Back to normal for JSE Main Market

Trading activity on Wednesday could not match the heady trading levels resulting from the dominant trade by Barita Investments on Tuesday. The volume of shares trading on Wednesday dropped 63 percent and the value 96 percent from Tuesday’s levels, helping the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market to close higher for a fourth consecutive day.
Fifty two securities traded, up from 49 on Tuesday, with 15 rising, 23 declining and 14 ending unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 15.8 based on ICInsider.com forecast of 2021-22 earnings.
The All Jamaican Composite Index popped 3,488.35 points to 452,100.44, the JSE Main Index jumped 2,700.82 points to 410,898.90 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.89 points to end at 100.72.
A total of 18,954,825 shares traded at $169,922,552 from 50,863,279 units at $4,450,256,298 on Tuesday. Sagicor Select Financial Fund led the market, with 28.3 percent of total volume in exchanging 5.37 million shares followed by Pulse Investments 20.5 percent with 3.89 million units, Transjamaican Highway 14.3 percent with 2.71 million shares, Wigton Windfarm 11.4 percent with 2.17 million units and Sagicor Select Manufacturing & Distribution Fund with 5.6 percent after trading 1.07 million units.
Trading averages 364,516 units at $3,267,741, down from 1,038,026 shares at $90,821,557 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 334,642 units at $7,489,764, compared to 333,105 units at $7,706,920 on Tuesday. August closed with an average of 480,039 units at $8,561,549.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments spiked $4.99, ending at a record close of $106.99 in exchanging 594,219 stocks, Eppley gained 50 cents to finish at $39.50 with 454 stock units crossing the market, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rose 96 cents to close at $43.95 in switching ownership of 23,576 units. First Rock Capital gained 60 cents in closing at $12.90 after trading 8,091 shares, Jamaica Broilers shed 99 cents to $32 with the swapping of 15,304 stocks, Jamaica Producers lost 28 cents to end at $22.70 with 1,306 shares crossing the exchange. Jamaica Stock Exchange dipped 29 cents to close at $16.85 in switching ownership of 7,067 stock units, JMMB Group fell 45 cents to $37.70 in an exchange of 216,455 units, Kingston Wharves popped 95 cents to $45 after three stocks cleared the market. 138 Student Living shed 54 cents to $4.51 with the swapping of 897 shares, Palace Amusement dropped $19 in closing at $1,030 after trading 71 units, Proven Investments shed 59 cents ending at $32.16 with 6,024 stock units changing hands. Pulse Investments gained 23 cents to close at $4.93 with an exchange of 3,890,553 shares, Sagicor Group advanced $2 to $56 in transferring 152,988 stocks, Scotia Group declined 60 cents to end at $38.40 in switching ownership of 85,570 units. Seprod lost 20 cents to close at $63.10 with 120,483 shares crossing the market, Sygnus Credit Investments shed 35 cents to end at $15.50 after 49,632 stock units cleared the market.
In the preference segment, Eppley 5% fell $1 to end at a 52 weeks’ low of $19 with an exchange of 399 shares and Eppley 7.50% preference share declined $1.20 in closing at $6.80 with a transfer of 10,800 units.

Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Barita cornered Main Market trading

Trading picked up steam on Tuesday, with the volume of shares traded soaring 303 percent, with the value surging 2,777 percent higher than on Monday at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market as Barita Investments commandeered trading with 39 million shares valued at $3.985 billion as market activity ended with the market indices enjoying another day of four-digit bounce as rising stocks outnumbered those declining almost two to one.

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The All Jamaican Composite Index advanced 2,669.74 points to settle at 448,612.09, the Main Index rose 2,352.30 points to 408,198.08 and the JSE Financial Index rallied 0.53 points to end at 99.83.
Trading ended with 49 securities compared to 55 on Monday, with 23 stocks rising, 14 declining and 12 ending unchanged. The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 15.8 based on ICInsider.com forecast of 2021-22 earnings.
Trading ended with 50,863,279 shares changing hands for $4,450,256,298 versus 12,618,882 units at $154,663,612 on Monday. Barita Investments led trading with 76.3 percent of total volume after trading 38.8 million shares, NCB Financial followed with 5 percent, trading 2.53 million units, Transjamaican Highway accounting for 4.1 percent with 2.08 million units, Wigton Windfarm 3.9 percent with 1.97 million units and GraceKennedy with 2.1 percent for an exchange of 1.08 million units.
Trading averages 1,038,026 units at $90,821,557, up from 229,434 shares at $2,812,066 on Monday and month to date, an average of 333,105 units at $7,706,920, compared to 297,200 units at $3,473,430 on Monday. August closed with an average of 480,039 units at $8,561,549.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments fell $2 in closing at $102 with an exchange of 38,808,202 shares, Berger Paints lost 35 cents to end at $13.35 in trading 6,933 units, Caribbean Cement spiked $1.99 to $101 after exchanging 8,703 stock units. Caribbean Producers gained 20 cents to close at $4.84 with a transfer of 679,310 shares, Eppley popped 97 cents to $39 in an exchange of 200 units, First Rock Capital shed 75 cents in ending at $12.30 after crossing the market with 7,513 stocks, Guardian Holdings rose $1 to $581 in switching ownership of 869 units, Jamaica Broilers advanced $2.99 to $32.99 in exchanging 20,031 stocks. Jamaica Producers advanced $1.38 to $22.98 in switching ownership of 7,668 stock units, Jamaica Stock Exchange rallied 54 cents to $17.14 in trading 21,974 units, JMMB Group lost 35 cents to end at $38.15 with 109,400 shares crossing the exchange. Kingston Properties popped 50 cents to end at $9 with 63 shares changing hands. Margaritaville gained 88 cents in closing at $15.08 with an exchange of 1,346 units, Mayberry Jamaican Equities declined 50 cents to $8.20 in trading 673,703 stocks, Palace Amusement popped $13.18 to $1049 trading 31 shares. PanJam Investment rose 95 cents to close at $63 in clearing the market with 5,204 stock units, Proven Investments lost 25 cents in ending at $32.75, with 2,387 shares changing hands, Sagicor Group rallied 50 cents to end at $54, with 22,229 stock units crossing the market. Salada Foods dropped 22 cents in closing at $6.03 and exchanging 45,550 stocks, Scotia Group climbed 50 cents to $39 while exchanging 33,390 units, Seprod fell 20 cents to $63.30 in exchanging 9,641 shares. Supreme Ventures advanced 22 cents to $17.92, with 16,152 stock units clearing the market and Sygnus Credit Investments popped 25 cents to $15.85 with 21,608 units changing hands.
Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Gains for JSE Main market

Investors flexed their financial muscles on Monday and sent the value of shares trading soaring 63 percent higher than  on Friday at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market and sending the market indices higher after rising stocks to just edged out those declining.
The All Jamaican Composite Index rallied 2,398.59 points to settle at 445,942.35, the Main Index rose 1,974.48 points to 405,845.78 and the JSE Financial Index gained 0.47 points to end at 99.30.
Trading ended with 55 securities compared to 52 on Friday, with 23 stocks rising, 22 declining and 10 ending unchanged. The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 15.7 based on ICInsider.com forecast of 2021-22 earnings.
Trading pulled out 12,618,882 shares for $154,663,612 versus 11,341,314 units at $94,854,280 on Friday. Transjamaican Highway led trading with 22.4 percent for an exchange of 2.83 million shares followed by Wisynco Group 21.8 percent with 2.76 million units, Wigton Windfarm with 17.7 percent after exchanging 2.24 million units and Pulse Investments 11.3 percent with 1.43 million units changing hands.
Trading averages 229,434 shares at $2,812,066, compared to 218,102 units at $1,824,121 on Friday and month to date, an average of 297,200 units at $3,473,430, compared to 301,309 units at $3,513,535 on Friday. August closed with an average of 480,039 units at $8,561,549.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows eight stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments advanced $5 to an all-time high of $104 in an exchange of 57,785 shares, Caribbean Cement fell $1.49 to $99.01 with 1,271 stocks crossing the exchange, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund rose $1.99 to $42.99 in transferring 1,750 units. First Rock Capital lost 43 cents to end at $13.05, with 3,835 stock units crossing the market, Guardian Holdings shed $1 to end at $580 in trading 5,485 stocks, Jamaica Broilers rallied $1.55 to $30 with 3,198 units changing hands. Jamaica Producers popped 60 cents to $21.60 in switching ownership of 35,091 shares, Jamaica Stock Exchange shed 95 cents to $16.60 with an exchange of 1,520 stock units, JMMB Group slipped 45 cents to close at $38.50 with the swapping of 207,533 stocks. Kingston Properties fell $1 to $8.50 in switching ownership of 56,464 shares, Kingston Wharves lost 90 cents to close at $44.10 with 6,471 stocks changing hands, Mayberry Investments popped 50 cents to $6 in transferring 106,405 units. Mayberry Jamaican Equities gained 50 cents to $8.70 with the swapping of 650 shares, NCB Financial shed $1.50 to end at $127.50 after clearing the market with 12,877 units, Palace Amusement climbed $135.82 ending at $1,035.82 after exchanging 52 stocks. Portland JSX gained 98 cents to finish at $8 with the swapping of 1,000 stock units, Sagicor Real Estate Fund popped 50 cents to close at $8.50 after crossing the market with 233 units, Salada Foods picked up 25 cents to end at $6.25 in switching ownership of 14,969 stocks. Scotia Group lost 50 cents in closing at $38.50 with the swapping of 41,791 shares, Seprod spiked 39 cents to $63.50 with 39,397 stock units crossing the market and Supreme Ventures fell 90 cents to $17.70 in trading 86,640 stocks.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% rallied 30 cents to a 52 weeks’ high of $20.80 in switching ownership of 7,200 stock units and in the corporate bond segment, Colassal 4.25% lost 47 cents in closing at $100.28 trading 50000 units.

Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

JSE Main Market drops 3250 points this week

Market activity ended on Friday with the value of stocks climbing 58 percent over Thursday volume, however, the volume of shares trading was a mere 6 percent higher as trading ended for the week on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market, with the All Jamaican Composite Index ending 3,249.75 points lower than at the close of last week.
At the close on Friday, the All Jamaican Composite Index popped 922.91 points to settle at 443,543.76, the Main Index gained 780.78 points to 403,871.30 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.39 points to end at 98.83.
A total of 52 securities traded, down from 51 on Thursday, with prices of 17 rising, 22 declining and 13 ending unchanged. The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 15.5 based on ICInsider.com forecast of 2021-22 earnings.
The market ended with 11,341,314 shares trading for $94,854,280 versus 10,685,503 units at $226,729,653 on Thursday. Sterling Investments led trading with 46 percent of total volume after trading 5.21 million shares, followed by Transjamaican Highway 16.6 percent with 1.88 million units and Wigton Windfarm 7.5 percent with an exchange of 854,516 shares.
Trading averages 218,102 units at $1,824,121, compared to 209,520 shares at $4,445,679 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 301,309 units at $3,513,535, compared to 306,370 units at $3,616,283 on Thursday. August closed with an average of 480,039 units at $8,561,549.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows ten stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and four with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments advanced $2 to end at 52 weeks’ high of $99 with 25,427 shares clearing the market, Berger Paints shed 99 cents to $13.51 with an exchange of 36,113 stocks, Caribbean Cement lost 40 cents in closing at $100.50 with 15,907 units changing hands. Eppley fell $1.70 to $38 in transferring 100 stock units, Eppley Caribbean Property Fund climbed $3.75 to $41 in switching ownership of 200 units, First Rock Capital rose 89 cents to $13.48 in exchanging 11,708 stocks. GraceKennedy traded 242,724 and fell 19 cents to close at $99.19, Guardian Holdings fell $4 to $581 with a transfer of 2,127 shares, Jamaica Broilers rallied 95 cents in closing at $28.45 after exchanging 12,080 stock units, Jamaica Producers advanced $1 to $21 in trading 129,320 stocks. Jamaica Stock Exchange popped 55 cents to close at $17.55 with 33,349 shares crossing the exchange, but only after trading at an intraday 52 weeks’ low of $15.02. JMMB Group jumped $2.75 to $38.95 with 565,258 units changing hands, Kingston Wharves declined $1 to end at $45 with the swapping of 53,929 stock units, MPC Caribbean Clean Energy declined $5 to $115, with 108 units crossing the market, NCB Financial lost 49 cents to settle at $129 in switching ownership of 23,011 shares, Palace Amusement dropped $10 to $900 in trading 164 stocks. PanJam Investment shed $1.77 to close at $62.01 in an exchange of 52,360 stock units, Sagicor Group lost 52 cents to end at $53.50 in trading 60,107 shares, Seprod dipped 39 cents to $63.11 with 11,833 stocks crossing the market and Wisynco Group fell 35 cents to $15.65 in exchanging 93,661 units.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.50% preference share declined by $4.30, ending at $8 in exchanging 1,233 stock units. In the corporate bond segment Caribbean Producers rose $1 to $101, trading 30,000 units and Colassal 4.25% fell $4.11 in trading 150 million units.

Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Stocks continue struggle on JSE Main Market

Investors extended 183 percent more funds on stocks on Thursday than they did on Wednesday in market activity on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market, leading to rising stocks exceeding those declining, but that did not prevent a fall in the market indices at the close.
The All Jamaican Composite Index slipped 295.03 points to 442,620.85, the Main Index fell 101.04 points to 403,090.52 and the JSE Financial Index lost 0.06 points to end at 98.44.
Trading touched 51 securities versus 52 on Wednesday, with 20 rising, 17 declining, and 14 unchanged.
The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 15.3 based on ICInsider.com forecast of 2021-22 earnings.
At the close, 10,685,503 shares traded for $226,729,653 versus 11,218,510 units at $80,012,135 on Wednesday. Wigton Windfarm led trading with 21.8 percent of total volume after trading 2.33 million shares, followed by Sagicor Select Financial Fund 12.5 percent with 1.33 million units and Transjamaican Highway with 10.4 percent in exchanging 1.11 million units.
Trading averages 209,520 units at $4,445,679, compared to 215,741 shares at $1,538,695 on Wednesday and month to date, an average of 306,370 units at $3,616,283, compared to 312,513 units at $3,563,672 on Wednesday. August closed with an average of 480,039 units at $8,561,549.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows six stocks ended with higher bids than their last selling prices and five with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments spiked $5.49 to $97 with an exchange of 274,521 shares, Berger Paints gained 40 cents in closing at $14.50, with 1,376 stock units clearing the market, GraceKennedy gained 20 cents in ending at $99 after trading 145,832 shares, Guardian Holdings climbed $5 to close at $585 with 5,361 stocks crossing the exchange. Jamaica Broilers advanced $2.50 to $27.50 in switching ownership of 22,590 units, Jamaica Producers shed $1 to $20 with 286,304 shares changing hands, JMMB Group rose 70 cents to $36.20 with the swapping of 417,393 stocks. Key Insurance advanced 19 cents to $4.22 in trading 26 units, Margaritaville shed 80 cents to close at $14.20 after seven stock units crossed the market, Mayberry Investments lost 20 cents to end at $5.50 in exchanging 301,484 units, Mayberry Jamaican Equities fell 55 cents to $8.20 in exchanging 794 units, NCB Financial Group rose $1.49 to $129.49 in trading 179,455 stocks. Palace Amusement rallied $8 to $910 with a transfer of 236 stock units, PanJam Investment popped $1.78 to end at $63.78 with 931,362 shares crossing the market, Scotia Group declined $1 to $39 after dropping to a 52 weeks’ low of $37 in 69,473 units changing hands and Wisynco Group rose 21 cents to $16 in an exchange of 65,458 stocks.

Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

More declines for JSE Majors

Stock prices softened on Wednesday with demand for stocks dipping below Tuesday and ended withJ the volume of shares trading declining 23 percent and the value dropped 53 percent below Tuesday’s trade on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market, resulting in declining stocks outnumbering those rising.
The All Jamaican Composite Index dropped 1,575.15 points to 442,915.88, the Main Index shed 1,499.07 points to 403,191.56 and the JSE Financial Index lost 0.14 points to end at 98.50.
Trading ended with 52 securities compared to 46 on Tuesday, with 14 stocks rising, 24 declining and 14 ending unchanged. The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 15.3 based on ICInsider.com’s earnings forecast for 2021-22.
Trading ended with 11,218,510 shares changing hands for $80,012,135 versus 14,658,044 units at $171,290,682 on Tuesday. Transjamaican Highway led trading with 35.1 percent of total volume for an exchange of 3.94 million shares, followed by Wigton Windfarm with 24.8 percent after trading 2.78 million units and Sagicor Select Financial Fund with 6.7 percent after trading 753,355 shares.
Trading averages 215,741 units at $1,538,695, compared to 318,653 shares at $3,723,710 on Tuesday and month to date, an average of 312,513 units at $3,563,672, compared to 319,205 units at $3,703,697 on Tuesday. August closed with an average of 480,039 units at $8,561,549.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and three with lower offers.
At the close, Barita Investments fell $2.49 to $91.51, with 45,486 shares changing hands, Caribbean Cement declined $2 to close at $101 with the swapping of 5,329 units, GraceKennedy shed 69 cents in closing at $98.80 after swapping 65,023 stocks. Guardian Holdings slid $5 to $580 in trading 1,341 stock units, Jamaica Broilers declined $3.10 to $25, with 171,105 units crossing the exchange, Margaritaville rose 80 cents to $15 in exchanging 220 shares. Mayberry Investments lost 30 cents to finish at $5.70 in trading 143,039 stocks, Palace Amusement dropped $148 in closing at $902 in an exchange of 70 stock units, PanJam Investment shed 50 cents to $62 with the swapping of 50,000 shares. Proven Investments spiked 53 cents to $32.90 with 6,350 stocks crossing the market, Salada Foods lost 30 cents to end at $6.20 in trading 51,666 stock units, after trading as low as $5.52, during the trading session. Scotia Group popped 45 cents to $40 with an exchange of 90,230 units, Seprod lost 35 cents to close at $63.65, with 291,051 stock units clearing the market, Supreme Ventures rose 85 cents in closing at $18.85 after switching ownership of 115,950 units and Sygnus Credit Investments gained 38 cents in ending at $15.88 and exchanging 38,335 stocks.
In the corporate bond segment, Guardian Holdings 7% due 2027 bond rose 30 cents to $102.65 after trading 500,000 units.

Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Main market stocks decline

Trading ended on Tuesday with the main market indices falling appreciably, after rising stocks trailed by almost one to two those declining as the volume of shares traded spiked 123 percent higher and the value of stocks surged 186 percent over Monday at the close of the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market.
The All Jamaican Composite Index fell 1,769.43 points to settle at 444,491.03, the JSE Main Index declined 1,811.95 points to 404,690.63 and the JSE Financial Index shed 0.18 points to end at 98.64.
Trading ended with 46 securities compared to 51 on Monday, with 11 stocks rising, 20 declining and 15 ending unchanged. The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 15.5 based on ICInsider.com forecast of 2021-22 earnings.
The market closed with 14,658,044 shares trading for $171,290,682 versus 6,587,765 units at $59,809,086 on Monday. Sagicor Select Financial Fund led trading with 40.2 percent of total volume after exchanging 5.89 million shares followed by Wigton Windfarm 11.9 percent, with 1.74 million units, Transjamaican Highway accounted for 10.3 percent with 1.51 million units and Barita Investments 7.8 percent with 1.15 million shares changing hands.
Trading averages 318,653 units at $3,723,710, compared to 129,172 shares at $1,172,727 on Monday and month to date, an average of 319,165 units at $3,703,697, compared to 319,241 units at $3,702,393 on Monday. August closed with an average of 480,039 units at $8,561,549.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 11 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Barita Investments climbed $4 to $94 in exchanging 1,145,005 stock units, Berger Paints rose 97 cents to $14.10 after trading 27,638 units, Caribbean Cement rallied 97 cents to $103 with 31,506 stocks crossing the market. Caribbean Producers popped 22 cents to $4.67 in transferring 100,275 stock units, Eppley spiked $1.20 in ending at $39.70 with an exchange of 1,493 stocks, First Rock Capital rose 59 cents to $12.59 with 102,683 shares clearing the market. GraceKennedy shed 51 cents to close at $99.49, trading 24,485 units, Guardian Holdings dropped $7 to $585 in an exchange of 138 stocks, Jamaica Broilers lost 40 cents to end at $28.10 in switching ownership of 35,260 shares. Jamaica Producers fell $2.39 to finish at $21 after 168,013 stock units crossed the market, Jamaica Stock Exchange slipped 55 cents to $17.20 with the transfer of 3,900 units, Kingston Wharves lost 46 cents to close at $46.05 in switching ownership of 7,258 stocks. NCB Financial Group declined $1.10 to $127.90 with the swapping of 43,639 units, Palace Amusement popped $50 in closing at $1,050 in trading four shares, Proven Investments gained 27 cents to end at $32.37 after clearing the market with 15,512 stock units. Sagicor Real Estate Fund fell 50 cents in ending at $8 with an exchange of 14,870 stocks, Salada Foods lost 43 cents to $6.50 in switching ownership of 28,135 shares, Scotia Group declined 45 cents to close at $39.55 after exchanging 19,323 stock units. Seprod shed $2 after ending at $64 in trading 83,383 shares and Sygnus Credit Investments lost 39 cents in closing at $15.50, with 102,675 shares crossing the market.

Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

Modest slippage for Main Market

Market activity ended on Monday with the volume of shares traded jumping 66 percent higher and the value rising 21 percent more than in trading on Friday on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market as stocks rising were fewer than those declining.
The All Jamaican Composite Index shed 533.05 points to settle at 446,260.46, the Main Index declined 448.18 points to 406,502.58 and the JSE Financial Index lost 0.20 points to end at 98.82.
Trading ended with 51 securities similar to Friday, with 15 stocks rising, 18 declining and 18 ending unchanged. The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 15.5 based on ICInsider.com.’s forecast of 2021-22 earnings.
The market closed with 6,587,765 shares trading for $59,809,086 versus 3,971,368 units at $49,614,466 on Friday. Wigton Windfarm led trading with 22 percent of total volume for an exchange of 1.45 million shares followed by Transjamaican Highway with 17.1 percent after trading 1.13 million units and Pulse Investments 9.3 percent with 609,373 units.
Trading averages 129,172 units at $1,172,727, compared to 77,870 shares at $972,833 on Friday and month to date, an average of 319,241 units at $3,702,393, compared to 334,040 units at $3,899,360 on Friday. August closed with an average of 480,039 units at $8,561,549.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows 13 stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and none ended with lower offers.
At the close, Berger Paints shed 61 cents after ending at $13.13 in trading 11,324 shares, Caribbean Cement rallied $1.03 to $102.03 with an exchange of 5,384 stocks, Guardian Holdings popped $2 to $592 after an exchange of 5 stock units. Jamaica Stock Exchange rose 75 cents to $17.75 in trading 57,723 units, JMMB Group shed 24 cents to close at $35.50, with 115,314 shares crossing the market, Kingston Wharves fell 49 cents to $46.51 with the swapping of 712 stocks, NCB Financial gained 49 cents after ending at $129 in an exchange of 14,188 shares. PanJam Investment spiked 50 cents to close at $62.50 in switching ownership of 9,994 stock units, Seprod advanced $1.99 to end at $66 with 15,237 units clearing the market, Supreme Ventures dropped 20 cents to $17.80 in trading 4,260 units, Victoria Mutual Investments rose 27 cents in closing at $5.65 after trading 95,734 stocks.
In the preference segment, Eppley 7.75% rose 50 cents to $20.50 with 400 stock units crossing the exchange.

Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.

The big winners from tourism rebound

Jamaica tourism arrival numbers are approaching 80 percent of the 2019 figures. That is good news for the country, workers in the industry, and businesses close to the hotel areas and has major implications for listed companies.  

Caribbean Producers back in TOP 10

Recent data of inward bound passengers through the country’s international airports suggest that tourist arrivals for 2021 will be robust and at levels that far surpass that of 2020. Not only will the numbers exceed that of 2020, but the most lucrative period of December to April when visitor arrival numbers are some of the best monthly patronages, but the rates paid to visit are at the highest for the year.
The rebound means more revenues for the government, more foreign exchange earnings for the country, more wages paid to workers and more income for persons and companies providing goods and services to the sector.
The big winners for listed companies are Caribbean Producers, a major supplier of goods to sector in Jamaica and St Lucia. Everything Fresh is also a significant supplier to the sector in Jamaica and should see a rise in sales, Express Catering generates all its income from the industry, with its locations within the Sangster International Airport and Dolphin Cove with its attractions being a big draw for tourists.

Dolphin Cove

Others to benefit to a lesser degree are GraceKennedy, Wisynco, Jamaica Broilers, Knutsford Express and Fontana, the latter, with stores in Ocho Rios and Montego that sell to the visitors.
The rebound has significant implications for the foreign exchange market in 2022. In 2019, the tourism sector earned around $3 billion and just $1 billion in 2020. A return to 2019 visitor arrival number should see another $2 billion gross generated by the country than for 2020 and 2021, along with the billion increase in remittances since 2019 if maintained into 2022, should result in one of the most buoyant foreign exchange environment for the county.

Modest gain for JSE Main Market

Stock market activity ended on Friday with the volume of shares trading diving 64 percent lower, with the value down 84 percent compared to Thursday, to close out the week on the Jamaica Stock Exchange Main Market after rising stocks were overshadowed by those declining.
The All Jamaican Composite Index mustered a 91.03 points rise to 446,793.51, the Main Index picked up 309.70 points to end at 406,950.76 and the JSE Financial Index popped 0.20 points to 99.02.
Trading impacted 51 securities compared to 56 on Thursday, with 15 rising, 21 declining and 15 ending unchanged. The PE Ratio, a measure used in computing appropriate stock values, averages 15.5 based on ICInsider.com’s forecast of 2021-22 earnings.
The market closed with 3,971,368 shares trading for $49,614,466 versus 10,979,111 units at $317,868,201 on Thursday. Wigton Windfarm led trading with 22.1 percent of total volume after trading 875,782 shares followed by Transjamaican Highway 13.4 percent with 532,718 units and Pulse Investments with 10.7 percent for an exchange of 423,546 units.
Trading averages 77,870 units at $972,833, compared to 196,056 shares at $5,676,218 on Thursday and month to date, an average of 334,040 units at $3,899,360, compared to 355,670 units at $4,146,467 on Thursday. August closed with an average of 480,039 units at $8,561,549.
Investor’s Choice bid-offer indicator shows nine stocks ended with bids higher than their last selling prices and one with a lower offer.
At the close, Berger Paints popped 24 cents to $13.74 in transferring 7,300 stock units, Eppley shed 50 cents to $38.50 in exchanging 2,022 shares, First Rock Capital declined 60 cents $12, with 25,883 stocks crossing the exchange, GraceKennedy dropped $1.65 to close at $100 with the swapping of 175,051 units. Guardian Holdings rallied $10 to end at $590 after exchanging 106 stock units, Jamaica Broilers fell 99 cents to $28.51 with an exchange of 10,301 stock units, JMMB Group advanced 92 cents to $35.74 trading 40,347 stocks. Margaritaville dipped 50 cents to $14.20 in an exchange of 1,000 units, NCB Financial climbed 50 cents to end at $128.51 in switching ownership of 7,213 shares, PanJam Investment fell $3 in closing at $62 while exchanging 20,802 stock units.Proven Investments gained 40 cents to close at $32 in an exchange of  3,050 units, Seprod shed $1.99 to close at $64.01, with 2,316 shares changing hands, Stanley Motta spiked 55 cents to $5.60 after 1,355 stock crossed the market, Supreme Ventures rose 49 cents to $18, with 12,588 shares clearing the market and Wisynco Group lost 33 cents in ending at $15.65 and trading 61,336 stocks.

Prices of securities trading are those for the last transaction of each stock unless otherwise stated.