $2,789,538 compared to 130,514 units at $1,436,347 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 846,359 units at $2,376,538, in comparison with 878,131 units at $2,354,246 on the previous day and February that closed with an average of 387,306 units at $3,375,928.
Wigton Windfarm led trading with 4.06 million shares for 25.9 percent of total volume followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.67 million units for 17 percent of the day’s trade, Radio Jamaica added 2.42 million stock units for 15.5 percent market share, Sagicor Select Financial Fund ended with 1.85 million units for 11.8 percent of trading and Sagicor Group with 1.08 million units for 6.9 percent of total volume.
The All Jamaican Composite Index advanced 2,274.96 points to 368,584.26, the JSE Main Index popped 787.45 points to end at 327,798.70 and the JSE Financial Index rose 0.62 points to wrap up trading for March at 70.25.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.4. 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 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 13 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and two with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden dropped $4.50 in closing at $35 with investors dealing in 11,552 shares, Barita Investments climbed $4.85 to close at $74.90, with 649,603 stocks crossing the exchange, Caribbean Cement increased $5.50 and ended at $61.50 with investors swapping 78,540 shares. Eppley shed $6.19 to close at $34.21 with an exchange of 5,242 stock units, First Rock Real Estate popped 50 cents to end at $10.50 after trading 50,319 shares, GraceKennedy advanced 79 cents in closing at $73.94 after an exchange of 19,656 stock units. Guardian Holdings fell $6 to $360 in switching ownership of 136 stocks, Jamaica Broilers rose 84 cents to end at $33.99 after a transfer of 24,561 units, Jamaica Producers rallied 48 cents to close at $23.98, with 162,049 stocks changing hands. 
JMMB Group gained $1.50 and ended at $26.50 with investors trading 105,451 shares, Kingston Properties popped 40 cents to $8.40 with 185,028 stock units clearing the market, Kingston Wharves advanced 40 cents and ended at $30.40 after an exchange of 4,749 units. Massy Holdings rose $1 in closing at $90 in trading 10 shares, Mayberry Group gained 40 cents to end at $7.60 after an exchange of 32,888 units, Mayberry Jamaican Equities climbed 87 cents to close at $10.77 after 15,476 stocks passed through the market. NCB Financial increased 95 cents to $65.95 in an exchange of 277,782 stock units, Pan Jamaica skidded $1 and ended at $49 with 177,822 shares crossing the market, Sagicor Group rallied $1 to end at $41 while exchanging 1,083,084 stock units. Scotia Group rose 49 cents in closing at a 52 weeks’ high of $47.44 with traders dealing in 38,043 stocks, Seprod climbed 44 cents to close at $84.99 in an exchange of 55,720 units, 
Sygnus Real Estate Finance increased $1.65 to $12.66 with investors trading 9,204 shares and Wisynco Group popped 50 cents to end at $21, with 48,442 stock units crossing the market.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share advanced $1.17 in closing at $6.25 as investors exchanged 25 stocks and Jamaica Public Service 7% sank $5.99 and ended at $42.01 with a transfer of 25 units.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
March ends trading on a high note for JSE
Trading surged to end March on a positive note with a sharp jump in the value and volume of stocks changing hands on the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Thursday, resulting in the Main and Junior Market rising with the JSE USD market closing moderately and resulting in prices of 48 shares rising and 27 declining on a day that Ciboney traded in it new name, Innovative Energy.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index climbed 1,076.40 points to 341,247.67, the All Jamaican Composite Index climbed 2,274.96 points to 368,584.26, the JSE Main Index rose 787.45 points to end at 327,798.70. The Junior Market Index jumped 46.14 points to 3,876.03 and the JSE USD Market Index declined 1.34 points to wrap-up trading at 247.81.
At the close of trading, 53,140,220 shares were exchanged in all three markets, well over the 15,566,466 units on Wednesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounting to $266.30 million, up sharply over the $103.70, million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 84,506 shares for US$3,441 compared to 303,812 units at US$36,667 on Wednesday.
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by Wigton Windfarm with 4.06 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 2.67 million stock, Radio Jamaica was next with 2.42 million units, Sagicor Select Financial Fund followed with 1.85 million shares and Sagicor Group with 1.08 million units.
In the Junior Market, Spur Tree Spices led trading with 22.59 million shares followed by Indies Pharma with 2.94 million stock units, Fosrich with 2.47 million units, Mailpac Group with 2.31 million units and Stationery and Office Supplies with 1.79 million shares.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share advanced $1.17 in closing at $6.25 and Jamaica Public Service 7% sank $5.99 to $42.01.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.6 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.2 times those for 2023-24 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 between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information 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.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and 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 assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. 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.
Trading surged on the JSE USD market
Trading surged on Wednesday with a 97 percent jump in the volume of stocks changing hands on the Jamaica Stock Exchange US dollar market following a 221 percent jump in the value of stocks changing hands compared to Tuesday, resulting from trading in nine securities, up from eight on Tuesday and ended with prices of three rising, two declining and four ending unchanged.
The market closed with an exchange of 303,812 shares for US$36,667 up from 154,383 units at US$11,426 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 33,757 units at US$4,074 versus 19,298 shares at US$1,428 on Tuesday, with a month to date average of 50,886 shares at US$3,720 compared with 52,045 units at US$3,696 on the previous day and February that ended with an average of 46,765 units for US$6,084.
The US Denominated Equities Index popped 0.33 points to settle at 249.15.
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 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, First Rock Real Estate USD share remained at 4.99 US cents while investors exchanged 3,813 stocks, Margaritaville dipped 0.99 of one cent to 10 US cents, with 22,170 units crossing the market, Proven Investments ended at 14.99 US cents after an exchange of 9,156 shares.
Sterling Investments advanced 0.07 of a cent to close at 1.69 US cents with 58 stock units crossing the market, Sygnus Credit Investments lost 0.1 of a cent to end at 8.6 US cents in switching ownership of 11 shares, Sygnus Real Estate Finance USD share ended at 11 US cents, with 1,000 stocks changing hands and Transjamaican Highway rose 0.03 of a cent to 2.2 US cents and closed with an exchange of 245,862 units.
In the preference segment, JMMB Group US8.5% preference share rallied 1 cent to end at US$1.18 with 19,754 stock units clearing the market and JMMB Group 5.75% remained at US$2.12 with investors dealing in 1,988 shares.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Stocks lost ground on the JSE Main Market
Trading on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market ended on Wednesday, with a 43 percent fall in the volume of stocks traded at a 38 percent lower value than on Tuesday, with trading in 62 securities compared with 60 on Tuesday, with prices of 15 stocks rising, 25 declining and 22 ending unchanged.
The market closed with 8,091,866 shares being traded for $89,053,515 compared with 13,924,449 units at $141,822,725 on Tuesday.
Trading averaged 130,514 shares at $1,436,347 compared to 240,077 units at $2,408,705 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 878,131 units at $2,354,246 compared to 922,487 units at $2,408,705 on the previous day and February with an average of 387,306 units at $3,375,928.
Transjamaican Highway led trading with 3.84 million shares for 47.5 percent of total volume followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.03 million units for 12.8 percent of the day’s trade and Carreras with 404,211 units for 5 percent market share.
The All Jamaican Composite Index shed 2,210.62 points to close at 366,309.30, the JSE Main Index dipped 1,536.68 points to settle at 327,011.25 and the JSE Financial Index sank 1.00 points to settle at 69.63.
The Main Market ended trading with an average PE Ratio of 13.3. The JSE Main and USD Market PE ratios are based on the last traded prices and earnings forecasts by ICInsider.com for companies with financial year ending around August 2024.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows five stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, AS Bryden advanced $1.95 in closing at $39.50 with an exchange of 31 shares, Caribbean Cement dipped $1 to $56 with an exchange of 24,911 units, First Rock Real Estate fell 48 cents and ended at $10 with investors dealing in 109,503 shares. General Accident skidded 62 cents to end at $5.48 in an exchange of 104,707 stock units, GraceKennedy lost 85 cents to close at $73.15 with traders dealing in 402,893 shares, Guardian Holdings popped $15 to $366 as investors exchanged 353 stock units. Jamaica Producers climbed $1 and ended at $23.50 with a transfer of 170,650 stocks, JMMB Group shed 49 cents to close at $25 while exchanging 18,296 units, Kingston Wharves declined 40 cents in closing at $30 with investors trading 2,197 stocks. 
Lasco Manufacturing migrated to the Main market on Wednesday and rose 70 cents to end at $6.10 in an exchange of a mere 620 units, following an absence of meaningful offers to sell. Massy Holdings sank $1 in closing at $89, with 425 shares changing hands, Mayberry Group dropped 68 cents to $7.20 with an exchange of 2,660 stock units. MPC Caribbean Clean Energy sank $1.50 and ended at $93.50, with investors trading 52 shares, NCB Financial declined 70 cents to close at $65 with a transfer of 102,264 stocks, Portland JSX fell 40 cents to end at $10.50 after exchanging 79 units. Sagicor Group skidded $1.78 in closing at $40 with investors swapping 90,279 stock units, Seprod rallied 85 cents to $84.55 with 3,750 shares clearing the market, Stanley Motta lost 57 cents to close at $6.92 in switching ownership of 20,352 stock units. Sygnus Credit Investments shed 43 cents to end at $10.80, with 30,061 stocks crossing the market, 
Sygnus Real Estate Finance increased 91 cents and ended at $11.01 in trading 4,794 units and Wisynco Group dropped 50 cents to $20.50 after a transfer of 6,113 stocks.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share dipped $1.21 to end at $5.08, with 10,840 shares crossing the market.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.
Main Market drops Junior & USD markets rise
The Main Market of the Jamaica Stock Exchange declined in trading on Wednesday as the Junior and JSE USD markets closed moderately higher as trading ended with the number and value of stocks changing hands falling, compared with the previous trading day, resulting in prices of 29 shares rising and 38 declining, on a day when Lasco Distributors and Lasco Manufacturing switched over to the Main Market from the Junior Market., with the latter jumping 70 cents at the close of the day.
At the close of trading, the JSE Combined Market Index dropped 1,382.30 points to close at 340,171.27, the All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 2,210.62 points to close at 366,309.30, the JSE Main Index sank 1,536.68 points to close at 327,011.25. The Junior Market Index rallied 13.03 points to culminate at 3,829.89 and the JSE USD Market Index gained 0.31 points to finish at 249.15.
At the close of trading, 15,566,466 shares were exchanged in all three markets, down from 25,574,514 units on Tuesday, with the value of stocks traded on the Junior and Main markets amounting to $103.70 million, compared with $167.57, million on the previous trading day and the JSE USD market closed with an exchange of 303,812 shares for US$36,667 compared to 154,383 units at US$11,426 on Tuesday.
Trading in the Main Market was dominated by Transjamaican Highway with 3.84 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm with 1.03 million units and Carreras with 404,211 stocks.
In the Junior Market, Stationery and Office Supplies led trading with 1.51 million shares followed by Spur Tree Spices with 1.06 million stock units and Fosrich with 995,605 units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share dipped $1.21 to $5.08.
The market’s PE ratio, the most popular measure used to determine the value of stocks, ended at 20.5 on 2022-23 earnings and 14.2 times those for 2023-24 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 between the same sector companies and the overall market. The EPS & PE ratios are based on 2023 and 2024 actual or projected earnings, excluding major one off items.
Investors need pertinent information 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.
Investors should use the chart to help make rational decisions when investing in stocks close to the average for the sector and 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 assess the value of stocks based on this measure quickly. 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.